UNSTUCK with Tim Terrentine

UNSTUCK Podcast | The Culture You Build for Each Other — Mike Van Ryn on People, Recognition & What Really Drives Growth | Episode 014

Most people wouldn't look at an automotive group and think: that's a development company.

Mike Van Ryn has spent 21 years proving that's exactly what it is.

In Episode 014 of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Mike Van Ryn, VP of Talent Development for Zeigler Auto Group, for a conversation about culture, recognition, leadership, and what it actually takes to build an organization where people grow, stay, and thrive.

Mike started his career as a teacher and elementary school principal in West Michigan — one of the youngest in his district's history. Then he took a leap of faith into the automotive industry, and what he brought with him changed everything: a deep conviction that people are always the differentiator, and that the culture you build for each other is the strategy that outlasts every market shift.

Twenty years later, Zeigler has grown from 9 stores and 500 employees to 41 stores and more than 2,600 people — and has been named a Best and Brightest Company to Work For 20 years straight.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why communication and recognition are the two things great teams can never stop doubling down on

• What happens to culture when a company grows by acquisition — and how to bring people in without leaving them behind

• Why peer-nominated awards land differently than anything a manager can hand out

• How Zeigler built its own internal technician school when the market couldn't supply what they needed

• Why the leader's job is to get people from where they are to where they've never been

• What diamond drop notes are and why a handwritten note still changes everything

• How to get unstuck when you're in a slump — and why gratitude is the first move

• Why you should recognize your people more than you think you should — and then double it

And the line that stays with you:

"The leader's job is to get your people from where they are to where they've never been."

This conversation is warm, practical, and full of real wisdom for HR leaders, culture builders, managers, and anyone who believes that how you treat people is your growth strategy.

Learn more at https://www.translatorscg.com/podcast

About the Guest:Mike Van Ryn is the VP of Talent Development for Zeigler Auto Group, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With 21 years at Zeigler and a decade prior in education, Mike leads culture, recruiting, leadership development, Zeigler University, and recognition across one of the most people-forward automotive groups in the country. He has been recognized with the company's highest honor, the Legacy Tribute Award, and has spoken to organizations across the country on culture, leadership, and best practices in talent development.

Connect with Mike Van Ryn and Zeigler Auto Group.:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvanryn/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikevanryn/

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://www.zeigler.com/

#UnstuckPodcast #TalentDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #Somebodiness #EmployeeRecognition #HRLeadership #CultureBuilding #ZeiglerAutoGroup #BestAndBrightest #PeopleFirst #Belonging

UNSTUCK Podcast | From the End Zone to the Groundbreaking — Jamauri Bogan on Building Communities That Change Outcomes | Episode 013

Most people drive past a construction site and see a building going up.

Jamauri Bogan sees a community changing.

In Episode 013 of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Jamauri Bogan, Founder and CEO of Bogan Developments, for a conversation about affordable housing, community development, and what it really takes to build the infrastructure that changes outcomes for people who have been overlooked for far too long.

Jamauri grew up in Union, New Jersey, shaped by grandparents who showed up, parents who made sure their sons were prepared for whatever the world was going to ask of them, and a mom who worked at Prudential and let a 12-year-old sit in on meetings where he learned that capital has the power to change outcomes. He took that conviction to Western Michigan University as a running back under Coach PJ Fleck, earned his MBA, and then asked a question most people in his world weren't asking: how do I take what I care about and make capital follow it?

Six years and more than $60 million in development later, Bogan Developments is building workforce housing, affordable housing, and mixed-use communities across Michigan — partnering with Bronson Healthcare, the YMCA, tribal nations, and national development firms to build in places others have passed over.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why there is no lack of Black talent in development — just a capital allocation problem

• What it really takes to build a partnership that can survive a four-year development journey

• Why radical alignment on values matters more than anything else before you sign

• How Bogan Developments builds more than housing — and why the amenities are where the real community change happens

• What it means to be a compassionate capitalist and why those two words belong together

• Why the youth flees — and what that means for young people trying to figure out what's next

• How to smile through the pain and not let tough times erode your personal joy

• Why the team, the plan, and radical acceptance are the three things that have carried Jamauri through

And the line that stays with you:

"Find the thing early. Stay focused on it. Because these things compound — and you won't always have this many hours to burn."

This conversation is honest, grounded, and full of real wisdom for developers, community builders, young professionals, and anyone who believes that where capital goes says everything about what we value.

Learn more at https://www.translatorscg.com/podcast

About the Guest:Jamauri Bogan is the Founder and CEO of Bogan Developments, a minority-owned real estate development company focused on affordable housing, workforce housing, and mixed-use community development in Michigan. Since founding the company in 2020, Jamauri has led more than $60 million in development projects, partnered with municipalities, healthcare systems, tribal nations, and national development firms, and been recognized as an Emerging Minority Developer by the National Equity Fund. He is the 2025 Community Homeworks' Advocate of the Year, a 2023 Haworth College of Business Emerging Leader Alumni Award recipient, and a Western Michigan University MBA graduate.

Connect with Jamauri Bogan and Bogan Developments:

• Website: https://bogandevelopments.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamauri-bogan-687b4913b/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamauri-bogan-687b4913b/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamauri.bogan

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauri_32/

#UnstuckPodcast #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #BlackDeveloper #LeadershipDevelopment #Somebodiness #RealEstateDevelopment #CompassionateCapitalism #WorkforceHousing #Kalamazoo #CommunityImpact #Belonging #MixedUseDevelopment

UNSTUCK Podcast | More and Better — Ron Kitchens on Community & Building Economies That Leave No One Behind | Episode 012

Ron Kitchens has spent his career in rooms most people never get into.

But he grew up in rooms most people never talk about.

In Episode 012 of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Ron Kitchens, Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc., for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations about community, leadership, and what it really takes to build economies that work for everyone.

Ron knows what it feels like to have no food in the cabinets. To be homeless and not know where you're sleeping that night. To attend 13 different schools before sixth grade. He also knows what it feels like to sit in boardrooms with billionaires, lead some of the most celebrated economic development organizations in the country, and build teams that change communities for generations.

Both of those people are Ron Kitchens. And that's exactly what makes him worth listening to.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why the best leaders admit what they don't know and then go find it

• How hiring for hardwiring instead of résumés changes everything about who makes the team

• Why "rising tide lifts all boats" is a cliché that isn't actually true

• What economic development really is and why it always comes back to a mom at a table deciding between tires and the electric bill

• Why vulnerability isn't weakness for leaders — it's the strategy

• How sharing his dyslexia in a room full of college athletes changed one young man's life

• Why you can't stay on top of the mountain and what great leaders do instead

• What "more and better jobs" means and why it matters more than ever right now

• How to build trust across communities with old wounds and long memories

And the line that stays with you long after the conversation ends: "There's a mom sitting at a table somewhere tonight whose kids will be fed because of the work we do."

This conversation is direct, generous, and full of real wisdom for community leaders, economic developers, nonprofit executives, and anyone who believes that how we build our economies says everything about what we value.

Learn more at https://www.translatorscg.com/podcast

About the Guest:Ron Kitchens is Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc., the leading economic development organization for the 15-county St. Louis region. He has spent more than three decades driving growth across Missouri, Michigan, Texas, and Alabama, guided by the conviction that jobs change lives and communities competing for the right ones change the world. He is the author of two books, Uniquely You and Community Capitalism, and has spoken to more than 500 audiences across 31 states.

Connect with Ron Kitchens and Greater St. Louis, Inc.:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/greaterstlinc

• Instagram: @greaterstlinc

• X: @greaterstlinc

• Facebook: facebook.com/GreaterSTLinc

• Greater St. Louis, Inc.: greaterstlinc.com

#UnstuckPodcast #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Somebodiness #CommunityCapitalism #MoreAndBetterJobs #StLouis #InclusiveEconomy #Belonging #WorkplaceCulture #GreaterStLouisInc

UNSTUCK Podcast | From Detroit to the Doctorate — Leading Schools That Change Lives with Dr. Andraé Townsel | Episode 011

Some people go to school to get a degree.Dr. Andraé Townsel went to school to save a future that almost expired.In Episode 011 of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Dr. Andraé Townsel, Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, for one of the most energetic and honest conversations about education, leadership, and what it really takes to change the trajectory of a young person's life.Townsel grew up in Detroit, Michigan — a student-athlete who almost missed his moment. A football coach saw something in him, got him into Cass Technical High School, and issued a warning that changed everything: your potential has an expiration date. That wake-up call launched a journey from the sidelines to the superintendent's office — all the way through a bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree from Howard University.He's served in almost every role education has to offer: teacher, coach, dean, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Wherever he's gone, he's raised the bar — and then raised it again.In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why your potential has an expiration date — and what to do about it

• How a football scholarship from Howard turned into a doctoral degree and a life's mission

• Why ignorance isn't bliss — it's tragedy

• How to lead through loneliness and let your tribe find you

• Why you have to work harder on yourself than on the job

• What belonging really looks like at the system level

• Why your foundation determines everything you build on top of it

• What The Four Agreements has to do with running a school district

• Why education at its best evolves — and at its worst stays closed

This conversation is direct, hopeful, and packed with real wisdom for educators, coaches, leaders, and anyone who works with young people — or used to be one.Learn more at https://www.translatorscg.com/podcast.About the Guest:Dr. Andraé Townsel is the Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools in Hartford, Connecticut — one of the oldest school districts in the country. A Detroit native and Howard University doctoral alumnus, he has served in virtually every level of education and is known for his contagious commitment to student achievement, dignity, and raising the bar in every environment he enters. Connect with Dr. Townsel:

• LinkedIn:@dr-andraé-townsel-8233335

• Instagram: @draetown

• X: @draetown

• Facebook: @Draetown

• Hartford Public Schools: hartfordschools.org

#UnstuckPodcast #EducationLeadership #UrbanEducation #StudentAchievement #Superintendent #LeadershipDevelopment #Somebodiness #BlackLeadership #HowardUniversity #Detroit #Hartford #CoachingLeadership #Dignity #GrowthMindset #SetTheBar

UNSTUCK Podcast | Everything is Figure-Outable: Fixing the System Behind Special Education with Dr. Nikki Harding | Episode 010

Description:

What if the biggest challenge in special education isn’t the students… but the systems surrounding the people trying to support them?

In this episode of Unstuck, Tim Terrentine sits down with Dr. Nikki Harding, founder of The Inclusive Leadership Lab, to unpack the realities of special education, teacher burnout, inclusion, and the future of educational leadership.

Dr. Harding brings a perspective few people can offer—as a special education teacher, district leader, policy advocate, founder, and parent of a child with Down syndrome.

This conversation goes beyond education policy.It’s about dignity, somebody-ness, and building systems that actually support people.

Together they explore:

• Why compliance has replaced true inclusion 

• The hidden crisis driving special education teacher burnout 

• How AI can support teachers instead of replacing them 

• Why technology should empower educators—not overwhelm students 

• What happens when schools focus on deficits instead of strengths 

• How wraparound coaching can transform classrooms and retention 

• Why “everything is figure-outable” matters for families and educators alike 

And maybe most importantly:👉 What it means to build educational systems that treat every student and every teacher like somebody.

If you’re a parent, educator, administrator, policymaker, or someone who cares about the future of education—this episode is for you.

About the Guest:

Dr. Nikki Harding is the founder of The Inclusive Leadership Lab, an organization focused on transforming special education systems through leadership development, teacher coaching, AI-supported instructional tools, and innovative educator preparation programs. Her work is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience as the parent of a child with Down syndrome.

🌐 https://theinclusiveleadershiplab.org

#UnstuckPodcast #SpecialEducation #InclusiveLeadership #EducationInnovation #TeacherBurnout #AIinEducation #LeadershipDevelopment #Somebodiness #EducationLeadership #Inclusion #EducationalEquity

What if everything you’ve been told about sales… is wrong?

In this episode of Unstuck, Tim Terrentine sits down with sales professional Nick Riashi to break down the realities behind one of the most misunderstood careers.

This isn’t about pressure tactics or closing tricks.It’s about connection, consistency, and controlling what you actually can.

Nick shares his journey—from grinding as a 12-year-old caddy to becoming a top performer across industries—and unpacks the mindset that drives long-term success in sales.

You’ll hear:

• Why sales is one of the few careers where you control your outcome 

• The real reason people still buy from people they like 

• How energy and belief directly impact your results 

• What separates great salespeople from average ones 

• How to navigate slumps—and get unstuck fast 

This episode reframes sales entirely.

It’s not about pushing products.It’s about building trust, showing up consistently, and owning your day.

About the Guest:Nick Riashi is a seasoned sales professional known for his relationship-first approach and consistent performance across industries—from retail and automotive to high-level business development. His philosophy centers on effort, attitude, and authentic connection.

#UnstuckPodcast #SalesLeadership #BusinessDevelopment #Mindset #Leadership

UNSTUCK Podcast | From the Neighborhood to the Boardroom — Leading With Your Blueprint with Jerry Price | Episode 008

Most people think belonging is a program you roll out.

Jerry Price knows it's a way of life — and he's been living it his whole career.

In Episode 008 of UNSTUCK, I sit down with Jerry Price, Belonging Partner Advisor for Corewell Health East, to talk about culture, community, leadership, and what it really means to build environments where people are seen, valued, and able to contribute.

Jerry grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan — steps from Lake Michigan and steps from the hood. He'll tell you both shaped him. His parents came out of Mississippi and rural Florida in the 1940s with a deep sense of service and a conviction that giving back wasn't optional. That blueprint has followed him into every room he's ever walked into.

From grassroots community work to advising executive leaders at one of the largest health systems in the region — Jerry has built a career on a simple idea: when you authentically invest in people, unexpected success follows.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why your lived experience is your leadership blueprint — and how to transfer it anywhere

• The difference between getting in the door, sitting at the table, and creating the menu

• Why belonging and inclusion has to be personal before it can be professional

• What happened to DEI — and why the how matters as much as the what

• How to find calm in the chaos and manage your energy for maximum impact

• Why "every stranger holds your next opportunity"

• The jazz festival Jerry built on the shores of Lake Michigan — and what it taught him about community

• Why coaching is about personal change, not just professional growth

And maybe most importantly: Why Jerry believes that communities who felt like they didn't have a voice are about to sing the loudest.

This conversation is honest, warm, and deeply practical for leaders, professionals, coaches, and anyone who believes that how you treat people is your strategy.

Learn more at https://www.translatorscg.com/podcast. 

About the Guest:

Jerry Price is the Belonging Partner Advisor for Corewell Health East, where he guides belonging and culture transformation efforts across Southeast Michigan. A Certified Diversity Professional and nationally recognized facilitator, Jerry also serves on Governor Whitmer's Black Leadership Council Health Steering Committee, chairs the Benton Harbor Education Foundation, and co-founded Lake Breeze at Sunset — a jazz festival on the shores of Lake Michigan.

#UnstuckPodcast #BelongingLeadership #InclusiveLeadership #CultureTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #Somebodiness #CommunityLeadership #BlackLeadership #DEI #WorkplaceCulture #CoachingLeadership #BentonHarbor #HealthcareLeadership

UNSTUCK Podcast | Leadership That Moves People with Kevin Bryant | Episode 007

Description:

What if the most important leadership decision your organization makes… is the one you slow down enough to get right?

In this episode of Unstuck, Tim sits down with Kevin Bryant, Managing Director at GoodCitizen, to unpack what really happens behind executive search—and why most organizations get it wrong.

Kevin brings a deeply human, equity-centered approach to leadership placement—one rooted in community, honesty, and the belief that leadership decisions shape long-term impact.

This conversation goes beyond hiring. It’s about:

• Why “fit” is often the wrong goal 

• What great leadership actually feels like (not just looks like on paper) 

• How boards sabotage success before a leader even starts 

• The cost of dishonesty in leadership transitions 

• Why “doing what you said you would do” is rare—and powerful 

And maybe most importantly:👉 What it means to place leaders who don’t just perform—but transform.

If you sit on a board, lead an organization, or care about building something that lasts—this conversation is for you.

About the Guest:Kevin Bryant is a Managing Director at GoodCitizen, where he leads equity-centered executive searches for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. His approach is grounded in integrity, community impact, and the belief that leadership decisions are one of the most powerful levers for meaningful change.

#UnstuckPodcast #Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveSearch #OrganizationalCulture #TalentStrategy #Somebodiness #MissionDriven 

What if everything you think you know about the law… isn’t actually how it works?

In this episode of Unstuck, Tim Terrentine sits down with attorney and community leader James Liggins Jr. for a powerful conversation about the gap between law and justice, the limits of our legal system, and the responsibility we carry as individuals within it.

James breaks down what “guilty” and “not guilty” really mean—and why the legal system isn’t designed to determine truth, but responsibility. From civic education to systemic inequities, from courtroom realities to community service, this conversation challenges assumptions and reframes how we think about power, fairness, and leadership.

You’ll hear:

• Why the legal system is built on “reasonable doubt,” not absolute truth 

• How laws change—and what that means for fairness across time 

• The impact of economics and access on legal outcomes 

• Why civic education may be the missing link in public discourse 

• How service and community engagement shape real leadership 

This isn’t just about law.It’s about how we show up—in systems, in community, and for each other.

Subscribe for more conversations that move you forward.

About the Guest:

James Liggins Jr. is a Senior Counsel at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, focusing on real estate litigation, business disputes, and community-centered legal advocacy. Beyond his legal practice, James is a deeply engaged civic leader—serving on multiple boards and advancing equity, access, and representation across Michigan. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging profession and purpose. 

#UnstuckPodcast #Leadership #Justice #CivicEngagement #Perspective

What does it really take to lead in a time of constant change?

In this episode of UNSTUCK, Tim Terrentine sits down with Darlene King Turner—CEO and President of The Unity Collaborative—for a powerful conversation on leadership, perspective, and the responsibility we carry to others.

Darlene shares her journey growing up in Detroit, where exposure to diversity created a lifelong foundation for understanding what she calls the “mosaic” of humanity—and how that perspective shapes effective leadership today.

Together, they unpack:

• Why leaders must choose to be “on the agenda, not on the menu”

• How perspective—not position—is the real leadership advantage

• The danger of leading in isolation instead of collaboration

• Why the next generation is more collaborative than ever

• How to lead through uncertainty without losing your values

• The role of vulnerability, feedback, and reverse mentorship

• What it means to truly build people—not just manage them

One of the most powerful takeaways:Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about bringing the right voices to the table.

Darlene also shares how she is developing future leaders through global youth programs connected to the United Nations—ensuring the next generation is prepared to lead beyond borders.

This conversation is honest, strategic, and deeply human.

Because getting unstuck isn’t just about movement—It’s about how you lead others forward.

About the Guest:Darlene King Turner is CEO and President of The Unity Collaborative, bringing over 20 years of leadership in building inclusive communities, cross-sector partnerships, and global initiatives that drive systemic impact