VVK Podcast With Craig Fahle

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A high school diploma doesn’t automatically translate into a stable job, and pretending it does leaves Detroit youth carrying the risk of a system that hasn’t kept up. We sit down with Michelle Reaves (Executive Director, DAPCEP), Jessica Hauser (Executive Director, Downtown Boxing Gym), and Laila Bell (VP of Learning and Impact, Skillman Foundation) to get specific about what workforce readiness looks like on the ground, and what it takes to build real pathways into careers.

We dig into the skills employers keep asking for and why they’re harder to build than people assume: critical thinking, communication, confidence, and the ability to adapt when the “right answer” isn’t obvious. We talk about how AI is reshaping the future of work, why career education needs to start earlier than high school, and how programs can evolve without losing their mission. You’ll also hear what it means to measure impact the right way, using both data and stories so evaluation improves the work instead of turning into a chase for funding.

Just as important, we don’t ignore the daily realities that can derail any career plan. Housing instability, transportation, food, safety, and mental health all shape whether a young person can focus on school and career preparation. The through line is trust: consistent adults, youth voice, family partnership, and an ecosystem where nonprofits, employers, universities, funders, and policymakers invest for the long term.

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“Authentic Detroit” gets used as a compliment, a warning, and sometimes a weapon in development debates. We wanted to slow that word down and ask what it actually means on the ground, especially in two places that Detroiters care about deeply: Midtown and Eastern Market. Craig Fahle is joined by Melanie Markowicz, Executive Director of Midtown Detroit Inc., and Katy Trudeau, President and CEO of Eastern Market Partnership, for a candid talk about how neighborhood decisions get made when everyone has an opinion and the stakes are real.

We get into the push and pull behind growth: new housing and restaurants alongside legacy businesses, cultural institutions, historic districts, and the everyday routines that shape a place’s identity. In Eastern Market, the conversation turns practical fast: this is a working food district with thousands of jobs, farmers, vendors, and heavy logistics, which creates real tension with the idea of turning everything into a residential lifestyle zone. In Midtown, the challenge spans nine neighborhoods and includes walkability, storefront vitality, and the responsibility of keeping character intact across a big geography.

From zoning and overlay districts to community engagement that starts before a design is finished, Melanie and Katie share what “meaningful” participation looks like, why one-on-one trust building beats performative meetings, and how adaptive reuse and historic preservation can keep Detroit from becoming “anywhere USA.” We also talk about the role of murals, public art, and events in keeping culture local, plus the behind-the-scenes work people rarely notice until it’s gone.

If you care about Detroit development, neighborhood identity, historic preservation, small business stability, and the future of Midtown Detroit and Eastern Market, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Detroit, and leave a review so more people can find the conversation.

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Detroit has always been a place that builds. What’s different now is the speed, the tools, and the stakes. We sit down with Mike Mattacola, CEO of Advaita Bio, and Patti Glaza, EVP for Venture and Managing Director of ID Ventures at Invest Detroit, to discuss what’s actually happening on the ground in Michigan’s startup ecosystem and what still needs to change for the innovation economy to become a durable driver of growth.

Mike explains how AI is collapsing the cost of building software products, shifting teams toward senior architecture talent paired with AI agents, and enabling a “ship every week” cadence that used to take far more capital. Patty adds the investor lens: deep tech, advanced manufacturing, mobility, and life sciences still demand serious funding and specialized support, and Michigan’s biggest challenge is building a consistent capital stack from early stage through growth, plus the mentorship and repeat-founder experience that coastal hubs take for granted.

We also dig into the Michigan Innovation Alliance, the need for a shared 20-year strategy, and why universities and tech transfer are central to turning research dollars into companies that reach the market and stay here. Finally, we tackle AI infrastructure and data centers, what matters for competitiveness, and how to measure progress over the next five years through bigger exits, stronger teams, and a healthier founder community. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review, what would you build in Michigan if the barriers dropped tomorrow?

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At a time when higher education is increasingly focused on job training, what are we losing?

In this conversation, Craig Fahle sits down with Roosevelt Montas and Rishi Jaitly to explore the enduring value of a liberal education—and why it may matter more than ever in the age of AI.

They discuss what it means to develop “full-stack humans,” the difference between learning for a career and learning for a life, and how the humanities help build the judgment, curiosity, and perspective that leadership now demands.

This is a conversation about thinking—what it means, why it matters, and how we cultivate it in a rapidly changing world.

In this episode:

• Why the humanities may be the most durable leadership advantage
• The shift from education as cultivation to education as job training
• What distinguishes a liberal education from a liberal arts major
• The idea of “flourishing” and its role in lifelong learning
• The “full-stack human” and the balance of timely vs. timeless skills
• How Bard is rethinking liberal education and civic life
• A new model for leadership development at Virginia Tech
• Why judgment matters more than information in an age of overload
• What AI reveals about distinctly human intelligence
• Why not everything valuable can—or should—be measured

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the VVK Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Full video episodes are also available on the VVK YouTube channel.

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Local news fuels nearly every conversation we have, from politics to schools to the stories we share at work, yet the system that produces it is under real strain. 

In this episode, we sit down with Katy Locker of Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit, Annalise Frank of Axios Detroit, and Zoe Clark of Michigan Public to talk plainly about what’s changing and what’s worth protecting as journalism adapts to shrinking newsrooms, fractured audiences, and nonstop platform shifts. 

We dig into how people actually consume information today, from early morning newsletters to breaking news on the radio and fast-moving, personality-driven social platforms, while also examining the business realities behind local journalism, including paywalls, membership models, nonprofit funding, public media support, and the lasting impact of the “free news” era. Trust runs through it all, as we explore how misinformation spreads when local coverage disappears, how authenticity and transparency can rebuild credibility, and how partnerships can help fill gaps. 

We also tackle AI’s growing role, from tools that summarize news without clicks to the ethical lines newsrooms are drawing, and why human reporting still matters when presence, context, and care are required. 

The conversation closes with real examples of local journalism creating impact, from policy change to community pride. 

Subscribe for more conversations about media and civic life, and if this resonated, share it with a friend and leave a review to help others find the show. 

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We dig into what makes PR agencies grow without losing their edge, from acquisitions and integration to talent, culture, and the real role of AI. We share concrete ways to keep client trust, avoid burnout, and build teams that win.

• relationships as the core of acquisitions and integration
• communicating change to clients before headlines
• independence versus integration and preserving the secret sauce
• AI as a tool for higher value, not a replacement
• the barbell talent model and demand for SMEs
• gaps in business skills and project management training
• culture that reduces burnout and attracts top talent
• practical advice for agency owners on reinvention and fit

If you enjoyed today's conversation, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Give us your feedback, ideas, guest suggestions, or just let us know what you're thinking anytime. The email address is [email protected]. Make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode

Guests:

Ray Day, APR Ray is a recognized voice and leader in communications and public relations. He joined Stagwell Global in February 2020, bringing more than three decades of experience as a chief communications officer leading global communications teams, brands, and agencies.

Kimberly Hoyle Kimberly is a senior growth executive with 20 years of experience shaping multi-year growth strategies and corporate transformation plans. As a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, she drives alignment between operations, business development, and talent strategy to create scalable, sustainable growth.

Peter Van Dyke Peter is CEO and co-founder of VVK PR + Creative, a Detroit-based integrated communications agency. Under his leadership, VVK has grown from 3 to 29 employees and from $1.8M to $4.1M in revenue over 3.5 years, serving mission-driven organizations throughout Metro Detroit and beyond.

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Detroit's Eastern Market is more than its famous Saturday crowds. CEO Katie Trudeau reveals how this 120-year-old food district serves as an economic engine for Southeast Michigan, transacting over $200,000 annually in SNAP benefits while pioneering food access programs like Double Up Food Bucks.

Unlike tourist-focused markets elsewhere, Eastern Market maintains authenticity through its working food district—produce houses, meatpackers, and processors operating alongside weekend vendors. The new Shed 7 wholesale distribution center will support midsize Michigan farmers and urban growers while serving the region's diverse grocery ecosystem.

Through the "Authentic Eastern Market" campaign (nearly $15.5 million raised), the nonprofit guides neighborhood development to complement rather than displace the district's food-centered identity. With events like Murals in the Market and Eastern Market After Dark, plus emerging restaurants and breweries, the market evolves while preserving its essential role in Detroit's food landscape.

As Trudeau says: "People who don't love this place are people who don't know about it." Discover how this institution balances preservation with growth while creating food-based opportunities for the next generation.

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Four directors from the Gilbert Family Foundation reveal how half a billion dollars is revitalizing Detroit through interconnected investments in parks, arts, small business, and housing. JJ Velez explains how community-designed public spaces become neighborhood anchors. Akua Hill shares how cultural initiatives preserve Detroit's authentic identity while creating economic opportunities. Linda Nozegbe discusses connecting residents with growing sectors and providing small business capital. Andrea Benson tackles housing stability through innovative, affordable solutions like factory-built homes.

Together, they demonstrate how comprehensive urban transformation works when community voices lead the way, addressing gentrification concerns while ensuring longtime residents benefit from improvements. A fascinating look inside one of Detroit's most significant neighborhood investment initiatives.

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Hosts: Jamie Kaye Walters, VVK CMO & Craig Fahle, Media Relations Director

Guests: Peter Van Dyke, VVK CEO & Ned Ward, SVP National PR  

What happens when a growing three-year-old Detroit PR agency acquires the PR division of a 40-year-old New Jersey firm? This VVK podcast episode uncovers the strategy behind VVK's acquisition of Stern Strategy Group's PR division and examines why executive visibility is essential for brands that want to stand out.

CEO Peter Van Dyke discusses how client demands for national visibility drove VVK to expand its capabilities, culminating in the acquisition. This move brought five seasoned pros to the team, including SVP of National PR Ned Ward, who highlights how amplifying executives creates trust and gives brands a personality in competitive markets.

The podcast tackles key PR trends like executive thought leadership and navigating executives’ reluctance to step into the spotlight. Both leaders share tips on leveraging social platforms strategically and adapting to a fast-changing industry.  

Tips for career growth and organizational visibility include saying yes to opportunities, leaning into discomfort, and making personal connections in a digital-first world.  

Discover how executive visibility can take your organization to the next level. Visit vvkagency.com to learn more.

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At a time when public trust in media continues its precipitous decline, what does it take to build a news organization that truly serves its community? In this revealing conversation, Craig Fahle sits down with Laurén Abdel-Razzaq, Executive Director of Bridge Detroit, to explore how hyperlocal journalism can reconnect citizens with the information they need most. The conversation delves into the profound challenges facing journalism today: shrinking attention spans, the proliferation of misinformation, and the fundamental question of how to earn community trust. "Trust is very easy to lose and extremely difficult to get," Abdel-Razzaq explains, outlining how Bridge Detroit builds relationships before they need to rely on them, particularly in communities traditionally underserved by mainstream media. Whether you're concerned about the state of media, interested in community-centered approaches to information, or simply curious about innovative models for rebuilding trust, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we might reimagine journalism for a fractured age.