In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Jenny Waugh, Vice President of Economic Growth at the Grand Rapids Chamber, to preview the inaugural Small Biz Week West Michigan.
Kicking off Monday, May 4, at GLC Live in downtown Grand Rapids, this first-of-its-kind regional initiative is designed to support, connect, and inspire small businesses.

Jenny shares how the Chamber and its partners are building momentum around entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth across the region.

The week begins with a high-energy kickoff event featuring keynote speaker Gina Thorsen, the first female CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products—home of the iconic Stormy Kromer brand. 
From networking opportunities and panel discussions to real-world insights from business leaders, this conversation highlights why investing in small businesses means investing in the future of West Michigan.
Key Topics Covered:

• The vision behind the first-ever Small Biz Week West Michigan
• Why small businesses (500 employees or fewer) matter to the regional economy
• What to expect from the kickoff event and week-long programming
• Leadership lessons from Gina Thorsen and the Stormy Kromer brand
• How the GR Chamber supports growth, innovation, and connectivity across industries

Online:
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Small Biz Week West Michigan

What if Grand Rapids could reconnect with the very natural feature that gave the city its name?

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Matt Chapman, Executive Director of Grand Rapids WhiteWater, to explore a bold and long-awaited effort to restore the historic rapids to the Grand River.

For nearly a century, those rapids have been hidden beneath dams and development.
Now, a transformative project is underway to remove outdated low-head dams and reintroduce natural rock formations—restoring the river’s flow while improving safety, revitalizing ecosystems, and creating new opportunities for recreation and economic growth. 

Matt shares his personal connection to river restoration, the vision behind Grand Rapids WhiteWater, and what this $45 million project could mean for the future of the region.

With funding secured and progress advancing, the conversation looks at where the project stands today—and what it might feel like for the community when the rapids return. 

Learn more about the project and its progress at grandrapidswhitewater.org

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes author Brooke Jevicks to discuss her new faith-centered devotional, Becoming. 

Written from the trenches of her own adversity, Brooke moves past the pressure of "perfection" to meet readers in the middle of real life.
Our conversation focused on how her book helps women rediscover their identity in Christ, with practical exercises for rebuilding hope, and a vital reminder that even in your hardest moments, you are never abandoned and always dearly loved. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Power of Honesty: Why Brooke chose to share her own difficult seasons to help others heal.
• Reclaiming Identity: Practical ways to stop letting your circumstances define who you are.
• A Path to Purpose: How Becoming uses weekly exercises and Scripture to help you step into God’s original design for your life.

If you're ready to start your journey from adversity back to hope, you can find Becoming right now at BrookeJevicks.com. Brooke is a longtime West Michigan advocate—currently serving as the Chief Advancement Officer at Wedgwood Christian Services—and she loves supporting our local community. 

The book is also available on Amazon.

Learn more at brookejevicks.com 

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Rev. Peter Jonker of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church.
Rev. Jonker gave us an inside look at the vital work being done through the Partners in Ministry initiative.  

The positive impact this collaboration has had in just its first winter season is impressive, but there is much more to come. While the doors at the Westminster location may be closed for the season, the mission to find a permanent, larger home by 2028 is already in motion.  

If you’d like to learn more about how this partnership is serving our downtown community, or if you want to find out how you can support their efforts before they reopen this coming November, you can visit the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church website

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Nick LaCasse, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum. 
From classic cruisers to futuristic dream cars, the story of the automobile is as much about design and imagination as it is about engineering—and this season, that story is on full display in West Michigan.
 
Nick LaCasse, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum, gives Phil a close-up look at what’s ahead for one of the premier automotive destinations in North America.
 
As the Gilmore celebrates its 60th anniversary, Nick shares details on the museum’s exciting new year-long exhibit, Defined by Design, which explores more than a century of automotive innovation. At the heart of the exhibit is a rare and remarkable showcase of GM Motorama “Dream Cars” from the 1950s and ’60s—visionary concept vehicles that helped shape the future of automotive design.
 
The conversation also highlights a full calendar of upcoming events—from classic car cruise-ins and collector showcases to unique experiences like Corks & Crafts and the Vintage Boat & Travel Trailer Rally—all set across the Gilmore’s expansive 90-acre historic campus.
 
With more than 400 vehicles on display and a deep connection to automotive history, the Gilmore Car Museum continues to be a must-visit destination for enthusiasts and families alike.
 
Online: Gilmore Car Museum

Topics Discussed: vintage automobiles, automotive museums, Michigan tourism destinations, vintage car owners, automotive design, automotive history, Michigan travel.

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower dives into one of the most consequential legal battles of the decade: the challenge to the executive order attempting to dismantle birthright citizenship.

Following oral arguments heard by the Supreme Court on April 1st, we speak with Brendan Beery, Constitutional Law Professor at Cooley Law School, to unpack the "Citizenship Clause" of the 14th Amendment.
We explore the legal precedents, the historical weight of the 1868 ratification, and what a potential June ruling could mean for thousands of families across the nation. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Case: A breakdown of Trump v. Barbara, the nationwide class action led by the ACLU, Asian Law Caucus, and more.
• Constitutional Stakes: Why legal experts argue the January 2025 executive order flouts the 14th Amendment and long-standing Supreme Court precedent.
• The Human Impact: Insights from co-counsel, including Cecillia Wang (ACLU) and Aarti Kohli (Asian Law Caucus), on why birthright citizenship is central to American identity.
• What’s Next: A timeline for the Supreme Court’s decision and the potential implications for the future of U.S. citizenship.

LINKS:

Cooley Law School Professor Brendan Beery  
Supreme Court Arguments Wrap in Landmark Challenge to Trump Birthright Citizenship Executive Order   

On this segment of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Alicia Sledge, Director of Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), to discuss the critical issue of distracted driving. Despite the implementation of Michigan’s Hands-Free Law, recent data shows a concerning rise in mobile device use and driver fatalities. This episode breaks down the latest statistics and the state’s high-visibility enforcement efforts aimed at reversing these deadly trends.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Current Trends: Why distracted-driving fatalities increased by 10% last year, even as overall crashes dipped.
• The Hands-Free Law: A reminder of the legal and financial consequences for violating mobile device restrictions.
• SAFER by 2030: Michigan's collaborative initiative to reduce traffic fatalities by 30% over the next decade.
• Safer Habits: Practical advice for staying focused and keeping Michigan roadways safe for everyone.

For more information, visit:

• Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving
• Michigan.gov/SAFERby2030

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Kent Riddle, CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation.

Kent shares with us his personal story of how a family tragedy led to his opportunity to serve Mary Free Bed as a board member and later CEO. 

Under Kent's 15 years of leadership, Mary Free Bed has grown tenfold: From 10,000 patients a year to over 120,000 patients. 

Mary Free Bed now operates in more than 70 locations across five states and has become one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive non-profit rehabilitation systems.
U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rated Mary Free Bed as a national Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2025-26

In the fall of 2026, Mary Free Bed rehabilitation will be opening a brand new children’s rehab hospital…in Grand Rapids. The first pediatric rehab Hospital in the state of Michigan!

Kent talks about the incredible growth of Mary Free Bed, what he's learned along the way, and why expansion has been critically important for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation.

He also gives us an update on the vision and impact of the new Mary Free Bed Kids – Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.

More Resources:

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation

Mary Free Bed Kids – Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower explores a bold idea that could transform how people travel across the state—Michigan’s proposed North + South Passenger Rail project. For many communities in Mid- and Northern Michigan, getting around still means getting behind the wheel. But what if there were a reliable rail option connecting Southeast Michigan to the northern Lower Peninsula?

Phil is joined by Carolyn Ulstad, Transportation Program Manager with Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, a nonprofit leading the charge on this effort. She explains how the proposed rail corridor could link cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Mount Pleasant, and beyond—while improving access to jobs, healthcare, education, and tourism.
  
Learn more online:
North + South Passenger Rail Project

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities
 
 

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower explores some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan today—from youth mental health to the future of social services and the growing need for affordable housing.

Phil is joined by Dave Morin, CEO of Samaritas, a 90+ year-old nonprofit serving vulnerable populations across Michigan. With demand for social services rising and resources stretched thin, Samaritas is taking an innovative approach to meeting these challenges.

At the center of that effort is the newly launched House of Innovation—a collaborative hub in Detroit designed to bring together entrepreneurs, technologists, and social service leaders to rethink how care is delivered. Morin shares how this unique space is already sparking new ideas and scalable solutions—and what it could mean for communities across the state, including West Michigan.

The conversation also highlights a powerful initiative recognizing high school coaches who are making a meaningful impact on student mental health—underscoring the critical role trusted adults play in young people’s lives.

It’s a forward-looking discussion about innovation, collaboration, and building stronger support systems for Michigan communities.

Samaritas