West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)
"The West Michigan Weekend Podcast with Phil Tower is a production of WOOD Radio and iHeartRadio in West Michigan. Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community and our great state by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love your feedback as well, so please consider leaving us a review! For more of our episodes, find us here, or find us on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks for listening!"
Episodes
September 4, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Sierra Belz, Marketing & Communications Specialist with Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids.
Sierra joined us to talk about Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids sponsoring their 11th annual West Side Walk for Gilda’s Club on Saturday, Sept. 27.
The walk is all about celebrating and supporting the thousands of lives touched by Gilda’s free emotional health programs for individuals and families navigati...
Sierra joined us to talk about Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids sponsoring their 11th annual West Side Walk for Gilda’s Club on Saturday, Sept. 27.
The walk is all about celebrating and supporting the thousands of lives touched by Gilda’s free emotional health programs for individuals and families navigati...
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September 4, 2025 • 17 mins
On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Paula Veneklase, the Executive Director of HELP Pregnancy Aid in Grand Rapids
HELP’s goal is to promote the healthy development of babies from conception through age three – the most crucial years of life. Additionally, it strives to ensure that every client will leave HELP feeling more empowered to make informed decisions.
Under Paula's leadership, HELP has developed a number of programs to...
HELP’s goal is to promote the healthy development of babies from conception through age three – the most crucial years of life. Additionally, it strives to ensure that every client will leave HELP feeling more empowered to make informed decisions.
Under Paula's leadership, HELP has developed a number of programs to...
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August 24, 2025 • 28 mins
On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Melissa Kaelin, Author, Aurora Chaser, and founder of the Michigan Aurora Chasers (*MichiganAuroraChasers.com)
Melissa's book is Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. Melissa's also the co-founder of the Aurora Summit.
In this full episode, Melissa gave us an update on the latest in Aurora, chasing here in the state of Michigan, plus a preview of the inaugural Gre...
Melissa's book is Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner's Guide to Chasing Aurora. Melissa's also the co-founder of the Aurora Summit.
In this full episode, Melissa gave us an update on the latest in Aurora, chasing here in the state of Michigan, plus a preview of the inaugural Gre...
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August 16, 2025 • 27 mins
On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes Kevin Matthews. In Chicago and throughout West Michigan, Kevin needs no introduction.
For those who don't know Kevin as well, he is a radio icon, and a three-time Radio Hall of Fame Nominee, and author of: Broken Mary: A Journey of Hope(2017).
This was Kevin's first book, and it tells the story of his battle with multiple sclerosis and his discovery of a broken statue of the Virgin Mar...
For those who don't know Kevin as well, he is a radio icon, and a three-time Radio Hall of Fame Nominee, and author of: Broken Mary: A Journey of Hope(2017).
This was Kevin's first book, and it tells the story of his battle with multiple sclerosis and his discovery of a broken statue of the Virgin Mar...
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In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Whitney Waara, Chief Operating Officer, Traverse City Tourism.
Whitney joined us in this segment for a preview of the all-new Traverse City Food & Wine (TCF&W), a five-day farm-to-table celebration that takes place August 20 – 24.
The event sponsors "A Grand Tasting" on Saturday afternoon, August 23, which will offer guests a chance to sample many of the area’s favorite flavors in one...
Whitney joined us in this segment for a preview of the all-new Traverse City Food & Wine (TCF&W), a five-day farm-to-table celebration that takes place August 20 – 24.
The event sponsors "A Grand Tasting" on Saturday afternoon, August 23, which will offer guests a chance to sample many of the area’s favorite flavors in one...
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August 3, 2025 • 14 mins
In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. David Doud, a primary care physician with Trinity Health Medical Group in Grand Rapids.
Dr. Doud joined us to help debunk some common skin safety myths, such as the notion that a "base tan" is protective or that sunscreen is unnecessary on cloudy days.
Some of the questions we discussed included:
Do I need to apply sunscreen on Cloudy Days?
If I have naturally darker brown skin, do I need ...
Dr. Doud joined us to help debunk some common skin safety myths, such as the notion that a "base tan" is protective or that sunscreen is unnecessary on cloudy days.
Some of the questions we discussed included:
Do I need to apply sunscreen on Cloudy Days?
If I have naturally darker brown skin, do I need ...
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On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes LT Kegan "SMURF" Gill.
Kegan, who currently resides in Michigan, is a decorated U.S. Navy fighter pilot, an ultra-endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and author of the compelling new book released earlier this year, “Phoenix Revival: The Aftermath of Naval Aviation's Fastest Ejection” (Paperback). It's his powerful story.
Kegan recently headlined an evening with the internatio...
Kegan, who currently resides in Michigan, is a decorated U.S. Navy fighter pilot, an ultra-endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and author of the compelling new book released earlier this year, “Phoenix Revival: The Aftermath of Naval Aviation's Fastest Ejection” (Paperback). It's his powerful story.
Kegan recently headlined an evening with the internatio...
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In this episode, iHeartradio host Phil Tower welcomes Michael Grunwald, New York Times-bestselling author.
Michael's new book is We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, from Simon & Schuster Publishing
Michael told us that humanity has cleared a land mass the size of Asia plus Europe to grow food, and our food system generates a third of our carbon emissions.
By 2050, we’re going to need a ...
Michael's new book is We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, from Simon & Schuster Publishing
Michael told us that humanity has cleared a land mass the size of Asia plus Europe to grow food, and our food system generates a third of our carbon emissions.
By 2050, we’re going to need a ...
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July 13, 2025 • 14 mins
In this episode, host Phil Tower chats with Glenn Merry, the CEO of Move United.
From July 11-17, 2025, Grand Rapids is hosting, for the first time, The Hartford Nationals.
This competition is hosted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sports championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or intellectual disability.
This is a major first for the city of Grand Rapids and only t...
From July 11-17, 2025, Grand Rapids is hosting, for the first time, The Hartford Nationals.
This competition is hosted by Move United, the largest and longest-running national sports championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, and/or intellectual disability.
This is a major first for the city of Grand Rapids and only t...
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In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
Monique joined the program to discuss how Medicaid cuts are expected to affect not only the hundreds of thousands of Michiganders at risk of losing health insurance, but also the broader health care system.
State and health industry leaders recently said in a press conference on Tuesday 8, that the cuts in the spendi...
Monique joined the program to discuss how Medicaid cuts are expected to affect not only the hundreds of thousands of Michiganders at risk of losing health insurance, but also the broader health care system.
State and health industry leaders recently said in a press conference on Tuesday 8, that the cuts in the spendi...
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In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Alicia Sledge, the director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
Alicia, you're joining us to talk about the state's ever to crack down on speeding during the busy summer driving season.
The good news: In Michigan, speeding-related crashes and fatalities have been decreasing. There was a 20% drop in speed-involved crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, and a 32% decrease since 201...
Alicia, you're joining us to talk about the state's ever to crack down on speeding during the busy summer driving season.
The good news: In Michigan, speeding-related crashes and fatalities have been decreasing. There was a 20% drop in speed-involved crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, and a 32% decrease since 201...
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In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Danielle Beard, the Michigan Green Communities (MGC)Program Coordinator.
In mid-June of this year(2025), a record high 68 local governments across Michigan were recognized for their sustainability efforts and environmental leadership through their participation in the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge.
Communities were awarded bronze, silver, gold, or platinum seals of achieveme...
In mid-June of this year(2025), a record high 68 local governments across Michigan were recognized for their sustainability efforts and environmental leadership through their participation in the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge.
Communities were awarded bronze, silver, gold, or platinum seals of achieveme...
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In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Andrew Jameson, the Specialty Medical Director at Trinity Health Medical Group in West Michigan and Section Chief of Infectious Diseases at Trinity Health Grand Rapids hospital.
Michigan currently has 15 confirmed measles cases, with 7 cases considered part of an ongoing outbreak, according to the State of Michigan. This outbreak is the first in Michigan since 2019.
Without any doubt, m...
Michigan currently has 15 confirmed measles cases, with 7 cases considered part of an ongoing outbreak, according to the State of Michigan. This outbreak is the first in Michigan since 2019.
Without any doubt, m...
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On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Kimberly M. Large, an estate and family law attorney with Mika Meyers.
Kim joined us to talk about a growing type of divorce. A collaborative divorce is a process designed as an alternative to traditional litigation to end a marriage. It is sometimes referred to as “divorce with dignity,” “peaceful divorce,” or the “gentler divorce. It is intended to offer you and your spouse the suppor...
Kim joined us to talk about a growing type of divorce. A collaborative divorce is a process designed as an alternative to traditional litigation to end a marriage. It is sometimes referred to as “divorce with dignity,” “peaceful divorce,” or the “gentler divorce. It is intended to offer you and your spouse the suppor...
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In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Mike McFall, co-CEO of Biggby Coffee. Mike and business partner Bob Fish helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today, Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest. Mike is the author of Grind, a book that focuses on early-stage businesses, and we spoke with him about his newest book, Grow: Take Your Business from Chaos to C...
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In this segment, host Phil Tower speaks with Ryan VerWys, the President & CEO, ICCF Community Homes
ICCF Community Homes is the oldest nonprofit affordable housing provider in Michigan.
They’ve been active in the Grand Rapids area since 1974 and engage 2,000+ households each year with housing-related services.
Ryan and his leadership team at ICCF Community Homes manage over 600 units of affordable rental housing and provide hom...
ICCF Community Homes is the oldest nonprofit affordable housing provider in Michigan.
They’ve been active in the Grand Rapids area since 1974 and engage 2,000+ households each year with housing-related services.
Ryan and his leadership team at ICCF Community Homes manage over 600 units of affordable rental housing and provide hom...
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June 6, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Angela Hollinshead, Director of the Kent County Animal Shelter.Angela joined us to talk about the reopening of the Kent County Animal Shelter in its primary location after three months of renovations.
The shelter’s animals were moved to a temporary facility nearly a mile away from the current home on Fuller Avenue Northeast in January and then moved back to the main location at 740 Fuller A...
The shelter’s animals were moved to a temporary facility nearly a mile away from the current home on Fuller Avenue Northeast in January and then moved back to the main location at 740 Fuller A...
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In this episode, we welcome Dr. Kevin Foley, Medical Director of Trinity Health’s Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program, and Associate Professor and Director of Geriatrics, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
Dr. Foley told us he had a good reason for opening an Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program at the Trinity Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center.
“Nobody e...
Dr. Foley told us he had a good reason for opening an Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program at the Trinity Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center.
“Nobody e...
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On this week's episode, host Phil Tower devotes the full program to a conversation with Greg Elzinga, President of Calvin University.
Greg Ezinga was officially named the 13th president of Calvin University in October 2024.
He joined us to talk about his path to this significant and esteemed leadership position at one of the nation's most respected and successful Christian universities.
Elzinga is a 1990 graduate from Calvin Universit...
Greg Ezinga was officially named the 13th president of Calvin University in October 2024.
He joined us to talk about his path to this significant and esteemed leadership position at one of the nation's most respected and successful Christian universities.
Elzinga is a 1990 graduate from Calvin Universit...
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In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Jo Lattimore, Ph.D. , director of the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).
Dr.Latimore spoke about the opportunity for Michigan residents to sign up for volunteer lake monitor training through the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).
MiCorps is a statewide network focused on water quality, has been running its Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program for 51 years, with...
Dr.Latimore spoke about the opportunity for Michigan residents to sign up for volunteer lake monitor training through the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).
MiCorps is a statewide network focused on water quality, has been running its Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program for 51 years, with...
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