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
West Michigan is coming together once again to honor those who’ve served—and to strengthen the bonds that connect our community.
In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Joe DiBenedetto, co-chair of Armed Forces Thanksgiving, and Adam Lancto, Principal at Grandville High School and board member, to explore the mission and impact of this powerful annual event.
Returning May 15 at the JW Marriott in down...
In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Joe DiBenedetto, co-chair of Armed Forces Thanksgiving, and Adam Lancto, Principal at Grandville High School and board member, to explore the mission and impact of this powerful annual event.
Returning May 15 at the JW Marriott in down...
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May 2, 2026 • 14 mins
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...
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...
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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 transformat...
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 transformat...
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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, an...
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, an...
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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...
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...
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April 18, 2026 • 13 mins
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...
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...
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April 11, 2026 • 13 mins
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 exp...
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 exp...
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April 11, 2026 • 14 mins
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 e...
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April 3, 2026 • 29 mins
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 loca...
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 loca...
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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 Uls...
Phil is joined by Carolyn Uls...
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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 taki...
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March 21, 2026 • 16 mins
PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—are nearly impossible to break down, and they’ve quietly become one of the most widespread environmental and public health concerns facing Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower speaks with Tony Spaniola, co-founder of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, a coalition driven by people directly impacted by toxic PFAS contamination. Used for decade...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower speaks with Tony Spaniola, co-founder of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, a coalition driven by people directly impacted by toxic PFAS contamination. Used for decade...
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March 21, 2026 • 12 mins
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Sara Maurer to explore her powerful debut novel, A Good Animal.
Set in the rural landscape of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, A Good Animal is a deeply emotional story of first love, identity, and the life-altering weight of a single decision. The novel follows Everett, a young man determined to stay and rebuild his family’s sheep farm, and Mary, a newcomer...
Set in the rural landscape of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, A Good Animal is a deeply emotional story of first love, identity, and the life-altering weight of a single decision. The novel follows Everett, a young man determined to stay and rebuild his family’s sheep farm, and Mary, a newcomer...
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On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend with Phil Tower, we welcome
David Pogue — Author of: Apple: The First 50 Years.
Few companies have shaped modern life as profoundly as Apple—from the earliest days of personal computing to the smartphones that millions of us carry every day.
As the company reaches its 50-year milestone, award-winning journalist, longtime tech columnist, and television host David Pogue joins the ...
David Pogue — Author of: Apple: The First 50 Years.
Few companies have shaped modern life as profoundly as Apple—from the earliest days of personal computing to the smartphones that millions of us carry every day.
As the company reaches its 50-year milestone, award-winning journalist, longtime tech columnist, and television host David Pogue joins the ...
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What careers are growing fastest in West Michigan—and which ones offer strong pay without requiring a four-year degree?
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Amy Lebednick, Business Solutions Director for West Michigan Works!, about the newly released 2026 HotJobs! List, highlighting more than 100 careers that are in high demand across seven West Michigan counties.
Amy explains how the list is created ...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Amy Lebednick, Business Solutions Director for West Michigan Works!, about the newly released 2026 HotJobs! List, highlighting more than 100 careers that are in high demand across seven West Michigan counties.
Amy explains how the list is created ...
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March 7, 2026 • 16 mins
In a culture that celebrates productivity and work ethic—especially here in West Michigan—it’s easy for work to become more than just a job. But what happens when work starts to quietly take over our identity, our relationships, and our mental space?
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with Dr. Guy Winch, clinical psychologist, TED speaker, and author of the new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free Wh...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with Dr. Guy Winch, clinical psychologist, TED speaker, and author of the new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free Wh...
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In this episode of iHeartRadio's West Michigan weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Adam London, Director of The Kent County Health Department, for an important conversation about the invisible health risks that can impact families this time of year—and the simple steps we can take to stay safe.
National Radon Action Month was observed in January, and radon remains the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Dr. Lo...
National Radon Action Month was observed in January, and radon remains the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Dr. Lo...
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February 24, 2026 • 15 mins
On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower chats with Wendy Wigger, President and CEO of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, about LaughFest 2026 and the 25th anniversary of Gilda’s Club.
The nation’s first community-wide festival of laughter features more than 30 free and ticketed events across Grand Rapids and at Gun Lake Casino Resort. Highlights include comedian Adam Ray, the popular Clean Comedy Showcase at...
The nation’s first community-wide festival of laughter features more than 30 free and ticketed events across Grand Rapids and at Gun Lake Casino Resort. Highlights include comedian Adam Ray, the popular Clean Comedy Showcase at...
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February 24, 2026 • 14 mins
In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Derek Lencioni, Show Manager for the West Michigan Home & Garden Show, to preview the region's largest event for homeowners and green thumbs alike.
Taking over DeVos Place from February 26 to March 1, 2026, this year's show is packed with inspiration, from 12 massive feature gardens to over 300 local vendors ready to help you tackle your next big project.
Derek ...
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On this edition of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Chad Livengood, politics editor and columnist at The Detroit News, about the escalating battle over Michigan’s state budget after House Republicans moved to claw back $645 million in previously approved funding.
Democrats have called the move unconstitutional, Attorney General Dana Nessell has weighed in, and a lawsuit is before the Michigan Court of Claims.
The con...
Democrats have called the move unconstitutional, Attorney General Dana Nessell has weighed in, and a lawsuit is before the Michigan Court of Claims.
The con...
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