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
How much does a “Made in America” label influence what you buy—and what happens when supporting American manufacturing means paying more or waiting longer?
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Jason Miller, Eli Broad Endowed Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, for an accessible look at the supply chains behind everyday purchases.
They explo...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Jason Miller, Eli Broad Endowed Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, for an accessible look at the supply chains behind everyday purchases.
They explo...
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October 17, 2026 • 15 mins
Fall colors, scenic trails, corn mazes, and hayrides—autumn offers plenty to explore in Gaylord, Michigan!
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, to discuss the best timing for fall color tours, opportunities for elk viewing, and the distinctive sound of elk bugling.
Curious what that sounds like?&nbs...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, to discuss the best timing for fall color tours, opportunities for elk viewing, and the distinctive sound of elk bugling.
Curious what that sounds like?&nbs...
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On this episode of iHeartRadio West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Chad Livengood, politics editor and columnist at The Detroit News.
Chad joins the program to offer his perspective and insight into the highly contested races for governor and U.S. Senate here in Michigan, as well as the issues weighing heavily on Michigan voters, and what reporters are hearing from communities across the state.
Liveng...
Chad joins the program to offer his perspective and insight into the highly contested races for governor and U.S. Senate here in Michigan, as well as the issues weighing heavily on Michigan voters, and what reporters are hearing from communities across the state.
Liveng...
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October 3, 2026 • 8 mins
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower speaks with David Madiol, Director of Development at Guiding Light, about the organization’s work helping people recover from addiction and rebuild their lives. They also discuss what the annual Guiding Light 5K Run/Walk means to the recovery community and how participants can support that work.
The fifth annual 5K takes place Saturday, October 10, at 9 a.m. at Mille...
The fifth annual 5K takes place Saturday, October 10, at 9 a.m. at Mille...
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September 26, 2026 • 29 mins
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower welcomes back Melissa F. Kaelin, author, longtime aurora chaser, and founder of Michigan Aurora Chasers.
Melissa shares the experience that sparked her fascination with the Northern Lights and how the group she founded in 2021 has grown into a community of more than 100,000 people. She also explains what it takes to see the aurora in Michigan, how to make sense of fo...
Melissa shares the experience that sparked her fascination with the Northern Lights and how the group she founded in 2021 has grown into a community of more than 100,000 people. She also explains what it takes to see the aurora in Michigan, how to make sense of fo...
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September 19, 2026 • 14 mins
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Vonnie Woodrick, founder of i understand, an organization working to change the conversation around mental and brain health, grief, and suicide.
Vonnie shares the personal story behind the organization, explains why connection can save lives, and discusses the support groups, grief resources, education, and outreach available to individuals and families acros...
Vonnie shares the personal story behind the organization, explains why connection can save lives, and discusses the support groups, grief resources, education, and outreach available to individuals and families acros...
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September 19, 2026 • 14 mins
Difficult relationships can leave us feeling defensive, frustrated, or simply stuck.
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith, Chief of Consulting and Culture at the Grand Rapids-based Colossian Forum, to discuss The Beholding Workbook—a new 56-page resource for approaching conflict and strained relationships with greater curiosity, compassion, and wisdom.
Tanner e...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith, Chief of Consulting and Culture at the Grand Rapids-based Colossian Forum, to discuss The Beholding Workbook—a new 56-page resource for approaching conflict and strained relationships with greater curiosity, compassion, and wisdom.
Tanner e...
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September 12, 2026 • 11 mins
As students across West Michigan head back to school, drivers are once again sharing the road with school buses, crossing guards, and children walking or biking to class.
On this episode, Phil Tower speaks with Brandon Hewitt, COO and attorney at Michigan Auto Law, about the rules every driver should know when approaching a stopped school bus.
We discuss flashing red and yellow lights, divided-road requirement...
On this episode, Phil Tower speaks with Brandon Hewitt, COO and attorney at Michigan Auto Law, about the rules every driver should know when approaching a stopped school bus.
We discuss flashing red and yellow lights, divided-road requirement...
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September 5, 2026 • 9 mins
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Carmen Docter, Manager of Retail and Specialty Pharmacies at Trinity Health Grand Rapids, about a new partnership with Dispensary of Hope, a nonprofit helping qualifying uninsured and financially challenged patients access prescription medications at no cost.
Carmen shares with us who qualifies, what types of medications are available, and how patients...
Carmen shares with us who qualifies, what types of medications are available, and how patients...
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September 5, 2026 • 20 mins
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with internationally known author, speaker, and Bible educator Jeff Cavins about his newest project, The Great Adventure Catholic Bible for Young Beginners. Cavins discusses why introducing children to Scripture at an early age matters, how the new Bible makes the larger biblical story accessible to young readers, and the enduring lessons of resilience, forgiveness, co...
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August 29, 2026 • 14 mins
For more than a century, Mel Trotter Ministries has served people experiencing hunger and homelessness in West Michigan, providing not only immediate assistance but pathways toward greater stability and transformed lives.
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Chris Palusky, President and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, for a conversation about the organization’s mission, the realities of hom...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Chris Palusky, President and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, for a conversation about the organization’s mission, the realities of hom...
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August 29, 2026 • 14 mins
Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer and one of the busiest travel periods of the year—but it can also be a particularly dangerous time on Michigan roads. As drivers prepare for the holiday weekend, law enforcement agencies across the state are participating in the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, aimed at preventing impaired-driving crashes and saving lives.
On this episode of West Mich...
On this episode of West Mich...
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August 22, 2026 • 29 mins
Electric vehicles and the infrastructure supporting them are changing quickly.
On this episode of iHeartRadio West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back EV expert Karl Bloss, host of the Zero E Michigan YouTube channel, for an update on the state of electric vehicles in 2026.
Karl explains the rise of “Charging 2.0,” as major retailers and travel centers invest in EV charging, along with the impa...
On this episode of iHeartRadio West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back EV expert Karl Bloss, host of the Zero E Michigan YouTube channel, for an update on the state of electric vehicles in 2026.
Karl explains the rise of “Charging 2.0,” as major retailers and travel centers invest in EV charging, along with the impa...
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August 15, 2026 • 19 mins
Why are some young adults choosing a life of faith and service in an age of seemingly limitless career options?
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower sits down with Father Nick Baker, Associate Director of Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and Father Charlie Leidel, one of the Grand Rapids Diocese's newest priests, to explore their personal journeys, the calling to the priesthood, and the re...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower sits down with Father Nick Baker, Associate Director of Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and Father Charlie Leidel, one of the Grand Rapids Diocese's newest priests, to explore their personal journeys, the calling to the priesthood, and the re...
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August 15, 2026 • 13 mins
Michigan-based furniture retailer Gardner White is making history with its first-ever West Michigan location, and in this episode of West Michigan Weekend, CEO Rachel Stewart joins host Phil Tower to discuss what this milestone means for the company and the Grand Rapids community.
Founded in Detroit in 1912, the fourth-generation family-owned business is bringing its customer-focused approach, expansive showroom, and person...
Founded in Detroit in 1912, the fourth-generation family-owned business is bringing its customer-focused approach, expansive showroom, and person...
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August 8, 2026 • 17 mins
Data Centers Are Coming to Michigan—Is the State Ready? Artificial intelligence is fueling a boom in massive data centers, and Michigan has quickly become one of the nation's hottest destinations for these billion-dollar developments. But what do these projects mean for local communities, energy costs, jobs, taxes, and the environment?
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, investigative reporter Lucas Smolcic Larso...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, investigative reporter Lucas Smolcic Larso...
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August 8, 2026 • 11 mins
In this updated conversation, Phil Tower welcomes back Whitney Waara, Chief Operating Officer for Traverse City Tourism, with the latest on the second annual Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, happening August 19–23.
Whitney shares exciting new additions to this year's festival lineup, highlights signature events such as The Grand Tasting, and offers insider tips for planning the perfect late-summer getaway to one...
Whitney shares exciting new additions to this year's festival lineup, highlights signature events such as The Grand Tasting, and offers insider tips for planning the perfect late-summer getaway to one...
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On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes independent journalist, filmmaker, and one of YouTube's most compelling storytellers (he has 4.3 million subscribers!), Peter Santenello, whose millions of followers have joined him on journeys into overlooked communities across the United States.
Peter discusses his new book, Your Fellow Americans: Dispatches from Across the Country We Call Home, a...
Peter discusses his new book, Your Fellow Americans: Dispatches from Across the Country We Call Home, a...
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August 1, 2026 • 12 mins
Housing affects everyone—whether you're renting, buying your first home, raising a family, or hoping the next generation can afford to stay in West Michigan.
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Jen Radaz, Senior Manager at Housing Next, about the growing housing challenges facing communities across the region and the collaborative efforts underway to address them.
During our conv...
On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Jen Radaz, Senior Manager at Housing Next, about the growing housing challenges facing communities across the region and the collaborative efforts underway to address them.
During our conv...
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What really happened behind the scenes during Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign? Veteran political strategist Tad Devine, Sanders' chief strategist, joins West Michigan Weekend with host Phil Tower to discuss his new book, How the Democrats Screwed Bernie.
Devine reflects on the forces that shaped one of the most surprising campaigns in modern political history, the role of money and party politics, declining publi...
Devine reflects on the forces that shaped one of the most surprising campaigns in modern political history, the role of money and party politics, declining publi...
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