MI Best: An MLive Podcast - podcast cover

MI Best: An MLive Podcast

MLive MI Bestmibest.podbean.com
Called Michigan’s Best, this movement is one that harnesses the power of social media to tell and share our state’s best stories. These stories are for foodies, adventurers and business men and women. They are about innovation that uplifts our communities and the many things that make the Mitten a remarkable place to live and thrive.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

The MRA highlights Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers

Since the mid-80's Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers has had a 100ft mining museum, IN THEIR STORE! So not only can you have a custom statement piece built in-house, but also learn about local mining and gemological history, while supporting a decades-old local business. Check out our interview with Chris Wattsson to learn more.

Apr 03, 20239 minEp. 251

Raeann Rouse of Bridge St. Baby

In this episode brought to you by the MRA, Eric Hultgren heads to Rockford, MI to talk with Raeann Rouse of Bridge St. Baby about her beginnings in 2017 and what the store is like 5 years later.

Feb 20, 202310 minEp. 250

At Home with Eastbrook Homes with CEO Mick McGraw

In this episode, Eric Hultgren sits down with Eastbrook Homes CEO, Mick McGraw to talk about the anniversary coming up and the innovation that this company has created over the past 4 decades.

Feb 07, 202310 minEp. 248

MI Best Podcast: MRA highlights the Meauwataka General Store

Today we visit the Meauwataka General Store to talk to Pam Sandy, new-ish owner, to find out how you go from the 'bottom of the state' to owning a general store that offers a little bit of everything. And that everything includes 'meal deals' 7 days a week, a variety of smoked meats, and a continually expanding set of offerings. A little store Atop a hill In a forest - Ken Sandy

Jan 18, 202317 minEp. 249

MI Best Podcast: Ice Fest and snowmobiling in Munising

Today we talk to Dan Nadeau and Bill Thompson, to learn more about two of the things that help make Munising a Winter Playground - Ice Fest and Snowmobiling. Ice Fest 2023, runs from February 8-12. With presentations, experts, and gear, the 31st year of this ice climbing celebration continues to amaze. Set among the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore landscape, it's like 'climbing right out of Lake Superior' The Munising area offers more than 330 miles of snowmobiling trails that are consistently...

Jan 10, 202311 minEp. 247

At Home With Eastbrook Homes w/ Matt and Stephanie

In this episode, Eric Hultgren talks with new homeowners Matt and Stephanie about getting into a home before the holidays, the process, traditions and what they are looking forward to most.

Dec 08, 202214 minEp. 245

The MRA highlights Hilbert’s Honey Co.

In our continuing series with the Michigan Retailers Association, we talk to Jordan Ritter from Hilbert's Honey Co. Operating out of Traverse City, MI for over 135 years, Hilbert's Honey has about 250 pollination locations, mostly in northern Michigan. We talk about scaling a 'niche service-product' into a larger-scale local operation and the importance of keeping their colonies in no-spray/chemical free areas.

Nov 22, 202216 minEp. 246

MI Best Podcast: How Consumers Energy’s online store can save you money

As a consumer, how can you save money, on expert-evaluated products offered at the best prices? Today we talk with Consumers Energy’s Shannon Morrow about just how Consumers Energy can help with its online store, offering customers items that can help save money on energy use.

Nov 04, 202215 minEp. 244

MI Best Stories - Ada for the Holidays

Fresh off their pumpkin crawl, a few days into November, and with holiday songs on the radio, our talk turns to the upcoming holiday season. We sit down with the Ada Business Association and Downtown Development Authority, discussing all the events and holiday shopping that is, and will be, happening in the Ada area, the efforts over the last few years to build a thriving Ada community, and how the MRA has helped these groups to achieve this.

Nov 04, 202215 minEp. 243

At Home with Eastbrook: working with Kids Food Basket

Today, on At Home with Eastbrook Homes, we talk to Kids Food Basket's Bridget Clark Whitney, CEO. Kids Food Basket is all about making sure kids and families in Kent, Allegan, Muskegon and Ottawa counties heave easy access to nutritious food and education throughout the year. We talk through their farms, the nearly 10,000 kids they serve, and how the rising costs of healthy food has had an enormous impact on the need for their services.

Sep 30, 202218 minEp. 240

MI Best Podcast: the MRA highlights Jeff Joyce of Mieras Shoes

Today we're talking to Jeff Joyce of Mieras Shoes. We discuss how their customer-first approach helped them thrive during the pandemic years; how they've stayed nimble through over 100 years of family ownership and operation; and what impact the MRA has had on their business and outlook.

Sep 15, 202211 minEp. 242

MI Best Stories: The Lions are Back

The NFL kicks off this weekend. Eric Hultgren talks with Ben Raven beat writer for MLive who covers the Lions about Hard Knocks and what to expect this season.

Sep 06, 202213 minEp. 238

Brighton & Howell in the Fall

Today on the podcast Eric Hultgren talks with Trisha Patrias from Explore Brighton/Howell Area about the full fall activities not to miss this year things like cider mills, ghost tours, shopping, and fall colors.

Sep 02, 202213 minEp. 237

MI Best Podcast: Consumers Energy’s Emily McGraw talks energy efficiency

Today we talk to Consumers Energy’s Emily McGraw - watch/listen to our discussion to find out how Consumers Energy is working to ensure they can meet needs during high demand (ahem, the dog days of summer), their energy efficiency program and tools, and the simple things users can do to help lower their energy consumption which helps lower bills.

Aug 29, 202210 minEp. 236

MI Best Podcast: the MRA highlights Bill Golden

Today we're talking to Bill Golden, Co-President of Golden Shoes and Vice-Chair of the MRA board. A family business since its start in 1954, Golden Shoes has seen three generations of Goldens and myriad changes in Traverse City. Their customer-centered focus means they have lifelong customers from all over - even going so far as to build a trip to Golden Shoes in to their Traverse City visits (delayed flights notwithstanding)

Aug 23, 202214 minEp. 235

MI Best Podcast: SWMTC highlights the Lake Breeze Music Festival

Today we talk to Jerry Price and Bryan Joseph about the Lake Breeze Music Festival, taking place Saturday, August 20 in St. Joe. We learn how a their time working on the Senior PGA led to a great friendship and a desire to keep the music going, especially highlighting regional artists.

Jul 29, 202212 minEp. 234

MI Best Podcast: Consumers Energy’s business energy solutions

Today we talk to Nate Carver, Consumers Energy's Director of Project Management for Commercial and Industrial Businesses and Jill Diliberti from the Genesee County Intermediate School District. Since 2009 Consumers Energy Energy Efficiency programs has been helping businesses save billions of dollars - because they know that using less energy or changing the time of use means that they can use more cost- and energy-efficient energy sources. These programs have helped businesses around the state,...

Jul 23, 202214 minEp. 233

At Home with Eastbrook Homes: Brooke Cummings, My Casual Mom

Today we talk to 'My Casual Mom', Brooke Cummings all about her building a new home journey with Eastbrook Homes. Though building felt like it would be overwhelming, they learned that for their life, remodeling and trying to buy an existing home were both too big undertakings. Eastbrook Homes made building a new home so easy, quick and customized that it was a no brainer.

Jul 18, 202215 minEp. 232

MI Best Podcast: the MRA highlights Bo Brines

Today we talk to Bo Brines of Little Forks Outfitters owner and MRA board chair. He walks us through how a 'hometown Midland boy' with a passion for music came to start a store specializing in fishing (fly fishing, 'hard core trout' fishing, and more) and general outdoor needs.

Jul 14, 202223 minEp. 231

MI Best Podcast: Consumers Energy’s business energy solutions

Today we talk to Nate Carver, Consumers Energy's Director of Project Management for Commercial and Industrial Businesses and Jill Diliberti from the Genesee County Intermediate School District. Since 2009 Consumers Energy Energy Efficiency programs has been helping businesses save billions of dollars - because they know that using less energy or changing the time of use means that they can use more cost- and energy-efficient energy sources. These programs have helped businesses around the state,...

Jul 14, 202214 minEp. 230

MI Best Stories: 2022 Great Lakes Bay Dow Invitational

Today we talk with Wendy Traschen, Tournament Director for the Great Lakes Bay Dow Invitational - we dive into how one event drives major impact on the 4 counties in the great lakes bay area; over 12 million dollars of economic impact in 2021 alone. The invitational runs July 10-16 this year, and is unique as a team-play event. This year features 72 teams; 144 players.

Jun 17, 202212 minEp. 229

MI Best Stories: the MRA highlights Cadillac Visitors Bureau

Today we talk to Kathy Morin from the Cadillac CVB. The Cadillac CVB is a recipient of the Michigan Retailers Association's Buy Nearby Grant, and are excited to start using those funds to increase awareness and attendance to their Thursday night Upbeat Cadillac summer concert series, Cadillac After Hours Market, and the ongoing downtown Social District.

Jun 17, 202212 minEp. 228

MI Best Podcast: Energy Efficiency with Consumers Energy’s Brian Lewis

Today we talk to Consumers Energy's Executive Director Customer Operations, Brian Lewis, about how Consumers Energy can help Michiganders to use less energy to do the same amount of work, and how this can even lower energy costs while also helping to safeguard some of Michigan's unique natural resources.

Jun 13, 202215 minEp. 227

MI Best Podcast: the MRA highlights Alpena High School’s The Campus Closet

Today we talk to Melissa and her student team at Alpena High School's The Campus Closet - a store within the school that has built up from a 'dreary closet' selling basic school supplies, to a fully functional retail establishment within a school. The students who manage and work at The Campus Closet are given the chance to take learnings from the Career and Technical program's marketing and business classes, and apply them in real time. They're learning about inventory management, customer serv...

May 20, 202211 minEp. 226

At Home with Eastbrook Homes: Joe Sambaer

On today’s episode of At Home with Eastbrook Homes, we talk with Joe Sambaer, VP and Senior Mortgage Banker at Dart Bank. We talk through the differences between the purchase market for existing homes versus new construction homes, how we got to this point in the real estate market and what are mortgage rates doing right now.

May 03, 202215 minEp. 225

MI Best Stories: Das Gift Haus

In this episode with the Michigan Retailers Association, we explore Das Gift Haus. How it came to be, what COVID was like for them and what can we expect this year?

Apr 15, 202211 minEp. 224

MI Best Stories: Hush Intimate Apparel in Brighton

Today we head to Brighton, Mi to talk to Lisa Nelson, founder and owner of Hush Intimate Apparel - we walk through the good and sometimes daunting task of starting and owning a business, how she moved from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and how that move opened up endless possibilities for her.

Mar 17, 202213 minEp. 223
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android