In the Coronavirus pandemic, more attention is being paid to the psychological affects of kids not being able to get physical activity and interact with each other. Since before COVID, Playworks has been helping kids to stay active and build valuable life skills through play. And like all of us, they've had to adapt in 2020. Matt Matthews of Playworks Michigan joins us to explain the importance of play for kids, and the ways that Playworks has pivoted, offering opportunities for physical interac...
Dec 16, 2020•13 min•Ep. 21
Michelle Wein is the director of research and regional initiatives at WIN, Michigan's Workforce Intelligence Network. She explains the research that WIN does, and the numbers they've looked at before and during the pandemic. How has the labor market in Michigan been hit, and where do we stand now? Are these jobs coming back? Michelle talks about the value of the Michigan Works program to help job seekers find new employment, as well as the ways WIN helps employers think about hiring decisions. W...
Nov 19, 2020•17 min•Ep. 20
The Cystic Fibrosis community has been "social distancing" since before the term even existed. Having a genetic disease that causes chronic and fatal lung infections causes a need for CF patients to remain six feet apart from one another. Laura Bonnell has two daughters with CF, and that motivated her to create The Bonnell Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis. This September 26th, they will be hosting their annual Night of Hope. Like many organizations, the event has gone virtual. In this case, howeve...
Sep 01, 2020•12 min•Ep. 19
The DuMouchelle’s auction house is a Detroit institution. Since 1927, the family business has handled auctions for rare antiques and art and established a reputation as one of the best businesses of its kind in the country. Located on Jefferson Avenue across from the Renaissance Center, DuMouchelle’s has hosted auctions in its gallery for decades, as well as online. Collectors around the world trust DuMouchelle’s to appraise works and handle all parts of auctions. But when the pandemic hit, ever...
Jul 09, 2020•16 min•Ep. 18
"ChadTough" started as a rallying cry for 5 year-old Chad Carr. His grandfather Lloyd was the National Championship football coach at Michigan. His dad, Jason, was a Michigan quarterback. His mom, Tammi, began her career as a hospital fundraiser. After Chad passed away from a pediatric brain cancer known as DIPG, his family made sure his name and spirit became a mission, with the ChadTough Foundation. They have raised millions – but much more work is to be done. Tammi is our guest today, and she...
Jun 26, 2020•16 min•Ep. 17
The Detroit Economic Club was founded in 1934, during the Great Depression. It intended to bring Detroit business together, and it also brought some of the country's brightest business and policy minds to Michigan to share their ideas. Steve Grigorian, President and CEO of the DEC, is our guest today. He illustrates the parallels between 1934 and 2020, and he takes us through the transition to digital keynotes and networking groups. Since Michigan's Stay at Home order went into effect, the Detro...
Jun 17, 2020•18 min•Ep. 16
In March and April this year, Gleaners Community Food Bank saw their food distribution rise from 7.5 million pounds to 10.8 million pounds, a stunning 45% year over year increase. Today we are joined by Rachelle Bonelli, Gleaners' Vice President of Programs. She explains how they saw the pandemic coming, and what steps they took in their supply chain to ensure they could meet the increasing food needs of those living in Southeast Michigan.. This included providing meals for kids who were all of ...
Jun 02, 2020•13 min•Ep. 15
June is Men's Health Month, and usually, that means large in-person events to raise money and awareness. In the case of the MIU Mens' Health Foundation, Dr. Michael Lutz and his team had to re-work three signature fundraising events. Cogs and Kegs will now be virtual, with $20 raised by bikers for every 20 miles they ride on their own, with an online leader board. Each $20 will cover the cost of a men's health screening this fall. Griffin Claw Brewing Company will be adding in gift cards as well...
May 15, 2020•13 min•Ep. 14
Rochester Community Schools were among the first districts in the state to switch to distance learning. This was no easy task. Dr. Robert Shaner explains the complex thought process that preceded the move. This included getting input from state and local officials, as well as a task force comprised of many different types of voices. The district was quick to dismantle computer labs and buy mobile hot spots, to make sure as many kids as possible had the tools they needed to continue their educati...
May 14, 2020•14 min•Ep. 13
Josh Baker is owner of Cinderella's Wedding DJs, based in Waterford. We've all heard stories of restaurants closing, folks losing their jobs, and more. But imagine planning your wedding - and then having to postpone it. First, Josh explained some of the conversations he's had to have with clients since the shutdown began in March - and the idea of planning , not panicking . Some couples are opting for smaller weddings and making other changes, but most have a new sense of perspective as they re-...
May 08, 2020•11 min•Ep. 12
Maria Fracassa Dwyer is the first woman to serve as Member In Charge of Clark Hill, PLC's Detroit office in its nearly 130 year history. She experienced another first when she joined her fellow firm leaders to make the call to have all employees work from home. As the one of the top workplace experts in Michigan, Maria has pivoted the focus of her practice to advising clients on how - and when - to bring employees back to the office. How does business continue amid this crisis? Maria explains ho...
May 06, 2020•13 min•Ep. 11
Variety, The Children's Charity of Detroit, has been helping kids since 1932. Their programs include everything from horseback riding to food assistance to prosthetic hands. Like all of us, the Coronavirus pandemic caused the organization to have to revamp the ways it operates. Executive Diretor Michelle Murphy joins us to explain. Through the group's Variety Feeds Kids Program, Variety has been providing weekend meals to children for 8 years. Prior to COVID, these meals were handed out in schoo...
May 04, 2020•13 min•Ep. 10
You may be missing the bar or restaurant experience, and no doubt you've heard the stories about the owners of these establishments. But what about the other companies that rely on bar and restaurant patrons to stay in business? Mike Yum founded local trivia company Quizzo! in 2008. Chances are, if you've played trivia in a bar or restaurant in Metro Detroit in the last decade, it was hosted by one of the company's "Quizmasters." As it became increasingly apparent that MIchigan was going to clos...
May 01, 2020•14 min•Ep. 9
Samaritas is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Michigan, with about 2000 staffers across 60 sites statewide. The organization cares for seniors, the underprivileged, foster families, and more. May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and with that in mind, we look at the different ways Samaritas has had to adapt their foster efforts since the COVID-19 hit Michigan. They've ramped up efforts to provide tablets and other technology to birth parents, so that they can stay in touch with their...
May 01, 2020•14 min•Ep. 8
For more than 40 years, CARE House of Oakland County has been serving the area's most vulnerable - kids in unsafe situations. There is no "business as usual" when it comes to the work they do, but like all of us, they've had to adapt to the pandemic. Blythe Tyler, the organization's CEO, joins us today to explain the legal and counseling work that CARE House does. This includes a shift to therapy sessions via telehealth for victims and their families. Also, their forensic interviews are able to ...
May 01, 2020•15 min•Ep. 7
Daniel Kaufman is the Head of Corporate Strategy and New Business Development at FKA Brands, parent company of HoMedics. The Commerce Twp., Michigan based, family-owned company, has a long history of bringing both lifestyle and medical devices to the public, as well as giving back to the community they call home. COVID-19 gave them an opportunity to revamp their global supply chain and do all of these things at once. As the pandemic spread, the company realized the brick and mortar stores sellin...
Apr 29, 2020•17 min•Ep. 6
The Chaldean American community is an essential part of the fabric - and economy - of Southeast Michigan. Martin Manna, President of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, joins us to discuss the leadership role of the Chamber, as well as its charitable arm, the Chaldean Community Foundation. The Foundation serves the entire Metro Detroit community, regardless of ethnicity or religion. And when COVID-19 hit Michigan, like everyone else, they had to adjust. This included transitioning 50 staf...
Apr 27, 2020•14 min•Ep. 5
No doubt you've seen the Sam Bernstein Law Firm on your television for quite some time. You may have noticed, however, that their ads have taken a much different tone during the pandemic. Today, we speak with the man in many of those spots - Mark Bernstein - about the discussions his family had. They needed to change the messaging and meet the moment, but do so in a way that was consistent with their brand. First, they went against their normal slogan of "CALL SAM," and said "Don't call Sam. Cal...
Apr 24, 2020•17 min•Ep. 4
Jason Grobbel is the President of EW Grobbel and Sons, a Detroit Institution since 1883. You may know some of their famous brands, including Grobbel corned beef, Sy Ginsburg Jewish Corned Beef, Topor's pickles, and more. While much has been made of supermarkets, and their heroic staff, how does the food get to the actual stores? Jason explains the importance of food processors in the supply chain, and how COVID-19 has affected the balance of restaurant vs supermarket in their business model. As ...
Apr 24, 2020•12 min•Ep. 2
Detroit Public Television is the widest-reaching media outlet for kids in Southeast Michigan, available to anyone with a television or connected device. When it became evident that Michigan schools were going to close, DPTV knew they needed to revamp both programming and resources to meet the needs of Michigan children of all ages, as well as their parents. First, they tapped into the vast PBS programming resources available for kids. Then they began working with PBS Learning Media, a classroom ...
Apr 24, 2020•15 min•Ep. 3
Brad Williams is the Vice President for Government Affairs at the Detroit Regional Chamber. He sheds some light on the conversations he's been having with Governor Whitmer's team in Lansing before and throughout the Stay at Home order. Brad has been representing the interests of Michigan business as policies have been formulated and implemented. Brad notes that it's important not to look at economic health and physical health as being in conflict, but rather how we can improve both concurrently....
Apr 24, 2020•15 min•Ep. 1
There are events that test our mettle, and our resolve. As we move through this crisis, how are we coping, adapting, and fighting on? Join us for local stories of perseverance, creativity, and contributing to community. We will showcase Detroit area leaders who share their thoughts and stories. And we will discuss how they and their organizations are managing adversity and serving others. Michigan Motors Forward features Metro Detroiters who are pivoting…evolving…and moving ahead. Michigan Motor...
Apr 16, 2020•47 sec
