In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Skylyr Zink, a career and college access adviser serving students in the communities of Coleman and Meridian. Skylyr shares his unique perspective on the evolving landscape of postsecondary education, the challenges and opportunities of working in small-town America, and his passion for supporting the next generation. From his own rural upbringing to his collegiate football career and current role, Skylyr provides a compelling look at the importance of bridging the gap between urban and rural communities. He emphasizes the power of collective action, resource-sharing, and community-wide support in helping all students achieve their goals.

This Max Loves Midland Show episode features an in-depth conversation with Katie Trzaska-Miller, a community leader and arts advocate. Katie shares her diverse career journey, from working as a young theater executive to her current Midland Area Community Foundation role. The discussion covers Katie's passion for civic engagement, her work to promote equity and inclusion in the community, and her insights on the power of art to facilitate meaningful conversations. Listeners and watchers will gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant community initiatives happening in Midland, as well as Katie's motivations and the valuable lessons she's learned throughout her career. Whether you're a Midland resident or simply interested in community impact stories, this episode provides a compelling look at the people and projects shaping Midland, Michigan.

Timestamps: 0:00 - 10:00 - Introduction to Katie Trzaska-Miller and her diverse roles in the Midland community. 10:00 - 20:00 - Katie's journey from Massachusetts to Michigan and early career experiences. 20:00 - 30:00 - Challenges and lessons learned from managing a small theater as a young professional. 30:00 - 40:00 - Katie's transition to Interlochen Center for the Arts and her experiences working with high-profile artists. 40:00 - 50:00 - Katie's move to Midland and her role at the Midland Center for the Arts. 50:00 - 1:00:00 - Katie's involvement in local community initiatives, including the Midland County Inclusion Alliance and the Juneteenth Block Party. 1:00:00 - 1:10:00 - Katie's reflections on community engagement and the importance of civic involvement. 1:10:00 - 1:20:00 - A discussion of favorite podcasts and the role of media in shaping perspectives. 1:20:00 - 1:30:00 - Final thoughts.

This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at the vital role of local government communications and the power of community engagement. Meet Katie Guyer, Communications Coordinator for the City of Midland. Katie discusses her wide-ranging responsibilities, from managing the city's social media to overseeing community engagement initiatives. She shares insights into her personal journey to Midland, her passion for public service, and the City's efforts to enhance livability and community development. The discussion covers topics such as the City's innovative social media strategy, the impact of major events that took place in 2020, and Katie's vision for Midland's future.

Timestamps:

0-10 minutes:

• Introduction of Katie Guyer, the Communications Coordinator for the city of Midland

• Discussion of Katie's wide-ranging responsibilities, including social media, media interviews, press releases, and community engagement

• Katie's emphasis on bringing a human element to the City's communications and her passion for transparency

10-20 minutes:

• Katie's background and journey to Midland, including her transition from corporate marketing to local government communications

• Challenges and rewards of Katie's role, especially during 2020

• Importance of human-to-human interaction and giving residents the opportunity to connect with their local government

20-30 minutes:

• Katie's first impressions of Midland and the City's key amenities, such as the Tridge, Dow Gardens, and the Midland Center for the Arts

• The process of selecting photos for the City's annual calendar and the community-sourced nature of the content

• Katie's role in supporting residents during the pandemic and dam failure events, and the collaboration with other City departments

30-40 minutes:

• The role of city government in promoting livability and community development

• Efforts to create a walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly community, including the pedestrian plaza

• Importance of community engagement and residents' involvement in shaping the City's future

40-50 minutes:

• Discussion of favorite social media accounts and the importance of engaging content

• Katie's admiration for the Utah Department of Transportation's creative approach and the impact of Wendy's Twitter account

• Emphasis on authenticity and the power of humor in social media marketing

50-60 minutes:

• Katie's hopes for Midland's continued momentum and the importance of community involvement

• Encouragement for residents to engage in master planning processes and local meetings

• Reflections on the personal and professional impact of Katie's work in Midland

In this episode, we sit down with PJ Weaver, the assistant basketball coach at Northwood University. PJ shares his inspiring journey from a late bloomer in basketball to a successful college player, and now a dedicated coach giving back to the next generation. PJ discusses the unique challenges and rewards of transitioning from high school to collegiate coaching, as well as his experiences adapting to life in Midland. Key themes include team culture, the importance of community involvement, and his hopes for the future of Midland.

Wally Mayton, Memorial Presbyterian Church, joined the show to discuss the importance of neighboring. Wally shared how neighboring is about building caring relationships and creating a community where everyone has the ability to thrive. He reflected on raising his family in Midland's welcoming spirit over the past 35+ years. With Neighboring Week coming up Sept 22 - 28, Wally encouraged Midlanders to write each other notes, host block parties, or simply reaching out to get to know your neighbors better. His dream is for Midland to be "a beacon of light" - a beautiful community where no one feels isolated or left out.

Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction Wally Mayton and his background as a pastor in Midland 0:10 - Wally's perspective on what neighboring means and its importance in building community 0:20 - Wally's journey coming to Midland over 35 years ago and raising his family here 0:30 - Wally's children's experiences growing up and attending school in Midland 0:40 - Wally's involvement with the Community Success Panel and the collaborative neighboring spirit 0:50 - Overview of the upcoming Neighboring Week (Sept 22-28) and Wally's participation

Ali Huntoon, owner of Allied Group Fitness and Allied HR Solutions, joins The Max Loves Midland show to discuss her experiences as a business owner in Midland. Ali and the Max Loves Midland Tour Guide, Kevin LaDuke, discuss her journey of starting her businesses during the pandemic, her passion for making fitness accessible and inclusive for all, and her involvement in various community organizations like the Midland Business Alliance, Midland Area Community Foundation, and the City of Midland's Downtown Development Authority. The conversation also covers Ali and Kevin's shared love of concerts as they draft their top 5 favorite live shows they've attended. Join us for this engaging look at Ali's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making Midland a vibrant, welcoming community.

Timestamps: 0:00 - 10:00 - Ali Huntoon introduces herself as the owner of Allied Group Fitness and Allied HR Solutions. Ali discusses her journey of moving to Midland, Michigan, and starting her own business. 10:00 - 20:00 - Ali shares the challenges of starting her HR business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ali credits the Midland Business Alliance for helping grow her confidence and business. 20:00 - 30:00 - Allie discusses her passion for helping small businesses, stemming from her family background. Ali and Kevin talk about the process of naming her businesses. 30:00 - 40:00. Ali explains the mission behind Allied Group Fitness and making fitness accessible for all. Ali shares her involvement in various community organizations like the Midland Business Alliance. 40:00 - 50:00 - Ali and Kevin discuss their love of music and concerts. They each share their top 5 favorite concert experiences. 50:00 - 60:00 - Allie and Kevin continue talking about their concert bucket lists and dream shows. They reflect on the importance of live music experiences. 60:00 - 70:00 - Ali shares her vision for Midland's future as an inclusive community where everyone thrives. Allie encourages more representation and inclusivity in community decision-making.

In this episode of Max Loves Midland, the Max Loves Midland Tour Guide, Kevin LaDuke, sits down with Patrick Schefsky, a lawyer with Poznak Dyer Kanar Schefsky Thompson, PLC.

Highlights include Schefsky sharing his background, from his legal expertise to his theatrical pursuits, and how these two worlds intersect in his work. He discusses the emotional aspects of his practice, particularly in family law, and how he maintains empathy while navigating the complexities of the legal system. Schefsky also reflects on his childhood in Midland, his father's influence, and his return to the community as an adult. Schefsky's passion for Midland shines through throughout the conversation as he shares his vision for the community's future and his involvement in various local organizations. This episode offers a glimpse into the life of a multifaceted Midland resident and his commitment to improving his community.

Timestamps: [0:00 - 10:00] The show begins with Pat Schefsky's introduction and background, including his multiple awards and official titles. Kevin LaDuke welcomes him and they discuss Pat's everyday attire and his birthday. [10:00 - 20:00] The conversation shifts to Pat's legal and theatrical background, including his lawyer work and involvement in local theater productions. They discuss the intersection of his legal and theatrical skills and how being theatrical is essential in litigation. [20:00 - 30:00] Pat talks about the emotional aspects of his work, particularly in family law and divorce cases. In his cases, he describes the challenge of maintaining empathy while being rational and efficient. [30:00 - 40:00] Pat explains how he views the law as a system that combines common law and human behavior, resulting in a "sausage of justice." He reflects on his father's influence and the assumption that he would become a lawyer. [40:00 - 50:00] Pat shares his childhood memories in Midland, including his family's moves to California and Texas. He discusses his father's influence on his life, a shared sense of humor, and public speaking skills. [50:00 - 60:00] Pat talks about his return to Midland and his early theatrical interests inspired by his father. He reflects on the stigma around theater and choir in the late 90s and how it influenced his decision to avoid participating. [60:00 - 70:00] Pat describes his college experience at Albion College, emphasizing the small class sizes and his involvement in a fraternity. He shares how he met his wife, Elizabeth, during his senior year. [70:00 - 80:00] Pat discusses participating in various community organizations, including the Children's Grief Center and Family Children's Services. He shares his experience as an MC for events and his love for the Midland community. [80:00 - 90:00] Pat shares his passion for video games, including his favorite games like "GoldenEye" and "Lay Emperor." He discusses his current gaming setup and his interest in strategy and first-person games. [90:00 - 100:00] Pat expresses his hope for continued support from Dow and the development of downtown Midland. He emphasizes the importance of having more local restaurants and the economic viability of the Great Lakes Bay Region.