West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)

Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle: Leading Michigan’s Rehabilitation Revolution (04-05-26)

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 locations across five states and has become one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive non-profit rehabilitation systems.U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rated Mary Free Bed as a national Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2025-26In the fall of 2026, Mary Free Bed rehabilitation will be opening a brand new children’s rehab hospital…in Grand Rapids. The first pediatric rehab Hospital in the state of Michigan!Kent talks about the incredible growth of Mary Free Bed, what he's learned along the way, and why expansion has been critically important for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation.He also gives us an update on the vision and impact of the new Mary Free Bed Kids – Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.More Resources:Mary Free Bed RehabilitationMary Free Bed Kids – Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital

From Detroit to Traverse City By Train: The Bold New North+South Rail Plan That Could Shake Up Michigan Travel (03-29-26)

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 Ulstad, Transportation Program Manager with Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, a nonprofit leading the charge on this effort. She explains how the proposed rail corridor could link cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Mount Pleasant, and beyond—while improving access to jobs, healthcare, education, and tourism.  Learn more online: North + South Passenger Rail ProjectGroundwork Center for Resilient Communities  

How Entrepreneurs and Tech Leaders Are Reimagining Care in Michigan: Inside Samaritas’ "House of Innovation" (03-29-26)

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 taking an innovative approach to meeting these challenges.At the center of that effort is the newly launched House of Innovation—a collaborative hub in Detroit designed to bring together entrepreneurs, technologists, and social service leaders to rethink how care is delivered. Morin shares how this unique space is already sparking new ideas and scalable solutions—and what it could mean for communities across the state, including West Michigan.The conversation also highlights a powerful initiative recognizing high school coaches who are making a meaningful impact on student mental health—underscoring the critical role trusted adults play in young people’s lives.It’s a forward-looking discussion about innovation, collaboration, and building stronger support systems for Michigan communities.Samaritas

Fighting “Forever Chemicals”: Inside the Push to Clean Up PFAS in the Great Lakes (03-22-26)

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 decades in everything from firefighting foam to stain-resistant fabrics, PFAS chemicals are now linked to serious health risks—and they’re showing up in drinking water across the region. In Michigan alone, more than 160 sites are contaminated, affecting nearly 2 million residents in communities from Rockford to Oscoda, Parchment, and beyond.Spaniola explains what PFAS are, why they’re so persistent, and how grassroots advocacy is pushing for accountability, large-scale cleanup, and stronger protections at both the state and federal levels. This conversation sheds light on a complex issue with real local impact—and the growing movement working to protect public health across the Great Lakes.Online: The Great Lakes PFAS Action NetworkListen now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Author Sara Maurer on her new book, "A Good Animal" and the Power of Place (03-22-26)

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 driven by ambition and a desire to leave—capturing the universal tension between staying rooted and chasing something more.In this conversation, author Sara Maurer reflects on her own connection to Sault Ste. Marie, the inspiration behind her characters, and the often-overlooked beauty and complexity of rural life. She also opens up about the pressure many young people feel to leave small towns—and what it means to return.Sara Maurer’s terrific debut novel,  A Good Animal…is published by St. Martin’s Press… and available wherever books are sold.Sarah's book tour is underway across Michigan. See her schedule on her website.Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.Phil Tower