Sidewalk Talks

In this Sidewalk Talks episode, we chat with Kaylyn and Alesha outside Kakes the Great Popcorn Co. at 418 Court Street, covering their nationally recognized popcorn and kettle corn, lemonades, crafted teas, croffles (croissant + waffle), chow bowls (build-your-own popcorn mix), candy, toys, and scratch-made pound cakes. They share everything from how the business started six years ago to their dynamic as both mother-daughter and business partners.

00:00 Bee Panic 
01:13 Fears Wings and Horses
02:13 Corrupted Card Reset
03:12 Sidewalk Talks Intro
03:45 Kakes The Great 101
05:32 From Marketplace to Storefront
06:38 Origin Story Braces Hustle
07:53 Mother Daughter P...

In this Sidewalk Talks episode, we chat with Anne Bruzewski, CEO of Go Great Lakes Bay, about tourism, community pride, and the time we first met—when a truck collided with the I-675 bridge. Ann shares her path from Findlay, Ohio to Northwood University to joining Go Great Lakes Bay in early 2020 as COVID and Midland’s dam breaches forced major pivots. We also break down what a CVB/DMO does and how tourism benefits Saginaw residents.

Listen to our conversation by watching the video below, or by subscribing to Sidewalk Talks wherever you list...

Saginaw’s Surprising Link to the 50-Star American Flag (and a Handyman Who Puts Family First)

In this Sidewalk Talks episode, Phil chats with Ryan Schramm, owner of Schramm's Services, a handyman business that focuses on painting but also tackles plumbing, electrical, and general contracting. Our conversation takes a fascinating turn when Ryan reveals his uncle, Saginaw-native Bob Heft, designed the 50-star U.S. flag as a high school project in 1958. At the time, there were only 48 states, but Bob had a hunch that two more states would be added and in 1959, Alaska and Ha...

THE CIVITAN WILL LIVE AGAIN! Eugene "Fookie" Seals has purchased The Civilian Recreation Center in downtown Saginaw with the goal of restoring back to its role as a valuable community center. He grew up nearby, played basketball and attended summer programs there , and credits the center with helping launch his path to professional basketball. Seals says the Seals Group began pursuing the building in 2019 and finalized the purchase a few weeks ago. Plans include abatement first, then restoring the existing building with two renovated gyms, a stage, a computer room, and a cafe-style area, plus arts training and outdoor...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we chat with Saginaw musician Indigo Connolly about motherhood, music, and music education! Along with being a performer, Indigo also created My Music Matters, an organization dedicated to highlighting local artists and providing more representation in music education in the Great Lakes Bay area. She also teaches piano and voice lessons out of Indigo Music Studio 

Timestamps: 

00:00 Meet Indigo

00:34 Motherhood Reality Check

02:17 National Anthem Spotlight

03:28 Early Music Roots

05:02 Why Performing Matters

06:57 Music School and Juries

...

On this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we meet the jump rope master Giovanni Jamall Jackson—an entertainer from Saginaw who jump ropes, teaches ballroom dance, performs Motown, and acts—and talks about how he started jump roping in 2019 as a stress reliever during a period of depression. Giovanni explains what he loves about jump rope and shares how freestyling, viral TikTok views, and growing social media contacts led to America’s Got Talent reaching out. 

He then gives me a jump rope lessonn: sizing the rope to the waist, proper form, reps, and progression from basic jumps to side...

In this Sidewalk Talk, we talk with Swept AI founder Shane Emmons about hype, the hope, and the harm of AI. Swept AI has served over 25 million users, ensuring AI safety, integrity, and compliance. He's an authority on the subject of AI, and if you have questions about how AI works and what it means for the future, this episode is a must listen! 

00:00 Cold Open Clapboard
00:15 Meeting Shane Emmons
00:33 From Navy Brat to Saginaw
01:18 Discovering Swept AI
01:55 Governing High Risk AI
02:37 Why AI Fails
04:42 How LLMs Work
05:56 Transformers and A...

In this Sidewalk Talks episode, we reconnects with Tina Swanton—funny hat and butterscotch cookies included—for an update on the Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen. Tina explains the nonprofit grocery store’s sliding-scale membership and points-based shopping system (healthier foods cost fewer points, with produce always one point), plus an educational kitchen with six student stations, an instructor station, and a full commercial setup. She shares that the model is proven, based on the Community Food Club in Grand Rapids and other locations like Ludington and Holland, and says Saginaw’s need is especially for the ALICE populati...

In an impromptu, chilly Sidewalk Talks episode filmed in Morley Plaza, we sit down with Renee Johnston of the Saginaw Community Foundation to talk about what makes Saginaw special, why citizens should cherish and care for their community, and how individual accountabilitybuilds a stronger village. Renee explains what the Saginaw Community Foundation does beyond the name—philanthropic partnership, endowment funds, grants, scholarships, and providing leadership and fiscal support for projects like Shine Bright, Hoyt Park, and Hidden Harvest. Renee also highlights the annual celebration at SVSU on September 14, the Community Improvement Initiative, the Be Well initiative and race series on...

On the latest episode of Sidewalk Talks, I chat with Tony Serra! Tony is the Executive Director of TempleArts, the organization that oversees both The Temple Theatre  and the Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens. We talk about the current Andy Warhol exhibition, the role of TempleArts in the community, and his personal journey from the Temple Theatre to the Fox Theatre in Detroit...and back again!

Timestamps: 

00:00 Opening Banter

00:42 Warhol Exhibit Overview

01:44 Frame Shop Origin Story

03:17 Making It Happen

04:24 Intimate Gallery Experience

05:21 Museum Te...

In part two with Alex Mixter (recorded at Potter Street Station), the conversation ricochets from Lee Mansion cleanups and Spot It, Snag It to a core theme: communities earn trust through visible action. They discuss how pride, cross-class connections, and being “with real people in real places” can counter negativity and burnout, and why constraints can spark better solutions. Alex explains Saginaw’s “green zone” and equitable land use, arguing the policy worsened vacancy by demolishing foreclosed homes in a historically redlined, disinvested area, blocking would-be buyers and erasing multigenerational homes. They highlight the potential of land banks, attainable homeowners...

In this Sidewalk Talk with Alex Mixter, we talk about why preserving Saginaw's Potter Street Station matters, and how it could become a transportation again. Why Preserving Saginaw’s Potter Street Station Matters—and How It Could Become a Transportation Hub Again. Alex tells us about efforts since 1989 to save the building, all while facing an arson in 1991, a temporary roof in 1995, and a tower collapse in 1997. We also talk about why historic buildings are irreplaceable community infrastructure,  Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services - STARS  plans for the future of the depot, and more!

Timest...

From Lebanon to selling suits in Saginaw...it's Sal, baby!

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Phil visits Sal, a longtime Saginaw tailor known as “Sal Baby,” for his first podcast, reflecting on how Sal helped save Phil’s wedding suit experience after a bad big-box chain encounter and how Sal’s shop treats customers like family. Sal describes running his store for about 38 years, traveling to trade shows, sourcing hard-to-find items through connections, and prioritizing service over money, including flexible pricing and letting people pay later. Born in Lebanon in 1944, Sal came to the U.S. in 1971...

Marlana Cork kicks off Season Three with a Sidewalk Talk about community-building! Be sure to subscribe to Sidewalk Talks and leave a review!

00:00 Season Premiere Banter
01:17 Aging and Dentist Days
02:31 Why Community Matters
03:53 Grandma’s Candy House
07:04 Showing Up When It’s Hard
10:24 Community as Relationship
17:13 Unsung Heroes and Commitment
21:38 Communication Meets Action
23:43 Conflict and Accountability
25:36 Community Accountability
26:15 Beyond Blame Culture
27:15 Keyboard Warrior Warning
28:28 Claim Citizen Power
29:55 Curiosity Over Conflict
31:53 Face To Face Talks
35:34 Conflict As Catalyst
39:15 Committed To Mess
42:11 Arro...

A new season of Sidewalk Talks premieres Monday! Watch the video for a sneak preview of all of this season's amazing guests, and then subscribe to Sidewalk Talks and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Two new episodes will go up every week, so subscribe and don't miss an episode! 

On Saturday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m., the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra (SBSO) continues its 90th Season with Music Reframed: Pictures at an Exhibition at the historic Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw. This ambitious program pairs one of the most celebrated orchestral works of all time with bold contemporary compositions performed by their creators.

The evening culminates in Modest Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition, a vivid and dramatic orchestral masterpiece that has captivated audiences for more than a century. Featured guest artist Kebra-Seyoun Charles will perform their concerto Nightlife, following its recent world premiere at Ca...

In his first-ever podcast appearance, MLive journalist Justin Engel talks about his history and work in local journalism. The conversation centers on defining journalism and discusses misinformation, clickbait, and AI-generated content, and argues for news literacy and reading beyond headlines and comment sections. Justin and Phil emphasize the value of strong local media in the Great Lakes Bay Region, explain why journalism isn’t free and needs subscriptions to survive, and describe how reporting broadened Justin’s perspective by exposing him to different communities across the county. They close with advice to young aspiring journalists to follow the calling, adap...

From Saginaw to living to an RV and back again! In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Jessica Shepherd discusses her background in broadcasting and journalism, selling most of her belongings to travel full-time in an RV for about two and a half years, and work-camping around the country. She talks about life on the road and why she and her partner, Mark, chose to return home to Saginaw.

00:00 Mic Check & Meet Jessica Shepherd 
01:05 Writing Love Letters to Saginaw 
03:13 How She Got Into Journalism: WSGW, MLive & Mentors
06:02 Why She Left Saginaw: Career Moves to Grand Ra...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Eric Shevchenko talks about bringing New York-style pizza to Saginaw with Old World Pizzeria. He talks about the power of food as a way to keep people connected, preserve culture, evoke emotion, and be a vehicle for creativity. 

Eric explains how pizza became his focus, including a 48-hour research trip to New York eating slices and revisiting favorites. Shevcenko talks about  his obsessive experimentation with dough fermentation and hydration, creative menu, and OWP’s burnt Basque-style cheesecake. 

Eric recounts earlier experiences in Northern California, including raising rabbits for high-end resta...

Ja'Maiya Ryan is a Saginaw-based designer and she just released a new collection! In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, she talks about design, her history, and her love of not only designing, but creating accessible and beautiful accessories. 

00:00 Celebrating the Win: The Iconic Happy Tears Photo
00:21 Behind the Scenes: Finding the Right Fashion Program
00:32 Hands-On Craft: Tools, Techniques, and Industry Collabs
01:02 From Concept to Collection: The Millie’s Patent-Pending Journey
01:12 Why It Matters: A Design Close to the Heart 

Brian Pruitt was heading into the NFL draft as one of the best running backs in the country, when he received a phone call that changed his life forever. On NFL draft night, he received a call from his agent that he would not be drafted due to spinal stenosis discovered at the NFL combine, a condition the league was then weeding out because of neck-injury risk. 

After three years of trying to return to the NFL as a free agent, Pruitt says a turning point came when his wife told him, “I need my husband back,” urgin...

In this indoor episode of Sidewalk Talks, the host sits down with Alexandria Renee over coffee to talk about local coffee shops, the Healthier Me podcast, and her work in public relations. Alexandria explains how Healthier Me began through Be Well Saginaw coalition partners after Saginaw County learned in January 2024 that it ranked number one in Michigan for obesity, with the goal of encouraging residents to talk to providers and pursue healthier lifestyles. 

Healthier Me just launched its second season, expanding the conversation to maternal health, mental health, and substance use. Alexandria previews Season 2 guests and stories, i...

Samantha Engel discusses the READ Association of Saginaw County, founded in 1966 to help children improve reading skills and discover the joy of reading. She shares her background as a historian at Dow Gardens and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, then explains why she joined READ in January 2024. The episode outlines READ’s core mentor program—trained adult volunteers paired one-on-one with students for weekly sessions during the school year—along with a structured tutoring program based out of the Family Literacy Center at 100 S. Jefferson using the Barton System of Reading and Spelling for students needing founda...

In the podcast’s first father-son episode, Phil interviews Bishop Hurley Coleman Jr. and Hurley Coleman III about their life paths, careers, and leadership in Saginaw. Hurley Coleman Jr. shares his upbringing and education, how he discovered parks and recreation as a career at Eastern Michigan University, and his work with Washtenaw County Parks, Saginaw County Parks, the City of Saginaw (including opening Andersen Water Park), and as Wayne County Parks and Recreation Director for 14 years. He explains how his father’s death led him back to Saginaw, where he eventually became pastor of the church his father started in 1...

A conversation with Saginaw County health leader Christina Harrington about the chaos and controversy of navigating the pandemic and how Saginaw’s approach—humility, grace, and authentic collaboration—strengthened partnerships instead of breaking trust. The discussion explains how that collaboration led to Be Well, a community-wide initiative guided by a three-year community health assessment and funded by a 12-organization advisory board (including local hospital systems, SVSU, the ISD, United Way, the Community Foundation, CMU Medical Education Partners, and others).

The episode also details RX Kids coming to the City of Saginaw, Bridgeport, and Buena Vista Township: a no-str...

Phil talks with Kristen Squires, Director of Marketing at the Dow Event Center, about parenting, frost quakes and trees exploding, identical twin mix-ups, coming events at The Dow and more! Kristen shares how she intentionally returned to event-space marketing and gives a sneak peek at what to expect this year,  from hockey and monster trucks to Broadway and Bob Dylan!

00:00 Meet Kristen Squires
00:20 Snow day chaos & parenting schedule meltdowns
01:30 Frost quakes, exploding trees & Minnesota cold-weather stories
03:02 Cliff jumping Lake Superior + the “safe risks” parenting debate
04:18 When your kid turns 10: time flies and the emoti...

Join us as we welcome Jamie Forbes once again to talk about an extraordinary mutual aid initiative happening in Saginaw. Jamie shares the inspiring story of how this grassroots effort started with a simple Facebook post and has now raised $17,600 to help Saginaw neighbors in need. Jamie explains the concept of mutual aid, the power of social media in mobilizing support, and the importance of community connection. Follow Jamie Forbes on Facebook to stay updated and get involved in this impactful movement.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction
00:08 Breaking the Rules for a Good Cause
00:50 Understanding Mutual...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we chat with the handsome, charming, and always charismatic Jeff Larsen! We talk about Saginaw’s food scene, Jeff's role at Great Lake Bay Health Centers, and the importance of serving the underserved, and his battles with imposter syndrome. We also touch on Jeff's personal life, especially parenting and the unique joys and challenges it brings. 

Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with humor, insights, and heartfelt advice!

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction and Jeff Larsen's Background

00:28 The Car Salesman Expe...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we sit down with Arshen Baldwin,  Assistant Principal at Saginaw United High School! Arshen shares her inspiring journey from generational poverty to becoming an educational leader, discusses the transformative power of education, the importance of building relationships with students, and her vision for the future of Saginaw United High School. She also talks about the impact of a new high school building, fostering a positive school culture, and the vital role of community support in shaping the future of our children.

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction and Congratulations

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we chat with Brian Keenan-Lechel, Director at Saginaw County Parks and Saginaw Community Foundation's Volunteer of the Year! Why are we sitting on a hill? Why does he have two last names? What's up with the outhouses and kickball? 

AND HE CAN JUGGLE!?

Check out the episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts! 

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction and Initial Banter

00:19 Exploring Saginaw's Newest County Park

02:21 History and Transformation of the Park

04:33 Community Involvement and Funding

07:44 Wildlife and Rec...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Christiana Malacara, journalist and creator of the podcast That's What She Said on WSGW! Christiana shares her journey of interviewing over 60 women from the Great Lakes Bay region, the inspiration behind her show, and the powerful lessons learned from amplifying women's voices.

Key Topics & Highlights

It's a Sidewalk Party! Just as Christiana Malacara from That's What She Said! Radio Show on WSGW and I were sitting down for a Sidewalk Talk, Cassi Zimmerman from the City of Saginaw Government walked by. Then Hurley TJ Coleman III from Saginaw County Community Action Committee (CAC). Then Ben Wieland (also from the City), then co-owners of Old Town Wonder Dyann Fulgencio and Isobel Jarema, then Alesha Martin-Lane from SVRC Marketplace, then Scott Rittenberry (formerly of TempleArts, now Director of Studio 23/The Arts Center and Kenzie McLearn Furlo of 106.3 The Core.

A  spontaneous c...

Join us in an inspiring conversation with Nyesha Clark-Young as she discusses the impact of the environment on our perceptions, the essential role of art in society, and the intersection of STEM and creativity. Discover how Saginaw's unique gritty history shapes its vibrant artistic community and learn about the upcoming community event, 'The Last Splash,' aimed at transforming the local skate park into a beautiful public art space. This episode is a heartfelt call to embrace creativity, foster new artists, and build a stronger, united community.

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts
00:30 The Impact of Environment on...

Saginaw is starting a new school, and to help kick it off, Superintendent of Saginaw Public Schools, Dr. Ramont Roberts, joins us for a Sidewalk Talk! 

We talk discuss everything from the transformative journey initiated by the 2020 bond to future strategic plans to how the entire community of Saginaw  can support the educatioan and future of our kids. Watch the episode here or listen to Sidewalk Talks on Apple and Spotify!

Show Notes: 

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:35 The Impact of the 2020 Bond on Saginaw

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Tina Dowe Swanton, CEO of the Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen,  gives us the scoop on this incredible project that will increase access to quality food in the City of Saginaw. The Food Club will feel and act like your favorite grocery store, but with a very different approach to pricing. Members will pay $12 to $16 a month—a sliding scale based on income and household size—and shop with points.  The Food Club will also accept cash or credit/debit card for payment. Member households can shop daily until all points are used...

We dive deep with Jimmy Green, discussing the essence of authenticity in life and marriage, the importance of being genuinely oneself, and the significance of honesty in personal growth and relationships. He also passionately talks about his recent initiative, 'Safety Around Water,' aimed at teaching kids essential swimming skills to ensure their safety, demonstrating how individual actions can spur significant community change. This episode is packed with personal anecdotes, impactful life lessons, and inspiring community efforts. Don't miss it!

00:00 Setting Up the Microphone
01:00 Wedding Day
02:10 Finding Peace in Marriage
03:28 Authenticity in Relationships
06:16...

Jamie Forbes joins the discussion about the significance of community organizing and its impact on making lasting positive changes. The conversation explores personal experiences, the art of communication, and practical tips for those looking to drive change in their communities. Jamie shares stories about the transformative power of phrases like 'tell me more,' the importance of building relationships, and maintaining a resilient spirit despite challenges. Tune in for an inspiring chat that delves into the essence of community, the value of connection, and the power of collaborative efforts!

00:00 Introduction and Clapper
00:55 Discussing Hats and Personal...