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Crain’s Detroit Business reporters and editors discuss the latest news and interview the people who are making things happen in metro Detroit.

Crain's Detroit Business


    • May 31, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 453 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Crain's Conversations

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Rishi Moudgil, executive director of the Michigan Founders Fund

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 13:58


    Andy Balaskovitz talks with Rishi Moudgil, executive director of the Michigan Founders Fund, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Bill Pink, Ferris State University president

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 17:26


    Andy Balaskovitz talks with Ferris State University President Bill Pink at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 19:44


    Kurt Nagl talks with Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health at Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Greg Williams, Acrisure CEO

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 16:40


    Crain's Grand Rapids Business Managing Editor Andy Balaskovitz talks with Acrisure CEO Greg Williams at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Aric Nesbitt, Senate minority leader

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 22:24


    Crain's reporter David Eggert talks with Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: David Miller, president of University of Michigan Health System

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 12:33


    Crain's reporter Kurt Nagl talks with David Miller, president of University of Michigan Health System, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Simon Whitelocke, ITC Michigan President

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 12:41


    Crain's Grand Rapids Business Managing Editor Andy Balaskovitz speaks with ITC Michigan President Simon Whitelocke at Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: David Egner, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation CEO

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 10:01


    Crain's reporter Kurt Nagl talks with David Egner, CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: David Parent, Michigan managing principal for Deloitte LLP

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 10:43


    Crain's Grand Rapids Business Managing Editor Andy Balaskovitz talks with David Parent, Michigan Managing Principal for Deloitte LLP.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Katy Trudeau, Eastern Market Partnership president

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 12:30


    Crain's reporter Kurt Nagl talks with Katy Trudeau, president of the Eastern Market Partnership, at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Joe Tate, Michigan House speaker

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 9:24


    Crain's reporter David Eggert talks with Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 18:08


    Crain's reporter David Eggert interviews Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist about the state's business-attraction fund and more at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Suzanne Shank, conference chair

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 11:26


    Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo talks with Siebert Williams Shank CEO Suzanne Shank, who is chairing the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference

    Mackinac Policy Conference: David Parent, Michigan Managing Partner for Deloitte

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 13:23


    David Parent, Michigan managing partner for Deloitte, talks about the future of work with Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

    Ashley Williams Clark, Vice President of Detroit Future City

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 13:00


    Ashley Williams Clark, vice president of Detroit Future City, talks with Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Linda Apsey, Chairman and CEO of ITC Holdings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 13:13


    Linda Apsey, chairman and CEO of ITC Holdings, speaks with Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Charity Dean of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 10:49


    Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Charity Dean of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance discuss the mayor's plan to overhaul Detroit's property-tax structure with Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, and Ani Turner

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 15:30


    Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, and Ani Turner, speak with Crain's Managing Editor Michael Lee about Michigan's stagnant population and how to turn the trend around.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Rip Rapson, CEO of the Kresge Foundation, and Richard Florida, urbanist and author of “Rise of the Creative Class,”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 17:12


    Rip Rapson, CEO of the Kresge Foundation, and Richard Florida, urbanist and author of “Rise of the Creative Class,” speak with Crain's Managing Editor Michael Lee about Detroit's advantages and disadvantages in a transforming economy.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Josh Sirefman, CEO of the Michigan Central Innovation District

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 12:08


    Josh Sirefman, CEO of the Michigan Central Innovation District, discusses what is happening now at the district surrounding Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, and what can be expected from the redevelopment of the train station and its environs.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 17:14


    Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks talks with Crain's reporter Rachel Watson at the Mackinac Policy Conference.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Bob Riney, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 16:00


    Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, speaking with Crain's Managing Editor Michael Lee about the health system's $2 billion plan for a new hospital tower and other developments around its Detroit flagship campus.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power, Imani Harris from 482Forward, and Evamelo Oleita, youth organizer, co-founder of Black Lives Matter

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 22:48


    Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo interviews Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power; Imani Harris, youth education activist and communications lead of 482Forward; and Evamelo Oleita, youth organizer, co-founder of Black Lives Matter In All Capacities and Skillman Foundation President's Youth Council Member.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 15:01


    Crain's reporter Rachel Watson talks with Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella about the university's master plan for its downtown Grand Rapids campus.

    Mackinac Policy Conference: Chair Matt Elliott, Michigan Market Leader, Bank of America

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 12:18


    Crain's Executive Editor Mickey Ciokajlo interviews 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference Chair Matt Elliott, Michigan Market Leader, Bank of America.

    The Build Up with Dave Blaszkiewicz

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 33:11


    1:03 - His ambitions for Invest Detroit2:05 - What he plans to do with the New Markets Tax Credits Invest Detroit was just awarded.A breakdown of the episode:5:45 - How the changing economic environment impacts his organization7:45 - Why he's concerned about the future of commercial real estate in the next few years9:30 - Where the next wave of investor interest will be in Detroit13:35 - How Invest Detroit is expanding in target neighborhoods15:30 - When he would get involved on the developer side of commercial real estate16:45 - Why Invest Detroit created the Ebiara fund18:55 - What development tools does he wish were accessible in Michigan that aren't yet21:10 - Why he supports reform on tax policy24:10 - How has development financing changed in the last decade30:30 - His biggest failure in business and how he overcame it

    The Build Up with Sue Mosey

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 26:21


    1:00 - Why she doesn't have a cell phone1:30 - Her latest vision for Midtown4:30 - Challenges for the neighborhood and how to keep people in homes9:45 - Why the pandemic didn't Midtown as bad as other areas11:30 - Her desire to preserve buildings as part of redevelopment16:05 - Balancing preservation with new construction18:10 - How Cass Corridor became Midtown21:55 - Her succession plan22:30 - What's still on her bucket list24:35 - Her biggest failure in business and how she overcame it.

    The Build Up - NAREE edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2022 25:17


    1:20 - Housing shortage issues and questions of a new recession2:45 - The state of the office market 4:05 - Converting office space into residential7:00 - A glut of office space in the suburbs8:05 - Rising rents 9:00 - An example from Calgary11:05 - What happens when office leases start to come up15:25 - The interview with Mason Ailstock begins

    Michael Lee on WJR: Lear Corp's future,

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2022 6:47


    Stories mentioned on airLear CEO Ray Scott looks to make production more local — including in Michigan: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/lear-ceo-ray-scott-looks-make-production-more-localDetroit sees record-breaking cruise ship season: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/hospitality-tourism/detroit-sees-record-breaking-cruise-ship-seasonCarvana sues Michigan to reverse loss of license: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/retail/carvana-sues-michigan-reverse-loss-license  

    The Build Up with Ammar Alkhafaji

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2022 29:03


    1:20 - How he balances dual careers 4:15 - The Four Corners Square project6:25 - How he has learned so much in his 20s.8:50 - What he sees as the future of retail10:05 - What is coming next and how he blends his interests in medical and real estate12:15- How to bring creative development from downtown to the suburbs 13:40 - How he balances working with his father16:20 - How he handles when his careers are in conflict and whether he can continue to do both18:05 - Which career is harder18:55 - What he does in his precious free time 19:55 - What it was like to go into residency at the start of the pandemic and did he ever want to quit23:55 - His biggest failure in business

    The Build Up with Richard Hosey

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2022 32:22


    Among the topics Hosey addresses in the podcast:1:30 – Why he feels confident the Fisher Body 21 plant project will succeed.2:45 – Why having the largest black-led development in the city is important.4:05 – What attracts him to historic preservation.6:15 – The one building he would want to take on.7:55 – How financial incentives can be expanded to help development.9:35 – The unique challenges of working in Detroit.11:50 – What more can be done to preserve affordable housing in Detroit.15:40 – Balancing secrecy and transparency on big development projects.21:05 – Why he came back to the city to be a developer.25:55 – How to remove barriers for Black developers.30:15 – His biggest failure in business.

    Michael Lee on WJR: Downtown visitors rebound, private equity loves car washes, auto show returns and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 8:01


    The Build Up with Ryan Maibach

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2022 31:18


    1:10 – Whether he always wanted to join the family business.2:25 – What steps he is taking to make sure the family has a robust staff. 4:10 – How he handles not having elder relatives in the business and whether he's prepping the next generation of Maibachs for the business.9:05 – Why he loves Lego.10:25 – His favorite project that he's worked on.13:10 – How hard it is to innovate in the construction industry. 15:30 – How he diversifies the Barton Malow portfolio.17:40 – How construction will change in the downtown Detroit core in the years ahead after COVID. 20:45 – Why Barton Malow employs a psychologist.23:00 – Why Barton Malow has a chaplain program and offers grants to employees.26:50 –  How to get past the red tape in the regulatory environment.28:55 – What his biggest failure in business was and how he overcame it. 

    The Build Up with Michael Cooper

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 29:26


    1:05 -What it was like working for a Coca-Cola bottling plant and what he learned from that experience.3:40 - What has changed in design and architecture throughout his three decades in the business.6:40 -How hybrid work changes workplace designs.11:55 - Why HED is moving to Royal Oak.15:05 - Promoting diversity in the architecture field and what changes should be made to encourage it.21:20 - Why he keeps a photo of the original Microsoft staff in a garage on his desk.24:10 - Why he's a fan of independent filmmaking.26:25 - His biggest failure in business and how he overcame it.

    Kelley Root on WJR: What's ahead for suppliers? | Examining Gilbert's affordable housing deals

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 8:00


    Kelley Root on WJR: Restaurants push back | Mortgage industry woes hit home | Grand Rapids boosts hotel district

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 8:17


    The Build Up with Ron Boji

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2022 30:51


    3:10 - Why he goes after public-private partnerships in his projects5:00 - How he dealt with criticism in his Royal Oak project6:40 - What his plans are for Birmingham development12:35 - What other areas he feels are ripe for development13:55 - The status of United Wholesale grocery15:20 - How being an immigrant impacts his business philosophy16:55 - What it was like working with his father and whether his daughters will join the business21:00 - Why he's selling his family's $10 million estate in San Diego23:20 - His politics and why he keeps an open mind26:45 - His biggest failure in business and how he overcame it

    Michael Lee on WJR: Dixon gets Trump bump ahead of primary, Gen Z workers riding high, what's next for Selfridge and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 8:27


    Michael Lee on WJR: Why it's so hard to fix flooding issues | Record home prices, lower mortgage demand

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 6:58


    The Build Up with Lynette Boyle and Michael Martorelli

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2022 26:12


    Today's guests are Lynnette Boyle and Michael Martorelli of Beanstalk Real Estate Solutions. The firm has residential and commercial properties throughout Detroit, including the Guardian Building, The Marygrove Campus and The Obama Building. After a career that included time with Kirco, Farbman Group, Sterling Group and Bedrock, Lynnette formed Beanstalk in 2016, focusing on property management and brokerage. Recently, Beanstalk joined with Center City Properties to create a multi-family housing division. Michael is the new director of sales and leasing for that side of the business.

    Kelley Root on WJR: Food banks struggle | Ross lobbied for $100M for project | Greektown Casino's legacy | Nurse transforming a block

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 8:12


    Kelley Root on WJR: Self-checkout is taking over | Wedding vendors slammed | U.P.'s tech business boom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 6:49


    Michael Lee on WJR: Great Lakes cruises get big | $100 million in state money for UM project | What's in the state budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 7:21


    Crain's Detroit Business Managing Editor Michael Lee chats with Paul W. Smith on WJR AM 760 about stories from the past week.

    The Build Up with Joe Luther

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 28:41


    Inside its 26th-floor offices at the Fisher Building, Christman Company has a special souvenir that hangs on the wall with ties to an iconic moment of political history.Joe Luther, vice president and general manager of Southeast Michigan Operations, spilled the beans during this week's podcast of how Christman ended up with a piece of the platform where then-president Barack Obama stood during his first inauguration in 2009.“We've got one of the pieces of plywood actually in the Fisher Building… come down to the office and see where Obama stood,” he said. “Two little Sharpie half circles that say left and right. It's just exciting to have that piece where he stood that day.”It's long been known that the Lansing-based general contracting firm builds the platform used by the incoming president at inaugurations in Washington D.C. – they did it for Barack Obama in 2009 and 2013, for Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.And they plan to bid again in two years. The whole platform is wood, and several pieces get saved and reused for later years. But for that one piece, it has a place of honor on the wall in Luther's boss's office.“That team out there really enjoys that project. It's a smaller project for that region, but a really exciting, high-profile project. And I think they've got the method now pretty well licked,” he said. “There's a short time to set it up and a short time to tear it down. And we're certainly excited to be a part of it.”Christman, which was founded in 1894 and has been doing business in Michigan for more than 100 years, has plenty of other projects closer to home. They include the renovation of the Michigan Central Station in Corktown, the Accident Fund national headquarters in Lansing, multiple Detroit Public Schools projects and the redevelopment of the GSA Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in Detroit. Luther has been with the company since 2008 and said it has grown from 300 employees to almost a thousand across the country during that time. He spoke to Crain's about:1:25 - His career trajectory and how Christman Co. has changed over time2:25 - How they are handling labor shortages3:25 - What is being done to bring new people into the trades7:30 – Overcoming rising building costs9:30 – Delayed projects10:40 – Handling union battles11:50 – Other challenges in the industry12:40 – How they choose their projects14:25 – If preservation strategy in Detroit needs to change16:15 – Christman's tie to the presidential election and a very special souvenir18:05 – Why going after clients is more important than projects20:15 – How to promote diversity in the construction industry22:25 – The importance of mentorship23:35 – Life outside of work24:25 – His biggest failure and how he overcame it

    Kelley Root on WJR: Abortion decision reverberates | Looking to Greektown's future | Kellogg's big move

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 6:30


    Crain's Detroit Business Executive Editor Kelley Root chats with Paul W. Smith on WJR AM 760 about stories from this week's issue.

    The Build Up with Albert Berriz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 23:44


    What we talked about: 2:00 - The state of McKinley and how the business has changed over 30 years3:05 -Why they are staying in the workforce housing market4:40 - Why they won't be expanding to regions outside of Ann Arbor and Orlando12:40 - How they handle rising rents14:00 - How to improve affordable housing16:50 - How they retain staffers18:10 - What they are doing for a succession plan18:55 - What it was like coming to the U.S as a refugee19:55 - His management style and how he uses social media22:15 - His biggest mistake in business and how he overcame it

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