Podcasts about grand rapids

In honor of the world's most prestigious winter sporting event, the Lutheran Ladies have embarked upon their own Winter Hymnastics series. Over three — make that four — consecutive episodes, they'll laugh, they'll cry, they'll sweat (sometimes literally), and above all, they'll sing as they celebrate some of the greatest hymns and hymnwriters past, present, and even yet to come.  In this second of four episodes, Erin challenges Sarah and Rachel to a series of hymn-related challenges, which they tackle together as a team. Can they name the hymn based on a single measure of the tune? Speed read lyrics without one stumble? Remember every single word to a few beloved hymns? Choose hymns that are objectively beautiful in every way?   Joining the Ladies halfway through are celebrity judges Deaconess Cara Patton (coordinator for LCMS Worship Ministry) and Kantor Christina Roberts (Our Savior Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan).   Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies' Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram! Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

by UFO History Buff & Author, Charles Lear While June 24, 1947, marks the beginning of the modern-day UFO mystery, claims of earlier encounters and incidents, Maury Island for example, are found throughout the literature. One such case is that of Udo Wartena, a Dutch immigrant working as a miner for the Northwest Mining Syndicate in Broadwater County, Montana. Wartena claimed that in 1940, an alien invited him to go on board a huge flying saucer.The case came to light in the 1990s, and is based on the testimony of Wartena just before he died in 1989. Prior to this, he reportedly kept the story to himself, not even telling his wife. It was included in the 1993 book, Aliens and UFOs by James L. Thompson. Australian researcher Warren P. Aston looked into it after reading the book and presented his findings at the July 1997 Mutual UFO Network International Symposium in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more →*Note: audioblogs are now a cloned AI version of Martin's voice. 

Believe! Editor in Chief Doug DeVos shares the story of Grand Rapids and what it can teach America at 250Follow The Believe! Journal:Instagram ⁠⁠FacebookX ⁠⁠LinkedInVisit thebelievejournal.com for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebelievejournal.com

How to Scale Faster with B2B Brand Strategy Here's a common scenario in B2B marketing: you launch campaigns, hit the deadlines, and fill the pipeline, but the results feel disconnected from your long-term goals. Internal messaging discussions resurface, campaigns feel shallow and reactive, and when you ask people what your brand stands for, you get 50 different answers. This inconsistent approach creates friction and impedes scalable growth. So what can B2B marketers do when their tactical execution is outpacing their brand strategy, and how to do you realign for lasting impact? That's why we're talking to JoAnne Gritter (COO, ddm marketing + communications), who shares her expertise and actionable insights on how to scale faster with B2B brand strategy. During our conversation, JoAnne underscored why a foundational strategy is crucial for building credibility and trust in competitive markets. She also discussed the role of AI in marketing, commenting that while it can support with idea generation and research, it shouldn't replace direct communication with customers and employees. JoAnne shared some common pitfalls such as messaging misalignment and inconsistent branding, which can lead to distrust and reduced credibility, She explained the importance of having a cohesive brand strategy that aligns values, messaging, and customer experiences across all company touchpoints through proactive brand management. https://youtu.be/_Alwkinhw-g Topics discussed in episode: [02:36] The “Soul vs. Body” framework: Why marketing is just the body in action, while brand strategy is the soul that provides direction and values.  [06:51] Red flags that your marketing has outpaced your strategy: When content feels fragmented and sales teams are telling completely different stories.  [08:52] Defining true brand strategy: Moving beyond logos and colors to include deep research, stakeholder analysis, and internal alignment.  [14:41] The critical differences between a brand refresh (auditing existing assets), a complete revamp (starting from scratch), and branding during a merger.  [24:10] Actionable steps you can take to realign your brand: – Audit your customer journey – Define messaging pillars – Ensure HR and onboarding match the brand promise  [29:37] Why “data-only” marketing fails: The importance of human emotion and psychology that performance data often misses.  Companies and links mentioned: JoAnne Gritter on LinkedIn  ddm marketing + communications  Transcript JoAnne Gritter, Christian Klepp JoAnne Gritter  00:00 AI can be used as a tool. It should not replace thinking and actually talking to your customers and your employees and your sales team. So you can use AI as a crutch to to like, ask it for ideas, idea generation. You can use it for deep research on your on your audience, and stuff like that. But nothing replaces the gold standard of talking to people. I see this in messaging misalignment or content misalignment. If content feels like it’s been written by four different people or completely different companies, that’s a red flag. Christian Klepp  00:37 This is a common scenario for B2B Marketers. You launch campaigns, hit the deadlines and fill the pipeline. It all looks great on paper, but something is still off internal messaging discussions resurface. Campaigns feel shallow and reactive, and when you ask people what the brand stands for, you get 50 different answers. So what can B2B Marketers do when their marketing is outpacing their brand strategy? Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers in the Mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today, I’ll be talking to JoAnne Gritter, who will be answering this question. She’s a member of the leadership team at DDM Marketing Communications that provides integrated marketing solutions to drive business success. Tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is and here we go. JoAnne Gritter, welcome to the show. JoAnne Gritter  01:25 Hi Christian. Happy to be here. Christian Klepp  01:27 We you know, we had such a wonderful, like, pre-interview conversation. I almost feel like we’re neighbors or something, and something to that extent. But I’m, I’m really, like, happy to have you on the show, and I’m really looking forward to this conversation, because this topic is, I’m a little bit biased because I am in the branding space, so it’s a bit near and dear to my heart, but it’s also something that’s extremely important, because you’ll agree. I mean, you, I know you’ll agree because you wrote an article about it. JoAnne Gritter  01:54 Yeah Christian Klepp  01:55 It’s something that marketing teams tend to overlook. And good, goodness gracious me, I’m gonna, like, stop keeping people in suspense. We’ll just jump right in all right. JoAnne Gritter  02:04 Okay Christian Klepp  02:04 So JoAnne, you’re on a mission to provide integrated marketing solutions that drive B2B business success. So for this conversation, let’s focus on this topic, how brand strategy helps B2B organizations to realign for long term growth. So I’m going to kick off this conversation with the following question. In our previous conversation, our previous discussion, you talked about how marketing without a brand is a strategy without a soul. Could you please explain what you meant by that? JoAnne Gritter  02:36 So I just made the comparison kind of to the whole human, as in, like the brand is your soul, meaning like your values, what drives you, why you’re here, what differentiates you, what makes you different than the person standing next to you, whereas, like marketing is your body in action, or action in general, where you hopefully, if you if you’re a trustworthy person, what is, what are your values internally are matching your actions externally? And that is often where we see a divergent in companies, because they don’t think about those as like two sides of the same coin. It is really important that you make sure that you know the direction that you’re going as a company and what you stand for and who you’re there to support or serve, and what markets you’re there to do, and like your whole company, everybody that’s part of interfacing with customers understands that and is and is speaking the same language. Christian Klepp  03:37 Yeah, no, absolutely. And I suppose the the follow up question to that is like, where do you see a lot of, like, marketing teams go wrong. Because, like, you know, more often than not, a lot of teams are like, Okay, we’ve we’ve implemented the campaigns check. We’re generating results and driving pipeline or filling the pipeline, rather check. So where does it all go wrong? JoAnne Gritter  04:00 If you are not paying attention to your branding, you can have a lot of activity without a lot of traction. So or you can have a lot of different messages going out that seem not cohesive or fragmented. And so you can or more examples you can have, like your sales folks going out and telling different stories about about what your company stands for and what you do and how you’re different, that creates a lot of waste, because then you’re continuously trying to get more activity and more campaigns going more sales people out there, because you’re not getting the quality leads that you need, because nobody really knows what you stand for. Everybody says it a little bit differently, and that goes for customer service too. Branding. People think about branding as a marketing problem, or a marketing, you know, teams problem. But if, let’s say part of your brand is your brand identity or values is to put the customer. First, if you don’t really solidify that from your sales team and your customer support team, then there would be a mismatch there, right then you’re just putting out into the world that customers first, but that doesn’t match up with what the customer is experiencing. Christian Klepp  05:16 Yeah, there’s certainly some kind of misalignment there, and you touched on it, like, briefly. It’s interesting to me, like, even in my own experience, one of the telltale signs of that is when you ask people within the organization, well, what makes you different? And you get 50 different answers, and some of them are similar, and some of them are completely, like, different. And it’s like, okay, yep, okay, I see where this is going, or to your to your other point, when sales teams are having those discovery calls, and you listen back to some of those recordings, which I hope you marketing people out there are doing, and you listen to the way that the sales deal with objections, and maybe the procurement team or people like, you know, on the prospect side, they’re probably not phrasing it exactly the way I’m going to say it right now, but like, but they probably are asking something to the effect of, okay, what makes you different from vendor B, C and D, right? What is different about your solution? Like, why are you charging this guy? Why are your rates like, this high. JoAnne Gritter  05:16 Right. Absolutely. And if they have different answers, or if you go and you listen in on four different sales calls and they’re all a little bit different, then that tells you have a branding issue that people don’t fully understand your brand and how you’re different and who you support and serve. Christian Klepp  05:16 Yep, absolutely, absolutely. So you’ve touched on it a little bit, but like, tell us about some more of these. I’m going to call them red flags, right? That signal when marketing has outrun brand strategy. JoAnne Gritter  05:16 Sure, I see this in messaging misalignment or content misalignment. If content feels like it’s been written by four different people or completely different companies, that’s a red flag. If, like we mentioned, your sales team talks about your company completely differently, it’s okay that they put their own little spin on it, as long as you’re still hitting like the purpose of your company, why you’re here, how you serve whatever your target audience or audiences are what your values are. If that’s not coming through in in those different places, then you may have a brand issue, or your training issue, or your brand is not being carried out through the company. So when you have a solid brand, it should be, should be repeated in in like your onboarding process, in HR kind of things, in performance conversations, in obviously, your sales and marketing and your customer service, so that everybody is aligned to that brand, and so that there’s a common message, common theme, because repeatability is is super important. Consistency is super important in marketing. I’m sure a lot of people have heard that it takes multiple multi multiple times of hearing the same message for it to actually resonate, and if they’re hearing multiple different messages, it’s causes confusion and a lack of trust in whatever the company is offering. Christian Klepp  05:16 Yeah, that’s absolutely right. JoAnne, I’ve got a I just thought of another fall off question, and you’ll indulge me here. Um, you know it, I know it. But let’s, let’s clear the air here for a second. Because I’ve been hearing this like, and I’m sure you have as well, in the B2B world, it’s just been thrown around, like, very loosely. Let’s clear the air here. Like, what do you mean by brand strategy, because I’ve heard people, especially at senior level, say, like, Yeah, we don’t need branding. We’ve got a logo and we’ve got a website. We’re good, so maybe just clear the air on that one, please. JoAnne Gritter  05:16 Well, brand strategy is, let’s see, like, I think of strategy in like, four or three different tiers. Like, we have your business strategy, it’s how you win in the marketplace. Then you have your brand strategy, which is positions you in the market and in the minds of your consumers or your customers. And then your marketing strategy is how you take that and communicate it out and you deliver that message in multiple different channels. So if you have marketing running without, without laddering up to that business strategy and and brand strategy, then it’s just, it’s just running and putting stuff out there. So it’s just activity without, without purpose and strategy. So like a brand strategy is so much more than just a lot of people think about it as their logo, their identity suite, whatever, but there should be research that goes into it. They should be stakeholder analysis. They should talk to your customers and kind of understand what they value about about your company compared to another company. So then, using. Their language in some of your brand messaging is super helpful. So if you have like, customers that say, you know, like, I just love working with, you know, Company X, Y and Z, because the people are great. They’re super responsive. They they get me what I need, etc. Like, using some of that as part of your brand is going to be really important. So like, a strategy may may include, like, the focus, the brand, promise your your core values can be part of that. The naming can be part of that. Obviously, the the design part that a lot of folks actually think about and listen or think about and recall would be, like the visual identity that also needs to be consistent, from your logo to your fonts to your colors, and then like, multiple touch points on that, like, again, like repeating that consistency from like the stationary, the collateral, the assets, all that stuff, but then also making sure that the messaging and the voice carries throughout your company, past past your your marketing team, past your sales team. Christian Klepp  05:16 Yeah, that’s absolutely right. I mean, I like to tell people that all of these things that you mentioned, especially the visual aspect, the the sexy part of it, right, like the the visual identity, the logo, the web design and all that. It’s the end result. It’s one of the outcomes of right branding, right? JoAnne Gritter  05:16 That doesn’t come out of a vacuum, right? You don’t show a designer that’s like, I’m super excited about the color red, so we’re gonna do it’s what do our customers, current customers, feel about us, and what do we want our prospective customers to feel about us? And then there’s a lot of strategy behind that. Christian Klepp  05:16 That’s right, that’s right. I’m gonna move on to the topic of key pitfalls to avoid. So what are some of these key pitfalls that B2B Marketing Teams should avoid, and what should they do instead? JoAnne Gritter  05:16 So pitfalls that I see is companies teams that get really excited about certain trends. I’m just going to pick on Tiktok. There’s time and a place for Tiktok, but like, for B2B, they’re like, oh, man, everybody’s on Tiktok, or this latest, you know, social media platform, channel, we really got to get on there. It’s or we got to use AI in some specific way without, like, thinking about the strategy behind that and just like going forward, because you know that that’s the hottest trend right now. So always make sure it ladders up to where your customers are and what you want them to think about you. If you’re a B2B company, it’s likely that your customers are more on LinkedIn than they are on Tiktok. That’s just an example. I can’t say that across the board, but like picking picking things that are always centered on on your customer and your brand are super important. So that’s a pitfall, and then what to do about it? Also treating the brand as a one time exercise, like set it and forget it, kind of thing. A lot of people are just like, Okay, we did the brand. We got a great logo, we got stationery, we even got PowerPoints that are branded and then never think about it again, except for, like, just the, you know, the colors and the logo on all of your media assets, right? So, but the brand is so much more than that. The brand is so much about, like, how you want them to feel, what the differentiators are, what makes you different, what you deliver and like, how you talk about it, how you position yourself. So like, every bit, every asset that goes out the door, should be aligned to that there should be almost a hierarchy. Christian Klepp  05:16 Yeah, no, exactly, exactly. And I’m gonna throw another follow up question at you, only because I know you can handle you can handle it. You probably hear this a lot, and you hear this a lot, most likely also from marketing teams that perhaps don’t have as much experience in the branding space as you do, and they say things like, JoAnne, you know, we’re looking at our company, and we feel that, you know, the overall look and feel and the direction, it’s not really in line with what we aspire to be. So we’re looking for a revamp. And then, and then, as the conversation progresses, they say, Oh, actually, we want maybe, maybe just a refresh, right? And then you hear another prospect say, Well, you know, we just merged the two companies. So like, what do we do there? So maybe just, just to, again, clear the air, so people don’t throw around these terms so recklessly, what actually is the difference between a brand refresh, a brand revamp, and branding as a result of a merger, Speaker 1  06:02 like a brand like from scratch, is going to take a lot of different kind of research efforts than like a brand refresh. Like, if you’re doing a brand refresh, then you’re looking at assets that already exist, you know, and and you’re looking at reasons why they might change or are no longer working. So you’re doing more. Of an audit kind of thing, like, what’s different now than it was 20 years ago when we created this brand, and where are we going? Their new leadership? Are they focused on different parts of this like even even DDM, the marketing agency that I work with or that I work for. We, every once in a while, look at our brand, and not just the visuals, but like the things that make us unique. And we say, hey, those are still unique, but we’re talking about them slightly differently now. So we need to take a look at that and change the messaging a little bit. We’re heading in a slightly different direction lately with our creative so let’s, let’s make sure that we’re still in line, so that everything, everything matches. And if they see us on Instagram versus if they see us on LinkedIn or on our website, that it still looks like ABM, you know, and then a merger is slightly different, because you’re putting together two brands, and a lot of times they’re creating a new brand from that, or they might keep one of the brands and then just bring another like, you know, Company X is now a, you know, Company Y brand. And there might be, like a sub. There’s all kinds of different ways hierarchies of brands in that kind of scenario. But more recent one that we did, they created a new brand, which was a combination of the two names, and they completely they went through the whole exercise with the new leadership team. So it’s more similar to like starting from scratch, but also taking bits and pieces that they want to keep from both brands and what’s working. So you kind of look at what clients from both brands like about those brands, and make sure that you keep those and you preserve those, and make sure that it’s it’s heading in the direction that the company wants to go a lot of discovery and research and questions, Christian Klepp  06:16 Absolutely, absolutely. And I love that you keep bringing that up, though, because that is, again, one of these components that people tend to overlook, that this comes with a lot of research. It’s not, as you said, it’s not okay. Here’s the brief. Graphic designers or design team have at it. JoAnne Gritter  17:07 Right? Christian Klepp  17:07 Come up with something, something else, great, right? Yeah, my favorite briefs are always the ones that said we want something modern, clean, yet traditional and exciting. It’s like, JoAnne Gritter  17:17 Oh yes, creative. Make it creative, splashy mean to you? Christian Klepp  17:25 Yeah, yeah, open to interpretation, I suppose. Why do you believe that inconsistent messaging and internal misalignment cost organizations credibility and dollars? And you did touch on it earlier on the conversation. JoAnne Gritter  17:41 It’s a misalignment of what you say versus what you do. If you have on your website that you are there to serve X population and that you are like your mission and purpose in in this world is to support that population in in achieving whatever goal, whatever needs that that population needs, but then that customer or population that comes and interacts with your brand does not get that from the people or get that from their experience with your product. Then then that’s a misalignment, and that creates, you know, instant distrust, like you are not following through on, on what your brand promise was, or if you have multiple people saying they’re promising different things and they don’t get that, that’s a lack of trust. Christian Klepp  18:27 I’m kind of slightly grinning here, although I know that anyone who’s been in this situation probably will not see any humor in it, but like, I’m just thinking about anyone that’s experienced a flight delay, JoAnne Gritter  18:37 right, Christian Klepp  18:39 or been trapped at the airport, and whichever airline it is you’re flying with, and you have to deal with ground staff that are either unprofessional and rude or you just have zero transparency. And I’m sure, like, I’ve certainly gone through it like I’ve experienced a 10, 12 hour flight delay, right where I was at the airport until like, one or two in the morning, and then they finally come and say, well, the plane’s not coming. JoAnne Gritter  19:04 Yeah, that really rocks the brand reputation. I also see that in health care a lot, which, God bless everybody in health care, it’s hard, but like, if all those services are disjointed and the scheduling gives you a different feeling than the doctor gives and trying to do things online, it doesn’t match what your experience is in person. People don’t want to go to that provider anymore. You know, they’re like, this is confusing. I just want help. Just want to get what you’re promising. Christian Klepp  19:35 It’s a very for lack of a description of fragmented ecosystem. JoAnne Gritter  19:39 Yeah, absolutely. And that’s a bigger issue than we can solve here, but Christian Klepp  19:43 Yeah, no amount of branding is going to fix that. JoAnne Gritter  19:47 You got to follow through on it. Christian Klepp  19:49 That’s absolutely right. That’s absolutely right. Talk to us about how aligning, and you’ve touched on it briefly, how aligning soul and action will help to build. Trust, loyalty and resilience and please provide examples where relevant. JoAnne Gritter  20:04 Let me think of an example. We work with a very large medical device manufacturer, and we’ve worked with them for 15, probably close to 20 years now. And so 15 years ago, they were very product centric. They also grow by acquisition. So they have, like several different companies that came in under this master global brand. And even though they have the same logo, they still had their own kind of visual identity. They all talked about their stuff differently. And as a result of that, in those different teams, the customers were getting wildly different experiences from this company, even though they were all under the same master company. So they rebranded. We helped them rebrand seven years ago, maybe, and this is a global organization where they brought all their business units under the same brand. They have a very strict, robust brand now. And I’m not saying that everybody needs 100 page brand guidelines. They don’t, but, like they they went all in on branding, and they make all their new employees do their brand training. It’s worked in through their onboarding. It’s worked in through their like, performance conversations, and they have just really exploded and created this, this amazing reputation as a leader. Christian Klepp  21:25 I’m sorry you’re talking about, you’re talking about real branding, then JoAnne Gritter  21:27 Real branding. Yes, they are now a leader in their industry. I mean, they were big before, but they have just really exploded in the last seven years since rebranding, and it’s been really helpful for them, because now they still grow by acquisition, but they bring in a new company, and they know what the process is to get them on board, not just from a visual identity, like rebranding all the collateral, like the sales enablement and stuff like that, but bringing the internal teams up to speed about like, what what we stand for, what we hire, like, what kind of values we Look for, so that every customer gets the same experience Christian Klepp  22:04 from your experience. How did that exercise of helping them to re brand and take all of this because, you know, there’s that situation of taking all the business units and putting them under one roof, so to speak. How did that exercise help to improve them as an organization. JoAnne Gritter  22:22 It’s been a long time, like in multiple phases. So it improves their organization. It creates a lot of clarity for them. So they’re not like redoing each other’s work, and they’re not all creating the same or they’re they’re not all creating from scratch anymore. They have a they have a similar starting point on, like, the different messaging pillars that they need to hit, even for just their products, you know. So this goes into product messaging and product launch. So like, if they are medical device, they are they want to sell, you know, knee replacements or or stuff along those lines, they know that they need to hit on a couple core values, and they need to make sure that they are targeting the same audience, and that they need to make sure that they that what they’re saying out there aligns with the master brand. Of course, there’s they still need to do the differentiators on the product level, but they also have the full brand that that supports it. So it’s just a higher level like reputation. I like to, I like to compare like branding to your reputation. So that goes along with every product that they bring in. Christian Klepp  23:32 Yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. Okay, we get to the part in the conversation. We’re talking about actionable tips. And you’ve, you’ve actually given us quite a bit already, but if we were to summarize it, okay, JoAnne, like, if there was somebody out if there was somebody out there that was listening to this conversation, and they were listening to what you were saying, and they were like, oh my goodness, this is exactly what we’re going through right now, right? I mean, besides contacting you, right, what are like three to five things that you would recommend they do right now to realign for long term growth using brand strategy, JoAnne Gritter  24:10 I would take a look at what brand strategy you already have, if you have one otherwise kind of creating at least the bones of that. Like, what are our values? What are we focused on? What is our purpose here and mission? And then, like, what are messaging pillars or groups that align with those values? And then once you have those making sure that you have a succinct narrative or story, or even, like an elevator pitch, that everybody is aligned on. Having that is kind of a simple, hopefully a simple thing for you to figure out and align on, and then auditing the customer journey for those promises and values. So like, if you have a customer journey, they’re going from, you know, awareness of you. Or a problem to consideration between you and your company, and, you know, multiple other companies, and then you’re they’re making a decision, then they’re purchasing, then they’re hopefully your customer experience, and your delivery teams are delivering on those promises, and then you’re creating loyalty. So that’s the customer journey. So of these phases are, they are the customers still experiencing the brand that you want them to experience. So that’s like a little audit that you can do. And then from there, also making sure that all of your content that’s out there, from your like your brochures, your website, your sales enablement kind of stuff, making sure that that’s still aligned to the brand and the message that that you want it to and then making sure that, of course, throughout the company, in your like, HR documentation, you’re, I’ve said onboarding a million times, but like, making sure that everybody that’s coming into your organization understands who you are and who you who you serve, and why? Christian Klepp  26:01 Absolutely, absolutely. And that’s a really good list. And I have to ask you this question, because you know, at the time of the recording, we’re at the end of 2025, and you did bring up AI, so I’m going to bring it up again. How, how has in your experience, from what you’re seeing out there, how has AI impacted brand strategy and all the work that comes along with that. JoAnne Gritter  26:24 Well, that’s a loaded question, right? So as far as brand strategy, I kind of see it. AI can be used as a tool. It should not replace thinking and actually talking to your customers and your employees and your sales team. So you can use AI as a crutch to to, like, ask it for ideas, idea generation. You can use it for deep research on your on your audience, and stuff like that. But nothing replaces the gold standard of talking to people. So like, the the best resources from that research perspective are your customers, or your prospective customers and your sales team, if you can’t get to those customers, will often hear those like, you know, positive and negatives about your products and services. So getting to those and aligning on stakeholders, AI can be used as you know, you can use it to help think of ideas for like, let me think if you were thinking of like values, like core values, like in and messaging pillars, you can say, hey, you know, I really want it to be something along these lines. We’re circling around on like, exactly right the what the right way to phrase this is. And it can give you 50 different ideas, and you can cross out 45 of them and then land on like the top five that you communicate with your team. Don’t ever take it for rate for like per vatum, sorry, exactly as chat GPT gives you, Christian Klepp  27:55 at face value. JoAnne Gritter  27:57 Thank you. I see that that is a lot harder for early career individuals because they don’t have that discernment yet. So they, they will, they will use it as a crutch, and then, like, oftentimes not have that same kind of editing expertise to see what actually works and what doesn’t. So like pairing AI as a tool with with human intelligence and empathy, for sure, Christian Klepp  28:23 Absolutely, absolutely. I mean, at least in from my observation, and this is where I think AI really falls flat, especially when you’re coming up with the verbal expression component of brand strategy. AI doesn’t really have any soul or character, like everything, it turns out, is very, for lack of a better description, lifeless, so, and that’s where the human element, or to your point, the human intervention, can then come into play, because then you can inject that story, you can inject that human emotion, which also is a very crucial component in B2B, right? As much as people like to say, oh, B2B is all factual, right? And I would, I would disagree with that, JoAnne Gritter  29:06 yeah, it’s, it’s quality over quantity. Now, you know people, people can spot, can spot the AI generated content, and there can be a whole bunch of it, and that can help you in a variety of ways. But if it’s not actually, if it doesn’t sound human speaking or human human sounding, then, then people reject it and they don’t trust it as much. Christian Klepp  29:28 Okay, get up on your soapbox a status quo that you passionately disagree with, and why? JoAnne Gritter  29:37 I passionately disagree with data only marketing. So the big push for data driven marketing, I am, I am on board with that at face value, but it still doesn’t tell the whole story, because you can still look at data from, let’s say you did like a. Um, a focus group about about what customers want from a like a beverage or something. I’m thinking of Coca Cola, and they and they say that they they want it to be healthy. They want it to be low sugar. They want it to taste amazing. They want it to make them, you know, feel great, and stuff like that that does not you’re gonna try to create like this Frankenstein kind of soda instead, instead of recognizing that, like, there’s more psychology to this. Like a Coca Cola has, like, a whole traditional, like branding kind of way that, or traditional and emotional way that they make people feel, and that doesn’t show up in the data, necessarily. That doesn’t show up in the performance data. You know that that is a totally different kind of research too. Christian Klepp  30:51 Yeah, yeah, JoAnne Gritter  30:55 You know, that’s performance, marketing and branding. Christian Klepp  30:58 I totally agree. I totally agree that, as much as there is a big camp out there that says the future is data driven now when it comes to B2B Marketing, and I’m like, Yeah, JoAnne Gritter  31:11 humans are tricky. Christian Klepp  31:13 We’re not robots. Absolutely, absolutely, okay, here comes the bonus question. So Rumor has it that you like to draw. JoAnne Gritter  31:23  I do. Christian Klepp  31:24 Yes, and from one enthusiastic sketcher to another, I thought, I thought deep and hard about this question. Tell us about one of the most well exciting, yes, but more importantly, one of the most challenging works that you’ve created to date. So what was the theme and subject? What made it so challenging to draw, and what did you learn from that experience when you when you completed it? JoAnne Gritter  31:50 I really like to find, like, kind of micro moments I have. I have three children at home, and I like to take pictures, or, like, capture, like small moments of, like one of them snuggling the cat, or like holding hands or doing something unexpected. And in, like, not a macro view, but in a micro view of like, the different connections that people have. And then, usually, I’ll take a picture, and then I will sketch those out after they go to sleep and stuff like that. And that’s just kind of my own personal way to, I don’t know it’s it’s therapeutic. It’s a way to see, see the beauty in the world, you know, and to slow down in the moment. Christian Klepp  32:37 100%. I like to call it Balsam for the soul. JoAnne Gritter  32:40 Yeah, Christian Klepp  32:40 all right, I don’t know about you, but like, I like to sketch in the in this very room where we’re doing the recording, and I usually play classical music. So like, show pen, so something like, with with piano. Like, no opera, because that can get a bit too dramatic. JoAnne Gritter  32:59 I like classical too, when, when I’m focused at classical music, and I also like binaural beats, or it’s more like meditation kind of music. So kind of zone, zone into the moment, instead of all the crazy thoughts that go through your head and all the things you have to do. Christian Klepp  33:17 Very nice, very nice. One of the things I learned about drawing is pretty much like certain aspects of our professional work, you know, like marketing and branding. It starts with a line, and then you just keep adding the layers, right? And it’s almost the same like when you’re implementing a campaign, you know, some especially nowadays, right? You try to start small first, and do a lot of testing to see if it works. And you scale from there. And I like to, I like to think of drawings that way too. You start, you start not by adding the details. You start like, you know, with a lighter pencil. And there’s a certain, there’s a certain way of holding the pencil tool, right, so you have lesser control. And just, it’s just a bit free flowing. And for me personally, it took me a long time to start drawing like that, because I’m like, No, then I don’t have control of the process. But that’s kind of the point, right? Let go of the perfectionism, right? JoAnne Gritter  34:18 You outline it first, and then you start filling in. You know that the shadows and the light marks, and then you slowly bring in the detail. I mean, that you’re totally right, that that is like a marketing or branding strategy. You got to outline it first before you go fully in on any specific detail. Otherwise, you’re you may be way off target. Christian Klepp  34:38 That’s it. That’s it. I mean, JoAnne like I think we just found our next podcast interview topic. But thank you so much for coming on and for sharing your expertise and experience with the listeners. So please a quick introduction to yourself and how people out they can get in touch with you. JoAnne Gritter  34:57 JoAnne Gritter, I’m at DDM Marketing and Communications headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. And I am COO, Vice President of our company. You can get a hold of me at joanneg@teamddm.com or you can just check us out at Teamddm.com Christian Klepp  35:18 Fantastic, fantastic. And we will be sure to like drop all those links in the show notes. So once again, JoAnne, thanks so much for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. JoAnne Gritter  35:27 Thanks, Christian. Bye. Christian Klepp  35:29 Bye, for now you.

The Slamfest Podcast brings the premier rock concert pregaming experience from the parking lot to the podcasting airwaves. Episode 296 - This was Brad's first time seeing two legendary bands both fronted by women.  He saw Heart and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI on 3/28/15.  For the Band on the Bill Spotlight, he puts "like" songs up against each other - 70's/early 80's songs vs. mid/late 80's and early 90's songs.  After a Slamfest Tip of the Week, he is faced with a "Which Side are you On?" Side 1 or 2 from from Heart's compilation, These Dreams: Greatest Hits from 1997.Music in this episode by:Heart Joan Jett & The BlackheartsBon JoviMotorheadBlack SabbathKissOzzyVisit the Slamfest Podcast online at: https://slamfest-podcast.simplecast.comRequest to join the Slamfest Podcast private Facebook page here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/slamfestpodcastE-mail us at : slamfestpodcast@gmail.com

On a beautiful fall day in September 1916, 68-year-old Hannah Spielman went on a picnic with her new husband, 71-year-old James Allen, in the woods outside Grand Rapids, Michigan. She had met him through a newspaper advertisement, and the two were married just two days earlier - only hours after stepping off a train and meeting him face-to-face for the first time. But James Allen was not the man he claimed to be. His real name was Henry Scott Mausell, and his intentions were anything but honorable. Eleven days later, Hannah's decomposed body was discovered and the murder investigation began. So who was Henry Scott Mausell? A man with a deeply troubled past—and Hannah was likely not his first victim, but the last in a long line of murdered women. In "Bloodstained: Exploring Michigan's Darkest Murders Forgotten by Time", author Allie Seibert sheds light on this largely forgotten, and very likely, serial killer. The author's Household History website: https://www.householdhistory.com/ Allie in the Archives Podcast links: ⁠https://www.pod.link/1819388236 On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allie.in.the.archives/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Abram rescues Lot, the LORD reassures Abram with His promise. Yet Abram sees that a household servant is currently his heir, and Abram questions the LORD what He will give since no child has yet been born to him. The LORD doubles down on His promise, telling Abram that a child will be born of his own loins. As a visual sermon, the LORD challenges Abram to count the stars. Such will be the number of Abram's descendants. Abram believes this promise, and the LORD counts that faith as righteousness. Such is the way all Christians are saved: through faith in the promise of God in Jesus.  Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Genesis 15:1-6.  To learn more about Our Savior, visit oursavior-gr.org. “In the Beginning” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies Genesis. The first book of Moses sets the stage for God's entire story of salvation. As we learn the beginning of the story, God prepares us to receive the fulfillment of the story: Jesus Christ, the Offspring of the woman who has crushed our enemy's head.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

This is part two of our team update — and we're getting into some specifics. The big topic: the COD's recommendation for biennial synods, which will come before Synod 2026. Willy serves on the Council of Delegates and voted against the recommendation, and he explains why. The proposal came from a task force looking to cut costs. Their solution? Hold synod every other year instead of annually. But as Willy lays out, this isn't just a budget issue — it's an ecclesiology issue. Synod has its authority because synod is the church. It's not something we get to skip when money's tight. And here's the kicker: under this plan, COD would meet six times in two years while synod meets only once. That should concern all of us. Coming out of the battles over human sexuality, departures, and division, this is the wrong time to pull back from gathering. We need more connection, not less. And as Willy points out, it's ironic that the denomination just ran a whole initiative called Gather — and now wants to gather less as a synodical body. On the encouraging side, Lora Copley has been hired as interim editor of the Banner — and that gives us real hope. Herb Scheur's recent article was exactly the kind of accessible, Reformed content the Banner should be putting out. If you stopped reading the Banner, now's the time to come back. And if God's tapping you on the shoulder to write, submit something. We close with a call to serve — on COD, committees, boards, wherever God is leading. The priesthood of all believers isn't just a doctrine we confess; it's how renewal actually happens. Timestamps: - 0:00 — Intro - 2:11 — The biennial synod recommendation explained - 4:33 — "Synod has its authority because synod is the church" - 5:14 — Why Willy voted against it: COD meets 6 times, Synod just once - 7:02 — "A recommendation for biennial synods coming out of a war like we've had is foolish" - 9:30 — Churches feel disconnected from Grand Rapids - 11:10 — Biennial synods would undo efforts toward unity and vision - 13:00 — You need a vision before you write a budget - 16:29 — The denomination needs to cut bureaucracy - 18:16 — Lora Copley hired as interim Banner editor - 20:49 — Herb Scheur's article and the call to support the Banner - 24:47 — Call to serve: COD, committees, boards - 28:47 — Renewal of ecclesiology and the priesthood of believers - 33:22 — Final words: pray for the church, act boldly from a place of victory Join and support us on Substack: https://themessyreformation.com/ Check out the Abide Project: https://www.abideproject.org Intro music by Matt Krotzer

Not to be confused with the first film in this puppet franchise, 955: Thunderbirds Are Go (1966). We are joined by the owner of Bardertown Video in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Next week is everyone's 7th favorite 7 film, Lucky Number Slevin (2006).

Today Pastor Toran guided us through Acts 16, and what faith looks like on the front lines. ---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give Need prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

In this message, we are talking about approaching our Father in heaven in prayer. As we have been going through the book of 1 John we have been focused on recognizing the benefits of receiving Jesus in our lives. One of the great benefits is that Jesus enables us to pray effectively to God. As we look at 1 John 5:13-17, we'll think together about the confidence we have in prayer as well as the content of our prayers. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 1 John 5:13-17 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on February 8, 2026

In this message, we are talking about approaching our Father in heaven in prayer. As we have been going through the book of 1 John we have been focused on recognizing the benefits of receiving Jesus in our lives. One of the great benefits is that Jesus enables us to pray effectively to God. As we look at 1 John 5:13-17, we'll think together about the confidence we have in prayer as well as the content of our prayers. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 1 John 5:13-17 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on February 8, 2026

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode Megan Dineff of Ervine's Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid and EV joins marketing specialist Dan Vance of Shop Dog Marketing to explore the evolving relationship between websites and the future of search. They explore why a website remains the digital “front door” of a business, where customers decide whether to call. From using real photos to build credibility, to protecting leads through better phone protocols, to preparing for AI-driven search, this episode delivers practical insights for modern shop owners. Key takeaways: Building Trust Through Authenticity: Megan explains why the shop's website avoids stock photos and instead highlights their real team. Showing familiar faces builds instant comfort and credibility. A great website should “ooze trust” and reflect the shop's personality, so prospects feel like they've found their “forever home.” The 70% Rule: Studies show that nearly 70% of callers have already decided to do business before picking up the phone. The group discusses how poor phone handling can “put water on the candles." AI and the Return of Content: Dan explains why content matters more than ever in the age of AI. Search models now “race to your website” to gather information. Shops must create clear, helpful content, not just for people, but for the algorithms that determine future visibility. The Power of Partnership: Megan shares a cautionary story about accidentally shutting down the shop's Google Business Profile and the importance of having a trusted expert to resolve “black box” marketing issues. The group agrees: owners should focus on culture and leadership while relying on skilled partners to navigate the digital landscape. When Customers Ask AI First: What Shop Owners Need to Know [RR 1071]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1071/  Megan Dineff, Ervine's Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid and EV, Grand Rapids, MI Dan Vance, Shop Dog Marketing.com Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI's integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at

AB is a Grand Rapids legend who blessed us with some time today. Join us as we talk about managing one's self, understanding challenges, and ask truly important questions that can make or break our time here on Earth. Not to be dramatic! Please enjoy :)

Paul Krauss MA LPC had the honor of speaking with Ashok Gupta who is offering cost-effective and accessible options for those suffering from chronic conditions as well as those who want to feel more vibrant and reduce symptoms of fatigue and inflammation. Ashok has put years of creativity into the program he offers people around the world and it really is incredible how such a holistic program can have such stunning scientific outcomes. If you are interested, check out this episode.  Ashok Gupta, MA(Cantab), MSc who is an internationally renowned speaker, filmmaker and chronic illness and neuroplasticity expert. Ashok is the director of the Gupta Program, the original neuroplasticity and holistic health program for chronic conditions such as ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Post-Covid Syndrome, and associated conditions. The Program has helped thousands of people regain their lives.  www.guptaprogram.com The program is backed by solid science, including peer-reviewed studies, and it's gotten the thumbs up from leading health professionals. A recently April 2025 randomized controlled study demonstrates that the Gupta Program is significantly more effective than standard medication in improving symptoms of fibromyalgia. Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3) Donate Share with your network Write your congressperson Sign our Petition Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues) Unique and low cost learning opportunities through Shion Consulting Paul Krauss MA LPC is a Cofounder of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, Counseling Supervisor, and Meditation Teacher. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433.  If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting a weekly online group.  For details, click here. For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization. Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids: Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube Original Music: ”Alright” from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify) "This Spring" (feat. Veda Hille) from the album This Spring: Songs by Veda Hille by Nicholas Krgovich (Spotify) "Burst/Neighborhood Song" from the album This Spring: Songs by Veda Hille by Nicholas Krgovich (Spotify)  

This Sunday, Kris Chayer continues our sermon series The Heart of God in the New Year with his message, A Church That Keeps Growing. We'll explore what it truly means for the church to grow. It's not about more people in seats, but about spiritual growth, growing in unity, and devotion to God. As we grow individually in our relationship with Him, we grow together as a unified body, creating space for the Holy Spirit to move freely among us. Join us as we discover how this kind of growth can impact our church and extend God's work into the world around us."But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” - 2 Peter 3:18We are so blessed you're joining us for this message.LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE!

Today Dr. Gary Burge joined us to explore Acts 15 and define grace. ---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

Grand Rapids, Michigan, is consistently recognized as a family-friendly city, but what is it really like to raise kids here? From schools and neighborhoods to year-round activities and affordability, Grand Rapids offers a well-rounded lifestyle for families at every stage. Drawing from local experience and everyday family life, this guide breaks down what parents need to know when considering Grand Rapids with kids.Check out our full blog post: https://marketgrandrapids.com/blog/grand-rapids-with-kids/SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWLKp_rEg77NKMFthOTVeiw?sub_confirmation=1 Contact us now:Call or Text: (616) 330-2555Email: info@marketgr.comMoving to Grand Rapids? Pick up our FREE relocation guide!https://mailchi.mp/8b5aff1055a5/relocation-guideMore from Group Realtors:Website

Speaker: Pastor, Sanctuary Church, Lenski Llorens Passage: Jeremiah 29:1-14 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on February 1, 2026

Speaker: Pastor, Sanctuary Church, Lenski Llorens Passage: Jeremiah 29:1-14 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on February 1, 2026

It's Thursday, January 29th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Evangelical college fired teacher for calling homosexual behavior sin A Christian teacher in England went to court last week to defend his religious freedom. Dr. Aaron Edwards worked at Cliff College in Derbyshire. Three years ago, the Evangelical college fired him after he called homosexuality a sin in a social media post. Edwards is now appealing a tribunal decision that upheld his dismissal with the help of the Christian Legal Centre. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the organization, said, "This case raises serious questions about freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and the lawful limits of institutional authority.” Referencing Acts 4:20, Edwards said he does not regret speaking the truth, saying, “As the apostles said before their accusers, ‘We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.'” Euthanasia bill failed in French Senate A bill to legalize euthanasia failed in France's Senate last week.  Political deadlock among lawmakers effectively killed the bill. Gregor Puppinck is the Director General of the European Centre for Law and Justice. He said, “This text was terrible. It allowed euthanasia and suicide by decision of a single doctor, at the oral request of a patient, in three days, without the relatives being informed and able to take legal action.” Canada euthanized elderly woman against her will Meanwhile, in Canada, an elderly woman was tragically euthanized against her will through the country's Medical Assistance in Dying program.  This according to a report by the Office of the Chief Coroner. The report identified the 80-year-old woman as “Mrs. B.” She initially expressed interest in the program. But later, she wanted to withdraw her request, “citing personal and religious values and beliefs.” However, assessors with the euthanasia program approved the killing after her husband reported experiencing “caregiver burnout.” Proverbs 12:10 says, “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Canada backs off deal with China after Trump tariff threat Canada reached a preliminary agreement with China earlier this month to lower tariffs on certain goods. However, U.S. President Trump criticized the deal. He wrote on Truth Social, “If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.” In response, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney backed off the agreement with China. Federal Reserve didn't change interest rate In the United States, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged yesterday. The central bank decided to keep its key lending rate between 3.5 percent and 3.75 percent.  The Fed noted, “Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.” Fewer U.S. pastors leaving ministry A new survey from the Barna Group found fewer pastors are considering walking away from the ministry. Twenty-four percent of U.S. senior Protestant pastors say they have seriously considered leaving full-time ministry within the past year. That's down from 42 percent in 2022. Pastoral burnout heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been stabilizing since then. The report noted, “Fewer pastors appear to be in immediate vocational crisis, even as many continue to carry fatigue, grief, and uncertainty about the future of ministry.” Today is birthday of Martin Luther's wife And finally, today marks the birthday of Katharina Von Bora, the wife of Martin Luther. She was born on January 29, 1499. Her mother died in childhood and she was sent to a Catholic boarding school before becoming a nun. At the convent, Katharina discovered the writings of Martin Luther. Along with other nuns, she learned about salvation by grace through faith in Christ. This led Katharina and the nuns to ask Luther for help to escape the convent.  Luther was able to help the nuns find husbands and jobs, except for Katharina. The two were eventually married. Together, they had six children.  Author Michelle DeRusha described Katharina as “a woman who risked marrying one of the most controversial men of the time – a man who could have very likely been burned as a heretic at any given moment. She was a woman who raised six children; ran a boardinghouse; oversaw a farm complete with fruit orchards, livestock, and a fishpond; and advised and cared for her husband.” Consider an excellent, full-color, beautifully illustrated children's book about her entitled Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg. It is co-authored by Shanna and Jenna Strackbein, twin sisters who were homeschooled in Aransas Pass, Texas, by their beloved mother Jenny. Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan said, "Boys and girls (and adults too) will love this beautiful book about a godly woman who helped to change the world." Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 29th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In Acts 13-14, we see that the gospel was never meant to stay in one place or with one group. Jesus's disciples knew this, and humbly took the gospel to others even when that path included rejection and suffering.Mission is learned, practiced, and sustained in community. It isn't hard because you're doing it wrong, but it is impossible if you're doing it alone. ---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

Real estate expert Lucas Howard joins host Lucas Sherraden on the Built How Podcast to discuss the evolution of his business in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lucas shares how he transitioned from a builder to a real estate agent, emphasizing the role of genuine connections and mentoring in his success. He discusses the challenges and lessons from building a team and the importance of focusing on integrity, impact, and personal growth. Lucas also reflects on finding balance, choosing happiness over the pursuit of accolades, and creating meaningful experiences and legacies with his family. Connect with Lucas at https://lucashowardgroup.com/ ---------- Be sure to leave a rating and review and don't forget to go to www.builthow.com and register for our next live or virtual event. Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network

Today on the show, we're talking about the Detroit Lions, the NFL, Michigan and Michigan State Basketball, and more as we were joined by some of our great guests. Throughout our first two hours, we were joined in studio by Jeff Risdon from the Detroit Lions Podcast, Sports Illustrated, and Real GM. During that time, Jeff and Huge talked about the Lions hiring Drew Petzing and Mike Kafka to handle the Offense, discussed what pieces the Lions need to pick up in the off-season, talked about expectations for the off-season and next season, talked about the Seahawks and Patriots playing in the Super Bowl, discussed some of the storylines surrounding the NFL, and much more. In our final hour, we were joined by former Michigan Basketball Head Coach John Beilein and Josh Garvey from Doeren Mayhew for our weekly "Talking Hoops" segment. Huge, John, and Josh talked previewed tonight's Michigan/Nebraska game as well as the MSU/Rutgers game, looked ahead to Michigan/MSU on Friday, talked about the Pistons and JB Bickerstaff, and more. Clayton Sayfie from theWolverine.com then joined us to preview tonight's Michigan/Nebraska game. Huge and Clayton talked about how the two teams stack up, gave their predictions on the game, and more. We wrapped up the show talking with Destiny Vargas and Mackenzie Swartz from Metro Cars and Metro Cabs of Grand Rapids. They're helping to sponsor our Rivalry week and also wanted to come on to tell us what Metro Cars and Metro Cabs of Grand Rapids is all about, to talk about the areas they cover, told us how you can set up your pick up/drop off, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We were joined by Destiny Vargas and Mackenzie Swartz from Metro Cars and Metro Cabs of Grand Rapids. They're helping to sponsor our Rivalry week and also wanted to come on to tell us what Metro Cars and Metro Cabs of Grand Rapids is all about, to talk about the areas they cover, told us how you can set up your pick up/drop off, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our final hour, we were joined by former Michigan Basketball Head Coach John Beilein and Josh Garvey from Doeren Mayhew for our weekly "Talking Hoops" segment. Huge, John, and Josh talked previewed tonight's Michigan/Nebraska game as well as the MSU/Rutgers game, looked ahead to Michigan/MSU on Friday, talked about the Pistons and JB Bickerstaff, and more. Clayton Sayfie from theWolverine.com then joined us to preview tonight's Michigan/Nebraska game. Huge and Clayton talked about how the two teams stack up, gave their predictions on the game, and more. We wrapped up the show talking with Destiny Vargas and Mackenzie Swartz from Metro Cars and Metro Cabs of Grand Rapids. They're helping to sponsor our Rivalry week and also wanted to come on to tell us what Metro Cars and Metro Cabs of Grand Rapids is all about, to talk about the areas they cover, told us how you can set up your pick up/drop off, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hard Parking Episode 310 - Living in a Simulation? body { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; color: #333; max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; background-color: #f9f9f9; } h1 { color: #1a1a1a; border-bottom: 2px solid #e74c3c; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; } h2, h3 { color: #2c3e50; } .episode-description { background: white; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); margin-bottom: 30px; } .chapters { background: #f0f4f8; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 30px; } .chapters ul { list-style: none; padding: 0; } .chapters li { margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: 500; } .sponsors { background: white; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); margin-bottom: 30px; } .sponsors a { color: #e74c3c; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600; } .sponsors a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } .contact { background: #2c3e50; color: white; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; } .contact a { color: #f1c40f; text-decoration: none; } .contact a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } .hashtags { color: #7f8c8d; font-style: italic; margin-top: 15px; } Hard Parking Episode 310Living in a Simulation? Arizona Car Week & Why We Need Real Conversations in 2026 Join Jhae Pfenning for a raw solo episode of Hard Parking recorded right after Arizona Car Week 2026. Recap the magic of The Warehouse artists event, the exclusive Radford party at Pat & Linda Velasco's (Yamazaki 18 pours included), meeting automotive legends like Chip Foose, the talented artist Rae Roberts, and insane full-circle coincidences that scream "simulation" — from Grand Rapids ties to Nebraska connections at a Scottsdale house party. Plus, time at Barrett-Jackson with friends (golf cart adventures included), spotting the red hat in a polarized world, and real talk on tribalism, the American flag, political division, and why genuine conversations beat echo chambers every time. Car community vibes, networking wins, and a reminder to seek context before judgment. Subscribe for more Hard Parking: automotive stories, reality checks & no-BS takes. #ArizonaCarWeek #BarrettJackson #carcommunity Key Chapters 00:00 Intro & Why I'm Still Introducing Myself in 2026 04:15 Radford Party – Yamazaki 18 & Meeting Legends 07:20 Convinced We're in a Simulation? The Coincidences Start Piling Up 19:00 Barrett-Jackson Day: The Red Hat Moment 21:50 Polarization in America: MAGA Hats, First Responder Plates & Tribalism Dangers 27:00 American Flag & Why We Need Context 30:00 Final Thoughts: Seek Information, Have Conversations, Protect Friendships Main Show Sponsors Right Honda: https://righthonda.com/ Right Toyota: https://www.righttoyota.com/ Arcus Foundry: https://arcusfoundry.com Autocannon Official Gear: https://shop.autocannon.com/ Contact Hard Parking with Jhae Pfenning Email: Info@HardParking.com Website: www.Hardparking.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast/ Instagram: instagram.com/hardparkingpod/ YouTube: youtube.com/@HardParking

This message covers an important passage for affirming that Jesus is both human and divine. We will look at why this truth is essential to our faith as Christians. And we'll talk about the practicalities of how we live this out. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 1 John 5:5-12 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on January 25, 2026

This message covers an important passage for affirming that Jesus is both human and divine. We will look at why this truth is essential to our faith as Christians. And we'll talk about the practicalities of how we live this out. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: 1 John 5:5-12 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on January 25, 2026

On Thursday's Drivetime with DeRusha.... 3pm Hour: The VP is in town, should the Governor reach out with a phone call and try to get a deal done? Then meteorologist Chris Shaffer joins the show - how cold is it going to get? 4pm Hour: Jason talks to Tim Busse, Mayor of Bloomington, about why he signed on to a letter with 10 other metro mayors asking ICE to respect the Constitutional rights of their citizens. Then on DeRusha Eats - Chef Kyle Lussier from Grand Rapids shares his surprise at being named a James Beard semifinalist. 5pm Hour; On the DeRush-Hour Headlines, Jason goes "In Depth" with Rick Hodsdon, general counsel for the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association - what would "cooperation" with ICE look like? Then, should there be an age limit for president and congress? What's your number?

Firefighters in Grand Rapids saved a family and their cat!

The Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference (MREIC) is back April 27–28, 2026 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and this year's theme is Thrive. This quick special announcement features Erika Farley, Executive Director of the Rental Property Owners Association of Michigan (RPOAM), breaking down what's new, who it's for, and why you should lock in your ticket now. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference) You'll hear how the 2026 agenda is built around systems, real-world strategy, and operating resilience, including major focus on AI integration and a grounded economic outlook for 2026 that investors can actually use. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference) Conference Theme Thrive, with a clear emphasis on "Where Strategy Meets Systems" and building portfolios that can perform in changing market cycles. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference) What we cover in this conversation Why "Thrive" matters right now and what attendees should expect to walk away with AI keynote with Steve Brown (former executive at Google DeepMind and Intel) and what practical AI strategy looks like for investors and operators Economic forecast keynote with Dr. Paul Isely (GVSU) and why it's consistently one of the most packed sessions  Featured speakers and what they're known for (private equity, tax and legal, multifamily, commercial, missing middle housing)  Networking, kickoff reception, vendors, and sponsor support that make the event worth showing up for  Featured speakers mentioned Steve Brown (AI keynote)  Dr. Paul Isely (2026 economic outlook keynote) John Burley, Mark Kohler, Anthony Chara, Paul Moore, Nathan Biller  Key agenda focus areas (2026 "Thrive" framework) Smart Systems and AI Integration Market Outlook and Economic Data Operational Risk and Compliance Capital and Acquisitions Strategy Sustainable Growth and Scaling Advanced Portfolio Management  Networking and Add-on Experiences MREIC Kickoff Reception: Sunday, April 26, 2026 (5:00–7:00 PM). Included with registration, RSVP required, space limited.  Private Keynote Strategy Forum: limited capacity add-on for deeper discussion (conference registration required).  Hotels and Lodging Discounted conference hotel options include the Amway Grand Plaza (connected to DeVos Place) and the JW Marriott Grand Rapids (short walk). Book through the official hotel block.  Pricing Note Super Early Bird pricing runs through January 31 and pricing increases February 1. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference) Quick timestamps (approx.) 00:00 Conference dates, location, and why this matters 00:40 Theme: Thrive in Every Market 01:00 AI keynote and why it's front and center 02:00 Economic outlook with Dr. Paul Isely 02:40 Speaker lineup and topic variety 05:00 Networking and kickoff reception 06:00 VIP and deeper access opportunities 08:00 Sponsors, vendors, and early pricing Register Lock in your seat at midwestreiconference.com. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference)

Thursday 4pm Hour: Jason talks with Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse about why he signed on to a letter to ICE with 10 other mayors asking them to respect residents Constitutional rights. Then on DeRusha Eats Jason talks with Chef Kyle Lussier from the Pines in Grand Rapids who's a James Beard Award semifinalist!

Jason talks with Chef Kyle Lussier from the Pines in Grand Rapids, MN about being named a James Beard Award semifinalist on DeRusha Eats!

On this week's edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, conversations about the vital message to drive to the conditions, especially during winter storms.First, Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Michael Shaw offers his insights on the causes of multi-vehicle crashes like the one that occurred between Hudsonville and Zeeland in Ottawa County on I-196 Monday, Jan. 19.Later, Bruce Smith, a National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist in Grand Rapids, talks about how the NWS defines various warnings and advisories and what was in place Monday when the crashes occurred.

When a toddler with a neurodevelopmental delay, poor muscle tone, and no hair came to Caleb Bupp's genetics clinic, it led not only to the discovery of a new, ultra-rare disease, but the identification of a potential treatment in DFMO, a drug long used to treat a chronic parasitic disease. Bupp is now collaborating with others including Every Cure, a nonprofit biotech working to expand the use of repurposed drugs. While a number of patients have begun using the drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged the group to move forward with a clinical trial. We spoke to Bupp, pediatric geneticist at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, about the discovery of the condition known as Bachmann-Bupp syndrome, how he and his colleagues identified a potential treatment in an existing drug, and the path forward.

We were joined by Bruce Courtade from the Rhoades McKee Law Firm. He has a connection with the guys from theWolverine.com who are having a meet and greet at the Garage Bar in Grand Rapids this Saturday 1-4pm. He filled us in on the event, talked a little College Basketball, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our first hour, we were joined by former Detroit Lion Lomas Brown and Josh Garvey from Doeren Mayhew for our weekly "Inside the Lions" segment. During that time - Huge, Lomas, and Josh gave their thoughts on the Lions hiring Drew Petzing as their new OC, talked about the future of Taylor Decker and if the Lions should keep him or let him go, gave their picks in the NFL Playoff games this weekend, and more. We were then joined by Alex Urban from the "Eat 'em Up: Detroit Tigers Podcast." He and Huge talked about Tarik Skubal and if they think he'll be in Detroit this upcoming season, talked about the Minor Leagues, gave their thoughts on how the off-season has gone, and more. In our second hour, we were joined by Indy talk show host Dan Dakich. He and Huge talked about a great season for Curt Cignetti and Indiana Football, talked about the best teams in Big Ten Basketball and more. We were then joined by former Detroit Lion Rob Rubick so we could talk about the Lions in the off-season. He and Huge talked about what was missing from the Lions last season, talked about new OC Drew Petzing, and more. We wrapped up the hour talking with Bruce Courtade from the Rhoades McKee Law Firm. He has a connection with the guys from theWolverine.com who are having a meet and greet at the Garage Bar in Grand Rapids this Saturday 1-4pm. He filled us in on the event, talked a little College Basketball, and more. In our final hour, we were joined by former Detroit Lion Lomas Brown and Josh Garvey from Doeren Mayhew for our weekly "Inside the Lions" segment. During that time - Huge, Lomas, and Josh gave their thoughts on the Lions hiring Drew Petzing as their new OC, talked about the future of Taylor Decker and if the Lions should keep him or let him go, gave their picks in the NFL Playoff games this weekend, and more. We then talked about the Detroit Tigers as we were joined by Brandon Day from "Bless You Boys." He gave us his opinion on the future of Tarik Skubal and the Tigers, discussed the bullpen, looked ahead to Spring Training, and much more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our second hour, we were joined by Indy talk show host Dan Dakich. He and Huge talked about a great season for Curt Cignetti and Indiana Football, talked about the best teams in Big Ten Basketball and more. We were then joined by former Detroit Lion Rob Rubick so we could talk about the Lions in the off-season. He and Huge talked about what was missing from the Lions last season, talked about new OC Drew Petzing, and more. We wrapped up the hour talking with Bruce Courtade from the Rhoades McKee Law Firm. He has a connection with the guys from theWolverine.com who are having a meet and greet at the Garage Bar in Grand Rapids this Saturday 1-4pm. He filled us in on the event, talked a little College Basketball, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode Aries and Andy talk about Grand Rapids & Detroit, Casino's, The Golden Globes, and Bernie Mac. Social Media Instagram: @SpearsBergPod Twitter: @SpearsBergPod Facebook: SpearsBergPod Patreon: SpearsBergPod Youtube: SpearsBergPod  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Ramos reports on the blinding snowstorm in Michigan that caused more than 100 vehicles to smash into each other in a massive chain-reaction pileup on I-196 near Grand Rapids, and Ginger Zee tracks the Arctic blast moving into the Northeast; Matt Rivers is in Minneapolis, where residents remain on edge as 1,500 active duty soldiers from Alaska are put on standby for possible deployment to Minnesota; Aaron Katersky has the latest on the urgent manhunt underway after Indiana Judge Steven Meyer and his wife were shot inside their Lafayette home; and more on tonight's broadcast of World News Tonight with David Muir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fred is depressed after his Chicago Bears lost in the playoffs. 100 cars were involved in a pile up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are getting new emojis including squinting eyes and cracking face. An 101 year old woman was saved from her burning house by a UPS driver.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acts 10 tells a story of a generous God who will stop at nothing to bring the good news of Jesus to people. In this instance, he uses two different visions sent to two men. One was incredibly clear, while the other was perplexing. God could have chosen to speak simply to them both, but instead asked for obedience even without a full understanding of the plan. This happens in our lives today, as well. Even when we don't fully understand, God is breaking down barriers and using ordinary people to reach others with the good news of the gospel. When God calls you to take a step, clear or confusing, He promises to meet you there with His Spirit. ---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

If you are interested in how writing creatively and reading books may be therapeutic, this is the episode for you. Paul Krauss MA LPC and Nick Kondyles LLPC discuss creative writing and how to integrate the act both into psychotherapy and your personal life. Nick takes a practical approach by emphasizing many different types of learning to write and express one's experience. Many tools for writing as well as books and magazines are mentioned. Some of the Creative Writing Resources Mentioned: https://authorspublish.com/17-approachable-literary-journals/https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/therapeutic-journaling.asp https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neuroscience-proven-expressive-writing-protocol-with/id1146941306?i=1000645136217 A Neuroscience-Proven Expressive Writing Protocol with Dr. James Pennebaker  The Believer Magazine Nick Kondyles, LLPC MA is a therapist serving the Grand Rapids, MI area in person as well as the entire State of Michigan via teletherapy. Nick accepts most health insurance plans. Nick's specialties are in anxiety, depression, relational issues and identity exploration. He enjoys working with adolescents, adults, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. He is also interested in serving those experiencing grief and loss, substance use and career development employing interventions such as legacy life review and visiting issues like work/life balance. Nick endeavors to serve those parenting or dealing with relationship struggles, providing supportive services such as learning different communication skills and others in the interpersonal domain.  Nick is a proud cat dad to a tuxedoed feline named Obi and loves to read books of any kind. When not in the therapy room, you can find Nick playing the occasional video game, biking or hanging out with friends. Nick hopes to work with you to find meaning in a healing process individualized to you and your needs while honoring your life story in a safe and warm environment. Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3) Donate Share with your network Write your congressperson Sign our Petition Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues) Unique and low cost learning opportunities through Shion Consulting Paul Krauss MA LPC is a Cofounder of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, Counseling Supervisor, and Meditation Teacher. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433.  If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting a weekly online group.  For details, click here. For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization. Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids: Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube Original Music: ”Alright” from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify) ”Pink Tiger” from the album Pink Tiger by Apollo Ghosts (Spotify) ”But I'll Be Around (Electric Version) ” from the album Pink Tiger by Apollo Ghosts (Spotify)    

Grand Rapids is entering one of the most exciting periods of growth the city has ever seen. With large-scale construction projects, riverfront redevelopment, and new entertainment destinations underway, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the future of Grand Rapids.In this edition of Living in Grand Rapids, we break down the biggest changes coming to the city in 2026 and why these projects matter for residents, businesses, and anyone considering a move to West Michigan.SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWLKp_rEg77NKMFthOTVeiw?sub_confirmation=1 Contact us now:Call or Text: (616) 330-2555Email: info@marketgr.comMoving to Grand Rapids? Pick up our FREE relocation guide!https://mailchi.mp/8b5aff1055a5/relocation-guideMore from Group Realtors:Website

In Acts 9, Saul has a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and grace completely flips his story. Ananias was a quiet but crucial “hinge character” whose obedience, even when it was scary and didn't make sense, helped change Saul's life — and ultimately the world. God often works through ordinary people saying yes, not just big-name heroes of the faith. Who might God be calling you to be a hinge person for, and are you willing to reach out and trust Him with the outcome?---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decidedStay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

Speaker: Pastor, Indwelling Community Church, Clarence Stamps Passage: Psalm 107 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on January 11, 2026

Speaker: Pastor, Indwelling Community Church, Clarence Stamps Passage: Psalm 107 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on January 11, 2026

It's Hump Day on the Majority Report On the today's program: As Republicans continue to rewrite the history of January 6, we revisit footage from the riot and revisit the very different tone figures like Marco Rubio and Greg Gutfeld struck at the time. Labor-climate organizer and Labor Notes writer Keith Brower Brown joins the show to preview the biggest contract fights of 2026. In the Fun Half: The crew discuss an incident in which an ICE agent, while the show was live, shot a legal observer in the street—falsely claiming she attempted to run him over, despite video showing he fired as she passed by. As the right-wing media obsesses over the Somali daycare fraud story, Medhi Hasan highlights all of the convicted fraudsters that have been pardoned by Trump. An anti-war protestor in Grand Rapids, Michigan was arrested while talking to the local news. New CBS Evening News anchor, Tony Dokoupil continues his humiliating first week as Bari Weiss' lapdog. Tim Pool continues his milquetoast fence sitting while addressing Venezuela All that and more. Today's Sponsors: IQBAR: Text MAJORITY to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. SUNSET LAKE CBD: Use coupon code "Left Is Best" (all one word) for 20% on their full lineup of CBD products to support your New Year wellness goals and Dry January aspirations at SunsetLakeCBD.com  Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech On Instagram: @MrBryanVokey Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on YouTube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com

This Detroit Red Wings podcast recaps Monday's 4-2 win over Ottawa, a game Detroit stole despite being outplayed. Also, Detroit Red Wings news and analysis on Nate Danielson's assignment to Grand Rapids, plus early NHL trade deadline rumblings. The Red Wings escaped Ottawa with two crucial Atlantic Division points thanks to John Gibson's stellar 34-save performance and opportunistic scoring from Andrew Copp, Dylan Larkin, James van Riemsdyk, and Lucas Raymond's sick goal. While Detroit looked disjointed with their new line combinations, they capitalized when it mattered most against Ottawa's struggling goaltending. Gibson continues proving he can steal games even when the team doesn't play well in front of him, answering questions about his ability to perform under pressure. Copp's breakaway goal showcased his remarkable turnaround from early season struggles, while JVR continued to excel, his veteran presence in front of the net set up Larkin's 22nd goal of the season on a beautiful power play sequence. RED WINGS BEAT SENATORS (4:45) Detroit wins ugly but wins nonetheless, outshot 37-21 but getting stellar goaltending from John Gibson and timely scoring. LINEUP CHANGES (13:55) New line combinations looked disjointed but Todd McLellan's roster shakeup continues taking shape. DANIELSON TO GRAND RAPIDS (21:45) Nate Danielson heads back to the Griffins while John Leonard remains with the big club. TRADE RUMORS DISCUSSION (26:20) Early deadline rumblings around the league and potential fits for Steve Yzerman's roster as trade season heats up - is Rasmus Andersson a fit to help Sandin-Pellikka on the right? WORLD JUNIORS RECAP (44:55) Updates on Red Wings prospects competing at the tournament, with Eddie Genborg winning gold with Sweden. GRIFFINS AND OLYMPICS NEWS (50:40) Grand Rapids updates as Shai Buium returns to action plus Tralmaks Olympic roster news. OVERTIME (52:15) Listener questions and mailbag segment wrapping up the episode. WWP Night with Grand Rapids Griffins tickets (signed puck included): https://griffinshockey.com/wwp This episode is brought to you by Hims. Visit hims.com/wingedwheel for your personalized hair loss treatment options. Support the show: Patreon.com/WingedWheelPodcast Head over to wingedwheelpodcast.com to find all the ways to listen, how to support the show, and so much more!