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MI Business Matters

A Michigan Chamber Podcast

In each episode, a Michigan Chamber team member will sit down with a special guest(s) who are influential employers, policymakers and leaders in the community. We’ll discuss relevant and timely issues affecting our state’s job providers, economy, workforce and communities. We’ll help foster pragmatic problem-solving with civility as we explore the opportunities to protect, connect and strengthen Michigan businesses and build a stronger Michigan for all.

Prefer to watch? Find “Mi Business Matters” on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Spreaker!

Podcasts

Wendy Block, SVP of business advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on the 2024 election landscape and the intrinsic tie races, candidates and politics have in shaping and influencing our country and state’s economic sentiment and 2025 outlook. Joining her are two key policy and politics observers:

  • Dave Eggert, the policy and politics reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business – our state’s largest business publication
  • Jenell Leonard, owner of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) – a full-service strategic communications firm

Jim Holcomb, president & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on an issue many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about but that effects our daily lives in so many ways without us even realizing it – and that’s innovation, intellectual property, and patents.

Joining him in this discussion are:

  • Brad Watts, Vice President for Patents and Innovation Policy at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center
  • Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, president & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, is joined by Sarah Messa, the River Rouge Plant Manager for U.S. Gypsum and Sara Kaltunas – the director of environmental operations for the Packaging Corporation of America as we celebrate National Manufacturing Month.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a monumental decision from the Michigan Supreme Court this summer on a paid sick leave and minimum wage case that has Michigan employers and so many workers alike reeling. We’re going to explore what happened, the numerous negative implications and uncertainty, and the efforts underway urging a bipartisan solution to soften the impact.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion of some troubling signs on the horizon for Michigan’s insurance industry and for our state’s consumers, communities and businesses. Joining him the discussion are:

  • Erin McDonough, Executive Director of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan
  • Mike Puerner, Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer for Hastings Insurance
  • Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber
Jim Holcomb, President & CEO of the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on affordable housing – one of the key barriers Michigan employers, communities and families alike are facing right now. Joining him in the discussion are:

  • Jon Blazic, Manager of United States Gypsum Alabaster, Mich, plant.
  • Dawn Crandall, Executive Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Michigan
  • Mike Alaimo, Director of our Environmental and Energy Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Have episode or guest ideas?

Let us know - we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Sara Wurfel at swurfel@michamber.com or fill out this quick form here.

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