Hey! Michelle with a Mic: The Magic Behind Cincinnati Opera's 2026 Season

Hey! Michelle with a Mic: The Magic Behind Cincinnati Opera's 2026 Season

On this episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle welcomes one of the most influential voices in American opera, Evans Mirageas, for a conversation about the future of opera, the power of storytelling, and what audiences can expect from the exciting 2026 season of Cincinnati Opera. As Cincinnati Opera's Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director since 2006, Evans has helped shape the company into a nationally recognized leader in both classic repertoire and groundbreaking new works. Together, Michelle and Evans explore the artistic vision behind the 2026 season, how productions are selected, what it takes to bring opera to life on stage, and why Cincinnati continues to be an important center for innovation in the performing arts.  Whether you're a devoted opera enthusiast, a lover of the arts, or simply curious about the creative process behind one of Cincinnati's most treasured cultural institutions, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the curtain at a season filled with ambition, artistry, and possibility.  Check out the Cincinnati Opera's 2026 Season!

Hey! Michelle with a Mic: Smoke Justis, Riverfront Ballparks & Other Cincinnati Stories

What if some of the most fascinating stories in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky history were hiding just around the corner? In this episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with filmmaker, historian, musician, and storyteller Cam Miller to explore the forgotten history of baseball, horse racing, and the communities that helped shape our region. From the legendary Covington Stars and Blue Sox teams that existed before the modern Reds, to riverfront ballparks, telegraphed game scores, and the origins of Smoke Justis, Cam shares the incredible stories he has uncovered through decades of research.  The conversation also dives into Latonia Racetrack, once home to a horse race bigger than the Kentucky Derby, the legacy of the Roebling Bridge, and why preserving local history matters for future generations. Along the way, Cam reflects on his work with the Cincinnati Reds, his documentary filmmaking journey, and the passion that drives him to make local history accessible to everyone through his films and presentations.  Whether you're a baseball fan, history buff, lifelong local, or simply love a great story, this episode will leave you seeing Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky through a whole new lens.

Hey! Michelle with a Mic: What If Your Intuition Is Trying to Tell You Something?

What if the answers you've been searching for aren't somewhere out there, but already within you? In this episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with intuitive energy expert, Reiki Master, meditation teacher, and spiritual coach Moira Shine Free for an open and fascinating conversation about the world of energy healing, intuition, tarot, and finding your life's purpose. Together, they explore how trauma, stress, and everyday life can create energetic blockages, and how practices like Reiki and meditation can help us reconnect with ourselves.  Moira shares her personal journey from lifelong curiosity about psychics and palm readers to becoming a professional intuitive after a life-changing Reiki experience and a major personal transformation. She opens up about developing her gifts, helping clients navigate grief, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions, and why she believes everyone has the ability to strengthen their own intuition.  Michelle, as always, asks the questions we're all thinking: Can you really feel other people's energy? What's the deal with tarot cards, crystals, and full moons? How do you actually meditate when your mind won't stop racing? And can raising your vibration really change your day-to-day life? The answers might surprise you. Whether you're deeply spiritual, simply curious, or just looking for a little more peace in your busy life, this conversation offers practical takeaways and a fresh perspective on healing, mindfulness, and trusting yourself. Learn more about Moira and her work at www.shinefree.co [http://www.shinefree.co].

Hey! Michelle with a Mic: Running Cincinnati with the Flying Pig Marathon

On the very first episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with someone she’s known practically her whole life, Doug Olberding, CEO of Flying Pig Marathon and the force behind one of Cincinnati’s most iconic weekends. From the history of the Flying Pig to what it really takes to pull off a 45,000-person running festival, Doug shares the heart behind the race, the community impact, and why people from all 50 states and more than 20 countries come to Cincinnati just to run with us. They talk about everything from PigAbilities and the Flying Fur race to bacon on the course, blue jean miles, and the incredible volunteers who make it all happen. Doug also opens up about his personal journey, from tragedy and loss to purpose, passion, and leading one of the city’s most beloved nonprofit organizations. Plus, they dive into the $45.9 million economic impact the marathon brings to the region and what’s next for Pig Works in Cincinnati. This episode is about more than running, it’s about community, resilience, and what happens when a city shows up for each other.