The Conversation: Making Space for Grief - Mindy Buell, Michael's Place

Growing Pains | Week of June 5, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

Traverse City is making decisions that could shape the community for years to come, and we're breaking down what residents need to know. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) discuss a major downtown infrastructure project that could once again reshape traffic patterns on State Street, the city's renewed effort to limit short-term rentals, and new zoning changes that give officials more oversight over developments like car washes and drive-thrus. Plus, updates on the future of the Carnegie building, a major expansion of the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, a tentative contract agreement between Munson nurses and hospital leadership, and some surprisingly good news about road construction as the Three Mile Road project wraps up weeks ahead of schedule. It's a wide-ranging conversation about growth, housing, infrastructure, conservation, and the ongoing challenge of balancing the needs of residents in one of Michigan's fastest-changing communities. Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

The Conversation: Making Space for Grief - Mindy Buell, Michael's Place

Grief touches every life, but it's one of the most misunderstood experiences we face. The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. Christal sits down with Mindy Buell, Executive Director of Michael's Place, to explore what grief really looks like, why it affects us emotionally, physically, and mentally, and how community can play a critical role in healing. Mindy shares the remarkable story of how Michael's Place grew from a card table and a handful of volunteers into a vital Northern Michigan organization serving grieving children, families, schools, and workplaces across eight counties. Together, Christal and Mindy discuss common misconceptions about grief, the difference between grief and depression, how children experience loss differently than adults, and why there is no timeline for healing. They also explore the importance of "leaning in" to grief, the power of peer support, and the ways Michael's Place is helping schools, employers, and families better navigate life's most difficult moments. Whether you are grieving a loss yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and hope. Currently: The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast.

The Road Ahead | Week of May 29, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

It's a conversation about growth, pressure points, and the balancing act facing Northern Michigan communities right now on this episode of Currently. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) dig into some of the biggest stories shaping the future of the Traverse City region. From the near-collapse of South Airport Road after devastating spring floods to growing conversations about infrastructure, traffic, and development in Garfield Township, the two break down what these decisions could mean for residents in the years ahead. They also discuss new affordable housing incentives, updates to the River East Recreation Area, and the continued evolution of Northern Michigan's tourism economy as Delamar Hotels announces a major new luxury waterfront development in Traverse City. Plus, a look at the " reimagined" Dexter Hotel in Elk Rapids and what it says about the changing identity of Up North destinations. Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

The Conversation: Second Chances, New Futures | Christy Nelson, Regional Director of Adult Education for Northwest Michigan Works

Christy Nelson has spent decades helping adult learners across Northern Michigan earn diplomas, complete GEDs, rebuild confidence, and create entirely new futures for themselves and their families. In this moving episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christy joins Christal Frost to discuss the life-changing power of adult education, the barriers many adult learners face, and the emotional moments that make the work so meaningful. The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. From stories of students overcoming shame and self-doubt to the generational impact of parents returning to school, this conversation explores how adult education transforms not just individuals, but entire communities. Christy also reflects on her recent Lifetime Achievement Award, the challenges of serving a rural 10-county region, and why hope continues to fuel her work after all these years. Plus, a look ahead to the upcoming Adult Education Graduation Ceremony on June 10th, where students who once thought graduation was impossible will finally walk across the stage.

Buried Lines, Energy Elections and Flood Recovery | wsg Vivian La, Interlochen Public Radio | Week of May 22, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

We're talking everything from obscure rural energy elections to the very visible damage left behind by Northern Michigan's spring floods on this week's Currently. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by first-time guest Vivian La of Interlochen Public Radio. Vivian discusses whether burying power lines could help prevent the widespread outages that have repeatedly hit communities across the region, and then breaks down the little-known co-op elections that can directly impact your monthly electric bill and explains why so few people participate in them. Later, Beth dives into the aftermath of this spring's devastating flooding events, unpacking what communities are still dealing with weeks later, what recovery looks like moving forward, and the bigger questions local leaders are now facing about infrastructure and preparedness. Currently is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.