From Backyard Lightsaber Battles to Hollywood: Make It Happen with Anthony Wright

From Backyard Lightsaber Battles to Hollywood: Make It Happen with Anthony Wright

Northwest Ohio filmmaker Anthony Wright joins Mike Vanderpool alongside actor Dillon Sickles to talk about his journey from making VHS Star Wars knockoffs as a kid to screening his feature "The Ride to Nowhere" at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Anthony shares what's next with his ambitious new project "The Moonshine Crew," why Toledo's film scene is more alive than people think, and the local spots he'd show off to anyone visiting from LA. A conversation about the grind, the labor of love, and making movies happen in a city that often gets overlooked. More about the movie here: https://themoonshinecrew.carrd.co/ Moonshine crew Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576228345294

Make It Happen | Brandon Sehlhorst

Brandon Sehlhorst grew up in Toledo, left to study urban planning in Cincinnati, and came back with a mission — grow this city on purpose. Now serving as Toledo's first-ever Chief Growth Officer, he joins Vince Croci to talk about the mayor's goal of 300,000 residents by 2040, a $20 million shovel ready sites fund, the transformation of Southwyck Mall, and why Toledo's tech and innovation ecosystem needs a dedicated leader. From SimCity kid to the person reshaping Toledo's future — this is a conversation every Toledoan should hear. Guest: Brandon Sehlhorst, Chief Growth Officer, City of Toledo Topics: Toledo economic development, population growth strategy, Shovel Ready Sites Fund, Toledo Community Improvement Corporation, Glass City Riverwalk, Marina District, Southwyck Mall, Amazon delivery station, tech ecosystem, innovation district, three-legged stool framework The Make It Happen Podcast is created and produced by Mike Vanderpool. Special Projects Co-Host: Vince Croci. #makeithappen

Showing Up, Building Relationships, and Betting on Toledo | Danny Dymarkowski

What does it actually take to build something in Toledo? In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, Danny Dymarkowski shares a perspective rooted in action—not theory. From showing up consistently to building real relationships, this conversation breaks down what it means to create opportunity in a city that’s more open than people realize. Danny talks about the importance of being physically present, getting involved before you feel ready, and why energy and enthusiasm often matter more than raw intelligence. The episode also explores how different generations can work together—combining experience, capital, and new ideas—to move Toledo forward. If you’re looking to get involved, grow your network, or build something meaningful, this conversation is a reminder: Opportunity is there—but you have to show up.

How Gen Z Is Redefining Work (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

What if the next generation isn’t lost… but leading us somewhere better? In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Kibbe to explore how Gen Z is reshaping the way we think about work, education, and opportunity. From prioritizing impact over income to rethinking how people enter the workforce, this conversation highlights a powerful shift already happening—and what it means for employers, educators, and communities. We also dive into the role of internships, mentorship, and intentional pathways in helping young people not just find jobs, but build meaningful careers. This isn’t about fixing the next generation. It’s about building better systems around them. * Why Gen Z is focused on impact over income * The importance of intentional onboarding and career pathways * How internships create real opportunities and long-term retention * Bridging the gap between education and the workforce * Building stronger communities by investing in young talent The Make It Happen Podcast highlights cool people doing cool things—focused on innovation, workforce development, and building stronger communities in Northwest Ohio and beyond. * “It’s not about how much money can I make—it’s what kind of impact can I make.” * “You can’t just pluck students into roles anymore—you have to think about the on-ramp.” * “Young people won’t stay unless they have access to internships and jobs.” If you believe in creating better opportunities for the next generation, share this episode and join the conversation. Links * Jennifer Kebea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkebea/ * Campus Philly: https://campusphilly.org/ * Young Smart & Local: https://youngsmartandlocal.com/

Dean Davis on Public Art, AI, and Rebuilding Toledo’s Creative Identity

Public art isn’t just about murals—it’s about identity, purpose, and how a city tells its story. In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, Mike Vanderpool sits down with Dean Davis, one of Toledo’s most influential public artists, to talk about creativity, technology, and what it really takes to build a vibrant community. Dean shares his journey from growing up in Toledo to serving in the Navy, working on the railroad, and ultimately finding his way back to art. The conversation dives into the difference between public art and gallery art, why public art is a form of servant leadership, and how creativity can drive economic growth and cultural pride. They also tackle big topics like: * Using AI as a creative tool without losing the human touch * Why technology should support creativity, not replace it * The vision behind the River Gallery Project and a citywide public art network * How art helps people reconnect—to place, to each other, and to themselves This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about art, humanity, and why cities like Toledo don’t need to reinvent themselves—they need to believe in what they already have. 🎙️ Make It Happen Podcast — conversations with people who are doing the work and shaping what’s next in Northwest Ohio.