A New School Model Is Coming to Midland — And Parents Are Paying Attention | #86

Midland to Shark Tank: How Trevor Szafranski Landed a Deal and Is Changing Education | #90

Thousands of people cried watching this Shark Tank pitch. Logan sits down with Trevor Szafranski, founder of R1SE: Education & Recreation, to discuss his incredible journey from public school teacher to Shark Tank entrepreneur. Trevor shares the behind-the-scenes story of getting the call from ABC, stepping into the Tank, receiving praise from all five sharks, and ultimately landing a deal with Barbara Corcoran. But this episode is about much more than television. Trevor explains how R1SE is helping students build confidence, supporting overwhelmed parents, and creating environments where kids can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. In this episode: *  The Shark Tank audition and filming process  *  What happened that didn't make it on TV  *  Why Barbara Corcoran was Trevor's first choice  *  How R1SE is transforming before and after-school care  *  The emotional response from families across America  *  The future of franchising R1SE nationwide  *  Supporting students beyond academics  *  Building a mission-driven business  *  Balancing affordability with growth  *  And what's next after Shark Tank  This is an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, education, and creating something that truly changes lives.  Stay Connected with Us! Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan. Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes: @TALKMIDLAND Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community! #TalkMidland  Chapter Notes 00:00 – Meet Trevor Szafranski & R1SE How a teacher became an entrepreneur 04:15 – The Problem R1SE Is Solving Helping students and parents 10:20 – The Call From ABC Getting invited to Shark Tank 16:30 – Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank Preparing for the biggest pitch of his life 24:10 – The Sharks' Reactions What surprised Trevor the most 31:45 – Barbara Corcoran's Offer Why she was the perfect partner 39:20 – The Emotional Response From America Thousands of emails and messages 47:15 – The Future of R1SE Franchising and national growth 55:00 – Building a Mission-Driven Business Purpose before profit 1:02:40 – What's Next for Trevor and R1SE The future after Shark Tank KEYWORDS Trevor Szafranski , R1SE Education and Recreation, Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran, Midland Michigan, Education entrepreneurship, After school programs, Student mentorship, Childcare innovation, Franchising, Small business success, Family support, Talk Midland Podcast, ABC Shark Tank, Educational leadership

What Most People Don't Know About Firefighters | #89

When everyone else is running away from danger, firefighters are running toward it. Logan sits down with Midland Fire Marshal John Jurek to discuss what it really means to serve our community through fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety. John shares his unique journey into the fire service, inspired by his mother—one of the first female firefighters in Washtenaw County—and discusses everything from fire inspections and firefighter training to major emergencies, floods, and the realities of modern firefighting. In this episode, you'll learn: *  What a Fire Marshal actually does  *  How businesses are inspected for fire safety  *  The path to becoming a firefighter  *  Why firefighter training never stops  *  What happens when the alarm goes off at 3 AM  *  Midland's fire stations and emergency response system  *  Mutual aid and how departments work together  *  Stories from floods, fires, and emergency situations  *  The future of fire protection in Midland  *  And John's passion for educating the public through social media and YouTube  This conversation offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of Midland's most important public safety organizations. Stay Connected with Us! Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan. Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes: @TALKMIDLAND Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community! #TalkMidland  Chapter Notes 00:00 – Meet Fire Marshal John Jurek His role with the Midland Fire Department 03:15 – Fire Inspections & Fire Code Enforcement How businesses stay safe 08:20 – Growing Up Around Firefighters The influence of John's mother 13:10 – One of the First Female Firefighters A trailblazing story 18:45 – The Reality of Firefighter Training Why learning never stops 24:30 – How to Become a Firefighter Career paths and certifications 31:20 – Life Inside a Fire Station 24-hour shifts and emergency response 38:10 – Midland's Fire Stations Explained How resources are deployed 44:45 – Fire Department Staffing Challenges Meeting community needs 50:15 – Major Emergencies & Mutual Aid How departments work together 56:20 – The 2020 Flood & Community Response Lessons learned from disaster 1:02:00 – Fire Prevention & Public Education Keeping Midland safe before emergencies happen KEYWORDS John Jurek, Midland Fire Department, Fire Marshal, Midland Michigan, Firefighter career, Fire safety, Fire inspections, Emergency response, Fire prevention, Midland podcast, Public safety, Firefighter training, Mutual aid, 2020 Midland flood, Talk Midland Podcast

The Secret to a Thriving Backyard Garden Starts Before You Plant Anything | #88

Dreaming of fresh vegetables from your backyard but don't know where to start? Logan sits down with Sara Zielinski, founder of Rooted Fork Garden, to talk about helping Midland families build successful kitchen gardens from the ground up. Sara shares why most gardening failures happen long before the first seed is planted and explains how the right setup can dramatically improve your chances of success. In this episode, you'll learn: *  Raised beds vs. in-ground gardens  *  The biggest mistakes new gardeners make  *  Why soil matters more than most people realize  *  How to design a garden around what your family actually eats  *  Watering strategies that help plants thrive  *  The health benefits of homegrown food  *  How gardening gets kids excited about vegetables  *  Why succession planting can extend your harvest all season long  Whether you're planting your first tomato or looking to improve an existing garden, this episode is packed with practical advice for creating a thriving backyard garden.  Stay Connected with Us! Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan. Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes: @TALKMIDLAND Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community! #TalkMidland  CHAPTER NOTES 00:00 – Why Most Gardens Fail The setup matters more than you think 03:15 – What Is Rooted Fork Garden? Sarah's mission to help families garden successfully 07:45 – Designing the Perfect Garden Starting with your family's goals 12:30 – Raised Beds vs In-Ground Gardens Pros and cons of each approach 18:40 – Soil: The Most Important Ingredient Why healthy soil changes everything 24:20 – Watering Mistakes Most People Make Deep watering vs frequent watering 30:15 – Gardening With Kids Creating lifelong healthy habits 36:10 – Growing More Food in the Same Space Succession planting explained 42:00 – Health Benefits of Homegrown Produce Freshness, nutrition, and flavor 47:30 – Workshops, Coaching, and Garden Consultations How Sarah helps local families 53:20 – Building a Garden You'll Actually Enjoy Creating habits that last KEYWORDS Rooted Fork Garden, Sarah Zielinski, Backyard gardening, Midland Michigan gardening, Raised bed gardens, Vegetable gardening, Kitchen garden, Homegrown vegetables, Gardening tips, Garden planning, Organic gardening, Michigan gardening, Gardening for beginners, Healthy eating, Talk Midland podcast

Creating a Vision of Greatness with ZingTrain | #87

What if the reason you're stuck isn't a lack of effort—but a lack of clarity? Logan sits down with Jason Story, Director of Talent at the Midland Business Alliance, to discuss the upcoming ZingTrain Visioning Workshop coming to Midland. Together they explore why vision is different from goals, why successful organizations document their future before they build it, and how individuals, employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders can use visioning to create more intentional growth. In this episode, you'll learn: *  The difference between vision, mission, goals, and strategy  *  Why writing down your vision matters  *  How Zingerman's grew from 3 employees to a nationally recognized organization  *  Aligning employee and company visions  *  The importance of talent attraction and retention in Midland  *  Why Midland is positioning itself for future growth  *  How businesses can attract great people  *  And why the future starts with getting clear on what you actually want  Whether you're building a company, planning your career, or simply trying to figure out what's next, this conversation offers practical insight into creating a meaningful future.  Stay Connected with Us! Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan. Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes: @TALKMIDLAND Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community! #TalkMidland  CHAPTER NOTES 00:00 – Why Vision Matters The importance of defining success 03:15 – What Is the ZingTrain Visioning Workshop? Why it's coming to Midland 08:20 – Vision vs Goals vs Strategy Understanding the differences 14:30 – Aligning Employee & Employer Vision Creating stronger organizations 20:45 – Why Most People Skip This Step The power of documentation 27:10 – Lessons From Zingerman's Growing from 3 employees to hundreds 34:15 – Building High-Performing Organizations Culture, communication, and clarity 40:00 – Talent Attraction & Retention Challenges facing Midland 46:30 – Midland's Future Vision Growth, housing, childcare, and opportunity 53:20 – Turning Vision Into Action Practical takeaways for listeners KEYWORDS Midland Business Alliance, ZingTrain, Visioning Workshop, Business Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Development, Talent Attraction, Talent Retention, Midland Michigan, Small Business Growth, Leadership Development, Business Vision, Employee Engagement, Talk Midland Podcast

A New School Model Is Coming to Midland — And Parents Are Paying Attention | #86

What if learning felt more personal, hands-on, and connected to real life? Logan sits down with Rachel Helmreich, co-founder of Opin Academy, to talk about a brand-new educational option coming to Midland this fall. Built around a small classroom model with only 18 students, OPIN Academy is rethinking traditional education with mixed-age learning, life skills, hands-on experiences, outdoor play, and stronger family connection. Rachel shares: *  Why she and her partner Cayla started OPIN Academy  *  How becoming moms changed their perspective on education  *  The differences between traditional school and micro schools  *  Why mixed-age classrooms can actually benefit students  *  The importance of hands-on learning and life skills  *  How community volunteers will help teach students  *  Why safety and connection are core values  *  And what families can expect from this unique new concept  This episode is a fascinating look at how education is evolving — and why more families are looking for alternatives.  Stay Connected with Us! Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan. Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes: @TALKMIDLAND Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community! #TalkMidland  CHAPTER NOTES 00:00 – What Is OPIN Academy? Introducing Midland’s new micro school 03:10 – Why Rachel & Cayla Started This Motherhood and changing perspectives on education 07:20 – What Makes This Different From Public School Hands-on learning and flexibility 12:45 – The Mixed-Age Classroom Model Why younger and older students learn together 18:10 – Online Curriculum + Real-Life Learning Balancing academics with life skills 24:20 – Building Life Skills Through Community Experts Cooking, gardening, sewing, and more 30:40 – Safety, Licensing, and Parent Communication Why structure matters 36:15 – The Business Side of Starting a School Learning entrepreneurship from scratch 42:30 – Tuition & Accessibility Conversations Why families are interested in alternatives 48:20 – The Vision for the Future Growing beyond one classroom KEYWORDS  Rachel Helmrich, Midland MI schools. Micro school Michigan, Alternative education, Private school Midland, Small classroom education, Homeschool alternative, Hands-on learning, Midland parents, Life skills education, Early childhood education, Talk Midland podcast, Education innovation, Midland community