frankly...

...Recapping the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference

This week on frankly... Franco CEO Tina Kozak joins to recap the Detroit Regional Chamber's 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Centered around the theme of "A Quest for Common Ground," Tina talks through some of the highlights from this year's agenda, the importance of bringing business, community and policy leaders together to collaborate on a shared vision for Michigan's future, and how attendees and organizations can make the most of their time at the conference. For more information on frankly..., visit ⁠⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast⁠⁠ or our Facebook page: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast⁠⁠. Follow Franco on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. And as always, please rate review and subscribe!

...Numbers are important, but stories are what move people

This week on frankly... Dan and guest co-host Tracy Wolf talk with Laura LeBlanc, vice president of philanthropy at Alternatives for Girls, a nonprofit heling girls and young women experiencing homelessness and other risks avoid violence, early pregnancy and abuse. Laura talks about her career that started in politics before shifting to philanthropy and nonprofits, the intersection of fundraising and communications and the importance of storytelling, both for connecting with donors and spreading awareness of resources availble to the community. To learn more about Alternatives for Girls and to support their work, visit www.alternativesforgirls.org [www.alternativesforgirls.org]. You can also support Alternatives for Girls by visiting www.franco.com/shop [www.franco.com/shop.], where 100% of profits from our Detroit Inspires Me line will be donated to the organization. For more information on frankly..., visit ⁠⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast⁠⁠ [⁠⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast⁠⁠] or our Facebook page: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast⁠⁠ [⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast⁠⁠]. Follow Franco on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. And as always, please rate review and subscribe!

...It's never too early to start building leadership skills

This week on frankly... Dan and guest host Christina Quirk, talk with Michelle Gilbert, chief engine officer with Purple Engine Coaching and Consulting. As new graduates are seeking and starting their post-grad careers, we talk with Michelle about some of the practices that can set them up for long term success and start to build leadership skills early on. Michelle covers several tips, from the importance of organization to tracking successes and finding a coach or mentor that can help you thrive needs, both personally and professionally. To learn more about Michelle and Purple Engine Coaching and Consulting, visit https://www.purpleenginecoaching.com/ or connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebgilbert/. For more information on frankly..., visit ⁠⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast⁠⁠ or our Facebook page: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast⁠⁠. Follow Franco on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. And as always, please rate review and subscribe!

...20 years and counting for the Movement Music Festival

This week on frankly... Dan and guest host Brent Snavely, talk with Sam Fotias, director of operations at Paxahau. Paxahau is entering its 20th year of owning and producing the Movement Music Festival, which returns to Hart Plaza in Detroit from May 23-25. Paxahau also produces the Detroit Jazz Festival and more than 75 electronic music and other events throughout the year. Sam talks about what it means to produce two of Detroit's most prominent summer events that connect so deeply with the city's musical heritage, how live events have changed since the COVID pandemic and over the past 20 years and some of the operations behind the scenes of one of the world's most prominent electronic music festivals. To learn more about Movement, tickets and the 2026 lineup, visit https://movementfestival.com/ [https://movementfestival.com/]. For more information on Paxahau and all of its events, visit https://www.paxahau.com/ [https://www.paxahau.com/]. For more information on frankly..., visit ⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast [⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast]⁠ or our Facebook page: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast [⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast]⁠. Follow Franco on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. And as always, please rate review and subscribe!

...Empathy is not a weakness

This week on frankly... Dan and guest host Nikki Little talk with Vijay Iyer, chief marketing and communications officer at the Cranbrook Educational Community. Vijay talks through his career path that took him from a range of roles with GM across the U.S. and Europe to a sonic branding agency and now to his current role with Cranbrook. He discusses the common themes across these very different career settings, his thoughts on culture and leadership and why it's important to remember that empathy is not a weakness. To learn more about the Cranbrook Educational Community, its coming events and experiences, visit https://www.cranbrook.edu/, and connect with Vijay on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/viiyer/. For more information on frankly..., visit ⁠www.franco.com/frankly-podcast⁠ or our Facebook page: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/francofranklypodcast⁠. Follow Franco on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. And as always, please rate review and subscribe!