The Real America Project

How A Homebrewer Sold To Molson, Bought Back In, And Bet On Better Canners

A homebrewer chases a Boston lager in his basement and ends up selling a Detroit brewery to Molson Coors weeks before the world shuts down. From there, the story only gets wilder: Mark Reith buys back into Michigan beer with Lansing Brewing Company, revives a century‑old brand, and builds a portfolio that spans lagers, ciders, spirits, and award‑winning non‑alcoholic craft beer. Along the way he discovers the quiet variable that decides a beer’s future on the shelf—dissolved oxygen—and why packaging technology can be the difference between stale in two weeks or bright for months. We sit down with Mark and Microcanner’s founder, Todd Vriesinga, to connect the dots between passion and process. Mark walks us through the Atwater pivots, the breakout hit Dirty Blonde, and the decision to lean into cans with a smaller footprint and a smarter line. Todd opens his shop doors for a rare tour of the machines behind the machines—CNC precision, a bullet‑fast waterjet, and a team that prototypes same‑day. When supply chains buckled, Microcanner stocked PLCs and motors early, shifted to remote training, and literally flew themselves to customers to keep breweries alive. That mix of foresight and grit reinforces a theme that runs through every segment: quality scales when the details are right. We also zoom out. The market is changing, not shrinking. RTDs, THC sodas, and NA beer are rising; lagers are having a moment again; and smart brands are building portfolios that flex. Mark keeps LBC rooted in Michigan with MSU Athletics partnerships while using shared infrastructure to take select labels national. Todd keeps Microcanner privately held and relentlessly practical, focusing on low DO, reliable fills, and can‑format versatility that actually pays off at retail. If you care about craft beer, canning tech, and the decisions that keep small businesses alive, this story hits every note: strategy, engineering, and the human side of work that doesn’t quit. Hit follow, share this with a friend who loves craft beverages, and leave a review to tell us what surprised you most. Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team.  The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact Eldon@ThePalmer.Group, drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGg3OVJSc0ZZODZNN0tlWkhmeUJpelJQd2J0UXxBQ3Jtc0trazJUSHBDUzAzdlVnOS1MOWYyXy1VdG5QT09WdDc3ZmNsekRKUjVCNjctVE9wWFFZZk84eVhwakFWeWozLTlGdHhJRkhjdjBDLWxVcjhhSGk3dkY0bHcxbVIyNjFITURhelJqV3lZVHpJUHVsVVBpdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthepalmer.group%2F&v=teX9_Q4katM]    Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage! HAVE A SUGGESTION?  WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST?  Reach out to Eldon@ThePalmer.Group or send us a DM. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW

NATURAL MEDICINE Q&A with Dr. Tracey Ward

We explore how a damaged gut microbiome, ultra-processed foods, seed oils, and glyphosate undermine cellular health—and how to rebuild with real food, better fats, and sunlight. We also unpack funding bias in research and why natural compounds still inform modern medicine. • gut microbiome as immune and nutrient hub • damage to brush border and absorption limits • rebuild plan with cleanse, prebiotics, probiotics, epithelial support • glyphosate as chelator and mineral depletion in crops • how to read produce labels and prefer organic and heirloom • real food versus ultra-processed convenience foods • seed oils driving inflammation and better fat choices • sunlight, vitamin D, blue light balance and solar callus • asking who funds the science and why it matters • nature derived drugs and pharmacognosy examples If you like the episode, give us a thumbs up If you want more content like this, give us a subscribe Hit that notification bell if you want to see when we upload the next video If you have any questions for Dr. Ward, drop them in the link in the comments below You can find her at drwardsblends.com Check out her full episode from the first time around. That link is in the description Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team.  The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact Eldon@ThePalmer.Group, drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGg3OVJSc0ZZODZNN0tlWkhmeUJpelJQd2J0UXxBQ3Jtc0trazJUSHBDUzAzdlVnOS1MOWYyXy1VdG5QT09WdDc3ZmNsekRKUjVCNjctVE9wWFFZZk84eVhwakFWeWozLTlGdHhJRkhjdjBDLWxVcjhhSGk3dkY0bHcxbVIyNjFITURhelJqV3lZVHpJUHVsVVBpdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthepalmer.group%2F&v=teX9_Q4katM]    Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage! HAVE A SUGGESTION?  WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST?  Reach out to Eldon@ThePalmer.Group or send us a DM. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW

When Hope Sounds Like An Airplane

A river can be a runway if you bring the right wings. We sit with Case Visser from Samaritan Aviation to share how a Cessna 206 on floats turns the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea into a lifeline for mothers in distress, snakebite victims, and kids with traumatic injuries. What would take days by canoe becomes 45 minutes by air, and that time delta is the thin line between loss and life. Case traces his path from West Michigan HVAC tech to mission pilot and mechanic, showing why systems knowledge matters when your landing strip is full of hidden logs, fishing nets, and fast water. We break down how single-pilot operations work with Level One triage, when an OB nurse rides along, and why helicopters—while capable—are too costly to make free care sustainable. Along the way we dig into the quiet backbone of the mission: medicine delivery to 40 outposts, vaccine campaigns that halted polio outbreaks, and national staff who visit patients daily to meet physical and spiritual needs in a hospital without call buttons. You’ll hear unforgettable stories: a boy with a compound fracture spared an eight-hour ordeal, a spear injury that turns into a lesson about forgiveness, and a boar attack that forces hard decisions in the field. We talk recruitment—commercial instrument pilots, A&P mechanics, and a medical director—as Samaritan opens a second base to serve villages that haven’t seen a nurse in years. We also get personal about thriving on mission: language learning, scratch-cooked meals from market staples, decompression on the ocean, and building a legacy of service that your kids can see. If you care about humanitarian aviation, global health, and faith in action, this conversation brings the texture, the procedures, and the heart. Fuel a flight, share the story, or consider joining the team. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what moment from this conversation will you remember tomorrow? Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team.  The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact Eldon@ThePalmer.Group, drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGg3OVJSc0ZZODZNN0tlWkhmeUJpelJQd2J0UXxBQ3Jtc0trazJUSHBDUzAzdlVnOS1MOWYyXy1VdG5QT09WdDc3ZmNsekRKUjVCNjctVE9wWFFZZk84eVhwakFWeWozLTlGdHhJRkhjdjBDLWxVcjhhSGk3dkY0bHcxbVIyNjFITURhelJqV3lZVHpJUHVsVVBpdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthepalmer.group%2F&v=teX9_Q4katM]    Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage! HAVE A SUGGESTION?  WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST?  Reach out to Eldon@ThePalmer.Group or send us a DM. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW

Blending Science and Nature: Secrets of Nutritional Supplements, Tracey Ward PhD., Founder, Professor, Research Scientist

Professor Tracey Ward brings her 23 years of expertise in medicinal chemistry and biochemistry to discuss how natural medicine can transform our approach to health and reduce pharmaceutical dependency. She explains how her research and clinical experience led to founding Blend, a company creating high-quality natural supplements designed with therapeutic effectiveness as the priority. • Modern medical education largely omits nutrition and natural medicine due to pharmaceutical industry influence dating back to the 1940s • Many common "healthy" foods contain harmful additives, GMOs, and chemicals that disrupt our endocrine systems and damage our microbiome • The microbiome is the "second most important thing in your body besides your brain" with profound effects on overall health • Cellular regeneration means nobody is "too far gone" - new healthy cells replace damaged ones when we improve our nutrition • Most supplements on the market contain "pixie dust" amounts of ingredients rather than therapeutic doses • Dr. Ward's Blend products contain up to 17 complementary ingredients in glass bottles to avoid plastic contamination • Current Blend products include immune support, bladder support, and kidney stone support with more products planned • Quality of life improvement is the ultimate goal rather than symptom management through pharmaceuticals For more information and to purchase Dr. Ward's products, visit DrWardsBlends.com Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team.  The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact Eldon@ThePalmer.Group, drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGg3OVJSc0ZZODZNN0tlWkhmeUJpelJQd2J0UXxBQ3Jtc0trazJUSHBDUzAzdlVnOS1MOWYyXy1VdG5QT09WdDc3ZmNsekRKUjVCNjctVE9wWFFZZk84eVhwakFWeWozLTlGdHhJRkhjdjBDLWxVcjhhSGk3dkY0bHcxbVIyNjFITURhelJqV3lZVHpJUHVsVVBpdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthepalmer.group%2F&v=teX9_Q4katM]    Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage! HAVE A SUGGESTION?  WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST?  Reach out to Eldon@ThePalmer.Group or send us a DM. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW

You Missed It! Hair on Fire, No Clothes, Mushroom Artist, Facing Fears. Highlights from Episodes 1-4 S2

Eldon Palmer brings together the most powerful moments from the Real West Michigan podcast's first four episodes for you to get a taste test! Featuring insightful conversations with local entrepreneurs, artists, and community builders who are making an impact.  Dan Korhorn shares how his farm upbringing shaped his work ethic and business approach. Dan discusses finding balance between family commitments and entrepreneurial demands. Illustrator Liz Donoghue reveals her journey from childhood doodles to professional art.  Liz demonstrates her creative process through artist conch mushrooms and whimsical creations. Cameron Embers explains why rapid iteration beats perfectionism through the clay pot analogy • Cameron advocates for "teaching the why" behind decisions and embracing imperfect action. Shawn Loney describes how Tapestry Rockford connects community resources with local needs. Shawn explains why staying small and personal allows her organization to maintain its impact. Check out the full episodes on YouTube, Spotify or wherever you enjoy your podcasts. If you're enjoying these conversations, please leave us a rating or review. If you have a story to share or a guest suggestion, drop us a message in the comments. We want to hear what you think! Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team.  The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact Eldon@ThePalmer.Group, drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGg3OVJSc0ZZODZNN0tlWkhmeUJpelJQd2J0UXxBQ3Jtc0trazJUSHBDUzAzdlVnOS1MOWYyXy1VdG5QT09WdDc3ZmNsekRKUjVCNjctVE9wWFFZZk84eVhwakFWeWozLTlGdHhJRkhjdjBDLWxVcjhhSGk3dkY0bHcxbVIyNjFITURhelJqV3lZVHpJUHVsVVBpdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fthepalmer.group%2F&v=teX9_Q4katM]    Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage! HAVE A SUGGESTION?  WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST?  Reach out to Eldon@ThePalmer.Group or send us a DM. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW