Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on something most leaders are dealing with – whether they say it out loud or not: how stressors or mental health are showing up at work, and what effective leadership looks like in that environment. Joining her in the discussion is Julia Isaacs, Director of Behavioral Health Strategy and Planning for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Amanda Toy, VP of Membership and Partnerships for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion about artificial intelligence or AI – not in the abstract or five years down the road. We’re focused on what AI actually means for your business today, and how small businesses across Michigan are already using it to save time, reduce costs and work smarter.

Joining her in the discussion are:
- Chan Park, Head of U.S. and Canada Policy and Partnerships at OpenAI - the company behind ChatGPT
- Mike Pomerantz, Head of National Policy Engagement for Door Dash

Joining Wendy is Sherman “Tiger” Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association, to unpack what makes a fair and balanced legal system – and why Michigan has fallen behind.

This episode is part 1 of a special 3-part series – “Restoring Balance: Michigan’s Case for Legal Reform.” We’ll be taking a closer look at how Michigan’s legal climate impacts job creation, innovation and the cost of doing business in our state as well as to our families and communities.

Jim leads the discussion on the issues shaping Michigan’s economy and the workplaces that drive it. We take a look at one of the fastest-moving parts of doing business in Michigan: HR and employment law and what to watch along with the latest trends. Joining him in the discussion are:

- John Below, an employment law attorney with Bodman
- Jodi Schafer, a certified HR professional and the principal/owner of HRM Services
- Becky Burtka, from our very own Michigan Chamber team, who’ll share some resources to help businesses stay compliant and confident.

Jim leads the discussion on one of the fastest-emerging opportunities for Michigan’s energy and manufacturing future — carbon capture and storage. Michigan’s unique geology and strong industrial base could put our state at the center of a new wave of energy innovation. We’ll unpack what carbon capture is, what it could mean for jobs, investment and energy independence – all while balancing environmental safeguards with economic growth. Joining Jim in the discussion are:

- Bob Mannes, president & CEO of Core Energy – a leader and early adopter in this space
- Robert Joerg, director of government affairs for the Michigan Laborers District Council
- Mike Alaimo, senior director of legislative and external affairs at the Michigan Chamber and our environmental and energy policy lead.

Jim is joined by Congresswoman Lisa McClain, who represents Michigan’s 9th Congressional District and is also the 4th highest ranking member of Republican leadership in the U.S. House as the chair of the House Republican Conference. As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week and the One Big Beautiful Bill reshapes tax and economic policy, we’ll talk about what it all means for Michigan’s businesses, workforce and families — and how to find solutions in a divided Washington.

Jim leads the discussion Michigan’s new state-federal tax split – officially known as ‘decoupling’ – and what it means for employers and our Great Lakes State. Joining him in the discussion are:

- Sean Cook, partner and tax attorney at Warner Norcross + Judd - who also spent nearly a decade as a CPA
- Tyler Theile, VP, COO and Director of Public Policy at Anderson Economic Group - one of our state’s leading economics and market research firms
- Randy Gross, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and Associate General Counsel at the Michigan Chamber - and our tax policy lead

Jim leads the discussion on Michigan’s FY ’26 state budget: how we got here, key changes and what it means for employers – from taxes, roads, talent funding, and competitiveness. Joining him are several members of our Business Advocacy team:

• Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy and lead lobbyist
• Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement and overall budget lead
• Randy Gross, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and Associate General Counsel and our tax policy lead

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion for the second and final part of our special series on tax policy. In Part 1, we explored what makes a smart, competitive state tax system and where Michigan currently stands compared to other states. Today, we’re shifting from that broad view to what’s happening right now – and two specific proposals that could reshape our tax landscape with far-reaching impact. Joining Jim in the discussion again is Andrey Yushkov, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy housed at the Tax Foundation!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion into one of Michigan’s most critical infrastructure projects – the Great Lakes Tunnel – to replace a portion of the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac that delivers the fuel that keeps homes and businesses running and Michigan’s economy moving.

With the Army Corps of Engineers recently releasing its long-awaited draft Environmental Impact Statement, it’s a key milestone in moving forward.  We’re going to take a deeper dive into what the latest is and what it all means for our energy reliability, economic security, job creation, and protecting the Great Lakes.

Joining him in the discussion are:
- Anna Mooney, Manager of Government Relations for Enbridge - the owner and operator of Line 5 and the company committed to investing in and building the Great Lakes Tunnel
- Mike Smith, Executive Director for the Upper Peninsula Construction Council - a labor group of quality construction contractors and building trades professionals
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion for a special two-part series on tax policy as discussion heats up on two big proposals. Our first episode explores what makes a state tax system competitive and how Michigan stacks up nationally. To get that insight and overview we’re going to be talking with Andrey Yushkov, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy housed at the Tax Foundation - a nonprofit organization that’s earned a reputation for its independence and credibility in this incredibly important area!

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on on a new House Oversight Committee and process aiming to improve Michigan government efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Joining him in the discussion are two of the elected officials and one of our business advocacy leads on the frontlines of study and change:

- Rep. Matthew Bierlein from Tuscola County in the Thumb, Vice Chair of the House Oversight Committee and serving or chairing some of these subcommittees too
- Rep. Angela Rigas from West Michigan, and a member of the House Oversight Committee who is chairing or vice chairing related subcommittees
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a policy issue that’s been plaguing the Great Lakes State for decades and no stranger to this podcast too – our roads. Chronic underfunding of road maintenance and rebuilding has led to Michigan having some of the worst transportation infrastructure in the country. So what can pave the way for change and effective, meaningful and sustainable solutions?

Joining him in the discussion are three people steeped in these issues and who’ll help us break down the latest proposals to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges:
- Lance Binoniemi, VP of Government Affairs for the Michigan Transportation & Infrastructure Assn
- Ed Noyola, Chief Deputy and Legislative Director of the County Road Assn of Michigan
- Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs

Becky Burtka, VP of member engagement for the Michigan Chamber leads the discussion on the biggest HR and employment law issues and trends affecting the workplace today and what employers need to know.

Joining her in the discussion are:
- Ashleigh Draft, Labor and Employment Attorney at Varnum - one of the state’s leading law firms
- Monica Lloyd, Founder of PeopleForward - a great HR engagement, strategy and development firm

Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on one of our signature events for the year: 2025 Chamber Day - it's all about pundits and pollsters. Policy and politics. And what the 2025 landscape looks like and what to watch in the upcoming pivotal 2026 election cycle.

Joining her in the discussion are:

• Alexis Wiley, Founder and CEO of Moment Strategies - who has worn some key past elected official and media hats
• Andrea Bitely, Dounder and Principal of Bitely Communications - who has also several front row experiences to fuel her insights.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on a closer look at some myths and facts about something called the Corporate Income Tax or CIT, the current state of Michigan’s tax and economic climate, and how that all ties together.

Joining him in the discussion are two people steeped in all things tax policy and who’ll help us break this down: 

• Lynn Gandhi, Partner and Tax Attorney at Foley & Lardner and the Chair of the MI Chamber’s Tax Policy Committee - comprised of businesses of all industries and sizes from across the state
• Randy Gross, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and Associate General Counsel at the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on recent bipartisan fixes to sweeping new Earned Sick Time Act and minimum wage laws to protect business and employees alike. Joining him in the discussion is Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Chamber, who knows ALL the ins and outs and was relentless in helping inform policymakers and making this happen.

Jim Holcomb, President & CEO for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, leads the discussion on Governor Whitmer’s 7th State of the State address before a joint session of the Michigan Legislature. What was in it? What wasn’t? And what does it all mean for Michigan’s business community?

Joining him in the discussion are:

• Wendy Block, Senior VP of Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber
• Mike Alaimo, Senior Director of Legislative and External Affairs for the Michigan Chamber

Jim Holcomb, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber, takes a closer look at the close of the chaotic 2024 legislative session and previewing what’s on deck for 2025. Joining him in the discussion are:

• Zach Gorchow, President of Gongwer News Service - one of our capitol’s go to resources.
• Mike Alaimo, Director of Environmental and Energy Affairs - who was right in the thick of the action. 

Becky Burtka, VP of Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber, leads the discussion on unleashing courage for women leaders. Joining her are a couple of special leaders who have forged their own unique paths. They are:

• Shaquila Myers, Chief of Staff to Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate - shepherding public policy issues for one of the top elected official positions in the state.
• Tiffany Dowling, President & CEO of M3 Group - a full service marketing agency she started more than 20 years ago and publisher of 517 Magazine.