Everyday People Extraordinary Lives with John Hendler

Six years ago, on Oct. 21, 2017, Mandy Frye ran her first race. Since then she has run 350 races and will be hosting the Mandy Runs Michigan 5K in Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 21. In this episode, Mandy talks about why she started running and how it has changed, and saved, her life.

As we mark the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, guest Alice Mulconry talks about her experience in Manhatten on September 11, 2001 and how she found herself just blocks from Ground Zero when the Twin Towers collapsed.

It was a reunion and birthday celebration wrapped up into one May 7 as longtime Suzuki Method violin instructor Jim Butler was celebrated during a special recital at Church of the Resurrection in Battle Creek. Joining Butler were more than 30 current and past students who played nearly two dozen pieces from the Suzuki music books. Butler, who turned 85 on May 5, and has been playing the violin for approximately 80 years, has been a Suzuki instructor in the area for close to 45 years and by his estimate, has taught close to a thousand students.

Longtime journalist and magician John Sherwood talks about his love of magic, including how he got started and of the magicians who influenced him along the way.

Newly retired MLB Umpire Bill Welke talks about his new role as a consultant with MLB as well as the new changes to the game and his lengthy umpiring career.

J. Gabriel Gates is the author of fantasy, horror, and sci-fi books, including the Luck Gods Series (Girl of Hearts and Mother of Spades), The Lamplighters, The Sleepwalkers, and Blood Zero Sky. He is also co-author of The Tracks Series, a YA contemporary fantasy trilogy. Gates is a graduate of Marshall High School and Florida State University and is also the executive director for The Franke Center for The Arts and is a member of the Marshall City Council. In thsi episode, Gates talks about his career and his writing process.

Marshall High School teacher Kalani Burghard shares the harrowing story of her newborn son Ryder's battle with RSV last month which had him hospitalized for more than a week.

An exclusive one-on-one interview with Jolly Old St. Nick from the North Pole! (Recorded Dec. 6)

Jeff Olson is a dad on a mission to share his son Daniel’s story and in the process, help prevent teenagers from committing suicide. Jeff will speak at Olivet High School on Thursday, Dec. 8 and will also show the documentary, Do It For Daniel, which highlights the struggles Daniel went through for several years before taking his life in July 2012. The hope of the program is to educate people and get rid of the stigma of mental illness. The program runs from 6-8 p.m. and is open to the public. Fifteen vendors will also be on hand to give out mental health information before and after the presentation. In 2010 Daniel led his Ishpeming High School football team to the state title game and Jeff was the team’s head coach. Four months after Daniel’s death, Ishpeming won the state title game, dedicating the season to Daniel. Shortly thereafter, Jeff took it upon himself to speak to students throughout the state and region about Daniel and to remind them that they are not alone if they are struggling with mental illness.

I caught up with Robin Kingsbury, who was diagnosed in December 2017 with End Stage 4b Ovarian Cancer, two days before Thanksgiving (while she was preparing a feast for 40 people) to talk with her about her cancer and her decision to choose happiness in the face of overwhelming odds – doctors originally gave her an 11 % chance of survival after 5 years – and last summer doctors told Robin that the cancer had spread to her stomach and up by her heart, saying she probably had no more than one year to live. But, if you know Robin, and if you don’t, you will soon learn, percentages and odds don’t phase her as she strives to live her life to the fullest each and every day.

Sonja Patrick is a busy Veteran these days, four months into her one-year term as district commander for the American Legion Department of Michigan, the first female to hold the position. A member of Marshall’s American Legion Post 79, Patrick, an Iraqi War Veteran who suffered serious injuries and couldn't walk for six years, oversees a five-county district which includes Calhoun and Eaton counties and includes 21 American Legion posts. “More importantly, I cover all the Veterans in the five counties as well as the entire state of Michigan,” she said. “I just try and help them when I can, no matter where they live. There are a lot of Veterans out there hurting and need help. I learned a few things on how to navigate the VA system and I wanted to pass that knowledge on and help where I can."

Shawn Loughrige is a retired Michigan State Police officer with three decades’ experience who today operates SPL Investigative Services in Marshall, Michigan, where he has become a leading expert in the field of polygraph. Thirty years ago, Shawn was also ordained as a pastor and in this episode, he shares his insights on how he often has to wear the hats of both a private investigator and a pastor when dealing with some of the most violent criminals in society.

In this episode, hear how middle school English teacher Beth Rayner, who nearly two years ago moved from Marshall, Michigan to a Navy base in Japan to teach at a Department of Defense school, has taken advantage of this new chapter in her life by travelling extensively not only throughout Japan but also to several countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. And she has some more big trips planned later in the year and into early 2023. Beth also shares what moving to another country was like, complete with challenges, surprises and wonderful experiences.

The Fountain Clinic of Marshall, Michigan just marked its 30th anniversary serving uninsured and underinsured citizens in the region. In this episode, Executive Director Mary Jo Bryne talks about the impact the clinic has had on the community as well as about the upcoming Reuben Run/Walk fundraiser taking place on September 17.

Megan Waun of Marshall, Michigan shares the story of her 5-year-old daughter Marley who has been diagnosed with GM1 Gangliosidosis Type 2, a very rare disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. For the second year in a row, Megan and her husband Matt will be holding Marley’s Miracle Mile on September 17, a walk through their neighborhood and downtown Marshall to help raise awareness for the disease for which there is currently no approved treatment or cure.

Marshall, Michigan artist Kimber Thompson talks about her lifelong passion for art and the numerous projects she has worked on and will be working on in the future.