Ron discusses Governor Granholm’s final State of the State address, the future of Detroit’s Big Three, and the state and future of newspaper journalism.

“We haven’t yet figured out yet what newspapers or journalism will look like a year from now or five years from now,” he says. “At the Free Press where we’ve reduced home delivery and raised prices in the interest of protecting the resources we have for journalism, we’re going to continue to look for ways to reduce our expenses for delivering the ink on paper product so that we can increase and enhance our ability to gather news.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 17:45 – 10.2 mb mp3

“Social media is really just people talking to each other online,” Monty says. “It’s happening more and more these days and brands have an opportunity to gently and respectfully take part in that conversation – not to market at people, but to really become another party to the conversation.”

He is a strategic advisor on all social media activities across the company, from blogger relations to marketing support, customer service to internal communications and more, as social media is being integrated into many facets of Ford business.

“Ultimately we want people to understand that there are real people just like them working at Ford,” says Monty. “We strive to humanize the Ford Motor Company as we talk about our strong business plan and great products. And we need to do that from a position of humanity not from a position a corporate top-down message.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 11:48 – 6.8 mb mp3

“A relationship that began with WJR becoming the voice of MSU football and basketball has transformed into a great partnership that encompasses athletics, academics and everything in between,” said WJR President and General Manager Mike Fezzey. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with President Lou Anna Simon, Athletics Director Mark Hollis and MSU on and off the field.”

WJR and MSU began their current contract in 2006. Since then, their partnership has evolved to include athletics, academic programs, alumni relations and more. They have even joined forces to advance environmental awareness through the weekly show “Greening of the Great Lakes,” heard Fridays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 16:39 – 9.6 mb mp3

“I wanted to have a PASS IT FORWARD party (P.I.F) to DO SOMETHING that makes a difference,” Hoffman says. “The idea is to come together and create an energy of excitement; enthusiasm that creates continuous momentum! This isn’t a fundraiser, a religion or political in nature. It’s just you and me helping someone else who then, hopefully, will do the same.”

Hoffman gives all the details on how those interested can help him pass it forward on January 23.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 10:13 – 5.8 mb mp3

As the 2010 North American International Auto Show gets ready to open in Detroit, Howes talks about the state of the automotive industry around the world, but particularly in North America. And he discusses what automakers hope show attendees will take away from their visit to this year’s show.

“The situation for automakers is certainly more optimistic than it was a year ago at this time,” Howes says. “They want consumers to know that they’re building world-class automobiles despite their recent troubles on the business side.”

Howes also talks about the overall Michigan economy and where he sees it going in 2010 and the challenges and opportunities facing the newspaper journalism industry. And he weighs in on the higher education funding issue.

“The less that Michigan finds its way clear to support higher education, the more other people are going to prey upon Michigan’s lack of direction in this regard,” Howes says.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Show 22:15 – 12.8 mb mp3

“As one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher learning, MSU is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its curriculum and for the noteworthy contributions Spartan alumni have made in so many important fields of endeavor,” Brinker said.

Brinker founded the nonprofit group in 1982 after her sister, Susan G. Komen, died from breast cancer. It is now the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, operating in 125 American cities and several foreign countries.

The organization’s trademark fundraising event is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a series of 5K runs and walks around the world. Each year, more than 1.5 million people participate in 130 races around the world. Thanks to such races, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has generated more than $1.3 billion, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

“Whatever you do, follow your own path,” Brinker advised the graduates. “And you must live your passion. If you are not passionate about what you do, don’t do it. Life is too short to waste on pursuits that don’t inspire you.

“When you wake up every morning, have a reason to swing your legs over the side of the bed and be excited to get to work. Listen to your heart, find your passion, and then pursue it with reckless abandon.”

Hear the Address 11:54 – 6.8 mb mp3

Brad Sherrill is Chief Scientist for the FRIB project.

“This is a new window on the universe,” Sherrill says. “It’s a new research tool that no one has had before, and it will be the centerpiece of a research enterprise for the nation.”

Construction of FRIB is scheduled to begin in late 2013. The project is expected to bring $1 billion in economic development to the region and is expected to be completed in 2017.

“FRIB will be a place where scientists from all over the world will come to do forefront research that isn’t possible anywhere else in the world,” says Sherrill. “We’re going to learn exciting things here about how nature behaves and about how the universe has changed over time, and we’ll learn new ways to diagnose and treat diseases.

“Great scientific discoveries are going to take place on the MSU campus because of FRIB.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 11:41 – 6.7 mb mp3

In April 2008, Michigan enacted a law to provide tax credits for film production companies that shoot their movies in Michigan.

“In tough economic times, it is even more critical to have a rigorous film studies program to prepare the legions of young people who will have to be conversant in the language of our new visual culture,” Burns says, “and be able to reflect the values and ethics so these new forms of communication do not control us, but rather continue to reflect our highest ideals.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 18:51 – 10.8 mb mp3

The group was started in the Spring of 2007 by a group of MSU business students who wanted to start an organization that would promote entrepreneurship throughout MSU.

“We’re there for anyone who has considered entrepreneurship or who wants to learn more about it,” Allen says. “We help people feel more comfortable about becoming an entrepreneur, and we offer connections to resources for existing entrepreneurs who want to expand their businesses.

“We work to educate, aide, and inspire students of any age to create, nurture, and follow through with their entrepreneurial ideas and to take advantage of opportunities.”

Allen also candidly discusses her recent bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 13:57 – 8 mb mp3

MSU Today

Job growth in electronic commerce illustrates this shift. Employers are hiring critical-thinking graduates with the skills to capture more Internet business and help the company continually redefine its operation, says Phil Gardner, director of MSU’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute, which conducts the annual study.

“Employers want to be much more flexible; they want to be agile,” Gardner says. “They’re bringing in employees who can slide in multiple directions depending on what transpires over the next year. And that opens the door for students from a variety of academic backgrounds.”

Ultimately, while many employers tell Gardner they hope to see the economy rebound, he says folks need to understand things will not return to “normal” – that is, a labor market in which college graduates have their pick of high-paying jobs. The recession, combined with increasing global competition, means graduates will continue competing for fewer jobs with lower salaries and benefits.

Kelley Bishop, MSU’s career services director, says it’s imperative that students get aggressive about their futures early in their college careers by networking with prospective employers, landing internships and developing critical thinking skills. He said this cuts across all majors – from engineering to liberal arts – because employers are worrying less about a student’s major and more about whether they can solve problems and think outside the box.

“The premium is being placed on flexibility and adaptability,” Bishop says, “because this change in the labor market looks like it’s permanent. And those who can quickly adapt are the ones who are going to survive through this and prosper through this.”

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 22:13 – 12.8 mb mp3