Public art isn’t just about murals—it’s about identity, purpose, and how a city tells its story.

In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, Mike Vanderpool sits down with Dean Davis, one of Toledo’s most influential public artists, to talk about creativity, technology, and what it really takes to build a vibrant community.

Dean shares his journey from growing up in Toledo to serving in the Navy, working on the railroad, and ultimately finding his way back to art. The conversation dives into the difference between public art and gallery art, why public art is a form of servant leadership, and how creativity can drive economic growth and cultural pride.

They also tackle big topics like:

• Using AI as a creative tool without losing the human touch

• Why technology should support creativity, not replace it

• The vision behind the River Gallery Project and a citywide public art network

• How art helps people reconnect—to place, to each other, and to themselves

This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about art, humanity, and why cities like Toledo don’t need to reinvent themselves—they need to believe in what they already have.

🎙️ Make It Happen Podcast — conversations with people who are doing the work and shaping what’s next in Northwest Ohio.

In this episode of the Make It Happen podcast, host Vince Croci sits down with Darren Moore, a global logistics entrepreneur and "boomerang" resident who returned to Toledo in 2018. This conversation dives into the vision Darren recently shared in the Toledo Blade regarding where the city is and where it needs to go.

Darren explores his perspective on Toledo’s "next phase," including:

• The "Soft Landing" and the Shot Clock: Why the city must move beyond past federal and local support to create a more competitive, performance-driven culture.

• Identifying the Gaps: The critical need for early-stage risk capital and venture capital to keep young talent from leaving for other markets.

• Defining the Players: Moving away from "groupthink" to find sophisticated individuals who can lead Toledo on a national and international stage.

• A New Investment Model: Darren's proposal for an early-stage venture fund and a "Toledo Community Fund" to ensure every resident has skin in the game as the city grows.

Northwest Ohio just hosted the largest AI conference in the Midwest, and the momentum is real. In this episode, Mike Vanderpool sits down with Tom Bush — founder of Actual Reality Technologies and Empowered AI — to break down Great Lakes AI Week, the rise of AI-powered manufacturing, and how Toledo is becoming one of the most welcoming and activated startup communities in the country.

We dive into:

• How 2,300+ people came together to level up their AI skills
• Why Toledo may be the #1 AI-activated region per capita in the U.S.
• The future of agentic AI and automation in real businesses
• How AI is helping kids publish books and build confidence
• The push to launch 100–500 new startups in Northwest Ohio
• What’s next for Great Lakes AI Week and the region’s innovation ecosystem

A must-listen for anyone passionate about tech, community building, education, or the future of work in the Midwest.

In this episode, I sit down with Gary Thompson of the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) to talk through one of the biggest emerging topics in Northwest Ohio: the rise of data centers and what they could mean for our region.

We explore:

• What data centers actually bring to a community

• The long-term economic opportunities

• The real threats and challenges often overlooked

• How communities can prepare for both growth and disruption

• Why asking the right questions matters more than ever

This is a conversation meant to inform—not divide.
As data centers spark passionate debate across our region, my hope is that this discussion encourages thoughtful, civil, and informed dialogue focused on one shared goal: building a Northwest Ohio where our kids have every opportunity for a successful future.

In this episode, we break down a bold new vision for a full Esports ecosystem in Northwest Ohio—starting with a spring Invitational Tournament and scaling all the way to a regional semi-professional league. We explore how Esports can become a real career pathway by connecting colleges, high schools, and even middle-school players through coaching pipelines, regional training hubs, and year-round development programs.

We dive into the phases of the model: launching the invitational showcase, using college athletes as assistant coaches, creating downtown Esports hubs, supporting youth programs, and ultimately building a semi-pro league that drives jobs in media production, event management, coaching, IT, and more.

It’s a roadmap for growing talent, revitalizing communities, and turning Esports into an engine of opportunity for the entire region.

Justin Beaudry and The AI Collective Toledo Chapter

Join us at our events: https://luma.com/toledocodes

In this episode, host Mike Vanderpool sits down with Justin Beaudry — technologist, community builder, and co-founder of Toledo Codes — to talk about the launch of the AI Collective Toledo Chapter and the growing movement to make AI accessible to everyone.

From the kickoff event at the Thomas and Elizabeth Brady Innovation Center to the upcoming Great Lakes AI Week, they explore how Toledo is connecting with a global network of 70,000+ AI professionals while building something uniquely local.

Hear about the intersection of technology, art, education, and manufacturing, the power of community-driven learning, and how to “break the hype” around AI by actually making it happen.

💡 Topics include:

• Launching the AI Collective Toledo Chapter

• Bringing AI conversations to manufacturers, educators, and artists

• Building bridges between Toledo Codes and AI Collective

• Upcoming events like Great Lakes AI Week & AI Hackathons

• How AI can close (or widen) the digital divide