In this episode of The Denise Ilitch Show, Denise sits down with Portia Roberson, the dynamic CEO of Focus: HOPE, to delve into the incredible work she does with the organization and her inspiring journey to where she is today. Portia shares her passion for her current role but reveals that one of her proudest moments was being appointed by Preside…

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Denise Ilitch podcast! Today's episode, titled "Showing Up," features an extraordinary guest who embodies the spirit of Detroit's resilience and progress. Join us as Denise sits down with Mary Sheffield, the youngest person ever elected to the Detroit City Council and its current President. Mary's journey…

Have you wondered what it takes to be on the partnership track at a law firm? What kind of preparation and leadership it takes to achieve top success in private practice? Denise talks to Carrie Leahy, attorney and chair of Bodman PLC. Carrie provides tangible and useful advice about working your way up in a large firm and career development. She ta…

In the latest episode of the Denise Ilitch Show, we're joined by an inspirational figure in healthcare leadership, Robert Riney. After an impressive 45-year journey with Henry Ford Health, Riney has ascended to the role of President and CEO, embodying the very essence of dedication and perseverance. Riney's story is a testament to the power of comm…

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Denise Ilitch Show. Today, we have the privilege of hosting a remarkable guest who embodies the spirit of compassion and advocacy - philanthropist Cynthia Ford. In this powerful conversation titled "A Voice for the Voiceless," Cynthia shares her journey of becoming a champion for children's causes, sparke…

Don't miss the latest episode of the Denise Ilitch Show, featuring an inspiring interview with Dr. Herman Gray. This compelling conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in healthcare, social progress, and the future of pediatrics. Dr. Gray, Chair of the Wayne State School of Medicine and a renowned pediatrician, shares his remarkable jou…

Just as the 92nd Annual Meeting of The United States Conference of Mayors wraps up, we introduce this episode that addresses issues of local involvement and priorities of local governments. Denise speaks to Bryan K. Barnett, the longest serving Mayor of Rochester Hills, MI. Bryan was America’s Mayor while he served as the 77th president of The US C…

Shirley Stancato is known for her leadership in Detroit and enduring commitment to social justice. She talks with Denise about the New Detroit coalition, race relations, and dealing with adversity. “Having conversations about race helps leaders in their organizations”. Top down, leaders and educators must set standards for interaction and rules of …

In this hard-hitting episode, Denise talks with Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecutor, about the recent convictions of the Oxford High School shooter and both of his parents, as well as gun violence as a public health crisis, and lessons we need to draw for crime prevention. The sobering fact is that gun violence is the number one cause of deat…

Denise talks to Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman of the Detroit Pistons basketball franchise. They discuss many lessons from his distinguished career as one of the top player agents in professional sports. Arn gives tangible advice for both people starting out in their careers as well as seasoned professionals. In particular, he talks about personal lesso…

Denise speaks with actor, musician, and playwright Jeff Daniels to discuss his long and thriving film career and upcoming projects. Careers in showbusiness rarely last, but Daniels, a native Michigander, who chose to live in Chelsea, MI rather than Hollywood, has enjoyed incredible longevity in his career. The key was creating a wide range in his a…

Denise kicks off Season 4 talking with Karen Drew, an investigative reporter at WDIV. They discuss the challenges of projecting an image of a strong independent woman, while coping with adversity and insecurities. Denise and Karen offer important advice to women to remind themselves that they are worthy and have the right to speak up. They discuss …

Denise talks to Santa Ono, PhD, who was recently inaugurated as the 15th President of the University of Michigan, the third of his proudest accomplishments. The first two? Being married for 33 years to his wife Wendy and raising two daughters. Dr. Ono cherishes his family, but also knows how difficult it is growing up in a family that is less than …

Denise talks to Shauna Ryder Diggs, MD, who’s earned many accolades as a highly acclaimed, board-certified dermatologist with her own practice and skincare line, CosmedicDerm, admired among her staff, clients, and peers—all of which she accomplished through heartbreak. In 2019 she suffered the devasting loss of her husband, Detroit businessman and …

Denise talks to Carrie Weiner, co-founder and CFO of The Little Black Box, who is most proud of her ability to strike a balance between running a business and being a dedicated single mom. She says she’s a good planner and practicing stellar time management skills allows her to put her kids first while providing for the family. Like many entreprene…

Denise talks to Joshua Cascade, a former private equity investor with over 25 years of industry experience. Cascade has led or co-led leveraged buyout transactions representing over $2 billion in aggregate acquisition value. These days you’ll find him back on campus, educating the next generation of MBA candidates at the Yale School of Management a…

Seeing Adversity as a Gift with Robert Paylor Denise talks to professional motivational speaker Robert Paylor, who inspires millions with his message of hope, courage, and unwavering determination. Paylor is living proof that with discipline and a strong support team, we can achieve the impossible. He uses the story of the best day of his life, als…

“You gotta walk away from the elephant to see that sometimes adversity opens up new opportunities.” Brooke Lites Denise talks to Brooke Lites, a woman with an established love of learning about to embark on a new career path, and Denise’s daughter! Brooke says her experiences in higher education have been a great foundation for approaching problem …

“Locate your confidence in what you’re great at, in what you love.” Dan Mulhern Denise talks to Dan Mulhern, award-wining teacher at the Haas School of Business and Goldman School of Public Policy at University of California, Berkeley, public speaker, radio personality, and acclaimed writer. With all his accomplishments he’s very proud that he lear…

“I would not go back and second guess the choices that I made back then, or now.” Carol Cain Denise talks to Carol Cain, journalist, broadcaster, and Emmy award-winning producer, who earned her stripes in the business without the benefit of a news department at CBS. Since her third-grade teacher tasked her with being editor of the school paper, her…

Denise talks to KC Crain, President of the privately held media giant, Crain Communications. Navigating the global transformation of the media industry and building a technology company around media is something he’s proud of, with good reason. The family business produces news across publications, lead generation, research and data products, digit…

“One of the things I emphasize to my staff is that I want you to tell me when you think I’m wrong. I want you to tell me when you think we should do something else.” Warde Manuel Denise talks to Warde Manuel, Director of Athletics for the University of Michigan since 2016. Manuel has won too many awards to list, but of all his accomplishments he’s …

Denise talks to internationally competitive ice dancer, once ranked 12th in the world, and Olympian Isabella Tobias Lites, who also happens to be her daughter-in-law—or daughter-in-love, as she affectionately dubbed her. Isabella is married to Denise's son, Sam. With so much accomplished in 30 short years, Isabella has a plenitude of proud moments.…

Denise talks to the Style Guru of Michigan, image expert, event planner and writer Chuck Bennett. He’s been dressing up and throwing parties since he was seven so it’s no surprise he chose a career as an event professional in the fashion industry. A true extrovert, not socializing during the pandemic was tough on him both personally and professiona…

Denise talks to Nancy Tellem, one of the most respected voices in the entertainment industry. After practicing law in Los Angeles for a brief four years, Nancy knew it wasn’t her calling and jumped into an industry she’s loved since childhood—television. She was an Executive Vice President for Warner Brothers and then ascended to the Presidency of …

“You have a tremendous amount of potential; few realize its extent.” Ethan Davidson In this episode Denise talks to Ethan Davidson, one of Detroit’s finest folk singer songwriters. He’s recorded eleven albums and toured North America and Europe, before returning to Detroit in 2005 to help run the William Davidson Foundation, established by his late…

“I try to step into a new situation…before I can back it up knowing that you kind of have to be in the void first for a little bit.” Emily Lark Denise talks to wellness coach and entrepreneur Emily Lark, who created the number-one selling back pain relief program in the world, Back to Life. After surviving a serious car accident at age twelve, Emil…

“Don’t Dull What Makes You Special.” Lindsay Verstegen Denise talks to Lindsay Verstegen, Senior VP and Chief Diversity Officer for the Detroit Lions. Prior to joining the world of sports, Lindsay worked in corporate America, scaling companies like ShopRunner, one of the toughest situations she faced professionally at a time when so many businesses…

“Don’t lie to the person in the mirror.” Darren McCarty Denise talks to Darren McCarty, former NHL star for the Detroit Red Wings. In addition to being proud to have been a part of the team to win four Stanley Cups, he’s also proud to be six years sober and of all his charity work. He co-founded Operation Valhalla to support U.S. Veterans and their…

“It just takes some guts to stick your neck out there and say I’m gonna serve.” Barbara McQuade Denise talks to lawyer and Detroiter Barbara McQuade, who is most proud of being appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama, the first woman to serve in her position. When faced with tough decisions in her career and in her life, Barbara believes …

“Opportunities come with opposition and the greater the opportunity the greater you’re gonna have the opposition.” Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. Denise talks to Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., lead pastor at Triumph Church in Detroit since 1998. Raised by strong and courageous parents who modeled perseverance, as a child his mother challenged him to find …

“Empathy is the highest form of knowledge because it comes without judgement.” Ken Daniels Denise talks to Emmy award-winning sportscaster Ken Daniels, who in 1997 achieved his lifetime goal of becoming the TV Play-by-Play voice of a National Hockey League team, his dream since the age of ten. Ken is currently the lead hockey announcer for the Detr…

“I have two choices every day when I get up—one is happy, one is unhappy. I don’t like unhappy. So, I try to make the best of every single day.” Florine Mark Denise talks to Florine Mark, a lover of Detroit, entrepreneur and philanthropist who brought Weight Watchers (WW) to Michigan after she tried the program, having always struggled with her wei…

“The fact that I can define evil means there is goodness.” Rachael Denhollander Denise talks to Rachael Denhollander, attorney and the former gymnast who was the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics’ team doctor, of sexual assault. As a result of her activism over 300 women—including n…

“If you admit your failures, other people are less likely to point them out.” Dana Nessel Denise talks to Michigan’s 54th Attorney General Dana Nessel. If Dana could put her proudest moment on her Wikipedia page, it would be the work she did while in private practice on the DeBoer v. Snyder lawsuit, challenging Michigan's ban on adoption by same-se…

“Don’t ever love anything that can’t love you back. Don’t fall in love with things, fall in love with each other.” Gail Perry Mason Denise talks to Gail Perry Mason, a respected authority in the financial industry and bestselling author whose proudest accomplishments have nothing to do with money. One of her favorite achievements is to plant seeds …

“If you really want something, no matter what it is, don’t expect somebody to give it to you. You have to go out and get it.” Hank Winchester Denise talks to Hank Winchester, broadcast journalist and consumer investigative reporter for Michigan’s WDIV Channel 4 News. Although Hank is most proud of being a parent, he’s a very proud Michigander—born,…

“The Music Keeps Me Alive: A Conversation with Toby Murray” “Behind all the cultural differences between generations…people just want to be seen.” Toby Murray In this episode Denise talks to her nephew Toby Murray, an entrepreneur in Detroit. As a teen he knew he wanted to be a concert promoter and started taking steps in that direction. After his …

“Confidence comes from not what you do but who you are.” Lisa Murray In this episode Denise talks to her sisters, Lisa and Carole. Their cheerful banter is a hopeful reminder of the importance of family and what having each other has meant to them over the years—three sisters in a family of seven siblings. Listen to their heartwarming conversation …

“If you want to get something done, you figure out how you’re gonna get it done, and you don’t let someone stop you from getting it done.” Debbie Dingell In this episode Denise talks to U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell about how focusing on helping others, even in the face of great loss—there’s or your own—can be a source of strength in getting th…

“Show Yourself Compassion: A Conversation with Meryl Davis” “You have to wake up every day, give your best and if you fall, it’s really about getting up that matters most.” Meryl Davis In this episode Denise talks to the Olympic, World and U.S. Champion ice dancer, Meryl Davis. The challenges of being an elite performance athlete have been opportun…

“The Importance of Exposure: A Conversation with Dennis Archer Jr.” “When you are around a diversity of people all the time, it’s very easy [to learn to treat everybody the same].” Dennis Archer Jr. In this episode Denise talks to Dennis Archer Jr. who is quick to credit his success, at least in part, to growing up in a loving family of privilege. …

“It takes a lot of courage to grieve.” Kristen Meekhof In this episode Denise talks to Kristen Meekhof whose success as a writer, speaker and lecturer came quite accidentally, after authoring the book she wished she had to read after her husband’s surprising death at age 33. They had been married only four years. Born in South Korea, she was abando…

“People who understand and appreciate struggle, are able to understand why they were created and what they were sent here to do.” Richard Bernstein In this episode Denise talks to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, who recounts a tragic story that led to a valuable life lesson. One day while walking in Central Park in New York City, …

THE DENISE ILITCH SHOW Inspiring You to Step into Your Full Potential “I grew up in a very diverse community and a humble background and I decided that I wanted to share optimism not all the obstacles, because we get to choose how to get around obstacles…Everybody deserves a chance to get on the path that they want, and so those of us that can assi…

Launch date is Oct 6th, 2021