EXPERT CONNEXIONS: AI, Athletics, and Adventure: 3 Startup Founders to Watch in 2025

From redefining access in sports to battling social isolation with AI and revolutionizing how we carry gear in extreme environments — fresh from The Startup Grind Conference 2025 — this episode of Expert Connexions brings you three powerful stories of innovation born from purpose.

Meet the Founders:
🏀 Christine Schwarz — Co-Founder of Virtual Round Ballers
Christine is breaking barriers in sports and gaming as the creator of Virtual Round Ballers, the first VR experience designed to bring realistic, one-on-one basketball to players of all abilities. Her mission? Make athletics more inclusive, immersive, and empowering. As a […]

CLIENT STORY: Communities In Schools of Michigan – Celebrating Jada Reynolds: Student of the Year

At University High School, one student stands out not just for her achievements, but for the heart and spirit she brings to every part of her life. That student is Jada Reynolds, Communities In Schools of Michigan’s (CISM) 2025 Student of the Year. A leader, a friend, and a bright light in her school community, Jada proves that real impact comes from showing up, staying kind, and helping others do the same.

**More Than a Student**

Jada wears many hats—student, volleyball player, photographer, and friend. She balances her studies and sports with creative work, taking photos […]

MISSION CONTROL: Eric Hufnagel: Fighting Homelessness Through Data

In the complex landscape of homelessness prevention, one Michigan leader is proving that systematic data collection can be a powerful weapon against a persistent social challenge. Eric Hufnagel, Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH), has spent decades working in nonprofit and public service roles. Still, his current position puts him at the center of a statewide effort that’s quietly revolutionizing how communities address homelessness.

MCAH operates as an umbrella organization connecting nearly 600 agencies across all 83 Michigan counties through a comprehensive data system called the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Unlike many states that rely on fragmented approaches, […]

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Can You Copyright Artificial Intelligence (AI) Content?

As AI transforms industries, the law is racing to keep up. In this episode of Expert Connexions, we’re joined by Attorney Lindsey Mead of Foster Swift to explore the U.S. Copyright Office’s latest report on AI and copyright.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
✅ What “authorship” really means in the age of AI
How to protect your content if you use AI to brainstorm or create
✅ Where the legal gray areas begin (and how to avoid risk)
✅ What businesses should include in contracts & policies today
Don’t let legal gray areas become business risks, you need to know where the law stands and where […]

ARTS ROLL-CALL: Barb Whitney–finding hope and joy through the grit

Welcome to episode 29 of Arts Roll Call, a podcast for the arts curious. Join host Robin Miner Swartz as she interviews artist and arts educator, Barb Whitney. They talk about her artist life, her work in arts administration and arts education and look at the changes and growth of the arts scene in Greater Lansing.

About Arts Roll Call
Arts Roll Call pulls back the curtain to explore the lived experience of artists and arts organizations in the Greater Lansing region. Presented by Arts Council Greater Lansing and hosted by local celebrity Robin Miner-Swartz, this podcast was created to give […]

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Building a Business While Giving Back: Digital Nomad’s Global Impact

From Digital Nomad to Global Change-Maker 🌍

Meet Victoria Levinsohn, a passionate entrepreneur who is turning the world into her workspace, one volunteer project at a time.

In today’s episode, Victoria shares how she blends her marketing expertise with a love for adventure and volunteering in communities around the globe.

She’s answering the question: “How do visionary entrepreneurs build businesses that go beyond profit and create long-lasting impact?” through the stories she’d lived.

What can entrepreneurs learn from Victoria’s unique journey?
✅ Social Media for Social Good: Using your skills to amplify voices and causes you care about
✅ Building Community Across Continents: […]