Currently with Christal Frost

Christal Frost
  • 5.0 (12)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

A weekly news roundup podcast featuring local Northern Michigan journalists explaining the top local stories of the week.

  1. Growing Pains | Week of June 5, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    3d ago

    Growing Pains | Week of June 5, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    Traverse City is making decisions that could shape the community for years to come, and we're breaking down what residents need to know.  Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) discuss a major downtown infrastructure project that could once again reshape traffic patterns on State Street, the city's renewed effort to limit short-term rentals, and new zoning changes that give officials more oversight over developments like car washes and drive-thrus. Plus, updates on the future of the Carnegie building, a major expansion of the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, a tentative contract agreement between Munson nurses and hospital leadership, and some surprisingly good news about road construction as the Three Mile Road project wraps up weeks ahead of schedule. It's a wide-ranging conversation about growth, housing, infrastructure, conservation, and the ongoing challenge of balancing the needs of residents in one of Michigan's fastest-changing communities. Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

    32 min
  2. The Conversation: Making Space for Grief - Mindy Buell, Michael's Place

    Jun 1

    The Conversation: Making Space for Grief - Mindy Buell, Michael's Place

    Grief touches every life, but it's one of the most misunderstood experiences we face. The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. Christal sits down with Mindy Buell, Executive Director of Michael's Place, to explore what grief really looks like, why it affects us emotionally, physically, and mentally, and how community can play a critical role in healing. Mindy shares the remarkable story of how Michael's Place grew from a card table and a handful of volunteers into a vital Northern Michigan organization serving grieving children, families, schools, and workplaces across eight counties. Together, Christal and Mindy discuss common misconceptions about grief, the difference between grief and depression, how children experience loss differently than adults, and why there is no timeline for healing. They also explore the importance of "leaning in" to grief, the power of peer support, and the ways Michael's Place is helping schools, employers, and families better navigate life's most difficult moments. Whether you are grieving a loss yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and hope. Currently: The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast.

    44 min
  3. The Road Ahead | Week of May 29, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    May 29

    The Road Ahead | Week of May 29, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    It's a conversation about growth, pressure points, and the balancing act facing Northern Michigan communities right now on this episode of Currently. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) dig into some of the biggest stories shaping the future of the Traverse City region. From the near-collapse of South Airport Road after devastating spring floods to growing conversations about infrastructure, traffic, and development in Garfield Township, the two break down what these decisions could mean for residents in the years ahead. They also discuss new affordable housing incentives, updates to the River East Recreation Area, and the continued evolution of Northern Michigan's tourism economy as Delamar Hotels announces a major new luxury waterfront development in Traverse City. Plus, a look at the " reimagined" Dexter Hotel in Elk Rapids and what it says about the changing identity of Up North destinations. Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

    31 min
  4. The Conversation: Second Chances, New Futures | Christy Nelson, Regional Director of Adult Education for Northwest Michigan Works

    May 25

    The Conversation: Second Chances, New Futures | Christy Nelson, Regional Director of Adult Education for Northwest Michigan Works

    Christy Nelson has spent decades helping adult learners across Northern Michigan earn diplomas, complete GEDs, rebuild confidence, and create entirely new futures for themselves and their families. In this moving episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christy joins Christal Frost to discuss the life-changing power of adult education, the barriers many adult learners face, and the emotional moments that make the work so meaningful. The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. From stories of students overcoming shame and self-doubt to the generational impact of parents returning to school, this conversation explores how adult education transforms not just individuals, but entire communities. Christy also reflects on her recent Lifetime Achievement Award, the challenges of serving a rural 10-county region, and why hope continues to fuel her work after all these years. Plus, a look ahead to the upcoming Adult Education Graduation Ceremony on June 10th, where students who once thought graduation was impossible will finally walk across the stage.

    42 min
  5. Buried Lines, Energy Elections and Flood Recovery | wsg Vivian La, Interlochen Public Radio | Week of May 22, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    May 22

    Buried Lines, Energy Elections and Flood Recovery | wsg Vivian La, Interlochen Public Radio | Week of May 22, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    We're talking everything from obscure rural energy elections to the very visible damage left behind by Northern Michigan's spring floods on this week's Currently. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by first-time guest Vivian La of Interlochen Public Radio. Vivian discusses whether burying power lines could help prevent the widespread outages that have repeatedly hit communities across the region, and then breaks down the little-known co-op elections that can directly impact your monthly electric bill and explains why so few people participate in them. Later, Beth dives into the aftermath of this spring's devastating flooding events, unpacking what communities are still dealing with weeks later, what recovery looks like moving forward, and the bigger questions local leaders are now facing about infrastructure and preparedness. Currently is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

    32 min
  6. The Conversation: What People Get Wrong About Homelessness | Ryan Hannon, Central Outreach at Central United Methodist Church

    May 18

    The Conversation: What People Get Wrong About Homelessness | Ryan Hannon, Central Outreach at Central United Methodist Church

    On this episode of The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with Ryan Hannon, a longtime advocate for people experiencing homelessness in Northern Michigan, for an honest and deeply human conversation about housing, trauma, outreach, and community. The Conversation is brought to you by Cherry Capital Airport - TVC - Your Northern Michigan Connection. Drawing from more than 20 years of work in street outreach and homeless services, Ryan shares what people often misunderstand about homelessness, why trust and dignity matter, and how approaches like Housing First are changing lives. The conversation also explores affordability, mental health, public perception, and the emotional realities of helping people navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives. It's a thoughtful discussion about the systems behind homelessness, but more importantly, the humanity behind the people experiencing it.

    48 min
  7. Building Plans & Business Buzz | Week of May 15, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    May 15

    Building Plans & Business Buzz | Week of May 15, 2026 | Traverse City News Roundup

    From county construction projects to restaurant shakeups and retail buzz, this week's episode of Currently is basically a tour through everything changing around Northern Michigan right now. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) dive into major updates from the Grand Traverse County Commission, including ongoing discussions surrounding county building projects and developments involving the Crisis Center. Then, they break down another busy week in local restaurant and retail news, highlighting new openings, business moves, and the latest changes around the region's food and shopping scene. It's another fast-paced, community-focused conversation covering the stories Northern Michigan is talking about right now! Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

    25 min
  8. The Conversation: Birds of Prey - Kaitlyn Bohnet & Shelly Sissen-Burden, North Sky Raptor Sanctuary

    May 11

    The Conversation: Birds of Prey - Kaitlyn Bohnet & Shelly Sissen-Burden, North Sky Raptor Sanctuary

    "Everybody's got a story of the first time they saw a bird of prey." On this episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christal sits down with Kaitlyn Bohnet and Shelly Sissen-Burden of North Sky Raptor Sanctuary to explore the fascinating world of Northern Michigan's birds of prey. Currently: The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. From rehabilitating injured raptors to educating the community through outreach programs and ambassador birds, the conversation dives into conservation, ecosystem health, and the emotional realities of wildlife rescue. Plus, Christal comes face-to-face with Raza, a peregrine falcon whose story embodies the mission behind North Sky's work. The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A weekly news roundup podcast featuring local Northern Michigan journalists explaining the top local stories of the week.

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