Make It Happen

Michael Vanderpool
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

We talk to cool people doing cool things!

  1. MAY 4

    From Backyard Lightsaber Battles to Hollywood: Make It Happen with Anthony Wright

    Northwest Ohio filmmaker Anthony Wright joins Mike Vanderpool alongside actor Dillon Sickles to talk about his journey from making VHS Star Wars knockoffs as a kid to screening his feature "The Ride to Nowhere" at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Anthony shares what's next with his ambitious new project "The Moonshine Crew," why Toledo's film scene is more alive than people think, and the local spots he'd show off to anyone visiting from LA. A conversation about the grind, the labor of love, and making movies happen in a city that often gets overlooked. More about the movie here: https://themoonshinecrew.carrd.co/ Moonshine crew Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576228345294

    38 min

  2. APR 7

    Make It Happen | Brandon Sehlhorst

    Brandon Sehlhorst grew up in Toledo, left to study urban planning in Cincinnati, and came back with a mission — grow this city on purpose. Now serving as Toledo's first-ever Chief Growth Officer, he joins Vince Croci to talk about the mayor's goal of 300,000 residents by 2040, a $20 million shovel ready sites fund, the transformation of Southwyck Mall, and why Toledo's tech and innovation ecosystem needs a dedicated leader. From SimCity kid to the person reshaping Toledo's future — this is a conversation every Toledoan should hear. Guest: Brandon Sehlhorst, Chief Growth Officer, City of Toledo Topics: Toledo economic development, population growth strategy, Shovel Ready Sites Fund, Toledo Community Improvement Corporation, Glass City Riverwalk, Marina District, Southwyck Mall, Amazon delivery station, tech ecosystem, innovation district, three-legged stool framework The Make It Happen Podcast is created and produced by Mike Vanderpool. Special Projects Co-Host: Vince Croci. #makeithappen

    41 min

  3. MAR 30

    Showing Up, Building Relationships, and Betting on Toledo | Danny Dymarkowski

    What does it actually take to build something in Toledo? In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, Danny Dymarkowski shares a perspective rooted in action—not theory. From showing up consistently to building real relationships, this conversation breaks down what it means to create opportunity in a city that’s more open than people realize. Danny talks about the importance of being physically present, getting involved before you feel ready, and why energy and enthusiasm often matter more than raw intelligence. The episode also explores how different generations can work together—combining experience, capital, and new ideas—to move Toledo forward. If you’re looking to get involved, grow your network, or build something meaningful, this conversation is a reminder: Opportunity is there—but you have to show up.

    39 min

  4. MAR 22

    How Gen Z Is Redefining Work (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

    What if the next generation isn’t lost… but leading us somewhere better? In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Kibbe to explore how Gen Z is reshaping the way we think about work, education, and opportunity. From prioritizing impact over income to rethinking how people enter the workforce, this conversation highlights a powerful shift already happening—and what it means for employers, educators, and communities. We also dive into the role of internships, mentorship, and intentional pathways in helping young people not just find jobs, but build meaningful careers. This isn’t about fixing the next generation.It’s about building better systems around them. Why Gen Z is focused on impact over incomeThe importance of intentional onboarding and career pathwaysHow internships create real opportunities and long-term retentionBridging the gap between education and the workforceBuilding stronger communities by investing in young talentThe Make It Happen Podcast highlights cool people doing cool things—focused on innovation, workforce development, and building stronger communities in Northwest Ohio and beyond. “It’s not about how much money can I make—it’s what kind of impact can I make.”“You can’t just pluck students into roles anymore—you have to think about the on-ramp.”“Young people won’t stay unless they have access to internships and jobs.”If you believe in creating better opportunities for the next generation, share this episode and join the conversation. Links Jennifer Kebea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkebea/Campus Philly: https://campusphilly.org/Young Smart & Local: https://youngsmartandlocal.com/

    45 min
  5. Dean Davis on Public Art, AI, and Rebuilding Toledo’s Creative Identity

    FEB 3

    Dean Davis on Public Art, AI, and Rebuilding Toledo’s Creative Identity

    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.

    1h 1m
  6. Darren Moore and Investing in Toledo on Make It Happen

    JAN 30

    Darren Moore and Investing in Toledo on Make It Happen

    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.

    41 min
  7. Tech My School | Make It Happen

    JAN 14

    Tech My School | Make It Happen

    Why does school technology feel harder than it should? In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, we sit down with Tech My School to explore what really makes technology work in schools—and why so many well-intentioned efforts fall short. The conversation goes beyond tools and funding to focus on alignment, mindset, and change management. We talk about why some schools with very little make meaningful progress, while others with every advantage struggle to adapt. We also unpack the hidden cost of “free” technology and why buy-in, ownership, and partnership matter more than shiny new solutions. This episode is for educators, administrators, and anyone working in or around schools who wants technology to actually support teaching and learning—not add more complexity. Key themes include: Why misalignment—not lack of tools—is the real challenge How mindset impacts school-wide progress The importance of people, purpose, and process Using technology as part of a long-term strategy, not a quick fix This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about helping schools build systems that last. Find out more about Tech My School - https://techmyschool.org/ Subscribe to the Make It Happen newsletter - https://makeithappenpod.substack.com/

    1h 4m
  8. Dalien Ahiekpor | From Northwest Ohio to AWS: Careers, Cloud, and the Future of AI

    12/29/2025

    Dalien Ahiekpor | From Northwest Ohio to AWS: Careers, Cloud, and the Future of AI

    In this episode of Make It Happen, Mike Vanderpool sits down with Dalien Ahiekpor, Senior Technical Account Manager at AWS, for a wide-ranging conversation about careers in tech, cloud computing, and where AI is actually headed. Dalien shares his journey from growing up in Northwest Ohio—including a University of Toledo summer tech camp—to building Amazon fulfillment centers, and eventually moving into a customer-facing role helping enterprise organizations optimize cloud infrastructure, costs, and operations. This conversation goes beyond job titles and buzzwords to explore: Real, non-gatekept paths into tech careers What “the cloud” actually is (in plain English) Why AI agents, not just generative AI, are the next big shift How faster tools are changing who gets to build products Why curiosity, community, and lifelong learning matter more than ever Whether you’re early in your career, considering a pivot into tech, or just trying to understand where AI and cloud computing are going next, this episode offers grounded insights from someone working at the center of it all. 🎧 Tune in and keep making it happen.

    42 min
See All (36)

Ratings & Reviews

About

We talk to cool people doing cool things!

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Vanderpool
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael Vanderpool
  • Show Website
    Make It Happen

You Might Also Like