Shows
ML Soul of DetroitSecrets Unveiled - December 9, 2025A secret marriage in Detroit and a secretive engagement party in Lansing start this week’s show, before ML and Marc fight with the Irish over their controversial decision to take their football and stay home.STRAIGHT DOPE: What turned out to be the worst-kept secret in Detroit was confirmed Sunday, when the Detroit Free Press reported that Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield got married to Rickey Jackson Jr., a relative unknown in Detroit political circles who was virtually invisible during the campaign. A month earlier, a Lansing lobbyist hosted an engagement party for two state la...
2025-12-091h 02
The Power of &The Power of &: Economic DevelopmentAdam Majestic, the Chamber’s Government Relations Manager, sat down with Rep. Greg VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores) to discuss revitalizing Michigan's economy through the Michigan Innovation Fund by advocating for retaining local talent, providing essential resources for entrepreneurs, and promoting "economic gardening" to help businesses thrive.
2024-08-3007 min
Big Knockers: Tales from the PorchHey Babe!State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley chat with Sen. Joe Bellino about the many uses of the word “Babe”, when to enter a house, and maybe some felons! Join us as we continue to this crazy journey of what happens while door knocking! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2024-03-2717 minBig Knockers: Tales from the PorchAre you Smarter than a 5th Grader?State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley talk to long time legislative staffer, Fred Schaible. From foul to geography, it’s amazing what you will learn by campaigning. Join us on this crazy adventure with Freddie Boom Boom! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2024-03-1326 minBig Knockers: Tales from the PorchLaughter is the Best MedicineState Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley laugh with the hilarious State Representative Sarah Lightner and her trusty sidekick, Angela Kidder. Door knocking can definitely be dangerous and well hilarious at the same time. This episode will keep you laughing! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2024-03-0720 minBig Knockers: Tales from the PorchSeason 2 - Grandma’s HouseState Representative Greg VanWoekom and Melissa McKinley open season 2 with the dynamo Harvey Santana. Former State Representative Santana tells us how working the doors can hope new opportunities for the community. Season 2 opens up with the wildest door knocking story to date! Send your own personal door knocking story to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2024-02-2828 minBig Knockers: Tales from the PorchHit the Gas....State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley meet with long time legislative staffer and campaign guru, Troy Hagon. Michigan is a large and unique state to campaign in for candidates. Michigan is lucky to happy the upper peninsula as part of our great state, but when it comes to door knocking it requires some different tactics. Troy hilariously recounts some crazy candidate antics while campaigning in the UP! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-12-2026 minBig Knockers: Tales from the PorchThe Rennaissance WomanState Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley chat with author, activist, door knocker, and all-around amazing lady, Diana Rademacher. From working with Bono to door knocking on the mean streets of West Michigan, Diana shares her stories of how some days on the doors can be easier than others. Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-12-1325 minBig Knockers: Tales from the PorchPower CoupleState Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley talk to door knocking power couple State Representative Curt Vanderwall and his wife Diane about their experiences hitting the doors together! This is a real “powered” episode! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-12-0617 min
Big Knockers: Tales from the PorchSergeant Pooper ScooperCo-hosts Michigan State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley talk with the hardest working legislator in Michigan, Representative Mike Mueller. As a former law enforcement officer, current apple farmer, wedding barn owner and State Representative Mike Mueller has a lot of stories to share. He proves to be the candidate who will do it all to help his neighbor while door knocking. Listen to find out more. Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-11-2921 min
Big Knockers: Tales from the PorchEau de Doors - The MeatsCo-hosts Michigan State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley talk with legislative colleague, State Representative Timmy Beson. A former butcher shop owner, Timmy shares the value of the meats while door knocking! Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-11-2217 min
Big Knockers: Tales from the PorchWhat’s in a name?Co-hosts Michigan State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley chat with one of the most passionate door knockers, State Representative Pauline Wendzel. She is the creative genius behind the name, Big Knockers:Tales from the Porch. Pauline shares with us how she came up with our podcast name. Of course, she also tells her tale of being chased from a porch with a garden hose. Listen to find out more. Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-11-1531 min
Big Knockers: Tales from the PorchI See Dead People….Co-hosts Michigan State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley interview a colleague in the Michigan Legislature, State Representative Will Snyder. As a legislative staffer and now state representative, Rep. Snyder has a lot of tales from the porch. He has even been confused as the local mortician. Listen to find out more. Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-11-1519 min
Big Knockers: Tales from the PorchThe Beginning…Who Let the Dogs Out?Co-hosts Michigan State Representative Greg VanWoerkom and Melissa McKinley talk about how Big Knockers: Tales from the Porch came to be. Anyone that has been part of a political campaign has had to knock doors in support of their candidate or issue. Whether it’s dogs, naked people or other craziness, door knocking has produced stories for everyone. Greg and Melissa hope to share these adventures from the campaign trail. In episode one, Greg shares one of his harrowing stories from the porch. Be sure to send in your door knocking stories to talesfromtheporch@gmail.com!
2023-11-0718 min
The Power of &The Power of &: Tax CreditsHost Brian Shoaf sits down with Rep. Greg VanWoerkom (R-88) and Rep. Rachel Hood (D-81) to discuss their approach to a proposed research and development tax credit. Hear from both sides of the aisle on what each party is looking for when it comes to being economically competitive with other states and how they are hoping to work together to reach a better deal for Michigan business.
2023-10-0419 min
Speaking for Kids, the podcast from Michigan’s ChildrenDecision Time: Lawmakers Discuss Governor’s $1.4 Billion Plan for Michigan’s Child Care SystemIn the newest episode of Speaking for Kids State Reps. Ranjeev Puri and Greg VanWoerkom, members of the Governor’s Task Force on Child Care, and parents of school-age children of their own sit down with Host Matt Gillard to discuss the Legislature’s plan to take up the Governor’s $1.4 Billion proposals to address the state’s child care system and the eight-bill package of reforms working through the Legislature. An issue that’s plagued working parents for years, child care access and affordability reached a critical point during the pandemic with 100s of thousands of women leaving the workfo...
2021-07-0729 min