The James Beaudrie Podcast

Rebecca Amidon is running for Michigan's 32 District State Senate seat. From her Website:"Rebecca Amidon lives nestled in the Manistee National Forest with her husband Ryan and their two children Ace, 6, and Indigo, 3.​Rebecca has worked in higher education for over 10 years and is currently an adjunct communication professor at Mid Michigan College. She earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Trine University and her undergrad in Media and Public Communication from Purdue University Fort Wayne. ​Rebecca is an advocate for children and families in North West Michigan serving as a member of the Michigan Northwest Regional Child Care Planning Coalition, and the Early On Steering Committee. Rebecca and her family traveled to Washington DC in 2024 to participate in Strolling Thunder where they were able to speak directly to Michigan lawmakers about the national childcare crisis.Rebecca has served as the Vice Chair of the Manistee County Democratic Party from 2021-2024 and is the current Vice President of a children’s nonprofit, NoMi Forest Explorers, that offers nature-based educational experiences for children of all ages in Manistee County. "

Tyler Huntey is the owner of Huntey's Clubhouse. A child care company that will soon open a location in Manistee Mi. Their Mission "is to provide a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment where children thrive and families feel supported. We focus on giving every child intentional care with an educational approach, preparing them to be the future leaders of tomorrow." Good chat with a Great Human. enjoy!

Kim Cole is running for Michigan's 32nd District State Senate seat. He has worked for the people of Mason Co. Michigan for over 4 decades in Law enforcement. His is currently serving his 4th term as Mason Co. Sheriff. A position he has held since 2012. Good chat with a great human. Enjoy.

It has been a rad summer but now it's time to return to the Pod. Stay tuned, more to come.

Michael Linke is an Entrepreneur and avid outdoors man. Part owner in a family business - Linkes Body shop. - Also heavily involved in the community through volunteering and as a board member in the Manistee County Sport Fishing Association- https://mcsfa.orgGreat chat with a Good Human. Enjoy.JB.

Michael comes back to plug his new album and then we pivot towards Data centers, AI and everything else that is making us just a bit more crazy. Enjoy.

JP Thornewell is a singer/songwriter and producer living in Northern Michigan. He has worked in music hubs like LA and Chicago. You can listen to his music on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VWhxDjOf6PfrhfoeLFVYU?si=aq7z1s6dTfGX7UuWWN720AGood conversation. Good Human. Enjoy.

Kyle Nichols owns Trail Head Bikes Shop in Ludington Michigan with his wife Lynnette. He is also co-director of 906 Adventure Ludington Mi. On this episode Kyle walks me through his time as an engineer transitioning to business owner and community leader. Good stuff with a Good Human. Enjoy.

On this episode I provide the "Pros and Cons" of a Data Center. All information was generated using Google AI. I understand I am a consumer and creator of Data. I use AI to help produce my podcast and content. Perhaps I am a hypocrite. I am simply providing information. This is all new to most of us and being informed is part of the process towards learning. Hugs and Kisses. JB.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Lee Trucks—a longtime Manistee businessman whose impact on this community spans more than 50 years. While many people know Lee through Jackpine Business Center, that chapter represents just a portion of a much larger and more meaningful story.Lee’s journey began in Baldwin, Michigan, and took him through Central Michigan University and ultimately to the University of Michigan. Along the way, he taught English to students in Nigeria and played a role in early childhood education through Head Start programs—experiences that helped shape the perspective and values he would later bring back home to Manistee.In 1977, alongside his two brothers, Lee helped build what would become Jackpine Business Center. But what stands out most isn’t just the business itself—it’s the decades of relationships, community involvement, and steady presence that Lee has brought to this area.Conversations like this are exactly why I love producing this show. They go beyond business or resumes—they capture the stories, experiences, and wisdom of people who have helped shape our community. To me, episodes like this become a kind of time capsule for Manistee—preserving voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard for years to come.