
PODCASTS:
May 28, 2026 ~ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 28, 2026 ~ Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield sits down to chat with Lloyd Jackson at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 27, 2026 ~ GOP U.S. Rep. John James (MI-10), and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard, join Paul W. Smith live from the Mackinac Policy Conference.
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI ~ A who’s who of Michigan business and political leaders are on Mackinac Island for the Mackinac Policy Conference, a forum that annually aims to host statewide conversations and explore policy priorities.
This year’s conference takes place from May 26 to 28 This year’s theme, “A Quest for Common Ground,” is reflected in the slew of guests from across the political spectrum, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, former Mayor of Detroit Mike Duggan, U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El‑Sayed, and Detroit-area billionaire Dan Gilbert.
WJR’s “‘JR Morning” and “Focus with Paul W. Smith” will air live on Wednesday and Thursday, plus a special edition of “Powering Michigan’s Future” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday with WJR’s Loyd Jackson. Check out some interviews from the comference below.
PODCASTS:
May 28, 2026 ~ GOP Candidate Mike Cox joins Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 27, 2026 ~ Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State and Democrat gubernatorial candidate, joins Paul W. Smith live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 27, 2026 ~ U.S. Sen. Gary Peters joins Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 27, 2026 ~ U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Congresswoman Haley Stevens join Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson live at the Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss the ban they’re seeking on Chinese vehicles, even for temporary entry.
May 27, 2026 ~ Garrick Rochow, president and CEO of Consumers Energy, joins Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 27, 2026 ~ Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, joins Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
May 27, 2026 ~ Rick Snyder, former Republican governor of Michigan, and Doug Ross, president at American Promise Schools, talk education with Paul W. Smith.
May 27, 2026 ~ Bob Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health, joins Paul live at the Mackinac Policy Conference.












