Now the 490 with Gretchen de Bakker might kill them.

And Kevin Mullin, Welcome into the 419, A Wellness Wednesday edition.

The 419, powered by CTE and presented by Retro Wealth Management.

I'm Kevin Mullin, alongside Gretchen.

Debacker.

And I kill.

Them.

Our friends at work spring are bringing us another wellness Wednesday.

And, who do we hav on the program today, Gretchen.

We have Jennifer Crompton from sunset.

Okay.

Thank you.

What a team.

Really.

Bring it together.

We know what.

It's like to.

About fast enough.

I need her help.

Like today.

Yeah, yeah.

Yes.

And we were a little bit how we tape this.

I actually eat her health last week also, and the week before, but the time is.

She's going to she's going to help you today I. Think so Jennifer Compton talking about, financial literacy.

Financial wellness.

Right.

And then that is Washington who I know has done some stuff with you guys at the white.

House and from all over, the area.

Really?

So Thaddeus is, immensely talented.

He has performed, all over the country.

But, we have a nature connection.

And a great story.

He is, just a real shining light in our area.

So I'm thrilled to have him on.

And and Thaddeus is the the guitarist behind.

This week.

I'm the lead singer.

Okay.

Exactly.

Right.

Yep.

That's right.

Behind me.

You know, Toledo, University.

It's a little football.

Has started trying to bring about the tradition there.

So you see a handful of stadiums around the country where everybody, like, sings a song at a certain point in the game.

Yeah.

So a couple of years ago, there was an intentional conversation about what is that tradition look like in Toledo?

Interesting.

And so they decided that the song was going to be Elton John's Rocketman.

Love it.

But it's like, but we got it.

I'm not going to say, but.

It's got to be Toledo, right We got to make it Toledo.

Yeah.

And, I don't I don't say this to like, diminish what it is, but they were like, well, this is easy.

We'r just going to give it Thaddeus.

Yeah, sure.

Do what he does.

Yeah.

And he did what he does.

Yeah.

That's awesome.

Yeah.

Cool.

That's very cool.

It's a very cool tradition.

So now the student section of the fans, all, you know, get together and sin along, and it's kind of a cool, I mean, there's this i the first time I'm hearing this.

Yeah, yeah, this shows great.

Yeah, this shows right up then every day.

And then we're going to wrap up the program with his own and friend of ours, Marcu Harrison, talking about, so we, we had talked a couple weeks ago about.

The thinking, though I think is the finish strong?

And we decided not to.

But just put that on the.

Set.

That's right.

Marcus was available as he is always, based on his talent.

So we talked a couple of weeks ago with Mark folk about, the grant to the community Foundation has, we've had a few folks on connected to that grant, but we're it's connectin nonprofit organizations, artists and community organizations and is a part of that.

It's got a really exciting partnership, that they're working on with that.

So we'll talk to Marcus about that and more.

There's three opportunities to enjoy the program.

Every single day.

7 a.m.

a YouTube channel, 3 p.m.

on FM 91 in Toledo, Brian Defiance and Lima, and 6 p.m.

on connects channel 30.4.

Of course, all of our past episodes are available online at w gt.org/the 419.

We continue to get, positive feedback from people and I am constantly amazed that the feedback that I ge is always, like, very specific.

Right.

Like it's, you know, I watche this moment and this was funny.

It you know, Matt always kind of tends to ask these, like, heartfelt, really curious questions.

So I get feedback about that.

People always say, like, Gretchen is funnier than I realized.

Yes.

Yeah.

And I. Can't everything.

Yeah, that's the funny part.

Yeah.

And then they rarely do I get any feedback about me.

Yeah.

So it's great.

Yeah.

No, I know, I get it.

Yeah.

No, my mom, my mom said, the sweetest thing she said, I heard you guys have a show.

So we do have a show, and you're going to enjoy it today, for sure.

It's the 419.

It's a wellness Wednesday edition presented by Work Spring.

We'll be right back.

Support for the 419 comes from we True Wealth Management, where we understand tha your financial path is personal.

Advisory services are offered through capital Investment Advisory Services LLC, securities offer through Capital Investment Group member Finra and SIPC.

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Thank you.

Introducing the local Fred, a community news series uniting voices and storytellers from across the region in partnership with La Prensa, the Toledo Free Press, the Sojourner Truth, Toledo Public Schools and veteran journalist Jerry Anderson.

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The local thread only on GTV.

Welcome back into the 419 It's a Wellness Wednesday edition presented by Work Spring and most of our Wednesday episodes.

We're talking about.

You know we're talking about workplace, you know, wellness or physical wellness.

But we're taking a slightly different approach.

Today.

We're talking with Jennifer Compton, the director of business development at Sun Federal Credit Union.

We'll be talking a little bit about how finances play into the wellness.

Discussion.

Welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It's nice to be here.

I before we dive into the wellness topic, I have to like, anytime I get a chance to talk about some federal credit union.

I love to do it because it's it's such an sometimes played such an interesting role in, in my family.

So within my own business, as you guys know, I own a fire truck that serves beer.

As one would.

That's right.

And so that is a strange thing to call a bank to say, I'm going to launch a business that does this right.

And I worked at it.

I hung up on you.

I'll be honest with you.

My first phone call was to Sun Federal.

Okay, good.

And I sat down with, one of their former business development folks and said, this is what I want to do.

And I want a loan to do this.

And he, was fantastic that he was like, yeah, let's figure it out.

And then he call me back and he was like, I actually think we want t do an auto loan to buy the truck because I can get yo a better interest rate on that, and then we'll do a personal loan to be able to build out and finish the truck and launch the business.

And so I was able to launch that business with $0 out of pocket.

Yeah.

Which was ideal.

Yeah.

That's right That's the way.

To do it.

Yeah.

And so that, you know that truck doesn't exist without some federal credit union, say, we'll take a chance on it.

And I knew to go to them because they had done the exact same thing for my dad when he was moving from, you know, he was working in financial services, worked selling insurance and investments, and had this crazy idea to launch it, start a trucking company.

Yeah.

And it was at the time that market was tanking, fuel prices were rising.

And so he called son Federal and said, I want to get into the trucking business and this is what I want to do.

And they said, you don't know anything about trucking, but we know you and we trust you.

And one of the first commercial loans that son federal ever made was to my dad.

And, you know, today, millions of dollars in payroll later ou to drivers around the country.

Yeah.

Happened because son federal.

Said that must make you happy.

And also, Jennifer did you know that you're going to come on and listen to Kevin's life story?

What?

What are you excited for?

Right?

Yeah.

I love my parents.

Yeah.

I do like talking about that.

Son, federal is hitting their 75th anniversary this year.

How about that?

Yeah.

You look great.

Well.

Thank you.

I've been there for 30 years.

Can you.

I know I've been there a very long time so I did work, with his family.

And that's one thing about the credi union is it's family oriented.

Yeah, but it's local, and it's what we kno they can do for the community.

And we know this family.

We know the work ethic of Kevin, obviously, and his parents.

And that's why we take risks and chances like that.

A lot of people stay local.

But what does local mean to son federal.

Local means giving back just like that.

Yeah.

We want trucks.

We want Kevin and his family to thrive in Toledo, not leave Toledo.

Stay here.

We were started by Sunoco on Woodville Road.

You're kidding.

Okay.

Yeah.

It started with a cigar box.

And there's ten guys that put money together.

Young man needed a loan to put a front porch on his home.

Banks would not give it to him.

Just like they wouldn't give his dad alone.

And those guys put their money together and say, hey, let's loan this to him.

He can pay it back.

And it started that way writ large.

What what are the differences between a credit union and a traditional bank?

Or.

They're different.

They are different.

One we're not for profit.

So anything that we do take in, we give back to Kevin's family, families in the area, small businesses, a lot of times you'll find that in the banking industry they want large dollar amounts.

We're not chasing the large dollar amounts.

We're chasing the smal businesses for them to thrive.

So local means keep it here.

Let this survive.

We're your neighbors.

Come and see us.

Do people have to have an account at the credit union to come in and talk to you about loans or business ideas or things like that?

They don't necessarily need an account.

We encourage them to open one because we have the best products and services to fit their name.

That sounds like it.

Yeah, I did, little Jennifer, did you open up a lemonade stand or what?

How was.

Yeah, what was.

How did yo did you see yourself in banking or how did you get to hear.

Well, my dad retired from the refinery.

Okay.

So I've always had an account with Sun Federal and growing up, you know, you put money in there, you put money in there, and it's.

My family did.

Well, we didn't have we weren' wealthy, but we survive, right?

Sure.

I had everything I needed and the refinery provided that for me.

And I can go work at the credit union that provides that to the refinery workers.

And then we have blossomed beyond that.

So we're 650 million in assets now, and we serve more than just the refinery.

So let's transition a little bit to the Wellness Wednesday topic.

Many people have experience and certainly know in their own lives when money becomes tight, when bills are due, when, when financial stressors, really just sort of dampen everything else in your life when you don't know how you're going to get everything done that you have to get done.

Right.

What are some things that some Federal Credit union does, to help people in those moments?

What are some strategies that people can employ to, to help them when, when those situations arise?

Well, most people are one paycheck away from disaster.

I mean, for the most part, you're living paycheck to paycheck.

Everything's getting more expensive.

But to go to the basics and start with a budget, because you have to see what's coming in to know what can go out.

And sometimes it does mea a second job for a little while.

But put them in a place where they don't hav the stressors coming on them, or collections calls coming in that can strain you at work.

It can strain you at home.

And a lot of times the divorces are a result o money and it's not other things.

So if one, you can be honest about it.

And a lot of times we have people come in, it' almost like you hold their hand.

Yeah It's like just facing it.

Yes.

Yeah.

That's right.

Yeah.

Sure.

Avoidance is.

Yeah.

My one of my faves.

Well.

Yeah.

You want to stick your head i the sand, not look at it.

Yeah.

Everybody does.

Yeah, but there has to be a time where you hit the limit and you're like, I got to do something about this.

Where can I go?

You can actually come in.

It's local.

Sit down with one of us.

We have a certified financial counselors.

I'm one.

My whole team is certifie in that we go into the schools to start them young.

Sure.

To get them.

I think that's so smart.

It is.

We have six student run credit unions here in northwest Ohio and one out in Philadelphia.

If you.

Don't, Philadelphia.

Crowded with kids.

They do think that it's just and you use these little pieces of plastic to buy everything, you know, debit card or credit card that there's no they don't understand that this is actually money that we earned by working or that, you know, that, that these things actually cost money.

So what.

Age?

Gretchen used wampum.

I tell us her first five.

What what age do you start educating kids about about mone and how it's earned and spent.

We actually go into the elementary schools, but to focus on high school, to get them ready for college, because what we're seeing is a student loan debt is a lot.

And they're coming out of college with an 800 and $900 student loan payment that starts in six months after they graduate.

So how can we help them?

And to your point, saying it' not money when you don't see it, and studen loans are really bad about that because you go, I'm going to go back to school and get another student loan, right?

Each one of those is a payment.

Every single one of those is a payment that you have to pay back, but you don't see the money, so you're just accumulating i and you don't see the payback.

What we can help them do is look for scholarship and grants.

They're out there, but also help them understand if you can save some, get started that way.

If you can take college course in high school, start that way.

It's free.

Do what you can do so that you can move out when you're done with what?

What are the building blocks of, you know financial wellness, stability.

If someone's, you know, watching this and is feeling some of that, stress, what are the things that you say, hey this is where you should start.

You should, you know, achieve these certain things, this amount of money in your savings account or what is it?

We start with putting as much money as you feel you can, but we try to hel find those leaks in your budget.

So come in.

Let's write out the budget.

Let's look at your credit report.

Is there anything you can tweak over here to add some money over here?

Sometimes in streaming services, if you don't for those subscription or it could be parking tickets.

Well, I'll tell you, do not not pay those because they will show up on your credit.

And they do.

They do.

And and they block their license.

That's right.

And you get pulled over an could potentially get a ticket.

I'm just throwing the ball.

Just examples.

Well it's so true.

We actually had a young lady and she wanted Joe.

Okay.

Yeah.

Matt.

Yeah, she was going to buy a home.

She's always had good credit with us and we pulled her credit had tanked.

We're like, what has happened?

She had three of those.

Like she had went through a lie and got a ticket.

Yeah.

And she was like, I'm not.

That was unfair.

I'm not paying it.

And you're doing yourself more harm.

Yeah, by not doing that.

Let me ask you something.

Jennifer, are you here on behalf of Park Smart?

It's a director Said me?

No, I'm just kidding.

I'm here to help you with.

Yes, yes.

I will ask you.

I know that there's a 30 year career of this.

So picking one is like picking the proverbial favorite child, but there have to be a couple moments or, like, real feel good things that, Do you have a single story?

You could potentially be Kevin's family, but, and again, I know it's there's a million of them, so this is unfair.

But if you have 1 or 2 that are really exciting or you think you exemplify son federal.

I do actually.

I had, lady come in and she was she was beside herself with collection calls.

She was sitting acros the desk from me and she's like, this is going to ruin my marriage.

This is going to be a disaster.

And I asked her, I'm like, was your husband come in?

And she's like, Jen, this is going to be bad.

Yeah.

And I was like well, here's your credit report.

Start there, schedule an appointment to come back and see me.

And they did have a lot of credit card debt.

But one thing that you can think about when you're doing this is it can be fixed if you take the time to look at it and if you want it to, if you're if you want that, it can happen.

They came back in, they did get a fight in my office.

And I'm like, you guys can go back, talk about it, but come back and see me.

Five years later, the credit cards are gone.

And this was a lot.

It was north of 85,000 an credit card debt, which is easy.

Like you could get.

Parking tickets.

And make.

It happen to anybody.

But you could get a $20,000 credit card like that.

Yeah.

And you have three of them.

You're in trouble.

Yes, ma'am.

And that's exactly what was happened.

She said we sold some of our stuff.

You know, we were trying to keep up with the Joneses, which was wrecking our lives.

They wanted their kids to have everything.

And we all do that.

Yes, but it can be very expensive to provide everything to your kids.

And it's not teaching them a lesson if they see fighting and arguments at home over money, that's a. Great.

That's a great message.

It is.

It really is.

And when I'm here, you just say you've got to marry one of the Joneses.

Yes.

Well yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah.

It's a good strategy.

Yes.

How's that going for you, Gretchen?

Yeah.

Any of us?

Yeah.

Go ahead.

And my number is four.

I've done.

I've done great.

Yeah, yeah.

Super clear.

Yeah.

Wait wait.

Wait.

That way above, medical debt is a huge problem for for many Americans.

It's a large cause of bankruptcies.

Do you as on federal or in general, have a a strategy, some some way not to get out from the debt but to maybe prevent the this problem to begin with?

Are there opportunities available for people to try and avoid that debt?

There are, I know, under mercy there are programs that you can call and get help to reduce some of your costs, but one thing is just looking at your bill and making sure it's correct and the medical debt wil accumulate if you can roll it.

I don't ever say take i and put it into a signature loan or anything like that.

It's interest free to have a medical debt.

So if you could put $15, take that part of your budget and send it over there and just let it ride, because it's not going to hurt your credit and there's no interest.

It's not buildin unless you go back to the doctor and you're adding to that.

Send a small amount over there and just pay towards it.

It will keep your credit up and you won't have to worry about it.

They do send it to collections and then you star getting your phone calls.

Yeah.

Do you have a favorite app or technology or program that someone you know can use on their phone either to create a budget or to, to pay bills?

I use rocket money, which is they're not a sponsor, but.

They are now so.

Many stupid subscriptions that I had, you know, just 20, 30, 40, $50 a month of stuff you just completely forget about.

It was the.

Most embarrassing.

One.

I think I had two Netflix accounts that happens all and I didn't even currently have it on it.

It was just it was just stupid.

Stupid.

Somebody passcode.

Yeah.

Yeah, exactly.

Yeah.

I'm heading for that.

Yeah.

We'll edit that.

Yeah.

So stealing is.

Ready.

Okay.

Go.

Yeah.

I thin checking the subscriptions is.

Yes.

Think it's the beginning of the year.

We're getting ready for tax time.

I say definitely look at that.

Look at your interest rates.

Credit unions in general are capped at 18% is our highest interest rate.

If you have a Coles card in your pocket, you're paying about 35 to 36%.

And there is a big difference there.

Like, you could pay it down faster by moving it into something lower.

And that's the thing, Coles.

Make sure you use it to get the 30%, but they're charging you 35% to buy it.

So it's not really a savings if you look at it like that.

And that's the thing is like look at your credit report.

Start small because it can b so overwhelming for some people.

That's not what you do all day.

You don't sit and look at your reports and your bills, and some people don't want to look at them at all, 100%.

So we're talking with Jen Compton, director of business development at some federal credit union.

You mentioned you've got student, you know, studen credit unions around the area.

You've also got a handful of locations.

What what you mentioned Philadelphia, where is some federal credit union?

So we partnered with a refinery right off of, downtown Philadelphia.

That was the headquarters for Sunoco at the time.

They're not there any longer, but we did, merge them.

And we are in Philadelphia, Maine, Philadelphia Wesleyan Radnor and, South Philadelphia.

So and we do have a school ou there, Wilson School District, and they have a student run credit union in their school as well.

So you're we're providing financial resources starting at 16.

When you get a job, you don't get those payroll cards.

They're very expensive.

Young people get that and it costs them a dollar just to have an inquiry, just to see what your balance is.

But they don't realize that they don't have to pay that.

Yeah.

So we're going into the schools to help with that.

People want more informatio on some of the wellness programs that you guys offer in the schools, or more information on Sanford or Credit Union, where can they find it?

Visit us at sun fcu.org.

We have a great website lots of tools, lots of budgeting tricks and tips.

We can help you with all of that.

Or give me a call personally.

Oh, sir Compton, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

When we come back, we're joined by Thaddeu Washington to talk to us about, I think his role in wellness in our community.

It's the 419.

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Where you come to watch, listen and learn.

Welcome back into the 419, a Wellness Wednesday edition presented by Works Bring and Wellnes takes on many different shades.

And you know, as we talk about, you know, music and what that is certainly your that no question, God given gift.

But I know you've done something.

Like the.

Metro parks.

All right.

There's some there's some questions.

But that is welcome to the program.

Thank you.

Thank you for having what?

What is if people don't know who you are and what you do.

I mean, you've got you're involved in a lot of different areas, but how do you describe Thaddeus Washington?

I would say that I am, creative, right.

You know what I mean?

And ultimately, this is a servant, right?

With what I do, whether it be music or in business, it's to serve people.

So.

And, this is, certainly a talent is drive into your on a molecular level, but from, a little guy and we'll get to where you are today and all the things you've done, and how you're benefitin the community that you live in.

But, your dad, as a, as a musician, your mom as a musician.

Tell me about how, what got you to here?

Well, my mom was not a musician, but my dad is, But they both made.

Yeah.

No, definitely.

Just as a child, like you said, my dad, phenomenal guitar player.

I learned, you know, playing guitar at 14.

But I started off as a drummer playing in my church, and, music has just been, you know, the silver lining of my life has been the mos consistent thing since I was a a kid.

Ultimately, it saved my life at one point.

Right?

I had some challenges through life growing up with my parents, divorced, really young.

But music was that thing that was consistent.

It was always there.

So it was guitar, the first instrument?

No drums actually.

Yeah.

I started off as a drummer at ten.

And I never really wanted to play guitar because I revered my father so much.

So people say, you don't want to hear.

I played and, no, he's got that.

But one day I was like 14 and it clicked and I'm like, I heard him playing.

You're like I could, I could do that.

Yeah I could come right over the top.

But I went to him and I'm like, dad, I want to learn.

And he was like, okay, yeah, let's do it.

He put a guitar in my hand and it's, it's been that way ever since.

And I know faith is a big part of your life.

Absolutely.

But the music that was playing, in your home, in your ears.

What would you grow up listening to?

Nothing but gospel and Christian.

Honestly, believe it or not at this point in my life, at 36, I'm learning about differen genres and things and artists.

People always ask me, even when I started doing the national anthem, they were like man, Jimi Hendrix would be pro.

And I had never actually heard Jimi Hendrix perform it until after I had done the national anthem.

You know, we were raised in a Christian home, and, it was, religious.

We were we weren't allowed to listen to other music.

So.

So you mentioned playing the national anthem.

Yeah.

I know the number of the places you played, but, you were a confident person.

I think, largely, you know, it's supported certainly by your skills.

But there has to be a time where you're on stage in the life, you know, you're like, oh, my, you know, can I do this?

Was there ever a moment where I'm not an imposter syndrome, but you felt intimidated?

I mean, you've done this at Staples Center.

Yeah.

Which is where the Lakers play and it's under the other teams.

Any time that you're like, I'm just a kid from Philadelphia and Toledo, Ohio.

Yeah, that's all the time, you know what I mean?

Whether it's, whether it's a stadium or when we were doing the mindful meetup down at, ribbon, at the ribbon downtown or the Enrichmen Center, there's, there's nurse.

But I once read that if you're not nervous when you're doing something, you don't care.

So I love to get those butterflies every time I'm doing something because, again, I, I don't consider myself a performer.

Right?

I'm sharing my God give gift with those who are there.

So there's always those nerves.

I love.

That.

Yeah, that lets me kno I'm human and keeps me grounded.

You mentioned mindful meetups.

Yes, sir.

What are those?

Yeah.

So mindfulness.

We started doing the bless, you.

Know, wellness today.

Probably about, two years ago.

Right.

I met Matt, we met at an event, and, we connected over coffee, which turned into sharing my vision to want to bring the community together to learn about mindfulness, what it means, right.

To learn about belonging.

And, get some resources, some tools.

Everybody struggling with something.

So the goal was to create a a place where people could come and, you know, learn about mindfulness, whether it was meditation, yoga, just bringing the community together.

So we started doing that, and that turned into our partnership with Common Ground, the album that, we've done and we're working on album number two now, which is finish.

So this is all about bringing the people together, right?

So many people are struggling with things and they don't have the resources They don't have the community.

So what does.

Mindfulness mean to you and how do you how do you practice that in your daily.

Life?

To me, mindfulnes is about being present, right?

The actual meanin is to be present in the moment.

So it means everything to me and I practice it in different ways.

Number one, just breathing.

You know, ultimately tha whether you're feeling anxious or nervous or just you know, dealing with thoughts and the min taking a second to disconnect.

But then there's the music that I've created, right?

Mindfulness music that jus kind of helps center the mind.

The ecosystem, all the stuff that we're we're working through up here.

Right.

I think that the world is moving so fast.

Technology there are new things happening.

Right?

You got to get to this.

What does success look like?

So practicing mindfulness helps to slow down, bring everything to center.

So that way, you know, I mean, I can think about the things in life differently.

So when you're doing your practice, do you hear your music in your head or is that when you compose.

Yeah.

Because, when I'm, when I'm doing my practice, because I've created the music.

Right.

I allow the music to guide me when I am in the actual creation process, whether it be out in nature or just in the studio.

I'm just open.

So taking that moment to breathe and center myself, allow God to just give me, you know, that creative flow.

And the melodies come from there.

But ultimately the stillness, right?

It's all about being still.

I believe my music is the name of my my my serve company, and I believe it stands for mindfulness Inspires New direction.

So when we're present, when we slow down, right.

If you have somethin you're trying to figure out of, there's a problem you're trying to solve slowing down, being mindful, being present in the moment it inspires the direction you should go.

What decisions should you make?

Should you move?

Should you stop?

So that that all goes into.

How do you decide that a song is done?

I just feel it in my spirit.

Right?

You know, so like the album, all the songs on the album, I go out and I create and I may start and we don't say, this is going to be five minutes.

So one song, maybe three minutes.

When I get to that three minute mark, I'm like, that's it.

Some some of the songs on a ne album are nine and 12 minutes.

It's just all about the filling and being tapped in and being present, and it directs.

Take us from, day one of Common Ground one, which is the first album which, you know, thousands and thousands of peopl have downloaded or listened to.

And you and I were both at a place together when a couple mentioned that that was a that were unsolicited They didn't know who you were.

Yeah.

They said that this is the song they put their kid to sleep, and so.

Wow.

Because it's so boring.

Yeah.

I like your words.

That is, but walk.

Us through, for people who don't know, common ground is what?

And how did you create this?

Common ground is an album for for.

All right.

It's an album that combines the power of music and nature together.

Right?

For self-healing, for relaxation, for sleep, and ultimately a tool to bring what I believe is the greatest part of Toledo, our parks and nature home with people.

So when you walk throug Wildwood, when you walk through oak openings, right, you hear that nature, you hear those sounds.

I wanted to take those sounds and be able to combine them with music.

So when people are at home or they're riding in their car on vacation, they can think abou being in that space and place.

So that's what common ground is.

We had a guest on just last recently, Jenny from Engage Toledo and I did ask her is like, how do you decompress o how do you get out of your head?

And she mentioned, Wildwood.

But I will tell you, that is, you know, I've had pretty candid conversations.

Your, your, your concept has brought you into relatively uncharted territory, for sure.

So a trip out to oak openings at night.

Yeah.

Talk to m a little bit about that.

Yeah.

I mean, you know, been out first time.

Midi went out with, Tim, two black guys.

I had never been out that far at night, you know, in oak openings.

It was like, wow, what's going on?

It's super dark.

You couldn't see nothing.

But there was an instant like this feeling of peace because there's.

So you hear the owls, you hear the wind, you might hear some birds.

And what I realize is being out there, putting yourself in new environments, while it may make you anxious or make you nervous, it's a great thing I learned so much.

Being able to connect with him, connecting with the metro parks in this opportunity.

It helped me to learn more about myself, more about the things that are around me.

And that's what I wan to champion for people, right?

Get out of your comfort zone.

Get out of your community.

Try something new.

When I met you, you know, the plan wasn't to create the album.

It was just to connect.

But as we were being mindful, being present in the moment, we learned about each other.

You learned about my faith.

I learned about.

You know what I mean?

The things your love for the community.

And we bought that together.

So being out in Oak Open, it was amazing.

How does your appreciation for natur and being in those green spaces and open spaces in your faith intersect?

Nature is created by God, right?

So all things I believe are created by God.

The birds and the trees, the grass.

And whenever I'm in nature you can feel the sense of peace.

Things are always moving.

But if you stop, you realize that things are still right.

So those two together for me, really?

They help to strengthen my faith in the fact that the ultimate creator is always moving within us.

Everything is okay, even when you feel like it's not taking time to again come back to your breath, right?

Take a breath and realiz that the wind is blowing right.

The leaves and the trees are are moving.

The snow may be falling.

So those two combined for me, in that way.

Beautiful.

Are you still doing the mindful meet ups?

Is that a series that's going to come back for that?

Yeah.

We.

Yeah, we're talking about that and we're working on that.

We actually, we don't need them anymore.

I'm fine.

Yeah.

Right.

Right.

Yeah.

The world is all okay.

Everything is.

Going exactly is in.

Place.

Yeah.

All right.

It's now time for u to play Gretchen's wacky quiz.

You didn't seem so excited about that.

You're your two minds.

Yeah, he.

He found that.

I just want to be present.

I mean, yeah, all right.

I'm going to ask yo for rapid fire questions, okay?

Gretchen's going to ask you for your favorite thing in or about Toledo.

Okay.

And then Matt is going to make you describe Toled in exactly nine words, not ten.

Not for nine.

Words.

It's for.

One nine.

All right.

Who is the oldest person you know, it's Gretchen.

He met Gretchen.

Yeah.

You know, I. Don't don't don't fall prey to their.

The oldest person I know.

My Uncle Tracy.

Yeah.

Would you ever go skydiving?

Yes.

Have you.

Know.

Okay.

If I could just say yes.

Yeah.

Which.

TV family does your family have the most in common with?

I would say, Good times.

All right.

Okay.

All right.

Which, Or who would play yo in a movie about your life?

Oh.

Probably my son Harlow.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah.

What's your number one most favorite or what you consider to be the best thing abou the city of Toledo Metro parks?

It has now.

I heard you say metro parks.

All right, it's you and me.

We're going to knock on nine.

Are you ready?

Hand in hand.

Write nine things that describe Toledo or the region to you.

You said the people.

Yeah, people.

Okay.

Culture opportunity.

You got it.

Resilience.

Got it.

You're on a roll.

Three more metro parks.

Great.

Yes.

And community.

Community.

He is Thaddeus Washington.

What's what's the next big next big thing?

So muc so I have a, partnership with, a local winery, Toledo.

Share.

So downtown, we have a speakeasy, and, in there, there's a venue.

It's called the Living Room.

So I've had them on the show.

Yeah.

So my artist residency is there.

I'm the artist, resident artist there.

But also, the common Ground, two album will be releasing within the next month or so.

So a lot of opportunities t come see me at the living room, but also to check out the new Common Ground album.

And is that available anywhere?

Yeah.

So Common Ground will be available everywhere you stream music.

So Apple Music, Spotify, tidal, Amazon, YouTube music.

Where?

Everywhere.

What's the what's the most supportive way for someone to that they want to support what you're doing?

What's the most supportive?

I mean, Spotify doesn't pay a whole lot.

Yeah that's right.

But I mean and I'm not it's not just them, right.

It's the street.

Absolutely.

Like what's what's the most supportive wa for someone to be a part of it?

I think, you know, coming to check out a show, and even whether you do stream, right at the end of the day, I don't actually do music for money.

It's it's the love.

It's the passion for it.

So if I didn't make a dime, I'd still be playing.

But, anything, anytime I'm doing the show, you know, we're going to check out my website.

That's Worldcom.

But, like I said, it's all about community.

You can support me, too.

Thank you guys for having me.

Thank you.

I'm gonna make you put him on the spot.

There's.

There's a guy in the shadows that kind of always goes with you to help.

Telling the story absolutely to me.

About.

Yeah, that's my brother, man.

Right hand man.

We've been known each othe since, kindergarten, and, he's a genius.

Swiss army knife.

Everything that you see me do.

98% of it wouldn't be possible without him.

So very thankful for him.

It's a great.

Yeah.

It's awesome.

Daddy, thank you so much.

Thank you for being here.

When we come back, we are joined by our good friend, own Marcus Harrison.

We'll be right back on the 419.

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Welcome back into the 419 A Wellness Wednesday edition, and we're joined now by s own Director of Marketing and communications.

The one the only Marcus Harrison.

Marcus.

Don't tell anyone else here that you're our favorite.

Oh wow.

You guys are two names.

Well, that's not true.

For me.

To.

Win immediately.

When we first kind of started down this, this road, Marcu was one of the first folks that, you know, we were having conversations with.

Gosh, I mean, I think you had just started.

Yeah.

And you and I were on the phon with each other talking about, you know, how do we how do we get.

This program across the finish line.

Kept his job after greenlighting this.

I know this project did something right for.

The show is still.

Yeah.

That's right.

So anything.

Is.

Possible.

Well, speaking.

Of young, though, of all of us, I actually know I've known you the longest.

Absolutely.

You know, one of my oldest friends.

That's right.

True.

Yes Very true.

Oh, this is possible.

Marcus and I, you went to McKinley, and then.

Straight out.

Oh, okay.

Did you play William McKinley?

No.

No, I played, peewee baseball.

Yeah.

So that was after I knew something.

So, Marcus now, I've been friends since we were first.

First grade.

I did not know that.

Yep.

We were on the same, little league baseball team.

I have so many questions.

Was he always like this?

Yes.

Did he was based the whole time then?

Yes.

Because we were playing baseball.

Yeah, yeah.

When you have someone that works in his studio is.

The better baseball player.

I. Was, of course.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That actually the.

School had this program where they would just kind of let anybody play.

And Max name was on the list.

So.

Yeah.

Let this guy let this kid.

Yeah.

We feel he was a charity situation.

No, I think that that actually may be true.

Marcus, had a very strong throwing arm.

I did, and was a good hitter.

So, yeah.

Both of those are helpful in baseball.

Yeah.

Turns out.

What did you bring to the team, Matt?

Marcus.

I drove him to the game.

Yeah.

My mom, I would drive to and from various places, sometimes his arm restored, and I would.

Rub it.

Which was at a high school.

I went to Saint John's.

Okay.

So.

Titan.

Titan?

Yep.

Yep.

Class 96.

Talk to me about your role here at what?

What do you do as the director of marketing communications?

Basically, I'm in charge of any internal and external communication.

So that's communicating, you know, with the media that's communicating.

You know, our what is our narrative?

You know, everything that's coming out of GTV.

So all of that kind of filters through me and and everything that's internal to, you know, filters through me.

So, it's very, very interesting role.

As you you guys know, my, my background is in content, you know, so production.

So it's a very different role for me.

But at the same time, I'm still in an environment that's comfortable for me.

I'm not sure.

Broadcast TV for over 20 something years to me at this point.

It's crazy.

That started my career her at left and then now I'm back.

And I know the answer to this, but, Marcus, your folks, are, I knew them as a child, but how did your upbringin get you to where you are today?

Who are they?

And what did they do?

Oh, my dad is passed directly, so.

But both of my parents were leaders.

Yes.

You know, in this community, my mom, I mean, I still.

And I mess with her all the time.

I still when I get i certain circles, I namedrop her, you know, it all.

Oh, you're Barbie Harrison, son.

Well, yeah.

Come on.

Over here.

Yeah, sure.

But she ran Big Brothers Big Sisters for a number of.

Years, so.

Yeah.

Yeah, number of years.

And, you know, my dad was a, he was a chemist for BASF, you know, so he worked a lot with, you know, Jeep and, different paints and chemicals and stuff like that.

I honestly still don't even know exactly what he did.

Yeah, I just know it was something technical.

He would be bringing home little vials of stuff, and I'm just like, I have no idea what that is, but it looks.

Yeah, serious.

But.

Both my parents think so.

It's like the same.

It was serious as well.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, both my parents eventually became pastors.

Yes.

You know, in the church.

And my mom still you know, she's still a pastor, and she still, you know professes her, her love for God.

And she has a very serious she's a very serious, yes.

Woman and has a real presence.

I was, presenting to a pretty large group, and, this restored, beautiful African woman, says, before started to kill him.

I've got a few things to say to us, like, oh, my.

God, he's having trouble now.

That's crazy.

I'm Saracens mom.

I was like, oh my God, thank God.

Yeah.

I told her to, because she, I think she had mentioned that that you were going to be at or you were going to be at this presentation.

I was like, you make sure you g up and grab him.

That's right.

And tell him, yeah, well, she did it right in front o everyone.

And it was terrifying.

But a lovel family, lovely people in there.

What they create is, you know, there's no secret, love lost between the two.

I said, you, you are one of my favorites.

Thank you.

The three of us are incredibly grateful to be a part of the family and to be able to bring this progra every day to the northwest Ohio.

But you've got a lot of a lot of great things that are going on.

There's a lot of new programs.

I want to talk a little bit about, let's talk a little bit about local Fred Chow, which is another program that you guys have launched new this year.

And then we'll get int kind of the new the new project.

Yeah.

So it's on the local thread is basically a, consortium of, of different media outlets and different you know, people that are here in, you know, Loui County and northwest Ohio that, we've given them a platfor to talk about their narrative.

So we're working with, Toledo Free Press.

We're working with, TPS, we're working with Gerry Anderson.

We're working with, La Prensa.

You know, we're also working with the Sojourner Truth.

So different media outlets coming together to produce content is like something that's unheard of.

It's unprecedented, you know?

So, And I think that they only have to do one night, one day a week.

It's it's.

Yeah, it seems like this should be the other way.

Yeah.

Yeah, the other way.

Around.

We did it.

I think this one that we.

Did it.

Yet.

So they're giving us, one, one one evening a week.

I think it's at 7 p.m.. And 591.

I know you're jealous.

And that's released as a podcast as well as on.

I'm premium.

But but you are.

You know, there is famous for Toledo stories amongst many, many things.

And you are now, telling Toled stories of Toledo stories today.

Absolutely.

Which I think is critical at the time.

And, you know, I, I'm not I'm paraphrasing Kevin's, sort of mission statement for us.

We don't take ourselves that seriously.

I hope people certainly know that.

But, you know, as things go out of Toledo or your news almost entirely goes out of Toledo, it's a critical time to do this.

So talk to me a little bit about, what was kind of a gutsy move in my opinion.

Absolutely, absolutely.

I talk about why this is so important.

It was right on time, honestly, for us.

And everybody at this point knows that, you know, we lost $1.2 million of of our budget here.

Just so we checked, with Sun Trust becaus you could have multiple Netflix.

Right?

Right.

Like Reggie.

Earns out.

That was really one point, right?

We have 75,000 Netflix accounts.

Go ahead.

But yeah, we've we lost that funding.

So, you know we had to put our hands together and decide, okay moving forward, where do we go?

You know, so, we came up with a strategy of being hyperlocal and digital first.

Hyperlocal is, you know, and I've had experience, you know, in in, in past experiences working, you know, with, with local entities and local organizations and local is where it's at.

I mean, that's, that's just always to it.

And when you think about local, I mean, is going to be celebrating 75 years next year, I mean, that's all local.

So we're we're standin on a foundation of local.

Yeah.

You know, telling the stories of people that live, work and play.

Right here in Toledo.

So we had to recommit ourselves to that, that foundation and, and really double down on you know, what built us, right?

You know, so local three 418 I mean, they it just made sense, you know, for us to take that gamble and say, okay, this is where this is where we're headed.

Speaking of making.

Sense.

Yeah, the.

Community like that is good.

You're good.

Yeah.

The Community foundation who sponsors this segment on on our show is also given some art grants artist grants, cultural grants.

Is a beneficiary of that.

There's a new sho that's coming out of that called make It Make Sense.

Can you talk a little bit about what the shows to me?

Yeah, it's actually not a show.

Okay.

Just, yeah.

Said it's a program.

And it's actually canceled.

Right.

Thanks, Greg.

Thanks for that.

You know, it's, it's a three year program.

So a lot of layers to this, program, but we are very excited.

You know, to to receive the grant.

So thank you to Toledo Community Foundation.

But this progra is basically designed to amplify local voices, to basically provide, work experience for youth and young adults that are, you know can be deemed as at risk and to, support, resident led community solutions, you know, so what does all of that mean?

Basically, we're working wit we have two partners, Reinvest Toledo and the mayor's office of, safety, neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

Yeah.

So, Muncie is is is identifyin the youth that are going to be basically interning with these are going to be paid interns.

We're going to be teaching them media production.

So they're going to get to, you know, learn how to run camera, learn how to, you know, learn all the behind the scenes, the inner workings of putting a show together, you know.

And how does that work?

So we're we're not just, you know, they're not just interning.

And this is not just a tour of we're equipping them with skills that they're going to need to be successful, you know, and the whole idea is that, we're teaching them ho to how to become storytellers.

Will they be producing content out of this?

They will be producing content So they're going to be helping.

So another part of this, the resident led, you know, that I was talking about the Resident Lake Community Solutions.

We're going to be producing some town halls every year of this, of this, this project.

So, they're going to be helping us produce that stuff.

Is there any concern about, opening up this youth to the show, to making them turn to a life of crime?

None at all.

Okay.

All right.

They might produce a show about crime, right?

Yeah.

That's.

So that's the first thing I. Know Community Foundation is, is, you know, the grant is sort of kickstarting this, but I know there's still, like, a gap.

There's still a need fo additional funding.

Absolutely.

What are what are ways that people are looking at this going, you know I love the idea of getting youth involved in developing town halls and developing solutions in their own community, and they want to be a part of it.

How do they learn more information about this and how do they get involved?

I mean.

You can always go to, wget.org to find out more information about this project.

I mean, like I said, it's a lot of layers to it.

And I failed to mention that, you know, as part of this project, the youth that are that are chosen each year, there's going to be like 6 to 10 youth chosen each year.

Great.

Identify, you know, as at risk.

But you know, we're we're going to be equipping them with the skill to be successful in production.

So they're going to be helping us produce these town halls.

But at the same time, we're going to be helping them to produce short documentaries about their experience.

What is their experience with, you know, gun violence or any any I mean, at risk can be a myriad of things, you know?

So if you.

If someone is listening or watching and know somebody that would fit that criteria, they may be interested.

Is there a way for them to reach out and try to participate in?

I would, I would say to no don't necessarily reach out to, but reach out to to the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

They are the ones that are in charge of identifying the great teams and then reinvest.

Toledo is going to be the ones that are in charge of engaging different communities, you know, and bringing bringing out neighborhoods to, you know, help with these tow halls and, and talk about issues and things that are going on in those communities.

We're talking with Marcus Harrison, the director of marketing communications for Marcus.

Are Matt and I considered at risk because of how closely we have to work with Gretchen every day?

I might be I don't know, and I don't want to answer that for you.

It's a very.

Definite the real question is.

Why you you watch the show, you filmed their bookshelves, and yet you've come here with no gift.

It's interesting.

Oh, I am a gift.

Yeah.

All right, let's.

Put them on the.

Shelf.

So I'm just way up on top of that one.

Yeah.

Every show going so.

Yeah, we just give it.

A little legs.

Yeah.

Now we're trying to.

Print you guys out a picture.

Just a picture of my face.

We'll just.

I can take it out of my wallet.

Right?

Yeah.

We only pray it out.

Can we do it?

Yes.

Now, time to play.

Gretchen's wacky.

Quiz.

Marcus, you get it?

All right for rapid fire questions for me.

Okay.

Gretchen's asking for your favorite thing in or about Toledo.

And then Matt is going to mak you describe Toledo in exactly nine words, and we know you're going to get it right.

All right, all right, four rapid fire questions.

What's your favorite drink?

I'm a bourbon guy.

Okay.

Yeah.

Who is the one celebrity you would want to be friends with at killing?

Good questions.

Kevin.

Oh, yeah.

Thank you, I request.

Yeah.

Still the card?

Still in all.

Would that ask your back?

What a genius.

I like Snoop.

I like Snoop Dogg Yeah.

Nice.

Yeah.

I would not.

Have guessed that.

Really?

No, that that would have been, Well.

He he has so many different layers.

Yes.

As a celebrity, I appreciate his longevity, how he's, how he's managed to evolve into these.

You've also had a real career, man, and you're not young anymore So it's true.

It's just really.

Because you just want to be friends with Martha Stewart.

I do like Martha.

Yeah.

Me too.

What's your favorite pizza topping?

Oh.

Got to be pepperoni.

I'm a simple guy.

What's the one thing that you're most grateful that your parents taught you?

That's a good one.

Working through adversity and hard work.

Definitely.

Marcus, what's your number one most favorite thing?

Or what you would consider to be the best thing about the city of Toledo?

Wow.

There's so many different things.

One of my favorite things to do is to golf in Ottawa Park.

Yeah, I love Ottawa.

Apart.

And it's interesting because I grew up in Westmoreland, which is like adjacent to.

Sure.

So I spent all this time in the park, you know, like I would be down there, one golf club just learning right now.

I get to take my, my, my kids back to our part to golf.

And it's just like, man, this is really a full circle, you know?

And I'm like, I don't think we really even understood what we really had and.

I don't yeah, I'm just a visual.

I'm glad you like Wildwood so much.

All right.

My clothes are.

From you and me, babe.

One through nine.

Let's do it.

Your nine favorite things about Toledo or the region?

Arts.

All right.

Golf?

Yeah.

All right.

You've shadow Park.

Pizza, my man.

All right.

What's your favorite pizza place?

Is to.

It's Gino's.

Idiot.

I'm giving you two for those.

All right, you got four more?

Four more words describe the region's.

Culture, my man.

All right, three more.

The people.

Yep.

Good community.

Yes.

One more.

Finish strong.

Humanities.

Humanities.

Marcus brings this home.

Marcus Harrison, director o marketing communications here.

We're wrapping up in there, yo know, trying to get me to wrap.

I'm not going to do it.

What's your dream for?

My dream for to.

Step into our future.

We just need to step into it.

It's already here and it's right here around us.

And I think everything that we're doing right now is the beginning of that, you know?

So just step on into it you know, walk through the door, you know and I believe we're doing that.

And you've got a new app coming out.

We do have a new app coming out.

And, the ap so you can take shows like this, you can take shows like local three.

You can take all our different shows, all different programing PBS programing, NPR programing.

Take it with you everywhere.

I'm here.

All right.

Excellent.

Marcus Harrison, thank you so much for joining us.

When we come back, we'll wrap up this, whatever.

You know, today's Wednesday Wellness Wednesday edition of the 419.

We'll be right back.

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Welcome back int the 419 as we wrap up a Wellness Wednesday edition presented by Work Spring.

And another I mean when we most o our episodes we have two guests.

Occasionally we go to three, and when we go to three, I feel like the show just flies by.

Yes.

And not to say tha I don't enjoy the conversations like you would to like, you know, when we had, you know, we got a guest on for two segments, we get chance to really dive in deep on their story, get to know more of their origin.

Yeah.

But then, you know, we we just get to know and meet different people.

And, and this is a fun episode and talking about a different layer of wellness than we normally do on Wednesday.

Sure.

The financial piece and then also just that he is in the work he's doing in the mindfulness space.

Okay.

It's interesting when we go into the segments that are about 60 minute and you're like, gosh, goodness, what are we going to talk about for 16 minutes?

But most of the time we end up thinking we need more time with this person.

Well, that I think, again, not to be this, but that's the crux of the show, right?

I do remember people saying, aren't you gonna run out of people or stories?

It's like, I know we going to talk to every one of those people for thre separate segments of their own.

And we missed some things, and I really would have liked to talk about the really great stuff going around here.

Thanks again for allowing us to be a bit of a platform to tell those people stories.

Yeah, Marcus is doing great work here.

Obviously the, you know, any any of the things that you see, I've heard people say like, oh my gosh it's like it is everywhere now.

And that's, you know certainly a testament to Marcus.

I've heard you tired of looking at our faces.

Well, you know, that same thing that was just Matt and I saying that it's the 493 opportunities to enjoy the program.

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on E connects.

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