What does it take to build a culinary career, create something of your own, and make an impact along the way?

On this episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with Chef Kayla Robison, the creative force behind Commander & Beef, to talk about her journey in the culinary world, her passion for food, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives her forward.

From navigating the challenges of the restaurant industry to building a brand rooted in creativity and connection, Kayla shares her perspective on what it means to pursue your passion, take risks, and carve out your own path.

Tune in for a conversation about food, entrepreneurship, community, and the power of turning what you love into something bigger.

What does it take to turn a family legacy in the restaurant business into some of Cincinnati’s most recognizable dining experiences?

Michelle sits down with brothers Joe and John Lanni, the team behind Thunderdome Restaurant Group, for a conversation about growing up in the industry, taking chances, building brands, and creating restaurants that have become part of the fabric of Cincinnati.

From their family’s Great Steak beginnings to Currito, Bakersfield, The Eagle, Krueger’s Tavern, Maplewood, CityBird, Pepp & Dolores, and The Davidson, Joe and John share the stories, memories, and sometimes unexpected decisions behind the concepts. They talk about betting on Over-the-Rhine before its resurgence, creating restaurants with distinct personalities, navigating growth, and building a company around great food, hospitality, and strong teams.

Plus, they give Michelle a look at what’s next: The Eagle’s new Deerfield location, the upcoming Pepp & Dolores, new menu additions and experiences, and Currito’s major franchise expansion. And, naturally, Michelle gets them to reveal their go-to late-night fast food order.

It’s a conversation about family, food, entrepreneurship, Cincinnati, and what happens when you’re willing to take a risk on an idea you believe in.

What if one of the best things you could do for your mind and body was as simple as… going outside?

On this episode of Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with Dr. Barbara Walker, an integrative health and performance psychologist at UC Health’s Osher Center for Integrative Health and director of its Nature as Medicine program, to talk about the science behind forest bathing, forest therapy, and our connection to the natural world.

And no, forest bathing does not require a bathtub.

Dr. Walker explains how intentionally slowing down and immersing our senses in nature can help reduce stress, restore our attention, and support our mental and physical well-being. They talk about everything from cortisol and anxiety to birdsong, green and blue spaces, putting down our phones, and why even 20 minutes outside can make a difference.

Plus, Dr. Walker takes Michelle inside an actual forest therapy session — where the goal isn't how many miles you walk, but how much you notice along the way.

You don't need to be an outdoorsy person. You don't need a trip to Yosemite. And you don't even necessarily need a forest.

Sometimes, you just need to go outside, slow down, take a deep breath, and listen to the birds.

Prost! Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is celebrating 50 years, and Chelsea York is helping make this milestone year one to remember.

Michelle sits down with Chelsea York, Events & Experiences Director at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Cincinnati’s most beloved traditions and the largest Oktoberfest celebration in North America. From its humble beginnings in a downtown parking lot to the massive riverfront celebration it is today, Chelsea shares how Oktoberfest has grown while holding onto the traditions, community, and pure fun that have kept Cincinnati coming back for five decades.

They talk about what’s new for the 50th anniversary, including a 30-foot-tall, human-powered Glockenspiel, a new VIP experience, a special anniversary lager, expanded shopping, and plenty of surprises. Plus, Chelsea gives Michelle the scoop on the traditions you can’t miss: the World’s Largest Chicken Dance, Running of the Wieners, stein-holding competitions, German music, incredible food and, of course, plenty of beer.

But at the heart of Oktoberfest is something bigger: community. Chelsea shares why these festivals feel like a giant Cincinnati reunion—a place where strangers become friends, generations come together, and everyone is invited to raise a stein and join the celebration.

Grab your lederhosen, practice your chicken dance, and get ready to say “Prost!” to 50 years of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

On this episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with longtime Cincinnati sports radio personality Mo Egger for a conversation about sports, radio, and the city that keeps us coming back for more.

Mo shares how a childhood spent listening to the radio turned into a career behind the mic, from getting his foot in the door at WLW at 19 to becoming one of Cincinnati’s most recognizable sports voices. Along the way, he and Michelle talk Bengals expectations, the heartbreak of being a Reds fan, Bearcats basketball and football, the Crosstown Shootout, unforgettable Cincinnati sports moments, and why Opening Day still hits differently.

Plus, Mo reveals his biggest sports pet peeve, the Cincinnati athlete he’d love to sit down with, his completely rational, or maybe not, fear of snakes, and why, after a career spent talking about this city, he still can’t imagine calling anywhere else home.

It’s sports, stories, Cincinnati pride, and plenty of laughs with Mo Egger on Hey! Michelle with a Mic.

In this episode of Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with Leslie Mooney, Executive Director of BLINK, to talk about the people, creativity and downright magic behind one of Cincinnati’s most unforgettable experiences.

From 30 city blocks spanning two states to artists representing nearly 50 countries, BLINK transforms Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky into a massive celebration of light, art, and connection. Leslie takes us behind the scenes of what it actually takes to bring an event of this scale to life, and what drew her to the challenge after more than a decade leading the Clifton Cultural Arts Center.

They talk projection mapping, larger-than-life installations, new murals, drone shows, hidden gems, the brand-new Ready, Set, BLINK! opening celebration, and even a few insider tips for making the most of the weekend.

But beyond the lights, this conversation is about something bigger: what happens when a city comes together.

For Leslie, BLINK is about creating shared experiences, those rare moments when strangers stop, look up, talk to each other, and experience a sense of wonder together. It’s about discovering a street you’ve never walked down, seeing a familiar building in a completely different way, and feeling proud of the place you call home.

Plus, Leslie shares what’s new for 2026, what she hopes millions of visitors take away from the experience, and why the ultimate reaction she wants to hear at the end of it all is simple:

“Wow.”

BLINK returns October 8–11, 2026.

Get your walking shoes ready. Charge your phone. Wear something that lights up. And prepare to see Cincinnati in a whole new way.

This week on Hey! Michelle with a Mic, Michelle sits down with Katie Walters, Promotions Director for iHeartRadio Cincinnati and Executive Producer of the 50th Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks, to talk about the career, community, and Cincinnati tradition behind one of the city’s biggest nights of the year.

Katie shares how a high school promotional gig and plenty of persistence launched a 25-year career in radio and entertainment, along with some unforgettable stories from backstage, concerts, and years spent creating experiences for the Cincinnati community.

Then, it’s all about the BOOM. For the golden 50th anniversary, the WEBN Fireworks are going bigger than ever: six barges, 75 firing positions, 50,000 effects, two simultaneous drone shows and a 40-minute fireworks spectacular designed to surround the riverfront like a “snow globe.”

Katie and Michelle look back at what the fireworks have meant to generations of Cincinnatians, how the tradition has evolved over five decades, and what it takes behind the scenes to pull off a celebration of this scale.

Plus: Billy Idol, backstage stories, stolen speakers, throwback WEBN memories, Third Eye Blind, and a finale Katie promises is going to be absolutely epic.

It’s 50 years of music, memories, community, and one very big BOOM.

Pam Kravetz has spent a lifetime proving that creativity isn't reserved for galleries; it's meant to be lived.

An award-winning artist, educator, and beloved Cincinnati creative, Pam shares the remarkable journey from a child who struggled in school to becoming one of the region's most recognizable public artists. From teaching thousands of students to creating immersive installations, leading BLINK projects, synchronized swimming with the Rhinestones, and finding inspiration everywhere from neighborhood parks to the Grand Canyon, Pam reminds us that joy is a serious act of courage.

In this conversation, Michelle and Pam explore how great teachers can change the course of a child's life, why public art matters, what makes Cincinnati's creative community so special, and why adults deserve permission to play just as much as kids do. They also discuss embracing new adventures, collaborating with others, finding beauty in unexpected places, and the next chapter of Pam's creative journey.

If you've ever wondered how creativity can transform a city, or a life, this episode will leave you smiling and ready to color outside the lines.