What if the real measure of a city's growth isn't cranes in the skyline, but how many families it lifts out of poverty? That's the challenge Detroit's first female mayor, Mary Sheffield, poses on this episode of The BOBcast with host Bob Riney. Six months into historic office, Sheffield reflects on property tax reform, a citywide survey of 6,000 residents, and a new Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety built to address gun violence. She opens up about the personal toll of leadership, the activist legacy of her father and grandfather, and why she believes purpose, not politics, should drive public service. It's a candid conversation about power, poverty, and what it really takes to rebuild a city from the inside out.

Time Stamps
First six months
:20- Bob Riney introduced Mayor Mary Sheffield as Detroit’s first female mayor, former youngest Detroit City Council member at age 26, and later the youngest council president.
2:22- Mary Sheffield said election night was when the reality of becoming mayor fully set in.
2:58- She described the first six months as effective and inclusive, shaped by a transition process, first 100-day priorities, and input from more than 6,000 Detroiters.
3:17- Early policy actions included an executive order on fairer property assessments and another creating the Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety.

Leadership Philosophy
4:14- Mary Sheffield said confidence comes from execution and described her framework as purpose, preparation, and practice.
5:20- She argued that people with integrity should lean into public service despite political division and attacks on leadership.

Growth and Development
6:11- Mary Sheffield said Detroit must treat poverty reduction, workforce development, and upward economic mobility as core growth strategies.
7:25- She and Bob discuss the Henry Ford Health campus expansion as a healthcare anchor, job creator, and major economic opportunity.
8:13- She also stressed the need to connect schools and community colleges to workforce pipelines.

Governance and Safety
8:43- Mary Sheffield said her existing relationships with City Council have supported productive collaboration.
9:48- On public safety, she said even with record low crime trends, one life lost is too many, and she emphasized prevention, enforcement, and family support after gun violence.

Long-Term Vision
10:52- Her top long-term priorities are property tax reform and raising Detroit residents’ median income.
11:44- She described Detroit’s appeal to young talent through affordability, culture, riverfront access, entertainment, and jobs, while noting transportation as an area that still needs improvement.
12:40- She closed with reflections on her father and grandfather’s influence, her grounding in public service, and the role of family, sports, fitness, and comedy in her personal life.

What happens when one of Michigan's most trusted voices steps away from the anchor desk and speaks his mind without a script? On this episode of The BOBcast, recorded at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, Bob Riney sits down with Devin Scillian, beloved WDIV anchor, award-winning author, musician, and one of the most recognizable faces in Michigan journalism, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the state of our state, the crisis facing modern journalism, and the power of storytelling to unite a divided nation. Devin opens up about Michigan's political whiplash, the dangerous disconnect between how Michiganders see themselves and where the state actually stands, and why truth, even when it's uncomfortable, must remain the North Star of journalism. From the anchor desk to the stage, from children's books written after midnight to a song born from the rubble of war, Devin Scillian reminds us that Detroit and Michigan have always needed great storytellers, and that we need them now more than ever.

Time Stamps
Devin Scillian's Multifaceted Career
:22- Bob Riney introduces Devin Scillian, highlighting his diverse career as a journalist, author, musician, and actor.
2:26- Devin shares his love for storytelling, comparing his career to an abstract painting, where all his endeavors are interconnected.
2:50- He discusses his journalistic hero, Homer, and his fascination with storytelling, both fiction and non-fiction.

Michigan's Political and Economic Challenges
3:52- Bob and Devin discuss the political dynamics in Michigan, particularly the "purple conundrum" and the whiplash effect of political changes.
4:40- Devin highlights the economic impact of policy changes, using the example of film incentives to illustrate the whiplash effect.
5:25- They discuss the need for Michigan to focus on forward-thinking strategies rather than nostalgically looking back.
5:45- Devin mentions a poll showing a disconnect between Michigan's actual status and the perception of its residents.

Mackinac Policy Conference and Personal Reflections
6:19- Bob and Devin discuss their experiences at the Mackinac Policy Conference, including the excitement around the Final Four and the achievements of Michigan's Olympic athletes.
8:04- Devin reflects on his transition from being a news anchor to focusing on writing, music, and other creative pursuits.

The State of Journalism and Media Consumption
9:20- Bob and Devin discuss the challenges facing journalism, including the blurred lines between journalism, infotainment, and AI.
11:24- Devin emphasizes the importance of truth and accuracy in journalism and the need for vigilance on the part of consumers.

Devin Scillian's Musical Journey
11:32- Bob and Devin discuss Devin's career as a musician, including his favorite song, "A Tattered Little Shoe," inspired by a child's shoe found during the Iraq War.
13:08- They discuss the importance of acoustics in music venues and Devin's experiences playing in different locations, including a music theater in Lexington and Veterans Park in Saint Clair Shores.
13:50- Devin shares a humorous anecdote about a friend who moved Bob Riney to the back of the house during a performance.

What if the most powerful thing a city can build isn't a building at all, but a connection? In this episode of The BOBcast, Bob Riney sits down with Kim Montague, president and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, and Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, to explore how design and public space are reshaping Detroit's future. Kim shares the personal story behind her path into healthcare architecture and what it means to lead as the firm's first female CEO, while Ryan reflects on his family's generations-deep ties to the riverfront and the vision driving its continued transformation. Together, they make the case that Detroit's comeback isn't accidental; it's the product of deliberate, community-centered design.

Time Stamps
Introduction and Guest Backgrounds
:20- Bob Riney introduces the podcast and welcomes Kim Montague, President and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, and Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
:36- Bob highlights Kim's achievements, including her role as the first female CEO of Albert Kahn Associates and her work with the Detroit American Heart Association and Women in Healthcare Michigan.
1:18- Bob also mentions Ryan's family legacy with the Detroit River and his role at Watershed Horizons, focusing on energy and infrastructure solutions.
1:47- The collaboration between Albert Kahn Associates and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is noted, particularly their work on the award-winning Riverfront Design in 2019.

Kim Montague on Healthcare Design and Detroit's Future
2:46- Bob asks Kim about the importance of world-class hospitals like Henry Ford Health's Destination Grand for a city like Detroit.
3:00- Kim discusses the significance of Henry Ford's investment in the community and the firm's long-term presence in Detroit.
3:30- Bob shifts the focus to Ryan, asking about his favorite aspect of the new Detroit Riverfront.
3:42- Ryan emphasizes the connectivity of the riverfront, highlighting the fully connected river walk from the east to the west side.

Ryan Sullivan on Riverfront Transformation
4:11- Bob inquires about the transformation of the Detroit Riverfront from an industrial area to a popular destination.
4:30- Ryan reflects on the historical context of his great-grandfathers' work along the river and the community's pride in the current riverfront.
5:02- Bob asks about the international experiences Kim has had with Albert Kahn and how they can be applied to Detroit.
5:21- Kim shares insights from her time in the Netherlands, Japan, and Brazil, noting the importance of public spaces and healthcare continuum.

Community Engagement and Future Plans
6:10- Bob discusses the design of public spaces and their intended audience, asking Ryan about the community engagement strategies for the riverfront.
6:38- Ryan explains the riverfront's inclusivity, with diverse visitors and purpose-built community engagement strategies.
7:09- Bob asks Ryan about his dream list for the riverfront's future development.
7:28- Ryan mentions upcoming projects like the Renaissance Center development and the WNBA project, predicting significant investment and activation in the next five to ten years.

Kim Montague's Journey and Role Modeling
7:55- Bob asks Kim about her personal connection to healthcare design, leading to her commitment to designing respectful and humanistic spaces.
8:05- Kim shares her story of becoming an architect after failing organic chemistry and her experience with her mother's illness, which inspired her to focus on healthcare design.
9:13- Bob asks Kim about her message to young girls aspiring to break the glass ceiling in traditionally non-welcoming fields.
9:43- Kim emphasizes the importance of persistence, having a great mentor, and mentoring others to achieve personal and professional success.

Detroit vs. New York and Personal Pride
11:02- Bob asks Ryan about his perspective on Detroit compared to New York City, highlighting Detroit's opportunities and creativity.
11:31- Ryan discusses the professional growth and freedom found in Detroit, contrasting it with the crowded and competitive environment of New York.
12:14- Bob asks each guest about their proudest achievements.
12:20- Kim highlights Albert Kahn's roots in Detroit and her personal involvement in the community, mentoring young architects.
13:26- Ryan shares his pride in the opening of Wilson Park, reflecting on his great-grandfathers' contributions to the riverfront and the significance of the project.

Conclusion and Gratitude
14:06- Bob expresses gratitude to Kim and Ryan for their contributions to Detroit and The BOBcast.