If I See a Need, I Fill It — What Finally Clicked for Maranda

We sit down with Maranda to talk about how a long career in West Michigan media turns into a life of advocacy, connection, and showing up for kids and families. We dig into what mentorship looks like in real life, how purpose “clicks” in unexpected moments, and why integrity and kindness still matter more than polish. 
• Maranda’s 40-year path across print, radio, TV, and digital storytelling 
• Mentoring young people by naming their gifts and giving honest feedback 
• Defining success as passion and a “good day” 
• Recognizing the click through community energy and real connection 
• Believing there is no such thing as a bad kid 
• Turning heartbreak into action with the 9/11 teddy bear drive 
• Staying grounded through partnership, family, and balance 
• Career advice on integrity, building your brand, and choosing good 
• Public speaking tips for calming nerves and talking like friends 
If this conversation resonated with you, I hope it reminds you that growth isn't always loud or linear, and the moment might be closer than you think. Until next time, stay curious, stay honest, and trust what's meant to click, like Maranda will. 

Transcript

Setup And Welcome

Speaker 1 0:18

We're so excited, Maranda, to welcome you to what finally clicked. The podcast where we have real conversations with women who lead, mentor, and don't hold back. Each episode explores the lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs that shape who we become. To start, Maranda, I know you, but can you tell me a little bit about who you are and the work that

Maranda’s Career In Media

Speaker 1 1:10

you do today?

Speaker 1:11

That is such a great question. I wish I knew. I have had the privilege of having an entire career, 40 years here in West Michigan, always dedicated to kids and families, every aspect of media you can imagine. So print, working with the Grand Arpets Press for years, booth publications with newspapers and education. We've done a lot of radio and TV and digital. And man, it's just been awesome. It has just been such a pleasure and an honor to always help families share their stories and have a voice.

Speaker 1 1:43

And it's been such an incredible few years just working alongside of you and seeing you mentor so many. So what does that mean for you to be a mentor in the community?

Speaker 1:55

Well, I look at it, it's I it's another, I keep using the word honor, but it truly is. Let's start with Sarah Marilyn. Sarah, you were an intern for us several years ago. And I told everyone at Wood TV 8, that girl's gonna make it because you have Spark, you have Sizzle, you have SAS, and you want it. You know what you want. And it's not necessarily the career thing you want, you know you want to do better. You want to do better for yourself, you want to do better for your daughter and for our world. And I'm like, that's what it takes to succeed. So when I see people like you, when you talk about mentoring, the fact that you would consider me someone who was like, you got this girl, that warms my heart. That's the best part of the job.

Speaker 1 2:35

And don't you think it's so important for especially our youth to have someone to look up to and

Mentoring And Defining Success

Speaker 1 2:40

inspire to be? And especially like when you don't know. Right.

Speaker 2:44

Yeah, when you have someone who can say, you know, and I think one of those things, and I've been at this long enough where I feel comfortable saying to people, you're really good at this. I think we could work on this, and don't bother with this, you know, because it's sometimes we just need people to speak into our lives like that. I love meeting girls who will be like, Well, someday I want to get into what you're doing. And I'm like saying, like, you have a really great voice. Your voice is your asset. Use it. Hopefully, that builds that confidence where they're like, oh, maybe I ought to do a little more speaking on Instagram or I ought to do, you know, get out there and do some podcasting or help in radio or do voiceover work. Anything to inspire people to see their true gifts. That's what I love.

Speaker 1 3:22

And early on, what did success look like for you?

Speaker 3:26

I have no idea. For me, um, you know what? My favorite, one of my favorite little quotes pursuit without passion is trivial. So I don't want to do anything that I'm not excited about, uh that I'm not passionate about. So for me, success is being able to every day have something that I'm passionate about and say, Oh, that was a good day. That's success. And was there a moment when you questioned whether you were on the right track or not? Every single day. Um, you know what? Because I always think I'm at this stage in life where it's like there's people who are younger, prettier, more aggressive, more, they have a lot more time. And it's just one of those things where I'm like, I don't know. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. So does it click? When it clicks, it's so good. And sometimes you got to look for the click and make it happen. And then it's good again.

Speaker 1 4:13

And uh, what shifted for you when you knew that it clicked? You talk about clicking the moments that clicked. When did you realize that this is what you wanted to do?

Speaker 4:23

I always love talking to people. I like hearing where people are at, what they're doing. So it can be a variety of things for me. It can be on a live shot just at kids' food basket, go orange,

The Moments When It Clicks

Speaker 4:35

where I'm sitting there talking to them, and all of a sudden it's flowing. And I don't even know what how long we've been having the conversation, but the volunteers are packing food baskets. I can feel their energy, the person I'm interviewing, we're we're in. It's a moment. You can stand on the stage at a park party, look out, and see a sea of humanity, all these kids from all walks of life, and it just hits you where you're like, I get to do this. It's those moments, and they come in all different ways. So I feel really blessed that we've been able to have it, whether it's at big events, it's at small events, it's just meeting one-on-one with people, it's doing stories. Those are those great moments. And how important is that passion for community for you? You gotta have it. You gotta love people. You know, my job is not to sit in a studio and read a script. Actually, if I did that, I think I would die because I love connection with people. So to be out in the community and to have the privilege of saying, This is a great event, or try this, or do this, or these people are awesome. How cool is that to be able to endorse them and empower them to keep doing the good work they've set out to do? That's awesome.

Speaker 1 5:43

And you've impacted so many lives, including mine. So I guess what led you to this journey and just what makes you Maranda?

Speaker 5:55

Ooh, great question. I honestly don't know. I think I hope now I'm gonna get emotional. I hope people think of Maranda and say, she's my friend. Yeah. Because you know what? That's all I want people to know I love them, I see them, they're cool, and there's I always have believed there's no such thing as a bad kid. And that's one of those things where I meet adults who jump over the counter, they're multi-peers, they've got their big, you know, spacer earrings, and they'll jump over the counter whatever they're working at and give me a big hug and say, Maranda, I remember when you gave me a nerf toy. And we sit and talk for 20 minutes about that nerf toy and about their childhood and what elementary school they went to, what their favorite cartoon was. And I'm like, oh my gosh, that's beautiful. It's beautiful.

Speaker 1 6:42

And and most people see the Maranda on TV, on the Maranda show, but there is a whole behind-the-scenes Maranda. And I want to talk about that because the Maranda behind the scenes is just as beautiful as the Maranda that you see on camera. And one of the things that really impacted me was seeing how much you advocate for communities that

Advocacy Roots And Teddy Bears

Speaker 1 7:05

desperately need it in children and families, and making sure that you're doing your part when nobody's asking you to. And what inspires you to really want to make that change?

Speaker 7:19

Probably my mom. She loves people, she loves all people. And since I was a little kid, it doesn't matter where you're from, who you are, social, economic, you just love them. So I think about especially with things like our park parties, like the summer reading club, when we're doing those events, I hope I'm just giving every kid a chance to say, I'm cool, I'm like everybody else. There's nothing different or weird about me. I'm just like everyone else. And I want to bring that to people, whether it's moms who are trying to make it, dads trying to do it, a single dad's hanging out with me on the weekends at Craig's Cruisers. Like we're all in it together. You're not alone, and we're here for you, and we're gonna try to connect you with what you need. And what's a moment that you were truly touched? Every day, seriously. You know, there are those big moments, those career moments. Before you were born, the twin towers go down, right? You remember that? Maybe you don't. But when those went down, I remember standing there and thinking, okay, we got to do something because kids just watched this whole thing on TV. So we jumped in and we did a teddy bear drive and asked kids in West Michigan to donate a teddy bear and a message of hope. And I'm like, somehow I'm gonna get those out to New York. Partnered with our local library in 24 hours had 20,000 teddy bears. What do you do with 20,000 teddy bears? I call Meyer. Meyer's like, we've got semi-trucks. We'll drive them over, we'll load them up at the local libraries and we'll haul them out to New York for you. So we went out and just handed out teddy bears to kids. And I thought sending that message of hope from West Michigan out into New York where they were devastated, it united us. That was a great moment. And throughout my career, I have those moments where I'm just like, you know what? I'm so thankful I was in the right place at the right time with the right connections to show people, hey, we got to do something. And then they come on board and we all get to do it together. It's beautiful.

Speaker 1 9:13

Where does heartbreak and advocacy come together? Because we're gonna experience it in our lives no matter what. So, what is your advice for that?

Speaker 9:23

Ooh, no, you have a purpose. I always think of life as a parallel parallel track. So when the going is good, there's always something else happening where it's not going good. And it's personally, professionally, and other people's lives. Celebrate the moments, but don't get so caught up in them or think too much of yourself because there's also that parallel track of there's still more work to do, or someone needs me, or I could be doing more. I always look at, I never want to get too over the top on any one side of things. So, how do you remain balanced?

Heartbreak, Balance, And Grounding

Speaker 1 9:56

And what are some things you do to take care of yourself?

Speaker 9:59

Oh, such a great question.

Speaker 1 10:00

I don't because it's gotta be hard, right? Being so public and also seeing firsthand the impact and also the needs of the community.

Speaker 10:10

So I am so blessed to have the ultimate life partner. He is behind the scenes. You will never, you you rarely see him out and about, but his name is Ron. And we're going on 40 years of marriage. Wow, congratulations! He's been with me since the beginning, he has believed in the cause, he has never held me back. And in fact, I think like he shares in all the joys I share, and that's really beautiful. Um, I also have two daughters who are now adults, and they are phenomenal young women who I'm so proud of. And so I think it's just that keeps me grounded. Like any kid, you know, my kids do what you probably do to your mom, where it's like, are you really wearing that mom? We just did a big awards banquet in Detroit this weekend. And my youngest daughter brought her full makeup thing. She's down there doing my makeup. And, you know, they're just like they're so supportive, but at the same time, they keep me super grounded. And I I love that.

Speaker 1 11:09

And for those that are looking to find the right one and are still looking to, you know, you probably get this question a lot. What do you look for? And and where can you find this perfect man?

Speaker 11:20

That's such a good question. I don't know. You know what I have always said, and I say this to a lot of the younger people I work with who are dating or trying to find somebody or just like giving up. I'm like, you always look for someone who makes you better. It's never a need. Like, I swear I thought I'd never get married. I was like, I don't need anybody, they're gonna slow me down. And I meet this guy, and he doesn't really need me, and I don't need him, but we know we are better together. That's the best because I know that he's there because he wants to be there, and I feel the exact same way. So that would be my advice. You're never desperate because if you're desperate, you make bad choices. And instead, you are just open to someone who's gonna help you achieve your dreams and you're gonna help them achieve theirs. There's no jealousy, there's no competition. It's just like this partnership

Love, Partnership, And Standards

Speaker 12:10

where everybody wins.

Speaker 1 12:11

I love that. Um and uh what do you wish you had known sooner?

Speaker 12:18

I wish oh boy. I think I wish I knew that the industry was always gonna be changing and that you know, I got into it a long time ago. Obviously, things like technically things change, and I, you know, I could have stayed up on that more, whatever. I'm so proud of you. You're doing your own podcast, you set up all your stuff. I'm used to people setting this stuff up for me because I don't know how to do it. So I I I I wish that. I wish I had a little bit more of that. But I think I wish I had 12 million dollars that I could just look around West Michigan and say, here's something for you, here's something for you, here's something for you, and Oprah Winfrey it in a really big way and just give people what they need to just propel them. That's what I wish, I guess.

Speaker 1 13:06

And that's one thing that most people don't see. Is that the moment where it finally clicked for you? Would you say is that care that that what's on the inside?

Speaker 13:17

Yeah, and you know, I've never even really thought about it because it's a matter of if you see a need, you fill it. If you see a need and you have people who can help fill the need, you hook it up, you make it happen, you call people, you ask for things. You I always say the one of my favorite parts of my job is, you know, you get a lot of companies who say a lot of things, and I have the privilege of saying, hey, guess what? Let's put your money where your mouth is. And when companies can step up consistently for years, 40 years, people like Meyer, Fifth Third Bank, Priority Health, like they've been with me since the beginning and they continue to believe in doing good. Man, I'm I'm really fortunate to have those kinds of partners who stick with me. And what is your goals in the next five years if you hopefully to continue to make a difference? And you never know what format that's going to come in. You know, broadcasting is such a crazy world. And I feel like, you know, whatever

Integrity, Brand, And Mentors

Speaker 14:15

happens in any of that, as long as I'm on this earth, I better be making a difference. I'm taking up too much space to not empower others to do what I've been doing and say, go, go, launch, but also to just be in the background if I need to be in just supporting people.

Speaker 1 14:30

And what is your advice to young professionals who are, you know, looking to come up and are navigating these challenges of life and career?

Speaker 14:39

I would say a couple of things, you know, from a professional standpoint, be a person of integrity, be a good person. A lot of people go at things and are happy to jeopardize their integrity, slip up a little bit, do a little something unethical just to get ahead. That will catch up with you. Maybe not for 20 years, but it will catch up. So be a person of integrity, be a good human, because everybody has it in them. Choose good. The other thing is, I mean, from a stepping back a little bit more, build your own brand. This is a world that is looking for consistency and people who say what they mean and mean what they say. So build a brand that equals that. And I think you've got longevity in there. Did you have a mentor? I've been blessed with so many great mentors on all walks of life. So, whether it's, you know, I'm great family. I have a great family. My parents, my own family. I have a great faith community that I know when I've got something going. If I'm nervous about a big shoot or I'm nervous about a big gala, I have to do, I can send out a quick text and I get little praying hands back. And I just know, like they're they got me. They got me. I also have great friends. I feel really blessed that my circle is tight, but I'm very blessed.

Speaker 1 16:00

And statistically, most people fear public speaking. So, what

Public Speaking Without Fear

Speaker 1 16:05

are some tips? I mean, that we all have to do it at some point in our lives. So, what are some professional ways we can navigate public speaking and that fear that we have?

Speaker 16:15

I love public speaking. And frankly, it's so weird. I would rather speak to 2,000 people than 20 people because I I like looking out and seeing a mass versus thinking of just those few. But with TV, people get so nervous when you interview them on TV. And I always like I had to learn early on, people don't watch TV with like with TVA's viewing audience, 650,000. You're not talking to 650,000. You're talking to a mom who's running around the house, listening half halfway, kind of paying attention, a kid eating Doritos on the couch, just talk to them. They're your friends. So to me, that one is like I love that piece of it. I love the public speaking side of it. And my advice would be these people are your friends. Tell them what you've been tasked to share, and it'll be a beautiful thing.

Speaker 1 17:07

Beautiful. Well, thank you so much, Maranda. Is there anything else you want to add?

Speaker 17:12

I just would inspire, I want to inspire people. Um I'm I'll leave you with the proverb that I love: do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is within your power to act. So we all see needs and we think, oh, I think someday I'd love to be able to help that person. That's what you can. You can. We have the power to do it. And it doesn't have to be financial. It's it's smiling at them. It's a kid and a mom struggling at Meyer, having a tough time. You walk by and you'll be like, How are you doing today? Or hello, hello. Whatever you can do to just like break that little tense moment. Step in, do what you can, show people love because everybody needs it and wants it.

Speaker 1 17:51

Beautiful. And thank you, Maranda, for joining me.

Proverb And Final Takeaways

Speaker 1 17:55

If this conversation resonated with you, I hope it reminds you that growth isn't always loud or linear, linear, and the moment might be closer than you think. So thank you for listening to what finally clicked. Until next time, stay curious, stay honest, and trust what's meant to click, like Maranda will. Oh, thank you so much, Sarah, for having me.