Close Up Radio
Close Up Radio with veteran award-winning broadcast TV and radio hosts/media personalities Jim Masters and Doug Llewelyn is an exciting, informative, entertaini
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Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Jenny Liagre of Rockwood Recovery Inc.
Roseville, MI - In an industry often misrepresented by reality television and misunderstood by the public, Jenny Liagre, co-founder of Rockwood Recovery Inc., is turning the tables and setting new standards one vehicle at a time. With an extensive background spanning finance, real estate, healthcare, and now the challenging world of repossession, Liagre brings a fresh, numbers-driven perspective to an industry that rarely gets its due for professionalism and complexity.Jenny’s career path reads like a primer on versatility. She started in the late nineties with National Bank of Detroit, working her way up in finance and earning her Series 6 and 63 licenses after working for Salomon Smith Barney. When life threw her a curve ball with a health issue, she pivoted, first into real estate, then into the medical field, inspired by her own experience as a patient.“Every career move taught me something pivotal, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. It all came together when I entered the repossession business. Suddenly, my experience in compliance, finance, collections, and managing people became critical assets,” Liagre shares.Building a Family Business with IntegrityFounded alongside her husband, John Tsarkos, Rockwood Recovery Inc. is more than a company—it’s a family. “Our employees are our family. We started this company together, juggling our day jobs and parenting, and we treat every team member as one of our own,” Liagre says.Their husband-wife partnership stands out in the industry, offering clients the reassurance that the company’s owners are boots-on-the-ground. “Clients know that John’s got the operations side covered, while I’m on top of compliance. It’s that balance that helps us deliver exactly what’s expected, if not more,” she adds.Professionalism Over StereotypesLiagre is particularly passionate about correcting misconceptions around repossession work, which she says is more regulated and professional than most realize. “If we operated the way TV shows like ‘Lizard Lick Towing’ portray us, we’d all be in jail,” she laughs. “Michigan requires a collections license, granted only to those who pass a rigorous vetting process. This is a heavily regulated, compliance-driven industry.”Her advocacy doesn’t stop there. Liagre resurrected Michigan’s state repossession association after it had dissolved in 2014, served as its president for three years, and now sits as vice chair on the State of Michigan Collections Board, appointed by the governor. She’s also active on the national stage, serving on the membership committee of the American Recovery Association and recently nominated for a national board position.Navigating Danger and Challenges—With Data and DecencyThe job is not for the faint-hearted. “Repossession work has become more dangerous since 2020, especially in urban areas. We’ve seen more violence in the past five years than all prior years combined,” she notes, underscoring the importance of training, teamwork, and caution in the field.Beyond physical risks, Liagre points to relentless competition and has even suffered from attacks on her business in the past years “It’s a competitive industry, but most of us are here to provide a professional service. Unfortunately, a few bad eggs try to disrupt that. I prefer to focus on growth and positive influence,” she says.Giving Back, Quietly and ConsistentlyWhile Rockwood Recovery isn’t in the habit of issuing press releases about community efforts, the company donates unclaimed items from repossessed vehicles to local churches, homeless programs, and fire departments. “If we can help someone with a car seat, a coat, or tools, we do it. It’s just about being a good neighbor,” Liagre shares.A Voice for Women in RecoveryA firm advocate for women entering the repossession industry, Liagre encourages newcomers to reach out. “Ten years ago, there were only a handful of women leading state associations. Now, many of our presidents and vice presidents nationwide are women. If you’re a woman interested in this field, connect with any of us. There’s a strong network ready to support you.”Advice for Consumers: Communication is KeyFor those hoping to avoid an unexpected visit from Rockwood Recovery, Liagre’s advice is simple: “Answer the phone. Lenders don’t want your car, they want you to make your payment. Communication can prevent most repossessions.”Looking Ahead: Steady Growth on the HorizonWith Rockwood Recovery now fully staffed and seeking a larger facility, Liagre’s focus remains on steady growth, continued leadership, and promoting integrity in the industry. “I wouldn’t be here without John’s support and encouragement. He started this company, and even though he’s not the public face, he’s the reason I can do what I do.”For more information about Jenny Liagre and Rockwood Recovery, please visit http://rockwoodrecovery.com/
Close Up Radio Spotlights Michelle Runge of AI Edge Consulting
Hermosa Beach, CA - Like it or not, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, chatbots, and countless devices and apps we use daily. Everyone is talking about how the age of machines will change the world. In the modern, highly competitive business landscape, while some business owners are excitedly exploring opportunities with AI, many others are worried about eliminating employees because they believe AI is about to take over everyone's jobs. But is AI really meant to replace us?Michelle Runge is a CPD-accredited Certified AI Consultant and the founder of AI Edge Consulting. She is also the author of The Human-AI Alliance: Empower Your Business, Amplify Your Value, available free on her website.The truth is, Michelle assures us, AI is here to make life easier for all of us. For business owners, it can optimize performance and help organizations achieve greater productivity and profitability. Through her unique consulting work, Michelle has been helping countless small to mid-sized businesses navigate the complexities of the AI world. Under her expert guidance, companies have been reaping the benefits and absolutely thriving. For organizations that haven't yet adopted AI, Michelle cautions that AI is not a passing trend; it's here to stay. Those who fail to integrate AI effectively risk falling behind competitors, leading to increased costs and lower productivity.The fear of AI often comes from a lack of understanding of how it actually works. With all the hype, misconceptions, and science-fiction movies like The Terminator, it's no wonder people feel considerable stress and mixed feelings. By understanding AI's capabilities and limitations, business owners can embrace it as a powerful tool for progress and innovation, poised to revolutionize how we live and work.Michelle wants business owners to know that AI is the most powerful tool they can have to grow their business. Think of it not as your enemy, she says, but as your unique superpower.For example, AI can accomplish tasks in a fraction of the time it would take a human and can superbly automate your most tedious, repetitive tasks. Think of AI as your loyal assistant. One that never gets tired, takes lunch breaks, or clocks out at 6 o'clock on the dot. Dread doing your bookkeeping? AI's got it, which means no more long hours updating spreadsheets. While you're on Zoom or at an important lunch meeting with clients, AI can take your calls and even filter out spam for you. This way, you can stay focused on networking and fueling your creative side.However, implementing AI is not a quick one-two-three cookie-cutter process. You need an AI business strategy, and that's where Michelle comes in. When working with her, Michelle clarifies that to maximize AI's benefits, a business must have a strategic plan and be clear about how it wants AI to function for its specific needs. In other words, what are the organization's priorities, and what is the end goal?Implementing AI presents challenges, so businesses must consider key factors when preparing for integration to ensure it delivers tangible benefits. Once you've decided to implement AI, it's essential to understand that it requires access to high-quality, clean, structured, and connected data to function effectively. AI "learns" from this information, and if the data it's trained on is inaccurate, it will fail to deliver the desired results. Working with an expert like Michelle every step of the way ensures the work is appropriate, cost-effective, and no stone is left unturned.Michelle knows the crucial element for business success is integrating AI with a people-centric approach that preserves human creativity and ingenuity. This is the foundation of her "Human-AI Alliance" philosophy: AI works best when it truly serves, rather than replaces, people. The human touch is always needed."The businesses that thrive won't be the ones that replace their people with AI, they'll be the ones that empower their people with AI," says Runge.The key is to treat AI as a strategic initiative that can enhance every part of your business, but it doesn't have to happen overnight. Start small by enhancing one task or process, and once that initiative is successful, build from there. By doing so, you transform AI from a risky unknown into a powerful engine that frees you and your employees from tedious, repetitive tasks. That reclaimed time can be used to focus on more meaningful work.For those ready to dive deeper into AI implementation, Michelle offers multiple resources. Her Human-AI Business Acceleration Blueprint™ online course provides a comprehensive, step-by-step framework for small businesses and solopreneurs beginning their AI journey. She has also developed the Customer Avatar Blueprint. This AI-powered tool generates comprehensive customer persona reports, also known as avatars, complete with detailed psychographic profiles, pain points, messaging strategies, ready-to-use content hooks, and SEO keywords. It gives business owners a complete strategic foundation for understanding and reaching their ideal clients.Michelle is excited to discuss her Human-AI Alliance approach and her highly informative book during her upcoming interview. She emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to AI adoption, ensuring that technological advancements are leveraged responsibly and ethically.Michelle emphasizes that every person and business can benefit from AI when used responsibly and effectively. Having trained over 500 professionals, her work spans across industries—from her featured training at Singapore Airlines' 2025 AI Symposium to her work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, as well as small businesses and solopreneurs across various sectors.She also emphasizes that AI shouldn't be used solely by the C-suite but by the broader workforce; otherwise, it won't gain traction across the organization. It's critical that the entire workforce understands how to use AI tools, but more importantly, what leadership's vision is for AI. If you are implementing automation and AI to enhance your teams, make sure you tell them that's your plan. The headlines have created a universal fear that AI will eliminate jobs, so make your intentions clear.Beyond the business world, AI is a tool that can potentially help cure diseases, give us insight to better understand the impact of climate change, and assist those struggling with learning disabilities. Its potential is limitless, and we are on the cusp of tackling society's most complex problems in ways that could transform every facet of human life.Recognized for her innovative approach, Michelle values integrity. Every project she takes on is done with an emphasis on ethics, and her passion is also to stir awareness. Because if we continue to fear AI, we will get lost in misconceptions and not advance as quickly as we should.For those who know how to make AI work for them, they will be the ones at the forefront of innovation that drives profitability.Michelle knows AI will enable us to do things we have never done before, helping us live better, healthier lives. The possibilities are endless when artificial intelligence and humans collaborate to create a better world for us all.For more information, please visit https://aiedgeconsult.com/
Part 2: Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Honored Attorney Sherry H. Joseph
Chicago, IL -- Sherry H Joseph (she always includes the middle initial as a tribute to her father) was a senior attorney at Lewis Brisbois, a large and multi layered law firm. She was in their Medical Malpractice division, which handles cases where the physician or facility involved is insured and uses their firm to handle claims. Any time a person goes to a medical facility, such as a dialysis center, hospital, laboratory, etc. and makes a claim against a practitioner, they go to work, assessing the viability of the claim, potential conflict of interest, and whether to go to court or settle.The law firm, which boasts over 40 specialties, decides if there is a plausible claim of negligence (an outcome far beyond the normal complication) and if the case is defensible. This is the perfect situation for someone with her skills and knowledge, because before studying law, this gifted attorney worked for large pharmaceutical chains (in store management.) During her career she rose from a paralegal certificate to an associate’s degree, and then a BS in Organizational Behavior. Recognizing her potential and passion, the attorneys she worked with encouraged her to go to law school, which she finally did and on a merit scholarship. Ms. Joseph got her JD and worked for a boutique firm and as a judicial law clerk before joining the current sophisticated practice.Ms. Joseph is a natural born fighter, who grew up in poverty and was determined to become something special. She yearned to find out if she could get into the same institutions as those born to privilege and to keep advancing. It wasn’t always easy, particularly since her father and inspiration died just before she began law school, but she achieved her dreams. He had been the only involved and nurturing parent in her life, and it was a tough time.“My family were immigrants, and I came to Chicago from St. Croix USVI when I was just 9. It’s not a matter of race or gender or culture that kept me climbing. A lower class income was the first hurdle I faced. Now, I know all about scaling mountains, many of them. Men and women from all walks of life have been integral to my quest.”Ms. Joseph emphasizes that no matter how big the obstacle is, you can tackle it once you set a goal and find information about the steps to get there. Her gift for research was useful in her education and her early position as a judicial law clerk for three different top judges, two in Cook County and one in Northern Illinois US District Court.She also stresses that malpractice cases are largely state court cases, and the law can vary from state to state. Additionally, working in a large firm like Lewis & Brisbois has perks and drawbacks. The cases might be interesting, and they pay higher, but there is less interaction with other attorneys than when she worked in a boutique firm. Her current place of practice also strives to give women a voice and has several advocacy programs for women, particularly at the early to mid-career level.“I was recruited there for my medical malpractice knowledge. They always welcomed my opinion and wanted to put me on a partner track.”While her work consumes a good deal of her time, this proud attorney enjoys the fine arts, including galleries, museums, and opera, and makes time to travel. Her last vacation involved tours in France, England and Italy.In her radio show, Sherry H Joseph will talk about these hobbies, the struggle to make strides no matter what odds were against her, and top cases when her expertise made the difference. One she is proud of, which ended up in her very first trial, was Epic vs. Dr. Herrera. She joined the team late in the case, brought herself up to speed, and realized in studying the case that the doctor really had done all that she could for the patient. During jury selection, she felt a vibe about a certain juror and fought to ensure that he was not excluded due to his young age. It worked for her benefit. She is still asked to speak about that case today, and it all still resonates with her. When you pick a jury, she says, it is not about people with deaf ears, it is about who will really listen to evidence and grasp the facts.Ms. Joseph will go into detail about what it was like to learn the law, build a network of contacts even in a family that never had a lawyer in it, and how to reach out to other attorneys for advice. She pays it forward today, meeting and counseling lawyers and law students through LinkedIn and her alma mater DePaul University College of Law. Ms. Joseph won’t get involved in speaking and mentoring unless she knows she has the time to devote to them. Mentors, or as she calls them, guiding angels, have a terrific value to legal hopefuls and she mentions an employment law attorney named Laurie J. Wasserman as a role model and empowering figure in her own channel.Learn more about Sherry H. Joseph’s life, past struggles, and future aspirations in this two-part interview.For more information about this influential woman and attorney, please visit https://marquistoplawyers.com/2025/10/23/sherry-joseph/
Close Up Radio Welcomes Back Author Darran “D. L.” Crager
Nampa, ID - D. L. Crager is a man driven by a calling. Whether he is mentoring couples, writing Christian adventure novels, planting churches, or helping communities stay safe, his mission stays the same: to pour into people with wisdom, hope, and truth so they can thrive in a world that often feels overwhelming.Driven by a passion to help strengthen marriages, D. L. and his wife, Dr. Shelly Crager, are not counselors — they are marriage mentors. For more than 37 years, they have walked through ups, downs, victories, and struggles together, gaining the kind of wisdom that only real life can teach. Now, they meet with couples and parents, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical insight they’ve learned firsthand.Many times, we wrongly interpret what our spouses are communicating, even though we are speaking the same language. Because of past experiences, differences in personality types, love languages and focusing on what is wrong with our spouse, chances are you and your spouse go through life with a person you really do not know. Having a clear and focused understanding of who your spouse is in these areas are important keys to successful marriages. Happily married for 37 years (with bumps along the way), author and spiritual coach D. L. and his wife Dr. Shelly Crager, are working together to teach couples and individuals how to grow a joyful and content marriage that is full of hope.Also a beloved storyteller, D.L. has written four fiction books that has been captivating readers around the world with thrill-packed, faith-centered stories that ignite the imagination and illuminate timeless spiritual truths. Guarding the Past, Journey of the Hidden, In a Warrior's Quiver, (Revised Editions) and Hiding in the Cloud, all available on Amazon.“Our hearts beat with joy when we help couples overcome hurdles and rediscover the love they already have,” D. L. says.They have written two relationship books, including Battle in the Bedroom and Is Your Life Out of Order?, which gives families practical steps to restore balance and peace. Their mentoring helps couples move from frustration to understanding — from chasing temporary “happiness” to living with deep, lasting joy.“Happiness depends on circumstances,” D.L. teaches. “But joy comes from Jesus Christ. Joy stays with you even in the darkest times.”Alongside mentoring, D.L. is a successful author of Christian speculative fiction — adventurous, mysterious, faith-grounded stories with a touch of romance.He writes from a biblical worldview, keeping his novels clean so even young readers can enjoy them safely. His books are filled with survival techniques, practical wisdom, and moral lessons woven into page-turning storylines.These survival themes come naturally. D.L. grew up in the Colorado Rockies, spending countless hours in the outdoors with his father, learning real-world survival skills — knowledge he now blends into his fiction to entertain and inspire readers.Church planting is another major part of D.L.'s life and calling. He and Shelly have been involved in multiple new church plants and currently serve as leaders in a young, growing congregation. As an elder, D.L. is passionate about helping churches launch, grow, and reach communities with the message of Jesus Christ."We love being part of a new church coming alive,” he says. “Watching people learn who Jesus is — that’s one of our greatest joys.”D.L. is a protector at heart. His desire to serve and protect also comes from his past experience as a police officer. Using that background, he now helps organizations strengthen and enhance their safety programs — another way he works to care for others. He is anchored by Faith in a Troubled World. D.L. believes the world is growing darker and more confusing — but also believes the answer has never changed.“The Bible has all the truth we need to live with hope,” he says. “It doesn’t remove suffering, but it gives us the strength to endure. Hope is in Jesus Christ because He gives eternal life.”He teaches that joy, not temporary happiness, is what truly sustains people.“Happiness fades. Joy comes from knowing you’re loved by your Creator and that eternity with Him is secured.”D.L. speaks passionately about the difference between creation and evolution:“Creation begins with life and ends with life. Evolution begins with no life and ends with no life. One is full of hope — the other leads to emptiness. When you believe in God the Creator, you believe in a future that never ends.”D.L. is currently hard at work on another Christian adventure novel. He and Dr. Shelly Crager continue to mentor couples and parents, speak in churches and schools, and support new church plants wherever God leads.What lies ahead? Whether writing, mentoring, teaching, or serving, D.L.'s purpose remains steady:“I want people to know there is real hope, real joy, and real love — and that all of it is found in Jesus Christ.”For more information, visit: www.dlcrager.com
Close Up Radio Spotlights Susan Roth of Compass Consulting
Springfield, PA - As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday work across nearly every industry, many business leaders are facing the same challenge: they know AI matters, but they’re overwhelmed by hype, uncertain where to start, and concerned about making the wrong investment.Susan Roth, founder of Compass Consulting, helps organizations move through that uncertainty with clarity, practical direction, and responsible AI adoption that delivers real business value.With a background in B2B marketing and more than three years dedicated to upskilling in generative AI, Susan is known for making AI approachable and actionable for teams that want results without confusion. Her work bridges the gap between AI’s potential and its real-world use, helping leaders turn curiosity into capability and experimentation into consistent, measurable outcomes.“AI isn’t valuable because it’s trendy,” Susan says. “It’s valuable when it solves a specific problem: saving time, improving consistency, strengthening customer experience, or giving a small team the ability to operate like a much larger one. That’s where the excitement is: practical wins today, with the potential for bigger benefits over time.”As tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot continue to accelerate adoption, organizations are increasingly discovering that access to technology is not the same as readiness to use it well. Many initiatives stall not because the tools fall short, but because teams lack the literacy, guardrails, and internal workflows needed to apply AI in a way that is consistent, responsible, and aligned with business priorities.A consistent truth is emerging across industries: AI adoption doesn’t fail because the technology isn’t ready. It fails because people aren’t. The most successful outcomes come when organizations invest in AI literacy, practical guardrails, and thoughtful change management from the start.Susan’s approach focuses on building that foundation. She develops customized AI literacy programs and practical enablement for teams of all sizes, covering how large language models work at a high level, how to write prompts that produce reliable outputs, how to set responsible-use guidelines, and how to identify the highest-impact use cases before investing in new tools. Her work emphasizes that AI should augment human expertise rather than replace it, enabling people to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on high-value thinking, creativity, and customer relationships.Susan’s approach is especially relevant for businesses that don’t have full innovation teams or dedicated AI departments. Many of her clients need clear direction, a practical roadmap, and simple systems they can sustain.A key differentiator of her consulting style is the focus on workflow design and AI-assisted automation. Susan helps organizations move beyond one-off experimentation to repeatable, role-based use that fits naturally into how teams already work. This includes developing AI-enabled playbooks, building lightweight agent-style workflows for marketing, operations, and customer engagement, and helping leaders prioritize where AI can produce measurable gains first.In a rapidly changing landscape, Susan’s clients value her ability to translate complexity into clarity. Her work is grounded in business fundamentals—process efficiency, brand consistency, customer outcomes, and trust—ensuring that AI adoption strengthens the organization rather than distracting it.“In most companies, the question isn’t whether AI will matter,” Susan adds. “The question is whether we’ll adopt it thoughtfully, so our teams feel empowered, our customers benefit, and we build momentum in a way that protects trust as we evolve.”By combining real-world business experience with deep, hands-on AI literacy and system-building expertise, Susan’s mission is simple: help leaders replace AI overwhelm with a clear path forward—making AI feel less like a leap into the unknown and more like a strategic step teams can take with confidence.For more information, visit: www.compassconsulting.ai
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