Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of the most educated communities in the country, but its local government was taken in by a twice convicted felon. In California, Heidi went to prison for fraud. In West Virginia, she was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and narrowly avoided prison. Beginning in 2020, elected leaders and City staff in Ann Arbor promoted Heidi's businesses and embraced her as a community partner. Former Ann Arbor City Council Member Elizabeth Nelson shares what happened in Michigan. She digs through local archives and government records to understand how other communities fell victim to HOLLOW HYPE.
Hollow Hype
Claim This Podcastby Elizabeth Nelson
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5 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of the most educated communities in the country, but its local government was taken in by a twice convicted felon. In California, Heidi went to prison for fraud. In West Virginia, she was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and narrowly avoided prison. Beginning in 2020, elected leaders and City staff in Ann Arbor promoted Heidi's businesses and embraced her as a community partner. Former Ann Arbor City Council Member Elizabeth Nelson shares what happened in Michigan. She digs through local archives and government records to understand how other communities fell victim to HOLLOW HYPE.
Language
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Publishing Since
7/6/2026
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Recent Episodes
July 21, 2026
“They’re owed their dues, right? Risk, reward”
<p>Heidi hires a member of the City Planning Commission in Ann Arbor to design her next projects: a former grocery store and more short term rentals in a development covering an entire block. Heidi’s wife Marge takes the lead in promoting a rebranded business.</p><p>2021 amendments to Ann Arbor short term rental ordinance (May 3, 2021)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4892427&GUID=B937507A-2A1C-4FEB-8F94-9692ED9EBB88&FullText=1">https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4892427&GUID=B937507A-2A1C-4FEB-8F94-9692ED9EBB88&FullText=1</a></p><p>Lisa Sauve joins Ann Arbor Planning commission (July 17, 2018)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=613336&GUID=71AD6B79-E991-465A-92F0-82F5D044D196">https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=613336&GUID=71AD6B79-E991-465A-92F0-82F5D044D196</a></p><p>4M podcast with Lisa Sauve (April 23, 2021)<br><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XZRrmeeJnRo9bMsGMoXrW">https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XZRrmeeJnRo9bMsGMoXrW</a></p><p>“All About Ann Arbor” promotion of Venue (November 16, 2022)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQlMsjRUtfM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQlMsjRUtfM</a></p><p>“Live in the D” promotion of Venue (September 6, 2024)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7mT4lgh5Wk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7mT4lgh5Wk</a></p><p>Marge Poscher promotes Venue & Southtown (April 25, 2023)<br><a href="https://annarborobserver.com/imagining-southtown/">https://annarborobserver.com/imagining-southtown/</a></p><p>Heidi’s “Tech Talk” for Ann Arbor SPARK (October 24, 2022)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwaX-DFKPFM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwaX-DFKPFM</a></p><p>Ann Arbor Planning commission postpones Southtown (May 16, 2023)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1069300&GUID=522DC576-C1A2-446E-B788-4A07AD4EA209">https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1069300&GUID=522DC576-C1A2-446E-B788-4A07AD4EA209</a></p><p>Lisa Sauve responds to postponement (May 21, 2023)<br><a href="https://annarboraf.com/episode-71-civic-therapy-wtf-planning-with-lisa-sauve-and-scott-trudeauepisode-71/">https://annarboraf.com/episode-71-civic-therapy-wtf-planning-with-lisa-sauve-and-scott-trudeauepisode-71/</a></p><p>Michigan State Representative Felicia Brabec endorses Southtown (June 21, 2023)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12109053&GUID=B8B6B9A7-79B6-4FC2-B66C-4C125F62318C">https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12109053&GUID=B8B6B9A7-79B6-4FC2-B66C-4C125F62318C</a></p><p>MLive: Police investigation into death of Margaret Poscher (November 14, 2025)<br><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/police-investigating-death-of-ann-arbor-developer-known-as-caretaker-at-heart.html">https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/police-investigating-death-of-ann-arbor-developer-known-as-caretaker-at-heart.html<br></a><br>If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:<br><a href="mailto:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.com">HollowHypePodcast@gmail.com</a></p>
July 14, 2026
“Emergent Industry”
<p>A new Ann Arbor City Council majority wants to weaken the STR ordinance, in order to protect Heidi’s businesses. When then Council Member Elizabeth Nelson publicizes her concerns, the FBI visits her at home. </p><p>Ann Arbor City Council meeting minutes (January 6, 2020)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=737701&GUID=2D1F0EB0-3191-498A-A936-E08ED71D51DE">https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=737701&GUID=2D1F0EB0-3191-498A-A936-E08ED71D51DE</a></p><p>Ann Arbor City Council Resolution sponsored by Mayor Taylor (December 21, 2020)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4733989&GUID=7AA9862B-49AD-4541-9831-4FE461B4AF9E">https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4733989&GUID=7AA9862B-49AD-4541-9831-4FE461B4AF9E</a></p><p>Ann Arbor City Council meeting minutes (December 21, 2020)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=749425&GUID=F3C77550-F87F-45C4-B558-3183D4A831D3">https://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=749425&GUID=F3C77550-F87F-45C4-B558-3183D4A831D3</a></p><p>Elizabeth Nelson Blog Post "Housing, Profits, and Hypocrisy" (December 27, 2020)<br><a href="https://a2elnel.com/post/housing-profits-and-hypocrisy/">https://a2elnel.com/post/housing-profits-and-hypocrisy/</a></p><p>Michigan Daily: ‘I would make it up to you’: A local developer, an FBI inquiry and money in Ann Arbor politics (March 26, 2025)<br><a href="https://www.michigandaily.com/news/focal-point/a-local-developer-an-fbi-inquiry-and-money-in-ann-arbor-politics/">https://www.michigandaily.com/news/focal-point/a-local-developer-an-fbi-inquiry-and-money-in-ann-arbor-politics/<br></a><br>If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:<br><a href="mailto:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.com">HollowHypePodcast@gmail.com</a></p>
July 6, 2026
“I don’t mean a bribe”
<p>Ann Arbor City Council considers a regulation that would impact Heidi’s short term rental business. She makes a desperate phone call to then Council Member Elizabeth Nelson.</p><p>Public meetings re: short term rentals (October 2019)<br><a href="https://a2elnel.com/post/city-to-hold-public-meetings-in-october-about-short-term-rental-regulation/">https://a2elnel.com/post/city-to-hold-public-meetings-in-october-about-short-term-rental-regulation/<br></a><br>Resolution directing regulation (January 2020)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4286174&GUID=7FF5FC94-EED2-4D64-99C3-901D0AD3CE8D">https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4286174&GUID=7FF5FC94-EED2-4D64-99C3-901D0AD3CE8D</a></p><p>Ordinance approved with six-month delay in enforcement (September 2020)<br><a href="https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4589957&GUID=7ACF876A-8A8A-407A-8023-314BB78026F5">https://a2gov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4589957&GUID=7ACF876A-8A8A-407A-8023-314BB78026F5</a></p><p>MLive reporting on short term rentals in Ann Arbor (June 2026)<br><a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2026/06/ann-arbor-has-nearly-300-short-term-rental-units-they-fetch-up-to-9999-per-night.html">https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2026/06/ann-arbor-has-nearly-300-short-term-rental-units-they-fetch-up-to-9999-per-night.html</a></p><p>If you know something about Heidi’s activities in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, or California, please email:<br><a href="mailto:HollowHypePodcast@gmail.com">HollowHypePodcast@gmail.com</a></p>
5 total episodes available
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