Stateside

In Michigan, we pride ourselves on our lakes – sandy bottomed and crystalline blue waters. But with such idyllic waters comes a risk: swimmer's itch. On this episode of the Stateside podcast, we look into the biology behind swimmer's itch and get into what scientists are doing to mitigate it. GUEST: Curtis Blankespoor, professor at Jackson College and adjunct professor, University of Michigan Biological Station ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mari Copeny is a leading activist out of the Flint Water Crisis, but she is more than "Little Miss Flint." GUEST: Imani Mixon, journalist and founder of Mixon Media ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The College for Creative Studies in Detroit has a fashion design program that’s cultivating some of Detroit’s most creative young minds. Earlier this month the program held their fourth annual fashion show. GUESTS: Cierra Headings, fashion designer David Rodriguez, fashion designer ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gordie Howe International bridge crossing the Detroit River is nearing completion and is expected to open in the fall of 2025. On this episode of the Stateside podcast, we spoke with one of the officials behind the bridge about what it takes to pull of a project of this magnitude. GUEST: Grant Hilbers, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority chief capital officer ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past few months, encampments and protests on college campuses have been a constant in the headlines. But how does news media shape our perception of these actions? GUEST: Danielle K. Brown, 1855 Community & Urban Journalism Professorship and associate professor at Michigan State University ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A garden designed to bring awareness and combat environmental racism will launch with a major installment this month - a large work of art that will serve as a gateway to the park, but also monitor air quality. GUEST: Jordan Weber, Activist and Regenerative Land Sculptor Rukiya Colvin, Sidewalk Detroit Project Manager _____ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ann Arbor Public Schools is facing a projected $25 million dollar deficit in the coming year. So, what happens now? On this episode, we ask the board of education's president about how one of the state's wealthiest school districts ended up here and about the plan for righting the ship. GUEST: Torchio Feaster, AAPS Board of Education President Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former President Donald Trump was in Michigan again campaigning for reelection. A few days later Vice President Kamala Harris was in Detroit promoting the strength and importance of the auto sector. And President Joe Biden will be here as well, making a campaign sweep through Detroit. On this episode of the Stateside podcast, how Michigan is shaping up as a battleground state. GUEST: Zoe Clark, host of It’s Just Politics ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week a series of tornadoes whipped through West Michigan, destroying buildings in their path. Images of the aftermath show ruined houses and a caved-in FedEx warehouse facility, where 50 workers were trapped due to downed power lines. On this episode, we look at the immediate affects of the storm. Plus we zoom-in on Portage, a city in Michigan particularly hard hit. GUESTS: Brett Dahlberg, news editor at Michigan Public Patricia Randall, mayor of Portage, Michigan ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yumna Jawad is best known as the Feel Good Foodie, with millions of followers on TikTok and Reels. Her shortform videos gained popularity for combining the easy and comfort of Midwestern cooking, but with Lebanese flavors and sensibilities. Now Jawad has a new cookbook, "Feel Good Foodie" publishing this week. GUEST: Yumna Jawad, Feel Good Foodie ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Michigan, the warmer months mean mushrooms! On this episode, we learn about some of the mushrooms in season, the basics of foraging, and some simple ways to prepare your bounty. GUESTS: Jill Grenchik, co-owner of Great Lakes Treats Aaron Grenchik, co-owner of Great Lakes Treats ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gaza solidarity encampments have been present at the University of Michigan's Diag for more than two weeks. The coalition of students organizing the protest are calling for the university “to divest from its financial holdings in companies that invest in Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.” In this episode, Michigan Public reporters joined Stateside to share their analysis of the university's decades-long history with divestment and divestment-related protests. Then, several Jewish students discussed what a call for divestment means to them, their different experiences on campus since the conflict began last October, and what they wish to see from the university moving forward. GUESTS: Kate Wells, Michigan Public health reporter Adam Yahya Rayes, Michigan Public data reporter Ryan Silberfein, UM undergraduate and chair of Michigan Hillel Jack Landstein, UM undergraduate and vice president of engagement at Michigan Hillel Katya Olson Shipyatsky, UM graduate student and organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiff Massey is an interdisciplinary artist whose work focuses on ideas of community and adornment. She makes everything from custom, wearable jewelry to large scale architectural sculptures. Her work contends with race and class, while evoking the history of West African and Black American culture. Massey's solo exhibit, "7 Mile + Livernois ," opens at the Detroit Institute of Arts May 5th. GUEST: Tiff Massey, interdisciplinary Detroit-based artist ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Diarra From Detroit" follows Diarra Brickland, a Detroit school teacher, as she attempts to track down a Tinder date who ghosted her. Diarra Kilpatrick, a Detroiter herself, writes, stars is, and executive produces the new BET+ series. She joined Stateside to discuss the real-life moments that inspired her writing, and what it takes to balance many themes and genres in one story. GUEST ON THIS EPISODE: Diarra Kilpatrick, writer, lead actress, executive producer, "Diarra From Detroit" [Get Stateside on your phone: subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or YouTube Music today.] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2009, an assistant Wayne County prosecutor made a horrifying discovery: more than 11-thousand untested rape kits sitting in an abandoned Detroit Police warehouse. The repercussions of that find are still being felt today. GUEST: Sarah Cwiek, reporter for Michigan Public ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 14 years of organizing and building, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op will open its doors on Wednesday, May 1st, with a grand opening celebration to follow on Saturday, May 18th. The co-op was fathered by the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. Malik Yakini, who co-founded the group, currently serves as its executive director. "Part of what we're working on is really not just addressing access, but addressing the questions of who shapes the food system, who owns it, who benefits from it,” Yakini said. “And really, we're trying to make a shift in power from the corporate side of things, controlling things to actually having a food system that is shaped by control by and serves people.” GUESTS: Akil TalleyMalik Yakini___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many years, Michigan was considered a national political bellwether. There are so many factors in play this year. We’ve talked in recent days about how the arrival of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the Michigan ballot last week as a candidate with the Natural Law Party might shift primary results. So, is Michigan going to be any kind of predictor of trends in national election results in 2024? In this episode, Michigan State University political science professor Matt Grossman helped us look ahead to what will matter this November. GUEST: Matt Grossman, professor of political science, Michigan State University Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would you do if your tap water turned brown? If it gave your children a rash every time they took a bath? Or worse, what if it made them sick? We're revisiting Michigan Public's audio documentary from 2015 about the Flint Water Crisis. Plus we'll hear from the reporter about the making of Not Safe to Drink. GUEST: Lindsey Smith ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 100 people who were abused by former Michigan State University and U.S. Olympic gymnastics doctor Nassar have finally reached a $138.7 million settlement with the Department of Justice. The FBI failed to properly investigate complaints about Nassar, which allowed Nassar to continue abusing patients and athletes in Michigan for another year. GUEST: Kate Wells, reporter for Michigan Public ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years ago today a devastating water crisis began in the city of Flint, Michigan. Its water was tainted with lead, threatening tens of thousands of people. Suddenly the spotlight swung onto Michigan and on the quality of the nation’s drinking water. Today, we’re looking at what happened, what’s changed, and how people are thinking about the crisis ten years later. GUESTS: Steve Carmody, reporter for Michigan Public Sheldon Neeley, Flint Mayor ___ Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.