Stateside

"The Bird Connection" is a new documentary from Michigan Public that explores the connection between the health of bird populations and the condition of our natural world. Hosts Lester Graham and Rebecca Williams look at the variety of factors impacting both, on this special podcast episode takeover. Hear the rest of "The Bird Connection" documentary here. ___ 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.

Alma Cooper is Miss Michigan USA 2024. On this episode, a conversation with Miss Michigan USA about her title, her passion in combating food insecurity, and moving forward to compete in Miss USA. GUEST: Alma Cooper, Miss Michigan USA 2024 ___ 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.

Hamtramck Disneyland is folk art installation that's been around for more than 30 years. On this episode we meet some of the artists rehabbing the property so that it can exist for 30 more. GUESTS: Sean Bieri, project manager and board member with Hatch Renee Willoughby, artist-in-residence AT Hamtramck Disneyland ___ 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.

Governments and auto manufacturers have big plans for switching the United States to electric vehicles. It's one of many efforts to reduce the impact of climate change. But there's a key ingredient in electrification that could put a crimp in that plan: copper. GUEST ON THIS EPISDOE: Adam Simon, professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan 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.

Michaela Ayers is a doer of many things. She’s an artist, facilitator, and historian. But she says that her life’s work is a particular project she’s been developing since 2019: Black Her Stories. GUEST: Michaela Ayers, founder of Nourish and creator of Black Her Stories ___ 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.

Ascension hospital has been attacked by ransomware. They’ve had to switch to paper charts, staff say it's a safety concern, and patients are experiencing delays in getting medical results. So how should institutions (and you) prepare for an attack? GUESTS: Hafiz Malik, Ph.D. Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, U-M Dearborn Jim Bagian, directs the Center for Healthcare Engineering and Patient Safety (CHEPS) at the University of 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.

On Tuesday morning, police shut down the encampment on the University of Michigan campus. Protesters want the school to divest from companies tied to the Israeli military. GUESTS: Tracy Samilton, reporter at Michigan Public Salma Hamamy, president of the University of Michigan chapter of Students Allied For Freedom and Equality ___ 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, 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.