Hidden in Plain Sight

Nov. 3, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois uncovers the fascinating history of Detroit’s often-overlooked Marquette Building, a 10-story brick landmark that has stood at the corner of West Congress and Washington Boulevard since 1906. Over the decades, the Marquette Building reinvented itself, adapting from an industrial utility hub to a center for office tenants and modern commerce. Its story is a reminder that Detroit’s history is not only found in its most famous landmarks, but also in the buildings that quietly evolved alongside the city, embodying generations of innovation, adaptation, and resilience. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Oct. 20, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois explores the story behind Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center, the towering riverfront complex that has defined the city’s skyline for nearly half a century. Often viewed as a symbol of Detroit’s comeback ambitions, the RenCen was conceived during a period of economic uncertainty and urban change, envisioned as a bold catalyst for renewal and investment. Yet its design also reflected the challenges and anxieties of the era, creating a self-contained complex that initially turned inward rather than embracing the surrounding city. From its unique architecture and exclusive ZIP code to the dramatic transformation of its riverfront spaces, the Renaissance Center reveals a fascinating chapter in Detroit’s ongoing story of reinvention, resilience, and identity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Oct. 6, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois uncovers the fascinating history behind Montcalm Street, a familiar downtown Detroit roadway that many pass on their way to Comerica Park without ever considering its origins. What appears to be just another street sign actually connects Detroit to the dramatic struggle between France and Great Britain for control of North America more than 250 years ago. Named for Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, the famed French military commander known as the Marquis de Montcalm, the street serves as a reminder of Detroit’s deep French roots and its strategic importance during the colonial era. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Sept. 22, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes listeners to Detroit’s riverfront and the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial, a powerful tribute to those who journeyed along the Underground Railroad in search of freedom. Standing at the foot of Woodward Avenue near Hart Plaza, the memorial commemorates “Midnight,” the code name for the final stop before freedom across the Detroit River in Canada. Through the striking bronze sculptures created by renowned artist Ed Dwight, the site captures the courage, hope, and determination of freedom seekers who risked everything for a chance at a new life, while serving as a lasting reminder of Detroit’s pivotal role in one of the most important chapters of American history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Sept. 8, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes listeners to Detroit’s west side and the legendary Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, a historic jazz club located on Livernois Avenue at the gateway to the Avenue of Fashion. Originally opened as a neighborhood restaurant in the 1930s, Baker’s evolved into one of the nation’s most celebrated jazz venues, earning a reputation as a must-play stage for some of music’s greatest performers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Aug. 25, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes listeners to Detroit’s legendary Motown Studios, better known as Hitsville U.S.A., the modest West Grand Boulevard house where Barry Gordy Jr. launched Motown Records in 1959. What began as a small independent label grew into a cultural phenomenon that transformed American popular music, introducing the world to iconic artists including Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Jackson 5, and many others. Their music crossed racial and generational boundaries, helping establish Detroit as one of the most influential music cities in the world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

Aug. 11, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois visits The Schvitz, Detroit’s historic bathhouse tucked away on the city’s near west side. Founded in 1910 by Jewish immigrants who brought the bathhouse traditions of Eastern Europe to a rapidly growing Detroit, The Schvitz has served for more than a century as a place of relaxation, connection, and community. Once a men’s-only gathering place, The Schvitz has evolved with the city while preserving its distinct character and traditions. Today, The Schvitz remains one of Detroit’s most enduring and authentic institutions, a hidden landmark where history, resilience, and community continue to thrive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

July 28, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes listeners to Detroit’s Dakota Inn Rathskeller, a beloved German restaurant and tavern that has been fostering community and tradition since 1933. Founded by German immigrant Karl Kurz in a former Chinese hand laundry on John R Street, the Dakota Inn grew from a small neighborhood gathering place into one of Detroit’s longest-running cultural institutions. With its dark wood interiors, Bavarian-inspired décor, communal tables, and generations of sing-alongs led from a distinctive barrel-enclosed piano stage, the inn offers an experience that feels untouched by time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

July 14, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes listeners to Detroit’s Greektown, where a modest brick church on a busy downtown corner holds an extraordinary story. At first glance, Second Baptist Church appears to be an unassuming neighborhood landmark, but behind its simple façade lies a powerful legacy as the oldest Black-founded church in the Midwest and one of the most important stops on the Underground Railroad. Today, the church remains a lasting reminder that one of the nation’s most remarkable struggles for freedom unfolded in plain sight on the streets of Detroit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.

June 17, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes listeners to Detroit’s east side and inside the storied walls of Harpo’s Concert Theatre, a venue where decades of sound and history collide. Originally opened in 1939 as the Harper Theater, this sleek Art Moderne movie house once welcomed families seeking Hollywood escape beneath glowing lights and painted murals. But as the city evolved, so did the building—transforming in the 1970s into a high‑energy nightclub before finding its true identity as Detroit’s legendary “metal church.” Over the years, Harpo’s has hosted a powerful mix of artists, from Iron Maiden and Slayer to U2 and Snoop Dogg, each leaving their mark on its worn but resilient interior. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

for information about our collection and use of personal data for

advertising.