April is poetry month! And in Michigan, there’s lots to celebrate. In honor of the pen, we’re bringing you a conversation we absolutely loved with two of our favorite writers — both who’ve collaborated with InsideOut Literary Arts, a poetry program for students in Detroit.
GUESTS:
Nandi Comer, Michigan Poet Laureate
Ross Gay, best-selling poet and essayist
___
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.

How to Say Things that Mean

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

News

"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.

Diarra From Detroit

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.

The Impact  of Detroit's Rape Kit Backlog

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 Talley, general manager, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op
Malik Yakini, co-founder and executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network
___
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 Detroit People's Food Co-Op

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.

Shifting Political Winds of 2024

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, lead of Michigan Public's Amplify team

___
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.

How to Say Things that Mean

Download our free app to listen on your phone