Joanna Whaley Podcast

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After nearly 3 years, the Joanna Whaley Podcast is coming to a close. Joanna will still be making podcasts, but more project-limited series material. Follow her on all social media channels for more information. 

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Today, we take a brief, somber moment to reflect on these dark times we live in. In the wake of ICE murdering another U.S. Citizen, we talk briefly about how to push back. 

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What happens when the "Motor City" meets a trade war? For decades, Detroit Axle grew from a local family shop into a global aftermarket powerhouse. But in 2025, the landscape shifted overnight. With the Trump administration’s aggressive new tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto parts from Mexico, Canada, and China, the very supply chains that fueled Michigan’s manufacturing resurgence are under fire.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Musheinesh, CEO of Detroit Axle, for a raw and unfiltered look at the reality of running a multi-million dollar Michigan business in an era of "tariff madness."

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GUEST: https://www.detroitaxle.com/about/

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Today on the show, host Joanna Whaley interviews Deanne Austin. Deanne is considering a run for the Michigan House of Representatives and is involved in social justice work in the City of Detroit and the state of Michigan.  Joanna and Deanne discuss topics from black women's mortality in childbirth, LGBTQ rights, and immigration. 

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Today on the show, we review the year of 2025. Joanna talks about key learnings and looks ahead to 2026. We hope you had a relaxing holiday season, and we hope these learnings speak to you. 

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It's that time of year again; the twinkling lights, the festive eggnog, and the inevitable moment when Aunt Karen brings up the latest drama in Lansing, or Uncle Rick starts arguing about the Detroit Lions’ coaching strategy, which, let's be honest, feels just as politically charged. This year, we're giving you the ultimate Holiday Hot Takes Survival Guide. Whether you're heading back to Traverse City, down to Ann Arbor, or staying right here in Grand Rapids, we’ll teach you how to dodge those verbal landmines, keep the peace (mostly), and preserve those family ties, all while sticking to your advocate principles. Don't let a debate about I-75 traffic or local school board politics ruin your gingerbread cookies.

Today, we welcome our new co-host Adelynn Campbell. 

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This episode originally aired in May of 2025

Today on the show, we listen to a panel discussion that took place at Gracepointe Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Gracepointe is Joanna's home church, which she attends online. In this discussion, the panel explores the tension between patriotism and faith, as well as how to be politically active as a progressive Christian.

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Are we living in a two-tiered economy? The wealth of the few continues to soar, while the struggle for the majority, the working class, the middle class, gets harder every year.

On today's show, we cut through the corporate spin and the political jargon to bring you the truth about income inequality in the Great Lakes State and beyond.

Join us as we talk to the real leaders on the ground: the bold community organizers who are leading protests against major retailers demanding fair wages and ethical practices, and the grassroots activists building powerful coalitions to push back against the systems designed to keep the rich richer and the rest of us behind.

This isn't just a discussion; it's a blueprint for action. Tune in to hear stories of resilience, strategic pushback, and how communities are uniting to advocate for a more just and equitable future.

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In this episode, we explore how Donald Trumps charged language and polarizing narratives emanating from the top level of government will trickle down, poisoning everything from city council meetings and school board debates to neighborhood discourse. Discover the real-world impact when heated, distant battles become volatile, close-to-home conflicts, threatening the collegiality and reasoned debate necessary for effective local governance, and learn what citizens can do to advocate for civility and focus on the issues that truly matter to their communities.

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Michigan is the guardian of 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. Now, a thirsty new industry is knocking at the door. The Michigan Advocate explores the rapid expansion of A.I. data centers across the state.

While tech giants promise innovation, communities are left grappling with noise pollution, land disputes, and unprecedented demands on our precious water and energy resources. In this episode we weigh the true price of progress. We aren't just watching the future happen, we’re advocating for a Michigan that survives it.

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