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   Number 1: Mayor Missing - September 15 2026

   Mayor Mary Sheffield dodged an appointment to meet Jason Colthorp on FlashPoint, raising questions about what she may be afraid of. Then former Detroit Police Chief James Craig calls for Todd Bettison's job.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield was supposed to get a ton of airtime on last week's episode of the WDIV/Local 4 public affairs show FlashPoint -- until host Jason Colthorp said he could not ignore the controversy created by photos of Sheffield and a former boyfriend that appeared on Facebook. That prompted Sheffield to cancel at the last minute, causing Colthorp to put together a panel to discuss her disappearing act. Watch it here.Jason said he told viewers about Sheffield's disappearing act because they deserve to know when an elected official refuses to answer questions. Instead of quieting the controversy, Madam Mayor's move raised new questions, such as "Who is advising her?"Jason says one of the people who responded to his decision to explain why Sheffield wasn't on FlashPoint was Madam Mayor's father. Listen and learn what the First Father said.Get the bell ready! ML tells a story about how he learned nearly 25 years ago that Kwame Kilpatrick was getting good advice -- he just wasn't taking it.ML says Jason isn't the first reporter Sheffield ducked, revealing an episode that happened on the last Sunday of the 2025 mayor's race. He also reads text messages Sheffield's chief of staff sent suggesting that he is not, er, the most savvy adviser in city hall. That fellow is now Sheffield's deputy mayor.Do reporters hold grudges when people stand them up? Jason and ML say no, and explain why.Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is in hot water after contacting Sheffield's old boyfriend and another man who were under investigation by his officers. ML talked to former chiefs who say Bettison crossed the line. Read all about it here.Marc gets former Detroit Police Chief James Craig riled up when he calls Bettison a nice guy. Then things get REALLY interesting!Craig says he suspects Bettison and Sheffield may be lying when they claimed the mayor did not ask the chief to try and get photos of her and an old boyfriend removed from Facebook. He said questions about Bettison's conduct is undermining confidence in his leadership.In the first of two big news items, Craig says he believes Bettison has to go.In the second of two big news items, Craig -- live on the air -- tells former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox he will need to call him back, then tells ML and Marc he plans to endorse Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd for Michigan AG.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKPublic officials who don't think they have to answer questions are geeks -- this week and EVERY week!ROOM 7609For obvious reasons, ML books Flock of Seagulls into the New Wave suite to perform "I Ran." Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to [email protected] BENEFACTORSDid you know you can make one payment to support the show for a whole year? Try it -- you just may like it!For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonFEEDBACKIsabell praises ML and his colleagues Violet Ikonomova and Dave Boucher for their recent work, and urges Shawn and Marc to tell people to give Bryce Underwood a break. Bob makes some outrageous claims, then suggests the media are in cahoots with the mayor. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected] OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.

   September 15, 2026·1h 47min
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   Number 2: Big House Time Machine - September 8, 2026

   ML thought he was late, but Marc put 1 second more on the clock. Then Shawn shares a behind-the-scenes story about his "lost column."STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com. ML asks Marc whether he was happy or relieved at the end of what Shawn called the "the most joyless miracle finish in college football history." Read all about it here.Shawn describes how he almost had a "Dewey Beats Truman" moment when he was poised to post his "Broncos Win!" column -- just before the Big Ten officials put another second on the clock, allowing the Wolverines to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. Then Shawn talks about how sports writers have stories ready to publish before games end -- and what happens when there is a surprising ending.There was a lot of hot MAC-tion in Michigan over the weekend, with the Toledo Rockets coming to East Lansing and the Broncos in Ann Arbor. ML says watching the Broncos stymy the Wolverines made him feel a lot better about the Rockets giving his Spartans a scare.ML says all the money flowing through the Power Four conferences has him thinking about becoming a big Mid-American Conference (MAC) fan, but says he thinks the dough is messing up even the conferences that fly more under the radar. Listen and learn why.Marc says the burgeoning Mary Sheffield boyfriend payments scandal is beginning to mushroom after Charlie LeDuff posted new revelations last week. Here is LeDuff's latestML says other reporters are digging into the doings in Detroit City Hall and that he expects to post something "significant" soon.Shawn says he was surprised to see Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed win over Fox News host Jesse Watters. ML says El-Sayed not only won Waters over, he's featuring him in one of his commercials.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKML says anyone who still beefs about "Spartan Bob" after the Wolverines somehow put an extra second on the clock to beat the Broncos are this week's geek. In other words: Marc.ROOM 7609Mr. Magoo is back promoting Nell and the Flaming Lip's cover of Nick Cave's "Red Right Hand" -- along with a fantastically poignant tale. Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to [email protected] BENEFACTORSWe're delighted to welcome Keith as our newest Soulmate. Did you know you can make one payment to support the show for a whole year? Try it -- you just may like it!For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonFEEDBACKKim is back, throwing shade on ML and his fellow Spartans. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected] OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.

   September 08, 2026·1h 1min
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   Number 3: City Hall & Football Follies - September 1, 2026

   Detroit's new mayor is raising old concerns about ethics in city politics and ESPN's Dan Wetzel drops in to talk college football.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield made headlines last week after Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison copped to asking a local activist to take down social media posts featuring Sheffield and an old boyfriend. ML and Marc discuss the story, which was broken by Charlie LeDuff of the Michigan Enjoyer and No BS Newshour.Madam Mayor acknowledged that she has made some regrettable dating choices. But Marvin Walker is not the first bad boy Sheffield has socialized with. In 2014, ML reported that she celebrated her birthday and mugged for a photo with Rayford Jackson, who had just gotten out of prison for bribing former city council president Monica Conyers. Last year, members of Sheffield's inner circle acknowledged that she had been in a relationship with a contractor now under investigation for the quality of the dirt he used to fill holes left at demolition sites.Dan wonders why politicians aren't more careful about who they associate with. ML shares some stories about other Detroit politicians who showed up in photos that raised questions about the company they kept.ML's latest column explores whether the city's top lawyer is undermining the Detroit Board of Ethics. Read it here.College football kicks off in Michigan this weekend, but the first games have already been played -- but it seems like the controversy never stops. Dan, Marc and ML discuss whether former college players who went pro will be able to play college football again in Baton Rouge.ML asks Dan whether Michigan State will win more than three games and whether Marc will be happy with his Wolverines. His answer may surprise you.You really do need a program to know the players these days in college sports. Dan says Bill Belichick's University of North Carolina Tar Heels won their first game with 70 new players. ML again laments the state of the game, while Marc says it's better than ever.Dan just got back from Texas, where he visited Tarleton State and noticed something unusual about the president's cup -- the one he drinks from, silly!Can't get enough Dan Wetzel? Join the club! Catch his EPSN podcast here.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKLSU coach Lane Kiffin will do anything to win but, so far, his only trophy is for Geek of the Week.ROOM 7609Joe says he prefers Faith No More's epic performance of, well, "Epic" on Saturday Night Live, which also brings back fond memories. Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to [email protected] BENEFACTORSDid you know you can make one payment to support the show for a whole year? Try it -- you just may like it!For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKKim questions whether the media and politicos conspired to make Mary Sheffield mayor. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected] OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.

   September 01, 2026·1h 26min
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   Number 4: Barber Poll Results - September 22, 2026

   You want answers, but Detroit officials aren't even asking questions. So ML, Marc and Shawn ask Tez the Barber and his sister Teebone Styles aka Tracy -- who dropped by to promote a community event -- what they think about politics and the controversy swirling around city hall and police HQ.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com. Before ML introduces his barber and his barber's sister, he calls out Detroit elected officials who haven't made a peep about allegations of public corruption and police misconduct. You can read all about it in his latest column using this link.Politicians tell us they're going to solve all our problems, but Detroit's real hope is its people. Teebone Styles aka Tracy and Tez the Barber are the proof. They're doing a street fair Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. at 2326 E. Seven Mile Rd. You can contribute, volunteer, or go for free eats, clothing and a haircut.ML met Tez five years ago after Free Press legend Bill Laitner wrote about how Tez was the first person to cut his hair after his beloved wife died. ML was looking for a barber in the neighborhood and has been getting his hair cut in Tez's chair ever since. Shawn uses this discovery to launch a hilarious discussion of ML's dome.Tez says he's a Republican, but isn't a fan of Trump. He also says he wouldn't give POTUS a free hair cut, because he doesn't think it's real.Tez and Tee are not buying Mayor Mary Sheffield's explanation for the exchange of cash between her and ex-boyfriend Marvin Walker. But they want to know why this controversy didn't come out before last year's mayoral election. ML provides some insights.Timing is everything, but Tee and ML can't figure out why Walker talked to Charlie LeDuff if he's trying to gain leverage on the mayor.What started out as ML explaining how he defanged someone who tried to hold embarrassing information over his head turned into an extended -- and embarrassing -- story about how he barfed all over a girl on the ferris wheel at Boblo Island. (Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut then -- and now!)Marc asks Tez and Tee what they think about the candidates for governor and U.S. Senate. Listen to learn more, but the short answer is they are not impressed.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKMSU offered plenty of candidates, but ML went with the makers of a gizmo with an unfortunate name that is supposed to stop nose bleeds.ROOM 7609Shawn tries to mess things up with a last-minute request, but donor Dominic had already booked Future Islands into the New Wave suite to play "Seasons (Waiting On You)." Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to [email protected] BENEFACTORSML's childhood friend Pat and adventure traveler Sergei Morris are the newest Soulmates, while Dominic makes a much-appreciated one-time donation. Did you know you can make one payment to support the show for a whole year? Try it -- you just may like it!For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonFEEDBACKThere is so much mail we don't have room to even summarize it here -- but we guarantee, you won't be bored if you listen! (Unless you're Bob.) We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected] OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.

   September 22, 2026·1h 21min
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   Number 5: Missing: ML MIA - August 25, 2026

   What a mess. ML Elrick is late, Marc is annoyed, Shawn is resigned, and Brandon McAfee gets promoted to substitute Elrick as the Soul of Detroit crew starts the show without its alleged leader.The basement brain trust talks Lions expectations, whether anybody should care about alternate uniforms, the Tigers’ disappearing act, baseball’s money problem, the pitch clock, dynasties, the WNBA and several other subjects that probably weren’t on the rundown.Then ML finally wanders in with an actual journalism excuse involving Detroit City Hall, the Board of Ethics and a potential conflict-of-interest mess.Just another perfectly organized episode of ML Elrick’s Soul of Detroit.STRAIGHT DOPEML Is Missing. The show begins without Elrick, who is trapped on an important work call while Marc slowly progresses from concern to irritation.Brandon McAfee takes ML’s chair and discovers the intoxicating power of pontificating into someone else’s microphone.Are the Lions Really Super Bowl Favorites?Shawn Windsor talks about the strange new reality of Detroit football: expectations. The crew debates the Lions’ new rivalry uniforms, preseason football, injuries, the offensive line and why being a lovable up-and-coming team eventually turns into being a team that’s actually expected to win.What Happened to the Tigers?Football is arriving, the Tigers have cooled off, and Detroit sports fans are doing what Detroit sports fans do: looking for the next thing to worry about.Sean explains what the numbers tell newspapers about Lions, Tigers and Michigan football readership — and why baseball still has a surprisingly strong hold on the audience.Baseball Might Actually Be Getting BetterThe pitch clock shortened games, balls are being put back in play, ratings have shown some life and baseball may have finally remembered that three-and-a-half-hour games aren't mandatory.The crew also reaches one of sports television’s eternal truths: everybody claims to hate dynasties right up until they start watching them.UConn, Paige Bueckers & a Trip Completely Off the Rails: A discussion of a UConn women’s basketball documentary becomes a conversation about Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, leadership, the WNBA and — somehow — imagining Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as a couple.GEEK OF THE WEEK:ML arrives and explains that his tardiness involved something considerably more important than the nonsense happening in the basement: questions surrounding Detroit’s Board of Ethics, the city Law Department and possible conflicts involving Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett.Le Rouge Keeps Rolling: Detroit City FC knocks off the first-place Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-0, with Carlos Herrera recording another clean sheet.DCFC sits in second place with ten regular-season games remaining and heads to Louisville City FC next.Soul Night Recap:The Soul Mates invaded the Cadieux Cafe for feather bowling, drinks, questionable athletic performances and music from Smiths United.The weather cooperated, nobody appears to have been permanently injured, and plans are already being floated to do it again next summer.ROOM 7609:Better Live Than in the Studio. Listener Todd submits a 1982 live recording of Ministry performing “America” at Clutch Cargo’s — from an era when Ministry sounded considerably different and Al Jourgensen was apparently still pretending to be British.That leads naturally to memories of St. Andrew’s, mosh pits, chipped teeth and the comforting realization that going down to retrieve a lost shoe in an ’80s mosh pit could legitimately make you wonder whether you were about to die.FEEDBACK: Did Detroit Media Ignore a Horrific Murder? A listener challenges the show over what he believes was inadequate local coverage of the killing of a 57-year-old woman, allegedly by a 15-year-old boy, after surveillance footage spread widely online. ML pushes back against the idea of a media blackout and explains the realities of shrinking newsroom resources, the difference between TV breaking-news coverage and deeper newspaper reporting, and why readers who want strong local journalism eventually have to help pay for it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.

   August 25, 2026·1h 3min
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