MSU Today with Russ White

The State of the State podcast from MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) is a monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan hosted by institute director Matt Grossmann, associate director Arnold Weinfeld, and economist Charles Ballard.

This month, the group analyzes the impact of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut. Then, Matt moves from the co-host microphone to the guest microphone to tell Arnold and Charley about his new book Polarized By Degrees, How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:51) – What are your thoughts on the “complete pivot” that is the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates this week?

(4:11) – What does the interest rate cut mean for the average American? – “It depends upon who you are.”

(6:49) – What are the political implications of the interest rate cut?

(8:55) – To what degree is the state of the economy a campaign issue?

(10:21) – What are your thoughts on how the election is playing out with just a few weeks to go? – “It’s very close to 50/50.”

(11:56) – How is the Michigan economy doing, and to what degree is it a factor in Michigan’s election? – “The Michigan economy has been facing headwinds since the 1970s.”

(15:13) – Matt, what is the main takeaway from Polarized by Degrees?

(18:08) – How many times in history have we seen this kind of shift between the two parties?

(22:43) – What factor does race play in American politics today?

(26:58) – What does this all mean for the future?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

In the inaugural episode of Kevin’s Conversations, Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz talks with Hall of Fame Spartan Basketball Coach Tom Izzo.

Tom tells Kevin about the value of grind week and the team’s recent trip to Spain. And he tells the president about taking his team “back home” to Northern Michigan University for a game. They talk about the changing world of college athletics and challenges and opportunities on the academic side of the house. 

Kevin tells Tom why he was attracted to MSU, and Tom tells Kevin how and when he first came to MSU. They both talk about the importance of balancing academics and athletics at MSU.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:44) – Tom, you’re just coming off grind week. How does it help build the family atmosphere you like for your program?

(2:31) – You recently took your team to Spain. Why did you make the trip, and how did the trip help your team?

(5:35) – You’re taking your team “back home” to Northern Michigan on October 13. 

(9:07) – Kevin, what attracted you to MSU?

(12:20) – What do you see as some of MSU’s challenges and opportunities ahead?

(14:15) – What are your thoughts on the changing world of college athletics?

(17:35) – How, when and why did you first come to MSU, and what does it mean to you to be a Spartan?

(20:53) – Let’s talk about your good friend Mark Dantonio.

(24:44) – Balancing academics and athletics is important.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Kimberly Dodd is the new dean of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

Dean Dodd talks about research and practice strengths of the college and shares some of her short- and long-term goals for CVM. And she describes challenges and opportunities ahead for the college and higher education.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:21) – How long have you been at MSU, and what first attracted you here?

(2:01) – Tell us more about MSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL).

(3:08) – How, when and why did MSU become a veterinary powerhouse?

(4:32) – What are some of the research and practice interests?

(5:39) – Why do you want to be dean of the college?

(6:33) – What are some of your short- and long-term goals for the college?

(7:23) – What are some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for the college?

(8:06) – What are your thoughts on the future of higher education?

(8:48) – What’s the job market like for your graduates?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

A recently published study found that one in five U.S. adults who die by suicide spent at least one night in jail in the year prior to their death. Rapidly and efficiently providing prevention, screening and outreach resources for this group is critical to reducing adult suicides nationwide. 

And counties could save money and keep more people out of jail by improving access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services.

Jennifer Johnson is founding chair of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health at Michigan State University and an author of the studies.

Dalin Clark from MSU Health Sciences joins the conversation.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:41) – Dr. Johnson frames the issue.

(2:18) – How do we identify people at risk, and how do we help them?

(4:50) – What’s the difference between going to jail and going to prison?

(6:24) – And sometimes people go to jail for reasons that aren’t necessarily criminal, right?

(10:54) – How many people are we talking about?

(14:17) – How can the average person help?

(17:05) – How is 988 working?

(20:27) – What’s ahead? Where do we go from here? - The National Center for Health and Justice Integration for Suicide Prevention (NCHATS).

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

David Souder is the new dean of MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. 

Souder shares his background and research interests. And he tells why he was attracted to leading the college. He talks about research and curriculum strengths of the Broad College, shares some of his short- and long-term goals for the college and describes challenges and opportunities along the way while pursuing those goals. He discusses the evolving job market for Broad graduates, too.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:18) – What’s your background?

(0:42) – What are your research interests?

(1:21) – What attracted you to the deanship of the Broad College?

(2:48) – How would you describe your leadership and management style?

(4:47) – What are some of the research and curriculum strengths of the college?

(7:00) – What are some of your short- and long-term goals for the college?

(14:11) – What are some challenges and opportunities along the way as you pursue these goals?

(17:01) – What do you see as the challenges and opportunities ahead for all of higher education?

(23:35) – What are your thoughts on the state and future of the job market for your graduates?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The presidential election is right around the corner and Michigan is going to play a crucial role in the election results. 

For MSU Today’s 2024 Election Spotlight Series, I sit down with MSU researchers and experts who can discuss all things elections and politics. Each guest brings a unique perspective on research and work they are doing that relates to the 2024 Election. 

For this episode, we chat with Dustin Carnahan, an associate professor in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences about the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential debates, as well as misinformation and how voters receive their news.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:53) - Tell us about yourself, what are your areas of expertise?

(1:41) - Since the first presidential debate back in June, a lot has changed. What do you make of the race now?

(2:47) - Given Harris replacing Biden as the new nominee, with the Democrats having a new ticket, might more undecided voters be listening than usual?

(3:25) - What does the research say about debates impacting or changing voters’ opinions?

(4:38) - In a few weeks, the vice-presidential debate will take place. Do VPs and their remarks have any effect on persuading voters?

(6:05) - Shifting into how Americans consume their news, how much of a factor does misinformation/disinformation have on voters and the race?

(8:25) - How is social media affecting campaigning and how voters perceive candidates? 

(10:15) - Given generative AI’s emergence, how big of an issue are deepfakes in media consumption?

(12:30) - As there are only two or so months left, what are your tips for citizens when evaluating the accuracy of information?

(15:45) – Are you expecting a contested election again?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The Michigan State University College of Law is home to eight law clinics, each specializing in a public service area of the law that provides professional legal counsel to the most vulnerable people in society. 

Each clinic is directed by licensed attorneys who are members of the MSU Law faculty and staffed by law students who gain critical hands-on research and litigation experience. The clinics provide pro bono legal services and have won important cases for clients across the country.

MSU Law clinics cover the following areas of the law: immigration, family and juvenile law, housing, small business, public defense, Indian law, tax law, and first amendment.

In this new law clinic podcast series, MSU Today explores how our law clinics have won life-changing cases for clients and have given students incredible starts to successful legal careers. 

The Michigan State University College of Law’s Indian Law Clinic has received funding to continue its work of assisting tribes with enforcement of the law. The MSU clinic is the only law school clinic in the country that regularly represents tribes in both state and federal courts on Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA, cases.

The NoVo Foundation has provided $400,000 in funding for the next two years to support the clinic’s work. The funding will allow the clinic to hire additional lawyers and administrative support to increase its capacity and provide more MSU law students with the opportunity to work on ICWA cases and take on more tribal clients. 

Kathryn E. Fort is director of clinics at the college and directs the Indian Law Clinic. She talks about the clinic’s history and mission and talks about the types of cases with which the clinic assists.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:25) – What’s your background, and how long have you been at MSU?

(2:01) – Did you always know you wanted to practice law? Why are you passionate about experiential learning?

(3:47) – What’s the history and mission of the Indian Law Clinic? What do you do, and for whom do you do it?

(6:04) – What kind of cases do you work on, and what are the key issues facing Native Americans?

(10:08) – Talk about this new funding and what it will allow you to do. Babies in the river?

(13:28) – Talk about all the clinics at the MSU College of Law.

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative launched in 2022.

The league-wide program aims to increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in sports medicine and, over time, help to diversify NFL club medical staffs.

Students from 21 medical schools were matched with NFL clubs across the league for one-month clinical rotations focused on primary care sports medicine and/or orthopedic surgery. The rotations provide students with the opportunity to learn from and work directly with club medical staff as they deliver care to players across the league. Student clinical rotations began as training camps opened for the 2024 NFL season.

Marquisha Myles from MSU’s College of Human Medicine is one of the students who participated in the initiative, and she joins me on MSU Today.

Conversation Highlights:

(1:13) – What’s your background, and why did you choose MSU for medical school?

(2:45) – Did you always know you wanted to go into medicine? And why orthopedics?

(4:26) – Tell us about this cool program in which you participated.

(6:15) – Talk about the burgeoning healthcare footprint in Detroit in which MSU is a major player.

(7:11) – Why is diversity in medicine important to you?

(9:40) – What’s your advice for students considering medical school?

Listen to MSU Today with Russ White on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

The presidential election is right around the corner and Michigan is going to play a crucial role in the election results. 

For MSU Today’s 2024 Election Spotlight Series, I’m talking with MSU researchers and experts who can discuss all things elections and politics. Each guest brings a unique perspective on research and work they are doing that relates to the 2024 election.

To kickoff this series, I’m joined by Dante Chinni, director of the American Communities Project (ACP) at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.

Chinni talks about the ACP and its mission, and he describes the ACP’s 2023 survey that found a great deal of agreement on policy issues in the 15 community types they examined. It’s the culture issues that tend to divide us.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:45) – What’s your background?

(1:12) – What attracted you back to MSU?

(2:01) - What are your research interests?

(2:50) - What are all the ways you’re engaged with the election?

(3:25) - Tell us what the American Communities Project is and does?

(5:21) - You conducted surveys last year finding agreement among Americans on issues like abortion and the economy. How did you conduct the survey? Were you surprised by these findings?

(11:17) - There is disagreement among Americans on cultural issues. Why are people divided on these issues in particular? How do we get past it? Are you hopeful?

(12:55) - The ACP categories counties into 15 different categories to better understand how America can be so different. Describe some of them and when it comes to polarization, are we as divided as some think? Are there ways we can bridge this gap?

(17:11) - It’s cool you’re engaging J-school students with ACP. Tell us how MSU student journalists are reporting on the election.

(18:30) – What are your thoughts on the state and future of journalism?

(21:09) - What other trends are you watching for as we approach the election?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Kyle Melinn is editor and co-owner of the Michigan Information and Research Service (MIRS). He joins Matt Grossmann and Arnold Weinfeld on this episode of the State of the State podcast to talk about the coming election, especially the recent primary in Michigan and how the upcoming general election may shake out in terms of control of the Michigan House of Representatives.

State of the State is the monthly round up of policy and research for the state of Michigan from MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR).

Conversation Highlights:

(1:53) – To what extent are we seeing national trends filter down to the district level in Michigan?

(4:00) – How is fundraising going for both parties? What is ad impact?

(7:30) – What will we miss if we focus too much on the national picture? What state districts are you watching? – Grand Rapids/Kent County, Battle Creek, Macomb County, and Traverse City/Leelanau.

(14:05) – How did Ottawa Impact fare in the primary?

(17:59) – What are the policy stakes of this election? Does it matter who controls the government?

(22:02) – Where does the current political climate leave Governor Whitmer and her future?

(25:38) – How are people thinking about Black representation in the Detroit area?

Listen to “MSU Today with Russ White” on the radio and through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.