The longstanding conventional wisdom is that what we call hillbilly music originated in Western Europe. But the truth, as many scholars and musicians have been preaching for years now, is that country music is intimately tied into the experience of African Americans. In fact, one of the most recognizable instruments in the country music genre is the banjo--which made its way to America from West Africa with enslaved people. On today's episode, University of Michigan professor Nadine Hubbs talked about Black Americans' (often erased) influence on country music as we know it today--and how Black artists like Beyoncé are reclaiming a space in the genre. 

GUEST: 
 
Nadine Hubbs, professor of music at the University of Michigan and author of "Rednecks, Queers, and Country Music"

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

 

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Solar Party Detroit started as a idea to power a e-bike with solar power from off the grid. Now, the company owns a fleet of several solar generators that have powered everything from DJ setups to movie screenings. We talk to the co-founders and owners of the company about their experience powering the city's summer celebrations with sunlight. 

GUESTS:

• Ash Arder, co-founder and owner of Solar Party Detroit.

• Diane Cheklich, co-founder and owner of Solar Party Detroit.

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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President Biden's doddering performance at his first debate with Donald Trump this election cycle reportedly has many high up Democratic strategists nervous about the president's prospects. And it again raises the question of who could step in on short notice to run for president.... which brings Governor Gretchen Whitmer's name into the conversation. Is Michigan's governor interested?

GUESTS:

Jordyn Hermani, Capitol reporter for Bridge Michigan

Sam Shriber, political reporter for the Michigan Information & Research Service

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The Legislature pulled an all-nighter to pass a record breaking state budget. Here are the topline items they passed, and how they got it done.

GUEST:

• Elena Durnbaugh, reporter for Gongwer covering the Michigan House of Representatives

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Michigander Courtney Andersen was recently named as the best social media influencer in Hour Detroit Magazine's Best of Detroit 2024 list. On her podcast Sober Vibes,  Andersen shares her story as a woman who decided to leave her relationship with alcohol when she was 29 years old. The podcast, which she launched in 2020, focuses on alcoholism, family dynamics, and how Andersen has found healing and help along the way. 

GUEST:
Courtney Andersen, host, Sober Vibes podcast

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Within the past few months, two men have been killed in the Grand Rapids area by law enforcement officials in encounters that involved injuries from the officers’ vehicles. We talk to a community activist and the Grand Rapids chief of police about what these incidents have meant for community trust in the police—and what steps the department is taking to rebuild trust in law enforcement.

We reached out to the Kent County Sheriff's Office about Riley Doggett’s death, and they declined to comment. A spokesperson instead referred us to the Kent County prosecutor's decision not to pursue charges against the deputy involved.

GUESTS:

• Aly Bates, Grand Rapids resident, activist
• Eric Winstrom, Grand Rapids Police Chief

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The Surgeon General came out with a startling suggestion last week: social media should come with warnings, like packs of cigarettes and alcohol.

Jenny Radesky is a pediatrician and researcher. Her work guides parents on how to mitigate their child's media use.

Radesky says media habits start in infancy and can be hard to get rid of once they solidify. The more time kids spend on media, the less time they are playing, sleeping or developing skills.

GUEST:

Jenny Radesky, medical director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health and faculty at the University of Michigan

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A solo exhibit from artist Elizabeth Youngblood is on display now through August 3 at the University of Michigan's Stamps Gallery. It looks back at 40 years of the Detroit artist's work in art and graphic design. On this episode, we talked to Youngblood about her long career and the themes that she sees drawing a thread from past to present in her work. The exhibit, titled Syntax, is on view now through August 3.

GUEST: 

Elizabeth Youngblood, Detroit artist

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When you think about Afrofuturism, what pops into your head? Is it the sci-fi novels of writers Ocatvia Butler, Samuel Delany, or N.K. Jemisin? Or perhaps you’ve tuned in more recently to the representation of Afrofuturism on the big screen in movies like Black Panther. What about quilting? A new exhibit at Michigan State University showcases the Black artists using fabric and Afrofuturist themes to create unique works of art. On this episode, we'll hear from one of the curators about how these quilts envision a Black future while paying homage to its rich history. 

GUEST: 

Liv Furman, post-doctoral scholar in the Department of African American and African Studies at Michigan State University

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Medical professionals at Ascension hospitals are just recovering from the affects of a ransomware attack that targeted the health system on May 8. In addition to the challenge of relying on paper records, caregivers have long been grappling with Ascension's decision to arrange contracts with outside staffing companies.

"A lot of us have worked for multiple different staffing agencies over the years. And the problem is, a lot of us feel like we're being bought and sold like cattle," Michelle Wiener, an emergency medicine doctor at Ascension St. John, said.

See the story here to read more about the staffing model at Ascension St. John, and to read statements from IEP, Ascension, and TeamHealth.

See the story here to read more about the harrowing affects of the May 8 cyberattack on Michigan hospitals.

GUEST:

Michelle Wiener, emergency medicine doctor at Ascension St. John, said.

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