On Hand

The Summer harvest is a great time of year in Michigan to put all the bounty between two pieces of bread. It's in the spirit of great sandwiches that the first-ever Detroit Sandwich Party festival kicks off at Eastern Market on Sunday, September 1st.

GUESTS:

Carlos Parisi, DSP organizer, host of the “Sandwich Talk” podcast

Will McDowell, DSP organizer 

Bekah Galang, DSP organizer

 

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The Points North Podcast from Interlochen Public Radio won a national Edward R. Murrow award last week for their story about Kenny Pheasant, an Anishinaabe Michigander working to teach and preserve the Anishinaabemowin language. Today, we bring that episode in honor of their great podcast and wonderful story.

GUEST:

Dan Wanshura, host of Points North podcast

Kenny Phesant, teacher of Anishinaabemowin

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Delegates and protesters from Michigan are in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.

GUEST:

Russ McNamara, WDET reporter in Chicago covering DNC for the Michigan Public Radio Network

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Rewa Zeinati’s new chapbook of poetry, Difficult, touches on the female body, childlessness, marriage, capitalism, and the countries she leaves and returns to. The founder of the critically-acclaimed English-language Arab arts journal, Sukoon, and a curator w the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn joins the show. 

GUEST: 

Rewa Zeinati, writer and editor

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This week Democrats are in Chicago - including a number from Michigan - in what’s meant to be a moment of unity, with a fiery, joyful presidential nominee and her very Midwestern running mate. 

But the party mood is not shared by everyone in the party. Including supporters of the "Uncommitted" movement protesting the Biden Administration's handling of Israel's war in Gaza. 

GUEST:

Lexi Zeidan, Listen to Michigan

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Detroit parents Bridget Finn and Sam Beaubien found their lives upended when their daughter, Florence, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called STXBP1. As they adjusted to a new reality for their family, they also worked to fund research for their daughter's disorder. On today's episode, we talk to Bridget and Sam about their family's story. 

GUESTS: 

Bridget Finn, Director, Art Basel Miami Beach 

Sam Beaubien, audio producer and musician 

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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For those who have flown through Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan you have likely noticed the art in Concourse A. The artwork—titled Facets— is built through three suspended sculptures that might make travelers feel like they are suddenly a part of the piece — as though they are composed beneath hundreds of small colorful connected shapes all hanging overhead. Transit is highlighted beneath what the artist's father saw as a capiz chandelier. For travelers, and the artist himself, that sense of imagery is important - it speaks to a sense of home and a feeling of movement.

Today, we talk with Jeffery Augustine Songco about his artistic journey, his Catholic Filipino upbringing, and the vision that drives his creative process.

GUEST:

• Jeffrey Augustine Songco, portraiture and sculpture artist based in Allendale, MI

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Michigan has a rich history of women in the state's top leadership. Can Vice President Kamala Harris learn anything from our state's political leaders about running—and winning—as a woman? We talked to BBC reporter Madeline Halpert has been thinking about that question and recently wrote about what lessons Michigan's women-dominated politics offers to the likely Democratic presidential nominee. 

GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW:

• Madeline Halpert, North America correspondent for the BBC

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Extreme weather patterns, fruit flies, and decay have impacted Michigan's sweet cherry crop this year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking them to declare a federal disaster for the region, which would make emergency funding available for the state's cherry farmers. On this episode of the podcast, we'll talk to one of those farmers about how he's coping with this tough year.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE

• Isaiah Wunsch, CEO of Wunsch Farms and agribusiness consultant for Third Coast Fruit Co.

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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The FAFSA rollout for the 2025-26 academic year has been delayed, continuing headaches for students applying for federal aid for higher education. The updated 2024-25 FAFSA form suffered from a series of delays, glitches, and other issues, impacting the number of students who chose to fill out the application for student aid, and potentially limiting the options they had for financing a college education. On this episode, we'll dig into what happened, the potential ramifications for students, and the outlook for next year. 

GUEST: 

• Jason Gonzales, higher education reporter for Chalkbeat

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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