The Metro

By WDETSociety & Culture News Daily News

The Metro episodes

January 30, 2025 A treasure of Black film history at Motor City Cinema Society
Late Detroiter James Wheeler curated exhibits and traveled around the world showing his rare collection of Black media. The collection of more than 40,000 pieces features film, visual arts, albums, books, magazines, artifacts and so much more. Wheeler's daughter and co-founder of The Black Canon and The Black Canon Collection Alima Trapp joins The Metro to talk about it. Also, Motor City Cinema Society co-founder John Monaghan joins the show to discuss an event showing pieces from the collection on Monday.
Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2025.
Monday’s question: "Would you homeschool your kids and why?"
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
15 min
January 30, 2025 How a Ferndale church is building community through comedy
The pandemic was a lonely time for a lot of people. Social isolation quickly became social distancing. While there was a good reason for that, the separation caused a lot of problems that may now be associated with disconnection, loneliness, and apathy.
Today on The Metro, we spoke with co-lead pastor of the Renaissance Vineyard Church in Ferndale Drew Fralick. He and his wife started a comedy club in the basement of the church to help build positive, in-person connections within the community after the pandemic, while creating a space for local comedians to try out new material. Called the Joke Gym, the space also hosts addiction recovery meetings every other Friday.
Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2025.
Monday’s question: "Would you homeschool your kids and why?"
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
21 min
January 30, 2025Steps we can all take to reduce waste
Americans toss out an average of five pounds of trash each day, according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
While some of that gets recycled, most of it ends up in landfills, leading many households to seek out solutions for reducing their waste output and making more eco-conscious choices. But there are several ways to accomplish that — from composting organic waste, t0 simply consuming less, to opting for a bike or public transportation instead of a car.
Today on The Metro, we discuss what the city of Detroit is doing to reduce waste, what we can do personally, and what it means to center sustainability in our food system.
Guests:
Tepfirah Rushdan: Director of Detroit's Office of Sustainability.
Amanda Brezzell: Creative director and co-founder of Fennigan's Farms in Detroit.
Dazmonique Carr: Director of operations for Deeply Rooted Produce and board president for Deeply Rooted Gardens in Detroit.
More stories from The Metro on Jan. 30, 2024:
Drew Fralick is the co-lead pastor of the Renaissance Vineyard Church in Ferndale. He joined the show to talk about how the church is helping people through addiction recovery and regular comedy events.
WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper ordered up a cold glass of history on the latest episode of CuriosiD when he visited the Two Way Inn, Detroit’s oldest bar. Hooper also spoke to bar historian Mickey Lyons on The Old Miami’s 45th anniversary.
James Wheeler curated exhibits and traveled around the world showing his rare collection of Black media. The collection features film, visual arts, albums, books, magazines, artifacts and so much more. Wheeler's daughter and co-founder of The Black Canon and The Black Canon Collection Alima Trapp joined the show to talk about it. Motor City Cinema co-founder John Monaghan also joined the show to discuss an event showing pieces from the collection this weekend.
Monday’s question: Would you homeschool your kids and why?
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
53 min
January 29, 2025 Why egg prices could keep going up
Egg prices have soared across the country in recent months, with the average price of a dozen eggs in Michigan hovering at $5.
Inflation, bird flu compromising commercial flocks statewide, and a new law that requires all eggs sold in Michigan to be cage-free are all playing a part.
The steep cost of this staple grocery item was central to President Trump’s campaign. He pledged to make things like groceries more affordable for the average American. But what kind of power does he really have to do that?
Kevin Cotter, professor and chair of Wayne State University's Department of Economics, joined the show to discuss the economic landscape of eggs, groceries and inflation more broadly.
Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Tomorrow’s question: "What are you doing to reduce waste?"
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
14 min
January 29, 2025 New book details the struggle to integrate Detroit schools
The U.S. Supreme Court's 1974 Milliken v. Bradley decision limited the courts’ ability to address segregation in schools by halting an “interdistrict busing” plan to tackle Detroit’s increasingly segregated classrooms. Legal scholars say the ruling eroded the progress of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared racial segregation in the classroom unconstitutional.
So what would it take to actually integrate metro Detroit’s schools? Legal scholar Michelle Adams, a University of Michigan law professor and author of the new book, "The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North," joined The Metro on Wednesday to share her expertise on the subject.
Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Tomorrow’s question: "What are you doing to reduce waste?"
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
23 min
January 29, 2025The future of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the US
In his first week in office, President Donald Trump issued executive orders aimed to reduce diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. He and many other conservative voices have been critical of the programs. Some have even called them racist.
Supporters of DEI initiatives argue the programming creates environments where all people regardless of their background can thrive.
Today on The Metro, we’re taking a look at the future of DEI initiatives in the U.S.
Guests:
Ella F. Washington: Organizational psychologist, professor of practice at Georgetown University, and the author of the book “Necessary Journey: Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion."
Rachael Allen: Co-founder of Centric Place, a co-working space and incubator for local entrepreneurs.
More stories from The Metro on Jan. 29, 2025:
Michigan’s gubernatorial race isn’t until November 2026, but several prominent politicians have already declared their candidacy. Bridge Michigan Reporter Simon Schuster returns to the show to help us breakdown Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s time in office and who could be Michigan’s next governor.
Legal scholar and University of Michigan law professor Michelle Adams joined the show discuss her new book, "The Containment: Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North."
Egg prices have soared across the country in recent months, with the average price of a dozen eggs in Michigan hovering at $5. Kevin Cotter, professor and chair of Wayne State University's Department of Economics, joined the show to discuss what's affecting the price of eggs, groceries and inflation more broadly.
Tomorrow’s question: What are you doing to reduce waste?
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
52 min
January 29, 2025 The Michigan governor's race is heating up
Michigan’s gubernatorial race isn’t until November 2026, but several prominent politicians have already declared their candidacy.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced last week that she'll be running on the Democratic ticket, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan — a long time Democrat — has switched parties and will be running for governor as an Independent. Republican state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt was the first Republican to announce their candidacy for the seat. Current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and will not be eligible to run.
Bridge Michigan Reporter Simon Schuster returned to the show on Wednesday to help us breakdown Whitmer’s legacy and accomplishments during her time in office and who could be Michigan’s next governor.
Hear more stories from The Metro on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Tomorrow’s question: "What are you doing to reduce waste?"
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
19 min
January 28, 2025Detroit has 300 parks and you can adopt one
Detroit has over 300 parks. It’s a community resource that requires community stewards.
The Detroit Parks Coalition is asking groups like block clubs, churches, and nonprofits to become stewards of a city park. Sigal Hemy, executive director of the Detroit Parks Coalition, joined The Metro to discuss the magic of Detroit’s parks and what it means to adopt one.
More stories from The Metro on Jan. 28, 2024:
The total net worth of billionaires involved with the Trump administration amounts to over $382 billion, which is more than the GDP of 172 different countries. We discussed how wealthy individuals are now influencing our politics, and how much of a change that is from past administrations.
Black Bottom Archives is a community archive that’s committed to preserving Black Detroit stories, and the organization is celebrating its 10th year.
Being from Detroit has created a strong foundation for Emmy-award winning journalist and Fresh Air co-host Tonya Mosley. She joined the show to talk about her hometown and career.
Tomorrow’s question: Should the U.S. Government get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion?
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
15 min
January 28, 2025Black Bottom Archives celebrate 10 years
Many Black Americans moved to Detroit during the Great Migration. But, due to discriminatory housing policies, Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood was one of only a handful of areas where African Americans could live in the city. While it quickly became a vibrant neighborhood, it was later razed to make way for the construction of the Interstate 75 freeway, forcing residents to relocate.
Marcia Black and Lex Draper Garcia Bey from Black Bottom Archives joined The Metro on Tuesday to discuss the 10-year anniversary of the archive that has documented the history of Detroit’s Black Bottom.
More stories from The Metro on Jan. 28, 2024:
The total net worth of billionaires involved with the Trump administration amounts to over $382 billion, which is more than the GDP of 172 different countries. We discussed how wealthy individuals are now influencing our politics, and how much of a change that is from past administrations.
Being from Detroit has created a strong foundation for Emmy-award winning journalist and Fresh Air co-host Tonya Mosley. She joined the show to talk about her hometown and career.
Detroit’s Adopt-A-Park program is asking groups like block clubs, churches, and nonprofits to become stewards of a city park. Executive Director of the Detroit Parks Coalition Sigal Hemy joined the show to discuss the magic of Detroit’s parks and what it means to adopt one.
Tomorrow’s question: Should the U.S. Government get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion?
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
18 min
January 28, 2025NPR's Tonya Mosley can’t stop talking about Detroit
Being from Detroit means a lot of things to a lot of different people — toughness, creativity, resilience. But there are also decades-old stereotypes about Detroit and its people — ones that cast Detroit in a shadow of crime and poverty.
Still, there’s one thing people know to be true about native Detroiters: They’re proud to be from this city.
For Detroit native Tonya Mosley, being from Detroit has created a strong foundation for her career to thrive on. The Emmy award-winning journalist and co-host of NPR's Fresh Air joined The Metro on Tuesday to discuss her career in public media and love for her hometown.
More stories from The Metro on Jan. 28, 2024:
The total net worth of billionaires involved with the Trump administration amounts to over $382 billion, which is more than the GDP of 172 different countries. We discussed how wealthy individuals are now influencing our politics, and how much of a change that is from past administrations.
Black Bottom Archives is a community archive that’s committed to preserving Black Detroit stories, and the organization is celebrating its 10th year.
Detroit’s Adopt-A-Park program is asking groups like block clubs, churches, and nonprofits to become stewards of a city park. Executive Director of the Detroit Parks Coalition Sigal Hemy joined the show to discuss the magic of Detroit’s parks and what it means to adopt one.
Tomorrow’s question: Should the U.S. Government get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion?
Join the conversation by calling 313-577-1019 or leaving us an Open Mic message on the WDET app.
24 min

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"The Metro" covers local and regional news and current affairs, arts and cultural events and topics, with a commitment to airing perspectives and uncovering stories underreported by mainstream…