The Metro

Today on The Metro, we're talking about the cold weather and how to get through some chilly months. Holli-Anne Passmore, associate professor and department chair of psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton, joins the conversation to talk about the psychological benefits of connecting with the natural world, even in the winter. Plus, Ian Solomon of Amplify Outside returns to share his perspective.

On today's show, we talk to Detroit Blight Remediation Department Head Zak Meers and artist Ijenia Cortez about the city's new Detroit Artists Apprentice Program. The inaugural program will connect 18 creatives with six experienced artists to grow Detroit's art community. Also, new Detroit Department of Transportation Director Robert Cramer joins the show to talk about how he's hoping to improve the service. 

Andrea Spyros, behavior design consultant with BD3 Solutions, joins the show to share some reassurance and advice on becoming your best self in 2025. Also, we speak with the executive director of Force Detroit — one of six community groups working to reduce gun violence in the city.

Temple Bar owner George Boukas joins The Metro to discuss the seven month long process of restoring the bar after it partially collapsed in May of last year. Also, The Metro team shares stories they’re following in 2025 and a few favorite conversations from 2024.

Festivus, the holiday depicted on "Seinfeld," is coming up on Dec. 23. Part of the Festivus tradition is the “airing of grievances.” Today on The Metro, we air our grievances and hear yours. We'll also spend some time talking about what we're grateful for. 

Today on The Metro, we're listening to some catchy tunes. A few songs you might be familiar with, but aren't often reaching the top charts. Commercial jingles are becoming harder to hear. It was once a craft to create a short tune to sell products, but those days are slipping away. Host of WDET's Modern Music and Executive Music Producer for Doner Advertising John Moshier joins the show to talk about how jingle styles have changed. Dan Yessian and Ohad Wilner of Yessian Creative also join the show. Yessian wrote the jingle for Dittrich Furs that's been playing for decades. 

Today on The Metro, we're talking about the moral quandaries that come with being a fan. Can, and should, we separate the art from the artist? Roula David, owner of Spot Lite and UFO Bar, joins the show to talk about how she creates a safe space and vets performers at the venues. Hip-Hop historian and journalist Kahn Santori Davison and Comedian T Barb also join the show and give their reaction to recent sexual violence allegations against P Diddy and Jay-Z. 

The killing of the United Healthcare CEO has sparked a lot of conversations about political violence and also about health insurance in the U.S. and the many frustrations people have with their coverage. Today on The Metro, we take the temperature of health insurance in metro Detroit and beyond, and look at how things like medical debt affect a person’s quality of life. Plus, the Detroit Youth Choir is anointing its melodies upon Dearbornites. We’ll chat with the choir director about the joy of the season.

After a six-year battle that involved lawsuits, protests, and an intervention by the state Supreme Court, Michigan will start to raise its minimum wage in January 2025. Critics of the new law argue this change could affect what tipped workers take home and be tough on businesses. Three guests join the show to discuss.

Plus, Michigan’s 2024 Teacher of the Year Kelley Cusmano joins the show to talk about teacher retention in the state.

Today on The Metro, we look at women’s roles and how they’ve shifted in the workplace over the past decade. Then we take a look at renters in Detroit and how they make up half of the city's residents. Finally, we take a look at Black woman candidates in the electoral mayor race and how Vice President of Programs for Higher Heights America Eboni Taylor is helping more Black women to get elected into office.