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Are we living in a two-tiered economy? The wealth of the few continues to soar, while the struggle for the majority, the working class, the middle class, gets harder every year.

On today's show, we cut through the corporate spin and the political jargon to bring you the truth about income inequality in the Great Lakes State and beyond.

Join us as we talk to the real leaders on the ground: the bold community organizers who are leading protests against major retailers demanding fair wages and ethical practices, and the grassroots activists building powerful coalitions to push back against the systems designed to keep the rich richer and the rest of us behind.

This isn't just a discussion; it's a blueprint for action. Tune in to hear stories of resilience, strategic pushback, and how communities are uniting to advocate for a more just and equitable future.

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In this episode, we explore how Donald Trumps charged language and polarizing narratives emanating from the top level of government will trickle down, poisoning everything from city council meetings and school board debates to neighborhood discourse. Discover the real-world impact when heated, distant battles become volatile, close-to-home conflicts, threatening the collegiality and reasoned debate necessary for effective local governance, and learn what citizens can do to advocate for civility and focus on the issues that truly matter to their communities.

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Michigan is the guardian of 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. Now, a thirsty new industry is knocking at the door. The Michigan Advocate explores the rapid expansion of A.I. data centers across the state.

While tech giants promise innovation, communities are left grappling with noise pollution, land disputes, and unprecedented demands on our precious water and energy resources. In this episode we weigh the true price of progress. We aren't just watching the future happen, we’re advocating for a Michigan that survives it.

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Today, we look beyond the sensational headlines of the newly unsealed Jeffrey Epstein documents to confront a more pressing local danger: the weaponization of denialism. We explore how the refusal to accept established facts is deepening the political divide right here in our communities, transforming national conspiracies into local wedges between neighbors. Join us as we dissect the mechanism behind this polarization and analyze what the erosion of shared reality means for the future of civil discourse in the Great Lakes State.

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Today on the show, we discuss how important it is to lead when it all hits the fan. Stepping up to lead when things are fun and cute is needed, but can you step up when it's all going wrong? 

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Today on the show, Joanna discusses the ways in which we operate when something is bigger than one person. We all have a mode of operation in large settings or in movements. Today, Joanna discusses her evolution of self in the whole picture. 

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Today, Joanna shares some major news. She is running for the Michigan House of Representatives!! Joanna shares the journey from LGBTQ+ rights advocacy to running for office. In this difficult time in America and in Michigan, she is running to get the government to lead and not hate. 

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Today on the show, Joanna discussed lessons learned in the last year. As she celebrates her birthday, she shares ideas of loving more and how difficult lessons have shaped who she is today. 

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EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED: March 2nd, 2025

The concept of "freedom" has become a battleground, often weaponized by voices of bigotry and a narrow, Christian heteronormative worldview. Today, we delve into this complex issue, unpacking how this appropriation impacts queer individuals of faith. Join us as we explore navigating this challenging landscape, finding strength in our intersectional identities, and reclaiming the true meaning of liberation. 

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REFERENCES:

AP News. (2024, March 2). Trump administration reverses Obama-era transgender protections in new order. Associated Press. Bible, New Revised Standard Version. (1989). Malachi 3:3. In The Holy Bible (p. 1195). National Council of Churches of Christ. Dobson, J. (n.d.). Purity. Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. https://www.drjamesdobson.org/broadcasts/tag/purity. Harris, J. (1997). I kissed dating goodbye: A new approach to relationships and romance. Multnomah Books.  Mark Allen Powell (2014). Introducing the New Testament: A historical, literary, and theological introduction. Baker Academic. Pg 548-549. Salamon, M. (2024, September 1). Doomscrolling dangers. Harvard Health Blog. Harvard Health Publishing. HRC. (2023). Meta’s new policies: How they endanger LGBTQ+ communities and our tips for staying safe online. Human Rights Campaign. Folkenflik, D. (2013, August 12). Murdoch's Fox News sued by ex-workers over alleged bias against women, blacks, and gays. HuffPost. Strain, J. (2022, November). Strain of media overload. Monitor on Psychology, 43(10). McCammon, S., & Campbell, N. (2020, October 12). We asked Americans how they feel about the U.S. flag. It got interesting. NPR. 

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Today on the show, we discuss the epidemic of school shootings in America. The ability of lawmakers to do nothing on this topic is mind-numbingly ridiculous, and we need to demand our leaders do more, and do it now. Joanna shares her thoughts on how to go after this problem. 

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