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What’s a “Snowbird,” really—and why do millions of Americans and Canadians head south every winter? In this video essay, Arthur Busch—former Genesee County Prosecutor and host of Radio Free Flint—shares why he became a Snowbird and what the lifestyle reveals about working-class culture from the Rust Belt to the Sunbelt. From union paychecks and shift work to HOA meetings and pickleball courts, the Snowbird migration isn’t just about sunshine—it’s about identity, mobility, and the American promise of a little comfort after forty years on the line. Arthur explores the joys, trade-offs, and quiet contradictions: community vs. roots, leisure vs. purpose, and the feeling of leaving family to chase better weather. Is this seasonal move a luxury, a necessity, or a new stage of American life? Let’s talk about the ducks, the geese—and us.
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The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.
By The Mitten Channel4.9
1515 ratings
What’s a “Snowbird,” really—and why do millions of Americans and Canadians head south every winter? In this video essay, Arthur Busch—former Genesee County Prosecutor and host of Radio Free Flint—shares why he became a Snowbird and what the lifestyle reveals about working-class culture from the Rust Belt to the Sunbelt. From union paychecks and shift work to HOA meetings and pickleball courts, the Snowbird migration isn’t just about sunshine—it’s about identity, mobility, and the American promise of a little comfort after forty years on the line. Arthur explores the joys, trade-offs, and quiet contradictions: community vs. roots, leisure vs. purpose, and the feeling of leaving family to chase better weather. Is this seasonal move a luxury, a necessity, or a new stage of American life? Let’s talk about the ducks, the geese—and us.
👉Subscribe to The Mitten Channel
Join us for the full experience. Subscribe to The Mitten Channel on Substack to receive our latest narrative essays, audio stories, and deep-dive reporting directly in your inbox.
Explore Our Series:
Visit our Mitten Channel website for our complete library of podcasts, videos, and articles.
The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.