Podcast Episodes Interviews, Show Notes, and Transcripts

Judge Duncan Beagle of Genesee County is a 3rd generation lawyer. He shares his growing up in Flint, community activities, and accomplishments. Judge Duncan M. Beagle has lived a remarkable life. Judge Beagle has inspired, mentored, and coached courage and resilience while serving his community. Judge Beagle's grandfather Charles Beagle was the Genesee County Prosecutor in the 1920s and practiced law for 56 years in Flint. John Beagle, Duncan's father, was also a Flint lawyer who practiced law ...

Poet Semaj Brown is Flint's Poet Laureate. Her work in Flint uses poetry to address literacy problems with lead-poisoned children. Semaj Brown is the first Poet Laureate appointed by the City of Flint. She delivers a riveting read of a poem she wrote for the people of Flint. The Academy of American Poets recently recognized her talents as a Poet Laureate. Semaj works in Flint using poetry to address literacy problems with lead-poisoned children. Semaj is also an accomplished playwright, publis...

Rico Phillips is a retired, 27-year veteran Flint Firefighter. He is also an inspiration!. In 2019, the National Hockey League honored Rico with its prestigious Community Hero Award. They did so because, in 2010, Phillips started an inner-city hockey program to introduce Flint kids to the sport. Rico shares fascinating stories about growing up in Flint, being bi-racial, and how he decided to become a firefighter. Ricco discusses his work with children in Flint. He also talks about his work as D...

Michigan Lumber is a Centennial business in the City of Flint. Gerald Haan and his daughter Katie are the third and fourth generation to run the family-owned business. Gerald also shares his views about Michigan Lumber, Flint, and its future. He also shares his dream of building affordable new single-family housing in the downtown Flint area. Michigan Lumber is located just beyond the center of downtown Flint. The family-owned business has been working from its original location since its found...

Patricia Majher discusses her books of mini-biographies, including three Flint natives, MI; Michael Moore, Jim Abbott, and Sara Emma Edmonds. Her books Great Girls and Bold Boys are designed for children but are informative and entertaining for people of all ages. A deep-sea diver, a dancer, an activist, an aviator, a singer, and a soldier—Great Girls in Michigan History highlights 20 girls from Michigan’s past who did extraordinary things before they turned 20 years old. Author Patricia Majher...

Jermaine Reese, spent eighteen years as a Flint Police Officer. He shares his policing career, its highs and lows. He patrolled the Flint, Michigan neighborhood where he was raised. What is life like in a City of Flint patrol car? What will it take for Flint's crime statistics to improve? What type of training for police will reduce abuse claims and lawsuits? Dr. Reese explains that one of those challenges was being black and a policeman. Professor Reese also comments on the Black Lives Matter ...

Grand Blanc, MI attorney and businessman Michael Jablonski is an entrepreneurial success. Jablonski shares stories from his business career in the food and entertainment business in Mid-Michigan. Few people in Michigan have made an impact on the Flint area community's entertainment and fine dining as Michael Jablonski. Michael has developed several concept businesses in the Flint, Michigan area. Those establishments, Celebrations Night Club and Brick Street have became some of the most popular ...

Joel Bye and his band the Blue Hawaiians are legendary amongst Michigan music fans. Joel shares the colorful history of the band as well as his prior band The Nick Garvey Band. In a hilarious and surprisingly reflective interview Joel Bye shares how he got started playing the drums with another local legend, the late jazz master Sherman Mitchell, playing in the Fireside Lounge in Flint. He speaks optimistically about Flint, Michigan and what the town has ment to him. He played his first gig at...

William S. Ballenger III of Flint, Michigan is a descendant of one of the founders of Buick, Chevrolet Motor Car Company, General Motors. Bill is a member of the family that philanthropically endowed the Flint area. Bill shares his family's history, accomplishments, and philanthropic activity. Along the way, Bill shares experiences about growing up in Flint and shares his memories of the late Charles Stewart Mott and family. Bill Ballenger is a former State Senator, State Representative, the Mic...

Pete "Fat Cat" Flanders is perhaps one of the best remembered radio personalities in the Mid-Michigan media market. He is the owner of Musical Memories, a Flint record shop that specializes in vinyl record sales. Pete recounts his 40 year history in Flint area radio sharing stories from his long career as a DJ, Concert Promoter and Businessman. Pete worked at WHMM with its urban format and WTAC with its contemporary Rock format. He has worked as a promoter, announcer, or tour assistant to some ...

Norman Bryant is a former President of Flint Board of Education. At 85 years of age, he shares the history of the Flint Community Schools and high school athletics. Norm is the founder of the Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame. Norm provides a wonderful oral history of African American life in a northern US industrial community in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. During the interview Norm Bryant discusses the people and activities around Flint, Michigan becoming the first U.S. major cit...

Local news anchor Joel Feick stepped down from local television news after 35 years. He left familiar seat as "The People's News Anchor". Joel shares stories about his life as a reporter. In this podcast, Joel shares his memories of the characters whom he covered as a journalist. He also shares memories of colleagues and other reporters in the Mid-Michigan area. He worked 27 years for ABC-12 and then 8 years at NBC25/FOX66 where concluded his career in broadcasting. In November 2020, Joel was e...