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Podcast Episodes Interviews, Show Notes, and Transcripts

Nov. 14, 2020

Joe Ryan III: From Flint to Hollywood — The Sound of a New Generation

Send us a text Hip Hop recording artist Joe Ryan III a Flint, Michigan native, was profoundly moved to action by the Flint Water Crisis. He called back home to his 90-year-old grandmother, Odessa Houston, who began to sing a song on the telephone. Joe recorded her singing over the phone line, then …

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Nov. 12, 2020

Toxic Brownfield and the Flint River

Send us a text Flint, Michigan's Buick City brownfield site does not have just a little bit of toxic chemicals left behind by GM, there appears to be a massive amount of environmental damage. As the Flint water crisis, the real story is not out there just yet about the Buick City brownfield site. M…

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Nov. 10, 2020

Flint River Blues: Colton Ort

Send us a text The Flint River Blues is one of many songs written about the Flint Water Crisis. Colton Ort, a singer-songwriter documents for history the lead-tainted water of Flint. He discussed his song and the message he is trying to send. lead-tainted Special Thanks to Colton Ort who provided t…

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Nov. 10, 2020

A Cain & Able Murder Case: David Melfi

Send us a text A true crime story about fratricide. The killing involves fraternal twins. One twin, David Melfi along with a friend helped kill the other twin by stabbing him 45 times. It is a shocking crime. The Prosecutor in the case, Arthur A. Busch narrates the case from his vantage point. This…

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Oct. 24, 2020

Ode to Singer Songwriter Justin Townes Earle

Send us a text Singer-Songwriter Justin Townes Earle was a Nashville, Tennessee native who understood Flint, Michigan perfectly. Justin never played a gig in Flint, but he was eager to find his way to a stage in the Flint area. He died before he had his opportunity. Townes-Earle penned the song “Fl…

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Oct. 19, 2020

Safetyville, USA Part 1

Send us a text Safetyville, Flint Michigan has a very special place in the hearts of many baby boomers in the Flint Area. This podcast narrative by Arthur Busch recalls the Safetyville of the 1960s in Flint, Michigan. The podcast episode has a brief interview with powered car expert, Lee Exline, on…

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Oct. 12, 2020

Characters in the Commercials: Flint Television Advertising

Send us a text Mark Parsells' stories of the history of radio and television advertising in Mid-Michigan are full of humor. Mark's late father, Vern Parsell, was a pioneering Flint area automobile dealer. Mark Parsell got the grit and determination in Flint that he needed to launch a second career …

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Oct. 1, 2020

Harrowing Rescue of Orphan Babies, a Plane Crash and a Flint Hero, Ph…

Send us a text Sgt. Phillip R. Wise, a Flint, Michigan native, has been on a decades-long quest to find the answers about the crash of a C 5-A transport plane in which he was a crew member trying to save orphan Vietnamese-American babies. Sgt. Wise has an eternal bond with the surviving children, n…

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Sept. 27, 2020

Truck Camping: The Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinaw

Send us a text The Radio Free Flint Camper Truck Tour Podcast continues with a visit to the mighty Mackinac Bridge. With a total span of approximately 5 miles, the Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan uniting the communities of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. …

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Sept. 19, 2020

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: My Eulogy

Send us a text Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her life in service to the cause of women's rights and equality. She was a giant in history even while still alive to millions of Americans. She will long be remembered as one of the greatest justices to ever serve on our nation's high court. Arthur …

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Sept. 19, 2020

Truck Camper Tour: Lake Michigan and Wilderness State Park

Send us a text Arthur Busch takes his Radio Free Flint podcast on a Truck Camper tour along the magnificent shores of the Great Lakes. Nowhere on earth can this amount of freshwater be found other than Michigan. The coastal towns and parks provide a backdrop for storytelling. Listen in as Radio Fre…

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Sept. 14, 2020

Gypsy Jazz Guitarist Remi Harris

Send us a text Remi Harris is one of the most accomplished guitarists in the United Kingdom. He grew up in the Midlands of England which has been fertile ground for a world-class guitarists like Robert Plant, etc. Remi Harris has performed at some notable venues including the Montreal Jazz Festival…

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Sept. 7, 2020

Labor Day Tribute: UAW Dir Steve Dawes

Send us a text Steve Dawes is a new UAW Regional Director and shares labor's goals and aspirations for the future. He also shares his path to leadership in the UAW. His work in Flint, Michigan has been vital to the area as the Michigan manufacturing workforce has been downsized in the era of global…

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Sept. 5, 2020

Michigan's Woodstock: Sherwood Forest #20042

Send us a text The story of Sherwood Forest (Davison, Michigan) is an improbable one that is part of Rock and Roll History. In the 1960's and 70's the popular Michigan music festival venue helped launch the careers of many of Michigan's emerging Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Bob Seger, Stevie Wonde…

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Aug. 30, 2020

Wild Rice in Michigan with Author Barb Barton

Send us a text Barb Barton is the author of the book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan. As a lifelong Michigander and an endangered species biologist by training, Barton finds boundless inspiration in the region’s rich history. Manoomin traces the interwoven stories of the Anishinaabek, …

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Aug. 23, 2020

Planet of the Humans: A Movie About Surviving Climate Change

Send us a text Planet of the Humans has already been seen by over 10 million viewers world-wide!! Jeff Gibbs, a Flint native, is a successful documentary filmmaker. Jeff and his lifelong friend, Michael Moore recently released an eco-documentary movie, Planet of the Humans. Jeff grew up in the Beec…

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Aug. 16, 2020

Flint's White Backlash: George Wallace, Don Williamson & Trump #20039

Send us a text Flint's blue collar workers have long led America's political rebellions. History tells us exactly why. My latest podcast examines Flint's blue collar voting history in Presidential elections since 1968. History reveals the common themes that attracted disaffected Flint's southern au…

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Aug. 15, 2020

1970's Flint and Other Tall Tales: Jon Harpst

Send us a text Jon Harpst is a colorful figure in Flint's history. Jon was instrumental in the beginnings of the Bobby Crim Road Race and getting it to locate in Flint. He shares the early history of what has become one of the best long distance running events in America. Jon was the campaign manag…

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Aug. 9, 2020

Super Lawyer Tom Pabst on Whistleblowers, Police Misconduct and Civil…

Send us a text Tom R. Pabst has dedicated his legal career to obtaining justice for the underdog, the weak, the powerless and those without a voice. He is recognized by his peers as one of the best trial attorneys in Michigan. He has obtained over a dozen million dollar jury awards for his clients …

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Aug. 6, 2020

State Rep Tim Sneller: Memories from a 30-Year Career in the Michigan…

Send us a text With over three decades of experience, broad knowledge of both state and local government, and deep roots in the community, Representative Tim Sneller has hit the ground running in the Michigan House of Representatives and is working hard to serve his home community.Currently, Tim is…

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July 29, 2020

Judge Herman Marable on his Career, Efforts to Help Kids in the Flint…

Send us a text Judge Herman Marable has served 20 years on the 68th District Court bench. Over that time he has been active in helping high school students through his charitable initiative : Judge Marable's Student of the Month. He describes how he has helped mentor Flint area youth to attend coll…

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July 26, 2020

UM Star Paul Staroba on Bo Schembechler, Touchdowns at the "Big House…

Send us a text Paul Staroba was a three-sport standout at St. Matthew High, he enjoyed an outstanding career at the University of Michigan and played several seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. Paul is a member of the Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame. At St. Matthew, Staroba was All-State i…

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July 23, 2020

#32 Schools & Pandemic: Michigan State Rep Sheryl Kennedy Discusses t…

Send us a text State Representative Sheryl Kennedy (D-Davison) is a member of the Genesee County state legislative delegation. Her career is off to an amazing start being named to a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee where she serves on subcommittees for School Aid & Education,…

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July 19, 2020

#31 Murals & Graffiti: Flint Public Art Project

Send us a text Flint Public Art Project a non-profit group has helped fuel the creation of over 100 new murals in the City of Flint. This year, the goal for 2020 is to add between 60 to 75 more and artists are needed to make that vision a reality. Local and international muralists have come to Flin…

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