Podcast Episodes Interviews, Show Notes, and Transcripts

Rev. Robert McCathern, the pastor of a hip church in Flint's Civic Park, tells of convincing young people to put away guns and take up hammers to improve the area. Rev. Robert McCathern, the pastor of the Joy Tabernacle Church, leads a church some call a "hip" church. His Flint, Michigan church is the former Community Presbyterian Church in Flint's Civic Park neighborhood. Pastor McCathern is the founder and director of the Urban Renaissance Center. The Urban Renaissance Center is a faith-base...

Jeffrey LeValley is a gospel composer and songwriter. He discusses a Grammy-winning song he wrote, "Revelations 19:1," recorded by hip-hop artist Kanye West. The pandemic brought well-known Flint area gospel composer, director, and performer Jeffrey LeValley a gift he could never have imagined. In 2021, a song he wrote, Revelations 19:1, was recorded by hip-hop artist Kanye West. The song won a Grammy Award for West and LeValley, who wrote the song. In previous years, LeValley was Grammy-nominat...

The Sharee Miller murder case is one of Michigan's most notable criminal cases this century. The love triangle that Ms. Miller fostered resulted in the death of her husband, Bruce Miller. Sharee engaged in a torrid affair with a Kansas City cop. She convinced her then-boyfriend, Jerry Cassady, to come to Michigan and murder her husband, Bruce. Ms. Miller did so using a litany of falsehoods about her husband abusing her and the love child she was carrying. Jerry Cassady killed himself, leaving...

Genesee County Circuit Judge Duncan M. Beagle's uplifting story of courage and determination to overcome his physical disability. Genesee County Circuit Judge Duncan M. Beagle will retire at the end of his current term. This is a riveting conversation about the illness that caused him to be unable to use his legs at the age of 43. It is an uplifting story of courage and determination to overcome his physical disability to become one of the most well-liked Judges in Genesee County. The Beagle fa...

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 ...

Philip Hagerman started a real estate and venture investment firm, Sky Point Ventures, headquartered in Flint, Michigan. He discusses his $50 million investment in reviving downtown Flint including the historic Capitol Theatre. Philip R. Hagerman co-founded Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy with his father, Dale Hagerman, in 1975. Diplomat grew to be the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacy, with revenue growing from $25 million in 2005 to over $4 Billion in 2015, recognized as one of the f...

Safetyville, Flint, Michigan, has a special place in the hearts of a lot of Flint area baby boomers. STOP-LOOK-LISTEN. Remember that lesson? Most remember the miniature Corvettes, T-Birds, and kids' first driver's licenses. Many Flint baby boomers received their first driver's license at Safetyville-Flint. Safetyville could be found at Kearsley Park. The powered cars were vintage replicas of the Ford T-Bird, and just for good measure, there were a few Corvettes. I interviewed Len Exline, who ...

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...

Tawas Point State Park is located on Lake Huron in Northern Michigan near East Tawas, Michigan. The state park encompasses 183 acres at the end of a sand spit that forms Tawas Bay. It has been referred to as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest" and is a notable bird-watching site. Ossineke is a rustic State Forest campground on Lake Huron with crystal clear water and a sandy beach. The area, including Presque Isle, has quiet beaches. Cheboygan is near Michigan's Inland Waterway, a 38-mile (61-km) cha...

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...