Nov. 12, 2025

Fly Away Home Snowbird

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Fly Away Home Snowbird

Hey friends! Ever wonder why some of us pack up and head south when winter hits Michigan? In my latest Radio Free Flint video essay, I dig into what it really means to be a Snowbird — not just chasing sunshine, but searching for comfort, identity, and balance after a lifetime of hard work.
I share my own story, the trade-offs, and what this migration says about who we are as Michiganders and Americans. 🇺🇸
🎧 Watch or listen now and tell me — are you a Snowbird, or do you brave the Michigan winters?
👇 Drop a comment and rate the podcast — I’d love to know what topics you want more of: public affairs, law, history, or Michigan culture?

#RadioFreeFlint #MichiganWinters #SnowbirdLife #MidwestCulture #PublicAffairsPodcast #ArthurBusch

Each winter, millions of Americans head south in search of warmth, sunshine, and a slower pace of life. In this reflective Radio Free Flint episode, Arthur Busch explores what it really means to be a Snowbird — and what this migration says about Michigan, aging, and the American spirit.

🗣️ Topics Covered

  • 🌴 The psychology and lifestyle of becoming a Snowbird

  • 🧊 Why Michigan winters drive so many retirees to migrate south

  • 🏠 The pull of home — what we miss (and don’t) when we leave

  • 💰 The economics of retirement mobility and regional inequality

  • 👥 Identity, aging, and how our environments shape who we become

  • 🌎 Comparing Florida vs. Michigan lifestyles: comfort vs. community

  • 🛣️ How migration reflects deeper themes of freedom, choice, and belonging

  • 🏛️ Reflections on law, policy, and how northern cities adapt to population shifts

  • 💬 Personal stories from Arthur Busch and listeners about migration, nostalgia, and the meaning of “home”

  • 🎙️ Invitation to listeners: share your experiences — do you stay or go?


🔗 Links

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Chapters

00:01 - Cold Open

00:28 - What is a Snowbird

02:05 - My Michigan-to-Florida Story

05:10 - Working-class Culture on Wheels

08:01 - Trade-offs: Family, Faith and Home

10:10 - What this Says About America

11:30 - Closing