Video Essays & Interview Podcasts

A short and powerful reminder of where the American labor movement came from. Walter Reuther speaks directly to the next generation about the early days of the UAW—when autoworkers in Flint were beaten, threatened, intimidated, and even shot at for daring to organize. In this clip, Reuther explains how solidarity, unity, and courage defeated corporate intimidation and built the middle class. A message every young worker should hear today. “When men and women are united in common purpose, there is no power in the world that can stop the forward march of free people.” — Walter Reuther #UAW #SitDownStrike #FlintMichigan #LaborHistory #WalterReuther #UnionStrong #TheMittenChannel

Welcome to The Mitten Channel — Michigan’s home for powerful storytelling, American history, labor struggles, true crime, environmental justice, and the unforgettable voices that shaped the Rust Belt. Hosted by former Genesee County Prosecutor Arthur Busch, The Mitten Channel brings together original documentary series, long-form commentary, archival footage, and Michigan-centered podcasts including: • Radio Free Flint • Flint Justice: America on Trial • Work in the Mitten If you care about Michigan, the Rust Belt, American workers, true crime, labor unions, Flint history, or the story of how communities survive — you belong here. This is our history. Our struggle. Our comeback. This is The Mitten Channel. Subscribe — and be part of the story.

Reminder, no criminal charges or convictions for anyone responsible for poisoning the water in Flint. promises were made. yesterday no jury to date has heard the case or rendered a verdict. @ Radiofreeflintpodcast, #flintwatercrisis #flintmichigan #radiofreeflint

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 Radio Free Flint Podcast (https://www.radiofreefl…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Few Flint residents know that one of the city’s most beloved traditions began with immigrants from a tiny mountain village in North Macedonia. In this episode of Radio Free Flint, host Arthur Busch welcomes Karen Paul Holmes, daughter of Carl Paul, co-founder of Angelo’s Coney Island—the restaurant that helped define Flint’s working-class culture for decades. Carl Paul came to America through Ellis Island from Bouf, Macedonia, near the border with Greece. Alongside his partner Angelo Nikoloff, he built a local landmark where factory workers, families, and students gathered for the now-legendary Flint-style Coney dog. Karen reflects on her family’s journey—from her father’s long days behind the grill to her teenage summers waitressing at Angelo’s. Through her poetry, she brings to life the spirit of perseverance, gratitude, and belonging that defines the immigrant story. She reads three deeply …

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Good school districts are more than a function of how much money they collect from taxpayers.  Schools must connect with the community where they are located in ways that go beyond math, science and reading.   Flint, Michigan at one time was the envy of America. Flint leaders developed and funded the concept of the Community Schools Program.  The Flint School District and its Community Schools Model drew people from across the nation and the world to study the educational model. The concept was replicated in thousands of school districts in the United States and abroad.   The product of that district's efforts were after-school programs that enriched the community and provided learning experiences for the whole family after school was in recess. Skip Harbin, a life long native of Flint, as well as a former teacher, school administrator and school board member shares with us the "golden years" of th…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Our guest is musician Howard Ryan, a native of Wisconsin who now lives in San Francisco, California. Ryan, also known as Hauras composed a song, "Flint, Michigan," intending to make a social statement about the problems of the beleaguered rust belt city.  Ryan is a musician and composer who is known for his work in the drone music genre. He has released several albums and EPs that showcase his unique style of electronic music, which often incorporates elements of experimental and ambient sounds. Ryan is known for his ability to create immersive and atmospheric soundscapes that draw the listener in and transport them to another world. In addition to his solo work, Ryan has collaborated with other artists in the drone music scene and has performed at various music festivals worldwide. Drone music is a subgenre of electronic music characterized by its slow, repetitive rhythms and sustained tones. It of…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Our podcast guest is Daniel Moilanen, a Fenton area native now living in Flint. Dan is currently the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) (https://www.macd.org/) . His leadership in this organization brings conservation-minded farmers together to reduce toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes by encouraging environmentally sound agricultural techniques.    The Michigan soil conservation districts have been working to modernize farming practices to protect Lake Erie and its surrounding ecosystems. One key aspect of this effort has been implementing precision agriculture techniques, which involve using advanced technology to monitor and optimize crop production in real time. One example is GPS-guided machinery, which allows farmers to precisely target inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, reducing the risk of over-application and runoff into the lake…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) We discuss how the roads got so bad and how to fix the problem with road and infrastructure expert Dr. John Daly.  Michigan has a significant problem with its roads and bridges. The state has one of the highest numbers of structurally deficient bridges in the country, and many of its roads need repair. This problem has been exacerbated by years of neglect and insufficient funding. One of the main issues is the lack of funding to maintain and repair the roads and bridges properly. Michigan has relied heavily on gas tax revenues to fund infrastructure projects. Still, these revenues have been declining due to more fuel-efficient vehicles and the increased use of electric vehicles. Additionally, the state has not increased its gas tax since 1997, leading to a significant shortfall in funding. The state has also struggled with inadequate funding for road maintenance, leading to a backlog of repairs tha…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Midnight in Vehicle City by author Edward McClelland is a book that tells the story of Flint, Michigan, during the Great Recession and the struggles of its residents as they try to survive in a city that has been hit hard by the economic downturn. The story centers around autoworkers struggling to make ends meet and their challenges of working for General Motors Corporation in the 1930s. Those challenges included poor pay and working conditions. The author does an excellent job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of Flint during this time, and the characters are well-developed and believable. The book is also well-researched and provides a lot of insight into the history and culture of Flint and the larger economic and political forces that have shaped the city. Overall, Midnight in the Vehicle City is a compelling and poignant read that provides a unique perspective on the struggles of ordinary …

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Musician George Winters has performed for audiences for over 50 years across America.  The Michigan native is well-known in music venues in southeastern Michigan for his fabulous keyboard skills, especially on a Hammond organ.  George plays the keyboard, guitar, and harmonica and also sings.  This podcast includes a conversation with George Winters about his long career and several unreleased tracks that include his distinctive mellow jazz and upbeat popular music.  Winters shares his story about how his music career started and grew in and around Flint and Detroit, Michigan.  In this podcast interview, he talks about how the troubles of the automobile industry affected the life of local musicians in Michigan.   The son of a Hammond B3 organ salesman, George got his musical start very early in life in Flushing, Michigan. He entertained the audience during local theater intermission as a child by pla…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) This is a conversation with Sarah Carson about her book of poems, How to Baptize a Child, in Flint, MI. Carson's poems are a jarring portrayal of life in a declining, once mighty, and still proud American rustbelt town, Flint, Michigan.  "How to Baptize a Child in Flint, Michigan" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of faith, family, and community in the midst of challenging circumstances. The book tells the story of a young mother, Sarah, who is struggling to raise her child in the midst of the Flint water crisis. As she navigates the complexities of living in a city with contaminated water, Sarah turns to her faith as a source of hope and strength. One of the book's most powerful aspects is how Carson portrays Sarah's faith as an active and essential part of her life. She doesn't shy away from the challenges of raising a child in a difficult environment but instead leans in…