Video Essays & Interview Podcasts

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 is a collector of these miniature cars. Len explains there were just four Safetyville in the USA. Taco Bell used these cars in their commercial and a movie or two. Many kids in Flint counted the hours down until their visit to Safteyville. Don't miss Safetyville, USA, Part One of this series. --- Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast (https://www.radiofreeflint.media) mailing list free…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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, published author, and lecturer. In Flint, her work in the Flint Community School District has been nothing short of amazing.  She has presented her poetry at many colleges and universities across the Midwest, including the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Baruch College (NYC), Kent State, and Indiana University, just to name a few. Semaj Brown is one of the most inspirational guests in Radio…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion with the Ontario Hockey League and black NHL players to bridge the gap between urban communities and hockey. Rico discusses growing up in Flint and the challenges of growing up bi-racial. His mom is from West Germany, and his father is from Flint. Rico is a well-known community activist in Flint, Michigan. He was a familiar face in area schools for his fire preve…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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) channel comprising many streams and Crooked, Pickerel, Mullett, and Burt lakes, with boating and fishing facilities. Cheboygan is an Indian name meaning "Through Passage," this refers to the Indians "passing through" during their fur trading days using the Inland Route to Mackinaw Island instead of the straits passageway. ----- • The music "Water" is courtesy of singer-songwriter Barb Barton. The song wa…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 founders came to the Greater Flint area in 1916. Most observers would assume that any business starting about that time would be tied to the booming automobile factories. This lumber company contributed not only to the building of Flint's auto manufacturing prominence but also to the overall growth of the Flint area. The company holds the distinction of being the oldest lumber yard in Genesee County, Michigan…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 (https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/great-girls-michigan-history#:~:text=Highlighting%20twenty%20girls%20from%20Michigan's,Wolfgang)%2C%20Native%20American%20writer%20Jane) highlights 20 girls from Michigan’s past who did extraordinary things before they turned 20 years old. Author Patricia Majher presents easy-to-read mini-biographies of these girls who present a variety of cultures, areas of the state, and historical periods—published by Wayne State University Press. Bold Boys in Michigan History (https://www.wsupres…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) Anna Clark is an accomplished author and journalist. In The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy (https://www.amazon.com/Poisoned-City-Flints-American-Tragedy/dp/1250125146) , Anna examines what happened to poison the water in Flint, Michigan. She digs into the public policies that need reform and drinking water policy decisions by the Flint and Michigan governments. Anna Clark lives in Detroit. She is a reporter for ProPublica (https://www.propublica.org/) , a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigative journalism with moral force. • Ann Clark's book won the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism and the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. It was also named one of the year's best books by the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Public Library, Audible, and others. • Visit the author's website (https://www.annaclark.net/) for more information ab…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 movement and its impact on policing today. He describes the effects of Flint's economic and social problems on the job of a police officer. Reese eloquently outlines the personal qualities he acquired growing up in Flint, Michigan. Professor Reese shares his thoughts about the need for community policing in Flint and makes some suggestions to improve the quality of policing there. Dr. Jermaine Reese h…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 and financially successful businesses in Genesee County. Michael owned or managed other food and entertainment businesses including: • R.C. Coopers, a fine dining establishment in Flushing, Michigan • BeachTree in suburban Flint Township, Michigan • JT Thornberry's in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Michael Jablonski also has also maintained a law practice in Grand Blanc, Michigan wh…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 Ballenger Park in Flint, for a concert known as the Battle of the Bands. Joel and his bandmates have given richly of their time and talents to many local charitable causes and benefits. After listening to Joel tell stories about his life and his views on the people of Flint, it is easy to see why he is one of the most beloved musicians in Michigan. ----- Learn more about Joel Bye and the Blue Hawaiia…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 Michigan Racing Commissioner and the Director of The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation. He is also a former Professor at Central Michigan University and has been an adjunct professor at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan-Flint. For decades Bill published the newsletter Inside Politics, a must-read publication for those interested in Michigan government. Bill has his own podcas…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2027801/open_sms) 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 of the greatest names in R&B, Soul Music and Rock.  He worked for a year on tour with the legendary James Brown.  In his early days he promoted Jackie Wilson, Temptations and other R&B artists. Pete was especially close to Peter C. Cavanaugh who was a local DJ, station manager, promoter and author.  He recounts many memories of his relationship with Peter C and their antics.  They co-promoted the 1960's …