Best Wdet Podcasts (2024)

1
How the war in Gaza complicates pregnancy 50:30

2h ago50:30

50:30

The war in Gaza is destroying crucial healthcare infrastructure for the people who live there and makes delivering a child more difficult for pregnant mothers. On this episode we hear about what life has been like for some of the most vulnerable people in Gaza. Gabrielle Berbey and Salman Ahad Khan reported the story of Lubna Rayyes — who was pregn…

1
Weekly recap: New ethnic categories added to US Census; the pros and cons of land contracts and more 50:30

1h ago50:30

50:30

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including new race and ethnicity categories added to the U.S. Census; the pros and cons of buying a home on a land contract in Detroit; UAW organizing efforts in the South and more.By WDET

1
Will Chatfield embezzlement charges push legislature to act on financial disclosures? 30:49

13h ago30:49

30:49

Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield is charged with 13 embezzlement, conspiracy and larceny counts, as the state looks at financial transparency for our lawmakers and state leaders. "MichMash" host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow sit down with State Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) to see what the legislature plans to…

1
Will the UAW break the southern anti-union stronghold? 50:32

11h ago50:32

50:32

Workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. are voting whether to join the United Auto Workers union. If they vote to organize, the UAW will have made a significant step forward by unionizing workers in the south — something they’ve failed to accomplish twice before. Senior fellow at The Century Foundation Steven Greenhouse and Automotive N…

1
The pros and cons of buying a home on a land contract in Detroit 50:49

1d ago50:49

50:49

Predatory land contracts targeted low-income Detroiters following the 2008 financial crisis, according to a new report published in the journal "Housing Policy Debate." The report's co-author, Josh Akers, joins Stephen Henderson to discuss.By WDET

1
Implications of the new 'MENA' category on the US Census 50:30

2d ago50:30

50:30

Until now, Americans whose heritage is in the Middle East and North Africa have long been considered “white” by the U.S. Census. But beginning in 2030, they will have their own ethnic category. Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the change and what it means to Americans in those communiti…

1
Is the new ‘Hispanic or Latino’ census category good enough? 50:30

3d ago50:30

50:30

A new Hispanic or Latino category with six additional options to specify ethnicity was approved for the next census form by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Maria Hinojosa, host of Latino USA, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the new category, immigration and what it all could mean.By WDET

1
Weekly recap: Segregation in country music; the importance of free play for kids and more 50:30

9d ago50:30

50:30

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including what Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tell us about the segregation of country music in America; a federal lawsuit claiming government buildings in Michigan violate disability rights; the importance of free play for kids and more.…

1
Michigan's bipartisan support for nuclear power 29:56

11d ago29:56

29:56

Nuclear energy is often a contentious topic due to fear of radioactive waste and endangering human health. However, many laud nuclear power as a clean, zero-emission alternative to fossil fuels. The federal government recently announced a $1.5 billion investment to reopen Michigan's Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. "MichMash" host Cheyna Roth and Gon…

1
Kids need free play more than ever 50:25

11d ago50:25

50:25

Active kids live better lives, so why is youth sports participation so low? Tom Farrey of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program and Dave Egner, President and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation join to talk about the path forward for increasing free play.By WDET

1
Lawsuit claims local government buildings violate disability rights 50:26

8d ago50:26

50:26

A federal class action lawsuit against the city of Detroit, Wayne County, the state of Michigan and the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority is alleging that several government buildings lack accessibility for those with disabilities. Today on the show, we speak with Michael Bartnik, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case, and Outlie…

1
What Beyoncé and Cowboy Carter tell us about the segregation of country music in America 50:29

9d ago50:29

50:29

When Beyoncé released "Cowboy Carter" last month, the 22-song country album surprised and delighted music fans across genres, including pop, hip-hop and country. But what was so shocking about Beyoncé doing a country album in the first place? And what can we learn from the collective surprise and at times, indignation, that she would produce a coun…

1
Can tech regulation solve mental health issues? 50:30

10d ago50:30

50:30

Congress members in February collected enough signatures in the U.S. Senate to pass a bipartisan bill that would regulate social media use for kids, arguing the platforms could be bad for teen’s mental health. Danah Boyd, a Microsoft researcher and visiting professor at Georgetown, believes technology is not the real problem and that regulating soc…

1
Weekly recap: Maternity care deserts; the complexity of migrant smuggling and more 50:30

18d ago50:30

50:30

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a look into maternity care deserts and the loss of health care access for women; a new book from anthropologist Jason De León exploring the complicated practice of migrant smuggling; Detroit’s credit bump and more.By WDET

1
No fault auto insurance bill sees no near solution 32:35

14d ago32:35

32:35

The no fault auto insurance has been tangled up in legislative logistics since the Michigan Supreme Court upheld the Michigan Court of Appeals' decision to overturn the 2019 auto no-fault bill. MichMash host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Services' Zach Gorchow sit down with Detroit News' Chad Livengood to unpack the current status of the bill and to…

1
Does Detroit’s credit bump tell the full story? 50:28

17d ago50:28

50:28

Detroit’s credit rating is moving up — nearly 10 years after the bankruptcy — which means government operations are normalizing and avoiding irresponsible debt. However, many Detroit residents still struggle with limited opportunity and carry collective debts that put real strain on the city’s financial foundation. On today's show, we're joined by …

1
New state House districts are finalized after bumpy, but successful process 50:27

18d ago50:27

50:27

Just two years into Michigan’s experiment with citizen-drawn maps for the Legislature and Congress, a court-ordered redraw to address gerrymandering is finally finished for the state House, and voters will see the difference at the polls this spring and fall. Ben Solis, a reporter at Gongwer News Service, and Colin Jackson, state capitol reporter f…

1
New book explores the complicated practice of migrant smuggling 50:30

19d ago50:30

50:30

Author and anthropologist Jason De León spent seven years documenting the lives of “coyotes,” or smugglers who help migrants leave their homes and head for America. He joined Stephen Henderson to talk about his new book, "Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling," and how political instability, poverty, climate change a…

1
Maternity care deserts and the loss of health care access for women 50:19

22d ago50:19

50:19

What is causing a rise in maternity care deserts? Stefanie Worth from the nonprofit March of Dimes and Dr. Sonia Hassan from Wayne State University join Stephen Henderson to discuss why women’s access to health care is declining in the U.S.By WDET

1
Weekly recap: Food security; rural poverty and more 50:41

23d ago50:41

50:41

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, includingBy WDET

1
Detroit-native Tonya Mosley discusses new podcast, "She Has a Name" 39:26

23d ago39:26

39:26

Tonya Mosley is the host and co-producer of "She Has a Name," a personal story of loss and redemption, mending broken family ties, and facing the trauma experienced by countless individuals who've lost loved ones to violence. Tonya and co-producer Antonio Wiley join Stephen Henderson to share their story and discuss the podcast. Tonya Mosley is the…

1
Will Michigan offer free tuition to community college students? 29:39

20d ago29:39

29:39

Gov. Whitmer has mentioned in her state of the state address the desire to give Michigan high schoolers the opportunity to have two free years at a community college. MichMash host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben sit down with President of the Michigan Community College Association, Brandy Johnson, to discuss the potential of …

1
Is sports betting fueling a public health crisis? 50:41

24d ago50:41

50:41

The sports betting business is booming, and one of the side effects of this boom is the way sports betting is fueling a public health crisis. Dr. Shane Kraus is the director of the Behavorial Addictions Lab at UNLV, which conducts research on compulsive behaviors, including gambling. Saul Malek is a public speaker who educates the public on the per…

1
What Gov. Whitmer's budget tells us about her priorities 50:30

26d ago50:30

50:30

If you want to know what a governor is prioritizing for the year, look no further than their budget. On today's episode of "Created Equal," Monique Stanton, CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, joins Stephen Henderson to talk about Whitmer's budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year and what it tells us about her approach to equity and p…

1
What rural areas and urban cities have in common 50:30

29d ago50:30

50:30

Some assume that rural, urban and suburban areas have very different problems, but a recent book co-authored by University of Michigan professor Luke Shaefer examines — up close — some of the poorest parts of America, and what they have in common. Shaefer joins "Created Equal" to discuss his book, "The Injustice of Place," and how to address povert…

1
Michigan Senate passes significant action for economic development 33:20

28d ago33:20

33:20

The Michigan Senate is looking to build the state's economy through tax incentives. "MichMash" host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow sit down with Chief Executive and Economic Competitiveness Officer from the MEDC, Quentin Messer, to discuss the state of economic development in Michigan.…

1
Help us shine a light on inequity, support us during our Spring fundraiser 1:02

1M ago1:02

1:02

It's WDET's spring on-air fundraiser. We're going to take a break from posting podcasts this week, but you can still listen live weekdays 9-10 a.m. at WDET.org. We'll be back on the podcast feed on Monday, March 25. And if you want to support the show, become a member of WDET, Detroit Public Radio and tell them the Stephen Henderson sent you. Thank…

1
Introducing Created Equal with Stephen Henderson 51:30

1M ago51:30

51:30

Created Equal is about the promise of opportunity and the challenge of inequality from the city that built America — Detroit. Exploring the strings of inequality that run through the American experience, each episode explores the question: How did we arrive at this moment in history? Stephen Henderson hosts, building on familiar themes from Detroit…

1
State Sen. Jeremy Moss seeking more transparency in Michigan government 26:58

1M ago26:58

26:58

Transparency in Michigan government is in the spotlight this week during Sunshine Week, a nationwide event celebrating open government and access to public information. In this week’s episode of MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben sat down with Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) to talk about Michigan legislators' late…

1
No-knock warrants and the right to privacy 50:29

1M ago50:29

50:29

Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom is ending no-knock warrants in the city, arguing they “do more harm than do good.” Winstrom joins the show today, along with violence historian Danielle McGuire, to discuss the modern-day impacts the practice has on communities.By WDET

1
Why memories about Black life and history matter today 50:30

1M ago50:30

50:30

In February 2021, The Atlantic launched "Inheritance," a multi-year project about American history, Black life and the resilience of memory. On today’s episode of "Created Equal," Stephen Henderson revisits a conversation he had with the project's managing editor, Gillian B. White, and Atlantic staff writer Clint Smith, who contributed to the proje…

1
Does SCOTUS ruling on the Colorado insurrection clause set a dangerous precedent? 50:30

1M ago50:30

50:30

The Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously that Colorado couldn’t take Donald Trump off the ballot because of his participation in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. University of Michigan Law Professor Richard Primus returns to "Created Equal" to describe the Supreme Court's thinking behind the case, and why it may set a dangerous…

1
New book explores gambling’s impact on Detroit’s Black community 50:30

1M ago50:30

50:30

It seems like anyone who grew up with family in Detroit has heard of "the Numbers." This old-style gambling game originally from Harlem, New York, found it’s way to the Motor City in the early 20th century and became a mainstay for Black families. On today's episode of "Created Equal," Wayne State University professor Felicia George joins Stephen t…

1
Weekly recap: Racial disparities in victim compensation; defining prosperity and more 50:32

1M ago50:32

50:32

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including research on Black victims of violent crime being disproportionately denied compensation; whether grant programs for nonprofits lead to prosperity and more.By WDET

1
MSU trustees face removal over misconduct allegations 25:10

2M ago25:10

25:10

Two members of the MSU Board of Trustees have been accused of misconduct following an independent investigation. "MichMash" host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Services' Zach Gorchow are joined by Gongwer reporter, Elena Durnbaugh to discuss the details of the allegations.By WDET FM

1
Is gentrification without displacement possible? 50:29

2M ago50:29

50:29

On today's episode of "Created Equal," we talk about how economic development can be more inclusive for Detroit's long-time, majority Black residents. Stephen is joined by Chase Cantrell, a Detroit resident and founder of the nonprofit Building Community Value, and Andre Perry, whose research at The Brookings Institution explores the Livernois-McNi…

1
Why haven’t we elected a woman president yet? 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

More women are running for president now than in decades past, but the U.S. still hasn’t had a woman president. On today's episode of "Created Equal," we revisit a conversation from 2022 with NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent and author Ali Vitali about why women are often excluded from politics or denigrated within the political arena.…

1
How do we define prosperity? 51:30

2M ago51:30

51:30

Can grant programs for nonprofits lead to prosperity? Kim Trent, deputy director for prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) joins Stephen Henderson to make the case for bipartisan anti-poverty programs with the goal of making Michigan a more prosperous state.By WDET

1
Black victims of violent crime disproportionately denied compensation 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Victim compensation is a lesser-known part of the criminal justice system. University of Michigan professor Jeremy Levine had not heard of it until he needed to use it himself, after he was shot in the leg and needed assistance paying his hospital bill. In doing his own research, he discovered that Black victims were disproportionately denied for b…

1
Weekly recap: Why the order of state primaries matter; Ayesha Rascoe’s new book 'HBCU Made' and more 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including the push to rotate the states that vote early in presidential primaries, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe on her new book and how historically Black colleges and universities add value to the world and more.By WDET

1
Political pundits Adrian Hemond, John Sellek go in-depth on Michigan's 'uncommitted' vote 25:56

2M ago25:56

25:56

The Michigan primaries came and went and the results were predictable — save for the "uncommitted" campaign claiming 13% of the Democratic vote. WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben sit down with Adrian Hemond, a Democrat, and John Sellek, a Republican, from the organization Baldly Bipartisan, to discuss whether the "uncommi…

1
Assessing the impact of the 'uncommitted' vote in Michigan 50:25

2M ago50:25

50:25

What does the “uncommitted” vote in Michigan’s Democratic primary mean for President Biden in November? Abbas Alawieh from the Listen to Michigan campaign joins Stephen Henderson to discuss the groups reasons for voting “uncommited.” Plus, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Abed Hammoud, founder of the Arab American Political Action Committee, add their …

1
The right to vote wasn’t included in the Constitution. Why not? 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

The Founding Fathers originally left the right to vote out of the Constitution. On today’s episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson revisits a conversation from the WDET Book Club with two voting rights experts, Bertrall Ross and Theodore Johnson, about why the omission has made access to the ballot box a constant struggle for Black voter…

1
NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe compiles essays celebrating Black colleges 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Ayesha Rascoe is a graduate of Howard University and a regular voice on NPR. In her new book, “HBCU Made,” she recruits distinguished graduates of historically Black colleges and universities to share their accounts enrolling and attending their schools. On this episode of "Created Equal," Stephen talks to Rascoe about her experiences and how these…

1
Why does state primary order matter? 50:32

2M ago50:32

50:32

Michigan’s presidential primary is on Tuesday, Feb. 27. That’s a lot earlier than previous years, making the state among the first to hold primaries in the race. What does the change mean for Michigan and the nation — especially in a presidential primary that has two candidates who seem to have their nominations locked up already? U.S. Rep. Debbie …

1
Weekly recap: Black invention in America; Detroit’s scrapyard problem and more 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, from setting the historical record straight on Black invention in America, to Detroit’s scrapyard problem, the consequences of omitting America’s racial history and more.By WDET

1
Oakland County Chair Vance Patrick on why he supports Hoekstra over Karamo for Michigan GOP chair 21:48

2M ago21:48

21:48

The drama in the Michigan GOP continues as the party plans two separate conventions for the Republican presidential nominee. "MichMash" host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow sit down with Oakland County Republican Party Chair Vance Patrick to discuss the internal power struggle and why he supports Pete Hoekstra as the Michigan GO…

1
The consequences of omitting America’s racial history 50:34

2M ago50:34

50:34

Nikki Haley was criticized for omitting slavery when she was asked about the cause of the civil war but has since walked her statement back. On today’s episode of Created Equal, Stephen talks with Princeton African American studies professor Eddie Glaude about what caused the civil war and how revising or omitting that history impacts all of us.…

1
Our immigration system is broken. What does the Constitution say about it? 50:32

2M ago50:32

50:32

For centuries immigration has been synonymous with the United States, but what do the country’s founding documents actually say about who can and can’t enter the country? On today's show, we revisit a conversation from the WDET Book Club about whether the constitution has the power to influence immigration policy.…

1
Detroit has a scrapyard problem 50:27

2M ago50:27

50:27

Scrapyards have always been commonplace in Detroit. Just drive down any of the city's major thoroughfares and you can see them. While these small businesses play an integral part of the city's economy, they pose a number of negative health impacts for residents who live near them. In today's show, Detroit News reporter Sarah Rahal and Laprisha Berr…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Wdet Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide