Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson
1,529 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 91 ratingsDynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community leaders and issues that define our region. Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views and brings you into the conversation each day.
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Episodes
The importance of hanging out with friends
May 05, 2023 19:09 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBSheila Liming, author of the new book “Hanging Out: The radical power of killing time,” stops by to discuss why wasting time with friends (instead of planned events) may not be as much of a waste as it seems.
Michigan's budget, and the laws that may soon be implemented
May 04, 2023 17:22 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBFirst, political reporter Rick Pluta joins the show to discuss the politics behind Michigan's budget negotiations. Then, state Senator Stephanie Chang and Detroit city councilmember Mary Waters explore different policies that are being proposed at the state and local level.
Exploring mental health issues and finding help
May 03, 2023 17:31 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBMay is mental health awareness month, and to honor that, Detroit Today sat down with Death, Sex and Money Podcast host Anna Sale to talk about how our conversations around mental health have changed. Death, Sex and Money will be hosting three live call-in shows the first three Thursdays of this month from 8-10 p.m. You can stream those episodes at wnyc.org
Is President Biden the Democrats best choice for 2024? + Why watchdogs feel forced out of Detroit city hall
May 02, 2023 16:26 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBE.J. Dionne, a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post, stops by to discuss President Biden's 2024 re-election bid, including the pros, the cons and the questions surrounding the decision. Then, Detroit Free Press investigative reporter and "M.L. Soul of Detroit" podcast host M.L. Elrick stops by to discuss why he believes Detroit City Council and the Mayor's office should provide space dedicated space for journalists inside city hall and the role of the press in government oversight.
What the Reconstruction era is -- and why we may be living in another version of it today
May 01, 2023 17:54 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBHistorian Dr. Peniel Joseph joins the show to discuss what Reconstruction was, why it's come up in the 1960s and again today, and what that theory means for what could be achieved in our politics.
Lions, Tigers and... hockey, oh my!
April 28, 2023 15:57 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBPat Batcheller steps in for Stephen Henderson to discuss the NFL Draft, playoff hockey, and why the Tigers are off to a poor start.
Mobility innovation in Detroit; appreciating Detroit and the Detroiters that care for the city
April 27, 2023 17:36 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBMichigan Central CEO Josh Sirefman joins the show to discuss the Michigan Central campus, Newlab and all the innovative projects coming out of Corktown. Then, photographer and filmmaker Stephen McGee talks about what it's like to capture Detroit, and the beauty Detroiters hold for one another.
A Senate bid, reimagining public transit, & problems at Wayne County's Medical Examiner's Office
April 26, 2023 18:28 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBDetroit Today looks at a roundup of local news stories. First, Nasser Beydoun discusses his Senate bid. Reporter Malachi Barrett explores possible changes to public transit in Detroit. Finally, WDET's Eli Newman discusses a new lawsuit filed against the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office.
Highland Park's potential bankruptcy; What Michigan's newest poet laureate is up to
April 25, 2023 17:41 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBA Highland Park city councilman discusses why he voted "yes" in favor of requesting bankruptcy. Then, Nandi Comer explores her various influences and why Detroit has a rich poetry scene.
The possibility & prospect of reparations for Black Detroiters
April 24, 2023 15:53 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBDetroit Reparations Task Force Co-chairs Keith Williams and Lauren Hood join Stephen to discuss the task force's role, what reparations are, and what reparations for Black Detroiters could look like.
Fox News, a big settlement, and how to navigate a changed media landscape
April 21, 2023 14:55 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBNew York Times reporter Katie Robertson joins the show to discuss the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. Then, two professors discuss how our media environment has changed, how to navigate it, and what can be done to hold untrustworthy actors accountable.
Michigan constructs a new mental health facility; the insights poetry provides
April 20, 2023 15:48 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBBeth LeBlanc of the Detroit News joins the show to talk about the new psychiatric facility that will be built in Northville. Then, native Detroiter and Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Tyehimba Jess discusses his work, Detroit's influence on him, and what poetry offers the world.
Sen. Peters on navigating a divided Congress; how poverty leads to poor health
April 19, 2023 17:26 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBSenator Gary Peters joins the show to discuss his bill supporting firefighters, the debt ceiling, and how he manages partisanship in Washington. Then, Wayne County Health Director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed discusses how generational poverty, segregation and discrimination have led to poor health outcomes for Wayne County residents.
Ethics, Clarence Thomas, and the U.S. Supreme Court
April 18, 2023 19:49 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBPublic opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court is at a three-decade low ever since the Dobbs decision by the 6-3 conservative court. CNN legal analyst Joan Biskupic stops by to discuss the court's drive to the right and its historic consequences. Then, former chief White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter joins the show to discuss ethics in the Supreme Court including why he believes Justice Clarence Thomas violated ethics rules and what it says about the current court.
Is "Workism" the newest religion in America? + Should grad students earn $37K+/year?
April 17, 2023 21:33 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBDerek Thompson, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of the Work in Progress newsletter. stops by to discuss what he learned through his years of writing about work, including why he coined the term "workism," and what it means for America. Next, organized labor expert and chair of the Department of Finance at Wayne State University, Merrick Masters, joins the show to unpack today's labor movement including how it compares to past efforts, how union efforts involving Starbucks and Ama...
How lawmakers fail victims of domestic violence
April 14, 2023 21:03 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBWendy Schiller, co-author of "Inequality Across State Lines" and April Zeoli, associate professor of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan, join Stephen Henderson to discuss how policymakers should rethink domestic violence in America.
How 1 million Michiganders are receiving a second chance
April 13, 2023 18:37 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBSecond chances don’t come along all the time - but this week in Michigan, there’s a really significant one that’s unfolding. This week, Michigan began automatically expunging certain criminal misdemeanor and felony convictions for eligible residents. Michigan law professor JJ Prescott and Safe & Just Michigan CEO John Cooper joined Detroit Today to discuss what this means for the state and how it fits in the context of the overall push for criminal justice reform.
Why we're failing people with severe mental illness
April 12, 2023 21:07 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBAuthor Jonathan Rosen joins the show to discuss the public policy problems around how we care for those with severe mental illness, and why that has had tragic consequences in his own life.
FOIA? Barely know ya (in Lansing)
April 11, 2023 20:09 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBStatewide political reporter Rachel Louise Just and Michigan Campaign Finance Network executive director Nick Pigeon join Stephen to discuss the push to make Michigan government more transparent through tools like expanding public records requests for state lawmakers, including the arguments for and against expansion. Then, Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons stops by to discuss former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson's recent admission to accepting bribes while chair of the medical ma...
Does America need a national divorce?
April 10, 2023 17:32 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBShikha Dalmia, visiting fellow with George Mason University’s Mercatus Center and author of “The Unpopulist” Substack, Joins Stephen to discuss why some are calling for a separation of red states and blue states.
Explaining the journey of fringe medicine in America
April 07, 2023 19:18 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBWriter Matt Hongoltz-Hetling joins Detroit Today to discuss why trust in traditional medical care has fallen, giving rise to fringe medicine in America.
Why your Twitter page might have a dog on it + WSU's new legislative oversight program
April 06, 2023 17:15 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBStephen sits down with senior Vox tech reporter Sara Morrison to discuss the recent changes happening on Twitter, including why it matters, and how it fits into the wider narrative about the role social media plays in our culture. Then, Jim Townsend, director of the Levin Center at the Wayne State University Law School, stops by to discuss the State Oversight Academy -- a new program dedicated to promoting effective bipartisan fact-finding and oversight by state legislatures.
The People of New York vs. Donald Trump
April 05, 2023 15:21 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBUniversity of Michigan law professor and former United States Attorney Barbara McQuade joins Stephen following the arraignment of Donald Trump to analyze the criminal charges filed against the former president, including the merits of the case, what to expect, and what the prosecution means for the country moving forward.
Why not just give everyone $1,000+ a month?
April 04, 2023 18:02 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBPatrick Cooney, vice president of Michigan Future, a Michigan-based think tank, and a senior advisor with Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, joins Stephen to the discuss the case for Universal Basic Income, and direct cash payments to citizens. Then, Kofi Kenyatta, senior director of policy & practice at UpTogether, stops by to discuss why his organization proposes Detroit give $1,200/month in guaranteed income to qualified residents in the city.
Rescuing ourselves from the myth of self-reliance
April 03, 2023 18:41 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBAlissa Quart, executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project and author of the new book “Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream,” joins Stephen to discuss how American life was captured by the myth of self-reliance, the harm it causes, and how new approaches like collectivism could help communities.
Donald Trump criminally indicted in New York
March 31, 2023 18:07 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBAzi Paybarah of the Washington Post and Brown University political science professor Wendy Schiller join guest host Nick Austin to discuss the New York grand jury's vote to criminally indict former President Donald Trump, its implications for the country, and what it says about the rule of law in the United States of America.
Do students feel safe at school?
March 30, 2023 18:34 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBOak Park HS junior Amier Nelson, Birmingham Seaholm HS junior Xavier Choussat, Cass Tech HS sophomore Isaac Hunter III, and Oak Park HS social studies teacher Bill Boyer join Stephen to provide insight into how students, teachers and schools are reacting to the rise of mass shootings and gun violence in schools.
Looking back at the week following Martin Luther King Jr's assassination
March 29, 2023 17:43 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBThis month, the Atlantic released a new podcast called "Holy week," exploring how the week following King's assassination and how it altered the course of social change. The podcast's host, Vann Newkirk II, joined Stephen Henderson to discuss how the event diverted the course of a social revolution.
US Ambassador to NATO + Democracy in Israel
March 28, 2023 17:40 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBUS Ambassador to NATO and Michigan native Julie Smith stops by to discuss the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, including its mission, history, and how she feels it fits into global security. Then, Century Foundation fellow Dahlia Scheindlin and Washington Post columnist Ishaan Tharoor join the show to discuss the protests and civil unrest occurring in Israel amid their right-wing government's attempt to severely restrict the country's judiciary, and what the move means for democracy and au...
MI Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement + Detroit's new Shot-stoppers program
March 27, 2023 19:54 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBMichigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement joins the show to discuss the Michigan Resolve Family System, a free, online platform implemented by the Court, aimed at helping families resolve parenting time and other domestic relations matters. Then, WDET's Eli Newman stops by to discuss Detroit's new Shot-Stoppers initiative, and the latest on anti-crime initiatives in the city.
The past, present and future of music sampling
March 25, 2023 00:13 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBDan Charnas, author of the 2023 PEN Literary Award-winning biography of Detroit music icon J-Dilla, joins Stephen to discuss music sampling - the art of one artists sound recording in another piece of music - and how he would expand protections for sampling artists. Then, Northwestern law professor Peter DiCola stops by to discuss the current law surrounding music sampling, followed by entertainment and intellectual property attorney Richard Busch, who makes the case for the current laws prot...
How Americans came to quit smoking -- and why it's more popular again
March 23, 2023 17:35 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBA smattering of health experts and an addiction specialist join the show to discuss how America came to stamp out smoking, and why e-cigarettes and vaping are popular among young people.
GM salary buyouts, UAW election, & District Detroit city council funding vote postponed
March 22, 2023 18:19 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBJamie Butters, Executive Editor of Automotive News, joins Stephen to discuss why GM decided to offer buyouts to its white-collar workers, the contentious UAW presidential election, and all things auto in Detroit. Then, Annalise Frank, Detroit reporter for Axios, stops by to discuss what occurred at the most recent city council public hearing regarding funding for the District Detroit development.
Can expanding residential zones spur revitalization in Detroit? + How downtowns Downriver are changing
March 21, 2023 20:22 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBWith the pandemic upending traditional working patterns, downtowns across America are struggling and Detroit is no exception. Heather Long, a columnist and member of the Washington Post’s Editorial Board, joins the Stephen Henderson to discuss why she thinks mixed-use zoning could be the answer. Then, Brownstown Downtown Development Authority director and co-chair of Destination Downriver, Sue Trussell, stops by to discuss how the 18 cities and townships that make up her community are working...
Is the 4-day work week the next secret to success?
March 20, 2023 17:17 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBA new study into the 4-day work weeks suggests reducing the work week to just 32 hours, while keeping the same pay and benefits, can benefit both workers and industry. A researcher with study, Boston College sociology professor Wen Fan, and behavioral scientist and business administration professor Dr. Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, both join Nick Austin to discuss the research, the potential benefits, and drawbacks of the plan a...
What is the good life?
March 17, 2023 16:04 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBPsychiatry professor Robert Waldinger and clinical psychologist Dr. Marc Schulz join Stephen to explore the findings found in their new book “The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.”
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow on historic legislation in Lansing + WSU announces free tuition guarantee
March 17, 2023 13:13 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBState Sen. Mallory McMorrow joins Stephen to discuss the legislation being proposed and set to pass in Lansing this term. Then, Wayne State University Provost Mark Kornbluh stops by to discuss Wayne State University's recent announcement to cover the tuition of eligible students in family's earning less than $70K per year.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter + Fmr. Rep. Andy Levin
March 15, 2023 21:33 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBFirst, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter joins Stephen following his State of the County address to discuss how Oakland County is changing, and what it means for the county's residents and southeast Michigan. Then, former U.S. Congressman Andy Levin sits down with WDET's Russ McNamara to reflect on his career in congress and plans for the future.
Silicon Valley Bank, and why regulations matter
March 14, 2023 18:10 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBNew York Times reporter Stacy Cowley, Cornell Law School professor Robert Hockett, and Brown University professor Wendy Schiller joined Stephen Henderson on Detroit Today to discuss how it happened, the current state of financial markets, and where regulation fits into these concerns.
Why more jobs than workers helps low-income labor
March 13, 2023 18:25 - 52 minutes - 47.5 MBScholars Katherine Newman and Elisabeth Jacobs join the show to discuss their book, "Moving the Needle," and to explain why a tight labor market is good for low-income workers.
Peter Sagal on what older dads know
March 09, 2023 22:28 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBPeter Sagal, host of NPR's “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,” joins Nick Austin to discuss his recent piece in the Atlantic "What Older Dads Know," and shares wisdom he has learned as an older parent.
Canadian Minister of Industry + Michigan Lt. Gov. join Detroit Today
March 08, 2023 20:17 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBFrancois-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, joins Nick Austin on Detroit Today to discuss the importance of the U.S./Canada relationship, and how it benefits Michigan and his country. Then Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II stops by to discuss what Democrats are hoping to accomplish in the new term, including his thoughts on tax reform, gun legislation, repeal of Right-to-Work, and criminal justice reform.
The cases for and against private and public utilities
March 07, 2023 20:33 - 39 minutes - 36 MBEconomist Adrian Moore stops by to make the case for private utilities and why he thinks they are best for consumers. Then, environmental law expert Nick Schroeck joins the show to make the case for public utilities, including why he thinks they are best for consumers, as well as his thoughts on how our changing climate is causing more outages, and how the infrastructure bill and Inflation Reduction Act may help.
The U.S. Supreme Court after Dobbs
March 06, 2023 18:20 - 40 minutes - 36.5 MBBoston Globe senior opinion writer and columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr joins Stephen to discuss cases pending in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, including tech company liability for speech on internet platforms, the student loan debt relief plan, and affirmative action, as well as how the Court has changed since its ruling in Dobbs.
Detroit's dream hampton talks hip-hop’s evolution, misogyny problem, and more
March 04, 2023 00:30 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBFilmmaker, activist and writer dream hampton joins Stephen Henderson to discuss her latest projects and some the things she's thinking about, including the evolution of hip-hop and its issues with misogyny, her award winning work for Lifetime's "Survining R. Kelly," and her upcoming short film, "Freshwater," where she explores themes like water and memory in her hometown of Detroit.
The challenges young people face entering politics, and why its important
March 02, 2023 16:47 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MB32-year-old Oakland County Commissioner Charlie Cavell (D) and 31-year-old Livonia City Councilman Rob Donovic (R) join Stephen to discuss their perspective on running for politics as young people, including why they ran and the challenges they face. Then, Sara Hadad of the nonprofit Run for Something, joins the show to discuss how her organization recruits and trains young people to run for office.
How the Ohio train derailment affects Michigan
March 02, 2023 14:56 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBRep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), Ian Duncan, a member of the Washington Post’s transportation team focused on the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Keith Matheny, environmental reporter with the Detroit Free Press, join the show to discuss the fallout from the Norfolk-Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and how its impacting Michigan.
The case for District Detroit
February 28, 2023 17:22 - 51 minutes - 47.3 MBRepresentatives for the developers behind District Detroit -- Rian English-Barnhill, the vice president of government and community affairs for Olympia Development, and Andrew Cantor, the Executive vice president for Related Companies -- join Stephen to make the case for their latest project, including the $797 million in public subsidies and associated community benefits package. Then, Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit stops by to discuss his latest reporting on the project.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin on U.S. Senate bid + Power outages and the public utility debate
February 27, 2023 19:38 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBOn Monday, Rep. Elissa Slotkin announced her bid for U.S. Senate in 2024 following the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Slotkin joins Stephen Henderson in her first radio interview since the announcement to discuss why she chose to run. Then, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and environmental law expert Nick Schroeck stop by to discuss the recent power outages in southeast Michigan and whether we should move to a public utility model.
Are we amusing ourselves to death?
February 24, 2023 17:13 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBMegan Garber, staff writer at The Atlantic joins Stephen to discuss society's constant need for entertainment, and how she feels it has blurred the line between fiction and reality—on television, in American politics, and in our everyday lives.