Stateside

One of the most-streamed films online is the original Star Wars: A New Hope. You can watch it in a bunch of different languages. Now, that includes Anishinaabemowin. That means Ojibwe people in Michigan and all over North America can see an absolute classic in their language. We talked to one of the actors involved in the Anishinaabemowin dubbing of the film about the project and what it meant to see one of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters in a language that many of his ancestors were once forbidden from speaking. GUEST: Niigaanii-Animikii Inini Kalvin Hartwig, filmmaker and voice actor Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after a surprise offensive launched by opposition groups, ending the 50-year rule of the Assad family. For many Syrians living outside of the country, it's opened up the possibility of returning home, or visiting loved ones who stayed. We met one Syrian immigrant who built a life with his family here in Michigan after fleeing Syria over a decade ago. He reflected on his time in Syria, and his hopes for the nation's future. GUESTS: Adam Yahya RayesBasel Alyasin Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Cedillo was released Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from the Muskegon Correctional Facility after spending 38 years behind bars for a crime he committed when he was 18 years old. Cedillo’s case marks a significant milestone as the first in Kent County to regain his freedom following a state supreme court ruling that declared unconstitutional automatic life sentences without parole for people 18 years old and younger. We had the chance to meet him on the day of his release. Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of Michigan gymnast Frederick Richard sits down for a conversation about the summer in Paris for the Olympics, growing men's gymnastics at the collegiate level at home, and building his brand on social media. GUEST: Frederick Richard, UM gymnast and Olympian See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nothing quite beats snuggling up under a handmade quilt on a cold winter day. But for the members of the Great Lakes African American Quilters’ Network, quilts are more than just a way to stay warm. They are works of art, connecting their makers to a shared culture and to each other. Stateside producer April Van Buren went to the guild’s most recent meeting to learn more about this unique community of crafters. Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, acclaimed contemporary artist and Kalamazoo native Kaphar made the leap into narrative filmmaking. His semi-autobiographical film is titled Exhibiting Forgiveness. The film follows painter Terrell, played by André Holland, as he wrestles with generational trauma and navigates his relationship with his estranged father, played by John Earl Jelks, who has reappeared in his life unexpectedly. The Detroit Institute of Arts will screen the film Dec. 11-15. GUEST: Titus Kaphar, contemporary artist, producer, writer, and director of Exhibiting Forgiveness Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music featuring See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and journalist Tracie McMillan discusses her family's harrowing time navigating the American healthcare system after her mother was diagnosed with MS and then suffered a traumatic brain injury. GUEST: Tracie McMillan, journalist and author of "The White Bonus" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Levon Kafafian's new exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit features artifacts of an fantastical, imagined future for the Armenian diaspora. The show, titled Portal Fire: Shrine of the Torchbearer, features a mix of soft sculptures, wall hangings, carpets, and costumes. The exhibition is inspired by Kafafian's forthcoming graphic novel of the same name. Kafafian joined Stateside to talk about their textile work and worldbuilding process. GUEST: Levon Kafafian, Detroit-based artist Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music featuring We also featured Lara Sarkissian's Our Dead Can't Rest (Old Jugha Flute Dance) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Grand Rapids police officer who shot and killed resident Patrick Lyoya two years ago will stand trial on murder charges. That's after the Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear the officer's appeal on the charges. GUEST: Dustin Dwyer, West Michigan reporter, Michigan Public See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple weeks ago, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced he would not seek a fourth term as mayor of the city. It was widely speculated he would run for governor of Michigan in 2026. Well that day came this week when he announced not only that he would run for governor, but also that he would run not as a Democrat - which he is - but as an Independent. GUESTS: Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit Louis Aguilar, reporter, Detroit News See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Carlos Tavares has announced his resignation after nearly four years as the CEO of Stellantis. This year, the car maker has been facing many obstacles among larger market changes, which resulted with the company laying off more than 1,000 workers in Warren, Michigan in October. Luke Ramseth, an autos and dusiness reporter at the Detroit News, talked with Stateside about the recent news of Tavares’s resignation. GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW: Luke Ramseth, Autos and Business Reporter at The Detroit News Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve St. Juliana is the father of Hana St. Juliana, who was 14-years-old when she and three other students were victims of a school shooting at Oxford High school. Now, Steve, alongside other victims' families, is urging the state to conduct an independent investigation into the events at the school that preceded the shooting. We talked to him about his continued push for accountability and justice. GUEST: Steve St. Juliana, father of Hana St. Juliana Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a prolonged period of decreasing popularity in deer hunting, a couple of changes in state regulation, coupled with the draw to outdoor sports during COVID, have seen a greater return to deer blinds across the state. GUESTS: Jenny Reinoehl, hunter Chad Stewart, Department of Natural Resources See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Stateside introduces The Dish, a new podcast from Michigan Public. The show takes listeners into the kitchens of some of Michigan's most inspiring culinary creatives. Each chef has been asked to prepare dish that best represents their stories and work. The show is hosted by Mercedes Mejia, director of Stateside. The project has taken her all around the state, from Hazel Park, to Grand Rapids, to Ann Arbor. Hear the first episode on the Stateside feed! Have a favorite restaurant or cook for us to consider? Send us your suggestions and feedback to thedish@michiganpublic.org. Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How dormant rye seeds on a Great Lakes shipwreck led to an interesting partnership, and an even better whiskey. GUESTS: Ari Sussman, whiskey maker at Mammoth Distilling. Eric Olson, MSU Associate Professor and expert in wheat breeding and genetics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through a collaboration between the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and the Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum, there is now a Tribal Law Handbook to prepare Michigan legal practitioners for work with the state's Indigenous communities. The resource aims demarginalize tribal communities in legal education. GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW: Taylor Mills, editor of the Tribal Law Handbook Megan Cavanagh, Justice for the Michigan Supreme Court; liason for the Tribal State Federal Judicial Program Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather Bell, a mother of 8 living near Marquette, Michigan, has generated a large social media following around her content featuring huge family meals she cooks for her household. She joined Stateside to talk about her experience feeding a crowd. GUEST: Heather Bell, personality behind @justthebells10, author of Mama Bell's Big Family Cooking Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some women in Michigan say they're stocking up on Plan B, just in case a conservative swing in Washington results in further restrictions on reproductive healthcare. GUESTS: Michelle Jokish Polo, Stateside producer Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A communications and media expert talked with Stateside about the facts behind some of our social media fears, and about what the future of social media use might look like. Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to exit poll data, more Latino voters in Michigan supported a Republican candidate than ever before in last week's election. On this episode, we’ll talk more about what motivated Latino voters in Michigan this election with Stateside producer Michelle Jokisch Polo. GUEST: Michelle Jokisch Polo, Stateside producer Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way. If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.