Radio Free Flint Podcast

Arthur Busch discusses the awakening of the northern Hillbillies in the heartland of America. Intellectuals call parts of the country where globalization has decimated manufacturing jobs the "Rustbelt". Income inequality has given rise to white American nationalism. It has found a home in places like Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan with profound social and political implications. To better understand the ingredients that give rise to this political unrest in t...

Hop in for a ride with local history columnist Gary Flinn to the halcyon days of flint. Revisit the contributions of oft-overlooked David Buick, the inventive and invaluable Flint auto pioneer who lacked the business savvy to become an auto legend. Travel back to the original Kewpee Burger and wash it down with an old Vernor’s ginger ale before catching a show at Capitol Theatre. In the shadow of Flint's success as an industrial hub and the tragedy that is the water crisis t...

Flint, Michigan has been one of America's most violent cities for decades. It has been been a national leader in per capita homicides, violent crimes, sexual assaults and arsons. There are many unsolved crimes. Did you ever wonder what the back story was on some of these crimes? What goes into an investigative journalists efforts to dig to get the real story? Two veteran criminal investigators, one a seasoned former prosecutor the other a veteran investigative crime reporter discu...

Why are Baby Boomers looking back reveling in memories of the "golden age" of the 1960's and 1970's? Hot Rod cars, movies, music, girls and all that made up their youth seem to be fair game for conversation these days. Is it a look away from chaotic times? Is is a fair assessment that times were really better than now? This podcast features Arthur Busch and Scott McKinstry who met in the 1960's and grew up in the 1970's. One rather liberal and the other a self-de....

So is it fake news or just the facts you don't want to hear or accept? Do headlines belie the news story? What is the future of local news coverage in Michigan. Our guest is Rhonda Sanders who worked as a journalist for 40 years in the Flint area. She was a beat reporter, neighborhood reporter and a columnist for the Flint Journal most of her career. In 1995, she authored a book about Flint's African American Community the Bronze Pillars: An Oral History of Africa...

Flint natives Scott and Michael McKinstry started and published Old Time Baseball News, a national baseball publication spotlighting retired baseball players. The paper was published in Flint for 12 years until the business was sold due to illness. Scott recounts meeting up with numerous major league baseball players including the members of the 1968 Detroit Tigers. Scott traveled the nation interviewing the past greats of baseball including Detroit Tiger great Charlie...

Rev Fr. Phillip Schmitter, currently assigned to Christ the King Catholic Church. He has spent nearly 50 years of his life serving Flint's catholic community at a variety of churches. His career has been marked by his passion and devotion to serving the poor. In the finest of Catholic traditions, Father Phil has been a fierce advocate for Flint's minority community on such issues as environmental racism, poverty, hunger and seeking dignity for those who are the least among us. &nb...

Dennis Ybarra is a General Motors auto gypsy and a Grand National BMX Race Champion. Dennis, who has been laid off and transferred an amazing number of times. During his career he has learned to accept more layoffs than he can count. He shares his personal story about the anxiety that is caused when the economic winds of change result in his having to accept transfers to far away auto plants just to maintain his position with the company. He describes his life growing ...

FlintTom Skinner has spent decades broadcasting Flint area athletic events. His remarkable career has made him one of the best known sports broadcasters in Mid-Michigan and beyond. Tom figures that in his career he has broadcast over 1,700 athletic contests. His journey in broadcasting has been his passion. He is a regular at MHSAA football and basketball events Mid-Michigan. Tom shares his observations about some of the greatest athletes and coaches to ever play...

Leo Seide, has been an affable pioneer in Michigan business, politics, civil rights, golf and real estate development. He is truly a Flint treasure. Leo was the "father" of the PGA Carling Open convincing the Carling Brewing Company to sponsor a PGA Tournament in 1957. A young Arnold Palmer played in the tournament at the Flint Golf Club. The Carling Open later became the Buick Open and moved to Warwick Hills Golf Club, Behind the scenes, Leo Seide was was ...