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2021 Podcast list: Ease into a new year with these insightful listens

General Foundation News

As we look ahead to what 2021 will bring — vaccinations, hugs with loved ones, and a new political climate in America — we feel a sense of hope emerging. If you’re like us and want to cultivate that feeling, try out one or more of the following audio experiences. They include experts who spoke with our staff and helped us stay grounded through the hard days of 2020, as well as interviews with our staff.

We’ll return to these compelling shows on equity, politics, climate, cities and more throughout 2021. We invite you to listen and learn with us as we prepare for the year ahead. Happy New Year!

101 Ways to Save The Planet

Hosted by Madeleine Culbertson and Bonnie Lucille, environmental advocates

101 Ways To Save The Planet features interviews with forward-thinking minds working to combat climate change. This segment from July features the Environment Program’s Shamar Bibbins on environmental equity. An episode in October features the Health Program’s Stacey Barbas on saving the planet by investing in communities.

AXD Living X podcast

Hosted by Ryan Myers-Johnson, Sidewalk Detroit Executive Director 

The Living X podcast features the voices of Art X Detroit artists and partners on the ways artists, culture keepers and creative practitioners can shape a more equitable future.

EWA Radio

Hosted by Emily Richmond, public editor 

The Education Writers Association is a network of journalists who cover the nation’s education issues. This show features engaging interviews with journalists about education and its coverage in the media.

Finding Genius Podcast

Hosted by Richard Jacobs, legal marketing specialist/author 

The Finding Genius podcast interviews the best of the best in any given field – the 1 in 1,000 genius practitioner in their field. This July segment featured the Environment Program’s Jalonne White-Newsome on equitable climate resilience and urban flooding and health.

Hear To Slay podcast

Hosted by Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom, authors 

Hear to Slay is touted as the black feminist podcast of your dreams with compelling conversations curated in only the way black women can. It offers an incisive perspective on celebrity, culture, politics, art, life and love.

Here & Now podcast

Hosted by Tonya Mosley and Robin Young, journalists 

Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it’s happening in the middle of the day, with timely, smart and in-depth news, interviews and conversation. This December segment featured Kresge President & CEO Rip Rapson on philanthropy’s response to the pandemic.

How To Citizen with Bartunde

Hosted by Bartunde Thurston, writer/activist/comedian 

How To Citizen with Baratunde reimagines the word “citizen” as a verb and reminds us how to wield our collective power. Tune in to learn new perspectives and practices from people working to improve society for the many.

Latino USA

Hosted by Maria Hinojosa, journalist 

Latino USA offers insight into the lived experiences of Latino communities and gives a critical voice to the diversity of the American experience. Latino USA is committed to telling stories often overlooked by expanding narratives on issues of racial equity.

Planet Money podcast

Hosted by multiple National Public Radio journalists 

Planet Money seek to find creative, entertaining ways to make sense of the big, complicated forces that move our economy. This episode on “Rethinking Black Wealth”  features Brookings Institution fellow Dr. Andre Perry.

The Takeaway with Tanzina Vega

Hosted by Tanzina Vega, journalist 

The Takeaway podcast takes a fresh look at daily news featuring critical conversations, live reports from the field and listener participation. This segment from April features Francys Crevier of the National Council for Urban Indian Health, who spoke with our staff this fall.

Therapy for Black Girls

Hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, licensed psychologist 

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Detroit Today podcast

Hosted by Stephen Henderson, journalist 

WDET’s Detroit Today features dynamic and diverse voices that define our the Detroit region. This segment features the Detroit Program’s Wendy Lewis Jackson on our $30 million racial justice grant initiative.

What The Folk

Hosted by Emily Yates, folk singer, and Sarah Baranauskas, writer/librarian 

What the Folk features conversations with artists, organizers, educators and a creative array of visionaries. A spring episode features Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, co-executive director of the Highlander Center, talking about movement building, solidarity economics, and education.