Michigan Voices

We invite you into a season of mysteries, myths and legends all connected to University of Michigan Ann Arbor in the fall semester of 2022.

In this episode of Michigan Voices, we explore the tunnels under the Diag through fabricated scary stories! Get ready to get scared. Producers: Riley Crimmins and Ren Strawn

Transcript Link

In Season 3 of Michigan Voices, we go back to campus. After a year and a half of Zoom classes, quarantine hobbies, and staying inside, we are now re-engaging with our peers and university environment. From Digital to the Diag is a series of episodes that tell stories from the Michigan community. From social movements to sports, we tackle these central questions in our season: Who are we now? Where do we go from here? And what do we hope for in the future?

Producer: Cherish Dean

Designer for season icon: Alexis Felcher

How Students are Doing Back In Person //  How are Michigan students doing after the intense years we have experienced since Covid changed campus? During this turbulent time, we have attended classes on Zoom, in person sometimes, then back on Zoom, then hybrid, and now mostly in person again. Producer Lily talked with (several/#)  UM students to ask how everyone was doing, in accordance with their mental health, after all these transitions. College, on its own, can be an experience riddled with stress, new and daunting challenges, and unexpected twists and turns in personal lives.  Then add a global pandemic.

The pandemic was unpredictable, but has Michigan supported us enough for students to succeed?

Producer: Lily Addington

What community means at the University of Michigan

U of M students come from not only all over the country but all across the world. People have different concepts of community and when we all bring those concepts to campus, it makes for a really interesting synergy. Meeting different people from all sorts of places has been one of the aspects that we value most about U of M; in this episode, listeners will get a glimpse of student perspectives surrounding the topic of community. What is the difference between community at home and on campus? What do students expect about the campus community?

Producers: Enoch Hung, Rose Israel, and Yuki Low

You and I belong to the community of the University of Michigan, but did you ever stop to think about what this means exactly? Communities are all around us, and they have the power to transform our lives and impact of a future. And defining and understanding what communities are can help us achieve that. Guided by two U of M professors, Dr. Eric Fretz and Dr. Marcus Collins, Borja, an exchange student from Spain, explores some critical questions about communities and collects some incredible stories about the power of community, and some advice for U of M students to navigate their communities and identity along the way.

Producer: Borja Jimena

The Potato Professor makes the best out of remote learning  //  As everyone knows, the COVID-19 pandemic threw us all for an unexpected journey in which every aspect of our lives changed- that including academics. Remote learning expeditiously became the new norm, though how did this affect teachers’ ability to present information to students that enable them to retain and understand it? I sit down with infamous professor, Ryan Ball, who gained attention through his efforts in maintaining exactly that during the pandemic. We hear about who he really is beyond the classroom and what motivates him to create an enjoyable environment daily.

Producer: Keyahna Bryant

Transferring is hard enough, but during a global pandemic?  //  Like most paths in life, college journeys are rarely straight. Being a transfer student puts its own twist in the road, be it planned, unplanned, from in-state or international, so on and so forth. Add to that the personal implications of having gone through that extra effort coupled with the downsides of college in a pandemic? 

This episode seeks to explore the commonalities and differences amidst the transfer experience, to highlight any unique impacts of covid-19, and to identify, considering prior university experiences, what the “Michigan Difference,” means to us.

Producer: Cherish Dean

How first-generation students with impostor syndrome are affected by the expectation of the leaders and best.

Producers: Lizzy Haag and Jacob Kahan

What it means to be a part of a women’s Christ-centered community  //  Alexis Felcher has a conversation with her fellow Delight leaders about the campus organization's mission and how the group has brought them closer to one another and also to God.

Producer: Alexis Felcher

The intention of this episode is to uplift the voices of Palestinian Wolverines. I hope to educate the university’s campus on the history of Palestine and the occupation, genocide, and ethnic cleansing harming my homeland. We are not able to encompass everything related to this dense topic and the entirety of the Palestinian experience, but we hope to provide insight alongside resources to educate the campus community. //

• We start with discussing a brief overview on the start of the occupation taking place in Palestine
• We take a brief look into what advocating for Palestine has looked like on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor’s campus
• Then we provide an overview of the attacks and events that took place in Palestine in the Summer of 2021
• In conclusion, we discuss the implications and impacts that the events of Summer 2021 had on Palestinian students and their allies

Producer:  Bushra Habbas-Nimer

A deep dive into the lives of the LGBTQ+ community at the University of Michigan //  Razzaan Zia and Cherish Dean discuss what life is like for the both of them being queer at the University of Michigan. Razzaan Zia, a queer Pakistan-American, and Cherish Dean, a biracial transfer student discuss what experiences they’ve had with the community and how they’ve navigated through the queer community and queer-friendly place of Ann Arbor. They also inquire Cherish’s friends Lindsay and Rye to talk about their experiences being queer and trans at UofM.

Producer:  Razzaan Zia

● Our biggest influences ● NFTs and what they mean for artists ● The importance of Authenticity ● Does school damage the artistic mind?

There are moments in this podcast meant to disorient… let it happen! Put feeling over understanding.

Producers:  Jack Lomedico and Sara Spillman

NOTE: some strong language

Monetizing the name, image, and likeness (N.I.L) of UM athletes  //  In June of 2021, a decision was made to override the NCAA rule that prohibited college athletes from making money off their name, image, and likeness (N.I.L). Now, like professional athletes, student athletes across the country can take advantage of different revenue opportunities such as sponsorships, brand deals, autographs, and more. Sydnee Lubar talks with Andrew Fenty (tennis), Cam Peel (swimming), Walt Alexander (lacrosse), Keaton Pehrson (hockey), and Luke Wilson (basketball alumni) about their experiences as UM athletes and their thoughts on N.I.L.

Producer:  Sydnee Lubar

It’s time we ask the question: what REALLY happens in a Martial Arts gym?  //  Nowadays, it seems like some martial arts have received bad press, from fake kung fu masters to the much too common “gym warriors”. In this episode, hosts Dylan Selkin and Evan Chung talk with a jiu-jitsu practitioner, a boxer, and the president of the Umich Taekwondo club to find out the truth behind the martial arts community. Are martial arts communities really what the internet makes them out to be?

Producers: Evan Chung and Dylan Selkin

NOTE: sexist language at minute 12 

Making waves of change on the Michigan Men's rowing team  //  In this episode, Ana Sahu, who is a senior at the University of Michigan and the current vice president of the Michigan’s men’s rowing team, shares her perspective on what it means to be a leader. She explains how the team has expanded upon enacting their values of diversity, equity, and inclusionary efforts within this past year since she’s stepped into a leadership role, as well as what she hopes these actions will do to help create a fiercely competitive but positive environment for future members of the team.

Producer:  Keri Zhang

How UM students are fighting back against institutions that silence abuse  //  How do we fight for change? In the face of inaction by institutions, students are rising to occasion and protesting for justice. In this episode, I sit down with Becca Wong, senior at the University of Michigan and leader of the #MeTooYoungLife movement to discuss the incidents of sexual assault and harassment involving the UMich Young Life chapter, We explore how she and her peers are fighting against the systemic silencing of young voices by this international youth faith-based organization. In a time of Michigan’s history where lack of accountability is being exposed and pushed back on, we must define what activism truly looks like and how our student community will be the catalyst for change.

Producer:  Rhea Basarkar

The surprising impact of cats on students mental health  //  Living with cats serves to do more than entertain you with a fluffy friend; it improves your mental and physical health. Since college-student life is full of stress, would it be beneficial for the University of Michigan to allow students living on campus to have cats in their dorms? In “The Feline Factor,” we dive into research and sit down with a current student in an attempt to find an answer. 

Producer: Mitchell Rowland

The next steps in diversity, equity and inclusion  //  In such a short period of time, the world has seen so many changes that have put social justice issues in the spotlight for everybody to see. Because of the Summer of 2020, Corporate America and the rest of the country have started to take diversity initiatives more seriously. Jor-El Santos of Michigan Voices interviews Rhonda Todd, the Director of Academic Success. They dive deeper into DEI initiatives at the University of Michigan, but more specifically, they talk about a unique program called, Preparation Initiative.

Producer:  Jor-El Santos

In Season 2 of Michigan Voices we not only speak, but we learn to listen. Conversation Nation is a series of ten episodes with a social justice lens that showcase our desire to learn from each other and explore issues. We learn about each other's backgrounds and, through this, we learn so much more--be it about water, hometown Black Lives Matter protests, hair justice, economics, important coursework, housing crises, influencer culture, indigenous rights, the environment or mental health resources. Producer: Mia McCrumb

Despite being from very different hometowns, Elyssa and Maddie’s lives have crossed paths and led them to similar places at University of Michigan. In this episode, the two graduating seniors discuss the differences between their lives prior to UM and explore some difficult pressing topics. Producers: Elyssa Moody and Maddie Deutsch

Hair To Be Different dives into the topic of hair and social justice. In this episode, we sit down and talk to the president of Curl Talk Kai Dotson to learn about the student organization she runs at the University of Michigan. Kai takes us back to her experiences growing up straightening her curly hair to now loving, accepting, and promoting her natural curls. Curl Talk provides a safe space for females to discuss, learn, grow, and accept their natural hair. Producers: Sarah O'Donnell, Stella Betrus, and Owen Hall

Influencers have power in 2021. That’s a fact. They dictate what we wear, read, donate, and consume. On this episode of Michigan Voices, we explore the intricacies of micro influencing, and what it means to partner with brands. We then dive into the public relations side of influencing and hear about what’s really happening behind the scenes. Finally, we explore cancel culture and its dangerous power in social media. The episode should leave you wondering, who do I follow and why do they have influence over me? What have they done to deserve my loyalty? Producers: Maddie Deutsch, Jack Mastrianni, and Cooper Weiss

Most people are aware that some crazy stuff happened involving GameStop, reddit and hedge funds in early 2021. But the stock market is made to be intentionally complicated and confusing, after all wall street doesn’t like sharing. So in this episode of Michigan Voices, I’ll be explaining exactly what happened with GameStop and Wall Street, why it matters, and interviewing someone who bought in during the peak and experienced the crash. Producer: Nicklas Swihart

In this episode Hope speaks with several people involved in the intergroup dialogue class on campus. She interviews a Ross professor, intergroup dialogue facilitator, intergroup dialogue participant, as well as sharing her own experience with the class. She ends with describing action steps and how the course has come full circle in her life. Producer: Hope Crystal

The land that the University of Michigan sits on was a part of the largest Indigenous treaty ever signed by the US Government. Now? Indigenous representation is still at all time lows within higher education. In a conversation with Samara Tobey, we find out how the Indigenous student body is seeking social justice. Producer: Mia McCrumb

In this episode, I sat down with Lindsay Calka to discuss the affordable housing crisis in Ann Arbor, as well as what has brought us to this point, and what the city needs to do to help. We discussed the history of housing in Ann Arbor, the negative effects that the University of Michigan has in this situation, and what Lindsay has done within her organization, Michigan Movement, since becoming a student here in 2017. Producer: Olivia Peterson

In this episode Jon speaks with Sarah Pinter, an environmental advocate who formerly worked for the EPA and now works with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Listen as they cover a variety of topics including climate change, policy making, CO2 emissions, and most importantly how you can make a positive impact on the world around us. Producer: Jon Haisfield

In the penultimate episode of Michigan Voices Season Two, Julia Peck and Noah Pinter explore a research project predicting lead contamination in water sources across the state of Michigan and discuss legislation handling lead testing in Michigan, as well as the entire United States. Producers: Julia Peck and Noah Pinter

To end Season 2 of Michigan Voices, Brandon talks with licensed and clinical psychologist, Joseph Lempicki, and they explore the current state of mental health services, while discussing the future of mental healthcare in a post-pandemic world. Producer: Brandon McLeod

In this episode Ally and Christine talk to first time voters at the University of Michigan to hear their experience throughout the unforgettable pandemic and historical election. Our mission was to get diverse insights into how students with different backgrounds and experiences were affected by the past six months in the U.S.  Featuring:Dara Kissel, Shao Li, and Claire Sandler.  Produced by: Christine Hughes and Ally Schulkin

Welcome to this week of Democracy Unmuted we are joined by Mackenzie Gilson as we talk about when the world outside of the classroom becomes your greatest  learning experience. We also take a look into the public health sphere on the converging pandemics. Join us as we look into pandemics and policies and learn a little bit more about them together.  Produced by: Kimberly Udell

Homelessness and what you can do to help//In this episode, I sat down with Lindsay Calka to talk about homelessness in Ann Arbor, as well as urban poverty and inequality in general. We talked about how students can get involved with the community to help alleviate this problem, classes you can take to find out more about this issue, and how she made Ann Arbor her home after moving here from her hometown of Tampa, Florida.  Produced by: Lauren Hart

A vote is a voice. // I wanted to create something where the listener couldn’t necessarily see any clear party bias from any of the interviewees, but if you listened close enough as a listener you could figure it out. I interviewed two first time voters in this election and got their take on what was going on now and how they decided to vote. For the third, I wasn’t able to interview an adult that was in the middle that had voted many times, but I was able to interview the daughter of adults who have voted several times who tend to sway either way, making it a perfect contender for the third interview to get the perspective of older generations on the 2020 election and the power of our vote.  Produced by: Adrian Kozakov

A journey into the weird world of memes in politics with a "Little" help from a former state senator  //  On this extra special episode, the Michigan Voices’ Meme Team discusses the genesis of the meme, analyzes its importance in the United States Political landscape, and welcomes Senator Matt Little to ultimately answer the question, “Are memes an effective vehicle for connecting with the younger electorate?”  Produced by: Max Rosenzweig, Clare Mayes, and Alex Shoflick