Radio Free Flint Podcast

We present audio and video podcasts about life and culture in middle America. Our essays and life histories share the story of people in America's rust belt.This podcast is born of blue-collar, working-class values. Our podcast has its roots in the greater Flint area. We dedicate this podcast to the beleaguered town of Flint, Michigan, and communities like it across America.Our podcasts subjects include true crime, law, history, sports, arts & literature, and the Flint water crisis, and more. Our interviews focus on society and culture in middle America.

Society & Culture News News Commentary Documentary

Update frequency: every 5 days
Average duration: 31 minutes
Episodes: 115
Years Active: 2020 - 2023

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Income Inequality in a Factory Town

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 "Rustbe…

00:16:57 | Thu 28 May 2020

Flint's Hidden History

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 l…

00:34:45 | Tue 26 May 2020

Investigative Reporter's Most Haunting Murder Cases

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 unso…

00:52:41 | Sat 23 May 2020

Flint's 1960's "Golden Age" Memories: Hot Rod Cars, Music and Girls

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 conv…

00:31:22 | Sat 16 May 2020

A Career in Journalism In a Place Like No Other

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 work…

00:42:47 | Tue 12 May 2020

Oldtime Baseball News: From Hobby to Dream Job

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 1…

00:40:25 | Mon 04 May 2020

A Champion for Flint's Poor

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 ha…

00:36:09 | Sat 25 Apr 2020

A Grand National BMX Racer and Auto Gypsy

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 ac…

00:30:15 | Wed 22 Apr 2020

Sports Broadcaster Recalls Flint's Best Athletes #20007

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…

00:33:06 | Sat 18 Apr 2020

JFK, Coors, Golf: Flint's Trailblazer Leo Seide #20006

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 con…

00:29:52 | Wed 15 Apr 2020

Jeff Natchez, DO: A Detroit Tiger Baseball Dream

In 1971, Flint optometrist Jeff Natchez was a 6th round draft choice of the Detroit Tigers. He was scouted and signed by legendary Detroit Tigers General Manager Bill Lajoie. Jeff spent 5 years in th…

00:38:49 | Mon 13 Apr 2020

Ode to John Prine

Ode to singer/songwriter John Prine who died this week. John Prine's music spoke of the culture of the Southern migrants who left the coal mines and their rented farms in places like Kentucky and Te…

00:11:57 | Wed 08 Apr 2020

Americana tribute to Working People of Flint #20003

Singer Dan Hall and songwriter David Norris share stories of nearly 40 years authoring songs about the Great Lakes and the American labor movement. Their important work has been featured on PBS docu…

00:36:30 | Tue 07 Apr 2020