Created Equal

Nancy Kaffer of the Detroit Free Press, former Michigan Senator Randall Richardville, and Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne join the show to discuss Donald Trump's reelection, local races in Michigan and in Detroit, and what this election says about voters, their preferences, and the state of the country. 

Election Day is finally here. American democracy has persisted for more than two centuries, and the importance of the results of this year’s election has been touted by both sides of the political aisle. Today on Created Equal, award-winning journalist Desiree Cooper and New York Times columnist Bret Stephens join the show to discuss how they feel about American democracy and what they are keeping in mind as they cast their ballots.

Today on Created Equal, we share highlights from this week's episodes, including new efforts to unionize video game industry workers; the connection between early voting and election distrust and more.

With just a few days left before the 2024 presidential election, many people are feeling at least a little bit stressed – by the deluge of ads and information about the election, by the deep division that is represented in the campaign and on the ballot, or by a sense of fatigue. Psychiatrist Arash Javanbakht and clinical psychologist Rheeda Walker join the show to talk about election-related stress, how much worse it has gotten and how we can manage it a bit better.

David Becker of the Center for Election Innovation & Research and University of Michigan-Dearborn political science professor Dale Thomson join Created Equal to discuss how early voting improves election integrity, despite misinformation saying otherwise.

Video games are a huge part of American culture and a largely profitable industry. But even as the industry booms, many workers have very little job security and work unimaginable hours. These circumstances have led to new efforts to unionize these workers to give them stronger workplace protections. Nicole Carpenter, a senior reporter at Polygon who covers labor issues in the games industry, and Johanna Weststar, an associate professor at Western University, joins Created Equal to discuss the effects of unionization on the video game industry. 

Today on Created Equal, we share highlights from this week's episodes, including the impact of white Christian nationalism on American history and democracy; Michigan’s teacher shortages in K-12 schools and more.

Despite often being a loyal voting bloc for Democrats, Black Americans are politically diverse. Garrison Hayes, a journalist for Mother Jones and the Reveal podcast, has been spending some of this year talking to Black Republicans to determine what draws them to the GOP — and, in many cases, to Donald Trump. He joined Created Equal on Thursday to discuss the motivation behind their votes, and what they hope to gain from this election.

Teachers in classrooms are dealing with an especially tough set of circumstances. Many are dealing with the after effects of the pandemic on student mental health and taking responsibility for keeping kids safe from violence. A panel of educational professionals join Created Equal to discuss the teacher shortage in Michigan, its effect on students, and some possible solutions.

Host of CBC Radio’s The National and Cross Country Checkup Ian Hanomansing, joins Created Equal ahead of his live call-in special broadcasting from WDET on Sunday, Oct. 20, to discuss how Canadian politics are changing and how they mirror those in the United States.

Preacher Jim Wallis, author of “The False White Gospel,” joins the show to talk about why Christian values are at odds with White Christian nationalism in the United States. 

Dennis Darnoi, founder of political consulting firm Densar Consulting, and Michigan Public Political Director Zoe Clark join the show to break down the final debate between Michigan U.S. Senate candidates U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.

Today on Created Equal, we share highlights from this week's episodes, including reflections on the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel and the Arab American diaspora; neighborhoods in Detroit starting community land trusts and more.

Neighborhoods across Detroit are starting community land trusts; nonprofits run by community members that own property in the area. Jerry Hebron, executive director of the Detroit Cultivator Community Land Trust in Detroit's North End neighborhood; and Mark Bennett, staff attorney at the Detroit Justice Center, joined Created Equal to explain how community land trusts work and what they might do for Detroiters. 

One year since the Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza, countless more displaced and injured. More than 1,000 Lebanese have been killed in escalating war. James Zogby from the Arab American Institute and Diana Abouali from the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn join Stephen Henderson to reflect on how a year of war in Gaza and now Lebanon is affecting Arab Americans.

Today on Created Equal, we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a dive into Detroiter Alice Randall’s new memoir, “My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future”; Ford’s “BlueOval City” electric vehicle manufacturing complex in Tennessee and more.

The rural landscape of West Tennessee is undergoing a massive change. Ford’s “BlueOval City” electric vehicle manufacturing complex spans six square miles and is expected to bring 6,000 jobs to the area. That kind of economic development would be the envy of many states, including Michigan, but some residents are asking Ford to adopt a community benefits agreement.

WDET received the following statement from Ford community relations director Gabby Bruno after recording this episode:

“Ford and Ford Philanthropy are committed to our community initiatives because we want residents in every community neighboring BlueOval City to benefit as the campus comes to life. I look forward to introducing our Good Neighbor Plan, developed with the help of resident input and the community leaders who make up our Equitable Growth Advisory Council.”

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a new book detailing the community ripple effects of Texas’ ever-expanding highways; and the cost of child care for both parents and child care workers.