East Lansing Public Library Podcast

The Director's Cut: Episode 10 - Josh White, Jr. & Reggie Harris, Musicians

Josh White, Jr. and Reggie Harris are two musicians known not only for their musical concerts, but also for educating people about the Underground Railroad and other subjects that play a part in the history of race in our country.  

Josh White, Jr. is a partner in “Living History”, a program that goes into schools and teaches students through story and song by having them assume the roles of the people they are learning about. He began singing with his father at the age of 4 and this year will mark his 76^th year performing. 

Reggie Harris is a well-traveled performer, lecturer and cultural ambassador. He has earned wide acclaimed and respect from peers and audiences alike throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and around the world. He combines spirituals and roots music, historic inspiration and moving original songs.

The Director's Cut: Episode Nine - Sarah Baughman, Author & East Lansing Native

In this special episode, hosted by Beth Scanlon, Teen Services Specialist, we visit with first-time author and native of East Lansing, Sarah Baughman, who writes an inspiring coming-of-age novel, The Light in the Lake, about the afterlife, while empowering brave young readers to explore possibilities. The Light in the Lake is a moving, page-turner about grief, family, the possibility of magic and the beauty of science.

While in East Lansing, Sarah was a middle and high school English teacher and now works as an educational consultant and author. She graduated from Grinnell College and the University of Michigan, then went on to teach English overseas in three different countries – China, Bolivia, and Germany.

The Director's Cut: Episode Eight - Linda Solomon, Photojournalist and Author

Linda Solomon is a photojournalist, author and member of the prestigious Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. Linda's newest book, The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, An Intimate Portrait will be released on October 14, 2019. The book is full of firsts, as Linda was invited not only to capture historical events in Aretha’s music career, but to join in with the Franklin family’s most intimate and cherished moments.

What developed over the years of photographing birthday and Christmas parties in her home, annual celebrity galas, private backstage moments during national award ceremonies and photo shoots with the iconic pink Cadillac was a friendship between two women who grew to enjoy and respect one another.

The Director's Cut: Episode Seven - Nick Berry, Blue Owl Coffee

Nick Berry is one of the owners of Blue Owl Coffee. Blue Owl Coffee grew from a coffee bike to a 1,500 sq. ft. brick and mortar café located in the REOTown neighborhood, a new roasting operation facility, a cozy 700 sq. ft. café and a new 3,000 sq. ft. Blue Owl Coffee Café.

The Director's Cut: Episode Six - Matthew Desmond, Author of Evicted

Matthew is a professor of sociology at Princeton University and the author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Evicted has also been selected for the City of East Lansing – Michigan State University One Book One Community program, which encourages the community to read the same book and come together to explore its themes and issues.

 

The Director's Cut: Episode Five - Author of Michigan Lighthouses, John Wagner

John Wagner, a resident of East Lansing, Michigan is the author, photographer and pilot of the Michigan Lighthouse series. John began the series in 1985 as an incidental photographic interest. In 1989, the concept of a book unfolded. The first printing of the book, Michigan Lighthouses, An Aerial Photographic Perspective, occurred in January 1994, and was sold out in November 1996.

The Director's Cut: Episode Four - Michigan House Representative, Julie Brixie

Julie Brixie is Michigan's newly elected State Representative for the 69th House District. 

 

The Director's Cut: Episode Three - Polo Tate

An interview with Polo Tate, the great, great granddaughter of Ransom Eli Olds (R.E. Olds), inventor of the Oldsmobile. Polo earned appointments to both The United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Polo attended the United States Air Force Academy straight out of high school, but left during her second year, which led to her debut memoir Deep Dark Blue.

The Director's Cut: Episode Two - Khalid el-Hakim, Founder of Black History 101 Mobile Museum

A conversation with Khalid el-Hakim, founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, an award winning collection of over 7,000 original artifacts of Black memorabilia.

The Director's Cut: Episode One - Mitch Albom

An interview with Mitch Albom, an award-winning, best-selling author, journalist, radio and television broadcaster. His books, including The Five People You Meet in Heaven, have collectively sold more than 39 million copies worldwide. He became a nationally-acclaimed sports journalist at the Detroit Free Press and one of the best-known media figures in Detroit’s history.