Michigistory

Ohio is the root of all evil. Don't shoot the messenger. On this 4th of July Eve, Cassidy and Logan are bringing you the story of Michigan from 40,000BC to 1837. How did Michigan begin? Why isn't Detroit our capital? How did we end up with the Upper Peninsula? And why is there so much beef between Michigan and Ohio? (Spoiler alert, the rivalry pre-dates football). If you'd like to a...

The line between self-defense and murder is thinner for some than it is for others. This week, Cassidy is joined by Logan to talk about one of the most important events in Detroit history –  the trial of Dr. Ossian Sweet. Do black men have a right to defend themselves and their homes? Plus, a crash course on the second wave of the KKK that will leave you scratching your head. If you'd like to...

I’ve made you an episode you can’t refuse.  This week, Cassidy and her business associate Logan have prepared a series of stories about one of the country’s most infamous Prohibition-Era gangs– Detroit’s Purple Gang. Tune in for a Prohibition crash course, followed by retellings of some of the Purple’s most historic crimes. If you can endure Cassidy’s terrible accent, you’ll learn all about The Cl...

Everything you need to know about them, and how they might affect you.  Or at least... as much as we could fit in an hour.  This week, Cassidy (joined by Logan) decided to switch things up a bit, and provide you with a crash course on the hot topic of AI data centers. What are they? Why are so many popping up around the Great Lakes? How much water and electricity do they actually use? And how migh...

Spoiler Alert: Your 4th grade teacher probably failed you.  This week, Cassidy is joined by Logan to talk about the woman who spent 70+ years working in civil rights, only for her legacy to be minimized to one brief, albeit important, moment. As you'll soon understand, the full story of Rosa Parks is actually much more interesting. Stick around to learn about Jim Crow laws, the NAACP, the Sco...

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? No one in this story, that's for sure.  Because this episode is about real-life pirates of the Great Lakes.  This week Cassidy is joined by Molly to talk about the truly unbelievable story of Roaring Dan Seavey— the most infamous pirate in Great Lakes history. In addition, look forward to learning about floating brothels, Michigan's logging heyday,...

Henry Ford–  the man you think you know everything about, but you actually know nothing about.  This week Cassidy is joined by the only man in Michigan who knows nothing about Henry Ford (Logan) to discuss the shocking reality of one of the world’s most successful men. Come for the Model T, the assembly line, and the $5 a day wage, and stay for the Ford Sociological Department, the secret family,...

The Bad Boys of Michael Jordan’s nightmares, The Dream Team of Isiah Thomas’ nightmares, and the Joe Dumars Fieldhouse birthday party of Cassidy’s dreams. This week Cassidy welcomes Michigistory’s resident basketball expert Logan back to the show to talk about the history of the Detroit Pistons. Tune in to learn about the invention of basketball, the founding of the Pistons (spoiler: not in Detroi...

"It's a bird!" "It's a plane!" "It's a... moose hanging from a helicopter?"  Yes actually.  This week Cassidy welcomes Michigistory's resident biologist Molly Engelman back to the show to discuss the deeply fascinating (and even more deeply strange) history of some of Michigan's most iconic species. Tune in to learn about Michigan's dwind...

* *CONTENT WARNING**  “The biggest news story since the Resurrection.” - H.L. Mencken   As outrageous as it sounds, there were two moments in Charles Lindbergh's life where this quote was applicable.  This week Cassidy is joined by Logan to discuss two of the biggest stories of the 20th century. Charles Lindbergh is perhaps best known for completing the first ever nonstop flight from New York...

The heavyweight world champion from Detroit who beat Hitler and saved America (metaphorically).  This week Cassidy drags Logan out of his grave and into the studio to teach him all about one of the most important men of the 20th century. Detroit legend Joe Louis holds the title for the longest-reigning heavyweight world champion in history, but his legacy extends far beyond the boxing ring. The st...

If you unraveled the two massive cables that hold up the Mackinac Bridge, you'd have enough wire to wrap around the Earth... twice.  This week, Cassidy is joined by Kim Nowack (Executive Director of the Mackinac Bridge) and James Lake (official spokesperson for the Mackinac Bridge), to tell the story of the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Tune in to hear about life before...

This is Cassidy's favorite topic yet.  In the 1890s, Princess Clara from Detroit, Michigan, may have been the most hated woman in the world. But why? This week, Cassidy shares the life story of one of the most complicated, scandalous, beautiful and bizarre women in the history of Michigan (and perhaps the world). Tune in to hear how this Belgian Princess would eventually become a symbol for s...

Beauties vs Beasties: The Mute Swan and Sea Lamprey Story (awesome alternate title).  On this week's episode, Cassidy is joined by Ovya Venkat to tell the complicated story of two problematic species. How did they get to Michigan? What damage have they done? How do we fix it? And who is to blame? Stay tuned for both a history lesson, and a conversation about humans' role in the ecosystem...

Before there was "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot, there was "1913 Massacre" by Woody Guthrie.   A song about one of the biggest catastrophes in Michigan history. On this week's episode, Cassidy is joined by Logan to discuss The Italian Hall Disaster, and the 73 people who lost their lives fleeing a fabricated threat. This episode details the diffic...

During The Civil War, a unit of 139 Native American sharpshooters from Michigan formed Company K to fight alongside the Union.  Their story is worthy of a movie. But until that happens, here's an episode of Michigistory. This week, Cassidy is joined once again by brilliant Native American historian Eric Hemenway. Come for the incredible stories of Company K's major battles, prison camp e...

WARNING: After listening to this episode, you will be the smartest person at Thanksgiving. Is that a responsibility you're ready to take on? If so, then join Cassidy and Logan in learning all about the history of Detroit's beloved Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the longstanding tradition that is the Lions Thanksgiving Day game. Other topics include Detroit's legendary department store...

What's the point? And how to they work? And are they actually important? And what about Millard Fillmore (said nobody ever).  On this week's episode, Cassidy is joined by dear friend and Sault Ste. Marie resident Molly Engelman to talk about the rich history of one of the America's most valuable pieces of infrastructure- The Soo Locks. But on account of former U.S. President Millard...

Why do we teach history?  "So we don't repeat the past," is probably what popped into your head.  By that logic, if we're teaching history correctly, then we should never make the same mistake twice.   And yet, some headlines today look all too familiar. What does this say about the state of our history education? Today's episode is part 1 of a series in which Cassidy, and...

A cool fall morning in late October, is when the podcast began, at a public library in Wexford County, where the Manistee River ran. *insert keyboard* On this week's extra special Halloween episode, Cassidy is joined by Dogman enthusiast Ally Beshouri Pekrul to talk about Michigan's favorite cryptid. Tune in to hear the story behind the legendary Dogman song, as well as personal accounts...

Yeah, as in the cereal. But this is not an episode about cereal.  This week, Cassidy tells you the unbelievably fantastical story of John Harvey and William Kellogg. Honestly, you should go in blind. But if you want a sneak peak, keep reading.  This episode touches on everything from germ theory to 7th Day Adventism to "masturbation cures" to *eventually* cereal. Tune in to learn about t...

Before this podcast, the only thing I could tell you about the War of 1812 was the year it started. And I'm willing to bet the same goes for you.  This week, Cassidy gets to the bottom of this whole "War of 1812" thing, with the help of (fan favorite) Logan. Tune in to get a crash course on the American Revolution, The Declaration of Independence, and the Napoleonic Wars, followed b...

Fall is upon us, so it's time to talk about some strange and spooky history.  This week Cassidy sits down with Amberrose Hammond, author and paranormal researcher, to talk about some of the quirkier and less understood pieces of Michigan's history. All the stories you'll hear today are based in true historical occurrences- what you make of each occurrence is up to you and your belie...

So this is like a totally different show.  This week, Cassidy puts on her journalist hat and dives deep into the early days of Eminem, with the help of (BF)F Logan. Tune in to hear how the Detroit-native overcame bullying, poverty, lost loved ones, drugs, and toxic relationships to become the highest selling rap artist of all time. You'll learn about his relationships with people like Debbie...

If you came to hear about fudge, I'm so sorry, but this is not the episode for you.  This week Cassidy sits down with Craig Wilson, Chief Curator for Mackinac State Historic Parks, to talk about the rich and extensive history of Mackinac Island. Before the island became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, it was traded hands numerous times between numerous countries in...