Podcast
Michigistory
Hosted by Cassidy Hough and Big Mitten Media · EN
Welcome to Michigistory, a poorly named but well-produced podcast where we tell the true stories of some of Michigan's most fascinating history. Join host Cassidy Hough every other Friday for new episodes.
For any story ideas, advertisement inquires, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Dr. Ossian Sweet and The KKK
1w ago01:02:22Tap to summarizeThe 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 advertise with Michigistory or offer an episode topic, email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistory Did you enjoy this episode? Then please consider leaving us a 5-star review!Did you not enjoy this episode? Then please consider leaving us a 5-star review!Advisors Capital Insurance InformationFor your free quote and an opportunity to save some money on your insurance, call Advisors Capital Insurance at (734) 272-7909 or email Fil directly at fil@advisorscapital.us
Transcribe →The Purple Gang
3w ago01:03:45Tap to summarizeI’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 Cleaners and Dyers War of the 1920s, the Milaflores Massacre of 1927, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929, and the Collingwood Manor Massacre of 1931. If you'd like to advertise with Michigistory or request an episode topic, email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistory Do you think Logan did a good job? Then leave us a 5-star review! Do you think I should fire Logan? Then leave us a 5-star review! Advisors Capital Insurance InformationFor your free quote and an opportunity to save some money on your insurance, call Advisors Capital Insurance at (734) 272-7909 or email Fil directly at fil@advisorscapital.us
Transcribe →AI Data Centers
May 2201:06:02Tap to summarizeEverything 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 might they affect me and my life? On this episode, we'll answer all these questions and more, with a specific focus on the Great Lakes region. Plus, a little history too. If you'd like to advertise with Michigistory or request an episode topic, email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistory Are you pro AI data centers? Then leave us a 5-star review! Are you anti AI data centers? Then leave us a 5-star review! Advisors Capital Insurance InformationFor your free quote and an opportunity to save some money on your insurance, call Advisors Capital Insurance at (734) 272-7909 or email Fil directly at fil@advisorscapital.usSources:*AGL_DataCenter_Playbook_2026_Final.pdf Data centers in Michigan: What you need to know Data Centers in Michigan — Project List & Locations Water levels across the Great Lakes are falling – just as US data centers move in | Technology | The Guardian *stpp-data-centers-2025.pdf Full details of Michigan law passed- Enterprise Data Center Sales & Use Tax Exemption | Michigan Business
Transcribe →Rosa Parks
May 801:02:20Tap to summarizeSpoiler 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 Scottsboro Boys, the Recy Taylor case, poll taxes, young Martin Luther King Jr., the Montgomery bus boycott, and Parks' long life in Detroit.Advisors Capital Insurance InformationFor your free quote and an opportunity to save some money on your insurance, call Advisors Capital Insurance at (734) 272-7909 or email Fil directly at fil@advisorscapital.usIf you'd like to advertise with Michigistory, email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comFor more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistoryDo you think Rosa Parks is more famous than Eminem? If so, let us know by leaving us a 5-star reviewDo you think Rosa Parks is so much more famous than Eminem that Cassidy shouldn't have even mentioned his name? If so, let us know by aggressively leaving us a 5-star review
Transcribe →Pirates of the Great Lakes
Apr 2400:55:17Tap to summarizeWho 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, timber pirates, and the origin story of your favorite cheap beer.AND HEY! WE'VE GOT OUR FIRST AD!For your free quote and an opportunity to save some money on your insurance, call Advisors Capital Insurance at (734) 272-7909 or email Fil directly at fil@advisorscapital.usIf you'd like to advertise with Michigistory, email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comFor more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistoryDo you think piracy is a victimless crime? If so, let us know by leaving Michigistory a 5-star reviewDo you think piracy is a victimfull crime? If so, let us know by leaving Michigistory a 5-star review
Transcribe →Henry Ford
Apr 1001:08:34Tap to summarizeHenry 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, and Adolf Hitler’s take on Henry Ford. This one’s a real doozy.For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistoryFor story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments) email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comIf you enjoy figuring out the little intricate mechanics of different systems, then make sure you leave us a 5-star reviewIf you enjoy tearing something down to its finest parts, and building something anew from it, then you should probably go leave us a 5-star review
Transcribe →The Detroit Pistons
Mar 2701:04:07Tap to summarizeThe 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 Detroit), The Bad Boys Era, and the infamous Malice at the Palace. Plus, stick around to hear about the current Piston's squad and Logan's 2026 playoff predictions.For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistory For story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments) email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comAre you a Bad Boy Big Guy Pants Okay? Then be sure to smash that 5-star rating button Would you like Cassidy to please never say Big Guy ever again? Let us know by smashing that 5-star rating button
Transcribe →Moose and Wolves and Isle Royale (oh my!)
Mar 1300:58:44Tap to summarize"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 dwindling moose population, the longest running predator prey study in the world, and that time we kidnapped 59 moose from Canada, strapped them to a helicopter, and flew them into the sunset. Plus, stick around for a discussion of the most important question in modern biology: what is our role as humans?For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistoryFor story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments) email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comWould you like to read Molly's biologically philosophical college essay entitled, "To Herbicide, or Not to Herbicide?" If so, be sure to rate this episode 5-stars.Would you definitely not like to read Molly's biologically philosophical college essay entitled, "To Herbicide, or Not to Herbicide?" Then you better rate this episode 5-stars or I'm gonna send it to you.
Transcribe →Charles Lindbergh
Feb 2701:19:16Tap to summarize**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 to Paris, but aviation is not his only legacy. A few years after becoming the most famous man in the world, Lindbergh's infant son was kidnapped. Reporters called it "the crime of the century."**The story of Charles Lindbergh Jr.'s kidnapping is deeply disturbing. Please listen to the second half of this episode with caution.For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @michigistoryFor story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments) email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comYou're still reading? Well okay then listen, I was in quite a bit of emotional distress writing this episode, so maybe you could throw me a bone and leave me a 5-star review. Just a thought.
Transcribe →Joe Louis
Feb 1301:20:02Tap to summarizeThe 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 story of Joe Louis is one of unwavering resilience in the white face of adversity. It's the story of a man who walked a razor thin line so those after him could run. And it also happens to be the story of "the most important fight in the history of the world," and "the happiest moment in America." For more Michigan history, including video clips from this episode, follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok @michigistoryFor story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.comIf you're team Joe Louis, show your support by leaving the show a 5-star review. And if you're team Schmeling... then you have exactly 2 minutes and 4 seconds to get out of here and never come back...
Transcribe →