Podcast
ML Soul of Detroit
Hosted by ML Elrick · EN
News, views, inside stories -- long AND short -- all well-told.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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The Love Bus - June 23, 2026
2w ago01:15:30Tap to summarizeBus workers playing hooky for nookie expose deeper problems with Detroit's transportation agency, as Detroit's Inspector General Kamau Marable tells ML and Marc.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com. LIMITED TIME OFFER: Our summer merchandise sale runs through June. 30. Look great while supporting the show! Get your gear here: https://fabricatedcustoms.com/collections/custom-apparel-for-soul-of-detroit-pre-orderWatch a Detroit bus driver and her supervisor hook up after she pulls her coach over during their shift, an incident that revealed deeper problems with the Detroit Department of Transportation. See it here.Read all about the problems in ML's latest On Guard column.The Kwame Kilpatrick scandal prompted Detroit voters to create an Inspector General to help clean up city government. Kamau Marable is Detroit's third inspector general and he joins ML and Marc to talk about the OIG's investigation into the Detroit Department of Transportation.Kamau explains why workers fooling around on a bus is just a symptom of bigger problems at DDOT. He also discusses the importance of having a watchdog people can turn to with their complaints.Kamau and ML explain why it takes so long to do an investigation, addressing one of the top criticisms of their reports on problems at DDOT.Marc asks Kamau if he has all the resources he needs to do his job. Kamau's response should concern everyone who cares about good government.ML's column on DDOT problems got an answer that Kamau and his team have been waiting on for months -- and they're not happy about it.To learn more about the Inspector General -- or to share a tip -- visit https://www.detoig.org/John Rutherford of the Cadieux Cafe drops in to reflecting on the passing of the late, great Matty Lee, who seemed to know everyone in Detroit's entertainment scene. Matty passed suddenly last week.John gives an update on his efforts to book Paulie Shore and Corey Feldman at the Cadieux. He also teases some great acts coming to the beer garden -- which has ML thinking about a possible Soul Night 2026.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKSorry, Tommy, ML tried to resist making Dusty May this week's geek. Come to think of it, he DID resist. Kinda. Listen and learn.ROOM 7609Listener Paul challenges you to come up with a live version of a song that is better than the studio version, and gets us started with "Rise" from Public Image Ltd. at Glastonbury 2013. Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSDid you know you can make one payment to support the show for a whole year? That's what Cousin Jim and new Soulmate Ryan did. Try it -- you just may like it!For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKML reads some of the most hilarious Facebook posts on his DDOT investigation. BTW, what's a "grib?" We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Out of Order - June 16, 2026
3w ago01:43:09Tap to summarizeErika Erickson makes a big splash with a story about a pool party gone wild before ML discusses the disastrous Detroit judge back on the ballot.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com. Marc returns from vacation to find a full house -- Erika, ML and a lawyer trying to knock disgraced former Detroit Judge Kahlilia Davis off the ballot.Erika has been busy! After winning an Emmy for her investigation into a troubled home for girls, an ALLEGED scammer she exposed is in court and she tells us all about the crazy pool party in Birmingham where girls twerking and doing each other left neighbors feeling a bit, er, uncomfortable.ML had never heard of Swimply, the AirBnB-like service that allows you to rent a private pool. Erika says the rental has rules that were clearly ignored when way more people than expected crowded into a quiet neighborhood for a pool party that looked a lot like an episode of Girls Gone Wild. See for yourself by hitting this link.Marc cues up some classic drops from Kahlilia Davis, the 36th District Court judge who Fox 2's Rob Wolchek put in the Hall of Fame back in 2017 after he caught her goofing off when she should have been in court. Davis is back in the news because she is hoping to get elected to the Detroit court that she didn't spend much time at the first time she was elected.ML has been writing about Davis' antics for years, and attorney Ryan Hill drops in to explain why he went court to keep her off the ballot. He thought the case was closed figurately, but didn't find out until he literally closed the case that Davis was going to succeed.A funny thing happened after the judge in Hill's case convinced him to dismiss the case with prejudice -- meaning he can't bring it back if something popped up. Hill tells us about one of the most confounding cases he's ever had.From running sores to a demand for a heavy-duty toilet, Davis had all kinds of excuses for not coming to work. ML tells some of the tales -- along with revealing what she said to a woman she beefed with at a local gym.Get the latest on the Davis debacle in ML's most recent On Guard column. Just hit the link: Disgraced former Detroit judge could be back on the ballotLooking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKSocial Security is in trouble, AI is taking over, and Congress is arguing over meaningless crap that raises your blood pressure. That's why they're this week's Geek.ROOM 7609Jerry Vile and Mr. Magoo set ML straight on the Australian bands influenced by Detroit rock before The Victims visit the New Wave suite to perform "Television Addict." Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSCome hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKML and MSU take a lot of guff this week before ML sets the record straight on an EMU hot take from a couple weeks ago. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Get podcast news on Facebook at “M.L. Elrick” and InstaGram at ml_elrick and, if the @elrick account ever gets unhacked, on XBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Ghost Buildings of the Motor City - June 9, 2026
4w ago00:50:23Tap to summarizeDan Austin's back with us to explore the vanished history of the city's skyline, mourning the mid-century losses of landmarks like Old City Hall, the old Federal Building, and the Lafayette Building. Austin explains that post-war economic decline and the pressure to compete with modern suburban office parks drove city leaders to trade historic craftsmanship for uninspiring modern boxes.STRAIGHT DOPE: Since Marc is off sneaking a well-deserved break, we are treating our loyal listeners to a very special bonus episode.We are sitting down with Dan Austin, the grand poobah of Detroit architecture history and the mastermind behind HistoricDetroit.org. For two decades, Dan has been keeping the story of our city's skyline alive, and today, we’re digging into the great, long-lost landmarks of Detroit—the buildings that are gone, but we damn well wish were still standing.Before letting the expert talk, ML had to lay out my own Mount Rushmore of demolished Detroit classics. These weren't even knocked down by Bobby Ferguson, but if Kwame Kilpatrick had been mayor in the mid-century, Bobby probably would have taken the sledgehammer to these himself:Old City Hall (Demolished 1961): The absolute number one on the list. Sitting right where One Kennedy Square is today, it was a gorgeous Beaux-Arts twin to the old Wayne County Courthouse down Cadillac Square. It was replaced by a sunken park that became a haven for pigeons, lunch-goers, and folks the Free Press would call "unhoused."The Federal Building / Old Post Office (Demolished 1930s): Located at Shelby and Fort, this 1891 masterpiece had a beautiful, dark Gotham/Transylvania vibe, complete with water-barfing dragon downspout gargoyles. It was torn down during the WPA era to provide jobs and make way for the Levin U.S. Courthouse.Tiger Stadium & Olympia Stadium: Two cathedrals of Detroit sports history that were ultimately replaced by... a whole lot of nothing special.The Architecture Post-Mortem with Dan AustinDan brought his own historical heavy artillery to the table, breaking down why Detroit spent decades trading world-class craftsmanship for mid-century modern "ugly ass" boxes.The "Mad Men" Era Decline: Dan explains that in the 1950s and 60s, Detroit was competing with the glittering new office parks of Southfield. City leaders didn't want Detroit to look like a dead city living in the past, so they traded gorgeous chandeliers for fluorescent lighting, tearing down history just to look "new."The Majestic Building (Demolished 1962): Designed by the legendary Daniel Burnham (the genius behind Chicago’s World's Fair), this northwest corner of Michigan and Woodward landmark featured literally a football field's worth of interior marble. Mayor Louis Miriani allowed it to be leveled for an office tower and an underground parking garage.The Lafayette Building (Demolished 2009): A unique, V-shaped building designed by C. Howard Crane (the same guy who did the Fox Theatre and Olympia). Dan personally fought to get it on the National Register of Historic Places, but the city leveled it anyway out of panic over a vacant building sitting across from the newly renovated Book Cadillac.The American Motors Headquarters (Demolished 2022-2023): Down in District 7 on Plymouth Road, this towering Art Deco plant was recently clear-cut. While the new manufacturing jobs are great, Dan notes they easily could have preserved the historic facade as a shield instead of putting a giant, windowless box right against the neighborhood sidewalk.What About the Ren Center?We couldn't talk Detroit architecture without addressing the concrete elephant on the riverfront: The Renaissance Center.Dan and ML pull no punches on John Portman's 1977 fortress. While it's the most iconic fixture on our skyline, it was originally built like a concrete Death Star that sucked the economic life out of the rest of downtown Detroit (killing off buildings like the Lafayette). It’s a confounding, un-navigable mess where form definitely did not follow function.Now that GM is skating out to Warren and Dan Gilbert's new Hudson's tower, what do we do with it? You can't convert it to apartments (the windows don't open, and the plumbing is an absolute nightmare). Dan's expert verdict? If you aren't going to save all four outer towers, take the whole damn thing down and completely open up the Detroit riverfront.Geeking Out on Detroit Rock History & TriviaThe Yorba Hotel: The infamous southwest Detroit hotel immortalized by the White Stripes. It was recently shut down by the city due to severe code violations, but its prime location in Hubbard Farms means there's a strong chance it will be salvaged for proper, high-quality low-income housing.The Grande Ballroom: The holy grail of rock history and the birthplace of the MC5 and The Stooges. The church that owns it put a tarp over the collapsed roof, but with a gutted interior and a $5 million asking price just to buy the property, saving it would require a miracle—and about $40 million.The Albert Kahn "Fraud": Did Albert Kahn actually design every single detail of his iconic buildings? Short answer: No. He was a visionary who revolutionized industrial architecture, but he had a massive team—including associate architect Ernest Wilby and artist Géza Maródi (who did the heavy lifting inside the Fisher Building)—to crunch the numbers and draw the individual floorplates.Our Soul-Sustaining SponsorsThis show doesn't happen without the people who keep us coming back week after week. Please support the businesses that support the Soul of Detroit:Luke Nowacki of Pinnacle Wealth Strategies: Whether you want to talk retirement goals, secure a college savings plan, or set up a Roth IRA for your kids, Luke provides a conversational style that leaves you completely satisfied. Call or text Luke at 248-663-4748. Get yourself a crumb from the pie, and he’ll make it all about you, sweetheart.Detroit City FC: Catch Le Rouge playing at Keyworth Stadium! On June 10th at 7:30 PM, the men's team faces El Paso Locomotive FC—featuring Danny Rojas of Ted Lasso fame making his competitive return to the pitch. Head over to detcityfc.comsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Hello, Galli! - June 2, 2026
Jun 201:09:31Tap to summarizeBrad Galli left WXYZ to start his own sports reporting venture. He drops in to explain how it will work ... and to make ML, Shawn and Marc feel old.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at http://www.detcityfc.com. After 15 years of bringing you the news from Broadcast House, former WXYZ-TV sports director Brad Galli will bring you the news from his house -- or wherever the story takes him now that he has launched his own sports channel. He tells us why it was time to leave Channel 7. Brad promises -- we have it on tape! -- not to start a podcast. But the Brad Galli Show will be available on just about every other platform. You can check out and subscribe to his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@BradGalliShow Barry Sanders, Jahmyr Gibbs, Dusty May, Alan Trammel and Lou Whitaker are just some of the local sports legends Brad features as his new venture launches.Shawn is appalled that anyone would suggest he might break wind on air -- a couple weeks after going on and on about his gassy gut. Brad isn't sure how his flatulent friend would play on his new show.Appointment viewing -- when you sit down and watch the news during dinner -- is dying. Hear how Brad says he'll handle breaking news when it happens.ML says anchor jobs are overrated -- while everyone else is watching their kids' games and plays, you're stuck behind a desk or at the studio. Brad says getting to coach some of his kids' games inspired him to take a chance and create a gig that lets him enjoy being a dad more.What's more fun; sitting in a warm, dry, studio -- or being in the middle of the story? ML and Brad opine. Shawn interrupts.Marc asks whether Brad will keep going live on big sports events after the network cuts away, like when the Wolverines and Buckeyes tussled in the Horseshoe. Listen and learn Brad's plan.ML is back from Mackinac, where he got the answer to the burning question on everyone's mind: Would former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan show up at the Grand Hotel to face all the big shots who plowed beaucoup bucks into his failed campaign to be elected governor of Michigan as an independent?Democrats running for the U.S. Senate met for a debate at the Grand Hotel, but one of them didn't meet with reporters. Find out who in ML's latest "On Guard" column.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKRobert Van Winkle is this week's geek, geek, baby! ROOM 7609Steve wasn't sure he nailed it, but he sure did by booking Detroit-inspired Australian band Hoodoo Gurus into the New Wave suite to perform "I Want You Back." Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSCome hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKRobert plucks the EMU Eagles for their feel-good golf team that may be more than meets the eye, Janet wants the lowdown on which of Michigan's top Democrats may lead its top universities, and Grace suggests that "ML" stands for "Mega Lapdog." We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found!When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Get podcast news on Facebook at “M.L. Elrick” and InstaGram at ml_elrick and, if the @elrick account ever gets unhacked, on XBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Duggan Ducks Out - May 26, 2026
May 2600:59:27Tap to summarizeMackinac politics, Mike Duggan’s surprise exit, Muskegon memories, Memorial Day reflections, and why Michigan never stops being complicated.STRAIGHT DOPE:SPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at www.detcityfc.com.ML broadcasts from an unlikely luxury retreat — his mother-in-law’s porch in Muskegon, complete with toast and tea — before heading north to the annual Mackinac Policy Conference, where politics, influence, and ambition collide on Michigan’s most famous island.The big story: Mike Duggan’s sudden exit from the governor’s race. Real ML's column about it here.Why Duggan walking away shocked Michigan political insidersThe Detroit Regional Chamber’s heavy investment in Duggan — and whether it leaves them politically exposedQuestions about polling, money, and whether Duggan simply saw numbers he couldn’t overcomeSpeculation surrounding federal scrutiny over Detroit demolition programs and whether outside pressures matteredWhy Duggan’s political instincts — and his obsession with numbers — may explain the move better than conspiracy theoriesThen comes the question Michigan power brokers are quietly asking: What’s next for Duggan? The conversation explores whether Duggan could become the next president of the University of Michigan — despite lacking the traditional academic résumé. ML argues universities increasingly need operators, fundraisers, and fire-fighters as much as scholars. The episode also wanders — as Soul of Detroit always does — through:Mackinac Conference politics and Charlie LeDuff’s absence from the islandWhy campaign money and influence remain difficult to untangle in MichiganThe Tigers’ struggles and whether fans are approaching frustration or indifferenceMuskegon’s transformation from paper-mill town to hidden Michigan gemHockey, beaches, and why west Michigan keeps surprising peopleThen the tone shifts. A Memorial Day reflection brings the conversation back to sacrifice, loss, and the lasting cost of war. ML shares a personal story connected to a family member lost in Vietnam — a reminder that Memorial Day isn’t about celebration, but remembrance. There’s also time for:Movie talk (Project Hail Mary)The strange disappointment of seeing famous landmarks in real lifeTheater nostalgiaGEEK OF THE WEEK:Coachella and it's legal threats against a local animal charity event.ROOM 7609:Howard Jones, ‘80s music memories, and the curse of aging New Wave hairstyles.OUR BENEFACTORS:Come hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show!Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitDONATE OR SPONSOR US:Support us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARN:Find out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Hookers & Strippers - May 19, 2026
May 1900:59:09Tap to summarizeShawn gets rooked by a crook who hooked his son's wreck and strippers in Montreal are on strike. SOLIDARITY!STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at www.detcityfc.com.Shawn is back, and full of hot air -- especially at nationally-televised press conferences. Listen and learn what he and the geysers ML saw in Iceland have in common.Unscrupulous tow truck drivers took Shawn's son -- actually, his broke-ass car -- for a costly ride. Shawn explains how the hustle worked, Marc mentions how towing has got a bunch of local folks in legal trouble, and ML reveals how hustlers turn scrap iron into gold.Gas is $4.50 a gallon -- if you're lucky! ML explains why his 1985 Buick Riviera is among the collateral damage of the War on Iran.Michigan's No Fault auto insurance is really Yo Fault insurance, as Marc learned after getting slammed by an uninsured driver. ML offers some advice on how to get his deductible back.Strippers in Montreal are going on strike during the Canadian Grand Prix, which has ML calling for solidarity -- and giving an update on the status of legendary Club Super Sexe.Shawn is concerned he may belly fart on an entire wedding party in Quebec. Welcome to America, 51st State!Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKMSU Board of Trustees pull another fast one, earning them ML's enmity -- and making them this week's Geeks. ROOM 7609The Pistons are done, but Kurtis Blow's "Basketball" lives forever! ML also bids a fond farewell to Afrika Bambaataa -- until Marc drops some disturbing news. Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSCome hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show!Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKBob has an issue with the MSU board of trustees' latest fiasco. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Iceland Kicks - May 12, 2026
May 1201:04:23Tap to summarizeTurns out ML's local connection in Reykjavik is really from Rochester. She zooms in to discuss how she became a professional soccer player in Iceland. DCFC women's team coach and captain also dial in to help kick-off their season.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy tickets at www.detcityfc.com.DCFC women's team coach Dani Evans and team captain Hannah Crum hope to build on last season's strong record when they take on AFC Ann Arbor Saturday in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo FC on May 23 in Hamtramck for their home opener.There are 64 women on DCFC's squads, so Evans and Crum use all kinds of games to bring the players together. Some of the players have nicknames, but Crum tells ML and Marc so far no one has taken "Mint Chocolate Chip."Marc is plainly disgusted that ML makes it all about him again when he asks the coach and captain to validate his efforts as captain of the Free Press co-ed rec softball team.ML and Marc jump from Le Rouge to Reykjavik when they welcome Lexi Czerwien to discuss her career as a professional soccer player in Iceland.When ML booked his trip to Iceland, his travel companion told him they would connect with a local for dinner in Iceland's capital. Imagine his surprise when their host turned out to be from Rochester! Lexi went to high school there, before playing for Xavier and Bowling Green. After college, her agent fielded offers from around the world before Lexi settled on Iceland.How many women's professional soccer teams do you think there are in a country of 400,000? Lexi plays for Throttur Reykjavik in Iceland's Premier League. She says there are about a dozen teams in her league -- and there are multiple levels of women's professional soccer. She says Icelanders love soccer and pack arenas for men's and women's games. Listen and learn how they deal with the weather in a country that often lives up to its name.Lexi and ML agree Rekyjavik at night is a lot like Mackinac Island, with a thriving main drag lined with bars, restaurants, shops and young people hanging out. Lexi talks about how she keeps busy on a small country in the middle of nowhere.You don't need a map if you're taking a road trip in Iceland. There is one highway -- Highway 1 -- that goes all around the island. The scenery is stark and beautiful, dotted with waterfalls, craters, geysers and beaches where seals frolic and icebergs go to die. ML shares more details about what he saw -- and heard.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKThere are great chefs in Europe, but the ones who put canned corn on salads aren't among them.ROOM 7609Iceland music icon Bjork brings a Nordic touch to the New Wave suite when she performs "Army of Me." Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSCome hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show!Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKML acknowledges he was wrong about Marr and the Mustang, and Marc agrees with Alex that the game is rigged. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Get podcast news on Facebook at “M.L. Elrick” and InstaGram at ml_elrick and, if the @elrick account ever gets unhacked, on XBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Hopeless Wanderers - May 5, 2026
May 501:05:37Tap to summarizeThis week, the Soul goes international — broadcasting (allegedly) live from Dublin, where the Guinness flows, the accents get thicker, and the stories get… weirder.STRAIGHT DOPE:From Detroit to Dublin (with a few questionable detours) Elrick and globe-trotting reptile enthusiast Sergei Morris set up shop in a Dublin WeWork, proving once again that journalism — like beer — travels well. Between sips and sarcasm, the crew checks in on absent friends and the cultural confusion that comes with leaving the Midwest.🐍 Snake Bites, Bad Decisions, and Survival TipsSergey takes us deep into the wild — from Borneo to Africa — with stories that land somewhere between National Geographic and “what not to do if you value your life.”Key takeaway (and possibly life-saving advice):If you get bitten by a snake: do not cut it, do not suck it, do not panicAlso: maybe don’t mess with snakes in the first placeAs Sergei puts it: “Safety is about opportunity — don’t give the snake one.”🍻Culture Shock: Ireland vs. Everywhere ElseFrom hurling matches to pub parenting strategies (including screen time vs. beer time), the crew explores Irish life with the curiosity of tourists and the judgment of Detroiters.Highlights include:First-ever live hurling match experienceThe eternal mystery of Temple BarPublic urination as a cultural gray areaAnd yes… a story involving a drunk baby (Africa edition — don’t worry, it’s complicated)⚽ Detroit City FC Check-InBack home, Detroit City FC keeps rolling with a big win over Louisville.Fans are encouraged to:Catch upcoming matchesUse promo code SOULAnd support the squad at Keyworth Stadium🛠️ Sponsor Love (and mild threats)Artisan Interiors: Fix your house before it fixes youPinnacle Wealth Strategies: Because retirement shouldn’t be a gambleCadieux Cafe: Where Detroit eats, drinks, and occasionally sings karaokeGEEK OF THE WEEK:The Met Gala takes heat for peak excess and celebrity absurdityBillionaire bunker-builders also catch a strayConsensus: we hate it… but we’re still watchingROOM 7609:Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford & SonsA fitting anthem for travelers, misfits, and anyone trying to make sense of the road they’re on — whether it’s through Dublin, Detroit, or the jungle.❤️FEEDBACK:Elrick caught up with one of the all time worst judges. After reporting that disgraced former 36th District Court Judge Kahlilia Davis was running for a spot on the Detroit bench, the Michigan Secretary of State announced that she is ineligible to appear on the ballot.Shawn has been busy writing about the cities hottest team. Catch all his Detroit Pistons columns here.And catch all of Sergei's writings and adventures here at BFGringo.com.FINAL THOUGHT:From snake venom to Guinness foam, this episode is a reminder that no matter how far you roam, the Soul of Detroit is never far behind — it just might be telling stories you won’t believe.📩Got feedback, stories, or your own near-death reptile encounter?Hit them up: mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Historic Detroit Buildings - April 28, 2026
Apr 2801:05:07Tap to summarizeDetroit's great buildings are Dan Austin's passion -- and his legacy. Before colon cancer claims him, he needs your help to preserve his life's work documenting our city's past and present.STRAIGHT DOPESPECIAL OFFER: Get 15% off Detroit City FC tickets by entering promo code SOUL at check out when you buy your tickets at detcityfc.com.Dan Austin has been putting his journalistic skills to work for decades documenting and telling the stories behind some of the city's greatest buildings. He joins ML and Marc to talk about how and why he started Historic Detroit and how you can help keep it going by supporting the Austin Past and Future Fund.Dan tells Marc and ML how an Oakland County kid fell in love with Detroit and its buildings -- starting with the downtown Statler Hotel.Marc gets the bell ready as ML tells the story of how Kwame Kilpatrick knocked down Dan's favorite building. He and Dan also reveal the other iconic building Kilpatrick knocked down before Super Bowl XL.Dan Gilbert, savior of Detroit or mixed blessing? Dan weighs in.Ilitches, angels or devils? Dan weighs in again.For someone so sentimental about Detroit buildings, Dan is also very clear-eyed. Among the landmarks he says had to go is the Packard Plant. Listen and learn why.Party with Dan from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the Northern Lights Lounge, 660 W Baltimore St., in Detroit's New Center neighborhood.Colon cancer is going to cut Dan's life tragically short. He wants to make sure you get checked in time. Learn more here.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKGOW will be back next week!ROOM 7609Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSRusty and Randy are our two newest (maybe re-newest) Soulmates. Come hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKWe welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found!When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!!Your endorsement is very powerful! Get podcast news on Facebook at “M.L. Elrick” and InstaGram at ml_elrick and, if the @elrick account ever gets unhacked, on XBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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Deadline Detroit Takeover - April 21, 2026
Apr 2101:06:29Tap to summarizeDeadline Detroit thinks the Michigan Democratic Party may have a Jewish problem. Editor Allan Lengel tells ML and Marc what that means. STRAIGHT DOPEPro-Israel U.S. Senate candidate Haley Stevens and U-M Board of Regent member Jordan Acker, who is Jewish, were shouted down at Sunday's Michigan Democratic Party endorsement convention. ML was shocked by the hostility, and Deadline Detroit Editor Allan Lengel says it may be a sign there is an anti-Semitic streak running through the party. Read his column on the subject here.Democrats angry with Joe Biden over U.S. policy in Gaza cost presidential candidate Kamala Harris her chance to beat Donald Trump in Michigan 2024. ML, Marc and Allan discuss whether pro-Palestinian sentiment now is making Jews feel unwelcome in the Michigan Democratic Party.ML asks Marc, the youngest guy in the room, if he has noticed that progressives seem to be increasingly anti-Israeli.Marc says subtlety and nuance are missing from politics these days, but ML nevertheless says there are factors beyond anti-Israeli sentiment that may have caused Democratic delegates to disrespect Stevens and Acker. He discusses them in his upcoming On Guard column at the Free Press, but gives us a sneak preview on the show.Democratic presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris, Corey Booker and Andy Beshear came to town Saturday, and Beshear delivered a message that ML, Marc and Allan say could save the party. Should Harris run for president again? ML, Marc and Allan discuss.ML says Saturday night was definitive proof that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is not running for president. But he says that doesn't mean she doesn't want to move to Washington.Allan has been covering Taryn Asher's fight with Fox 2 more closely than any reporter in town. He gives his take on the story -- and where it may be heading.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal: Detroit Free Press Subscription Offers, Specials, and DiscountsPlease support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonGEEK OF THE WEEKMarc and ML finally find something about college football on which they agree ... until they don't.ROOM 7609Mr. Magoo books Kirsty MacColl into the New Wave suite to perform "Walking Down Madison," causing Marc to pull a Shawn. Please send us your suggestion for a song — along with a great story — to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comOUR BENEFACTORSCome hang with us! For a $500 donation, you can join us in the studio and sit in on a show. For as little as $5 a month, you can become a Soulmate by joining our Patreon supporters club and get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: https://www.patreon.com/MLSoulofDetroitFEEDBACKWe welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR USSupport us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARNFind out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCHSubscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found!When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! Get podcast news on Facebook at “M.L. Elrick” and InstaGram at ml_elrick and, if the @elrick account ever gets unhacked, on XBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ml-soul-of-detroit--5780647/support.
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