Extreme weather patterns, fruit flies, and decay have impacted Michigan's sweet cherry crop this year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking them to declare a federal disaster for the region, which would make emergency funding available for the state's cherry farmers. On this episode of the podcast, we'll talk to one of those farmers about how he's coping with this tough year.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE


Isaiah Wunsch, CEO of Wunsch Farms and agribusiness consultant for Third Coast Fruit Co.

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

Extreme weather patterns, fruit flies, and decay have impacted Michigan's sweet cherry crop this year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking them to declare a federal disaster for the region, which would make emergency funding available for the state's cherry farmers. On this episode of the podcast, we'll talk to one of those farmers about how he's coping with this tough year.
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE
<ul>
<li>
Isaiah Wunsch, CEO of Wunsch Farms and agribusiness consultant for Third Coast Fruit Co.
</li>
</ul>
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D">supporting our work.</a>
Music in this episode by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/3RJN5Ul">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Michigan's Not-So-Sweet Cherry Season

For those who have flown through Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan you have likely noticed the art in Concourse A. The artwork—titled Facets— is built through three suspended sculptures that might make travelers feel like they are suddenly a part of the piece — as though they are composed beneath hundreds of small colorful connected shapes all hanging overhead. Transit is highlighted beneath what the artist's father saw as a capiz chandelier. For travelers, and the artist himself, that sense of imagery is important - it speaks to a sense of home and a feeling of movement.

Today, we talk with Jeffery Augustine Songco about his artistic journey, his Catholic Filipino upbringing, and the vision that drives his creative process.

GUEST:
Jeffrey Augustine Songco, portraiture and sculpture artist based in Allendale, MI

--

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

For those who have flown through Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan you have likely noticed the art in Concourse A. The artwork—titled Facets— is built through three suspended sculptures that might make travelers feel like they are suddenly a part of the piece — as though they are composed beneath hundreds of small colorful connected shapes all hanging overhead. Transit is highlighted beneath what the artist's father saw as a capiz chandelier. For travelers, and the artist himself, that sense of imagery is important - it speaks to a sense of home and a feeling of movement.
Today, we talk with Jeffery Augustine Songco about his artistic journey, his Catholic Filipino upbringing, and the vision that drives his creative process.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Jeffrey Augustine Songco, portraiture and sculpture artist based in Allendale, MI</li>
</ul>
--
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D">supporting our work.</a>
Music in this episode by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

The Creative World of Jeffrey Augustine Songco

Michigan has a rich history of women in the state's top leadership. Can Vice President Kamala Harris learn anything from our state's political leaders about running—and winning—as a woman? We talked to BBC reporter Madeline Halpert has been thinking about that question and recently wrote about what lessons Michigan's women-dominated politics offers to the likely Democratic presidential nominee. 

GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW:


Madeline Halpert, North America correspondent for the BBC

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

Michigan has a rich history of women in the state's top leadership. Can Vice President Kamala Harris learn anything from our state's political leaders about running—and winning—as a woman? We talked to BBC reporter Madeline Halpert has been thinking about that question and recently wrote about what lessons Michigan's women-dominated politics offers to the likely Democratic presidential nominee. 
GUESTS ON TODAY’S SHOW:
<ul>
<li>
Madeline Halpert, North America correspondent for the BBC
</li>
</ul>
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D">supporting our work.</a>
Music in this episode by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

MI Leaders Offer Lessons for Harris Campaign

The FAFSA rollout for the 2025-26 academic year has been delayed, continuing headaches for students applying for federal aid for higher education. The updated 2024-25 FAFSA form suffered from a series of delays, glitches, and other issues, impacting the number of students who chose to fill out the application for student aid, and potentially limiting the options they had for financing a college education. On this episode, we'll dig into what happened, the potential ramifications for students, and the outlook for next year. 

GUEST: 
Jason Gonzales, higher education reporter for Chalkbeat

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

The FAFSA rollout for the 2025-26 academic year has been delayed, continuing headaches for students applying for federal aid for higher education. The updated 2024-25 FAFSA form suffered from a series of delays, glitches, and other issues, impacting the number of students who chose to fill out the application for student aid, and potentially limiting the options they had for financing a college education. On this episode, we'll dig into what happened, the potential ramifications for students, and the outlook for next year. 
GUEST: 
<ul>
<li data-pm-slice="1 1 [&quot;ul&quot;,null,&quot;listItem&quot;,null]">Jason Gonzales, higher education reporter for Chalkbeat</li>
</ul>
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D">supporting our work.</a>
Music in this episode by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Michigan's Not-So-Sweet Cherry Season

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