CuriosiD

WDET

You've got Detroit questions, we've got answers. CuriosiD is a podcast from WDET, Detroit's NPR Station. Our reporters answer your questions about the region, like "Who invented the Boston Cooler?" or "Are there really salt mines underneath Detroit?" Something puzzling you about Detroit? Ask about it at http://wdet.org/curious and we might answer your question in a future episode!

  1. 12/18/2025

    What happens to the Christmas tree in Campus Martius after the holidays?

    Following the holiday season, what happens to all the pine trees cut for the occasion? Listener Deanna VanAtta wanted to know. WDET's Bre'Anna Tinsley digs into tree recycling—just one of the ways the Campus Martius tree is repurposed.  She speaks to the Downtown Detroit partnership, Mid-Michigan Recycling, and the executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association to get a good look into how Christmas tree's past their expiration date can be given new life.  Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    7 min

  2. 11/26/2025

    Where do our Christmas trees come from?

    Listener Deanna VanAtta wanted to know what happened to the big tree in Campus Martius after the holiday season... but first, we take a look at Michigan's Christmas tree industry to gain insight into how the big evergreens are grown. WDET's Amanda LeClaire talks to Michigan Christmas Tree Tree Association President Tony Stefani at his family-owned and operated Hillside Christmas Tree Farm to learn more.  Stay turned for part two of the Christmas tree investigation, coming out in December!  Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    7 min

  3. 10/23/2025

    Why isn’t Lake St. Clair a Great Lake?

    Having grown up right off shore of Lake St. Clair, listener Bryan Champine wanted to know why it isn't counted among the Great Lakes. WDET's Pat Batcheller set out to answer this question while taking a deep dive into what makes the lake great regardless.  Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    8 min

  4. 09/25/2025

    What happened to the Chamberlain Bakery in Southwest Detroit?

    Listener Martha Rotter asks, "What happened to Chamberlain Bakery?" In this episode of CuriosiD, reporter Nargis Rahman discovers what happened to the beloved Lithuanian bakery in Southwest Detroit, once well-known for its sour rye and raisin breads. Have a Detroit question of your own? Send it our way at wdet.org/curious.

    8 min

  5. 08/21/2025

    What is the origin of 'What up doe'?

    When listener Peter Bloye began working in Detroit, he heard the common greeting "What up doe?" everywhere he went. But despite the phrase's popular use, no one he asked could agree on its meaning.  In this episode of CuriosiD, Russ McNamara finds out what's up with "What up doe", from its initial use to what it means to Detroit today.  Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    8 min

  6. 07/17/2025

    Where in Detroit is the community known as Dogleg?

    In the latest episode of CuriosiD, we discover the roots of the name Dogleg for the southernmost part of Southwest Detroit, and explore its other name: the most polluted zip code in Michigan.  This month's question came from Detroiter and WDET DRIS volunteer Keith Mason. Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    8 min

  7. 06/12/2025

    Did Detroit automakers sabotage public transit?

    WDET listener Jennifer Kulczycki had heard for years that Detroit doesn't have a robust transit system because the city's Big Three automakers undermined the streetcar and bus systems in order to sell more vehicles. But she couldn't prove whether or not this claim was true. In this episode of CuriosiD, Quinn Klinefelter takes to the streets to uncover the true relationship between Detroit automakers and public transit. Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    8 min

  8. 05/08/2025

    The untold history of Detroit's Fortune Records

    WDET listener David Perry was perusing the stacks at Ann Arbor's Encore Records when he stumbled upon a three-disc compilation album with 60 tracks — ranging from R&B and doo-wop to hillbilly, rockabilly, blues and gospel — all recorded at the now defunct Fortune Records in Detroit. It was his first introduction to the pioneering mom and pop label, which — as a music lover — led him to wonder why he hadn't ever heard of it before.  In the latest episode of CuriosiD, we dig into the mysterious history behind Fortune Records and why it seems to have faded into obscurity.  Our CuriosiD series is fueled by questions about the region from listeners like you. Have your own question? Fill out the form here.

    8 min
See All (157)

5
out of 5
45 Ratings

About

You've got Detroit questions, we've got answers. CuriosiD is a podcast from WDET, Detroit's NPR Station. Our reporters answer your questions about the region, like "Who invented the Boston Cooler?" or "Are there really salt mines underneath Detroit?" Something puzzling you about Detroit? Ask about it at http://wdet.org/curious and we might answer your question in a future episode!

Information

  • Creator
    WDET
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright (c) 2017, WDET 101.9 FM
  • Show Website
    CuriosiD

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