The Michigan Advocate

Joanna Whaley
  • 5.0 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Tired of national news that doesn't feel relevant to your community? Tune into The Michigan Advocate, hosted by dedicated human rights champion Joanna Whaley, for essential stories about justice and civil liberties in the Great Lakes State. Joanna provides a critical look at local human rights struggles and triumphs, revealing how major national policies and legal decisions regarding voting rights, environmental justice, and workers' rights directly impact Michigan’s neighborhoods and communities, making this the essential podcast for anyone who believes that all rights are local. This show is previously known as "The Joanna Whaley Podcast"

  1. DEC 15

    Holiday Hot Takes Survival Guide

    Send us a text It's that time of year again; the twinkling lights, the festive eggnog, and the inevitable moment when Aunt Karen brings up the latest drama in Lansing, or Uncle Rick starts arguing about the Detroit Lions’ coaching strategy, which, let's be honest, feels just as politically charged. This year, we're giving you the ultimate Holiday Hot Takes Survival Guide. Whether you're heading back to Traverse City, down to Ann Arbor, or staying right here in Grand Rapids, we’ll teach you how to dodge those verbal landmines, keep the peace (mostly), and preserve those family ties, all while sticking to your advocate principles. Don't let a debate about I-75 traffic or local school board politics ruin your gingerbread cookies. Today, we welcome our new co-host Adelynn Campbell.  Support the show

    43 min

  2. DEC 8

    REPLAY: Faith and Citizenship (A Panel Discussion from Gracepointe Church TN)

    Send us a text This episode originally aired in May of 2025 Today on the show, we listen to a panel discussion that took place at Gracepointe Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Gracepointe is Joanna's home church, which she attends online. In this discussion, the panel explores the tension between patriotism and faith, as well as how to be politically active as a progressive Christian. SUPPORT  THE SHOW: https://www.joannawhaley.com/donate JOIN JOANNA'S TEAM: https://www.joannawhaley.com/team GET SUPPORT: https://www.joannawhaley.com/support Support the show

    50 min

  3. DEC 1

    The Rich & The Rest of Us - Interview with Indivisible Downriver734 Founders Ashley Perry and Jessica Schering

    Send us a text Are we living in a two-tiered economy? The wealth of the few continues to soar, while the struggle for the majority, the working class, the middle class, gets harder every year. On today's show, we cut through the corporate spin and the political jargon to bring you the truth about income inequality in the Great Lakes State and beyond. Join us as we talk to the real leaders on the ground: the bold community organizers who are leading protests against major retailers demanding fair wages and ethical practices, and the grassroots activists building powerful coalitions to push back against the systems designed to keep the rich richer and the rest of us behind. This isn't just a discussion; it's a blueprint for action. Tune in to hear stories of resilience, strategic pushback, and how communities are uniting to advocate for a more just and equitable future. SUPPORT THE HOST: https://www.joannawhaley.com/donate Support the show

    1h 6m

  4. NOV 21

    Trump Calling for Death to a Michigan Elected Offical

    Send us a text In this episode, we explore how Donald Trumps charged language and polarizing narratives emanating from the top level of government will trickle down, poisoning everything from city council meetings and school board debates to neighborhood discourse. Discover the real-world impact when heated, distant battles become volatile, close-to-home conflicts, threatening the collegiality and reasoned debate necessary for effective local governance, and learn what citizens can do to advocate for civility and focus on the issues that truly matter to their communities. Support the show

    15 min

  5. NOV 20

    A.I. Data Centers and the Potential Impacts on Michigan

    Send us a text Michigan is the guardian of 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. Now, a thirsty new industry is knocking at the door. The Michigan Advocate explores the rapid expansion of A.I. data centers across the state. While tech giants promise innovation, communities are left grappling with noise pollution, land disputes, and unprecedented demands on our precious water and energy resources. In this episode we weigh the true price of progress. We aren't just watching the future happen, we’re advocating for a Michigan that survives it. Support the show

    15 min

  6. NOV 19

    The Epstine Files and How Denialism Can Harm Us All

    Send us a text Today, we look beyond the sensational headlines of the newly unsealed Jeffrey Epstein documents to confront a more pressing local danger: the weaponization of denialism. We explore how the refusal to accept established facts is deepening the political divide right here in our communities, transforming national conspiracies into local wedges between neighbors. Join us as we dissect the mechanism behind this polarization and analyze what the erosion of shared reality means for the future of civil discourse in the Great Lakes State. Support the show

    15 min

  7. OCT 12

    Leading When it's Not Fun

    Send us a text Today on the show, we discuss how important it is to lead when it all hits the fan. Stepping up to lead when things are fun and cute is needed, but can you step up when it's all going wrong?  DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joannawhaley Support the show

    23 min

  8. OCT 5

    Evolving for Something Bigger Than Yourself

    Send us a text Today on the show, Joanna discusses the ways in which we operate when something is bigger than one person. We all have a mode of operation in large settings or in movements. Today, Joanna discusses her evolution of self in the whole picture.  DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN HERE: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joannawhaley Support the show

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Tired of national news that doesn't feel relevant to your community? Tune into The Michigan Advocate, hosted by dedicated human rights champion Joanna Whaley, for essential stories about justice and civil liberties in the Great Lakes State. Joanna provides a critical look at local human rights struggles and triumphs, revealing how major national policies and legal decisions regarding voting rights, environmental justice, and workers' rights directly impact Michigan’s neighborhoods and communities, making this the essential podcast for anyone who believes that all rights are local. This show is previously known as "The Joanna Whaley Podcast"

Information

  • Creator
    Joanna Whaley
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Whaley Media
  • Show Website
    The Michigan Advocate

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