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Discussion thread: DETROITOLOGY is live! (Patreon)

Published:
2023-03-08 22:09:20
Imported:
2026-06

Content

It’s out, at last! An entire episode about the history, culture, boom, bust & rocky rebirth of Motor City. We teased this episode with City Storyteller and author Aaron Foley five years ago while talking to Mythologist John Bucher, and it’s finally here.

And it’s also a tease for an upcoming, related episode, so listen to get a ton of context you’ll be glad you have in 2 weeks.

Anyone been to Detroit? Any current Detroiters? Former? Future?

Let me know what you though!

All ears,

Ol Pop

Comments

Cate Muenker

What was the initial incentive for the Big 3 to move to Detroit?

Charlie

I know I'm gonna love this episode, what an iconic American city, the motor car boooooom that fizzled out, who could have forseen and what can we learn from it 🥹🦑🥰

Brian Madsen

Not a current Detroiter, but a former Ann Arborite, so I've been in the vicinity. I'm going to look forward to the episode regardless.

Phoebe Teskey

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do I access it?

Kate Aylward

This is going to be awesome! I'd love it y'all could discuss the impact the collapse of the auto industry in Detroit had on other Rust Belt cities. I'm originally from Akron, OH (Rubber City, multiple major tire manufacturers) and Cleveland (steel), and it seemed like everything went under around the same time. I'd always assumed it was a bit of a domino effect, but is that really true? I'd also love to hear about shipping on the Great Lakes, how it helped with building the region and how active it still is, what industries it still serves, etc. Really looking forward to this one!

Melissa Kane

I’m excited for this episode, but a more pressing question is - are you following this thread #BlueSoup?

Jacqueline Whelan

I'm not sure if I manifested this with my recent discovery of/obsession with you and this podcast or your upcoming mention as the person I'd really want to meet that will show up in the Milwaukee Business Journal next week... But no matter the reason I'M FROM DETROIT (ish) and I have so many thoughts!!!! Please cover the segregation and equity challenges, the rise and fall and perceived rise again and what it really means for the revitalization of downtown, the foodie's dream explosion of culinary magic, the weird suburban rationale to "go" downtown but not actually embrace the city as their own and engage with volunteerism and community based organizations.... I can't wait to see your angle on this. So glad there will be another episode for me to quote anecdotally with friends, family, and colleagues at least once per hour. 👏👏👏👏

Killer Tofu

If we are talking about the Big 3 I’d love to hear a conversation about how the auto industry actively prevented Detroit from having public transportation and the effect that had on the city’s inhabitants. I’d also be interested to hear about the 1500 acre salt mines under the city. Why is there so much salt and how was it discovered ? What stops the city from collapsing if it’s built on top of huge caverns?

Emily P

Not being from the US made this episode a bit tricky to follow- I probably could have used an aside to explain a bit more of the history of Detroit & more on what the stereotypes and common perception/misconceptions actually are. I just didn't have the context to appreciate this episode, but I loved the idea of a city story teller.

John Worster

I loved this episode. I thought that I wanted a job in the auto industry growing up. I remember the freedom I felt when I was able to purchase my first car, and wanted to be apart of helping others feel the same. Well done Alie.

Gordon Haas

This summer, Diana Ross (78!) will be performing live on a beautiful Oregon hillside, just 5 miles from my house. I might have to Ease On Down The Road.

Jen Rigney

Loved the episode! I'm not a native, but have lived in Dearborn for the last 15 years and love learning about the history and factors that have shaped Detroit. One more fun piece of trivia: Detroit is the only place in the US where you have to go south to get to Canada.

Racheal Davis

Absolutely love love loved this episode. So many secrets and spoilers lol. I’ve lived in almost every big city but never even considered Detroit! I’d definitely consider moving there after listening to this!!! Also shout out to all the SF homies! (Wondering also if you’ve seen Detroiters bc I know you like I think you should leave and that show is amazing)

Kevin Bunch

Love Detroit and sure miss it all the time! Very rich history as someone from the area, and lots of cool stuff to do.

choirqueer

I...was also today years old when I learned that Motown = Motor City, thank you for this essential knowledge and also this fantastic episode.

choirqueer

SOUHOU I have died I am ded

Cassandra Grafstrom

I loved this episode! I lived in Ann Arbor for 7 years during my PhD and after finishing my coursework, I would try to spend at least 1-2 days every month working from the DIA. I would drive out, look at art for a little bit, work from the cafe, take a break and look at more art, work, art, work art. It is still probably my favorite museum, if only for the Diego Rivera mural room. Detroit has some great food, amazing architecture, and wonderful people. I'm excited to be going back this Spring for a friend's wedding and the #1 thing I want to do (other than visit other friends) is spend part of a day at Belle Isle.

Cassandra Grafstrom

Honestly, it's such a cool and underrated city. Are there problems? Absolutely. But whenever we go back to visit friends, I try to convince my husband that we should move there. He always has to point out that he couldn't be employed in Detroit and so we head back to Chicago ...

Racheal Davis

Regardless of jobs or money or whatever, home is where the heart is to me. I can be happy doing whatever. Coming from a background with lots of childhood homelessness I pretty much fit it in anywhere! But I’m not everyone, and my perspective is unique in a sense, so I know a city like Detroit wouldn’t be for everyone.

Comet Sans (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-06 05:00 I was born and raised in Michigan and it never occurred to me that the reason why Detroit (and much of Michigan in general lets be fuckin honest here) has such garbage public transit is because of the auto industry. Its done SO MUCH good for our state but man. Affecting the lack of good public transit? As someone who's struggled to get my license because of a couple disabilities: Garbage. I hate that. 😂 I visited NYC for a travel class for school and absolutely fell in love with the subway. I want that, I want that SO BAD.
2023-03-10 13:45

Nate Elbert (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-06 05:00 I am interested in the history of Detroit also how sudden or unexpected was the downfall of the automotive industry there or whatever other factors led to it's reputation.
2023-03-10 15:45

Ted Vician

Belle Isle also has hosted car races, like Formula One and Indy Car. At one point, the Detroit Grand Prix was the only F1 race in North America.

Kevin Wilson

Suuuuuch a good episode!!!! If I could drop another nugget of Detroit cooliageness (new made up word), back in the 70’s before the genre Punk was a thing, there was a band out of Detroit called “Death” that really pioneered the genre! Like pre- ramones, Sex Pistols etc. But it got lost in the history books for years :( Great band!!! Totally worth checking out and seeing where the roots of Punk really started!!!

Alie Ward

Or anywhere you find podcasts! <3

Alie Ward

We'll be talking a little bit more about that in the March 21 Domicology episode, but we did cover some of it!

Alie Ward

I hope it resonated! Also have you ever watched the show Detroiters?

Brian Madsen

No. I didn't even know that was a thing until listening to your episode.

Alie Ward

We did talk about both those things!

Alie Ward

That's a good point! Thank you for that note. Detroit is often looked at with "what a shame, such a big city left so abandoned..." but there are hundreds of thousands of people living there. The crime rate is sadly in the top 1% for the nation, and efforts to bring Detroit back have also been met with opposition because it displaces residents who have stuck it out for years. I hope that helps a little!

Alie Ward

What kind of car was it? My first one was a 1984 silver Toyota Corolla that my mom called the Silver Bullet

Alie Ward

My sister lived in Dearborn! I'm there once or twice a year to shoot at the museum and we've even had a lovely turn out of locals. Do you know fellow Ologite Paul Vesper?

Alie Ward

the fireflies and lightning storms have my heart

Alie Ward

OKAY THIS MAKES ME FEEL BETTER THANK YOU

Alie Ward

Danni, thank you for appreciating this. I mean, everyone is saying it SO wrong, right?

Alie Ward

Careful on that giant slide, friend! Aahahah

Alie Ward

RIGHT? Same with LA. We had an amazing trolley system and a downtown hub and then... the auto industry paved it over.

Alie Ward

I will try to touch on ore of that in the upcoming Domicology ep!

Alie Ward

Daaaang! What a sight that must have been!

Alie Ward

Can I blow your mind? I used to be a painter and Wayne Kramer of the MC5 owns some of my first paintings. He and his wife Margaret became a good friend. Great folks.

Emily P

Yes that helps so much! Thank you 😊

John Worster

My first car was a 1962 Ford Fairlane. It had over 115,000 miles on it. The car was driven by a rural mail carrier who delivered mail in the country. The seat foam was so warn out that there was a hole in it where your rear end would fit into. However it meant that I didn't have to get a ride to school from my mom, and I could meet my friends for after school activities.

Kevin Wilson

😧… k… so…that’s freaking dope.

Sydonie S.

Loved this episode. I lived in Ann Arbor for five years and now I'm in the middle of the Mitten. It's great to learn more about the history of Detroit, and I can't wait to explore the city more. Thanks for doing this episode Alie! Can't wait to try the giant slide this summer. 🛝

Cassandra Grafstrom

Yeah he LOVES his work and it’s a big part of what makes him him, so I could never ask him to give up that passion. And I do love chicago too. And Alie if you ever need a materials science engineer-ologist (IDK but we could figure it out) I know/love a guy

Sydonie S.

The DIA is such a gem and the Henry Ford is one of my favorite museums.

Melissa Kane

A microbiologist left soup in her fridge and it turned an amazing shade of blue. Her friends/colleagues have been running tests to figure out what caused it to turn blue. @bielleogy’s pinned tweet kicks off the saga.

Rachel Cannon

FYI--there is also a Detroit, Oregon that lost 80 percent of its structures in the 2020 fires.

Ted Vician

This is a post only a hardcore Michigander could write - middle of the Mitten!