The Michigan Advocate
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"
Episodes
155 episodes
Holiday Hot Takes Survival Guide
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 ho...
•
43:18
REPLAY: Faith and Citizenship (A Panel Discussion from Gracepointe Church TN)
This episode originally aired in May of 2025Today 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 discussi...
•
49:53
The Rich & The Rest of Us - Interview with Indivisible Downriver734 Founders Ashley Perry and Jessica Schering
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 p...
•
1:06:14
Trump Calling for Death to a Michigan Elected Offical
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 disc...
•
15:00
A.I. Data Centers and the Potential Impacts on Michigan
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 ...
•
15:00
The Epstine Files and How Denialism Can Harm Us All
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 po...
•
15:00
Leading When it's Not Fun
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:
•
23:00
Evolving for Something Bigger Than Yourself
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.&nb...
•
21:35
I AM RUNNING FOR OFFICE!!!!!
Today, Joanna shares some major news. She is running for the Michigan House of Representatives!! Joanna shares the journey from LGBTQ+ rights advocacy to running for office. In this difficult time in America and in Michigan, she is running to g...
•
23:47
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!: Lessons From Being 37
Today on the show, Joanna discussed lessons learned in the last year. As she celebrates her birthday, she shares ideas of loving more and how difficult lessons have shaped who she is today. SUPPORT THE SHOW:
•
23:15
REPLAY: The Appropriation of Freedom
EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED: March 2nd, 2025The concept of "freedom" has become a battleground, often weaponized by voices of bigotry and a narrow, Christian heteronormative worldview. Today, we delve into this complex issue, unpacking how ...
•
34:19
Back to School Shooting Season
Today on the show, we discuss the epidemic of school shootings in America. The ability of lawmakers to do nothing on this topic is mind-numbingly ridiculous, and we need to demand our leaders do more, and do it now. Joanna shares her thoughts o...
•
30:00
REPLAY: Should Church be a Business?
Today we discuss the tensions of church being a business, when Jesus turned over tables in the temple. Join me for a talk about how to navigate this tension in a world where costs are rising and our churches ask for more. Also we have a a snip ...
•
30:13
Emme Zanotti Interview - Fighting for LGBTQ Rights in Michigan
Today on the show a special guest, Emme Zanotti who is the Senior Director of Movement Building & Political Affairs at Equality Michigan, joins the show to talk all things LGBTQ rights in the state of Michigan. She brings wisdom and care to...
•
30:01
Nobody Can Afford Going Back to School
Today on the show Joanna discusses the rising costs of going back to school and how the State of Michigan can't pass a school budget. Plus other topics form around town. SUPPORT THE SHOW:
•
30:01
Leading Locally Well - Interview with Celina Peters
Today on the show we have a discussion with a City Council Canidate for Trenton, MI. Celina Peters is a passionate and strong local leader who cares to see her community thrive. Listen as we discuss how to lead well at the local level.
•
30:01
Breaking Up The Old Boys Club
Today on the show, Joanna discussed how to navigate the "Old Boys Club" and how to use passion to push back against it. SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.joannawhaley.com/don...
•
18:06
The Big Beautiful Blahhhhh....
Today on the show Joanna discusses the big beautiful bill and how to look at it from a liberation theological lens. SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.joannawhaley.com/donate<...
•
18:00
TALKING UNIONS: Interview with Brian Kelly
Today on the podcast, we interview Brian Kelly, president of the EPA Workers Union in the Great Lakes Region. We discuss the impact of the Trump administration on mental health, focusing on workers caught in the decline of DEI initiatives and h...
•
30:00
LIVE: God Is More Than Just a Man
Today on the podcast, we hear a message from Joanna that she gave at a church in Chelsea, Michigan. Today's message is about the Lord's Prayer and how patriarchal systems have entangled us in flawed systems of gender binary.SUPPORT&nb...
•
12:57
School Budget Failings are not Pro-Life
On the podcast, we discuss how the Michigan House of Representatives and the Republicans in the Michigan House are cutting funding to our children's schools without considering their futures. We draw theological parallels to the light and disre...
•
15:00
Generational Police Mistrust in Minority Groups
On the show, we discuss recent events in a city near where I live that has faced issues with police brutality and has been struggling with trust in the police force from its citizens. Today, we will discuss how generational mistrust in police i...
•
20:00
PRIDE 2025 - Divine Queerness
In the podcast, we kick off Pride 2025 by exploring some of the mischaracterizations that people have about LGBTQ+ individuals and the perception of the divine, and how that affects our policies.SUPPORT THE SHOW:
•
15:00
REPLAY: Israel and Palestine Conflict how End Times Theology Can Harm Queer People
REPLAY FROM AUGUST 18TH, 2024: Today on the show we discuss the complex issue of the Israel & Palestine conflict, and how the endless wave of end times prophecy works for the privileged among us and harms LGBTQ people in our world. By refle...
•
1:00:00
Faith and Citizenship (Panel discussion at Gracepointe Church TN)
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 patrioti...
•
1:00:00