Former Three Rivers Middle School teacher Russell Ball joins Keep Your Voice Down to talk about his recent resignation after Three Rivers Community Schools staff were asked to remove Pride flags from their classrooms due to an “external challenge.” Ball details the events leading up to his exit, what the flag represents to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and why the flags should remain in classrooms not only in Three Rivers but around the world.
Category Archive: Keep Your Voice Down
At the top of this week’s episode Alek and Doug address Monday’s troubling news that teachers within the Three Rivers Community Schools system were asked to remove Pride flags in their classrooms in response to an “external challenge” by an unidentified party.
The hosts of Keep Your Voice Down are also joined by Sarah Lee, Director of Marketing Communications at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. The trio discusses Sarah’s role at KZCF, her upbringing in Malaysia and how she became deeply rooted in Kalamazoo, the importance of being “equity-minded” when addressing matters of social and racial injustice, the foundation’s efforts to support local journalism, and the story behind the formation of the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative.
Former TRDDA Executive Director Brian Persky joined Doug and Alek on Keep Your Voice Down this week to discuss downtown Three Rivers, his work with Discover Kalamazoo, the hierarchy of Halloween Candy, and why being a Detroit Lions fan is basically a combat sport.
Doug rejoins Alek and the podcast this week to interview Podcaster Dan Moyle (I’m Not In An Abusive Relationship, My America, Antiracism in Action). Doug, Alek, and Dan discuss domestic violence and ways victims AND abusers can get help, his experience as a Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services board member, becoming an antiracist, asking “dumb white guy questions” en route to becoming an ally, and having productive political conversations with those who may have opposing views from yours.
Doug and Alek are joined by Layne Deuel (Spartans, Wolverines and Beards Podcast) to discuss the best and WORST of sports cinema. Alek tells all of the stories including how he and his brother Shane used The Waterboy against their sister Kayla, why his Uncle Andy got in trouble for showing Mystery, Alaska to his niece and nephews, and the tragedy that occurred with Alek’s VHS copy of Space Jam. Doug finally gets to talk about hockey before absolutely roasting The Natural, while Layne waxes poetic about Little Giants, Dodgeball, and Semi-Pro in an episode that has something for everyone.
Torrey Brown, a write-in candidate for Three Rivers At-Large City Commissioner, drops by the show to discuss why he’s running, the importance of representation and transparency, his vision for a rec center for the city’s youth, his upcoming induction into the Three Rivers Athletics Hall of Fame, and more.
Doug and Alek discuss Watershed Voice’s Fall Member Drive, the importance of local journalism, Halloween in Three Rivers, Alek’s forgotten novel he recently picked up again, the legend of Dr. John K. Hartman, and Doug’s love for cycling and drop-in hockey.
WARNING: In this week’s episode, Alek and Doug get personal. No guest, no headlines, just a pair of college best friends discussing three aspects of their lives that explain who they are, and who they hope to become. So put on your hazmat suit (unless you’re comfortable with vulnerability and intimate conversations, then you’re probably safe with just the tissues), and tune into the Season 3 premiere of Keep Your Voice Down.
Doug and Alek go it alone on the heels of the Watershed Voice Artist Showcase to discuss the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Alek’s first foray into live entertainment, touching on what Alek learned, what he would do differently, and what the future holds for the event.
Doug and Alek join Lisha and Jules on Screen Tea Podcast for a very (very) in-depth discussion about the 2015 Ridley Scott film The Martian. Listen to Doug fanboy over Screen Tea, his favorite podcast on the planet, and Alek fanboy over Matt Damon, while Lisha and Jules try to bring the rickety vessel that is this episode safely home.
Doug and Alek are joined by Three Rivers poet and Watershed Voice Showcase opener Debbie Allen to discuss her upbringing in “old school” Philadelphia, her creative process, using poetry to work through pain and trauma, and the trials and tribulations of being a moderator for Three Rivers, Michigan Area Information.
Doug and Alek are joined by Sow Good Seeds columnist and the most talented member of the Haak-Frost household Deborah Haak-Frost. The trio discuss the wonders of permaculture, why lawns are a problem, the many pursuits of Three Rivers nonprofit *culture is not optional, scones, and the GilChrist Retreat Center.
In this week’s episode Doug and Alek discuss next month’s Watershed Voice Artist Showcase, the Summer Olympics and why beach volleyball is the Fast and Furious of Olympic sports, as well as why you should watch Lovecraft Country and Summer of Soul immediately.
Doug and Alek are joined by Three Rivers Library Director Bobbi Schoon to discuss the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of a two-time interim library director with five degrees (Spoiler: It’s Bobbi, the Thanos of library directors), who has ascended to the full-time position after years of hard work and dedicated service to the Three Rivers community. The trio talk about the importance of local libraries, the variety of activities folks can participate in at the library without ever picking up a book (they’re getting robots, guys), Bobbi’s bout with COVID-19, and the library’s upcoming Community Conversations series.
Doug and Alek are joined by Watershed Voice columnist Steph Hightree for her long awaited and highly anticipated (probably) second interview to discuss raising a son with autism, how the stigma and general perception of autism has changed over the last decade, and why an emphasis on acceptance of autism should take priority over raising awareness of the developmental disorder. The trio also does a deep dive on Steph’s unique hobby and life’s work: collecting gnomes.
Doug and Alek are joined by recording artist and Kalamazoo native Sherridan Harris to discuss his debut album “Day in the Life,” his songwriting process, the difference he sees between the likes of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, and the Southwest Michigan music scene.
Alek and Doug are joined by Sherry Hutchison, Doug’s third grade teacher, to discuss the state of teaching throughout her career, and how Doug clearly peaked in elementary school.
Doug and Alek are joined by recording artist Courtney Moore to discuss her new album “25.” The Three Rivers native details her music making process, the pros and cons of dating in the 21st century, her son Kobe, the tragic passing of his namesake Kobe Bean Bryant, and the effect it had on her.