The Drumbeat with Josie & Pete

Episode 3 | Why Aren't People Voting

Episode 3: Why Aren’t People Voting?
In this  of The Drum Beat, Josie and Pete take on a critical question: Why aren’t more people voting? Despite the importance of elections, millions of eligible voters stay home. Is it distrust in politicians, a lack of understanding about the process, or simply a belief that one vote doesn’t make a difference?
To get to the bottom of it, Josie and Pete are joined by expert guests. Celia Fan, a research specialist from the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, shares fascinating data from the Detroit Metro Area Survey (DMACS), offering insights into voter behavior and why many people feel disconnected from the political process. Teresa Reid from MiVoter.org also joins to provide essential tools and resources for creating a voting plan, breaking down Michigan’s accessible voting laws, including the option to register on Election Day and vote absentee.
Josie and Pete don’t shy away from the tough questions, especially when it comes to holding legislators accountable. They dive into the frustration many people feel when elected officials ask for votes but don’t always deliver on their promises. Josie points out that “there’s no progress report,” while Pete emphasizes that politicians need to do more than just campaign—they need to show real results. They explore how better communication and proactive public service could help bridge the gap between lawmakers and their constituents.
This episode goes beyond politics and focuses on the policies that shape everyday life. With humor, wit, and a nonpartisan approach, Josie and Pete explore how we can empower more people to vote and why every vote truly matters.
Whether you’re an avid voter or someone who’s never cast a ballot, this episode will leave you informed and ready to take action in 2024. Tune in for a mix of serious discussion, humor, and practical tips for making your voice heard!

Episode 2 | When Is Enough Enough | Michigan's Second Look Legislation

Hosts Josie Ann Lee and Pete Martel discuss the Second Look legislation in Michigan, which would allow judges to revisit sentences for long-serving prisoners. Currently, Michigan has a high percentage of people serving sentences of 10+ years and an average sentence length three times the national average. Second Look would give judges the opportunity to reduce sentences, potentially saving the state billions of dollars and alleviating racial disparities in the justice system.
Guest Drummers, Noah Attal a data analyst, shares research showing Michigan's outlier status in sentencing and the potential cost savings and reduced racial disparities that Second Look could bring. Ronald Simpson-Bey, a formerly incarcerated person and advocate, shares his personal experience and the transformative power of Second Look for both incarcerated individuals and victims. He emphasizes the importance of humanizing people impacted by the justice system.
The episode highlights that Second Look is not about releasing all prisoners but providing an opportunity for judges to reconsider sentences based on individual circumstances and rehabilitation. The discussion emphasizes the need to shift the narrative around criminal justice reform, highlighting the potential for cost savings, reduced racial disparities, and positive community impact. It concludes with a call for greater advocacy and collaboration to push the legislation forward, emphasizing the power of hope and the positive changes it can inspire within the prison system.

DRUMBEAT Episode 1 | How Did We Get Here

We are excited to launch The Drumbeat with Josie & Pete!
Welcome to Episode One where we start with the question: 
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Josie and Pete's friendship goes all the way back to kindergarten in 1979. But after graduating high school in 1992, their paths diverged dramatically. Pete became involved in crime, while Josie prepared for college. By the summer of '94, a staggering 7% of their classmates were dead or incarcerated, leaving a scar on their entire community.
That June, Pete was arrested after an armed robbery and shootout. He spent years in prison, including a decade in solitary confinement following a failed escape attempt. His journey towards freedom wouldn't be complete until 2008.
During those 14 years, Josie built a life for herself. She graduated from the University of Michigan, pursued comedy in Chicago, and even wrote a sitcom.  After her father's sudden passing, she moved back home to support her mother. Eventually, she returned to Ann Arbor, started a business, and met the love of her life.
Through it all, Josie and Pete stayed connected through letters.  When Pete got out in 2008, they reconnected in person and have experienced the last 16 years together supporting each other, giving each other a lot of shit, and laughing through it all. 
Our first episode answers the questions:  How we got here, where we are going, and how. you can help.
We invite you to join on us this journey.....Let's Get Drumming!
 

DRUMBEAT EPISODE #1 | How Did We Get Here?

We are excited to launch The Drumbeat with Josie & Pete!
Welcome to Episode One where we start with the question: 
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Josie and Pete's friendship goes all the way back to kindergarten in 1979. But after graduating high school in 1992, their paths diverged dramatically. Pete became involved in crime, while Josie prepared for college. By the summer of '94, a staggering 7% of their classmates were dead or incarcerated, leaving a scar on their entire community.
That June, Pete was arrested after an armed robbery and shootout. He spent years in prison, including a decade in solitary confinement following a failed escape attempt. His journey towards freedom wouldn't be complete until 2008.
During those 14 years, Josie built a life for herself. She graduated from the University of Michigan, pursued comedy in Chicago, and even wrote a sitcom.  After her father's sudden passing, she moved back home to support her mother. Eventually, she returned to Ann Arbor, started a business, and met the love of her life.
Through it all, Josie and Pete stayed connected through letters.  When Pete got out in 2008, they reconnected in person and have experienced the last 16 years together supporting each other, giving each other a lot of shit, and laughing through it all. 
Our first episode answers the questions:  How we got here, where we are going, and how. you can help.
We invite you to join on us this journey.....Let's Get Drumming!