Culture, cars and sailing from a columnist who writes about things people don’t know are fascinating
Welcome! (also) Willkommen * Bienvenido * Witaj * Benvenuto * Välkommen * Merhaba * Hos geldin
WHAT: This is a destination for those who love to talk about culture, cars, sailing and twists and turns in this crazy thing we call life — written by a longtime Detroit Free Press journalist, now a contributing columnist — often on topics that people say they never thought they’d read but discover are fascinating.
WHY ME: The reason I’ve decided to pen a column is because I discover too many morsels in life not to share. Whether it’s talking to everyday people or execs or factory workers or firefighters or police officers or auto mechanics — I tap into what real people are talking about, and how things affect the average bear.
Why subscribe to Shifting Gears?
If you like what you read, consider becoming a paid subscriber to support trusted, original reporting. Readers choose to support me financially because the content is unique and good. I’m incredibly grateful.
Let’s go
Super happy you’ve decided to stop by.
Our time together is intended to be fun, interesting and unexpected.
You’ll hear things you don’t know. See things you can’t imagine. And, hopefully, feel things about things you never could have imagined.
This is a destination for those of us who like to own the best topics at dinners and beach parties and family gatherings and Little League games.
When I lived in California, a friend from Walnut Creek asked that I attend holiday celebrations because his relatives wanted to sit with me -- to hear updates on car culture and consumer trends and news scoops.
Cars do just about everything except offer a mani/pedi. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to own a ‘57 Chevy. I miss car radios with knobs.
My work does not compete with newspapers or magazines or books or podcasts or film. We live in a time economy – and choosing to spend time with me likely means delaying plans to garden or make the bed or clean the car or clean the kitty box.
We’re all busy.
Who I am
I’ve spent much of my life as a journalist, covering everything from the dark side of the Miss America Pageant to political corruption. I’ve written about bean farmers, criminal (in)justice and why you should keep your key fob in a metal coffee can.
I write about classic cars, electric cars and an island destination that bans cars. I’ve covered the auto industry for the Detroit Free Press in Detroit, where I won over readers who said they never imagined reading about cars.
Think of me as your friend and confidante
Tell me what you like and don’t like. Share restaurant recommendations. Let me know what you’re driving and why. Or why you’ve sold off your car and chosen mass transit or an e-bike.
Please know: I respond to every letter I receive, and always have.
A professor at the University of Missouri, Columbia told me that I’d never succeed in the news business because I write too much like I talk. But Don Ranly, my favorite professor, told me he loved my writing and would never forget my description of a bat being the size of an Oreo cookie.
So, I just kept on being me. Traveled around the country, working for newspapers in Michigan, Arkansas, Iowa and California. My background includes radio, TV, print and podcasts.
When Editor Peter Bhatia interviewed me about taking a job as an automotive reporter in the Motor City, he asked my perspective and experience. I came highly recommended as a reporter and writer but not someone who knew cars.
I told him that I owned a car, I drove a car, I understood the anxiety of a car breaking down on the side of the road and mechanics looking at me like an idiot.
I told him I wanted to learn more.
I wanted to bring readers with me on the journey.
I’ve covered the White House and homeless shelters. I believe storytelling brings us together. I hate cooking and gave up even trying after taco shells caught on fire in a microwave. I do anything to support small businesses. I prefer crunchy peanut butter to smooth. I tip well because waitressing paid my bills. And I love my shelter cats.
When I’m not writing, I’m sailing or running or paddle boarding or snorkeling or thinking about a double-dip chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream on a cake cone.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of cool people. Come and stay awhile.
If you like what you see, tell a friend.
Because we’re all in this together.
Grateful to Founding Premium Subscribers:
Julie Gammack, Peter Bhatia, James Blanchard, J. Keith Moyer, John Anter.
Directly to you
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox.
