Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.

Hooper grew up reading the Sunday paper with his dad. That’s where he learned the basics of writing while dreaming of one day writing the stories himself. At 16, he knocked on the door of his hometown paper and asked for a job as a reporter. Since then, he's written extensively for the Detroit Free Press -- the same paper he grew up reading.

Since joining WDET in 2017, Hooper has expanded the station’s arts and culture coverage and received numerous awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasting along the way. Nationally, Hooper was awarded a 2020 RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow award for feature reporting for his story “Would You Rent a Stray Dog From the City of Detroit?“ In 2018, Hooper was named the Associated Press Michigan Editors Broadcast Rising Star in broadcast journalism. He received the prestigious Crain’s Detroit Business “20 In Their 20s” award in 2014. His commitment to volunteerism was recognized by the State of Michigan in 2007.

His juggalo-inspired I.C.Pizza costume was selected by the Huffington Post as one of the best Halloween costumes of 2014.

Mosaic Youth Theatre puts the spotlight on youth mental health

The next generation of Detroit storytellers are finding their voice at Mosaic Youth Theatre. Ten winners have been chosen from...

Gallerist and PASC guest curator holds fundraiser to fund rare disease research

One of the most important artistic endeavors that’s happening here in the City of Detroit is the work of the...

When is the right time to publish violent images?

It’s an everyday reality in America that a mass shooting could happen anywhere and at any time. This year alone,...

Bringing Detroit’s Indigenous history to the forefront

The city of Detroit turns 321 years old this Sunday, but its history predates the French. To learn more about...

Opera MODO is transforming the medium

A classic comedic opera was given a new lease on life, thanks to Opera MODO. The Detroit arts organization is...

Cass Café to close its doors

The rumors are true: The legendary Cass Café is closing its doors after 29 years. Melody Baetens of The Detroit...

2022 NBA draft is a homecoming for new Piston Jaden Ivey

Detroit Pistons fans are elated with the team's draft pick, 20-year-old Jaden Ivey. He played guard at Purdue but has...

How private is your data?

It’s happened to all of us. You’re talking with friends about a product, and then you open a social media...

How Kate Bush is a sign of the times in 2022

One of the most popular songs in the world right now came out in 1985. “Running Up That Hill” by...

Step inside Tunde Olaniran’s universe

  Photo credit: Kat Goffnett Tunde Olaniran has found their voice by sharing the stories and experiences of growing up...

Camila Ballario finds her voice in comedy

Detroit has one of the best standup comic scenes in the country. All the big names in comedy get their...

Waajeed is a legendary Detroit musician. Now, he wants to pass the torch to the next generation

Waajeed’s latest EP is his first slice of new music in two years. It’s called “Acts of Love Mixtape: Act...