I’m a pretty curious person about a lot of things, and architecture has always fascinated me for many reasons.

Architects design the structures where we live, work, gather, eat, etc., and contribute to how we feel — or the mood — when we enter and experience the spaces they create. 

But there is so much more, which Detroit architect Leo Mendez shared with me in a recent interview for Essential Music.

Currently serving as vice president of planning and design for Olympia Development of Michigan, Mendez has designed projects all around the globe, including many in his hometown of Detroit.

Some of his work as an architect includes everything from the Motown Museum, Honey Bee Market, the shed at Robert C. Valade Park, the Eddystone building and Basan restaurant, the Detroit Tigers spring training facility in Florida, and the Fox Theater seats upgrade that took years to complete — which we talk about during our conversation.

We also discussed his new book of poetry and photographs, “Random Deep Feelings: Within a Burst of Time,” and why he published some of his deepest thoughts and observations; along with his history, the beauty of Detroit architecture, and what goes through his head when he enters a building.

Mendez will be signing copies of his book at Source Booksellers from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, for National Independent Bookstores Day.

Use the media player above to listen to our conversation.

As International Women’s Month wraps up, Essential Music host Ann Delisi sits down with one of the influential voices in the culinary world—Angela Davis, better known as The Kitchenista.

Davis, a chef, recipe developer, and educator, has built a loyal following with her rich storytelling and deep culinary expertise. Through her online presence, she’s inspired countless home cooks with her creativity, honesty, and passion for food.

In this conversation, Delisi and Davis dive into her journey in the digital food space, the challenges of sharing her work and life online, and the ever-evolving world of food blogging and content creation.

Want to explore more of her work? Visit her Patreon at patreon.com/kitchenista or learn more about her story on Wikipedia.

Listen to Ann Delisi’s Essential Music every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org.