Behind the Mitten

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman share how  Detroit sports played a major role in the city's revival. Segment 1-Benita Douglas, Detroit Welcome Center Travel Counselor Segment 2-Ken Hayward, Visit Detroit's Chief Operating Officer Segment 3- Brush Park Bodega; the revitalization of neighborhoods Segment 4-Comerica Park Beer Hall; a great gathering spot Lear...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman share how you can celebrate America 250 all season long at Mackinac State Historic Parks. Segment 1-Phil Porter, Historian and Director Emeritus of Mackinac State Hstoric Parks Segment 2-Dominick Miller, marketing director, Mackinac State Historic Parks Segment 3-Gonzo and Amy talk about America 250 events. Segment 4-More wi...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman travel from Port Huron, to Beulah, to Marshall, to Muskegon. Segment 1-Great Lakes Freighter Captain George Haynes Segment 2-Five Shores Brewery, Beulah Segment 3- Postal Museum in Marshall Segment 4-Pigeon Hill Brewery, Muskegon Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com . Keep up to date on events throughout the...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate Michigan BBQ with experts from around the state. Segments 1 and 2-Steve Seige of Zero Day BBQ Boot Camp, Zero Day Veteran Powered Food Truck and Zero Day BBQ Consulting Segment 3-Earl Bovia of Bay City Bills and River Rock in Bay City. Segment 3-Tom Driscoll, manager at Norm's Market in Richville (Michigan's Thumb)...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visit Mackinac Island to learn more about how Fort Mackinac played a role in American History. Segment 1-Dominick Miller, Mackinac State Historic Parks, Chief of Marketing Segment 2-Maverick Sharpe, historical military interpreter Segment 3-Alice Hill, museum store clerk, starting her 23rd season Segment 4-Craig Wilson, chie...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman prepare for summer by checking in to some of their favorite destinations around the state. Segment 1-White Lake and Holland Segment 2-Calhoun County Segment 3- Mt. Pleasant, and John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids Segment 4-Traverse City and Lansing Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com . Keep up to date on events...

Behind the Mitten Episode 753 Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel podcast and radio show since 2015.  On this podcast, they talk to: Segment 1: Steph Castelein , managing director of Mackinac Island Tourism, who tells us what is new in 2026. Segment 2: The owners of   Big Little Wines in Suttons Bay. Segment 3:  The founders and their inspirational story at St. Clair Butterfly Foundatio...

Behind the Mitten Episode 752 "Behind the Mitten" is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast, hosted by Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez. Journey along I-75 from Mackinaw City to Wolverine, exploring local gems like the Inn Between Waterfront Restaurant, Vivio's Italian Restaurant, and the historic Michigan Central Depot, with delightful stops for ice cream, bakery treats, and a visit to the...

Behind the Mitten Podcast May 22, 2026 Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast with nearly 800 episodes since launching in 2015. It is co-hosted by Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez. BATTLE CREEK, Mich . - On this special podcast, they explore Calhoun County's signature event - Cereal Fest, a mainstay in the community and known for celebrating the Cereal City's history as...

This special edition podcast features an incredible story that led to the creation of a unique non-profit organiztion. In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we share the inspiriation that is The St. Clair Butterfly Foundaiton. We met with founders Chip and Lisa St. Clair recently, and learned more about this community organization. The Butterfly Foundation is a "neuroscience-based f...

Amy Sherman previews this weekend's show with an appearance on the Morning Wake Up on WILS with host Mike Austin. Amy talks about our road trip show recorded while traveling southbound on I-75 from Mackinaw City to Indian River with stops at a cool coffee shop in former train depot and popular restaurant in the Sturgeon River Valley in Wolverine.

Opening week on Mackinac Island! Our friends at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau invited us to join them on the island as they kicked off the 2026 summer season and welcomed everyone back home to Mackinac. We spent a few days enjoying the island as she reopened for business, and recorded our show at the lovely Bicycle Street Inn. We kick off the show with a new friend from a familar place. Leah...

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Episode 750 Our annual baseball show! Segment 1: Gonzo and Amy talk Detroit Tigers baseball and a new season at Comerica Park. Segment 2: Matt DeVries , Director of Marketing and Entertainment and storytelling for the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, tells us what make this Midwest League team a great destination for foodies and families....

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast Episode 748 Part II of our time at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism includes interview with reps from Port Huron, Detroit and Ann Abor. Plus, we check with our resident Ski Bunny. What does he do in the summer? Segment 1: Michael Hensley, who heads up tourism on Michigan’s Thumbcoast, says the best way to descr...

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast Episode 749 Spring time in Michigan brings out all kinds of fun festivals and excitement for another Pure Michigan summer. Check out this episode, which aired April 25-26, 2026. Segment 1: We open the show with Adam Vibber , president of the Alma Highland Festival (May 22-24), who talks about what people can expect, including a...

The Pure Michigan Governor's Tourism Conference is a chance to gather with our fellow professionals and hear all about what is good and what is next in the world of Michigan travel. We recently attended the event that was held in Traverse City at the Grand Traverse Resort, and we thought we'd share what we learned, and who we saw. We kick off the show with the "big guys" or the head gal in this ca...

Behind the Mitten - Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Episode 746 On this weekend's Behind the Mitten show, Amy and Gonzo go on a road trip from St. Ignace to Sault Ste. Marie with stops along the way, including: St. Ignace at the   Boardwalk Coffee House , where they talk about things to do in St. Igance this summer, including all the popular bridge crossings. King’s Fish Market & Res...

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast. Episode 745 It's spring time, Michigan! And many of us are headed to a tropical climate or at least somewhere without snow, as our friends in Northen lower peninsula or the Upper Peninsula are experiencing right now. On this episode, BTM co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman take you all across Michigan to discover the diverse attrac...

What's new in Michigan craft beer? Gonzo and Amy have the latest: Segment 1- Biere de Mac Brew Works, Mackinaw City - Gonzo and Amy talk to co-owner Danny Ranville , who is excited about a new summer season, as as well a special appearance by Gonzo and Amy who will speak at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at the brewery. Segment 2 -Kerry Lynch of Short’s Brewing talks about new releases and April 25th Short's...

On this weekend's show, Gonzo and Amy learn more about the 37th annual Celebrating Life Powwow at Central Michigan University (March 21-22), and get opening date information for a new season on Mackinac Island. Segment 1- Steph Castelein, managing director, Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. A soft opeing is planned April 24, and the official opening (complete with ribbon cutting) is May 1. More deta...

The best way to celebrate Pi Day is self explanatory really, you should probably go on out there and EAT the pie, right? That's what we'd do here at Behind the Mitten , and what we will be doing this March 14 2026 on Pi Day. We are heading straight to what might be the greatest pie in all the land, Grand Traverse Pie Company. How and why did Pi Day start and how can you celebrate it properly this...

John Gonzalez was a guest on Thursday on the "Morning Wake Up" on WILS-AM with Mike Austin . Gonzo previews this weekend's show, which is a look at the 37th annual Celebration of Life CMU Powwow in Mt. Pleasant, as well as a sneak peak at what to expect on Mackinac Island this season. Gonzo also talks to host Mike Austin about signing up for one of Amy's cooking classes in Grand Rapids, and he als...

This weekend we debut our show in Escanaba on our first radio affiliate in the Upper Peninsula. A huge shout out to our good friend Caleb Gordon, who helped us get connected to WCHT-AM and FM as part of the Radio Results Network family. Segment 1:  Gonzo and Amy talk about the things they still want to do this winter, Segment 2: Rosy’s Diner is a popular hangout for breakfast and a burger in Escan...

This week's episode takes us all over Michigan in search of wee bit o' the Irish, and share a few fun St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the state. Slainte! We will visit our beloved Bay City and learn a healthy way to celebrate this holiday.  The Bay City Races offer multiple runs and walks so everyone can find a way to participate. We talk with Elizabeth Mayfield from the Bay City Runners Clu...

We love a good road trip, whether they're planned or not. On this episode of Behind the Mitten, we head out with our portable mics to see what we can find as we travel north of Grand Rapids along the 131 corridor.  Located about forty minutes north of GR, Howard City is a small village with a popular destination restaurant.  The Forager draws diners from all over for their Great Lakes focused cuis...