Behind the Mitten

We hope you'll tune in this weekend, as we are coming straight at you from a slow-down-you-might-miss-it spot in Upper Peninsula, charming Germfask. We've been known to stop any time of day at Tovey's Jolly Inn because you can get a burger for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner. We'll talk with Damian Tovey about his historic bar located right on HWY 77, his claim to making the best cheesesteak in the...

When you turn 125 years old you best do something special. Our friends at Northern Michigan University in Marquette decided to do just that to celebrate this incredible anniversary of Wildcat pride, collaborating with Blackrock Brewery to create a special commemorative beer, Wildcat Gold. "NMU is thrilled to team up with Marquette's own Blackrocks Brewery to launch Wildcat Gold—a special brew craf...

We are back to school this week! Our young Michiganders are headed back to the classroom this week, and back to college campuses, which is both exciting and sad.  It's exciting if you are a student and finally back home at school with friends, exciting if you are a business that is ready to serve, and exciting if you are a tourism bureau welcoming visitors. But it's sad if you are a momma sending...

This week takes us to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, as we do a little road trip to Saugatuck and South Haven.   We'll take you out on the water, do some shopping, talk to three blondes who brew, and meet up with some fine friends who are cooking up greatness at their very own restaurant finally. We'll even tell you about the most fantastic saltine crackers we've ever had. Intrigued? Here's mo...

Each visit to I Love Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan unveils new things to do, places to visit, and always new Michigan history to learn. This trip was no different. Absolute highlight? Meeting the one and only Paul Sabourin , the curator at the Tower of History, part of the Sault Historic Sites group of museums. Not only do you get a banger of a view from the tallest spot in the Soo, but you might als...

This weekend takes us ABOVE the mitten, as we travel across the Mighty Mac and head to one of our favorite places in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sault Ste Marie . "Where Michigan history was born" is an apt tagline for this city that resides along the St. Mary's River, as it was founded way back in 1668 by one of Michigan's favorite explorers, Fr. Jacques Marquette. Today, the "Soo" is best known...

All hail the Queen.....our Michigan agricultural queens that is! A time-honored traditiion. Interviews with: Kelley Chase , Michigan Apple Queen 2024. More info. Emma Woller , National Asparagus Festival Queen 2023-2024. More info. Carmen Beemer, National Cherry Festival Queen 2023-2024. More info. Follow John and Amy: Website: amyandgonzo.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten T...

This weekend's show is an all-ages crowd-pleaser, with a little something for everyone. We visit Calhoun County , home to fun times in Battle Creek , Marshall, and Albion plus local environs through the rolling green hills of south-central Michigan. We'll talk with local experts about what's happening in this neck of Michigan, including a soon-to-open brand-new beautiful hotel located right in dow...

This weekend's show is all about art....really, REALLY big art that you can find around Michigan. We are talking all about murals, these giant art installations that are popping up everywhere, and making our cities and towns that much more beautiful. We were inspired to explore this topic by the recent creation of the absolutely AWESOME Shine Bright Saginaw Mural Project . It's the second-largest...

"The Barbie Project" was an idea conjured out of a tough time by our friend and radio legend Mary Ellen Murphy, who hosts "Good Morning Grand Haven" on WGHN 92.1 each day. She recently announced her new campaign to bring a Coast Guard Barbie to life, and we just had to have her on to tell us all about it. Mary Ellen was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and this kind of stunk for all the usu...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 27 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez: Gonzo and Amy share some of their favorite podcasts from earlier this summer from a collection of segments from Mackinac Island to Owosso and Bellaire to Suttons Bay. TUNE IN! Segment 1: Kerry Lynch , director of sales for Short's, and Richard Anderson , a co-owner of Iron Fish Distillery, talk about...

SEASON 6, PODCAST EPISODE On this special podcast of Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez: Gonzo and and Amy interview Carmen Beemer , the 2023-2024 National Cherry Festival Queen in Traverse City. In the interview Carmen talks about what the scholarship program has meant to her over the last year, and some of her favorite memories. She is a 2024 graduate of Michigan State Uni...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 26 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez: Gonzo and Amy take a closer look at some fun community events all over the state. The show opens with a rep from the West Michigan Tourist Assocation who runs down several local events, then Gonzo gets a few "dad jokes" in about the Pickle Fest (yes, he says it's a Big Dil!) and our Dynamic Duo also...

SEASON 6, BONUS PODCAST MJ - The Musical July 9-12, 2024 Broadway Grand Rapids More info:   broadwaygrandrapids.com/mj In this podcast, John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten interviews J. Daughtry , who plays Berry Gordy in the National Broadway Tour of "MJ - The Musical." He is a seasoned pro who came into theatre in a non-traditional way. He was teaching at a private school in Maryland, when his pr...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 25 With miles and miles of sugar sand, endless waves of fresh water, and absolutely no sharks, our beloved state of Michigan is a beach lovers paradise. This week’s show takes us to a few top-rated beaches, plus we talk with a beach concession queen, learn some water safety tips including what to do in a rip current, and interview the man himself, Dr. Beach. SEGMENT 1: Dr. Stephe...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE Recorded June 6, 2024 On this special Podcast, we close out our special Juneteeth show with Dr. David Pilgrim of Ferris State University.   He is one of this country's leading experts on issues relating to multiculturalism, diversity, and race relations, and is the founder and curator of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery. The museum uses objects of intolerance to teach...

It's a different kind of road trip this week, as we learn all about the Juneteenth holiday and talk with a variety of guests about different places around Michigan that hold special significance for African American history and culture. Juneteenth marks the final emancipation of slaves during the Civil War, on June 19 in Galveston Texas. Today, it is a day of celebration and education. We kick off...

SEASON 6, BONUS PODCAST Welcome to a special Behind the Mitten podcast! BTM is Michigan's premiere radio show and podcast, bringing you the best of the Great Lakes State since 2014. With over 600 episodes under our belts, we're thrilled to have you join us for a special treat from the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso. This podcast includes additional interview from our June 8-9, 2024 show ( S...

This week we go railside, and explore the fascinating world of trains around Michigan. What we found was a dedicated, passionate group of people, some incredible machinery, lots of history, and one new restaurant.  We first meet Kyle Rosol, the general manager of the Friends of the Coopersville-Marne Railway , which is located just due west of Grand Rapids, about halfway to Grand Haven. His life-l...

This week on Behind the Mitten we are back on our beloved Mackinac Island, visiting with our friends at Mackinac State Historic Parks. We recorded this show on-site at Fort Mackinac, after hauling all of our recording equipment up that famous hill. It was completely worth it, as it always is.  Now, we will just start this off by saying that yes, we do fire off a historical cannon on this show. And...

On this week's episode of Behind the Mitten, we head to beautiful Bay City and meet up with a few friends who help us explore the city like a local. We've had a long time connection with this town on the sunrise side of the state, each of us for different reasons. The common denominator has always been the people of Bay City, and on this show, you get to meet a few of our favorites.  We start off...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE Welcome to another exciting episode of Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere radio show and podcast, bringing you the best of the Great Lakes State since 2014. With over 600 episodes under our belts, we're thrilled to have you join us for a special treat from the enchanting Mackinac Island. This Week's Destination: Mission Point Resort We took a delightful trip to the icon...

This weekend's show has us back on beautiful Mackinac Island. How lucky are we? We'll take you along with us as we kick off the show in the most Mac Island way possible.....by making fudge! Our good friend Carnell at Original Murdick's Fudge welcomed us onto the fudge floor and let us give it a try, live on the air. Let's just say it is not as easy as these professionals make it look. Fudge making...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 18 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez --  It's kind of like our second home, but we are always excited to see what is new and happening in gorgeous Gaylord. Our number one guest co-host Paul Beachnau from the Gaylord Visitor's Bureau joins us this week, along with his co-worker, and paddle board enthusiast Christy Walcott. We love catchin...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- we visit Mackinc Island. Our travel mode for the day? A carriage ride with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. We want to thank our incredible driver Kaitlyn Mann for transporting us from West to East, and to all points in between. We felt like royalty driving around in the rain in the wicker weddin...