Total Michigan

Detroit's urban neighborhoods are concrete, heat, and noise — with nature feeling like something that belongs to somebody else. Josh McCreedy, owner and founder of TrailSense LLC, is changing that, one trail at a time. Just off 8 Mile Road, he's transforming Dorais Park into a world-class outdoor experience for the families and kids who call this neighborhood home. Because no matter who you are or...

In Sault Ste. Marie, a pasty is more than food. It’s memory. It’s family. It’s the Upper Peninsula wrapped in dough and carried through generations. This week on Total Michigan, Cliff sits down with Heidi and Jeff Ritter, founders of the Yooper Pasty Company, to explore how a small food trailer turned into one of the most beloved gathering places in the Soo. But beneath the story of fresh crusts,...

Many people reached out to me when I published my last solo episode, back in early January. In that episode, I shared the struggles I was having as a caregiver, along with my mom's struggles. In this episode, I share the second chapter in that story: detailing what happened after that and some of the lessons I have learned from. I thank all of you who reached out and offered support after that epi...

When someone escapes homelessness, addiction, or domestic violence, they finally get the keys to a safe place of their own. They walk in and find an empty room. A remarkable organization called the NEST in Saginaw steps in to make sure no family starts over with nothing, providing everything from beds and couches to potato peelers and nightlights. Director Erin Johnson and Duane Siler pull back th...

Michigan's lakes, forests, and wildlife are more than just a backdrop — they're a $11 billion economic engine and a way of life worth fighting for. Marc Smith, Director of Conservation Partnerships with the National Wildlife Federation, has spent nearly 30 years on the front lines of that fight. From invasive carp threatening our fisheries to an aging pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, the...

Some stories are too important to leave to chance. Inside the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti, centuries of firefighting history have been carefully preserved — the trucks, the gear, and the remarkable stories of those who risked everything to protect us. Director and Curator Dave Egeler opens the doors to a collection that spans colonial times to modern day, revealing how passion, family l...

A simple house in Rockford, Michigan became the beginning of something much bigger. Homes Giving Hope is creating a place where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can experience independence, friendship, and community—together. What started with faith and a willingness to act is now growing into a network of homes where residents support one another and build lives of dignity...

Some careers are chosen for opportunity. Others for success. But some paths are shaped by a calling — one that places purpose above paycheck and service above self. In this episode of Total Michigan , we travel to Ionia to explore what happens when people say yes to a call greater than themselves. Cliff DuVernois sits down with Terry Yoder , President of SMAT Aviation , a school dedicated to prepa...

Most weeks on Total Michigan , Cliff DuVernois sits down with dreamers and doers who are making our state brighter. This week, the spotlight turns inward. In this deeply personal year-in-review episode, Cliff reflects on 2025—a year defined by creative growth, unexpected limitations, and the heavy, sacred work of caregiving. As his mother’s dementia progressed, the life he had carefully built was...

In this episode of  Total Michigan , we sit down with  Pete Sanford , the owner of Steele Street Brewing in Ionia, to explore how an unexpected career change, a run-down building, and a simple desire to create a welcoming space turned into one of the community’s most beloved gathering places. Pete shares the heart, grit, and vision behind building a true hometown pub—where tables get pus...

Can business truly be a force for good? In this episode, Cliff DuVernois talks with Gene Pickelman, co-founder of Tri-Star Trust Bank , about Conscious Capitalism — a people-first approach that builds leaders, supports families, and strengthens entire communities. Gene shares how choosing people over profit transformed Tri-Star’s culture and sparked a movement across the Great Lakes Bay Region, pr...

Step inside the Stomping Grounds Cafe with Annalia, the energetic owner serving up sunshine, sugar comas, and small-town charm in Durand, Michigan. Discover how she went from barista to boss, the wild ride of running a local favorite, and the secret behind their legendary “freak shakes.” Annalia shares the highs, the chaos, and the heartwarming community spirit that keeps her going. You’ll learn w...

In the tiny lakeside town of Empire, Michigan, the scent of melted chocolate drifts through the air. But inside Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate, co-owner  Jody Hayden  is doing far more than creating sweet treats — she’s rewriting the story of chocolate itself. From her early days working with Mayan farmers in Mexico to handcrafting ethically sourced confections in northern Michigan, Jody ha...

Jon Plummer, co-owner of  Moomers Homemade Ice Cream  in Traverse City, shares how a small family dairy farm blossomed into one of Michigan’s most beloved ice cream destinations. From the national spotlight of  Good Morning America  to the creation of their signature  Cherries Moobilee flavor, Jon shares how Moomers became more than just a place to grab a cone—it’s an expe...

From War to Museum: Welcome to the USS Silversides. In this episode of Total Michigan, host Cliff DuVernois explores the fascinating history of the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine located at the museum in Muskegon, Michigan. With guest Tom Johnson, a tour guide at the museum, the discussion covers the submarine's service during the war, its remarkable preservation and transformation into...

Redemption Hill Ranch is more than a farm — it’s a refuge where hurting hearts find hope. In this inspiring conversation, Sarah Buffman shares how God called her from city life to create a place where horses help people heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. From transforming the lives of struggling schoolchildren to helping adults rediscover their worth, Sarah reveals the powerful connectio...

Meet Ken and Wilda Hopper, founders of Bird's Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. They aren’t just launching kayaks—they’re launching a movement to reconnect people with nature. From kayaking through the Soo Locks to snowshoeing by lantern light, their mission blends outdoor adventure with health and community connection. What it’s like to kayak through the Soo Locks (yes, it’s legal!) H...

What if wine could be simple again? No jargon. No pressure. Just good wine, made for you—and maybe even  by  you. We sit down with Brett Scharnhorst, owner of  Vinomondo Winery  in Fort Gratiot, Michigan. From his unexpected career shift from IT project management to winemaking, Brett shares how Vinomondo is creating something truly unique: a DIY wine experience where customers...

Xavier DeGroat doesn’t just want awareness—he wants  acceptance . Diagnosed with autism at age four, Xavier has faced bullying, misunderstanding, and judgment. But instead of retreating, he built something powerful. In this episode, we dive into Xavier’s story of persistence, courage, and advocacy. From meeting world leaders to launching the nation’s first Autism History Museum, Xavier’s jour...

Before his song You Ain’t Pretty hit the Top 40 on the Billboard country charts, Nate Barnes was clocking in at a nuclear power plant in Michigan. In this revealing interview, Nate shares his journey from small-town South Haven to Nashville’s country music scene—and how faith, family, and trades work shaped every step. In This Episode: Why Nate spent over a decade in skilled trades before pursuing...

Gary Johnson, a lifelong educator and music historian, is the founder of the  Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame  and the curator of a stunning exhibit at the Historical Museum of Bay County. From teaching Michigan’s first junior high rock history class to curating world-class displays, Gary's passion for rock and roll has inspired generations. Key Topics Discussed: The founding...

A heartfelt journey from logistics to layers of dough, Maria Otto left a thriving corporate career to rediscover her joy in the kitchen. In this episode, she shares the emotional, practical, and often humorous twists that led to the creation of  Little Pastry Shop  in Bay City. From baking pies at a golf course to quitting her executive role to reconnect with her daughter, Maria’s story...

When most people visit a museum, they walk through history. But aboard the USS Edson, you're  walking inside it . In this episode, Navy veteran and lifelong Bay City resident  Bill Randall  takes us deep into the hull of a Vietnam-era destroyer—now a floating museum—and deeper still into the heart of what it means to serve, remember, and preserve. From scavenging radar systems throu...

In this episode of  Total Michigan , we dive into the story of Lonnie Paser, owner of Artisan Urban Bistro in Saginaw. With a deep love for food and community, Lonnie transformed her restaurant into more than just a place to eat—it’s a movement. From using locally sourced ingredients to launching a weekly ‘Grateful Pasta’ night that raises funds for nonprofits, Lonnie shares how small busines...

Never underestimate the power of a mother's love. We sit down with  Jenny Dumont Radler , the founder of  A Place for Grace , Michigan's only fully inclusive childcare, preschool, afterschool program, and teen center for children with special needs. Jenny shares her deeply personal journey of raising her daughter, Emma, who was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Through her stru...