Total Michigan

Frankenmuth draws more than 3 million visitors every year to a community of just 5,000 residents. But what happens when a community decides its next big investment is not for the tourists? Jamie Furbush, president of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, shares the vision behind the Frankenmuth Sports Complex. What they are building might surprise you, but who the...

A Canadian mining company wants to build a copper mine right next to Michigan's favorite state park. The waste would be stored upstream from Lake Superior, with no guarantee the copper ever stays in the United States. One man decided to fight back. This is the story of Tom Grotewohl and the 460,000 people standing behind him. In this episode you'll discover: Why a small-town guy with a website bec...

Most people think they know Saginaw's story. They don't. Eugene Seals left Michigan, built a career, and came back not because his hometown was fixed but because he believed it could be. Now, as President of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, he's helping a coalition of entrepreneurs, families, and institutions turn belief into brick and mortar. In this episode, you'll discover: How a former...

Tucked into five acres of woods on a family dairy farm outside Frankenmuth, Tim Krafft built something most people wouldn't expect: an obstacle course designed to change how you see yourself. The Frankenmuth Aerial Park isn't about thrill-seeking. It's about watching fear step aside and confidence take its place. In this episode, we cover: What the "confidence business" actually looks like How fac...

What does it feel like when everything slows down at 120 miles per hour and you can see people's hands waving from the grandstands? Will Sahutske, owner of WD Racing, is a pro late model driver competing in the CRA Turn One Pro Series across the eastern United States. His racing story didn't start with him; it started three generations ago with a grandfather who engineered IndyCars and a father wh...

Twenty-three years ago, a teenager asked Maggie Varney a question nobody could answer: What do you do when you're a kid, and you need a wig? That question became Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids , a Michigan nonprofit that has now helped over 6,000 children fighting cancer, completely free of charge. This episode goes beyond hair loss into what it really means for a child to feel like themselves again, and th...

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...