Behind the Mitten

We recently got to stop by and visit with our friends at Crystal Mountain, during a snowy and blustry winter day when the lifts were picking up happy skiers on their way to sashaying down the mountain.  We learned it's never too early to get a jump on the upcoming golf season, no matter the weather, if you find yourself at Crystal. They've recently installed a new virtual golf simulator , and we g...

Amy Sherman was a guest on Thursday on the "Morning Wake Up" on WILS-AM with Mike Austin. On the show, Amy previewed this weekend's show, which is all about fun St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the state. Amy also shares her favorite traditional Irish recipes, from homemade Irish stew using Michigan’s own Rockford Brewing stout to a decadent Guinness chocolate cake that’s perfect for celebrat...

Hey, everyone, I'm John Gonzalez from Behind the Mitten. I'm in Bay City, Michigan right now with my good friend Earl Bovia, president of the Bay City Fireworks Festival (July 1-4, 2026). It's a little noisy in here, Earl, because you just made some major announcements about this year's event.  "Yeah, we've got a bunch of different acts coming. (Country act) Confederate Railroad on Thursday night....

It's always a fun adventure on The Morning Wake Up with Mike Austin on WILS-AM (1320) in Lansing. On this segment, John Gonzalez previews this weekend's Behind the Mitten show, which continues Gonzo and Amy's theme of embracing winter. Then he engages with Mike in whatever he wants to talk about. This week he is interested in opening a restaurant that will serve breakfast in the morning, then clos...

It's Cheers to 15 Years at Gun Lake Casino Resort and we go behind the mitten to get the scoop on everything you need to know to celebrate this milestone in the proper manner.  On this episode of Behind the Mitten, we'll kick off the show with Judd VanMelle, Director of Player Development at Gun Lake Casino Resort. The casino is celebrating their 15th anniversary of opening their doors in Wayland...

Gonzo and Amy Sherman sit down with David Wallace and Heidi Bolger , who will continue as sole owners of Iron Fish Distillery after it was announced in January of 2026 that co-founders Richard Anderson and Sarah Anderson agreed to sell their ownership interest to fellow co-founders. They talk about what it was like to build one of Michigan's most notable and successful spirits brands in less than...

We return to Benzie County, one of our favorite areas of the state. On this episode: Segment 1-Rick Schmitt of Stormcloud Brewing Company in Frankfort, who we named best new brewery in 2016. They make Belgian-inspired beer. Segment 2-Brittany Butti Primeau, Communications Director, and Doug Hand , Golf Operations Manager, at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, where we talk about a new golf...

We love winter, yes we do, we love winter, how about you? This is our question this week, and let's just say our guests come back with a resounding, and heartfelt, YES. Segments1-Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan Segment 2-Amy and Gonzo talking winter adventures Segment 3-Erin Ernst, Boyne Mountain Resort Segment 4-Nick Nerbonne of Pure Michigan, Resident Ski Bunny

It's always a fun adventure on The Morning Wake Up with Mike Austin on WILS-AM (1320) in Lansing. First, Amy Sherman previews this weekend's Behind the Mitten show -- which is all about Gun Lake Casino Resort that is celebrating 15 years with a fun promotion every Saturday night in February -- and then she engages with Mike in whatever he wants to talk about. This week he was interested in startin...

It's always a fun adventure on The Morning Wake Up with Mike Austin on WILS-AM (1320) in Lansing. Not only does Gonzo preview this weekend's Behind the Mitten show -- which is a fun roadtrip adventure to Howard City, Luther and Mesick -- but he also engages with Mike about whatever is the topic of the moment. Typically you would say "topic of the day," but Mike can change course at any point of th...

On this special edition podcast, we are joined by our great friend Christy Walcott, Vice President of all things FUN at the Gaylord Michigan Tourism Bureau. Christy is actually the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Bureau, which really does mean that her job involves taking visitors out to show them the very best that Gaylord has to offer. It's why we try to have her on as much as w...

This week, we visit  Marquette Michigan , a gem no matter the season. This fun town nestled on the shores of Lake Superior is home to Northern Michigan University and really knows how to embrace winter with a flurry of activities and festivals. We kick off the show with Susan Estler from Travel Marquette who gives us an overview of winter in MQT, and then quickly gets down to business with what we...

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast. Co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman are celebrating 11 years of traveling the great state of Michigan. Description: What makes Gaylord the snowbelt of Michigan? And why does this tiny region get up to 168 inches of snow annually—more than most places in the state? If you’ve ever wondered how geography and lake effects create this w...

Marquette Mountain offers four season's of fun, through sun, and in the winter, tons and tons of snow. We talk with Kaet Johnson, the resort's general manager, about all there is to do and experience when you are here.  First and foremost, you don't want to miss the very popular (and fun!) Winterfest and Rail Jam which is happening January 31 to February 1, 2026. Billed as a "marathon of mountain...

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Celebrating 11 years on the air. Description: Join John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman on "Behind the Mitten" as they welcome Kelly Wolgamott , Vice President of Pure Michigan. In this episode, they explore the wonders of Michigan's winter season, from skiing adventures at TreeTops Resort to the unique seasonal fragrances that capture the es...

Behind the Mitten - Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Season 11 of BTM continues from Michigan's "All Outdoors" capital - Gaylord. Yes, Gonzo and Amy spend a lot of time in Gaylord, but on this episode they take you to a few new places. Plus, they show you how to embace a Michigan winter. Segment 1-Paul Beachnau , executive director of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, and Christy Walcott , dire...

Behind the Mitten - Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Season 11 begins with "Winter Fun in Marquette"! Co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten take you behind the scenes to some of the Upper Peninsula's biggest events. Segment 1-Susan Estler, Travel Marquette -  travelmarquette.com Segment 2 - Nate Heffron, City Manager for Negaunee, and member of the DDA, talks about t...

Behind the Mitten - Michigan's premier radio show and podcast On this special show to open 2026, co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten share a few of their favorite show segments from last year. Segment 1-Happy New Year from Gonzo and Amy Segment 2-Old Town Lansing - iloveoldtown.org Segment 3-Austin Bros. Beer Co. - austinbrosbeerco.com Segment 4-TC Curling Club - tccurling....

On this special recap of 2025, co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten share some of this season's most memorable moments. We kick off with show with an interview from the kitchen of Jen's Hen House in St. Helen, followed by the intriguing job of a Great Lakes Pilot, followed by a great market (known for their feta cheese) in Houghton Lake. Finally, we wrap up with a heartwarmi...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate a decade of exploring Michigan's attractions, focusing on winter activities and local events. They highlight the importance of supporting local restaurants during the winter season and discuss the diverse winter experiences available in Gaylord, Crystal Mountain, and Grand Traverse Resort. The episode emphasizes th...

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate 10 years of exploring Michigan's Great Lakes. They discuss winter activities in Michigan, focusing on Treetops Resort in Gaylord, which offers skiing, snowboarding, and family-friendly fun. The episode features interviews with Barry Owens , the general manager, and other team members, highlighting the resort's comm...

Join co-hosts Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez on "Behind the Mitten," where they explore the vibrant offerings of Michigan's hidden gems. This week, dive into the tropical paradise of Gun Lake Casino Resort in Wayland, conveniently located off US 131 between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Discover the Wawyé Oasis, where it's always a balmy 80 degrees with over 4,000 tropical plants and a swim-up bar. Y...

Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten sits down with Christy Walcott , Director of Marketing & Communications for the Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau, to talk about winter in Gaylord, and why you MUST visit this season. Learn more about Gaylord and how to plan your trip at  gaylordmichigan.net .

Amy Sherman previews this weekend's show from Gun Lake Casino - where it's always a balmy 80 degrees at the Wawyé Oasis! Amy previews the show on WPHM in Port Huron, one of Behind the Mitten's 20-plus radio affiliates across the state. You can listen to BTM at noon Saturdays and 8 a.m. Sundays on WPHM-AM (1380). Learn more about WPHM at wphm.net . Learn more about Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Casino Re...

Behind the Mitten Preview-Dec. 11, 2025 Amy Sherman previews this weekend's show where she and Gonzo spend trime at the Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Casino Resort in Wayland. Amy previews the show with Mike Austin on "The WILS Morning Wake Up Show" in Lansing. More on Wawyé Oasis In the palm of West Michigan, the Wawyé Oasis is a destination unlike any other in the Midwest. A beautiful glass atrium wil...