Behind the Mitten

Behind the Mitten - Episode 705 "Celebrating 10 years as Michigan's premier radio show and podcast." On this episode, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman travel to St. Helen for the unveiling of “The Fish,” a striking 6-foot Bluegill sculpture installed to represent the natural beauty and identity of the Richfield Township and St. Helen area. It is the first of five unique sculptures to be placed throug...

Behind the Mitten - Episode 704 "Celebrating 10 years as Michigan's premier radio show and podcast." On this episode, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman share some segements they recorded earlier in the year. It's what Amy likes to call a "Hodgepodge" show. Segment 1: Recorded on Mackinac Island in late April, Gonzo and Amy have a fun interview with Marie Hulett , founder of the Wings of Mackinac - But...

This episode we head back to our beloved Mackinac State Historic Parks to learn what's new, and what's old, and how they plan to celebrate a pretty big birthday this season.  We kick off the show with our great friend, and the director of MSHP's, Steve Brisson. With seven different locations scattered throughout the Straights area, on both Mackinac Island and the mainland, the Parks are a very bus...

Summer is underway, and that means events are in full bloom across our beloved Michigan. Here on Behind the Mitten , we'll visit with friends from all over to hear about new festivals, great beaches, new hotels and more on this edition of Behind the Mitten.  Jesse Wiederhold is a verfiable Keweenaw Peninsula enthusiast, and his excitement about this part of the state is infectious. We are lucky th...

We recently did a show about the incredible festivals we have throughout Michigan celebrating our diversity. In addition to the great guests we had on that show, we also interviewed Dr. Jacoub Mansour the President of the Arab and Chaldean Festival. The festival takes place in dowtown Detroit at Hart Plaza on July 26 and 27 and is celebrating it's 52nd year. The event is the largest Arab and Chald...

Michigan is a land of many people, representing many different nationalities and cultures. And ope, do we love our festivals here. Put this magical concoction together and we put on some of the best ethnic festivals in the country right here in the Mitten, and these fun events reinforce our believe that our diversity here in Michigan is our strength.  We start off this episode of Behind the Mitten...

Each week, Amy and Gonzo appear on "Behind the Mitten" affiliate WILS-AM in Lansing as part of Mike Austin's "The Morning Wake Up." This week Amy talks about Memorial Day Weekend cooking (what is she making, or not?), as well as the art of making fudge on Mackinac Island. LISTEN NOW! Learn more about "The Morning Wake-Up" on WILS-AM (1320) at https://1320wils.com/podcasts/the-wils-morning-wake-up...

Episode 700 - Original Murdick's Fudge on Mackinac Island Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast. Celebrating 10 years, co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman travel the great state of Michigan, taking you to tasty restaurants, must-visit breweries/wineries/distilleries, get away travel destinations and more. They share the stories that make Michigan awesome. On thi...

Episode 699: Summer golf, dining options, a special school for women and more at Treetops Resort (May 10-11, 2025) Behind the Mitten is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and podcast, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. Co-hosted by Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez , the show has released nearly 700 episodes and been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as best weekend spec...

We couldn't be more pleased to celebrate our ten year anniversary back where it all began, on beautiful Mackinac Island.   We recorded our very first radio broadcast on the island at the Grand Hotel way back in 2015, when we were the only people staged at a tiny table in a grand ballroom, welcoming our first guests into a truly lovely, historic space. We hope that we have lived up to the expectati...

BONUS PODCAST, May 3, 2025 Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, which can can be heard on the weekends on 21 radio station across 14 markets in Michigan. Co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman are celebrating 10 years and nearly 700 episodes. On this podcast, they returned to Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel, which is where they recorded their very first show 10 y...

Behind the Mitten - Episode 697 Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premiere radio show and podcast. It airs on 21 radio stations across 14 markets in Michigan. Co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman are celebrating 10 years and nearly 700 episodes in 2025. On this weekend's show, it's all about grilling season! Segment 1- Matt Smith of Pit Stop Catering in Grand Rapids talks about Michigan's unique s...

This week's show comes direct from the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism, which we were lucky to attend this past week. We loved reconnecting with friends in the industry, while learning all about what is new across Michigan. We kick off with the the Pure Michigan queeen herself, Kelly Wolgamott. She's the Vice President of our tourism arm here in Michigan, which is run by the Michiga...

EPISODE 695: Batter up! What's new at Comerica Park This weekend on "Behind the Mitten," it’s ALL about baseball — and we had a blast getting a sneak peek of what’s new at Comerica Park with the Detroit Tigers! Amy Sherman sat down with Chef Mark and Chef Maggie to talk about the incredible new food coming to the ballpark this season (spoiler: it’s delicious). We’ll also fill you in on the special...

BONUS PODCAST Co-host of "Behind the Mitten" Amy Sherman shares where she and Gonzo will be this weekend, and all of the fun stuff coming up to do around Da Mitt including BASEBALL!!!! Amy also runs down what's new at Comercia Park, and Gonzo shares info about his family baseball podcast. This segment aired on April 10 on WILS-AM in Lansing on "The WILS Morning Wake Up" show with host Mike Austin....

EPISODE 694: Behind the Mitten Road Trip -- Bay City to Frankenmuth In this episode of "Behind the Mitten," hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate 10 years of exploring Michigan's Great Lakes State. They embark on a road trip from Bay City to Frankenmuth, visiting local attractions like Tummyache candy store and John's Bar. The conversation highlights the importance of community, local busi...

On this special podcast of "Behind the Mitten," co-host John Gonzalez checks in with good friend Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau about a two-day ice storm in Northern Michigan that has completely devasted the area. Thousands of people across the region remain without power in freezing weather, with some roads still blocked due to downed trees and powerlines. On Monday (March 31, 2025),...

EPISODE 693: Behind the Mitten Road Trip -- Clare to Lewiston In this episode of "Behind the Mitten," hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate a decade of exploring Michigan's hidden gems. They embark on a road trip adventure, visiting various local businesses, including Buccilli's Pizza in Clare, R & J's Best Choice Marketplace in Houghton Lake, and Jack's Place in Roscommon, where they...

Co-Host of "Behind the Mitten" Amy Sherman shares where she and Gonzo will be this weekend including road trippin', the CMU "Celebrate Life" Pow-Wow, candy shops, John's Bar, Prost! in Frankenmuth, wiener dog races, and more on 1320 WILS.

In this episode of "Behind the Mitten," hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate a decade of exploring Michigan, focusing on Mount Pleasant and Central Michigan University. They discuss the community's growth, the importance of Indigenous culture, and the upcoming 36th annual Celebrating Life Pow wow. The conversation highlights local attractions, culinary experiences, and the vibrant campus...

On the WILS Morning Wake-up Show today (March 20, 2025), John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten shares the birth of BTM, tribal food and culture, CMU events, and what is Bell's doing with Oberon Day. And he also entertain's WILS host Mike Austin's idea for a new feature... Mike's Bites. Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com . Learn more about Mike Austin's show The Morning Wake-up at 1...

Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten appeared on the CFX Breakfast Flakes, March 20, 2025, to preview this weekend's show, which is all about Mt. Pleasant. She also talks about the upcoming Celebrating Life Pow wow at Central Michigan University, which is March 29-30.. Learn more about the event at cmich.edu . Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com .

Behind the Mitten - Episode 691 On this weekend's show, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend time in one of their favorite Michigan cities - Bay City! Segment 1: We kick things off with newly elected mayor of Bay City, Christopher Girard. (Man, does this guy have some energy! We love him.) Segment 2: We also stop at some of our favorite restaurants, including Krzysiak House Restaurant, to talk to o...

Behind the Mitten - Episode 690 On this weekend's show, Gonzo and Amy Sherman check in with some of their favorite tourism professionals around the state for what Amy calls, "missives from Sault Ste. Marie, Manistee and Gaylord." Segment 1: Before we talk to those tourism professionals, Amy asks John Gonzalez (Gonzo) questions about his recent trip to Italy, where he rode on a gondola, ate pizza (...

It's a hodgepodge this week on Behind the Mitten , with stories coming at you from all over Michigan. We start off the show with Angie Quinn, the executive director of the Michigan Legacy Art Park , which is located at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. We recently got to do a snowy hike through this very unique art experience, and interviewed Angie trailside afterwards. Spread out over thirty bea...