Behind the Mitten

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...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this special Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez podcast -- Gonzo and Amy sit down with the creators of Soft Parade Vodka, Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville and Short's Brewing Company in Bellaire. Kerry Lynch , directore of sales for Short's, and Richard Anderson , a co-owner of Iron Fish, talk about this Pure Michigan collaboration that is mad...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 18 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez --  We are headed back to the island, Mackinac Island that is, and we couldn't be happier. Mackinac Island is one of our state's very special vacation spots, and we take you behind the scenes and all over the island to share all that is new for the 2024 season.  We would like to thank Mackinac Island...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE Makers Trail Festival, June 8, 2024, Weko Beach in Bridgman On this special Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez podcast, Gonzo and Amy spend some time with friends at St. Joe Today at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conferece in April in Kalamazoo. They were able to get all the details about the Makers Trail Festival, June 8 on Weko Beach in Bridgman, whi...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 17 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez --  This week we travel to Gaylord and visit with our good friends at Treetops, Michigan’s Most Spectacular Resort. They are hosting their annual Grill on the Hill barbecue event this Saturday, May 4, and we got all the details. Plus, lots about golf, equipment, new food menus, and more on this episod...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Gonzo was able to catch up with Danny Ranville of Biere de Mac Brew Works in Mackinaw City. The last time he stopped in (March), the award-winning Fleur de Mac - a Belgian farmhouse ale that was introduced in 2020 as a collaboration with Mackinac State Historic Park - was being brewed. Unfortuna...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Gonzo covers Short's 20th annual Anni Party with Sales Director Kerry Lynch and good friend/Short's sales rep, Ben Darcie . Kerry and Ben say: "We're celebrating TWENTY YEARS of beer liberation with 70+ beers and ciders for your mouth-holes!" The party in Bellaire is April 26 and 27, 2024 and in...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 16 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Gonzo covers Short's 20th annual Anni Party, as well as Biere de Mac's Beer of the Year, Shepherd's annual Maple Syrup Festival and the popular Beer & Brat Festival at Crystal Mountain Resort. Learn more: Segment 1:  Biere de Mac Fleur de Mac, Beer of the Year! Segment 2: Shepherd Syrup Festiva...