THE mostly TRAVERSE CITY

Craig Silliven has the kind of stories you don’t simply hear—you feel. One of the original graduates of Traverse City’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Craig went on to sail aboard the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald, making him one of a small number of people still able to share firsthand stories of life aboard the “Mighty Fitz.” Those memories and stories are now woven into John U. Bacon’s bestselling...

What began as one man's vision has become one of Northern Michigan's most beloved traditions. The Iceman Cometh isn't just a bike race—it's a celebration of the people, passion, and outdoor spirit that make this place so special. In this episode of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast, we're bringing together Steve Brown, the founder and visionary behind the Iceman Cometh, and...

Kimberly Berreth is a Traverse City native, massage therapist, and owner of Solstice Massage & Wellness—but the road that brought her there is the real story. A lifelong athlete, Kim grew up pushing her body and navigating significant injuries. Then a near-fatal car accident changed everything. Recovery forced her to experience pain, trauma, rehabilitation, and healing from an entirely differe...

Summer is the peak tourist season here in Traverse City, so we're bringing back a very special guest, Trevor Tkach, to chat about visitors and how he promotes the city. So sit back, grab a snack, and turn up your speaker! Welcome to the Mostly Traverse City Podcast! Trevor Tkach is the President and CEO of Traverse City Tourism, where he leads efforts to promote the region as a year-round des...

Stephen Ezell is an entrepreneur, innovator, and one of the leading voices in the growing movement toward conscious capitalism. As the founder and CEO of Truly Free , Stephen has built a company around a simple but powerful idea: families shouldn't have to choose between effective products and a healthy home. Originally from New York, Stephen has built businesses around the world, but it was...

Chad Lindsey is the Executive Director of the City Opera House, where he's helping lead one of Northern Michigan's most treasured cultural landmarks into its next chapter. A Michigan native raised in Saginaw, Chad returned home after an accomplished career that took him from avant-garde theater in Brooklyn to artistic work in Los Angeles, Chicago, and even stages across Europe. A musicia...

Whether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or coming back for another listen, we think you'll walk away inspired by Liz's authenticity, determination, and unwavering commitment to her community and her country. Liz Belt, owner and operator of Intrepid Cycling Company in Traverse City, Michigan, and a dedicated board member of the Charlie Golf One Non-Profit, embodie...

Whether you're discovering this conversation for the first time or revisiting it with us, we hope you'll find something new to appreciate. In this Best Of episode, we're bringing back our conversation with Kevin Rhodes, the longtime Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Traverse City Philharmonic, whose passion for music, leadership, and community continues to inspire aud...

Rachel Zemanek is the Owner, Founder, and self-proclaimed Keeper of Knowledge at The Folded Leaf , a charming Traverse City bookshop where great stories, great coffee, and great conversations come together. A Leelanau County native, Rachel has always had a deep love for Northern Michigan and the communities that make it special. Before opening The Folded Leaf, Rachel spent a decade serving others...

Mindy Jarmin is the owner, steward, and dreamer behind the beloved Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre, one of Northern Michigan's most iconic summer destinations. While many see a movie screen and a concession stand, Mindy sees something much bigger—a place where memories are made, traditions are passed down, and families can disconnect from their devices long enough to reconnect with one another....

Zoe Kline is the editor of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast and is currently a film student pursuing post-production for film.  Zoe and her family moved from metro Detroit to Elk Rapids in 2021 and have embraced everything the area has to offer. Zoe shares how the move has influenced her creative journey, what inspires her work as a filmmaker, and why she loves calling Northern Michigan home. Pass...

Bob Lober is far more than a golf coach — he’s a mentor, teacher, and one of the great builders of youth sports in Northern Michigan. A longtime coach for Traverse City Central High School and retired educator, Bob has spent decades pouring into young people through golf, football, basketball, and life itself. As the founder of the TCJGA, he helped create a model for youth golf that not only trans...

Susie Grace has never really stayed inside the lines. A creative by nature and an adventurer at heart, her path has taken her from Denver to Chicago to Maui before ultimately landing in Traverse City nearly a decade ago. With a background in branding, user experience, and creative direction spanning the outdoor, surf, and tech industries, Susie has spent her life exploring the intersection of move...

Holly Mullins is bringing a little more sand—and a lot more energy—to Traverse City. A former collegiate volleyball player turned entrepreneur, she’s now developing a one-of-a-kind indoor sand facility designed for year-round play, connection, and community. What started as an idea has quickly turned into something much bigger… blending sport, business, and a vision for creating a space people won...

Michael Sullivan has spent more than five decades blending heart, creativity, and human connection through both psychotherapy and music. A pioneering social worker and family systems therapist in Northern Michigan, Mike helped shape the region’s mental health community through innovative treatment programs, education, consultation, and public speaking. He is also a respected author and national pr...

Stuart Gibson’s story starts with a bit of luck—and a whole lot of saying yes. At 16, instead of heading straight to university, he took a shot with Royal Bank of Scotland…thanks to a neighbor who just happened to be the local manager. That decision turned into a 35-year career spanning global finance, eventually leading him to Managing Director roles at both RBS and Capital One, where he worked a...

Connie Denewith is a respected leader in Traverse City, known for her vision, leadership, and deep roots in the community. With a background in banking and a strong role in local development, she’s helped shape spaces that bring people together—most notably through Copper Ridge and Lakemore Retreat and Resort on Arbutus Lake. Her work reflects a thoughtful balance of growth and preservation—someth...

Ryan Scott is an Executive Producer and experienced engineer who turns ideas into unforgettable moments for tens of thousands—and growing. In high demand across the country, he’s a true student of humans, blending creativity, curiosity, and instinct to design experiences that actually mean something. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a massive production, Ryan’s artistic approach leaves a last...

Some people follow a straight career path. Russ Springsteen opened a barbershop…then a brewery…right as the economy was falling apart. A licensed barber by trade, Russ launched Salon Saloon in Traverse City’s Warehouse District in 2006. A year later—and about a month after the economic crash—he doubled down on creativity and opened Right Brain Brewery, a place that quickly became known for doing b...

Some people move to Traverse City for the views. Others come because something about this place just feels right. This episode features someone who followed that pull—and turned it into purpose. What started as a personal connection to water, movement, and well-being has grown into something much bigger: creating spaces where people can slow down, reset, and reconnect with themselves and their sur...

Some people move to Traverse City for the lifestyle. Others show up—and start building it. Jim Kalajian came north looking for community and ended up finding ways to shape it. What started with a move in 1999 quickly turned into a life of connection and leadership—from helping run a global publishing company to stepping in when Mt. Holiday needed saving. But it doesn’t stop there. Whether it’s co-...

Before social media feeds and instant highlights, if you wanted to know what happened in Northern Michigan sports, you opened the paper—and chances are Jeff Peek had the story. For years as Sports Editor at the Record-Eagle, Jeff had a front-row seat to the victories, heartbreaks, characters, and communities that define sports in this corner of the world. These days, he’s still telling stories—jus...

cookitforward.org Facebook- Cook it Forward  IG- @tccookitforward Sometimes the biggest ideas start in the simplest places—like a kitchen. What began as a love of food and community has grown into something much bigger: a mission to make sure kids in Northern Michigan have access to healthy meals, dignity, and opportunity. Through Cook It Forward, Adam Worden has turned generosity into a system—mo...

Cities don’t just grow—they evolve. And behind that evolution are people who see possibility where others see parking lots, traffic patterns, or empty space. Traverse City’s city planner brings a rare combination to the table: vision without ego, passion without volume, and a steady calm in conversations that aren’t always easy. In this episode, we talk about what it means to shape a place you car...

In one of the most mind shattering conversations,Chip and Lisa St. Clair discuss pain that doesn’t define you, healing that doesn’t happen alone, and what it looks like when lived experience becomes a lifeline for others.  This work is personal.  It mirrors Chip’s childhood- being raised with a relentless sense of terror, literally at the hands of his parents.  This is a conversation about resilie...