Behind the Mitten

By: John Gonzalez
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • "Behind the Mitten" is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and Podcast and has more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. John is a longtime journalist, social media early adopter and member of the Central Michigan University Journalism Hall of Fame. Amy is a former chef with 20-plus experience, craft beer expert and freelance writer. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten.
    Copyright John Gonzalez
    Show more Show less
activate_WEBCRO358_DT_T2
Episodes
  • All things Canada: Poutine, Music, Beer and Red Green at Canadiana Fest Sept. 21 in Kalamazoo

    All things Canada: Poutine, Music, Beer and Red Green at Canadiana Fest Sept. 21 in Kalamazoo
    Sep 14 2024
    Canadiana Fest Podcast

    Celebrating the culture, food, music and art of our neighbor to the north in Downtown Kalamazoo Michigan. September 21, 2024 at the Arcadia Creek Festival Site!


    Amy and Gonzo interview event coordinator Channon Mondoux, originally from Windsor, who goes behind the scene of this year's event after they recorded the show segment (which aired Sept. 14-15, 2024). During the podcast she reveals that Pelee Island Winery is the official wine, and, as a chef, she is excited to serve Peameal Bacon - "real Canadian bacon." They will have curling and lacrosse, as well as First Nation entertainers. A Poutine Passport. Authentic country Scottish dancing and more. She calls the all-day event a chance to visit Canadian Disneyland!

    Joining them on the Podcast is Taylor Abfall, who is the Marketing & Communications Coordinator of Discover Kalamazoo, which is one of the big supporters of Canadiana Fest.

    Get more information at wmta.org.

    Or at canadianfest.fun.

    Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.
    Show more Show less
    10 mins
  • S6,E36: Respect Marquette County Coalition making a difference; Leave No Trace (Sept. 7-8, 2024)

    S6,E36: Respect Marquette County Coalition making a difference; Leave No Trace (Sept. 7-8, 2024)
    Sep 11 2024
    On Behind the Mitten, we love to take you to special spots all around Michigan. We always hope that you'll find new favorite places to visit, or remember a favorite spot that you just have to get back to. We believe that travel is amazing, and want to make sure that our gorgeous Michigan destinations stay that way for all future visitors.

    Our friends in Marquette completely agree, and as a community, they've come together as a formal group to "inspire locals and visitors alike to respect the local culture and natural resources of Marquette County." The initiative is known as Respect Marquette County and it is the focus of this episode of BTM.

    We kick off the show with Susan Estler from Travel Marquette one of the main sponsors for this initiative, as well as Sven Gonstead, from the Marquette County Planning and Recreation/Big Bay Stewardship Council. The sharp increase in tourism throughout the Upper Peninsula during the pandemic brought many new visitors to the area, which also brought more natural resource destruction and misuse. Through education, the coalition hopes to make visitors more aware of using resources smartly and sustainably.

    Tyler Penrod, the Great Lakes Climate Core program manager for the Superior Watershed Partnership stops by to share some good news for electric vehicle drivers. His group has recently expanded the availability of charging stations throughout the U.P., in addition to their many other important projects. Tyler shares how important it is to maintain proper trail etiquette, including new-to-us knowledge that you've got to go through the puddles people, not around. Muddy boots are a sign of authenticity in MQT.

    Lyn Durant who is the Marquette Township Supervisor shares a few more tips and tricks from the Leave No Trace initiative, which encompasses seven different principles. Planning ahead, visiting during quieter times, and letting friends know where you'll be can all make for a better adventure if something goes wrong. Following the trails, packing everything you bring in back out, and leaving nature the way you found it are more tips to track. Wildlife is awesome to see, but let them be, and from a safe distance, please. If you bring your own animal on the trail with you, please manage them accordingly, and pack out that pet waste too.

    Finally, Hannah Boyd, the communications manager for the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy joins us. The Conservancy, which has over 6500 acres of land in the U.P., has several protected tracts of land in Marquette County, and Hannah shares a few of her favorite hikes to take in the area. She also talks about what makes this community special, and other fun things to do when you visit.

    Big thanks to Kognisjon Bryggeri for hosting our recording session, we appreciate the hospitality.

    Follow John and Amy:
    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
    Twitter at @BehindTheMitten
    Instagram at @BehindTheMitten
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • S6,E35: Muskegon Irish Music Festival, Luge and Adventure Sports Park, and Art Museum expansion (Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024)

    S6,E35: Muskegon Irish Music Festival, Luge and Adventure Sports Park, and Art Museum expansion (Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 2024)
    Sep 3 2024
    On this episode of Behind the Mitten, Gonzo and Amy visit marvelous Muskegon, a historic city nestled on the shores of lady Lake Michigan that offers different types of adventures for everyone, including some with a decidedly Gaelic twist to them.We start the show off by highlighting the Michigan Irish Music Festival, which is happening this September 12 through the 15th at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon. Celebrating 25 years, this is the premier Irish music festival for the entire mid-west, drawing incredible international musical acts, artistic performers, arts and crafts, Irish dancing, and tastes of the "old country". We have on Kris Vanderstelt, Vice President, and volunteer coordinator for the fest to share what's new for 2024, what not to miss, and insider tips on how to make the most of your festival experience. Tickets are on sale now, and we highly recommend you plan ahead for this very popular event.Speaking of volunteers, it takes a lot of them to make the festival run smoothly, so if you are interested in helping out, please contact our next guest. Jim Rudicil, the Executive Director of the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park is also in charge of parking volunteers for the Michigan Irish fest, which is truly a community endeavor. He'll also share all the amazing things you can do at the Luge park, which is located inside Muskegon State Park. This fall they'll be hosting "HIke the Lights" where you can walk Michigan's longest-lit hiking trail right along the shore, and get up close and personal with the dunes. Plus, did you know you can do a dual zip line here? True story.The Muskegon Museum of Art, founded in 1912, is known throughout the Midwest as having one fine collection, and we think its stellar reputation is about to get even better if that's possible. Kirk Hallman, Director, shares with us the exciting news about their $15 million expansion that is set to open in February 2025. The Muskegon community has been working on this since 2018, and the addition will feature a huge new gallery which will allow the museum to bring in bigger shows and exhibitions for all to enjoy. Lashelle Mikesell, Digital Media and Marketing Coordinator for Visit Muskegon then stops by to share other fall activities to enjoy in this neck of the woods. She recommends catching the end of a few art exhibits at the museum, including a quilt exhibit that is ending at the of September, and a jewelry exhibit that is showing through the end of 2024. For fall, Muskegon is awash in fun festivals, find a complete listing of events in the area here. Lashelle recommends the self-guided leaf peeping tour you can follow called "Depot to Depot". The route takes you from Muskegon South Pierhead Light to the White River Light Station in Whitehall. You'll be able to catch some incredible views, while also getting some nice little deals from local businesses. She'll tell us just where to go for this fun event that you can do on your own time.With three state parks, miles of multi-use trails, two major paddle sport rivers, and 26 miles of beaches, Muskegon County is the outdoor recreation hub of Michigan's sunset coast, every season of the year.Affiliates:*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing9 a.m. Saturdays on 92.1 Grand Haven's Favorite, WGHN-FM*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan*Noon Saturdays and 8 am Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM Radio.*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand RapidsFollow John and Amy:Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemittenTwitter at @BehindTheMittenInstagram at @BehindTheMitten
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
Social Sciences
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Behind the Mitten

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available