Episodes

  • Where to celebrate the 4th of July in Michigan this year

    Where to celebrate the 4th of July in Michigan this year
    Jul 3 2025
    This week we bring you 4th of July celebrations from all over the state. We wish every Michigander a safe, happy and joyous holiday this week.

    We have events happening everywhere for the 4th, and each and every year it's hard to choose what to highlight. To kick off the show, John and Amy just talk about thier own traditions and plans for this most American of holidays.

    Stephanie Ware, the executive director for the White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau joins us to talk about what is happening in their town nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan. The area, which encompases the twin towns of White Lake and Montague, features breathtaking water views, lots of outdoor activities, and a great sense of community. The parade kicks off at 10am, and Steph shares where the best place to watch is.....and hint hint.....there is ICE CREAM involved.

    Next, we talk with a former guest who creates amazing art installations made of light, David Kronberg from Fresh Coast Light Lab. He and his talented team have put together one of their laser light shows in honor of the our nation's birthday and will be displaying it on the massive, historical Ore Dock in downtown Marquette. Extra cool? They will be doing two displays of this, one on July 3 with fireworks, and one on July 4 without, for our friends with sensory issues.


    Finally, we meet our new favorite guest, Ms. Wendy Woj, who is the first woman to be in charge of the Algonac Pickerel Festival happening July 3-6. This annual event has been happening for 87 years, and while it does include a pretty intense fishing competition, there is something for everyone at this charming fun festival.

    Happy 4th of July Michigan!
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    45 mins
  • Episode 705: Unveiling of Bluegill sculpture in St. Helen, plus fried chicken at Jen's Hen House & Iva's Chicken Dinners (June 21-22, 2025)

    Episode 705: Unveiling of Bluegill sculpture in St. Helen, plus fried chicken at Jen's Hen House & Iva's Chicken Dinners (June 21-22, 2025)
    Jun 27 2025
    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 throughout Roscommon County as part of the “Fresh Waters Trail” — a new tourism initiative aimed at celebrating our local waters and attracting visitors to the region. The sculpture was handcrafted by Bob Batchik of Sunfish Woodworks, based in Sylvan Lake, Michigan.

    Gonzo and Amy also make stops at Jen's Hen House in St. Helen, as well as Iva's Chicken Dinners in Sterlling.

    Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 704: Wings of Mackinac, Fruits of Summer, Arab and Chaldean Festival, Sip and Sail Cruise (June 14-15, 2025)

    Episode 704: Wings of Mackinac, Fruits of Summer, Arab and Chaldean Festival, Sip and Sail Cruise (June 14-15, 2025)
    Jun 22 2025
    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 - Butterfly Conservatory, who is joined by employee Measha Hannink. Learn more about this Mackinac Island experience at wingsofmackinac.com.

    Segment 2: Recorded at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism in April, John and Amy talk to PR rep Charlie Olson regarding the Fruits of Summer pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company in Traverse City. Each slice is full of Michigan grown cherries from Sayler Orchards and blueberries from True Blue Farms and topped with brown sugar crumb topping. Even the sugar and flour are proudly produced in Michigan! Learn more about the pie at gtpie.com.

    Segment 3: In the middle of May, Gonzo and Amy did a whole show called Diversity is Our Strength, promoting a variety of festivals throughout the state. One interview that ran as a podcast was with Dr. Jacoub Mansour, president of the Arab and Chaldean Festival. It was such a fun interview, where Amy may, or may not, have volunteered to attend and show off her belly-dancing skills, that they decided to air the interview on the show. The Arab and Chaldean Festival festival takes place in dowtown Detroit at Hart Plaza on July 26 and 27 and is celebrating its 52nd year. The event is the largest Arab and Chaldean cultural event in North America and features everything from traditional dancing to live performances, cultural events, and plenty of delicious food. Dr. Mansour shares what to expect at this family-friendly event. Learn more at arabandchaldeanfestival.com.

    You can also listen to the whole show on our diverse ethnic festivals HERE.

    Segment 4: One of Mackinac Island's hardest-working entrepreneur's is Veronica Dobrowolski, who has been involved with several businesses, including Arnold Freight Company and Sip N' Sail Cruises. In an interview recorded in early May, Gonzo and Amy interview "V" about what fans can expect on the vintage Isle Royale Queen III, a charming 81' vessel featuring multiple outdoor viewing areas and heated interior cabins, onboard restrooms, a full service interior bar & a state-of-the-art sound system. Several cruise options on the Straits of Mackinac await you at sipnsailcruises.com.

    Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 703: Put Mackinac State Historic Parks on your summer and fall bucket lists (June 7-8, 2025)

    Episode 703: Put Mackinac State Historic Parks on your summer and fall bucket lists (June 7-8, 2025)
    Jun 11 2025
    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 busy place during the summer season. In 2025, Mackinac State Historic Parks will be 150 years young. President Ulysses Grant named Mackinac Island as the second National Park in the country after Yellowstone in 1875. The act set the stage for the Island that we love today. Steven takes us through this fascinating history, which was all new to us.

    Craig Wilson, the chief curator at Mackinac State Historic Parks, joins us and gives us a sneak peek on how the parks are going to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial (which according to Wiki could also be called the Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial, America250 or the Quarter Millennium). In other wordsw, it's the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, and there will be awesome events throughout the year to honor this anniversary.

    Madi Hansen, Marketing and Group Travel Coordinator, stops by to share how anyone can host an event at the Parks. With so many different locations, and different options within each location, the Parks are perfect for everything for an incredible wedding ceremony to uniquely historical venues for meetings and more. Madi walks us through all the choices, and we are pretty sure that getting married on the island is a great idea.

    And last, but never least, our buddy and regular BTM guest, Chief of Marketing Dominck Miller joins us. We'll be honest, we spend a little bit of time reminiscing about the last ten years of sharing the airwaves with him on Behind the Mitten, and we are beyond grateful for the support we've gotten, and our friendship. Anytime at Mackinac State Historic Parks is a gift in our books, and we are so happy to have had an insider's seat over the last few years with everyone here.....and to be able to share these stories with you.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 702: Keweenaw Peninsula, Zehnder's boutique hotel, Love Ludington and Meijer Gardens (May 31-June 1, 2025)

    Episode 702: Keweenaw Peninsula, Zehnder's boutique hotel, Love Ludington and Meijer Gardens (May 31-June 1, 2025)
    Jun 9 2025
    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 that Jesse works for Visit Keweenaw, and gets to actually just be excited for his job. He also gets to come up with crazy new ideas to celebrate all the cool things about the Key. He's the man behind Pasty Fest, which returns August 16. He also reveals a brand new festival occuring the weekend of June 20, the Juhannas Summer Solstice Celebration.

    The Mill at Zehnder Park, a 13,700-square-foot boutique hotel, with four individual large suites is set to open for bookings in early 2026. A former flour mill, the property was purchased by the Zehnder family in 2022, and renovations promptly began. The new hotel is set to open in 2026, and we go behind the scenes on this exciting project.

    Now Ludington gets named as a "best beach" it seems like every year, moving into the national category in the last few years, and we won't lie, it's incredible. In fact, one of our favorite summer events are the beach bonfires held here the third Thursday of every month, with bands, food trucks, and so much fun. Brandy Miller joins us to share all the cool things happening this summer season right on the shores of Lake Michigan.

    Finally, we catch up with our friends from Frederik Miejer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Summer is when the gardens really shine, sparkle, and shout, with all the outdoor spaces open to visitors and the ampitheatre open for incredible concerts. I'm a personal fan of the children's garden, no matter your age, for awesome interactive exhibits, and the Japanese Garden for quiet gorgeous solitude. Seeing a show here is divine, but get your tickets early, lots of shows sell out.
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    45 mins
  • SPECIAL POD WITH JACOB MANSOUR

    SPECIAL POD WITH JACOB MANSOUR
    May 31 2025
    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 Chaldean cultural event in North America and features everything from traditional dancing to live performances, cultural events, and plenty of delicious food. Dr. Mansour shares what to expect at this family-friendly event.

    You can also listen to the whole show on our diverse ethnic festivals here.
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    11 mins
  • Episode 701: Our Diversity is our Strength (May 24-25, 2025)

    Episode 701: Our Diversity is our Strength (May 24-25, 2025)
    May 31 2025
    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 with our good friend Raul Alvarez, CEO of GTSD Organization, Chief Synergist, President of the West Michigan MSU alumni group, and an incredible advocate for diversity in all of its forms. We talk about why it's important to be seen and celebrated, and how ethnic festivals are vital parts of our communities.

    Gaby Cordova, director of engagement for the Hispanic Center of West Michigan, joins us. The center puts on the annual Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival each year, which is one of the largest in Michigan. This year''s festival is being held August 1-3.

    We then are joined by Mackinac Island friends who serve on the board of the Straights Pride organization. Philip Rice, hails from Grand Rapids and has been involved with the Mackinac Island Pride Festival for nine years. He is also the music director for the very talented and very popular Mackinac Island Community Theatre. Kyrsten Cavazos is also involved with the Theater and serves as the Straights Pride board Vice President, she is originally from Adrian. There are events happening throughout the month of June throughout the area, see the full listing here.

    Finally, Teesha Montague, the event coordinator for the Ann Arbor African American Festival, joins us. This event is celebrating it's 28th year and is happening June 7 in downtown Ann Arbor. Teesha shares some of the fun things to expect at the festival, including some incredible musical performances, a vibrant kids corner, and lots of dancing.
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    45 mins
  • Amy Sherman talks about Memorial Day Weekend cook outs, plus Mackinac Island fudge (WILS-AM, May 22, 2025)

    Amy Sherman talks about Memorial Day Weekend cook outs, plus Mackinac Island fudge (WILS-AM, May 22, 2025)
    May 23 2025
    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

    BTM airs at 8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS.

    "Behind the Mitten" is Michigan's premiere radio show and podcast. Overall it airs on 22 radio stations across 15 markets. Learn more at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/
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    14 mins