Behind the Mitten

By: John Gonzalez
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  • Summary

  • "Behind the Mitten" is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and Podcast and has nearly 700 episodes. In 2025 it celebrates 10 years! 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
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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Episode 690: Soo Locks open March 25, plus steelhead in Manistee and mushrooms in Gaylord (March 8-9, 2025)

    Episode 690: Soo Locks open March 25, plus steelhead in Manistee and mushrooms in Gaylord (March 8-9, 2025)
    Mar 10 2025
    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 (of course!) and visited many holy sites, including St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

    Segment 2: Our good friend Christy Walcott joins the show to talk about the fun things to do in Gaylord during the "shoulder season," that's when the tourism industry transitions from winter to spring. She recommends hunting for morel mushrooms. The Pigeon River Country State Forest is a perfect spot to look for morels (sandy soil near tall trees such as elm, ash, poplar or fruit trees). The season typically runs from late April to mid-June. Learn more at gaylordmichigan.net.

    Segment 3: In Sault Ste. Marie, our friend Linda Hoath is a self-proclaimed "boat nerd" and super excited for a new freighter season when the first ships go through the Soo Locks. Opening Day is March 25. The observation deck will open at 12:01 a.m. Check out this video! Learn more about the Soo at saultstemarie.com.

    Segment 4: Are you into fishing? The steelead are running in Manistee and Sammie Lukaskiewicz of the Manistee Tourism Bureau fills us in on all the details. She also talks about how women are getting more into the sport. Learn more at visitmanisteecounty.com.

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premiere radio show and podcast celebrating is 10th anniversary in 2025. Learn more at amyandgonzo.com.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 689: Michigan Legacy Art Park, Ann Arbor, Mawby Sparkling Wine and Austin Brothers (March 1-2, 2025)

    Episode 689: Michigan Legacy Art Park, Ann Arbor, Mawby Sparkling Wine and Austin Brothers (March 1-2, 2025)
    Mar 7 2025

    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 beautiful acres, the Art Park boasts two miles of hiking trails that take you around almost fifty different sculptures. The park has been leasing this space from the resort, but just last year Crystal donated the land to the organization permanently. It is a super cool way to experience art, you can enter the park from dawn to dusk, on foot, snowshoes or skis.

    Then we have a first on Behind the Mitten, as Amy interivews her husband Jerry Adams. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Jerry shares some of his former favorite haunts, and how they have changed over the years. With a daughter currently attending U of M, we visit regularly, and recently got to enjoy burgers and fries at Krazy Jim's Blimpie Burger, a favorite no matter when you graduated. We'll explain how to order these famous burgers, the key is to just answer the question.

    Next, we'll catch up with our friend Mike Laing, who co-owns two wineries with his brother Peter, Mawby Vineyards and Big Little Wjnes. From all-bubbly to traditional wines, the vineyards make some great liquids, including the super fun, and totally NA Safe Sex from Mawby, and sparkling non-alcoholic additin to their lineup.

    Learn more about Safe Sex:
    https://www.spreaker.com/episode/let-s-have-safe-sex-this-valentine-s-day-with-mawby-vineyards--64358477

    Finally, Brant Austin from Austin Brothers Beer Company in Alpena joins us again. The last time we had them on was a lifetime ago, pre-pandemic. They are celebrating ten years in business at the tip of the pointer here in Michigan, and brothers Blake and Brant couldn't be prouder. Honestly, so are we. This family moved from Californai after falling in love with Alpena on a Griswold-family road trip, and they've built a thriving local business in their adopted home town.
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    45 mins
  • Amy Sherman talks about the passion of 'boat nerds' on WPHM (March 7, 2025)

    Amy Sherman talks about the passion of 'boat nerds' on WPHM (March 7, 2025)
    Mar 7 2025
    Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten previews this weekend's Behind the Mitten show, which airs across the state on 21 radio stations across 14 markets. The podcast and radio show is celebrating 10 years.

    As a guest of the Paul Miller show on WPHM in Port Huron, Amy talks about the passion of boat nerds, which you will hear about as Linda Hoath of the Sault Ste. Marie Visitors & Convention Bureau share her excitement for a new season. The observation deck opens at 12:01 a.m. on March 25 to see the first boats go through the Soo Locks.

    Behind the Mitten will air at noon on Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday on WPHM-AM (1380).

    To see what time the show airs on your favorite radio stations across the state, go to amyandgonzo.com.
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    5 mins

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