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"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...
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"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.
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Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
8 NOV 2026 · From Bulldog game day in Big Rapids to a spring motorcycle tradition in Baldwin, we explore Mecosta County and neighboring Newaygo, Lake and Osceola counties in Episode 777 of Behind the Mitten.
- Explore Mecosta County. Jennifer Faris-Jones, executive director of the Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau, shares what to see and do around Big Rapids, from the Muskegon River to a region with more than 100 lakes.
- Go Dawgs! Nate Jacobs, general manager of corporate partnerships for Ferris State Athletics, takes us behind the scenes of Bulldog sports for a look at how local businesses connect with the teams and their fans.
- Christmas at the Crossroads. Reed City Chamber director and local artist Kasey Blackburn joins Corrina Gilbert to preview the Nov. 27–28 Evergreen Festival, with a Friday evening parade, a tree lighting at the depot and a visit from Santa.
- Baldwin’s big motorcycle weekend. Melissa Taylor of Ivan’s Campground and Lake County Chamber executive director Bailey DeBolt look ahead to May 2027, from the chamber’s downtown Blessing Fest marketplace to the AMVETS-hosted Blessing of the Bikes.
Now in its 11th season, Behind the Mitten is Michigan’s premier travel radio show and podcast, heard on 22 stations across 14 Michigan markets, including the Upper Peninsula.
Learn more about Mecosta County at https://www.bigrapids.org/.
Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://behindthemitten.substack.com/.
8 NOV 2026 · From a girls’ weekend in Muskegon to a last call in Jackson, co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman make four stops in Episode 776 of Behind the Mitten.
- Girlfriends Getaway Weekend in Muskegon. Get a feel for the Nov. 13–15 weekend downtown, where friends can shop the Michigan Makers Market, try a creative workshop and spend a night out together.
- Friends of the St. Clair River. Find out how this local nonprofit helps protect 40 miles of river and the waterways that feed it, from restoring habitat to getting volunteers involved in projects like planting native gardens.
- Winter at Crystal Mountain Resort. Preview the Thompsonville resort’s 70th anniversary season, with downhill skiing and snowboarding on the slopes and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking off them.
- Last call at Grand River Brewery in Jackson. Hear the story behind head brewer Caleb Moore’s last-ditch effort to keep the beer flowing by reopening as a one-man taproom after the restaurant closed.
Now in its 11th season, Behind the Mitten is Michigan’s premier travel radio show and podcast, heard on 22 stations across 14 Michigan markets, including the Upper Peninsula.
Learn more about Girlfriends Getaway Weekend at https://www.girlfriendsgetaway.org/.
Learn more about Friends of the St. Clair River at https://www.facebook.com/stclairriver.
Learn more about Crystal Mountain Resort at https://www.crystalmountain.com/.
Learn more about Grand River Brewery at https://www.facebook.com/GrandRiverBrewery.
Learn about Behind the Mitten at https://behindthemitten.substack.com/.
8 NOV 2026 · How did a turkey sandwich turn into a Michigan road-trip destination? In Episode 775 of Behind the Mitten, co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend the whole show at Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA in Marshall, where four generations of the Cornwell family have made it feel like Thanksgiving any time of year.
- The family story. Find out how a family farm and a turkey sandwich grew into a Michigan landmark.
- Turkey with all the trimmings. Get a taste of the menu, from the sandwiches that started it all to a full turkey dinner.
- Dinner and a show. Discover how Cornwell’s pairs a turkey buffet with professional musical theater.
- Save room for dessert. Browse the Country Junction Gift Shop, then stop by the ice cream parlor for a scoop of homemade Turkey Trax.
Now in its 11th season, Behind the Mitten is Michigan’s premier travel radio show and podcast, heard on 22 radio stations across 14 Michigan markets, including the Upper Peninsula.
Learn more about Cornwell's Turkeyville at https://turkeyville.com/.
Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://behindthemitten.substack.com/.
8 NOV 2026 · In this episode, Behind the Mitten co-host John Gonzalez sits down with new communications director Lourin Sprenger at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville to talk about the ucoming 2026-2027 winter season.
Here are some of the highlights:
Crystal Mountain: Winter 2026-27 Preview
Overview:
- Crystal offers a northern Michigan experience rooted in outdoor recreation, relaxation, and hospitality.
- Four season resort, offering four different experiences.
- Independent village, we have everything you need from a variety of housing to dining, to activities all on property – something for everyone without having to get in the car.
Winter Season Preview
- Celebrating 70 years this ski season (opened in 1956 as the Buck Hills Ski Club), families have been coming here for generations because of the experience, attracted to skiing, stay for the family environment.
- Winter is what many people know Crystal Mountain for. Not only downhill skiing/snowboarding, but also cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, snowshoeing, ice skating, outdoor laser tag and hot tub. Michigan Legacy Artpark on property, 30-acres of preserved woods with more than 50 pieces from Michigan artists celebrating our state.
- The resort offers skiing and snowboarding for all ability levels.
- Extensive snowmaking capabilities help ensure reliable conditions throughout the season.
- Outdoors not for you? State of the art spa, indoor pool and wellness center, offering one of our favorite events of the year. Crystal Spa Days until November 15, treatments for as low as $125.
- Complete winter getaway: families can stay slopeside and enjoy dining, recreation, and winter activities in one location.
Events and Holiday Season
- Thanksgiving marks the beginning of holiday excitement.
- Winter events and seasonal celebrations bring guests together throughout December.
- Holiday vacations remain one of the most popular times to visit.
- Crystal continues to offer special programming that combines recreation, family traditions, and festive experiences.
Upcoming Events:
- Nov. 26 – Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend
- Nov. 26: Turkey Vulture Trot 5k/1 mile fun run
- Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Buffet
- Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Take and Bake
- Nov. 27: Holiday Trail Celebration (lighting over the Christmas tree, Black Friday specials, surrey rides)
- Dec. 24 – Ski with Santa
Learn more at https://www.crystalmountain.com/.
20 OCT 2026 · Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast
Episode 774
Aired Oct. 17-18, 2026
On this episode, Amy Sherman welcomes special guest co-host Amber Mae Peterson of https://www.visitmuskegon.org/for a full-show exploration of Muskegon, a hidden gem on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Together, Amy and Amber Mae share the people, places, and experiences that make the area special—from its transformed downtown and rich history to the laid-back lakefront spirit that keeps locals proud.
Along the way, they visit the USS Silversides, discover year-round adventures at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, and explore the Muskegon Museum of Art, where visitors can even play mini golf inspired by works in the collection
Whether you’re planning a Michigan getaway or simply curious about what makes Muskegon unique, join Amy and Amber Mae for an inviting local tour packed with stories, surprises, and plenty of reasons to explore the lakeshore.
Learn more about things to do in Muskegon at https://www.visitmuskegon.org/.
Learn more about events around the state through our travel partner, https://www.wmta.org/
Listen to Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez this weekend on your favorite radio stations across Michigan:
Fridays
• 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron)
Saturdays
• 5:00 AM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 8:00 AM — WBRN 1460 AM / 107.7 FM / 96.5 FM (Big Rapids)
• 8:00 AM — WILS 1320 AM (Lansing)
• 10:00 AM — News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM (Benton Harbor)
• 12:00 PM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 4:00 PM — WIOS “The Bay’s Best!” 1480 AM / 106.9 FM (Tawas / East Tawas)
• 5:00 PM — WMIC “The Voice of the Thumb” 660 AM / 95.3 FM (Sandusky)
Sundays
• 6:00 AM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 7:00 AM — Black Diamond Broadcasting Stations:
-WCFX — CFX Today’s Hits (95.3) — Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN — The Bear (98.1 / 95.3) — Traverse City
-WMRX — Sunny 97.7 — Midland
-WUPS — The Classic Hits Station-UPS (98.5) — Houghton Lake
-WWMK — 106.3 MAC FM — Cheboygan
• 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Follow Behind the Mitten on https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten and Substack at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/.
17 OCT 2026 · Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten previews this weekend's show (Oct. 17-18, 2026) on the Mike Austin Morning Wake Up on WILS-AM (1320) in Lansing.
This weekend on BTM:
Explore Muskegon through the local stories and places that make it a standout Lake Michigan destination. Amy Sherman and special co-host Amber Mae Peterson of Visit Muskegon share the city’s downtown energy, fall activities, Olympic-style luge track, and the historic USS Silversides submarine.
Learn more about things to do in Muskegon at https://www.visitmuskegon.org/.
Learn more about events around the state through our travel partner, https://www.wmta.org/
Listen to Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez this weekend on your favorite radio stations across Michigan:
Fridays
• 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron)
Saturdays
• 5:00 AM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 8:00 AM — WBRN 1460 AM / 107.7 FM / 96.5 FM (Big Rapids)
• 8:00 AM — WILS 1320 AM (Lansing)
• 10:00 AM — News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM (Benton Harbor)
• 12:00 PM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 4:00 PM — WIOS “The Bay’s Best!” 1480 AM / 106.9 FM (Tawas / East Tawas)
• 5:00 PM — WMIC “The Voice of the Thumb” 660 AM / 95.3 FM (Sandusky)
Sundays
• 6:00 AM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 7:00 AM — Black Diamond Broadcasting Stations:
-WCFX — CFX Today’s Hits (95.3) — Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN — The Bear (98.1 / 95.3) — Traverse City
-WMRX — Sunny 97.7 — Midland
-WUPS — The Classic Hits Station-UPS (98.5) — Houghton Lake
-WWMK — 106.3 MAC FM — Cheboygan
• 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Follow Behind the Mitten on https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten and Substack at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/.
17 OCT 2026 · John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten previews this weekend's show (Oct. 17-18, 2026) on the Paul Miller Show on WPHM-FM (105.5) in Port Huron. Tune in for Michigan travel inspiration and a fresh look at the communities that make the state special.
This weekend on BTM:
Explore Muskegon through the local stories and places that make it a standout Lake Michigan destination. Amy Sherman and Amber Mae Peterson share the city’s downtown energy, fall activities, Olympic-style luge track, and the historic USS Silversides submarine.
Learn more about things to do in Muskegon at https://www.visitmuskegon.org/.
Learn more about events around the state through our travel partner, https://www.wmta.org/
Listen to Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez this weekend on your favorite radio stations across Michigan:
Fridays
• 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron)
Saturdays
• 5:00 AM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 8:00 AM — WBRN 1460 AM / 107.7 FM / 96.5 FM (Big Rapids)
• 8:00 AM — WILS 1320 AM (Lansing)
• 10:00 AM — News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM (Benton Harbor)
• 12:00 PM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 4:00 PM — WIOS “The Bay’s Best!” 1480 AM / 106.9 FM (Tawas / East Tawas)
• 5:00 PM — WMIC “The Voice of the Thumb” 660 AM / 95.3 FM (Sandusky)
Sundays
• 6:00 AM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 7:00 AM — Black Diamond Broadcasting Stations:
-WCFX — CFX Today’s Hits (95.3) — Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN — The Bear (98.1 / 95.3) — Traverse City
-WMRX — Sunny 97.7 — Midland
-WUPS — The Classic Hits Station-UPS (98.5) — Houghton Lake
-WWMK — 106.3 MAC FM — Cheboygan
• 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Follow Behind the Mitten on https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten and Substack at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/.
12 OCT 2026 · Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast.
Episode 773
Air Date: Oct. 10-11, 2026
We have a little bit of everything on this weekend's show:
Segment 1: We talk about Kind Ale, a wet hopped IPA from Short’s Brewing that features Brian Tennis of Northern Michigan’s Hop Alliance on the label. https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/kind-ale-aka-harvest-ale/
Segment 2: Gonzo takes you to a popular, local pizza joint in Comstock Park (near Grand Rapids) that sells slices of cheese pizza for $1 on weekdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (https://www.cppizza.net/).
Segment 3: Danielle Perkowitz, Community and Business Development Manager in Houghton, in Michigan's U.P., tells us all about the upcoming Potato Festival in Houghton (https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/event/potato-festival/6478/).
Segment 4: Our good Earl Bovia of River Rock and the Bay City Fireworks Festival, stops by to tell us about the upcomning Mrs. Roper Romp in Bay City, https://www.westbaycity.com/events/mrs-roper-rope/
Follow Behind the Mitten on https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten and Substack at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/.
9 OCT 2026 · On Friday, Oct. 9, John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten was a guest on the https://www.1055wphm.com/ Morning Show with Paul Miller. He talked about what listeners can expect on this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show:
- A popular pizza joint in Comstock Park (near Grand Rapids) that sells slices of cheese pizza for $1 on weekdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (https://www.cppizza.net/)
- The upcoming Potato Festival in Houghton. (https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/event/potato-festival/6478/)
- Kind Ale, a wet hopped IPA from Short’s Brewing that features Brian Tennis of Northern Michigan’s Hop Alliance on the label. (https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/kind-ale-aka-harvest-ale/)
- And the upcomning Mrs. Roper Romp in Bay City. (https://www.westbaycity.com/events/mrs-roper-rope/)
Listen to Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez this weekend on your favorite radio stations across Michigan:
Our Current Stations
Fridays
• 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron)
Saturdays
• 5:00 AM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 8:00 AM — WBRN 1460 AM / 107.7 FM / 96.5 FM (Big Rapids)
• 8:00 AM — WILS 1320 AM (Lansing)
• 10:00 AM — News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM (Benton Harbor)
• 12:00 PM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
• 4:00 PM — WIOS “The Bay’s Best!” 1480 AM / 106.9 FM (Tawas / East Tawas)
• 5:00 PM — WMIC “The Voice of the Thumb” 660 AM / 95.3 FM (Sandusky)
Sundays
• 6:00 AM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
• 7:00 AM — Black Diamond Broadcasting Stations:
-WCFX — CFX Today’s Hits (95.3) — Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN — The Bear (98.1 / 95.3) — Traverse City
-WMRX — Sunny 97.7 — Midland
-WUPS — The Classic Hits Station-UPS (98.5) — Houghton Lake
-WWMK — 106.3 MAC FM — Cheboygan
• 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Follow Behind the Mitten on https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten and Substack at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/.
9 OCT 2026 · We talk pizza, Michigan craft beer, Potato Festival and a Mrs. Roper Romp in Bay City, plus play a silly game with the Flakes on https://www.facebook.com/CFXBreakfastFlakes?__cft__[0]=AZikjzVnkF7L2Xk-9eYGjoz8WDkaaw0hxligsw4ottFIaL7Xmo-JI4FcZEnQWo_GhTHY0XGiHWvi1_vkHDB8cT3pqBnIgPKsE6S3G2RNr1V4EYW6nsXhbi_isDePipQa8JvGzU-9M9FlXyb5vXoBZ8ezL-6zv6mdCXFkYXW2HfjKn220HPoS5hYtj3oTCg61aAmI71U&__tn__=-]K-R.
"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...
show more
"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.
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Information
| Author | John Gonzalez |
| Organization | John Gonzalez |
| Categories | Society & Culture |
| Website | - |
| behindthemitten@gmail.com |
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