Behind the Mitten

John Gonzalez
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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.

  1. Tigers, Loons, Lugnuts and Whitecaps: Our annual baseball show (May 2-3, 2026)

    2 DAYS AGO

    Tigers, Loons, Lugnuts and Whitecaps: Our annual baseball show (May 2-3, 2026)

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Episode 750 Our annual baseball show! Segment 1: Gonzo and Amy talk Detroit Tigers baseball and a new season at Comerica Park. Segment 2: Matt DeVries, Director of Marketing and Entertainment and storytelling for the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, tells us what make this Midwest League team a great destination for foodies and families. Segment 3: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Broadcaster and Media Relations guru for the Lansing Lugnuts, is a longtime favorite of Behind the Mitten, and this weekend he talks about what makes Jackson Field such a great summer experience. Segment 4: Steve McCarthy, President of West Michigan Whitecaps, closes the show with what's new in minor league baseball, and what fans of the High-A affiliate for the Tigers can expect this summer at LMCU Ballpark.

    45 min
  2. Pure Michigan Spotlight: Port Huron, Ann Arbor and Detroit (April 18-19, 2026)

    29 APR

    Pure Michigan Spotlight: Port Huron, Ann Arbor and Detroit (April 18-19, 2026)

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast Episode 748 Part II of our time at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism includes interview with reps from Port Huron, Detroit and Ann Abor. Plus, we check with our resident Ski Bunny. What does he do in the summer? Segment 1: Michael Hensley, who heads up tourism on Michigan’s Thumbcoast, says the best way to describe a summer in Port Huron would be Arts, Boats and Beaches. Learn more at bluewater.org. Segment 2: Ken Hayward of Visit Detroit checks in on what makes the Motor City a perfect destination for sports fans. Learn more at visitdetroit.com.  Segment 3: -Sarah Miller, President CEO of Destination Ann Arbor, joins us with Jason Nelson of Vanguard Hotel in Ann Arbor to talk about the excitement of an NCAA men's basketball championship and what makes A2 a great place to escape to. Learn more at annarbor.org.   Segment 4: Our Behind the Mitten Ski Bunny, Nick Nerbonne of Pure Michigan, always impresses with his knowledge of the Great Lakes State. Learn more at michigan.org.

    45 min
  3. Spring Festivals in Michigan: Alma Highland Festival, Grill on the Hill, Vermontville Maple Syrup (April 25-26, 2026)

    29 APR

    Spring Festivals in Michigan: Alma Highland Festival, Grill on the Hill, Vermontville Maple Syrup (April 25-26, 2026)

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast Episode 749 Spring time in Michigan brings out all kinds of fun festivals and excitement for another Pure Michigan summer. Check out this episode, which aired April 25-26, 2026. Segment 1: We open the show with Adam Vibber, president of the Alma Highland Festival (May 22-24), who talks about what people can expect, including a Highland dance competition, whiskey tasting, an opening parade and those famous heavyweight games of strength. Learn more at almahighlandfestival.com. Segment 2: We are joined by Mary Ann Hayes, who with her husband Steve is co-president of the 85th Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival. The festival took place April 24-26, but if you missed it this year, Mary Ann tells us all the reasons why you want to add it to your list next year. Learn more at syrupfest.org. Segment 3: Amy and Gonzo talk to Barry Owens and Brian Smith of Treetops Resort in Gaylord about the 8th annual Grill on the Hill. They learn how this event has become a popular event on the BBQ competition circuit, and includes live music, a petting zoo for kids and beer and wine festival. Grill on the Hill is May 2. For VIP tickets and more details, go to treetops.com. Segment 4: Amy and Gonzo recap other events throughout Michigan. Follow all of BTM's travels on their Substack page, which you can access at amyandgonzo.com.

    45 min

  4. 14 APR

    A Pure Michigan Show (April 11-12, 2026)

    The Pure Michigan Governor's Tourism Conference is a chance to gather with our fellow professionals and hear all about what is good and what is next in the world of Michigan travel. We recently attended the event that was held in Traverse City at the Grand Traverse Resort, and we thought we'd share what we learned, and who we saw. We kick off the show with the "big guys" or the head gal in this case. Kelly Wolgamott joins us again, as the head of Pure Michigan she has her finger on the pulse of tourism not just in our great state, but also how we the Mitten is perceived out in the big wide world. The Pure Michigan campaign is celebrating twenty years of pure awesomeness, so we ask what that campaign has meant for Michigan, and what we might see moving forward. Remember, it starts with a visit. Trevor Tkach has done some pretty spectacular things in the Traverse City region, garnering this part of our state both national and internaitonal acclaim. We ask how busy is too busy, what the TC region is doing this summer, and where TC is going next.  Next, another big anniversary is going to be celebrated this year by our friends at Grand Traverse Pie Company, thirty years of using the finest fruits and pure Michigan ingredients will culminate this summer. Susan and Charlie Olsen from Grand Bay Promotions join us to share the power of pie, and the new flavor that they are releasing this summer in honor of thirty years, the Fresh Coast Pie.  We get an update from our friend Brad Barnett, executive director of Visit Keweenaw. It was a bang up winter in the Key, and we get snow total updates. We'll also talk abotu some of our favorite places on the peninsula, and what to do in Houghton.  Finally, we head to our homebase, Grand Rapids, and catch up with Kate Leito from Experience GR. They have a host of events planned for the summer, including the opening of the brand new outdoor ampitheatre which is located right downtown and will seat over 12,000 people. Big things are happening in Beer City.

    45 min
  5. Upper Peninsula Road Trip: Stops in St. Ignace, Moran, Rudyard and Sault Ste. Marie (April 4-5, 2026)

    6 APR

    Upper Peninsula Road Trip: Stops in St. Ignace, Moran, Rudyard and Sault Ste. Marie (April 4-5, 2026)

    Behind the Mitten - Michigan's premier radio show and podcast Episode 746 On this weekend's Behind the Mitten show, Amy and Gonzo go on a road trip from St. Ignace to Sault Ste. Marie with stops along the way, including: St. Ignace at the Boardwalk Coffee House, where they talk about things to do in St. Igance this summer, including all the popular bridge crossings.King’s Fish Market & Restaurant in Moran, where they talk to a fifth generation family that runs this popular smoked fish destination. (Owner Theron King also operates a boat engine museum and repair business that raises money for charity. Check out the video.)Pure Country Restaurant in Rudyard, where Amy and Gonzo learn more about one of Michigan’s Best Breakfast spots.And then at the new Black Rock Bar & Grill at Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, where this newest location of this Michigan-based steakhouse group is elevating the dining experience and giving visitors another reason to visit Da Soo. (Yes, the freighters are already crossing the Soo Locks.) We also spend time with our friend Linda Hoath, executive director of the Sault Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.Learn more about Behind the Mitten on Amy and Gonzo's Substack page at amyandgonzo.com.

    45 min
  6. Spring Break in Michigan: From South Haven to Frankenmuth, and Detroit to Kalamazoo (March 28-29, 2026)

    30 MAR

    Spring Break in Michigan: From South Haven to Frankenmuth, and Detroit to Kalamazoo (March 28-29, 2026)

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast. Episode 745 It's spring time, Michigan! And many of us are headed to a tropical climate or at least somewhere without snow, as our friends in Northen lower peninsula or the Upper Peninsula are experiencing right now. On this episode, BTM co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman take you all across Michigan to discover the diverse attractions that make Michigan a fantastic spring break destination. Segment 1: Jamie Furbush from the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau shares the best of Frankenmuth's festive attractions, culinary delights (and not just chicken dinners), hidden gems, plus cool waterparks. Segment 2: McKenna Dole of Discover Kalamazoo highlights the city's vibrant art scene and family-friendly activities that make it a top spring break destination. She also highlights the very popular Air Zoo, known as a world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum with over 100 air and space artifacts. Segment 3: Brigid Avery from Aquinas College, Amy's alma mater, discusses the unique experiences and cultural offerings students at Aquinas discovered on a multi-day trip to metro Detroit. Learn more about Brigid and her role at Aquinas College HERE. Segment 4: Paul Knapp, executive director of St. Joe Today, reveals the scenic beauty and local events in the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor area, perfect for a spring getaway. Follow Behind the Mitten adventures on our new Substack page at amyandgonzo.com.

    45 min
  7. Biere de Mac, Short's Brewing, Tres Amigas and Watermark - Michigan craft beer (March 21-22, 2026)

    23 MAR

    Biere de Mac, Short's Brewing, Tres Amigas and Watermark - Michigan craft beer (March 21-22, 2026)

    What's new in Michigan craft beer? Gonzo and Amy have the latest: Segment 1-Biere de Mac Brew Works, Mackinaw City - Gonzo and Amy talk to co-owner Danny Ranville, who is excited about a new summer season, as as well a special appearance by Gonzo and Amy who will speak at 6:30 p.m. March 25 at the brewery. Segment 2-Kerry Lynch of Short’s Brewing talks about new releases and April 25th Short's Anni Party! Segment 3-Manda Sue Geiger joins from Rochester Mills Brewing to talk about Tres Amigas release. Segments 4-Chad Mason of Watermark Brewing in Stevensville talks about about the brewery's recent pick as the No. 1 beer garden by USA Today's 10 Best.   Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

    45 min
  8. Celebrating Life CMU Powwow; Mackinac Island ready for new season (March 14-15, 2026)

    17 MAR

    Celebrating Life CMU Powwow; Mackinac Island ready for new season (March 14-15, 2026)

    On this weekend's show, Gonzo and Amy learn more about the 37th annual Celebrating Life Powwow at Central Michigan University (March 21-22), and get opening date information for a new season on Mackinac Island. Segment 1- Steph Castelein, managing director, Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. A soft opeing is planned April 24, and the official opening (complete with ribbon cutting) is May 1. More details at https://www.mackinacisland.org/season-updates/ Segments - 2 & 3 - CMU's Annual "Celebrating Life" Powwow, March 21-22 at John G. Kulhavi Events Center | McGuirk Arena on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. More details at cmich.edu. We talk to Cassandra Chippeway, content and communications coordinator, Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - http://www.meetmtp.com/ And Shay Hale of CMU's Office of Indigenous Affairs, which sponsors the Powwow each year. Segment 4 - Amy and Gonzo.

    45 min
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About

"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.

Information

  • Creator
    John Gonzalez
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    796
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright John Gonzalez
  • Show Website
    Behind the Mitten

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