The Michigan’s True Spirit Podcast

northriverpod
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. Join your hosts Chris and Eric while they discuss all things Michigan: sports, music, culture, tourism, food and drink.

  1. Apr 2

    Episode 17: Longtime Detroit News baseball writer Tom Gage talks about his latest book

    Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Chris and Eric talk with baseball Hall-of-Fame writer Tom Gage about his latest book, chat about some places to hike in Michigan and take part in another round of “Rock or Crock?”  • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit  • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com • Purchase “Your Detroit Tigers: The Great, the Good the top 400” on Amazon: https://shorturl.at/oCsbt (https://shorturl.at/oCsbt)

    51 min

  2. Feb 19

    Episode 16: Grand Traverse Distillery’s Joe Kolar talks craft spirits, Michigan and Traverse City

    Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Chris and Eric talk with Grand Traverse Distillery Chief Financial Officer Joe Kolar, discuss Michigan and Traverse City in My MI and take part in another round of “Rock or Crock?” 00:00: Introduction 4:30: Interview with Grand Traverse Distillery CFO Joe Kolar 26:26: My MI: Joe Kolar talks Michigan and Traverse City 36:36: Rock or Crock? Is it Satan's Granola or Jarhead Fertilizer? • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit  • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com • Grand Traverse Distillery website: grandtraversedistillery.com • Grand Traverse Distillery on Facebook: facebook.com/grandtraversedistillery • Grand Traverse Distillery on Instagram: instagram.com/gtdistillery #traverse city #puremichigan #grandtraversedistillery #northrivervodka #michiganstruespirit #rockorcrock

    44 min

  3. Jan 29

    Episode 15: Former Detroit Tigers player and manager Brad Ausmus talks baseball and Michigan

    Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Chris and Eric talk with current New York Yankees bench coach and former Detroit Tigers player and manager Brad Ausmus, then skip right over My MI for another round of “Rock or Crock?” 0:00: Introduction 3:21: Interview with Brad Ausmus 37:32: Rock or Crock? • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com

    47 min

  4. Jan 22

    Episode 14: Curling influencer Matt Sussman, Chris rants about fans and "Rock or Crock?"

    0:00: Introduction 2:28: Baseball writer and curling expert Matt Sussman talks baseball, curling and the Winter Olympics 27:07: My MI: You think you know but you don't. You might end up guessing right. But you just don't know. Seriously. 38:17: Rock or Crock? Let's be crystal clear here: Chris blew it. • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit  • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com  • GLCA website: greatlakescurling.org

    45 min

  5. Jan 8

    Episode 13: Finding Amelia guitarist Mark Townsend and Michigan-based New Year’s resolutions

    Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Chris and Eric talk with guitarist Mark Townsend of the rock band Finding Amelia, which is playing the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Friday, January 9. We also make our Michigan-based New Year’s resolutions and then play another exciting game of “Rock or Crock?” • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit  • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com  • Finding Amelia on X: x.com/FindingAmelia_ • Finding Amelia on YouTube: youtube.com/@findingameliaband

    1 hr

  6. 12/18/2025

    Episode 12: The holiday podcast that no one asked for and a tiebreaking “Rock or Crock?”

    Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Chris and Eric talk about fun things to do in Michigan to celebrate the holiday season and then skip right to “Rock or Crock?” Merry Christmas, happy holidays and all that to all of you. • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit  • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com

    34 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Episode 11: Eat Em Up podcast host Jordan Hall, throwback power rankings and “Rock or Crock?”

    Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. In this episode, Chris and Eric talk with Eat Em Up podcast host and former Traverse City Pit Spitters play-by-play announcer Jordan Hall. Eric then power ranks the best and worst fake bands before trying to hold on to his current advantage in “Rock or Crock?” • Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/michiganstruespirit  • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com • "Bloody Mary, Kate and Ashley" by PUP on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_MAbWQBBSo  MOSSY RIVER RECIPE  (Blatantly stolen from this website: https://marleysmenu.com/the-green-irish-a-matcha-vodka-cocktail/)  • Two ounces of North River Vodka  • Vigorously stir in one teaspoon of match powder  • Add one ounce of vanilla liqueur.  • Pour over a giant ice cube  • Carefully pour a bit of heavy cream on top

    55 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    Episode 10: Spotify Wrapped, Michigan musicians and Eric gets his “Rock or Crock?" revenge

    Welcome to the Michigan’s True Spirit Podcast. It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Spotify Wrapped season. In this episode, Chris and Eric discuss their most listened to music of 2025, chat about Michigan musicians and bands they love and play a tiebreaking game of “Rock or Crock?” Follow us on Facebook:facebook.com/michiganstruespirit • Chris on X: x.com/Chris_Iott  • Eric on X: x.com/EricWaynesBrain  • North River Vodka: northrivervodka.com Chris’s top five most listened to bands of 2025 5. Cleopatrick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEL8IgZB5w&list=RDsmEL8IgZB5w&start_radio=1 4. Jeff Rosenstock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JidJV1ue1lI&list=RDJidJV1ue1lI&start_radio=1 3. PUP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvgUE9_LXcg&list=RDWvgUE9_LXcg&start_radio=1 2. Dinosaur Pile-Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_HbBDo9P-o&list=RD-_HbBDo9P-o&start_radio=1 1. Winona Fighter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp9vN0ZytAY&list=RDZp9vN0ZytAY&start_radio=1 Bonus Jack White links • Carolina Drama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91amPY9okK0 • I Ain’t That Lonely Yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhOPOwp9NxQ

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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Welcome to the Michigan's True Spirit Podcast. Join your hosts Chris and Eric while they discuss all things Michigan: sports, music, culture, tourism, food and drink.

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