Behind the Mitten

John Gonzalez
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

"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. 2d ago

    Northwood University's International Auto Show, plus Visit the Keweenaw, Jay's Sporting Goods and Oktoberfest (Sept. 12-13, 2026)

    We’ve got helpful news you can use this week on the show, plus a student run event in Midland, and fall fun in the Keweenaw.  Segment 1: We start off with our good friend Mark Copeland from Jay’s Sporting Goods. With locations in Gaylord and Claire, Jay’s is the destination for all things outdoors. Mark joins us to talk a little bit about the new changes in Michigan hunting laws, assures Amy that she’ll still be able to enjoy the deer hunter’s weekend in November, and stresses how important it is to be prepared out in the woods. All important information.  Segment 2: Next, we meet a new friend in Caiden Doan, who is this year’s PR rep for Northwood’s University International Auto Show. This free event will feature all sorts of fancy cars, info sessions, food, entertainment and more. It’s family friendly, and they are celebrating 63 years of this student led event in Midland the weekend of September 18 and 19. Segment 3: One of our favorite guests returns, Jesse Wiederhold from Visit Keweenaw. They are always up to something up there in the Key, and fall is a time when things really shine. Jesse has big, big plans for the first weekend in October, and shares their four-fold celebration with us. The Canal Colors Festival will feature events throughout the weekend, including a crazy color run, historical Brew Street downtown, and another attempt at a world record on Plaidurday. Yes, we are not making this up. Hear all about it on this weekend’s show. Segment 4: Finally, once again, our resident German beer expert Dave Ringler joins us to discuss Oktoberfest and why we celebrate it in September instead of October. He’ll also share what it’s like in Munich during these few crazy weeks, and where to enjoy Oktoberfests and good German beer around Michigan, including at his places, Cedar Springs Brewing and Kusterer Brauhaus.

    Northwood University's International Auto Show, plus Visit the Keweenaw, Jay's Sporting Goods and Oktoberfest (Sept. 12-13, 2026)

  2. Sep 9

    UP Fall Beer Fest, Can Am Peace Jam, Irish Music Fest, Oktoberfest in Detroit (Sept. 5-6, 2026)

    It’s a hodge podge this week, which means we have missives from all over Michigan. We’ll start the show off with a beer, which is always the best way. We discuss the upcoming Michigan Brewers Guild U.P. Beer Festival which is happening this year on September 12, once again in beautiful downtown Marquette. Beloved by brewers, the fest is one of our favorites too. Have you been? That's just the beginning of a fun show! Segment 1-Amy and Gonzo-17th annual U.P. Fall Beer Fest in Marquette, Sept. 12 Segment 2-Can Am Peace Jam, with founder Channon Mondoux - Kalamazoo, Sept. 19 Segment 3-Muskegon Irish Music Festival, with Amber Mae Petersen of Visit Muskegon; Sept. 17-20 Segment 4-Stephen Roginson of Batch Brewing-Detroit, Oktoberfest, Sept. 11-13 Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast. Episode 768 Sept. 5-6. 2026

    UP Fall Beer Fest, Can Am Peace Jam, Irish Music Fest, Oktoberfest in Detroit (Sept. 5-6, 2026)

  3. Aug 31

    Traverse City's National Writers Series, Huron Lady II, M-29 Diner, Trevor Tkach (Aug. 29-30, 2026)

    This week takes us from blue water to blue water, with stops in the Thumb and Traverse City. First up, we have breaking news with our friends from the National Writer’s Series, which if you didn’t know, is a year-long book festival that happens both in person, and online. Kendall Kotcher joins us to share which amazing authors will be visiting TC this year, and let’s just say that once again, they’ve got some great ones. Here’s a hint for one: he might talk pretty one day. Then we’ll discuss taking a fun and informative boat cruise on the Huron Lady in Port Huron with owners Dusty and Kristy Walker. We’ll visit our number one pick for Michigan’s Best Diner, a fabulous spot located in Anchor Bay and owned by uber-talented Chris Hart. She’ll catch us up on what’s cooking….and baking….at the M-29 Diner. Finally, a little more coverage from TC, where we recently got to attend the Traverse City Food and Wine Festival. We’ll talk with Trevor Tkach about the changing food scene in Michigan’s pinkie, and we’ll just say it’s garnering national attention. Segment 1: Kendall Kotcher, NWS Segment 2: Huron Lady II Segment 3: M-29 Diner Segment 4: Trevor Tkach, Traverse City Tourism Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premire travel radio show and podcast. Episode 767 Aug. 29-30, 2026

    Traverse City's National Writers Series, Huron Lady II, M-29 Diner, Trevor Tkach (Aug. 29-30, 2026)

  4. Aug 29 ·  Bonus

    Gonzo previews stops in Traverse City, Port Huron and Anchor Bay (WILS, Aug. 27, 2026)

    John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten previews this weekend's show with stops in Traverse City, Port Huron and Anchor Bay. He and co-host Amy Sherman are guests of The Morning Wake Up each Thursday on WILS-AM (1320) in Lansing. Behind the Mitten can be heard Saturdays from 8-9am on 1320 WILS. Our affiliates and air times across the state: Fridays • 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron) Saturdays • 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) • 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 • 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw) • 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)

    Gonzo previews stops in Traverse City, Port Huron and Anchor Bay (WILS, Aug. 27, 2026)

  5. Aug 24 ·  Bonus

    Amy Sherman shares what to do in Gaylord on WILS 1320-AM (Aug. 20, 2026)

    Each Thursday, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez share with listeners of WILS-1320AM what to expect on their Behind the Mitten radio show. This weekend Amy talks about why she loves Gaylord like a second home.

    Amy Sherman shares what to do in Gaylord on WILS 1320-AM (Aug. 20, 2026)

  6. Aug 24 ·  Bonus

    Amy and Gonzo share why they love the Gaylord area (WPHM, Aug. 21, 2026)

    Each Friday, Gonzo and Amy Sherman give listeners of WPHM (105.5-FM) a preview of Behind the Mitten weekend's show. This week they are in Gaylord. Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

    Amy and Gonzo share why they love the Gaylord area (WPHM, Aug. 21, 2026)

  7. Aug 24 ·  Bonus

    Amy Sherman previews Gaylord show on CFX-95.3 (Aug. 20, 2026)

    Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten hangs out with Rob and Kent of CFX-95.3 every Thursday to preview this weekend's show.

    Amy Sherman previews Gaylord show on CFX-95.3 (Aug. 20, 2026)

  8. Aug 24

    Gaylord: Michigan's top 'all outdoors' fall destination (Aug. 22-23, 2026)

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast Episode 766 Aug. 22-23, 2026 On this weekend’s show we learn why Gaylord is a perfect fall destination. In addition to great fall color tours, you will learn about the Pigeon River Country State Forest, home to 120,000 acres of Northern Michigan wilderness, six lakes, three rivers, horse trails and camps, 60 miles of biking and some 1,200 elk and special exhibits and classes at the Pigeon River Discovery Center. In fact, they have a mushroom hunting class on Sept. 13, which makes Amy happy as a former Mushroom Hunters junior club member, and a nature photography class on Oct. 17. Tune in to learn more about the new Elk Viewing Area maintained by the city where you can see the elk up close and personal. We check in with our friends at Jay's Sporting Goods to learn about some the newest accessories to make your outdoor adventures even more adventurous. And, and always, our good friends at the Gaylord Tourism Bureau share why Gaylord’s natural beauty make it the perfect "all outdoors" fall destination. Learn more about the Gaylord area at gaylordmichigan.net. Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

    Gaylord: Michigan's top 'all outdoors' fall destination (Aug. 22-23, 2026)
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

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
    825
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright John Gonzalez
  • Show Website
    Behind the Mitten

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