If you’re new to Traverse City and wondering how to actually get to know people—not just their names, but their stories—this episode is for you.
This conversation features someone who quite literally made a career out of listening. After finding his way north, he didn’t start by trying to fit in or stand out. Instead, he asked questions. Lots of them. The kind that invite people to talk, to share, and to feel seen. Along the way, he uncovered a simple but powerful strategy for building real connections in a new place—one that anyone can use.
His work has taken him deep into Northern Michigan’s culture, from overlooked native fish to failed shipwreck hunts, from classrooms to concert halls, and into living rooms across the region through radio. But at its heart, this is a story about curiosity, community, and the underrated power of paying attention.
Listen closely—you might just learn how to belong a little faster.
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