Behind the Mitten

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 Visit Muskegon 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 visitmuskegon.org.

Learn more about events around the state through our travel partner, 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 Facebook and Substack at amyandgonzo.com.

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 visitmuskegon.org.

Learn more about events around the state through our travel partner, 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 Facebook and Substack at amyandgonzo.com.

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 visitmuskegon.org.

Learn more about events around the state through our travel partner, 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 Facebook and Substack at amyandgonzo.com.

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. On tap and in six packs across the state for a limited time.

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. (CP Pizza).

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 (Oct. 24).

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, Oct. 17.

Follow Behind the Mitten on Facebook and Substack at amyandgonzo.com.

On Friday, Oct. 9, John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten was a guest on the WPHM-105.5 FM 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. (CP Pizza)
• The upcoming Potato Festival in Houghton. (Oct. 24)
• Kind Ale, a wet hopped IPA from Short’s Brewing that features Brian Tennis of Northern Michigan’s Hop Alliance on the label. (On tap and in six packs across the state for a limited time.)
• And the upcomning Mrs. Roper Romp in Bay City. (Oct. 17)

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 Facebook and Substack at amyandgonzo.com.

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 95.3 CFX.

John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten was a guest Thursday, Oct. 8 on the Morning Wake-Up on WILS-AM in Lansing. He talked about what to expect on this weekend's Behind the Mitten Show, includung:

• A popular, local pizza joint in Comstock that sells slice of cheese pizza for $1 on weekdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (CP Pizza)
• The upcoming Potato Festival in Houghton. (Oct. 24)
• Kind Ale, a wet hopped IPA  from Short's Brewing that features Brian Tennis of Northern Michigan's Hop Alliance on the lable. (On tap and in six packs across the state for a limited time.)
• And the upcomning Mrs. Roper Romp in Bay City. (Oct. 17)

Listen 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 Facebook and Substack at amyandgonzo.com.

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcast
Episode 771
Air date: Sept. 19-20, 2026

Michigan travel gets delicious, surprising, and a little bit Amish in this packed episode of Behind the Mitten.

Co-hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spotlight fall festivals, a family-run creamery in Mio, and small-town discoveries that make you want to grab a cooler and hit the road.

The episode offers a guide to fall fun across the state, from Mackinac Island’s Fudge Festival and Rockford’s 50th annual Harvest Festival to Pentwater’s autumn charm and Port Huron’s Wrigley Barbecue Throwdowns.

Amy then introduces us to Junior Weaver at Farmer’s Creamery in Mio—a cooperative of local farm families producing milk, ice cream, cheese, and baked goods. It’s a destination worth remembering, especially if you’re tempted by a scoop of black raspberry ice cream or an Amish hand pie.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Farmer's Creamery was destroyed by a structure fire, Saturday, Oct. 3. READ HERE: Fire destroys The Farmers’ Creamery on Kittle Road in Mio

Also on the show, journalist and Amish expert Kevin Williams of Amish365.com joins us to discuss Michigan’s Amish communities and what makes the Mio area distinctive.

Together, the stories reveal how a small northern Michigan town has become a destination for local food, unique shops, and a glimpse into Amish life. This show is perfect for fall travelers, food lovers, and Michigan road-trippers.

This episode is packed with ideas for places to visit and people to meet along the way.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast.
On the air for 11 years.
Episode 772

What makes an independent bookstore a place readers return to again and again?

In this interview segment, Behind the Mitten co-host Amy Sherman talks with Matt Norcross, co-owner of McLean & Eakin Booksellers in Petoskey, Michigan. Matt shares how the bookstore builds a welcoming community through personal recommendations, staff picks, its popular weekly email, and events that bring authors and readers together.

He also talks about the books capturing readers’ attention and the details that make discovering a new favorite part of the bookstore experience.

If you love independent bookstores, Michigan stories, and finding your next great read, join Amy and Matt for a conversation about the people and ideas behind McLean & Eakin.

Upcoming Event:

Holiday Hype Night
6 p.m., Oct. 24
McLean & Eakin Booksellers, 307 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770

• Penguin Random House Reps: Special guest representatives sharing insider information on upcoming and trending book titles.
• Exclusive Previews: Get a sneak peek at the hottest books hitting shelves for your reading list.
• Perks: Light refreshments, drinks, and opportunities to purchase or preorder featured books.

Learn more about McLean & Eakin at facebook.com/mcleanandeakin.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com. Follow Behind the Mitten on Facebook at facebook.com/behindthemitten.

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast.

Amy Sherman joins Mike Austin as part of the Morning Wake-Up on WILS-1320AM, Lansing's More Compelling Talk Radio.

She talks about what people can expect this weekend on Behind the Mitten, and she also shares  why Blue Hubbard Squash at Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's of Frankenmuth is one of the state's most beloved autumn traditions. They harvest more than 250,000 pounds of squash that they serve at restaurants year round.

Listen every  weekend on your favorite radio stations across the state.

Affiliates and air times:

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)