Behind the Mitten

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week's show is all about one of Michigan's greatest resources, our fantastic Great Lakes, as we focus on cities and places located on the shores of the mitten.

Season 5, Episode 16:

• We kick off with the irrepressible Brandy Miller, executive director of Pure Ludington, and lifelong resident of this vibrant lakeside community. She is a passionate advocate of all things Ludington, including this year's very special birthday they are celebrating. Ludington turns 150 this year, and they have celebrations planned all year long. June 9 through the 11th, they'll kick off the festivities with Love Ludington, a multi-day community celebration.
• We always love to visit Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland, so we thought why not bring on someone from the Go Great Lakes Bay Region. Michael Hensley stops by to share all that is going on in this busy area. One exciting development we discuss is the recent announcement that the Canadian Cup Hockey Tournament will be hosted by the Saginaw Spirit in 2024.
• Our friends in Port Huron are always up for a good time, and we are so there for it. Scott Shigley, General Manager of RadioFirst Port Huron comes on to talk about music acts coming to Downtown Port Huron for "Boat Night. We learn about this summer party tradition, and pull on our cowboy hats for "Boots and Boats."
• Finally, our friend Jen Sistrunk from South Haven stops by. We caught up with her during the recent Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism. South Haven is one of the friendliest, most walkable beach towns in the mitten, with incredible beaches, great restaurants, and plenty of events all summer long. Jen shares her favorite, kind-of-a-secret beach with us, and we talk about some of our favorite places to eat in town. We'll just share that you want to put The Lodge on your list.

This show aired April 22-23, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week's show is all about Michigan Tourism through the eyes of those ready for the future, but centered on the present. We record from last week's Pure Michgan Governor's Conference on Tourism in Grand Rapids.

Season 5, Episode 15:

• Patty Janes, founder of Michigan CARES for Tourism (michigancaresfortourism.com), and Professor in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Grand Valley State University. She shares a little about the CARES program, which brings travel industry professionals together to volunteer on a variety of projects across the state. One project they even completed at the conference: fishing line clean-up kits to help keep boating access sites across Michigan clean and safe.
• Amy Dorey, Hospitality Management Program Director & Associate Professor at Ferris State University, and her student Paris Burton, a senior at Ferris State in the Hospitality Management Program join us to talk about growing the next generation of tourism industry pros. If you or a student you know have an interest in exploring this degree, you don't want to miss Paris, as she has found her calling at Ferris.
• The big guy himself, Mr. Pure Michigan, Dave Lorenz stops by and shares a little about the new campaign. He explains that "if we aren't welcoming to all, we aren't welcoming" and how this is an important focus for the tourism industry in Michigan moving forward. He also shares the most amazing story about a group of fourth graders in Troy who just might be taking over his job one day.
• Finally, Trevor Tkach stops by for an update from beautiful, and beautifully busy, Traverse City. We've loved watching Trevor develop through the years, from his start at the West Michigan Whitecaps to being the director of the National Cherry Festival, to now running the show in Traverse City. He shares a few hidden spots right in town, as well as discusses what the community has been doing to offset some of the issues that have arisen with being such a popular destination.

This show aired April 15-16, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week's show is all about the greatest of all summer pastimes, and Gonzo's favorite sport of all time, baseball. We crisscross the state visiting with our local ball teams as they kick off the season this week with opening days all around Michigan.

Season 5, Episode 14:

• Danielle O'Connor, the food and beverage operations manager with the West Michigan Whitecaps shares some of the new menu items you'll find this summer at the LMCU ballpark in Grand Rapids.
• Then, Brian Colopy joins us, he owns both the Battle Creek Battle Jacks and Kalamazoo Growlers. We'll talk about how all that works, plus talk about some of his uber-popular festivals that he puts on each summer around Michigan. If you've heard of the Donut and Beer Festival and are so incredibly curious you can't stand it, you'll want to tune in.
• One of our favorite baseball broadcasters in Michigan then stops by. Jesse Goldberg-Strassler calls the games for the Lansing Lugnuts with precision, knowledge, and just a little bit of passion and fun.
• Finally, something a little bit personal as Gonzo's son Zak Gonzalez stops by to talk about the Gonzalez family's podcast, Big League Dreaming. John, Zach, Ty, and Zane Gonzalez have been working on this baseball-themed show for a few years now.

This show aired April 8-9, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast with about 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this podcast, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez join Kent & Rob of the "Breakfast Flakes" morning show on WCFX in Mt. Pleasant. They preview this weekend's show, which is about baseball retuning to Michigan ballparks. It airs at 7 a.m. Sundays on CFX Today's Hits (95.3).

Gonzo and Amy also contribute to the topic of the day.

What would you do with a day off from work?

Gonzo says grab some doughnuts for breakfast, and then find the nearest watering hole to wash it down.
Amy recommends a trip North to maybe get a burger at your favorite dive bar.
Rob and Kent both say to avoid housework or yardwork. Do something fun.

This segment aired April 6.

Learn more about the Breakfast Flakes wcfx.com/pages/breakfast-flakes.

Listen to Behind the Mitten on the following stations:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week we travel to Port Huron - a.k.a. Michigan's Thumbcoast and the Blue Water Area - to talk about popular summer events, as well as a new distillery.

Thanks to Caleb Gordon of affiliate station WPHM for helping us set up guests. We recorded the show at the Home, Sport & Garden Show at the Blue Water Convention Center.

Season 5, Episode 13:

• Andrew Kercher, Community Engagement Manager for Port Huron Museums, talks about the Carnegie Center, Thomas Edison Depot, Huron Lightship, and Fort Gratiot Light Station. Learn more about these destinations as well as how to spend the night at the lighthouse at phmuseum.org.
• Chris Troy and Mike Deising of Hot-Wheels Weekend in nearby Marysville run down all the fun car enthusiasts and families will have Aug. 25-26 at Marysville Gazebo Park. The weekend includes classic cars, live music and even an appearance of Tom Wopat and the General Lee car of "Dukes of Hazaard" TV fame. Learn more about the events and bands at marysvillehotwheelsweekend.com.
• The husband and wife of Denise and Dave Brooks get us excited for the Blue Water Sandfest, which is Aug. 4-6 at the Fort Gratiot Light Station. They tell about the tons of sand that is brought in for artists to created sculptures as high as 15-feet tall. Learn more at bluewatersandfest.com.
• And John Fitzgerald, co-founder of Renaissance Man "RenMan" Distillery, talks about a revolutionary process to age whiskey, which they will showcase when the distillery opens May 8 at Downtown Port Huron's new Wrigley Center. Learn more at renmandistilling.com.

This show aired April 1-2, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast with about 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this podcast, John Gonzalez join the Paul Miller Show (March 31) on WPHM in Port Huron to preview this weekend's BTM show, which is all about PORT HURON!

Whether you call it the Blue Water area of Michigan's Thub Coast, there is so much to do in the area! This weekend's BTM show features museums, festivals and a new distillery set to open May 8.

Learn more about the Paul Miller Show at wphm.net. And make sure to listen to this weekend's Behind the Mitten on the following stations:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week a few of our "beer friends" are joining us and sharing some of their favorite Spring releases and beer trends.

Season 5, Episode 12:

• Brian Manzullo of the Detroit Free Press joins us to talk about Oberon Day and the unofficial start of Spring in Michigan.
• Brian Confer, head brewer and co-owner of Stormcloud Brewery in Frankfort, talks about some new releases, including SUNRUNNR (Kveik Ale) and 31 Planes (Imperial IPA), both from the brewery's impressive line of Belgian-inspired ales.
• And their good friend/longtime member of the Michigan beer community, Ben Darcie, who now works for Short's Brewing Company in Bellaire/Elk Rapids, joins the show to talk about why he loves loves Spring. He talks about about a big day on March 31 to tap Psychedelic Cat Grass across the state. (Gonzo plans to ride along and meet up with Amy.) Gonzo and Ben also talk about a recent trip to Cincinnati with Cedar Springs Brewing.
• Thanks to Archival Brewing in Grand Rapids, which hosted the show. And The Vestal Inn, right across the street on West River Drive for serving us our first pint of Oberon for the season!

This show aired March 25-26, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast with about 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this podcast, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez join Kent & Rob of the "Breakfast Flakes" morning show on WCFX in Mt. Pleasant. They preview this weekend's show, which is about Spring Beers. It airs at 7 a.m. Sundays on CFX Today's Hits (95.3).

Gonzo and Amy also contribute to the topic of the day.

Don't Knock It Until You Try It!

Gonzo says tequila in Bloody Marys.
Amy says pickled eggs at the bar, especially in the U.P.
Rob says dipping fries in mayo.
Kent says Crocs.

This segment aired on March 23.

Learn more about the Breakfast Flakes wcfx.com/pages/breakfast-flakes.

And make sure to listen to this weekend's Behind the Mitten on the following stations:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week a few of our DJ friends are joining us and sharing some of their recommendations from their home bases.

Season 5, Episode 11:

• Kent and Rob from WCFX-FM The Breakfast Flakes morning show in Mt. Pleasant discuss mid-Michigan food spots, including a doozy.
• Caleb L. Gordon from WPHM Radio in Port Huron talks about regional coney specialties.
• And Mark Evans from Sunny 101.9 in Marquette shares his UP expertise with an interesting discussion on cudighi.

This show aired March 18-19, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

Last week we started getting ready for summer with some upcoming festivals in Traverse City and Bay City. Well, this week it's our "Foodie Show" with stops at Amore in Comstock Park, Lula's in Owosso and Chilango's in Jackson.

Season 5, Episode 10:

• We open the show talking about some of our recent travels, then bring on Chef Jenna Arcidiacono, of Amore Trattoria Italiana, one of the top Italian restaurants in the state. This pink-coiffed dynamo joins us to share about her recent outreach at Michigan State University through her non-profit FOOD HUGS.
• Chef John Beilfuss of Lula's Louisana Cookhouse in Owosso talks about his passion cooking, even after a fire forced him to close his award-winning restaurant in late December of 2021. (We named him Best Fried Chicken in the State!) Beilfusss just released his first cookbook for those who miss his recipes. He also has a line of spices. Order at boywonderspice.com. His cooking channel is Scratch Cook with John.
• Lastly we catch up with Rachel Perez, who co-owns Chilango's Burrito Bar in Jackson with her husband Carlos. They scaled back operations during Covid, including the closure of their Cantina Grill, one of our top Mexcian restaurants in the statel. But they are rebounding by their Burrito Bar to include a Salad Bar and Tacos & Tequila taqueria, all in downtown Jackson.

This show aired March 11-12, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.