Behind the Mitten

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and 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 Michigan beer community, in honor of the Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Fest, which is happening in Grand Rapids on Feb. 26. Get ticket information at https://www.mibeer.com/.

Segment 1-David "Rings" Ringler, owner of Cedar Springs Brewing Company and the soon to open Kusterer Brauhaus in Grand Rapids joins us to talk about the Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Fest, the state of the beer industry, and his own two breweries. Learn more at https://csbrew.com/.

Segment 2-Two of the owners of Harmony Brewing and Harmony Hall in Grand Rapids join us, the brother/sister team of Barry and Heather Van Dyke. Together with their other brother Larry.....just kidding! Their brother Jackson, they've build up quite the business over the last 10 years. What is it like to own and operate a brewery with your siblings? Tune in to find out. Learn more at https://harmonybeer.com/.

Segment 3-Craft beer expert and educator Ben Darcie shares his top tips for enjoying Winter Beer Fest. Brian Haik also joins us to talk about his business GR Beer Tours, which can bring you to the very best breweries for behind-the-scenes experiences in Beer City. In fact, you can join Amy and John on one of his tours the night before beer fest for a very special insider tour. Book a tour at https://www.grbeertours.com/.

Segment 4-Two Guys Brewing in Wyoming has undergone some major pivots and changes over the last few years during the pandemic, and they've come out stronger than ever. Owners Amy and Thomas Payne share their story, as well as their delicious picks for Taste of the Week from their New Orleans inspired menu. Learn more at https://twoguys-brewing.com/.

BTM airs:

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

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (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 has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this week's Behind the Mitten, John and Amy travel to the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, where they get a taste of what this popular summer destination is like during the cold winter months. They recorded on-site at the Hampton Inn in Houghton during Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival week.

In segment 1 they talk to Brad Barnett from the Keweenaw CVB, and he shares fun things to do all around the peninsula this winter, like skiing and snowshoeing. Learn more at https://www.keweenaw.info/.

Segment 2 takes them behind the scenes of the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival, with Tech student Rachel May. She is a member of the Blue Key National Honor Society, which organizes this extremely popular community event each year. Rachel also shares what it's like to attend Tech as a student. Learn more https://www.mtu.edu/carnival/2022/.

Segment 3 they visit with Jen Julien, who owns two hotels in town, the recently renovated Hampton Inn, and the extremely charming and all-new boutique hotel, The Vault. A former student at Tech, Jen and her husband have created exciting new spaces to stay in downtown Houghton.

Learn more about The Vault Hotel at https://thevaulthotel.com/.

Book at the Hampton at https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cmxhghx-hampton-houghton/.

Segment 4 they visit with their friend Trisia Narhi. She and her husband Roy own Roy's Pasties and Bakery, and she just opened a new restaurant in Houghton, The Copper Range Depot. She shares what makes Roy's famous pasties so good, and what you can expect at the Depot.

Learn more about Roy's at https://royspasties.com/.

Learn more about Copper Range Depot on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Copper-Range-Depot-Family-Restaurant-102663888186452/

BTM airs:

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

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (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_.

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at [email protected].

A radio show and Podcast since 2015, tastemakers John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman just re-launched their award-winning, statewide travel radio show after a three-year hiatus.

On Episode 5, John and Amy continue to celebrate winter fun in Michigan. They catch up with friends around the state to talk about things to do in their areas.

Here is the show run down from the "All Outdoors Studio," presented by Gaylord Tourism:

This episode aired Feb. 6, 2022.

Show Notes:

Segment 1: Amanda Owens , South Haven. https://www.southhaven.org/

Segment 2 (12:00): Jen Case, Traverse City. https://www.traversecity.com/

Segment 3 (22:29): Debra Prater, Coldwater. https://www.coldwatercountry.com/

Above the Bridge (31:00): With Jay Clancey of Ishpeming.

Segment 4 (34:32): Linda Hoath, Sault Ste. Marie. https://www.saultstemarie.com/

BTM airs:

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw.
*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (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_.

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at [email protected].

A radio show and Podcast since 2015, tastemakers John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman just re-launched their award-winning, statewide travel radio show after a three-year hiatus.

On Episode 4, John and Amy embrace a Michigan winter with segments from Boyne Mountain, as well as ski lessons at Treetops Resort.

Here is the show run down from the "All Outdoors Studio," presented by Gaylord Tourism:

This episode aired Jan. 30, 2022.

Show Notes:

Segment 1: Dave Lorenz of Pure Michigan. Learn more at https://www.michigan.org/.

Segment 2: Gonzo and Amy are joined by friend Susan Wilcox Olson for an interview with Mariah Beyer, ski school director at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. Mariah offers some tips on lessons if you're a beginner.

Segment 3: Amy introduces Nick Nerbonne, marketing manager for Pure Michigan, as BTM's resident Ski Bunny. He talks about his favorite runs in Michigan.

Segment 4: Mike Doumanian, Vice President of Food and Beverage at Boyne Mountain Resort, shows off some great food as part of BTM's weekly "Taste of the Week." We loved the wings and Bloody Mary, as well as special Everett's IPA and Boyne's own wine label.

BTM airs:

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw.
*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (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_.

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at [email protected].

A radio show and Podcast since 2015, tastemakers John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman just re-launched their award-winning, statewide travel radio show after a three-year hiatus.

On Episode 3, John and Amy visit Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan, a popular destination all four seasons, especially in the winter time for extreme tubing, skiiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding and special outdoor dining events.

Here is the show run down from the "All Outdoors Studio," presented by Gaylord Tourism:

This episode aired Jan. 23, 2022. It was recorded at Hunter's Grille at Treetops Resort..

Show Notes:

Segment 1 (0:00):
John and Amy are joined by Barry Owens, general manager at Treetops Resort. Along with a number of activities - from dog sledding, to skiable feast, skiing and snowboarding - they recently doubled their extreme tubing runs. Paul Beachnau of Gaylord Tourism calls it "the best family resort in Michigan. It's such a welcoming resort for the state of Michigan." Learn more https://www.treetops.com/

Segment 2 (10:00):
The segment opens with John and Amy on an Extreme Tubing Ride, yes, they SCREAM! Kevin McKinley, assistant GM at Treetops, joins the show to talk about how they expanded the ride so more kids can enjoy it. He also talks about the many things to do at the resort.

Segment 3 (19:33):
Kevin McKinley rejoins the show. He talks about new events, like the Spud-Tacular Snowshoe Hike.

Segment 4 (27:55):
We begin the segment with a Behind the Mitten Minute with John talking about ski tips for beginners. John interviews Mariah Beyer, director of Ski School. Kevin Learn more about Treetops at https://www.treetops.com/.

29:00: We also have our Above the Mitten segment with Mr. Fancy Jay Clancey. He tells us about the latest news from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Barry Owens comes back to do Taste of the Week, which is their signature pizza.

Learn more about Gaylord at https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/.

BTM airs:

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw.
*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (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_.

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at [email protected].

A radio show and Podcast since 2015, tastemakers John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman just re-launched their award-winning, statewide travel radio show after a three-year hiatus.

On Episode 2, John and Amy visit Gaylord, Michigan, a popular destination for outdoor adventure and fun, especially in the winter time for snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing and more.

"Gaylord is hands down the best Winter vacation destination in the state of Michigan, if not the Midwest, because of the variety of things we have here and the quality of that variety," said Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, who added the area typically generates 150 inches of snow each season. "If you're going to live here, you have to embrace it."

Here is the show run down from the "All Outdoors Studio," presented by Gaylord Tourism:

This episode aired Jan. 16, 2022. It was recorded at Snowbelt Brewery in Gaylord.

Show Notes:

Segment 1 (0:00): Paul Beachnau, executive director of Gaylord Convention and Tourism Bureau, runs down all the fun things to do in Gaylord. Learn more at https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/.

Segment 2 (10:00): Ever wonder how snowmobilers get around? They have a trail system with maps, just like normal roads. We are joined by Kevin Henley, general manager at Beaver Creek Resort, who teaches us about the snowmobile culture in Northern Michigan. He said there are four rental places in Gaylord if you don't have a snowmobile. "Just make sure you dress warm and you're ready to go," he said. Learn more at https://www.outdooradventuresinc.com/beaver-creek/

Segment 3 (19:00): John and Amy are joined by Paul Beachnau and Barry Owens, general manager at Treetops Resort. Along with a number of activities - from dog sledding, to skiable feast, skiing and snowboarding - they recently doubled their extreme tubing runs. Paul Beachnau calls it "the best family resort in Michigan. It's such a welcoming resort for the state of Michigan." Learn more https://www.treetops.com/

Segment 4 (29:05): Gaylord is only about one hour from the Mackinac Bridge, and we open the segment talking about our love for the Upper Peninsula. Paul talks about how Michigan got the Upper Peninsula in the Toledo War. That leads into our new segment - "Above the Bridge," with Mr. Fancy Jay Clancey. The rest of the show is devoted to our friend Jordan Awrey, the Snowbelt Brewery marketing manager. We talk about the brewery's history, as well as Taste of the Week "Sunnyside Hop," which is a NEIPA. He said this is a "true New England IPA" with no additions. It's one of the brewery's flagship beers since it opened 5 years ago.

Learn more about Snowbelt at https://www.snowbelt.beer/.

Learn more about Gaylord at https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/.

BTM airs:

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw.
*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (106.9) in Grand Rapids.

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

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at [email protected].

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman bring back their popular. statewide radio show after a three-year hiatus.

On Episode 1 of 2022, John and Amy reminisce about the previous seasons and all 404 episodes of Behind the Mitten. They bring back a very special person as their first guest; they introduce a new feature; and they bring back "Beer of the Week," but in a new format.

This is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and Podcast.

From the "All Outdoors Studio," presented by Gaylord Tourism:

Segment 1 (0:00): John and Amy bring back longtime friend Paul Beachnau from Gaylord Tourism to talk about why they all love the state of Michigan so much. (Learn more about Gaylord at https://www.gaylordmichigan.net/.)

Segment 2 (10:00): John and Amy reminisce about some favorites destinations such as Mackinac Island and The Thumb, with a special shout outs from Bob Benser of Original Murdick's Fudge and Greg Redman of Water Tower Sports Pub in Lexington.

Segment 3 (19:09): David Baranowski and Kellie Berry of D'Aneglo's Pizza in Bay City and Dave Ringler of Cedar Springs Brewery give special shout outs to John and Amy as the co-hosts talk about the state's close-knit restaurant community.

Segment 4 (29:01): Andrew Doud of Doud's Market on Mackinac Island gives a special shout out to open the segment as John and Amy introduce a new segment called "Above the Bridge" with "Mr. Fancy" Jay Clancey of Cognition Brewery in Ishpeming. They also bring back "Beer of the Week" in a new way.

BTM airs:

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw.
*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and (106.9) in Grand Rapids.

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

Email them suggestions or places you want them to visit at [email protected].

On this episode of Behind the Mitten...

It's an end of the year EXTRAVAGANZA! We brought in some of our all time favorite guests (minus our best guest and sometimes co-host Paul Beachnau of Gaylord) to join us. Thanks to The Mitten Brewing Co. for hosting us, and to Brewery Vivant, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, City Built Brewing Company and Long Road Distillers for joining in!

This episode aired Dec. 29-30, 2018 on radio stations across the state of Michigan.

Learn more about The Mitten Brewing Co. at http://www.mittenbrewing.com/

Learn more about City Built Brewing at https://citybuiltbrewing.com/

Learn more about Brewery Vivant at https://www.breweryvivant.com/

Learn more about Long Road Distillers at https://longroaddistillers.com/

Learn more about Cedar Springs Brewery at https://csbrew.com/

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend time in South Haven to learn about winter events and things to do. They broadcast from Three Blondes Brewing, and learn the history on how the brewery got started.

This episode aired Dec. 15-16, 2018 on radio stations across the state of Michigan.

Learn more about South Haven at https://www.southhaven.org/

Learn more about Three Blondes Brewing at https://www.threeblondesbrewing.com/

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend some time at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

They have two shows right now:

Expedition: Dinosaur, through April 2019; as well as Toys!.
More details at www.grpm.org

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

This show aired Dec. 8-9, 2018 on radio stations across Michigan.