BY JOHN D. GONZALEZ
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Where do we begin?
It feels like yesterday that I was introduced to the one-and-only Amy Sherman. It was 2012 when Grand Rapids tied Asheville, NC for the title of "Beer City, USA." As intense followers of the local beer scene - I was writing for the Grand Rapids Press, and Amy was a well-known local TV host, chef and craft beer expert - we became friends on Twitter.
Then, in 2013, when GR won the title handily in an online vote, I reached out to Amy - who was hosting statewide TV show the "Great American Brew Trail" - to see if she wanted to join me as my "local expert" on my search for Michigan's Best Brewery.
Initially I just wanted her to be my local expert in Grand Rapids, but being the go-getter she is, she asked who were my "local experts" in other parts of the state. When I said, "I don't know. I'm still working on that." She said, "I can do it." "The whole state?" I asked. "Yes! I can do it all."
Since that day, Amy and I have traveled together a lot. Intially is was for beer. But we became fast friends and learned that we had other mutual interests, as well as a sincere love for Michigan. We discussed branching out a bit and possibly starting a podcast about travel, food, local businesses and beer, of course.
The goal was to go behind the scenes of local restaurants and breweries to tell their stories from a different perspective. Me from my journalism background. And Amy from her restaurant experience. We felt like we made a good team.
That's when "Behind the Mitten," the podcast, was born. (Yes, way before podcasts were a thing.)
Our first episode was released on Oct. 17, 2014. LISTEN HERE.
People took notice
About seven few months after the debut of our "Behind the Mitten" podcast, program director Phil Tower of WOOD Radio reached out and asked if he could put our podcast on their airwaves. We said YES!
The show debuted on May 2, 2015. Our first show was from Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Since then....well, we could write a book (which we have discussed).
We went from one station in Grand Rapids, to stations in Saginaw and Port Huron in a matter of a few months. Then we had 13 affiliates.
Today we have 20-plus affiliates, and we cover most of the state.
The podcast gets thousands of listens of each week.
And we continue to travel all over the state. It has taken on a life of its own.
That's why 2025 is a big year for us! We commemorate the beginning of something that has become a big part of our lives.
Celebrating 10 years
We kick off the new year with a show this weekend (Jan. 4-5) from Gaylord with our good friend Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, who was one of our first guests. He has co-hosted the show several times over the years and traveled with us from Detroit to Mackinac Island to explore Michigan. He even co-hosted the show one time for his friend Linda Hoath from Sault Ste. Marie.
Then, as we begin to share more of our story in 2025, Amy and I will host several events and offer special giveaways to listeners. Stay tuned for details.
We are also starting a newsletter. More details to be annouced soon.
As we grow.....
We are always looking for sponsors. Contact the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) if you want to learn how to become a part of the show. Paula Shields is our Account Executive. She can be reached at Paula@wmta.org.
Our Team consists of:
Amy Sherman as our Social Media Manager. Contact her at behindthemitten@gmail.com.
Jeff Bailey is our webmaster.
Bill Bertschinger is our producer.
Phil Tower is our executive producer.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions:
John Gonzalez at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Comments