Episodios

  • Uncovering Kalamazoo’s Colorful Past with Dianna Higgs Stampfler

    Uncovering Kalamazoo’s Colorful Past with Dianna Higgs Stampfler
    May 16 2025

    In this episode of Life In Michigan, we sit down with Dianna Higgs Stampfler, author of Kalamazoo County Characters, to explore the curious and sometimes downright bizarre history of Kalamazoo County.

    Dianna shares her upbringing in Kalamazoo—from back-to-school shopping at the Kalamazoo mall to college days and beyond—and how it inspired her to chronicle the lives of 50 remarkable people who shaped the county’s past. We talk about her father’s legacy as a radio legend (and how he helped the Eagles score their first #1 hit), her meticulous research process, and the strange-but-true stories she uncovered along the way.

    We packed a lot into this episode, including:

    * The origin story of Kalamazoo County Characters, sparked by a Walgreens book sighting and supercharged by a family brainstorm with her historian dad.

    * The unlikely rise of celery as Kalamazoo’s cash crop and Dianna’s family tie to the “Celery King,” George Taylor.

    * Fascinating and quirky local legends, like Brownie the Clown, Best of My Love and the Eagles’ Kalamazoo radio breakthrough, and the spine-tingling case of Etta Fairchild.

    * Dianna’s tribute to her father, whose story is the emotional heartbeat of the book, and whose belief in a ballad changed music history forever.

    Whether you’re a die-hard Michigander or just love a good story, this episode offers a lively and heartfelt look at the people who gave Kalamazoo its character.

    🔗 Learn more about Dianna and order an autographed copy of Kalamazoo County Characters at PromoteMichigan.com or follow her on Substack …..



    Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    1 h y 2 m
  • Exploring Michigan’s Beer Scene and the U.P. with Kevin McKinney of Barrel + Beam

    Exploring Michigan’s Beer Scene and the U.P. with Kevin McKinney of Barrel + Beam
    May 2 2025
    Join us for a fun conversation with Kevin McKinney, Sales and Distribution Manager at Barrel + Beam. Kevin shares his journey from his time in the military and how his love for travel and beer eventually led him to the Upper Peninsula. We talk about his experiences in the Michigan craft beer scene, the unique farmhouse ales of Barrel + Beam, and the joys (and challenges) of road life as a beer rep. Plus, Kevin gives us some top recommendations for food, outdoor adventures, and must-visit breweries in the U.P.!We end the conversation with Kevin’s dream Michigan day and the perfect beer to end it with.Episode Links:Pasty Fix: Cut River Inn (Naubinway) for one of the best pasties in the U.P.Classic U.P. Pizza: Congress Pizza (Ishpeming), Tino’s (Negaunee), Vango’s (Marquette)Great Whitefish: The Veerling (Marquette)Michigan Breweries: Barrel + Beam, Blackrocks, Ore Dock, Drifa, Kognition, City Built, Archival, VeerlinglU.P. Destinations: Porcupine Mountain, Lake in the Sky, Pictured Rocks, Cooper Harbor, Soo Locks, Whitefish Point, Mackinaw BridgeMountain Biking Trails:* Potawatomi Trail (Poto) – Waterloo Recreation Area, Southeast Michigan → Michigan DNR Info → MTB Project Map & Reviews* North Trails – Marquette, MI (part of the Noquemanon Trail Network) → Noquemanon Trail Network – North Trails Info → Trailforks Map* Brockway Mountain Trails – Copper Harbor, MI (Part of the Copper Harbor Trails Club system) → Copper Harbor Trails Club → Brockway Mountain Summit Trail InfoPark Predators Podcast: June 8, 2021 - The Isle - Two people entered Presque Isle Park (Marquette), only one came out alive.Where you can find Kevin:* Kevin McKinney (@k__mckinney) • Instagram photos and videos* Kevin McKinney - YouTubeBe sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review! Until next time, keep exploring and enjoying Michigan’s craft beer and beautiful landscapes! Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    56 m
  • Live with Chuck Marshall and Nuno Bado

    Live with Chuck Marshall and Nuno Bado
    Apr 29 2025

    Today, I had a chat with a friend from across the pond, Nuno Babo who writes the Needle in a Substack. This probably fits more under our Fans With Bands podcast as we spent a good hour and a half just chatting about music - from metal to progressive rock and lots of stuff in between.

    This was a first for us checking out the Substack Live feature. It was great to connect beyond the usual notes and comments.



    Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    1 h y 33 m
  • Exploring Michigan’s Cider Scene with Paula Englin

    Exploring Michigan’s Cider Scene with Paula Englin
    Apr 18 2025

    In this episode, we tap into Michigan’s vibrant cider culture with Paula Englin, Executive Director of the Michigan Cider Association. From Cider Week GR to GLINTCAP and the Michigan Apple Festival, Paula gives us the inside scoop on the events, people, and apples driving the Great Cider State. We talk about cider tourism, cider education (hello, Pommelier certification!), and what makes Michigan apples so perfect for the pour.

    Upcoming Michigan Cider Events

    * Cider Week Grand Rapids (May)

    * GlintCap (May)

    * Michigan Apple Festival (September)

    * Grand Rapids Wine, Beer & Food Festival (November)

    Show Links

    * Michigan Cider Association

    * Learn about Pommelier Certification

    * Volunteer at GLINTCAP

    * Michigan Craft Beverage Summit

    📖 Want More?

    Check out Life In Michigan’s companion article:

    Pressed to Impress: Michigan Cider Events

    A deep dive into the events and cider stories featured in this episode—complete with fun facts, festival highlights, and quotes from cider lovers like Jerry Morgan.



    Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    1 h y 4 m
  • Geoff & Jon's Record Show: Vinyl, Friendship, and Community in Marquette

    Geoff & Jon's Record Show: Vinyl, Friendship, and Community in Marquette
    Apr 4 2025

    In this episode, we catch up with two Michigan legends of the vinyl scene — Geoff Walker and Jon Teichman — co-founders of Geoff & Jon’s Record Show. Broadcasting from Marquette, Geoff and Jon share how a single record event at Ore Dock Brewing 12 years ago sparked a beloved multi-day music marketplace that now draws collectors from all over the Midwest.

    We talk about the origin of the show, their enduring friendship of nearly five decades, and how community is the heart of everything they do — from their shop, The Emporium Featuring Vintage Vinyl, to their partnerships with Ore Dock Brewing Company, Bay-Con, and the Detroit Book Festival.

    You’ll hear wild tales from the record show floor, the power of music as art therapy, their love of Marquette, and what they consider the perfect Michigan day.

    Important Links from the show:

    * Geoff & Jon’s Record Show on Facebook

    * Michigan Records (Geoff’s record store)

    * The Emporium - Featuring Vintage Vinyl (Jon’s store in Marquette)

    * Ann Arbor Library Record Store Day (4/12/2025)

    * Detroit Festival of Books

    * Ore Dock Brewing Company

    * Bay-Con – May 3, 2025, at Bay College

    * Detroit Sound Conservancy

    * GIG: The Art of Michigan Music (11/8/2025)

    Upcoming Record Show Dates:

    * April 12, 2025 at the Ann Arbor District Library (downtown)

    * May 3, 2025 Bay-Con at Bay College in Escanaba

    * May 23-26, 2025, at Ore Dock Brewing in Marquette

    * July 20, 2025 at Detroit Festival of Books at Eastern Market in Detroit

    * Stay tuned to Geoff & Jon’s Record Show Facebook page or sign-up for the newsletter on The Emporium - Feature Vintage Vinyl website



    Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    48 m
  • Finding Joy and Legacy in Caregiving: A Conversation with Breeda Miller

    Finding Joy and Legacy in Caregiving: A Conversation with Breeda Miller
    Mar 21 2025

    In this episode of Life in Michigan, we sat down with Breeda Miller – storyteller, author, performer, and, as she calls herself, “a recovering caregiver.” Breeda opens up about her deeply personal experience of caring for her mother — a journey that ultimately inspired her one-woman play and the moving memoir Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home.

    During our conversation, she shared humorous and heartfelt tales. Anyone who has loved someone with dementia can relate when Breeda said, “Caring for a person with dementia, it's like every day at the improv without the applause. You don't know who's walking out of that bedroom, what era they're in, what mood they're in, where they think they are, how old they think they are. You have to have an agile mind. You have to be able to adapt and be flexible instead.”

    We loved her apple pie story, which is part of her play – a beautiful reminder about connection and making time for the moments that truly matter. We talk about it during our conversation with Breeda.

    Get cozy and join us for the conversation while she recounts her experience as a caregiver for her mother, the importance of self-care, and how her lifelong love of storytelling and theater culminated in a one-woman show that toured across multiple states, performed in Ireland, and even broadcast on PBS.

    Trust us — this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

    Breeda Miller Links:

    * Get the book

    * Watch her PBS Special "Mrs. Kelly's Journey Home"

    * Book Breeda for your keynote, caregiver retreat, engaging programs, event MC, or inspirational closing speaker

    * Listen to The Moth Radio Hour story: “Ticket to Heaven”

    * Find upcoming performances and tour dates on Breeda's website - updated regularly!

    Other Links:

    * Brian Cox, Pencil Point Productions

    If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, especially someone on a caregiving journey. It might just bring them a little laughter, wisdom, and comfort.



    Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    1 h y 3 m
  • Feeling Awesome and Inspired by the People Around You

    Feeling Awesome and Inspired by the People Around You
    Mar 16 2025
    Cheers, and Happy Sunday, friends! The sun is hanging out a little bit more each day. Pretty soon, the spring peepers will be…well…peeping. Today, I’m going to share some recent experiences with inspiring people. Then I’ll drag you through a bunch of events happening over the next two weeks, share some fabulous substack restacks, a look at a book, a spin on the turntable, and your moment of zen!Hanging Out with Inspiring PeopleYou are probably aware that inspiring people are everywhere. Especially in times like these when your news feed is a s**t show of uninspiring stories with a******s being a******s, you’ve got to appreciate the folks you know and meet who inspire you. Actually, I feel we all do better when we seek inspiration from those around us.Of course, my primary inspirational person is Brenda. I think I’ve mentioned before that without her, I would not be writing to you today. Her curiosity, writing, and wit inspired the creation of Life In Michigan. Clearly, like a lot of people, I’m inspired by my family and my long-time friends. I could rattle off all their names, but I’m hopeful that they each know the level of inspiration they have supplied through their friendship and love. Their kindness and appreciation for all the s**t I get into inspires me always to strive to be the best I can be (and keep getting into more s**t - the good kind 😀). I’m not always the best, yet their steadfast belief in me inspires me to keep pushing forward.I could go on about my family and friends while getting super sappy and emotional, so let me get to the heart of this letter to you. I recently had a fantastic experience that I feel was the direct result of being inspired by people around me.Substack Live with Seth WerkheiserLast Saturday, I was working on emails for GIG when I popped into Substack to see a message from Seth Werkheiser. He asked if I wanted to do a Substack Live conversation with him, and I believe I responded, “Hell Yeah!.”You may be wondering who this Seth dude is and why I was so excited to talk with him. You see, Seth is someone I’ve gained inspiration from. I came across his Heavy Metal Email newsletter a couple of years ago. It might have been through an email newsletter from Bill Meis (MNRK Music Group).Anyway, Seth’s newsletter (now called Social Media Escape Club) talks about taking your art directly to the people who care about it instead of spinning your wheels on social media. While Seth’s focus was on musicians and helping them connect directly with their fans, it resonated with me. In particular with what Brenda and I have been trying to do with Life In Michigan (and Fans With Bands, GIG, and now our podcast). Because of Seth, Brenda and I decided to start the Sunday Sip, which I’m writing for you today 😃Seth and I set a time for Monday morning to talk. It was great to connect with Seth, who was kind enough to let me ramble on and on about GIG and collaborations with artists and other art enthusiasts here in Michigan. I can’t tell you what a thrill it was to talk with Seth. It was also awesome to acknowledge his inspiration and share the joys of collaboration with him. Thanks Seth!!Inspiration Leads to New Friends and More Inspiration!Shortly after talking with Seth on Monday, I got a message on Substack from Bree Stilwell (check out her substack). She mentioned that she had caught the live conversation with Seth, was in Ann Arbor, and was wondering if we could chat about the local creative scene. I think I may have run to tell Brenda that someone watched the Substack Live and actually wanted to talk with us!! Holy Smokes!We met on Friday morning for coffee over at York Food and Drink. Meeting Bree and talking about her background and passion for art was a blast. She also shared thoughts on her project, which is yet another source of inspiration. She’s looking to build a third space for all kinds of creative folks. Most importantly, including those that are what I’ll call “creative curious.”As Bree mentioned, everyone is creative. Yet, they might not feel completely comfortable seeking out others who may share a particular creative interest. Or folks might want to get together with people who are expressing their creativity in a way that differs from their own. Regardless of their creative outlet or overall experience, Bree’s vision is a creative collective space in the Ann Arbor area that is inclusive, welcoming, and fun.Brenda and I thought this sounded awesome, and we are looking forward to helping raise awareness of Bree’s project and ultimately being part of this community. While talking with Bree, we mentioned that this feels like the Washtenaw Business Association in that it is a group of diverse and welcoming people who are truly interested in each other’s work and doing what we can to help promote it. I’ve got to tell you that it feels awesome to share something positive, particularly in a world where the news tends to...
    Más Menos
    32 m
  • Brewing Creativity: Tony DeRosa on Hear.say Brewing + Theater

    Brewing Creativity: Tony DeRosa on Hear.say Brewing + Theater
    Mar 7 2025
    In this episode of Life in Michigan, we sit down with Tony DeRosa, owner of Hear.Say Brewing + Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to explore how he’s blending the art of brewing with live performance.Tony shares his journey from growing up in New Jersey to living in Michigan, his career transition from working at Google to focusing on the local community, and how he got into brewing. We discuss the unique aspects of Hear.Say Brewing + Theatre, including their small-scale brewing process, dedication to craft beer, and how Tony has integrated his love for improv comedy into the brewery, creating a one-of-a-kind space where patrons can enjoy both great beer and live entertainment.Our conversation touches on:* The challenges of running a brewery and a theater under one roof* The importance of community engagement and collaboration* Creative partnerships with other breweries, local businesses, and nonprofits* Beer releases, special events, and future plans for Hear.SayWhether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, a comedy lover, or just curious about the magic of community-driven businesses, this episode is a must-listen!Links: Hear.SayOther Michigan Breweries Mentioned: Kuhnhenn, HOMES, Mothfire, Someday Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, Blue Tractor, Grizzly Peak, Arbor BrewingOther Businesses Mentioned: North Star Lounge, Casey’s Tavern, Pilar’s Tamales, Hello Faz Pizza, Lume, Hop Alliance, TagabrewMichigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival Links:* Michigan 2015 Summer Beer Festival (2015)* Drink-e-Mon Go: Michigan Summer Beer Festival (2016)* Michigan Summer Beer Festival 2017 Review (2017)* The Summer Beer Festival was Picture Perfect – Life In Michigan (2018)* The 2019 Michigan Summer Beer Festival (2019)* A Deliciously Sour Michigan Summer Beer Festival (2022)* All-Star Cast at the Summer Beer Festival 2023 – Life In Michigan (2023)* Summer Beer Festival 2024 - 25 Years of Michigan Beer (2024) Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    1 h y 4 m
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup