Episodios

  • Native American Education
    Nov 7 2025

    Why do we teach history?

    "So we don't repeat the past," is probably what popped into your head.

    By that logic, if we're teaching history correctly, then we should never make the same mistake twice.

    And yet, some headlines today look all too familiar.

    What does this say about the state of our history education?


    Today's episode is part 1 of a series in which Cassidy, and Native American historian Eric Hemenway, aim to dissect the state of Native American history education.

    Why do we know what we know, and why don't we know what we don't know?

    In today's episode, they start at the beginning, in the one-room schoolhouse where Eric began his educational career. Tune in to hear about Eric's early schooling in the small community of Cross Village, and how his relationship with education changed after transferring into a much larger public school.


    For videos of the beautiful one-room schoolhouse (and the adorable Sammy), check out our Instagram @michigistory

    For any story pitches, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com


    And if you're still reading, it must mean you're a real fan of the show, because no one reads down this far. And maybe just to prove that you're a real fan, you could go rate the show 5-stars. That would be epic.


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    1 h y 9 m
  • The Dogman and the Wendigo
    Oct 31 2025

    A cool fall morning in late October, is when the podcast began, at a public library in Wexford County, where the Manistee River ran. *insert keyboard*

    On this week's extra special Halloween episode, Cassidy is joined by Dogman enthusiast Ally Beshouri Pekrul to talk about Michigan's favorite cryptid. Tune in to hear the story behind the legendary Dogman song, as well as personal accounts, a biologist's perspective, the Wendigo connection, and the value of folktales in today's world.

    Check out video clips from the show on our Instagram, @michigistory

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com


    To enter for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid exclusive one-on-one private dinner with The Michigan Dogman, all you have to do is leave this show a 5-star review. And for an extra entry, send it to a friend and force them to review it too.


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    1 h y 4 m
  • The Kellogg Brothers
    Oct 24 2025

    Yeah, as in the cereal. But this is not an episode about cereal.

    This week, Cassidy tells you the unbelievably fantastical story of John Harvey and William Kellogg. Honestly, you should go in blind. But if you want a sneak peak, keep reading.


    This episode touches on everything from germ theory to 7th Day Adventism to "masturbation cures" to *eventually* cereal. Tune in to learn about the birth of modern medicine, along with the strange treatments that were prescribed to patients of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg in his luxury medical spa in Battle Creek, Michigan. And stick around to hear the fate of John Harvey's younger brother, William, who spent the majority of his life in the shadow of his eccentric brother.

    Check out clips from the show on Instagram, @michigistory

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com

    If you survived this episode, please prove it by leaving a 5-star review.

    And if you hated this episode, the best way to let us know is by leaving us a 5-star review (cuz on a scale from 1-5, 5 is the worst)


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    58 m
  • The War of 1812
    Oct 17 2025

    Before this podcast, the only thing I could tell you about the War of 1812 was the year it started. And I'm willing to bet the same goes for you.

    This week, Cassidy gets to the bottom of this whole "War of 1812" thing, with the help of (fan favorite) Logan. Tune in to get a crash course on the American Revolution, The Declaration of Independence, and the Napoleonic Wars, followed by a deep dive into the causes and outcomes of the (very odd) War of 1812. And of course, you'll learn about Michigan's role in fight between- we'll you'll just have to listen to see who was involved.

    CHECK US OUT ON INSTAGRAM WHERE WE'LL BE POSTING VIDEO CLIPS FROM THIS EPISODE @michigistory

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com

    Hey, do you like war?

    If the answer is NO, then prove it by leaving this show a 5-star review.

    If they answer is YES, then prove it by leaving this show a 5-star review.


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    1 h y 1 m
  • Mysterious Michigan
    Oct 10 2025

    Fall is upon us, so it's time to talk about some strange and spooky history.

    This week Cassidy sits down with Amberrose Hammond, author and paranormal researcher, to talk about some of the quirkier and less understood pieces of Michigan's history. All the stories you'll hear today are based in true historical occurrences- what you make of each occurrence is up to you and your beliefs. You'll learn about historical figures like Detroit's princess, Michigan's first millionaire, and Bay City's first female dentist... who also talked to ghosts. Open your mind to whimsy and accept that there are some forces in this world that we just don't yet understand.

    For more information on Amberrose, including links to her books and lecture dates, check her out at amberrosehammond.com or the link below:

    Author & Paranormal Researcher Amberrose Hammond

    Check out our clips on Instagram @michigistory

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com

    And if you've read this far down, I owe you my life... and all you owe me is a 5-star rating on the podcast... seems like a pretty good deal for you.


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    1 h y 16 m
  • Eminem
    Oct 3 2025

    So this is like a totally different show.

    This week, Cassidy puts on her journalist hat and dives deep into the early days of Eminem, with the help of (BF)F Logan. Tune in to hear how the Detroit-native overcame bullying, poverty, lost loved ones, drugs, and toxic relationships to become the highest selling rap artist of all time. You'll learn about his relationships with people like Debbie Nelson, Kim, Proof, and Uncle Ronnie while examining some tracks that help paint a picture of his life in Detroit. Plus, stick around until the end to hear Cassidy and Logan's answers to two very controversial questions:

    • Would Eminem still be the highest selling rap artist of all time if he were not white?
    • Is Eminem the greatest rapper of all time?

    AND CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO CLIPS FROM THIS EPISODE ON OUR NEW INSTAGRAM @michigistory !!!

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com

    Who do you think is the greatest rapper of all time?

    ---> If you think it's EMINEM, rate the show 5 stars

    ---> If you think it's SOMEBODY ELSE, rate the show 5 stars

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    1 h y 37 m
  • Mackinac Island
    Sep 26 2025

    If you came to hear about fudge, I'm so sorry, but this is not the episode for you.

    This week Cassidy sits down with Craig Wilson, Chief Curator for Mackinac State Historic Parks, to talk about the rich and extensive history of Mackinac Island. Before the island became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, it was traded hands numerous times between numerous countries in a centuries long battle to control the fur trade. Today's episode covers so much more than just Michigan history. Stay tuned to learn about the fur trade, The American Revolution, The Fox Wars, The War of 1812, the island's former National Park status, and the Grand Hotel.

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com

    Are you a Northern Michigander who wants to start your own podcast through Big Mitten Media? Email office@bigmittenmedia.com for more information

    So I'm pretty sure no one reads this far down, so I'm just gonna get something off my chest. Petoskey>Traverse City, and it's actually not even close. There I said it.

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    1 h y 13 m
  • The Treasure of Poverty Island
    Sep 19 2025

    Legend has it that $400 million in Civil War era gold lays at the bottom of Lake Michigan. Our guest today may have found it.

    This week Cassidy sits down with Steve Libert, shipwreck hunter and founder of Great Lakes Exploration Group. Tune in to hear the origin of this gold and the many attempts to find it throughout history. Other topics include the Le Griffon (aka the "Holy Grail" of shipwrecks), historic diving practices, the Civil War, the Titanic, and the reason why Steve is not swimming in $400 million worth of gold.

    For any story ideas, advertisement inquiries, questions (or compliments), email cassidy@bigmittenmedia.com

    Are you a Northern Michigander who wants to start your own podcast through Big Mitten Media? Email office@bigmittenmedia.com for more information

    *secret tip*

    If you go and rate the show 5 stars, then you have an opportunity to win either $400 million in gold, or the eternal appreciation of host Cassidy Hough. Both prizes are of equal value.

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    51 m