Door County Pulse Podcasts

Winter Storm Elsa was a historic experience for Door County residents this week, dropping 2-3-plus feet of snow on the peninsula. Debra Fitzgerald and Myles Dannhausen Jr. discuss how it hit residents and how the county responded – and how we're still digging out of the mess.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the world in ways that seemed unthinkable to most of us just a few years ago. With each week the advancements appear to be changing new aspects of our lives. To discuss the rapid advancement, Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Prof. Thomas Baer of Stanford University, who will be leading a seminar series at Björklunden about AI and its implications in June. They discuss its growing impact on programming, health care, the workplace and creative pursuits. They also discuss its role in the Iran War and the growing ethical concerns about its use in warfare and the resources it consumes. ,

Jason Estes on 30 Years Tossing Pies at Sonny's by Door County Pulse Podcast

Debra Fitzgerald talks with Vanessa McGowan, the New Zealand-born, classically trained bassist, band leader, and music-industry veteran whose career spans over two decades. A Baileys Harbor resident since 2020 via Nashville, Vanessa shares stories from her extensive touring experience, including working with Grammy-winning artists like Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles, Brandy Clark, and currently leading the band for multi-Grammy-winning Molly Tuttle. She also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at life as both musician and manager – on stage, on TV shows, on the tour bus, and reflecting on lessons learned since first landing in Nashville. Photos by Eli Spotts.

The tables are turned in this episode, when Annika Johnson interviews Myles Dannhausen Jr. about his journey from pizza tosser to reporter and many steps in between. Originally produced for the Al Johnson's YouTube series Door County Girl, this episode features two people who grew up in businesses at the feet of their parents and includes a look at life growing up here, the restaurant life, and why all politicians should have to bartend.

Painter Ram Rojas joins Debra Fitzgerald for a conversation about his journey from Venezuela to Door County, his classical training around the world, and the people and landscapes that have shaped his work. He reflects on what decades of painting have taught him about place, memory and community – from his studio practice in Ellison Bay to the public murals he's created across the peninsula, including the former Nelson True Value mural in Baileys Harbor, as well as works at The Clearing and the Door Community Auditorium.

Dominic Frandrup, Director of Door County Libraries, sits down with Debra Fitzgerald to discuss the latest developments across the county's eight library branches. The conversation explores how these public, community-centered spaces are governed, funded and operated, as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen the library system. Consultants from Rethinking Libraries have been working with the county and the Library Board to identify opportunities to improve efficiency. With more than 75% of Door County residents holding library cards, Frandrup highlights the strong community support for local libraries, trends in circulation, and how these vital public spaces continue to evolve.

Few restaurant openings have been as hotly anticipated as that of La Sirenna last summer. And no wonder - it's the first time a restaurant has opened with a Michelin and James Beard pedigree. Chef Carlos Salgado and his wife and business partner Emilie Coulson Salgado join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about what called them to Door County from California, how their restaurant vision was formed, life in family restaurants and what's to come from the kitchen at La Sirenna.

Today, we're diving into Leadership Door County, an organization that has been quietly shaping the future of our community for more than three decades. Since 1990, Leadership Door County has brought together professionals from across industries for an immersive, nine-month experience that goes far beyond traditional leadership training. It's about understanding Door County at its core—its people, its challenges, and the opportunities that will define what comes next. Each year, a small group of participants steps into monthly sessions filled with candid conversations, expert insight, hands-on learning, and real relationship-building with leaders from every corner of the county. The mission is simple but powerful: challenge the way we think, strengthen leadership skills, and inspire people to actively shape the future of Door County. Joining me today are two leaders who know this work from the inside out. Regan Hendrickson, Door County Family Court Commissioner and Register in Probate, brings a unique perspective from the heart of our local judicial system. And Kyle Veeser, Chief Deputy and Undersheriff with the Door County Sheriff's Office, offers insight from the front lines of public safety and community leadership. This conversation is about leadership, service, and why investing in people is one of the most important things a community can do.

Leadership Door County has been quietly shaping the future of our community for more than three decades. Since 1990, the all-volunteer organization has brought together professionals from across industries for an immersive, nine-month experience that goes far beyond traditional leadership training. Regan Hendrickson, the current class representative (who works as the Door County Family Court Commissioner and Register in Probate), and Kyle Veeser, alumni and Leadership Door County board president (who works as the Chief Deputy and Undersheriff with the Door County Sheriff's Office), talk with Debra Fitzgerald about leadership, service and why investing in people is one of the most important things a community can do.

Door County's large, educated retirement population is a curious, engaged, and eager-to-learn crowd who share knowledge, making Door County's version of Learning in Retirement a model for the rest of the state. Jeff Schmeckpeper, the nonprofit board's current president, talks with Debra Fitzgerald about how the program has evolved, the numerous courses offered, the peer leaders who offer the courses (including the most popular) and why the program is vital in a place like Door County.

Now that the calendar has turned, it's now that special time of year we all look forward to: tax time! If it stresses you out, help is on the way. Steve Hellmann joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the AARP Tax Aide program that is available to help Door County residents file taxes for free.

As the year comes to a close, we look back on the most-read stories of 2025 and the news that defined 2025 in Door County. Debra Fitzgerald and Myles Dannhausen Jr. also discuss the stories that readers should have read more of that will continue to make waves into 2026.

How can a marathon runner be overweight? That was one of the questions that led dietician Jennifer Sherman of Gills Rock to leave a 20-year career in civil engineering and earn a master's degree in human nutrition. In conversation with Debra Fitzgerald, Sherman shares her own 40-pound weight loss (she's the marathon runner) and how she now helps clients reach personal goals – from reversing high cholesterol or hypertension to boosting energy and overall health. Part of the 2026 Door County Talks Series exploring the Blue Zones, her talk on nutrition and healthy eating will take place Jan. 10 at the Door County Auditorium.

Dr. Simon Gilroy of UW–Madison joins Debra Fitzgerald to reveal the fast, unseen sensory lives of plants – how they detect danger, send signals through their entire bodies within seconds, and respond intelligently without anything resembling a brain. Gilroy also takes us into orbit, where his NASA-partnered research explores how plants behave in space. If you've ever wondered whether your plants are, in their own way, listening – or if they feel pain – this conversation will change how you see the green world around you.

In September, Executive Director Cindy Trinkner-Peot celebrated the expansion and renovation of Northern Door Children's Center's facility in Sturgeon Bay, increasing the center's capacity by almost 30%. She joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss what the expansion means for meeting the demand for child care in northern Door County and the many challenges that remain. They're joined by Molly Gary of the United Way Child Care Task Force to look at how people on the ground stepped up to take on a seemingly intractable issue and change the conversation.

As the Door County Housing Partnership nears the completion of its seventh home, board members Scott Bader and Mariah Goode join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the long road to putting people in homes and the long-tail impact on the community. But for Bader and Goode, the project is also an example of how people from different ends of the political spectrum can put politics aside to address community problems.

The South is often characterized as resistant to change, but there have always been Southern writers willing to speak out, even if at great personal cost, to the injustices in their communities and the South at large. Writers Melanie Ritzenhaler, assistant professor at Doane University, and Jenn Alandy Trahan, a lecturer at Stanford University, join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss Southern writers and their upcoming presentation at Write On, Door County on Dec. 6 at 10 am.

Yes, there are black bears in Door County, but we don't yet know where the one that washed ashore in Egg Harbor came from. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Debra Fitzgerald about that bear, but first they dig into the news that the U.S. Navy has cancelled contracts for four Constellation-class frigates being built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine with assistance from its Sturgeon Bay yard. What does it mean for local workers when a multi-billion dollar contract ends?

Colin Welford has served as the music director for theater hits like Wicked and Hamilton during their Chicago productions and traveled the world as a music supervisor for The Lion King, but a stint with Northern Sky Theater hooked him on Door County. Now, he has returned to his first musical love playing the organ and shares that passion through his Colin & Friends community concerts. He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss his journey, leaving the big stage, and finding joy in plying his craft in a tight-knit community.

Angostura Bitters is the essential ingredient in many cocktails, including the Wisconsin staple, the Old Fashioned. And it is the concoction that made Nelsen's Hall and Washington Island famous. But the company and the beverage have always been a bit of a mystery. Robert Simonson, cocktail writer for the New York Times, journeyed to the distillery in Trinidad to get answers about Angostura, and even found some. His story about the journey appears in the winter edition of Door County Living. He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk bitters, the rebirth of cocktails, and the evolution of the bartending craft.

This year's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Jacksonport will benefit eight-year-old Lucia Ramirez, who is battling leukemia. Her mother, Melanie, joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about how Lucia is fighting and how she and her husband and seven daughters are juggling life and trips to the hospital as they support her, and how the support of the community is helping them beyond finances.

In the early twentieth century, a mysterious ecological crisis nearly wiped out the fish that most people cared about in the Great Lakes. The impact reverberated across the region, ruining local industries, damaging small town economies and indigenous communities, and destroying the livelihoods of people in the United States and Canada. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Lindsey Haskin, the producer of the film The Fish Thief, about how the mystery was solved and the creativity that saved the Great Lakes Fishery and continues today.

The lodging tax numbers are in for this year's summer tourism season and Debra Fitzgerald and Myles Dannhausen Jr. dive into some of the data, discussing what can – and can't – be known about the world of lodging revenues, average nightly rates and occupancy averages. They also talk about the corrected beach monitoring data for the 2025 season – the reasons for it and what it reveals compared to the original data about Door County's beach-water quality.

Cynthia Germain is a true catalyst for creating livable, age-friendly communities – not an easy feat in the essentially rural villages and towns of Door County. As the founder and president/CEO of the nonprofit Do Good Door County, she leads initiatives that empower older adults to age in place, living safely, independently, and confidently while strengthening community connections. She talks with Peninsula Pulse Editor Debra Fitzgerald about the proven programs that have made a real impact, explores the work that still lies ahead, and highlights ways residents of all ages can get involved to shape more supportive communities.

As Congress and the President battle over funding the government, nearly 2,000 Door County residents who receive foodshare assistance are wondering if they'll be able to cover the next grocery bill. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Debra Fitzgerald about who those residents are and how they'll be impacted if a funding solution doesn't come to pass. Plus, the Clippers head to state in soccer, a Halloween thank you and an update on the future of Rowleys Bay Resort.

Peninsula Pulse reporter Eleanor Corbin joins Debra Fitzgerald to discuss the Nov. 5 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) public hearing on the proposed expansion of Gilbert Farms to CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) size, which is larger than 1,000 animal units. The hearing will give residents a chance to voice concerns before the DNR finalizes the permit. Eleanor and Debra talk about the expansion, the permitting process and the opposition's concerns for water quality if the expansion is granted.

Write On, Door County is offering free registration to its upcoming young writers conference on Nov. 8 at Muse in Sturgeon Bay. Artistic Director Jerod Santek and Executive Director Al DeGenova join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the conference, the growth of the Juddville writing center, and the ongoing program to collect stories from local residents through the Memoir Mondays program.

Do you remember the Haunted Mansion? Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to one of the last people to work summers scaring visitors to the Thumb Fun Haunted Mansion. Rian Hill joins the podcast to look back at the legendary house on the hill in Fish Creek, but first, a rapid-fire bounce around the county to preview Halloween events over the next two weekends, including the haunted house in Baileys Harbor.

Debra Fitzgerald, Peninsula Pulse editor, talks with Pulse journalist Eleanor Corbin about her powerful story on homelessness in Door County, centered on Alex Stanelle's journey through sobriety, housing instability and resilience. The piece sheds light on the often-invisible reality of being unhoused in rural communities like Door County. Eleanor shares what drew her to Alex's story and what she learned about the gaps – and strengths – in local support systems.

Fuzzy Sunstrom interrupts a busy retirement to join Myles Dannhausen Jr. for a conversation about Fall Fest past and present, what he misses most about Fred & Fuzzy's, and why he helped bring back the Fall Fest Derby.

When we tell the story of the cherry industry in Door County, are we leaving something out? Sergio M. González is Associate Professor of History at Marquette University and a historian of twentieth-century U.S. migration, labor, and religion. His work has found that we have overlooked the hardships and vital contributions of migrant labor that were indispensable in the growth and survival of the cherry industry in the middle of the 20th century. He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss his article in the Wisconsin Historical Society Press – The Cherryland Problem, and what we can learn by uncovering the hard truths of our past.

Keeping Door County's biggest weekend humming is no easy task. Kaaren Northrop has been a part of it from its humble early years, and now her daughter-in-law, Missy, is tasked with pulling together the many businesses, volunteers and vendors that are part of Egg Harbor's big fall celebration. They join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about all that goes into the festival and the spirit of community that drives the effort.

Girl Named Tom, a folk-pop band composed of three siblings, made history as the first group to win the reality singing competition show, The Voice. Peninsula Pulse reporter Eleanor Corbin talks with the group, Bekah, Caleb, and Joshua Liechty – who were gearing up for a Door Community Auditorium show in Fish Creek – about that Voice experience, growing up together in Pettisville, Ohio and coming together as a band.

Iuscely Flores – an undocumented immigrant, DACA recipient, and powerful advocate for immigrant rights – joins Debra Fitzgerald to share her personal journey navigating life in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant. Originally from Mexico, she discusses identity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice and belonging, regardless of legal status. From her work in policy and community organizing to her writing – including a poignant 2024 commentary in the Wisconsin Examiner – iuscely sheds light on the emotional and political toll of living in “the golden cage” under DACA.

Our podcast editor Hans Christian steps out from behind the sound board to join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about his civic involvement, building a business as a producer in a small town, and helping other artists find their own sound and voice. Christian owns Studio 330 in Sturgeon Bay, where artists from the peninsula and afar come to record albums and voiceovers, and where this podcast is edited each week.

Don Weise is a veteran trail builder, author and advocate with the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference, where he helps care for an extraordinary 2,200-mile trail network. He joins Debra Fitzgerald on the podcast, with Amanda Stuck, Door County Trails board member, to talk about his experience and larger perspective on how trails transform places and connect people, while preserving biodiversity and boosting local economies. Amanda also talks about the local nonprofit that's working to create a safe, connected county-wide trail for both recreation and transportation – and how they're learning from professionals like Don along the way. Don will also give a presentation on trail building on Oct. 13 at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor at 9:30 am and again at 5:30 am. Learn more at doorcountytrails.org.

The Door County Granary, built in 1901, carries a rich legacy – from its role in a bygone agricultural era to a near-demolition, and ultimately, a community-driven effort to save and repurpose it as a public gathering space. James Dallman, the lead architect behind the Granary's ambitious restoration and transformation, was recently in town working on a model that will be unveiled to the public on Sept. 20. He spoke with Debra Fitzgerald about the political and technical journey that brought the structure back to life, the challenges of balancing historic preservation with modern functionality, and what it means to him to reimagine a building so deeply tied to the community's identity and sense of place.

Rick Cleveland won an Emmy for his writing on The West Wing and has also written for Six Feet Under and several other television shows, in addition to writing for the stage. This month he'll be taking part in the Door Kinetic Arts Festival, where he'll stage a reading for his new play for Deaf West Theater. He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about working in a writer's room, the future of television writing, and the personal story behind the episode of the West Wing that won him an Emmy Award. Then they discuss his new play, Lulu, about a Gorilla who is the only witness to a murder and must communicate through sign language. Cleveland will be in Door County next week for the Door Kinetic Arts Festival, joining fellow writer Chris Nee for a discussion about writing for film and screen at Write On, Door County on Sept. 23 at 4 pm, and then a reading of his play on Sept. 26. Get more details on DKAF at Doorkinetic.com.

At last year's Door Kinetic Arts Festival, David Maraniss and Eric Simonson came together for a fascinating discussion about turning Maraniss's biography of Packers legend Vince Lombardi into a Broadway play. Moderated by Jacob Janssen of Third Avenue Playworks, the writers bring you a great discussion not only about Lombardi and the Packers, but also about the creative process and the choices they made to bring a sprawling biography of one of history's most compelling sports figures to the stage.

Fair representation is fundamental to Democracy in the United States. In Wisconsin, the way voting districts are drawn has long been a source of controversy and debate. But a dedicated group of advocates is working to change that. Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Nicole Gabrail and iuscely Flores, both with the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition about the organization's nonpartisan movement to create transparent, impartial maps through an Independent Redistricting Commission. Their mission is simple: to ensure that every vote counts equally and that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around.

Mark Honold didn't plan to take on another job in retirement, but after his teaching career ended, a more challenging chapter began when his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He talks to Myles Dannhausen Jr. about the difficult journey of navigating the disease, watching his wife's decline and navigating a maze to find resources and assistance. He also discusses what he'd do differently if he could go back to the beginning, and how he was able to gain the perspective to get help before tthe burden of caregiving took an irriversable toll on him.

When Mitch Larson agreed to give a friend a ride to a clothing show in Chicago nearly 40 years ago, he didn't know it would change the direction of his life. The founder of On Deck Clothing Co. joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about how that trip hooked him on the clothing industry, why his stores have their unique style, and his passion for historic preservation and rejuvenating spaces.

An important hearing is coming up Sept. 4th about the waterfront portion of the former Alpine Resort property (25:04), so Debra Fitzgerald and Myles Dannhausen Jr. hop on the mics to give listeners to the lowdown on where things currently stand on the two Alpine properties and the many issues in contention between the property's different owners and the village. But first they discuss Marina Fest, the big weekend event in Sister Bay, and the community value of local festivals.

This summer, Wisconsin lawmakers approved a major increase in special education funding — something districts across the state have been requesting for years. But while that's good news for special ed programs, there's a catch: general school aid is staying flat. In fact, several districts in Door County are seeing cuts. So what does that mean for schools, and for your next property tax bill? Eleanor Corbin, Peninsula Pulse reporter who covers schools across Door County, joins Debra Fitzgerald to unpack it all.

“Why don't immigrants just get in line?” is a common refrain when people discuss the illegal immigration problem. But if you ask where the line is nobody can tell you - because it doesn't exist. Immigration attorney Luca Fagundes joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss the many nuances of the U.S. immigration system and the laws that make solving the riddle so complicated. They'll discuss Luca's path to becoming an immigration attorney, why it's so hard for those already here to start the legal process to become a citizen and the misconceptions people have about how the United States immigration system works.

It will probably come as no surprise to anyone that Door County's robust music scene includes world-class chamber music. Allyson Fleck, executive director of Midsummer's Music, and a talented violist herself, talks with Debra Fitzgerald about the organization's roots, its mission, what chamber music means and the musicians who bring their music to the Door County community. Stay tuned: she also brought along her viola and plays a short piece by Bach.

Rural birthing centers are closing at an alarming pace in Wisconsin and across the country, but Door County Medical Center CEO Brian Stephens says their birthing center isn't going anywhere. Stephens and Dr. Dorene Dempster join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about why rural hospitals struggle to keep the service going and what the Medical Center does to keep theirs open to serve our isolated community.

The Door County Drug Treatment Court has been in operation since 2020. Earlier this year, the county paused new admissions to the program, and in May, announced it would be shut down due to staffing shortages. But last week, new developments suggested the program may continue after all. Joe Krebsbach, director of the Door County Health and Human Services Department and the person who oversees the program, joins Debra Fitzgerald to talk about the program, why it's important and what's next.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Debra Fitzgerald discuss the Pulse's approach to covering difficult stories and how we choose what merits a story. But first, a look at the growth in live music on the peninsula, the smoky haze settling in the air, and a potential third round-about coming to Sturgeon Bay.

Dr. Kristen Raney, President of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), talks with Debra Fitzgerald about how the college is transforming education into opportunity in Door County and elsewhere within the systems' communities. Dr. Raney shares what makes NWTC her favorite college to lead, how job-focused programs are tailored to local workforce needs, and how the school is partnering with employers, K-12 districts, and even correctional facilities.