The Obsessed Podcast

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On this podcast we visit with folks obsessed with a wide array of interesting endeavors. We hear some awesome stories, and explore the mindsets and psychology of those who are obsessed. Hosted by Logan Hyrkas.

Logan Hyrkas


    • Aug 15, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 23m AVG DURATION
    • 100 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Obsessed Podcast is a captivating show that delves into the lives and passions of individuals in the Copper Country, MI. Hosted by Logan, this podcast brings forth intriguing stories that leave listeners wanting more. The theme of the show, focusing on what makes people tick, is incredibly interesting and provides a unique perspective on the lives of others. As someone who enjoys understanding the motivations and interests of people, I find this podcast to be right up my alley.

    One of the best aspects of The Obsessed Podcast is Logan's ability to draw out compelling stories from his guests. He has a knack for finding individuals who are deeply devoted to a specific interest or passion, and he skillfully guides the conversation to bring out their personal journeys and experiences. Whether it's someone dedicated to woodworking or an adventurer who embarked on a cross-country bike ride, each interview feels like sitting with old friends over coffee, listening attentively as they share their deepest passions. The relatability of these stories transcends geographical boundaries, making them enjoyable even for those who may not be familiar with the area.

    While it's challenging to find any significant drawbacks to this podcast, one minor criticism could be that some episodes might benefit from more structured storytelling. Occasionally, guests can go off on tangents or lose focus on their main narrative thread. However, this is a small issue that does not significantly detract from the overall quality of the show.

    In conclusion, The Obsessed Podcast is a captivating exploration of individuals' passions and interests in Michigan's Copper Country. Logan's talent for drawing out compelling stories combined with a theme that resonates with many listeners makes this show truly enjoyable. Whether you're from the same area or not, this podcast offers an engaging experience that will leave you longing for more tales of perseverance and dedication. I highly recommend giving it a listen and joining in on the journey through others' obsessions.



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    Latest episodes from The Obsessed Podcast

    Ep. 100: The Final Episode! Maybe? Reflection Episode/Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 12:21


    On this episode I give an update of how things are going out west and discuss some thoughts and a debate I have been having about the podcast and it's future. Let me know your thoughts! How would you handle this question?

    Ep. 99: End of Season 1, Reflection Episode, Highlights Since Episode 89

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 24:24


    On this episode I discuss the end of season 1. We also look back at some highlight moments on episodes since episode 89.

    Ep. 98: Jay Storm- Insurance, Hockey, Chasing The NHL

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 90:14


    Jay Storm is the owner of Storm Insurance Services. He is also passionate about Hockey. He is the author of the book Chasing The NHL: From Pond Hockey To Pro The Trent Daavettila Story.  Check out the book: https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-NHL-Hockey-Trent-Daavettila/dp/0692952551 Jay's Insurance Website: https://shopmichiganinsurance.com/

    Ep. 97: Dr. Zackary Bowers- Neuroscience, Psychology

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 146:55


    Dr. Zackary Bowers is a college instructor teaching courses in neuroscience and psychology. He has a PhD in neuroscience from Central Michigan University. His bachelors is in psychology and biology from Saginaw Valley State University. He has extensive lab experience studying traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

    Ep. 96: Troy Ryynanen- Mule Deer Hunting, Archery

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 73:17


    Troy Ryynanen is an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. The peak of his pursuits is archery mule deer hunting. He has had a ton of success archery hunting and it is a large part of his world.

    Ep. 95: Frank Honkala- Trucking, Log Trucks, Buffing and Cleaning, Vehicles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 80:03


    Frank Honkala is a log truck owner operator in Upper Michigan. He is well known for having the cleanest trucks around. He has a long history in the world of trucking starting off with helping his dad during his trucking days when Frank was young. On top of log truck driving he has spent time in the western North Dakota oil fields trucking.

    Ep. 94: John Dee- Meterologist, Secret of Life, Father's Day Flood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 90:33


    John Dee is a meteorologist that has had a longtime focus on on Upper Peninsula of Michigan weather, particularly snow. He was previously on the podcast on episode 39 where we got into his unbelievable story of how he became a meteorologist, overcoming childhood health concerns, and much more. On this episode we had a philosophical conversation for the first 35-40 minutes, then got into an array of topics including the father's day flood that happened in Houghton/Hancock in Michigan's UP.

    Ep. 93: Patrick Durkin- Outdoor Writer/Editor, Running, Hunting, Fishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 135:25


    Patrick Durkin is a hard working outdoor writer, editor, and columnist. He has a long history in the newspaper world, as editor of Deer and Deer Hunting Magazine, and many other outdoor writing pursuits. Currently he writes a regular column, writes for Meateater, and is an active voice in the outdoor world. Along with hunting, fishing, and outdoor pursuits, he enjoys running and has run many Marathons, including times at the Boston Marathon after qualifying for it twice.

    Ep. 92: Jack Zwart- Heartland Revival Podcast, Rust Belt Kid, Midwest, Trucking, Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 95:01


    Jack Zwart is the host of the Heartland Revival podcast. Check out this link below. He also writes and shares content on Twitter under the handle @rustbeldkid1. He has a unique journey into the world of trucking and manufacturing and his podcast and twitter explore the magic behind the Midwest, industry, trucking, manufacturing, etc... and celebrates all that these worlds encompass. Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6pxXSE4bPJQ5HHjEwKMyZM

    Ep. 91: Dr. Jane Summersett- Ice Dancing, Dentistry, Fishing, Hunting

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2023 80:34


    Dr. Jane Summersett had an unbelievably interesting life in the world of ice dancing. She competed at a super high level before going to school to become a dentist. Currently she runs her practice in northern Michigan. She also enjoys fishing and hunting.

    Ep. 90: Gary Hupp- Logging, Machinery, Adventure, and more.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 85:03


    Gary Hupp is passionate about quite a few areas of life. We discussed an array of topics including his history in running machinery, working in the logging industry, and now helping with sales and deployment for Waldo Solutions, which describes themselves as "Intelligent Supply Chain Software For The Logging Industry". Gary is the type to get into different hobbies on an intense level and we explored where that comes from.

    Ep. 89: Reflection Episode, Release Rate Announcement, Highlights Since Episode Ep. 74

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2023 21:46


    On today's episode I go over highlights since episode 74 and discuss release rates. Essentially breaking down some thought process shifts on internal deadlines and weighing that variable with family, health, real estate, etc...

    Ep. 88: Mark Halonen- Business Startups, Steelhead Technologies, Programming

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 73:48


    Mark Halonen is a cofounder and the CTO of Steelhead Technologies. He has been involved with, created, or been engaged in several startup ventures. His area of passion revolves around the programming and technology side of business.

    Ep. 87: Josh Rheault- Comedy, Frozen Squid Productions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 78:31


    Josh Rheault, along with his wife Nikki, are the founders and owners of Frozen Squid Productions, a comedy production company in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

    Ep. 86: Charlie Klassa- Big Woods Whitetail Hunting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2023 67:04


    Charlie Klassa is a passionate whitetail hunter. He hunts several different species and helps his own kids and other kids get into the world of hunting, but his personal favorite pursuit culminates with hunting mature whitetails in big woods in the Midwest.

    Ep. 85: Lance Kangas- Chiropractic Care, Thrive Chiropractic and Wellness, Nutrition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 78:55


    Lance Kangas is the owner of Thrive Chiropractic and Wellness in Houghton, Michigan. Check out his website at https://thrivechiropracticandwellnesshoughton.com/. Lance's website describes: Here at Thrive we utilize the triad of health through adjustments, muscle testing, and soft tissue work for the physical aspect while using nutrition and custom labs to follow the biomarkers of the body for the chemical and mental aspects. 

    Ep. 84: Nathan Ackerman- Backpacking, CTUG, Backpacking Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 98:02


    Nathan Ackerman is a cofounder of Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear, a backpacking company that strives to create lightweight and durable backpacking gear. Check out their website at www.https://chickentrampergear.com/. Nathan is passionate about backpacking and spending time outside. Along with his business partner, Austin, they combined their engineering background and passion for backpacking and turned it into their business.

    Ep. 83: Charlie Kemppainen- Basketball

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2023 65:19


    Charlie Kemppainen is passionate about basketball. He has been involved with the game of basketball for most of his life. Currently he coaches Calumet High School girls varsity basketball. He coached the Finlandia University men's basketball team for nine seasons and assisted with the Michigan Tech University's men's and women's programs. He also coached the varsity boys at Hancock Central High School prior to coaching at Finlandia University.

    Ep. 82: Jamie Pietila- Food, Naturally Nourished Home, Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 95:37


    Jamie Pietila is passionate about food and feeding her family, specifically tasty and nourishing food as it relates to health and wellness. A few aspects of this is operating a minimal waste kitchen, utilizing nose to tail practices on animals, and homemade from scratch meals. Check out her page on Instagram @naturallynourishedhome.

    Ep. 81: Travis White- Fishing, Fishing Charter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 90:51


    Travis White is the owner of Keweenaw Charters, a Lake Superior trout and salmon charter service. He's also a cofounder of ProNav Marine. Along with this he's also an engineer. 

    Ep. 80: Eric Ylitalo- Hockey

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 62:48


    Eric Ylitalo is passionate about hockey. He really enjoys playing, including playing in the historic world of Minnesota backyard hockey rinks. He played high school hockey in Minnesota and played for a short stint in the NAHL shortly after high school. After taking 3-4 years off he reentered the world of hockey and played for another 3 years in a combination of the ECHL, SPHL, and some time playing hockey overseas.

    Ep. 79: Brian Torola- Human Behavior, Travel, Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 77:09


    Brian Torola is a mechanical engineer. He's another guy who doesn't necessarily have an obsession, but is someone I've always appreciated. I wanted to bring him on mainly just to pick his brain. A few of the topics we discussed are his brief section hike on the Appalachian trail, people watching, studying social behavior, how much of what we do is rational or irrational, and more.

    Ep. 78: Seth Waters- Fly-fishing, Fly-fishing Guiding, Ministry (Explicit)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 120:20


    (Explicit) Seth Waters is the owner of the Dark Waters Fly Shop and Guide Service. Through happenstance he also became the pastor at his church. His fly-fishing videos on his YouTube channel, Dark Waters, are unbelievable.

    Ep. 77: Kyle Maki- Adventure, Mountain Climbing, Hiking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 137:59


    Kyle Maki's growing passion involves the world of adventure, hiking, and mountain climbing. He just returned from a solo trip in Alaska's mountains, his second solo Alaska trip.

    Ep. 76: Travis Kunze and Lucas Gindl- Psychology (Explicit)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 126:48


    (Explicit) Travis Kunze is a student in his masters program for Psychology. He intends to continue on for his doctorate in this field and working within the world of bringing awareness, reducing, and preventing human trafficking. Lucas Gindl is a month away from graduating from Chiropractic school. His initial school interest was in psychology. In this episode we have somewhat of a psychology round table, which mostly consisted of me picking these two intelligent guys brain's.

    Ep. 75: Troy Kinnunen- Flying, Marines, Pilot School

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2023 107:05


    Troy Kinnunen is a student at Western Michigan's College of Aviation where he is pursuing a degree in Aviation Flight Science. He currently has his private pilot's license and is finishing up his instrument rating. As part of this degree, he will obtain his commercial pilots license. He also served in the Marines from 2014-2019. 

    Ep. 74: Reflection Episode, First Year Of The Podcast, Highlights Since Episode 45

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 44:28


    On today's episode I reflect on the first year of the podcast. Also included are some snapshots and moments from each episode since the last time I did this.

    Ep 73: Brent Halonen- Steelhead Technologies, Laurium Labs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 102:49


    Brent Halonen is a cofounder and head of A.I. at Steelhead Technologies, a software that is built for manufacturing job site optimization. Brent is also a founder and lead scientist at Laurium Labs.

    Ep 72: Michael Steber- Coaching, Basketball, Bridges Copper Country

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 63:27


    Michael Steber was a basketball coach and middle school principle for many years. Prior to his role as principle he was a PE teacher. Currently he is working with Bridges Copper Country, a Portage Health Foundation initiative that will help the local community grow and prosper through personal growth.

    Ep. 71: Pam and Steve Hecht- Rockhounding, Agate Picking, Collecting

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 70:18


    Pam and Steve Hecht are super passionate rock, agate, gem, and mineral pickers and collectors. Their knowledge of this world is unreal. They are also the owners of Miners Cafe in Laurium, Michigan.

    Ep. 70: Stacy Bussiere- 7 Years Of Mile Runs, Fitness, Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 86:36


    Stacy Bussiere is a driven fitness and health minded coach and teacher. She just finished, and is continuing, running at least one mile per day, every single day. She is a PE teacher, has history in personal training, and has completed many challenges throughout her fitness trajectory.

    Ep. 69: Dr. Patrick Flynn- The Wellness Way, Health and Wellness

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 82:23


    Dr. Patrick Flynn is a Chiropractor, and the founder of The Wellness Way, an international network of Health Restoration Clinics that think and act differently to solve individualized health challenges. He is an author, a few of his books are I Disagree: How These Two Words Are the Secret to Thinking Differently and Taking Control of Your Health, and The Hormone Connection. 

    Ep. 68: Ricky Kilpela- Hunting, Horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 72:46


    Ricky Kilpela is a passionate hunter. A lot of his recent hunts have been out west. Incorporated into this world, another thing he is engaged in is horses. He owns a horse, Spitz. Together they have gone on many hunts, rides, and adventures.

    Ep. 67: Charley Heltunen- Business, Teaching

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 76:08


    Charley Heltunen is a school teacher in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He is also the owner of A-1 Toilets, a portable toilet company in Calumet, Michigan. 

    Ep 66: Clayton Sayen- Competitive Running

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 66:02


    Clayton Sayen competes in cross country and track at Michigan Tech University. He holds records in the 1500 and 800 at MTU. Running has been a huge part of his world for a long time. We discuss the trajectory of that world, what that has been like for him, as well as the mental aspect of competing on a high level.

    Ep. 65: Ben Gray- Philosophy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 126:25


    Ben Gray is a philosopher. He taught philosophy as a professor for around 15 years. His degrees are in psychology and philosopher and a masters degree in philosophy.

    philosophy ben gray
    Ep. 64: Dick Storm- Classic Country Music, Broadcasting

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 75:52


    Dick Storm is a celebrated radio host, past radio show owner and news director. In December he will have been in broadcasting for 60 years. Currently he hosts the Eagle Country Hall Of Fame radio show on Saturday and Sunday mornings on 105.7 Eagle Country.

    Ep 63: Jared Steiner- Pool

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2022 56:47


    Jared Steiner is super passionate about Pool. To an immense level, this is something he is engaged in all of the time. He plays pool in different leagues and plays state tournaments in North Dakota.

    Ep 62: Jacob Wheeling- Archery, Shed Hunting, Archery Shop

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2022 95:17


    Jacob Wheeling owns Little Missouri Archery in North Dakota with his business partner Andy. Jacob has been a passionate hunter and he has channeled that passion through the archery shop. Jacob also really gets after it with shed antler hunting.

    Ep 61: Caden Kuntz- Business, Ice Cream

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2022 75:22


    Caden Kuntz is the owner of a few businesses. Ruckus Sweets & Treats is an ice cream and sweets business. Ruckus Services is a fencing business. He started and operates both of these in North Dakota.

    Ep. 60: Sue The World Traveler, Fighting Crime Through Auditing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2022 65:35


    Sue is passionate about traveling. She has visited several countries, and all 49 of the states in the US. Her goal is to visit all of the world's continents. Sue is also an auditor. She may not look at her job as "Fighting Crime Through Auditing", but our discussions around that world were fascinating.

    Ep. 59: Karla Raasio: Health/Wellness, The Wellness Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 71:50


    Karla Raasio is highly engaged and passionate about Health and Wellness. Some major trials earlier in her life led her to realizing how important her overall health is. She has completed school with The Wellness Way, and assists others in pursuing a healthier life through their methods and practices. 

    Ep. 58: Jordan Hillstrom- Challenging Status Quo, Army Ranger

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 86:55


    Jordan Hillstrom was an Army Ranger. He is currently the vice president of business operations at Xeratec Software Development. Throughout his life he constantly found himself asking why, and challenging the status quo.

    Ep. 57: Ian Anderson: Fly Fishing, Videography

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 66:57


    Ian Anderson is passionate about Fly Fishing. He is also a highly skilled videographer. He will combine these two to create some exciting fly fishing videos that take you on an adventure. His YouTube channel is Transitions Media. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/user/ANDERSONFILMS.

    Ep. 56: Greta Hillstrom: Creativity, Thrifting, Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2022 95:38


    Greta Hillstrom is the owner of Fancy Free, a popup curated resale store in Marquette Michigan. She opens her store for roughly one week per month and travels the rest of the month in search for the perfect items for the store. She is a talented musician and she has tied her passion for creativity, music, thrifting, and travel, all into the world of her store.

    Ep. 55: John Kramer- Thousands Of River Miles, Flying, Adventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022 139:27


    John Kramer is a pilot. He flew commercially for many years, he also flew bush planes in Alaska. John has also gone on loads of adventures and mission trips. A few on the wilder side were a 2,000 mile Yukon River boat trip in Alaska. Another was a 1,000 mile Mackenzie River float trip in Alaska. He has flown along with the racers in the Iditarod. He has seen a lot in his many years of flying, and we discuss many of these stories.

    Ep. 54: Nikki L'Esperance- Massage Therapy, Massage School

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2022 70:54


    Nikki L'Esperance is a massage therapist and the owner of the Encompass Wellness Studio. She is opening up a massage school in Calumet Michigan to train aspiring therapists.

    Ep. 53: Jon French- Hunting, National Guard, Shooting, Wounded Warriors In Action, Hockey

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 82:17


    Jon French is passionate about hunting and the outdoors. He served in the Army National Guard. He helps out with the Wounded Warriors In Action Foundation. He founded and builds a product which helps visually impaired individuals shoot a rifle called the French-VISS (visually impaired sighting system). He also played hockey at Michigan Tech University.

    Ep. 52: Dr. Sean McBride- Anesthesiologist, Navy Career, Mission Medical Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 218:51


    Dr. Sean McBride is an anesthesiologist. He served for many years in the Navy in various roles. He has also gone on mission trips to help do good medicine in bad places. In conversing we discussed that one of his strengths is extreme delayed gratification. 

    Ep. 51: Dr. Bryce Johnson- Golf, Chiropractor

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 88:13


    Dr. Bryce Johnson is a chiropractor in Minnesota. He is passionate about golf. He is the Golf Biomechanics Specialist at Medina Country Club. His page on Instagram, @mngolfdoctor, is a fun and insightful page to follow for anyone who golfs or appreciates the game.

    Ep. 50: Bridget Durocher- Ultra Running,100-200 Mile Races

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 129:38


    Bridget Durocher is a passionate and highly impressive ultra runner. She has run many ultra races in the 100-200 mile range. The first summer that she ran a 100 mile race she did four 100 mile races in the matter of four months. Initially she ran her first longer race (50K) because she needed 12 test subjects to complete her PhD study. The 12th runner had to back out last minute, so she ran the race to ensure she could have a legitimate research study.

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