Podcasts about Lake Michigan

Nancy Matsumoto is the author of Reaping What She Sows: How Women Are Rebuilding Our Broken Food System, which will be released in October but is available for pre-order now. The book is a collection of stories about women that are creating alternative food networks. They are building out local and regional supply chains in the face of overwhelming odds and the destructiveness of industrial agriculture. While the book traces how broken our global food system is, it's quite hopeful. All of the women featured are doing something about it. They are making changes. They are building something.We talk a lot about supply chains, how long they are and the work that it takes to shorten them. We talk about how an obscure Eurasian grass called kernza is having a positive impact on landscapes in the north central US while being used to create beer. How cacao producers in Belize and Guatemala are getting organized to better their situation. If you want to be inspired in making the changes you want to see in the world, read this book. We also talk with Nancy about the art of writing. We actually have the same agent and have faced a lot of the same challenges in the media industry, which has become nearly impossible to navigate. Putting non-fiction narrative books like this together require tremendous amounts of time and patience, yet we do it because these are important stories to tell. Nancy has also written the books Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake and By the Shore of Lake Michigan, a translation of WWII-era Japanese concentration camp poetry. Again, the latest book is Reaping What She Sows: How Women Are Rebuilding Our Broken Food System. Order a copy or follow Nancy on her just launched Substack, Reaping, which follows some of the stories from the book. --Host: Nicholas GillCo-host: Juliana DuqueProduced by Nicholas Gill & Juliana Duque Recording & Editing by New Worlder https://www.newworlder.com Read more at New Worlder: https://www.newworlder.com

Send us a textIn our Last Podcast Of Season 6 The team visits Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville, Michigan, where they explore the nine-year-old farm-based operation producing grain-to-glass whiskey with locally grown ingredients including their signature hazelnut rye.• Iron Fish grows over 80 acres of hazelnut rye, having recently harvested 100,000 pounds for their whiskey production• Started by sourcing MGP whiskey with unique barrel finishing while waiting for their own distillate to mature• Mad Angler series represents their premium line featuring 100% house-distilled whiskey aged six years• Brand draws inspiration from local author Michael Delp and the fishing culture of Northern Michigan• Tasting includes their 95% rye whiskey, four-grain bourbon, and experimental offerings like their Manifesto series• Distillery balances traditional methods with innovation, creating unique flavor profiles in their limited releases• Iron Fish's motto "returning spirit to its origin" parallels steelhead trout returning to the Betsy River with bringing whiskey back to its farm roots• Their small-batch blending program showcases the importance of finding the perfect proof point for each expressionFind Iron Fish Distillery's products on shelves throughout Michigan or visit their tasting room to experience their full lineup including exclusive releases.Down a dirt road in Thompsonville, Michigan, something special is happening at Iron Fish Distillery. This nine-year-old farm-based operation has emerged as a beacon of craft distilling excellence in the Great Lakes region, creating whiskeys that honor local agricultural traditions while pushing creative boundaries.The distillery's story mirrors the lifecycle of the steelhead trout that swim in the nearby Betsy River—the namesake "iron fish" that return to their birthplace after journeying through Lake Michigan. Similarly, Iron Fish represents a return of spirits to their agricultural origins, where grain and water transform into something greater than the sum of their parts.During our visit, we explored their impressive 80-acre operation where they've just harvested over 100,000 pounds of hazelnut rye destined for their whiskey. Their strategic approach to growth—sourcing quality MGP whiskey for creative barrel finishing while patiently waiting for their own distillate to mature—has positioned them for long-term success rather than rushing immature product to market.The Mad Angler series stands as their premium offering, featuring 100% house-distilled spirits aged six years. Drawing inspiration from local author Michael Delp, these bottles literally emboss the connection between fishing culture and whiskey appreciation. The 95% rye whiskey delivers balanced spearmint and chocolate notes without overwhelming dill characteristics, while their four-grain bourbon offers exceptional complexity at 94 proof. Most impressive is their experimental Manifesto series, which grants blender Isaac complete creative freedom to work with any barrel on the property, resulting in truly distinctive expressions.What makes Iron Fish exceptional isn't just the quality of their spirits but their holistic approach to the craft. From their barrel selection process—working with both local cooper Joe Smith and premium Napa Valley suppliers—to their careful consideration of proof points, every decision serves the spirit rather than Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.com The Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Gov. JB Pritzker makes a statement on the safety of Chicago by taking a walk by the lake at 6 AM.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

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Escape into a world of tranquility with continuous sleep stories to help you fall asleep fast. The Lighthouse Bedtime Collection is a deeply cozy and peaceful audio journey, designed to be your beacon of light in the darkness. Journey to six different lighthouses, featuring a brand new guided sleep story, "The Healing Lighthouse," created to bring you profound peace. You'll also find newly remastered versions of five other beloved tales. We begin our night with the gentle sounds of ocean waves, a calming rhythm to ease your mind. Halfway through the collection, we transition seamlessly into the peaceful patter of rain sounds, offering a new layer of coziness to lull you to sleep. Whether you're struggling with insomnia or simply seeking a peaceful escape, this collection is your perfect companion. Let the timeless allure of lighthouses and the comfort of nature's sounds lead you to your most restorative sleep yet. It's time to let go and dream away.1. Intro & Guided Meditation

Laura and Xhafer come to you from the shores of Lake Michigan with the second in-person record. Xhafer wins the Spud-lympics. Laura suspects the Cylon god must be a man. This episode covers Battlestar Galactica Season 2, Episode 18: Downloaded.Discord: https://discord.gg/MUHKDDk6TNMerch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatHappenedHerePods

BillontheRoad.com travel writer Bill Clevlen spent nearly a month in Wisconsin recently. He saw the unique mail-carriers in Lake Geneva, took a sailing lesson, explored lighthouses along the shores of Lake Michigan, and saw a notable Frank Lloyd Wright-designed office complex. With Megan Lynch.

266. Choosing Fun and Adventure in Your Marriage and with Your Family: An Interview with Dan & Sam Mathews   Isaiah 55:12 MSG “So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines— Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God.”   *Transcription Below*   Dan and Sam Mathews have been married since 2014 and currently reside in Missouri with their two kids, Canyon and Ember. Since the moment they got married, Dan and Samantha have been living a life of sacrifice and faith. From backpacking in Arkansas to RV road trips across the US, they have always taken the adventurous route. Sam is a lifestyle vlogger and content creator, and Dan hosts a hunting podcast in addition to his social platforms. Together they share their life of adventure online with millions of followers. Follow them on socials @wearedanandsam.    Thank You to Our Sponsor: Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What are a few adventures you're so grateful you said yes to in life? Matthew 25:26 MSG says, "That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that!" So drawing your wisdom from the Lord, how does your faith fuel your sense of adventure?  How can we begin to enjoy an adventurous life in our marriage and with our family?   Other Episodes Mentioned from The Savvy Sauce Podcast: 82 Traveling with Your Family with Katie Mueller 242 Stories Series: He Gives and Takes Away with Joyce Hodel     Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger:  (0:11 - 1:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.    The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today over 55 years later at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Burchie family, Sam Leman's Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.    Dan and Sam Mathews are my guests for today, and you may know them from all the social platforms at WeAreDanAndSam.   They live a life of high faith and delightful adventure, and their book, Always Choose Adventure: One Couple's Journey of Chasing the Things in Life That Matter Most, is actually going to release this month. I would highly recommend it. It was an amazing read.   I read through it so fast, and it was a great combination of enjoying the stories but learning so much along the way. It's kind of like our chat for today. We're going to cover various stories, but Dan and Sam are also going to give us simple and practical ideas and tips for adding a sense of fun into our marriage and into our family life.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Dan and Sam.    Dan Mathews: (1:47 - 1:48) Thank you for having us. We're excited. We are really excited.   Laura Dugger: (1:49 - 1:59) Well, I'm so excited to journey back and get to hear more of your story, but will you first just give us an overview of what current life looks like right now?   Sam Mathews: (2:00 - 2:29) Yes. Currently, I'm 22 weeks pregnant with our third baby. We have two kiddos.   Canyon is almost nine. Ember is seven. We live in Southern Missouri.   We love adventuring and traveling, and Dan hunts. We share life on every platform, so just lifestyle, vlogging, and sharing our adventures. We recently settled down in a home, and so this is our first time doing DIYs for ourselves.   Yeah, it's a fun season right now.   Dan Mathews: (2:29 - 2:46) And Sam loves to host, so I think we have 48 parties scheduled this summer and knocked out a couple already, but yeah, we're excited about life, excited about adventure, and sharing that with people and how they can actually get out and adventure more.   Laura Dugger: (2:47 - 3:01) You do that so well, but if we're going back then to more of the origin stories, will you both share your journey of growing up and your stories that eventually led for the two of you to overlap with one another?   Sam Mathews: (3:01 - 3:37) Yeah, definitely. It's always been me, my mom, and my sister. My mom was a single mom raising us, born in California, but then she moved us to Southern Missouri when I was young, and this was a great place to raise us.   In the Bible Belt, we were raised pretty much in church. She did an amazing job as a single mom, just caring for us and pointing us to Christ. We got plugged into a church very early on.   We volunteered there. My sister and I worked there. We attended there, and so we're really involved, and that's how I met Dan when he came to Bible College.   Dan Mathews: (3:37 - 4:58) Yeah, I grew up in central Wisconsin. We went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, was very, very involved with the kid's ministry and youth group and just any opportunity I could be around that church community, I was. We had a group called Master's Commission that would come up and do outreach at our church.   They were from Florida, and I was like, man, I want to do that one day. These guys are awesome. They're doing human videos, and they're all musical.   My dad's brother and his family moved down to Southern Missouri, and I get a call one day right after high school. They were like, “Hey, there's a Master's Commission program down here. If you want to do it, we'll pay for it.” I was like, “Sure, let's do it.” Almost no questions asked, just kind of like, all right, tell me the date I have to be there. Then, I started packing stuff up and quit my job and moved down knowing absolutely nobody. I got plugged into the church. I became very, very involved, and then just built a community, and through that, I went there with Sam's sister, her older sister, and I got to know Sam, and then I ended up working out at the gym that she worked at.   Sam Mathews: (4:59 - 5:00) Which was at our church.   Dan Mathews: (5:00 - 5:15) Which was at the church, and so we were just around each other all the time, and that kind of developed over years and years and years. Then one day, I was like, wow, this chick is awesome, and now we're here doing podcasting.   Laura Dugger: (5:16 - 5:32) Which is incredible. Okay, so just to pause, and you go into more of these stories, love your books, so easy to read, but can you take us back to what you both first thought of one another when you were meeting those days at the gym? Oh, gee.   Sam Mathews: (5:33 - 6:22) For sure, Dan is the life of the party, like he is comedy, and just, he has all the jokes, and definitely a charmer with all the ladies, but so fun to be around, and not only his humor draws you in, but I didn't grow up with a father, and so I liked the, I don't know, like strong aspect that he had, just like the confidence, and then his relationship with the Lord was something that I desired to have for myself, you know, a leader in a couple like together, someone to point me towards Christ, but the lightheartedness and jokes and humor keep the hard days fun, but that for me was, you know, I always can count on you for a good joke.   Dan Mathews: (6:23 - 6:41) Yeah, I, when I first met Sam, it was kind of in a group setting, and it was with her older sister with my younger brother, and it was like, oh, this is, you know, Justine's sister. Little sister. Didn't really think a whole lot of it, but after a couple years, I think you were probably a sophomore at that time when I first met you.   Sam Mathews: (6:41 - 6:42) Yeah.   Dan Mathews: (6:42 - 7:36) And, and then after a couple years, it was like she was volunteering in the youth group, and she was on the recreation staff at our camps, and so it's like we were spending more time together, and I'm like, oh, Justine's sister's kind of cute, and yeah, we started, we started just kind of a friendship. We were just around each other all the time. I mean, like before we were dating, we're really interested in each other.   It's like I was walking back from the lake, and she'd hop on my back, and I'd just give her a piggyback ride up to the cabins, and then looking back, I'm like, wow, our lives just were really intermingled and overlapped for years and years, but early on, she was younger. She had braces. She was a hip-hop dance instructor, so I mean, she would have like one sweat pant leg rolled up, high-top Nikes on all the time, like thought she was the coolest thing ever.   Laura Dugger: (7:36 - 7:52) I was. I didn't think. Oh, that's amazing.   I love that, and my husband and I were also friends first, and I feel like that does set you up well in marriage. Like you've got your built-in buddy.   Sam Mathews: (7:53 - 8:30) Exactly. I was going through pictures yesterday, because I was going to post a trend online, and it was like, oh, how cute. How many months have you been married?   And it's like months? You put a picture for every year, and it's like we've known each other since like 2008, maybe 2009. Then, like started our like dating in 2010. I look at pictures of us from 2010 as a couple. I'm like, oh, my gosh, we've grown so much just like, you know, like physically, but even just relationally and spiritually, and like it's crazy looking back, and so thankful for so many years of friendship with him, but you know, relationship-wise, it's been great.   Dan Mathews: (8:30 - 8:52) Well, and I feel like doing life together is a great model before ever like the romantic side comes in. You get to know the person in group settings. You get to know who they are without the interest, because people can put on a different face once you're trying to impress somebody, you know, but we were just being our genuine selves around each other for a long time.   Sam Mathews: (8:52 - 8:59) Probably saw some stupid moments, some hard moments, but that's, yeah, that's what you want to see before you get into a relationship with someone.   Laura Dugger: (9:00 - 9:12) Absolutely. Yeah. And as we're starting back that far, then when you reflect back, what are some of the adventures that you're most grateful you've said yes to in life?   Sam Mathews: (9:13 - 10:38) Yeah. Oh, my gosh. I feel like dating, we weren't even dating at this point, the canoe trip when you did a master's commission, and that was so fun.   It was like all of his friends, my sister, all the master's commission group went kayaking, and I decided to tag along as a sibling, and his brother did, and maybe a couple others. And that was fun, but it also gave me an opening into how Dan adventures, because his way of adventuring is way different than mine. I grew up, like I said, with a mom.   We would camp at a cabin, and you'd pack the car full of everything you need. Dan would literally just put everything in a backpack and hike in two miles to go camping. And so being in that group, going kayaking, it was so fun, and it sparked this new love for adventure and new desire to learn a new way of adventuring.   That was so fun. I mean, that was before we were married, but this is kind of jumping far ahead, but when we were married, we moved to Colorado for a couple of years, and although it was a hard season for us, we learned so much. We gained so much from it.   A lot was birthed in us in that season. I mean, physically, I welcomed my daughter. We welcomed our second child in Colorado, but spiritually, I think God planted a lot of seeds that it may not have been a tangible adventure of being out in the woods, but spiritually, we were in the woods, and we grew so much, and I'm glad we said yes to it because it opened the door and led to so many other things.   Dan Mathews: (10:38 - 12:31) Yeah, I feel like a lot of our adventures, some are traditional. I mean, a big adventure for me was leaving home. I mean, I moved straight out of my parents' house to a different state, and that was totally crazy for me.   But then watching Sam, I mean, she moved out to California for a summer, went to a ministry out there. Then I saw her go to Colorado and Nanny for a couple, all summer long, and so I was like watching this, and we were talking, and I realized, like, we're both all in on an adventurous life, and even when we don't have the answers, it's like, is the Lord telling you not to do it? No?   Okay, well, then we'll see what happens, and I thought that was really cool to watch her just like, oh, I'm going to California for a summer, and at first, I was like, please don't. I don't want you to come all the way to California, but then I was like, that's going to be so incredible. Like, you're just leaving everything behind and starting over for a whole summer in a different state, and so that was like the early dating years where we were kind of doing our own adventures, but we were watching and encouraging each other in doing them, and then we started actually going out and camping and floating rivers and hiking up waterfalls, and if you've never camped in the backcountry with someone, I suggest doing it. It's a great metric for if there's someone you want to marry.   Like, if you can figure out canoeing and camping, you're probably going to be okay in marriage. That's good. And so, yeah, we started doing that stuff, and then from there, it was just like one after the next, going to Alaska, camping in grizzly country by ourselves, and it's our first time there.   Like, we've done some pretty wild things, some pretty traditional things, but at the end of the day, all of the adventures are what brought us together.   Laura Dugger: (12:32 - 12:45) Well, and just thinking of the adventure that drew you together, and then also your current platforms on socials and vlogging and preserving all of these pictures, like you said, you've captured all the pictures throughout the time.   Sam Mathews: (12:45 - 12:45) Yes.   Laura Dugger: (12:47 - 12:58) When you look back, do you feel like God had given you little seeds of what was yet to come or what kind of career you would be in someday, or was this totally a shock to both of you?   Sam Mathews: (12:59 - 13:57) You know what? Looking back at pictures or even videos that I took, I could see how it was something that the Lord was birthing in us, and I would say probably me so more than Dan. I think Dan's like, whatever you want to do, I'm along for the ride type of thing.   It probably wasn't his first choice as a career, but now that we're in it, we love it and we're thankful for the blessing it is to our family and the time that we get to spend with the kiddos. But I look back and I started videoing and taking pictures like years before even starting on social media, and then even the first few months in the year of sharing, it was like I didn't know what I was doing, but I still wanted to just share life and encourage people and love on people and inspire people. And yeah, it's crazy to look back on, but I also see the work the Lord was doing to get it all started before we even thought about it and knew that it would be something that we'd be doing.   Dan Mathews: (13:57 - 16:00) Yeah, and I feel like with Sam, she gets promptings from the Lord that she doesn't know what it is. She doesn't know what it means. And early on, I think the very first one, she's like, babe, I just have this feeling like a big change is coming.   And I'm like, anymore? Like, do you have any more information for me? That's not a whole lot to go off of.   And I mean, in the conversation, I was like, okay, we'll see. Then I just forgot about it. And I mean, it was like the next day.   There was an issue at work, just a very immoral thing that they were asking us to do as employees. And I was like, no, I can't be part of this. And I called her right after, and I was like, babe, I think this might be it.   Like I'm going to resign tomorrow. And we talked and prayed, and I only had like a five-minute car ride home. We talked, prayed, got off the phone, and immediately I get a call from my buddy.   And he's like, “Hey, dude, don't know what you're doing for work right now, but I've got a job for you if you want to come work at this place I'm at.” And I was like, “Oh, my gosh.” So then two years later, the same thing happened.   She's like, I feel like a change is coming. Boom, big change. Two years later, I feel like a change is coming.   All of a sudden, we're in a car moving out to Colorado. And it was just like that cycle. And so now when she's like, hey, there's a change coming, I'm like, oh, my gosh.   I got to pack my bags. Something big's happening. I know something major is happening.   And so, I don't know that early on either of us expected us to be where we are today. But we knew that we wanted to prioritize time together. We wanted to prioritize time with our kids and above all of it, time with the Lord.   And if we could get those three in the right order, it didn't really matter where we were. It didn't matter what state we were in. If we were living in a bumper pole camper, an RV, a tiny home, or a regular sized house, we just knew that we had to prioritize those things, and everything was going to work out.   Laura Dugger: (16:01 - 18:03) Truly. And that's the promise from Matthew 6:33, that you're really living that out. And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Burchie family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago. If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed.   They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle. This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible.   They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple, Welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different. I've known Sam and Stephen and their lives my entire life and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today.   Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you and they appreciate your business. Learn more at their website, samlemanchevy.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka. You can also call them at 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.    There's a verse that you quoted in your book, and I had never read it before, in the message translation.   So, it's Matthew 25:26 that says, “That's a terrible way to live.” It's criminal to live cautiously like that. So, drawing your wisdom then from the Lord, how does your faith fuel your sense of adventure?   Sam Mathews: (18:04 - 19:50) Yeah, a lot of faith and trust. Several points in our life have been like a crossroads where we feel like we want to almost desire more out of everything to go towards the direction where God is leading us, where we don't know the outcome. We don't know what's ahead.   We don't know what's coming and it's forcing us to trust the Lord, to have faith, even though we're fearful of it. Or we look at another option where it's like, you know what, this is very comfortable. We know the outcome.   We know what's going to be required of us. We know how we're going to get there, how we're going to pay for it. And it was something we didn't desire.   We liked being in a position where we needed the Lord. We're reliant upon Him. And so, you know, we talk often in the book about being comfortable.   And I feel like when you're in a comfortable setting in life, it's safe. There's no risk involved. There's little to no trust in the Lord.   I say that, you know, there's more to the story of that. But that you don't want to be at a place where you don't need God, where you don't need to rely on Him. And so, for us, we just encourage people that if you do find yourself in a comfortable place, to maybe step out of your comfort zone a little bit.   To what's an area where you need to trust the Lord more? Is it finding that new job that you've been waiting for, that you've been hoping for? Is it moving to the state that's closer by your family or closer by your friends that you really desire but you're scared too?   To not just be comfortable and stay for the sake of not being fearful or not, like knowing what's next, but instead step out, trust the Lord, you know, as long as you have peace and as long as you feel that yes from Him. And just lay fear aside and move forward with the Lord.   Dan Mathews: (19:50 - 21:54) Yeah, with every big decision that we make, we're led by peace. And we've said it for years. If either one of us don't have peace about it, we're not doing it.   But when there are multiple doors open, we say we're going to choose the most adventurous one. If we don't feel a specific direction from the Lord, let's just pick the most adventurous one. And it's kind of become common practice for us to not have really many of the details planned out on a major decision on a trip.   And people are like, do you have any idea of what you're going to do when you move there? Or how long you're going to be traveling the country in an RV? And we're like, nope, we'll figure it out.   I joke with my buddies all the time because they're like, “I mean, how do you know everything's going to be okay? How do you know this?” I go, well, between me and God, we've got everything figured out.   And they're like, “Oh, okay, I get it.” I'm like, “well, the Lord has everything figured out, but I can throw myself in that team, you know?” And I feel like it's been an encouragement to some of our friends as they watch it.   And they're like, whoa, you guys did it. I'll talk about it for years. And even when we moved out to Colorado, in our minds, we were going to move out there.   All of our friend group was like, one person needs to move. And then everybody else is going to slowly follow out. Well, we end up moving out there.   And I'm like shooting my buddies messages like, “All right, when are you coming out? And one by one, it was like, “No, I don't think we're coming.”   No, it's not going to be for at least five years. It's going to be, you know, maybe when the kids graduate, all of these different responses. And I'm like, man, that was one of the biggest things that we missed when we were out there.   But we knew that moving to Colorado, taking a pay cut, paying more in rent, like all of those things were a stepping stone to get us to where we were today, to trusting the Lord and starting our first business together, trusting the Lord with our finances, with our time. And really putting us in a position where we were fully dependent on him for our survival.   Sam Mathews: (21:54 - 22:40) And so even if something doesn't work out, we mentioned a couple of stories in the book where we may have moved forward without peace, and it did not end well. But the Lord always brings it around and teaches us something from it or a situation where we felt the peace to move to Colorado, but we were only there for two years. It was hard on us financially.   We got into debt. We had no friends, no family out there. It was a hard season.   We still gained from it. So instead of looking at something as a complete loss, we still look to find the good. You know, what did the Lord birth in us?   You know, like Dean said, spiritually, we grew together. Financially, we started a business. Like so much good came from it that even though it maybe on paper or to others, it didn't make sense.   It was still good. And something that the Lord, yeah, started for us.   Laura Dugger: (22:41 - 23:05) And you've learned those lessons and now you get to share them with others. Even super practical with this one. Our family has never done the RV thing before, but even just dipping our toes in and trying a vacation that way.   What tips do you have for families, maybe who aren't traveling around, living out of their RV, but vacationing with one, what are some of your best tips?   Sam Mathews: (23:05 - 24:27) I just saw a video of someone sharing the other day where they took their family of, let's see, four, six total on an RV for the first time. And I was like, oh no, because the first warning I give to everyone is you have to drain your poop through the hose. If you're out on that, RV life is not for you.   RV vacation is not for you. Do you have to get down and dirty and take care of a few things? There's a lot more maintenance that comes with RV vacationing or RV life.   And I usually have the dirty work for Dan to do and I'm inside cooking, cleaning. But an RV has all your basic needs. You can still go to the bathroom, you can still shower, there's a toilet, there's a bed.   It's just on a lot smaller scale. And if you're not good with being in close proximity with all your children or your spouse, then you may just need a little bit of a bigger space to stay in. But it's fun because you get to navigate it together and you get to learn just a new way of life or new way of traveling.   And yeah, the maintenance of the restroom, you have to have water hookups, or you need solar for electric or you have to be hooked up to electric. The great part is you can go anywhere, and you can get right up close to some great adventures. Our favorite spot to park an RV is the rim of the Badlands.   It's so pretty. Is it the North Rim?   Dan Mathews: (24:28 - 24:28) Yeah.   Sam Mathews: (24:28 - 24:54) It's gorgeous. You wake up to the sun rising over it and it's the most peaceful thing to be right there next to it. And you can't do that with a cabin in the woods.   But the benefit to a cabin in the woods is that's its own adventure. And so just do a little bit of research on the maintenance required for setting up, tearing down the RV in order to get on the road and to like park it and set up.   Dan Mathews: (24:55 - 26:44) I like how you weave some of the worst parts about our RV life in there. But I will say being on the road, traveling and like just kind of deciding on the way is one of the greatest things ever. I did not, like we definitely had a plan.   It was like, “Hey, we're gonna stop one time.” Growing up, we've got five kids. So, it was like, we're stopping one time to go to the bathroom.   If you have to go, you're just gonna have to hold it type of thing. We were fairly structured in the traveling to a place. But being in an RV, it really opens up so much to where you can on the way be like, oh, I just saw a billboard.   I wonder what that is. Look it up. How far away is it?   Hey, what if we take a 45-minute detour and go check this out? Like we found places in the middle of Kansas that 1% of the population knows about. We camped.   There's spots that you can camp on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Like no guardrail, back your vehicle right up, walk out the door, sit there, have coffee or whatever in the morning. And that was like our favorite part about it.   There were nights that we would drive until like one in the morning. And we might be sleeping in a truck stop. But we were on the way to Glacier National Park or to the Oregon coast or wherever.   And so, I feel like ditching the schedule and just kind of figuring it out as you go is one of the most freeing things on a vacation. And the other nice part about it is if you find a place that you absolutely love and you're like, we want to spend four days here, do it. You don't have a new reservation somewhere else that you have to get to.   You can just go wherever the wind blows, have fun with the family. And yeah, I think everybody needs to do it at least one time.   Laura Dugger: (26:44 - 27:02) Oh yeah, for sure. What a great challenge to step outside our comfort zone like you said. Well, one other amazing adventure that you've embarked on together is becoming a surrogate twice, I believe.   Will you tell us a little bit more about that process and that experience?   Sam Mathews: (27:03 - 31:10) Yeah, definitely. So, in 2018, we had our daughter and she was a little bit more work than our first. So, our first was super easy.   Ate well, slept well, like barely cried. And our daughter, maybe it was just her being a girl. A little bit more needy and required some extra grace and some more prayer for patience on my part.   But at that point, I was like, yeah, I think I'm done. Having children of our own and parenting our own children because even raising two kids is going to be a task. But I didn't feel like I was done carrying children.   And I'm like, I still want to have babies, but I don't want to have more to parent. How do I do that? But I felt like the Lord just laid surrogacy in my heart.   And I started thinking about it, praying about it, researching it. And I brought it up to Dan like, hey, what would you think about me doing this? And I had to educate him a little bit on like what being a surrogate was.   As a gestational surrogate, I wasn't carrying an embryo with an egg that was mine. So, I'm not biologically related to the baby. And after some prayer, we both felt at peace about it.   And so, we walked through that door and started the process of meeting a couple or going through an agency to start a journey. And yeah, we've done two now. So, in 2022, I delivered a baby boy for a couple.   And then in 2024, so just last year, I've just actually in a few days, I'm going to hit my year mark of my second belly bud being one and a little girl for a couple. And it was like the most, one of the greatest adventures I've been on. And I've gained so much from it.   And it's so rewarding to see someone who desires to be a parent, to be a mom, but physically can't. To see them walk that road and just step into the role that like watching her become a mom is like, you can tell that's what she was meant to be. That's what the Lord had for her.   And it's so fun seeing the joy of their family and watching her grow up and like being a part of her life. That, yeah, like we just encourage other people, if you're able to do something like that, or no matter what it is, it's not just surrogacy, but if God's calling you to something that may require a lot more from you or something that is not normal, it's not traditional, you don't see it a lot, like just step out and do it. And yeah, it's been fun.   It definitely grouped Dan and I closer together. Spiritually, he was there for me in times of emotional hardship. Pregnancy in itself is hard, but to do it multiple times, you know, this is my fifth pregnancy now.   There's a lot of roles that he takes on to care for the kids more, to care for me more. And we've grown closer and just his love for me, seeing it that even though it's not our baby, like he's still caring for me and taking care of me as if it was. And the Lord, I've had to rely on the Lord so many times because pregnancy and birthing in itself is a miracle.   To go through moments of transfer, like the embryo doesn't always take the first time on a transfer or your levels are off or maybe one of the ultrasounds is, you know, something doesn't look good on it. We're constantly relying on the Lord and it gives us an opportunity to share with intended parents, you know, someone who didn't have hope, didn't have anything to look forward to for parenting their own children, to just like be an encouragement to them spiritually and then share these journeys with others publicly has been a great way just to share our faith and to share how going through a surrogacy journey caused us to rely on the Lord and, you know, point everything back to Christ and, you know, God being just very pro-life and we're excited to bring this life into the world.   And so, yeah, definitely a big adventure to embark on to bring two babies into the world that aren't ours, but one of like the greatest things I've ever done. It's awesome.   Laura Dugger: (31:11 - 31:25) It's a beautiful sacrifice and I'm sure others are also wondering at that moment when you meet the baby that you've been carrying, how did you handle those emotions of sharing the baby?   Sam Mathews: (31:25 - 33:42) Yes. Yeah, definitely. So, when you go into surrogacy, you know, from the beginning that it's not your child, especially as a gestational carrier, not related to it.   Throughout the pregnancy, all these milestones that you hit, you're excited for it, but you're excited for it for the parents. So, finding out, you know, there's a heartbeat and seeing the baby for the first time on ultrasound, you're excited for them. Finding out the gender, you're excited for them.   You know, delivering the baby, you're excited for them that you do a lot of mental prep, but there's also like a lot of research that shows to like plan something after delivery for your family to do, something for you to do with your kids so that when you do leave the hospital, you don't think about what you don't have anymore. You think about what you do have at your house with your family. And so, it may seem hard.   I think a lot of times people compare it to adoption where the birth mom is literally giving up her child to somebody else and the hardship that that would cause on her as a surrogate. And I can only speak for myself because I'm sure there are times where it is hard for a surrogate. But for me, it wasn't because I did a lot of mental preparing, emotionally preparing that I knowing that this child wasn't mine going into it.   I knew that at the end of it, I would deliver the baby and the baby would be taken from me and I'm not raising this child. And a lot of times you don't even touch a baby until like maybe you're discharged to see the baby before you leave. So, it's not like I'm delivering the baby.   The baby's being given to me and I'm holding and I'm bonding with it. And then it's being taken away. It's no, this is from the moment it comes out of the womb.   It is their baby and it's in their care. And again, seeing their face, their joy, the moment where like they're seeing their child for the first time is so rewarding. And that's something that I would never want to take from them.   It was never my role to be this baby's mother. It was to just carry their baby and to bring their baby into the world. And so, it's not as hard as you think, thankfully.   I mean, I wouldn't have done it a second time for sure if it was. And we're praying about a third one. But it's so rewarding.   And yeah, you know from the beginning that it's not yours. So, it's easy to, in a sense, pass the baby off.   Laura Dugger: (33:43 - 34:56) Well, that's a story that really encapsulates stewardship. I think that's a great example.    Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights?   Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month. Enjoy.    For both of you, your lives are just fascinating mostly because you're living this life of faith and sacrifice. So, it's compelling to get to hear how you're actually doing that. But then I love how you call out that you don't recommend people go to the other extreme and become reckless and chase adventure. You discern between choosing adventure and chasing adventure.   So, I'm wondering if you can give us any of your definitions or parameters around what choosing adventure does and does not look like for you.   Dan Mathews: (34:57 - 38:00) Yeah, I think that choosing adventure for us is looking at opportunities where we can spend as a family, where we can get outside of our comfort zones and just really put it in the Lord's hands. Have fun along the way, you know, whether it's ziplining or jumping off a cliff, like a lot of people think adventure has to be this grand thing and super dangerous. And for us, it isn't really.   Like there's been a couple of times where we've been like, this got crazy quickly. Maybe we could have planned it out a little bit better. But at the end of the day, it all worked out.   And so, when we talk about people choosing instead of chasing or not being reckless, it's all about like, do something new, do something fun, do something that puts you outside of your comfort zone, but isn't going to put you in a bad position. I'm not the guy that's like, you know what? Never swam across Lake Michigan.   I'm going to give it a go, see how it happens, and see what happens. If that's the case, it's like maybe start out with a triathlon and see what you're going to do and work your way up. And so, I don't ever want anyone to take the book or take the things that we say or the adventures that we've had in life and think I'm going to do something absolutely crazy that doesn't make sense.   That's not logical. That's not safe. Like, that's not what this is about.   It's about just getting outside of your comfort zone. And the more you're outside of it, the more comfortable you become with being uncomfortable. And I tell people, like on some of my backcountry hunts, I want to be comfortable in suffering.   Like when I'm really, really struggling physically to climb up a mountain with a 70-pound pack on my back, I want to be like, I know I'm making it out of this. It's not fun in the moment. Like it hurts.   My legs are burning. My back hurts. I feel like I need a break, but I'm going to keep pushing through.   And when I look back on that, I'm going to go, that was brutal and awesome. And I loved every second of it. And I feel like that's how, how we view our trips, our road trips.   I mean, driving, what was it? Thirty something thousand miles in a couple months and visiting dozens and dozens of states. It was like, there were times where it was like, I don't want to be on the road anymore.   The wind is literally about to tip the RV over. I'm almost taking out construction cones or running into things because I had never driven an RV before. And the very first place we go is Wisconsin.   And we drive right past Chicago and there's like construction for a hundred miles. And so it's like all of those things, they were fun. Yeah, they were scary in the moment we got through, we were never in any real danger.   And so, yeah, I feel like it's a stair step when it comes to adventure. I didn't start out just wandering around Alaska by myself. It started with going down to Arkansas, being five miles away from the vehicle and then kind of built from there.   Sam Mathews: (38:00 - 39:50) Yeah, to not be reckless, like to, you know, we talked about this earlier to move forward when you have peace. And just because you have peace with it, someone else may not understand it. But with peace, like there's wisdom too.   You don't want to move forward with a lack of peace and not using wisdom in a decision because yeah, that will get you in trouble and that will cause hardship and pain later down the road. But if you have peace about something and there is that open door and you feel the release from the Lord to go on this adventure, then do it. And even though if it doesn't work out, you know, God will still work everything out.   But yeah, like Dan said, when you, the more you do things that are outside your comfort zone or that, you know, even others may not agree with, but you feel at peace with and you're moving forward, the easier it becomes to do those. And the more you would trust the Lord. And like you said, again, it doesn't have to be some grand adventure.   We encourage people that if they're new to choosing adventure and they're new to stepping outside their comfort zone, try like a new restaurant one day, go to like a new, I was thinking the other day, we live in Missouri and we always travel outside of Missouri for adventure. I'm like, we need to do a six-month adventure just within Missouri. Like we drove two hours South and through Missouri to go to Georgia last week.   And we were driving down this hill on one of the roads. I'm like, this looks like, it looked like Georgia already, or it looked like Colorado, the hillside and the trees and the fog, I'm like, this is beautiful. And I look down, I'm like, oh, we're still in Missouri.   So, there's so much to adventure and to explore in your own backyard or down your street that it doesn't have to be something crazy wild. We're not saying go, you know, jump out of a plane and skydive or something, but just start small, start where you have peace and where you feel the Lord's leading.   Laura Dugger: (39:52 - 40:26) That's great. I love having a handful of practical things. I think of my brother, Drew and his wife, Amanda, when their kids were really little, they just drew a two hour radius to see what places would be fun to go invest and explore.   Or for us, I would say one of our most recent adventures, we didn't know what it would look like on the other side, but it's become one of our favorite things in life and probably our best decision in parenting for us as we started homeschooling our kids last year. And it has been a wild adventure.   Sam Mathews: (40:26 - 40:27) That's an adventure.   Laura Dugger: (40:28 - 40:36) So, any other tips to get people started? Those are even trying the new restaurant. Yeah.   Anything else like that that you would say?   Dan Mathews: (40:37 - 42:13) The nice thing is that we all have this supercomputer in our hand or in our pocket all the time. And there are so many lists of like the top 10 places to see, places to eat. There's books that are just like places to canoe before you dive, places to hike before you dive, and they have all of this stuff listed out.   And so, it's not that you have to be a pioneer and find a new place that nobody's ever been before. Look at the research that people have done before you and look at lists, get on Pinterest or any social media platform and try to just figure out what are practical things that you can do. And then you can also say, how difficult is this going to be for me?   Do I really need to jump that far into it right now? Or should I just go to a local park that might have a cool cave that I can explore? Or maybe there's a creek near the house and like, what if we just go down there and see if we can find fish or crawdads or try to skip rocks?   My kids, that is one of their favorite things. I'm like, I love doing it as a kid. I didn't realize how exciting just the act of watching a rock skip on the water would be for kids.   And so there's, yeah, there's a million different resources online for things that you can practically do close to home. And it might, for some people, just be trying that DIY project instead of calling a carpenter to put yourself up, you know, or a handyman. Like, give it a try.   The worst that's going to happen, you have a hole in your wall. Now you watch a video on how to patch it.   Laura Dugger: (42:14 - 42:37) That's so good. And I'm seeing a theme. A lot of these are getting outdoors and nature.   That's always an adventure. But then I'm even thinking simple things in conversation, trying out a new question, even with a loved one. Or you said at the beginning that you love hospitality.   So inviting somebody new into your home. I think any of that novelty is just really good for us. Yeah, definitely.   Dan Mathews: (42:38 - 44:32) Yeah, I think even making it a point in conversation when somebody asks you how your day is, instead of just saying good and continuing on, actually stop and talk to them. Because a lot of people, their biggest fear might not be going on a road trip, might not be financial ruin. It might just be opening up and being vulnerable with another person.   And so it could be the person at the office that you've never actually had a conversation with. You know each other. You might wave when you walk by their desk.   But actually talk to them. Get to know them. Tell them about yourself.   And so the book has a lot of those types of things lined out where it's like it might not be physical. It might not be out in nature. It might be within your home.   It might be, I mean, some people need to do this with their kids. Like that might be the scariest thing is talking to your teenager. Like actually having a conversation.   And we're going to sit down and we're going to have a meal together and actually talk as a family. And so, yeah, it looks different for everybody. And that's one thing, because our passion is being outside.   Like Sam wants a houseboat. She wants to buy a houseboat and renovate it and live in it for a certain amount of time. And we've had other people who a bunch of homeschool families bought sailboats and sailed all around the world as they were homeschooling their kids.   And I heard that and I was like, yeah, yeah, we're going to have to do that at some point. But I know for a lot of people, just going outside is a big deal. And so it looks different for everybody.   We do give a lot of nature examples, but there's different ways for every type of person, every level of. What would you even call it? Social.   There's a lot of different levels to the social scale. And so no matter where you are, there's something for you to be a little bit more adventurous.   Laura Dugger: (44:34 - 44:42) OK, so like I said, you've made a compelling argument for getting outside of our comfort zone. Why do you think some of us resist this attractive lifestyle?   Sam Mathews: (44:43 - 46:46) Yeah, I think there's fear in it. There's sadly nowadays, you know, what will other people think of me? What will what if we fail?   What if we lose money? What if we what if I look a certain way that I don't want to appear to others? And that's where you just have to think back to Christ.   Like what is it? What really matters at the end of the day? It's how God views you.   And if you fail, oh, well, what if the Lord like just opens up so many doors and creates an avenue for you to get out? Or what if so much good comes from it that we can't be afraid of failure? Again, move forward cautiously with wisdom and with the Lord's peace and direction.   But in our book, we share one of our biggest adventures was going out to Colorado and renovating a van for five days. And we broke down on the side of the road, something no one wants to do in the desert, in the middle of twice. We did twice.   We broke down in the middle of Kansas and then in Colorado again. And it was we'll be honest, it was not fun. It was one of like the scariest times.   But looking back, like we're so thankful we did because so much good came from it. Like we met some amazing people who helped us along the way. And it's now one of our favorite stories to tell of encouragement that just because you say yes to adventure and just because something bad happens, it's not all a waste.   And I think, yeah, that fear just keeps people from being able to move forward and being like, you know what? Like I'm comfortable right here in my house, my kids in public school, not going anywhere because I know where my money's coming. I know like what's happening tomorrow.   I know how people are going to respond. And I'm just going to like stay here. Not that that's a bad thing, because the Lord needs people in every season in every situation.   But if he's prompting you to step out and to try something new, like don't be afraid of what's required from you or what could happen. You never know like where it could lead.   Dan Mathews: (46:47 - 48:10) Yeah, I think a lot of it is those few things, fear, pride, or just you believing that God isn't big enough or doesn't care about your situation. And unfortunately, a lot of people are there where I really want to try this, but like what if things go wrong? And for us, it's like when things go wrong, that's where the Lord provides.   That's where the Lord directs. That's where he leads. That's where his word can be the lamp to your feet and a light to your path.   When you're trying to do it all on your own and you're staying in this safety net of comfort, nothing amazing happens in that place. And so, we've seen it time and time again, the Lord's provision, the Lord's provision in our lives and not only the provision financially, but actually like setting us free from constraints like social constraints of like you have to work nine to five. We heard that over and over and over.   And I'm like, well, the nice thing is Sam and I are both hard workers and super driven, and I'm sure we could get jobs again. Yeah, so like worst case scenario, we run completely out of money and we go back to go back to work. And I'm like, what does failure actually look like?   And I try to get people to break it down for me. People who are like, I'm glad that worked for you, but that couldn't work for us. And I go, why?   Sam Mathews: (48:10 - 48:10) Yeah.   Dan Mathews: (48:11 - 48:20) Like, why couldn't it work for you? And they're like, well, I like what happens if it doesn't work out? And I'm like, let's expand on that as far out as we can think.   Sam Mathews: (48:20 - 48:21) Even the worst.   Dan Mathews: (48:21 - 48:24) Like, does that work? Like, are you going to die? No.   Sam Mathews: (48:24 - 48:24) Yeah.   Dan Mathews: (48:24 - 49:02) Like, no, you'll probably just come back home if it doesn't work out, you know? And so, trying to trying to show people that because the fear of the unknown is pretty significant to people. Something completely new to them that they've never tried it's really challenging to get people to take that first step.   But once they do, the second step is easier. The third step is easier. And pretty soon you're jumping and sprinting and you're like, whoa, this whole life is out here that I didn't even know existed.   So yeah, I definitely think it's those three, though.   Laura Dugger: (49:03 - 50:59) That's good. And it makes me think that typically the way that we grow our faith is action. We put our faith into action and God gives us with more faith when we're faithful with the little faith that we have.   And it also makes me think back, I believe it was episode 82, 82. Traveling With Your Family With Teacher, Wife, and Mother to 4,, with the guest, Katie Mueller. I'm going to link to it. I think you guys would love it where she parallels what God called people to do throughout the Bible with travel, what that looks like today, practical, fun things.   But Sam, something that you said reminded me of this when you're like, “Well, if nothing else, it's going to be a great story.” And she referred to that, like when things went wrong growing up on their travels, they laughed so hard about those memories. And in their family, they tragically lost their dad very unexpectedly.   Actually, her mom, I'll link to Joyce Hodel's episode as well. She shares that story. But their family has all of these stories and all of these memories from choosing adventure.   So that makes me start to think of marriage and family. And as we put that together with adventure, you guys always make adventure feel approachable, even in parenting. And I'm thinking on page 15, you wrote that as a kid, anytime you get to drive cross country, stay at a hotel or eat at a restaurant, it's an adventure for no reason other than it's a break from the norm, right?   And you know what? That's the whole point. Choosing adventure is about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new.   There's no right or wrong way to do it. So, with that in mind, Dan and Sam, how can we begin to enjoy this adventurous life in marriage and in family?   Sam Mathews: (51:00 - 51:49) Yeah. Bringing your kids along is such a fun, it requires a little bit more packing, but such a fun aspect to adventure. And going on date nights with your spouse, trying something new, experiencing it together, finding something you enjoy together, but realizing that it can also, there's another level of fun to have your kids along with.   And sometimes we'll drive 30 minutes away and stay at a hotel for a night just because it's a new place to go and the kids love it. And it doesn't have to be expensive. They go putt-putt and that for them is the greatest thing.   If you end it with ice cream, it's even better than the cherry on top, that it's just something fun for them. But yeah, realizing that it can be a family thing, but it could just be you as a couple too. But yeah.   Dan Mathews: (51:50 - 54:56) Well, and for kids, there's so much adventure to be had right at home or right in your backyard. I bought, I went to Walmart one day and I bought two extra large king-size sheets just so that we could do forts. I was like, I'm gonna put these in the closet and now I've got like the alligator clips and so I can clip them to different things.   And when it's a rainy day and the kids are bored and we're stuck inside, it's just a break from the norm. And then they'll be like, mom, dad, come see what we did. And they might build like a little shop where they sell us stuff inside of their fort.   Or they might make beds for us and for the stuffed animals and for our dog and all of these different things. And so, breaking out of the norm is just what adventure is. Like if they're not used to that, if they're not used to that time together, like some days it's, we're gonna go jump on the trampoline and they're like, wait, both of you at once?   Normally one of us is getting stuff done and the other one's hanging out with them. And when all of a sudden it's like both of us unexpectedly are walking to the trampoline, they're like, oh, family trampoline jump. If you need really good ideas for adventure and you're a parent, just watch Bluey.   If you haven't seen Bluey, that dad is awesome. And like we used to do the claw game. I would put all of their stuffed animals in my lap.   My thumb was the joystick and then my other hand was the claw and they had to move it and I would pick up the stuffed animals. And to them, it was the greatest thing they'd ever done. And we saw it on a cartoon.   And so, incorporating family into it, I feel like it's just, it's really easy. And aside from excuses, there's no reason not to get the kids involved in it. Also, there's a million books about getting kids outside.   And so, like checklists that they can do. Every national park, if for those that don't know or haven't visited national parks, I didn't know this because we didn't go to any national parks growing up, but your kids can become a junior ranger. They get these booklets and they get badges of the individual parks and they have to learn about nature and about the animals that are there and about the history.   And so that became a thing for the kids. Every place we went, it was like, “Oh, I need a junior ranger badge.” And I mean, they had wooden badges just lining their chest.   Like they were some war hero and they absolutely loved it. And so there's things like that locally in nature parks and stuff. But doing it together.   I mean, that's what it's all about. For me, I watched the guys on TV and I'm like, that guy just went to New Zealand by himself or like watching alone. I'm like, I don't want to do that.   It would be pretty crazy, I feel like. I think everybody needs some type of alone time here and there. But for me, I want to share this stuff with my wife, with my kids, with my buddies.   And so, yeah, that's what it's all about.   Sam Mathews: (54:56 - 55:07) Yeah, like you said, have those stories to tell with your family, of your family members. That way, if something does happen and they pass, you have so much to look back on of the memories you're able to share together.   Laura Dugger: (55:09 - 55:15) Absolutely. And to bring those up and share them with our kids while we are together. They love hearing stories about when they were little.   Sam Mathews: (55:16 - 55:16) Oh, yeah.   Laura Dugger: (55:17 - 55:29) And you guys have taken it a step further where you document it then and preserve. So if we want continued inspiration after this conversation, where can we go to follow you two and your adventures?   Sam Mathews: (55:30 - 56:08) Yes, we do. Our kids love watching our travels and stuff. We share along for videos and stuff on YouTube, Facebook.   But we share our life on every platform. We are Dan and Sam. Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook.   And then Dan has his hunting content over at the Nomadic Outdoorsman. And yeah, we share day-to-day life, what that looks like, lifestyle. But then our travels, our adventures, mom life, welcoming a new baby, our surrogacy journeys, whatever life looks like at that time and how we're enjoying it, what God's teaching us, where we're going.   And we laugh along the way, the encouragement and try to inspire you to live an adventurous, fun-filled life.   Laura Dugger: (56:09 - 56:28) Love it. We'll add links to all of those things in the show notes for today's episode. And you two may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge.   And so, as my final question for both of you today, what is your savvy sauce?   Sam Mathews: (56:31 - 57:15) Ooh, practical knowledge. Let's see. I would say with motherhood, don't think that, I don't know if this would be considered savvy sauce, but it's just a good reminder to myself that as a mom, you may think you're alone in something, you're going through it, and it's just you, but you're not.   You are with a community of people who are feeling the same thing that you're walking through, going through the same thing, and just reminding yourself you're not alone because I think it makes the journey a lot easier to know that there's other people walking through the same season, the same hardship, the same joy, the same trials as you. And it makes life a little bit easier when you feel less alone.   Dan Mathews: (57:16 - 58:26) I think for me, it would be that your kids are going to be an extreme version of what you are. So, if you're showing fear and decisions, if you're hesitant, if you're not trusting the Lord, that's gonna be compounded in their lives. And they're just a more magnified mirror image of what their parents are.   And so, we try to, in everything that we do, go, is this something that's gonna set up our kids for success? And it's not like, oh, we have to have money in the bank for them, you know, for a retirement fund one day or a college fund. I'm talking like everyday lessons.   If I put my phone screen in front of my kids, they're gonna do that more and more and more. If I prioritize things that aren't meant to be prioritized over my wife, they're gonna see that. And so, we try to be very, very clear about what our priorities are.   We try to live intentionally, showing them the right way to do things and being an example to them. And so, yeah, that'd be my savvy sauce.   Laura Dugger: (58:27 - 58:49) I love it. You two are so full of integrity and you definitely shine the love and the light of Jesus brightly by the way that you live. So, I know I'm leaving this conversation feeling very inspired to choose adventure.   And I just wanna say thank you for being my guest today.   Sam Mathews: Thank you so much for having us. It was a joy.   Dan Mathews: (58:49 - 58:50) It was a blast.   Laura Dugger:  (58:52 - 1:02:06) One more thing before you go. Have you heard the term gospel before?   It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you. But it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there is absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior. But God loved us so much, he made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and died in our place for our sin. This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus.   We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished if we choose to receive what He has done for us. Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, would you pray with me now?   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you. Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life?   We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.   If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me, so me for him. You get the opportunity to live your life for him. And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason.   We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you ready to get started? First, tell someone.   Say it out loud. Get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents

Thinking about moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan? Or maybe you're just curious, "What is Grand Rapids like?" In this video, we take you on a full tour of what it's really like to live here. From vibrant neighborhoods like Eastown and Alger Heights to weekend getaways on Lake Michigan, we cover it all.As Michigan's second-largest city, Grand Rapids offers the perfect balance—big enough to keep life exciting, small enough to feel connected. You'll discover:-The unique neighborhood personalities you'll find here-Why GR is known as Beer City USA and a foodie's hidden gem-How the four seasons shape life in West Michigan-Commute times, cost of living, and career opportunities-Local events and the strong community spirit that sets Grand Rapids apartWhether you're relocating, visiting, or just daydreaming about your next chapter, this guide will help you see if Grand Rapids might be the place for you.

#502 Meet Coach Lauren Brown   Welcome Welcome to Episode #502 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coaches Rich Soares and April Spilde. Thanks for joining us for another week of news, coaching tips and discussion.   We are back after being away at USAT Nationals in Milwaukee and TriDot Pool School in Tempe, Arizona.   April, how was it coaching swimming on the Sun?   Rich, I might as well be walking on the sun, LOL! I remember I texted you and Coach La that I was living in Satan's butthole the past couple of days. I thought I was going to melt a couple of times. But seriously, even though it was hellfire hot, I had an incredible time and I can't wait to unpack that later in the show.   Show Sponsor: UCAN UCAN created LIVSTEADY as an alternative to sugar based nutrition products. LIVSTEADY was purposefully designed to work with your body, delivering long-lasting energy you can feel. Whether UCAN Energy Powders, Bars or Gels, LIVSTEADY's unique time-release profile allows your body to access energy consistently throughout the day, unlocking your natural ability to finish stronger and recover more quickly!   In Today's Show Announcements and News: Rich  Ask A Coach: Who is Coach Lauren Brown? Get Gritty Tip: 66-Day Habit Challenge–My pull-up adventure! TriDot Workout of the Week: Orientation Swim Fun Segment: Triathlon Hot Takes Debate   Announcements and News:   Our Announcements are supported by VESPA Power today. Vespa Power Endurance helps you tap into steady, clean energy—so you stay strong, focused, and in the zone longer. Vespa is not fuel, but a metabolic catalyst that shifts your body to use more fat and less glycogen as your fuel source. Vespa comes in CV-25, Junior and Concentrate.   Less sugar. Higher performance. Faster recovery.  Home of Vespa Power Products | Optimizing Your Fat Metabolism Use discount code - 303endurance20   TriDot Pool School Tempe, AZ Update:    We had another super successful weekend at TPS Tempe! 20 athletes dedicated 8 hours of their time to learning FASST and honing their Functional Freestyle. We had an improvement rate 15% across the board. Coach Dennis Hetland and I had the privilege of running Lane 3 – Aim High! – and we say remarkable results in both dropping stroke counts and smashing the 100-yard benchmark.   I want to give a special shout-out to Coach Gene Deyoe who was in my lane. Coach Gene dropped two strokes from his 25-yard distance, and 11 seconds off his 100-yard time! He had such a great attitude and always appreciated the feedback we gave. He was a joy to coach.   Second, we had Jay Camp, Coach Chad Rolf's athlete, in our lane and he was a hoot to work with! I especially enjoyed his dry sense of humor–very much like Coach Chad. He was also very receptive to feedback and his results showed how much work he put into his Functional Freestyle. He reduced his stroke count by 4 for 25 yards which is massive! Think about all that energy he will save because of his efficiency in the water! Get this, he shaved 29 seconds off his 100-yard benchmark. I was blown away by his improvements. He winked at me and told me not to tell his coach, which I promptly did LOL! Can't wait to hear how his new zones treat him after that incredible improvement.   Finally, the last thing I'll share is that even though it was hotter than hell on deck, we had some of the best lifeguards. They would come around every 20 minutes or so with buckets of cold water with rags that we could put on our heads and necks. It kept me from being a heat casualty for sure as the temps reached 114 degrees. So again, thank you to the McClintock Pool Lifeguards for coming in clutch last weekend! You made our pool school a huge success!    USAT Nationals Update: Milwaukee transformed into the epicenter of multisport excellence as it hosted the 2025 USA Triathlon Sprint and Olympic Distance National Championships. Thousands of amateur athletes from across the country descended on the city to compete, connect, and celebrate the sport we love. Race Highlights The action kicked off Friday with an open water swim in Lake Michigan, open to all registrants. Saturday brought the Olympic Distance National Championships, featuring a 1,500m swim, 40k bike, and 10k run. Athletes raced through Milwaukee's scenic lakefront, crossing the iconic Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge and finishing in Veterans Park [1]. Sunday was slated for the Sprint Distance Nationals and Paratriathlon Championships, but heavy overnight rain led to the cancellation of the sprint race for safety reasons [1]. Despite the disappointment, many athletes expressed gratitude for having raced earlier in the weekend. One athlete shared on Facebook: “Grateful I got to race yesterday. The stitches and bandaging got me through great. Heat, humidity, and wind were the factor yesterday, not the ankle wrap.” Yes, you heard that right—this athlete raced with stitches, tetanus, and antibiotics after a pre-race injury involving a bike and a hotel room. Talk about grit and determination! Celebration of Sport Gala & Hall of Fame Inductions Thursday night's Celebration of Sport Gala, hosted at Discovery World, was a moving tribute to the spirit of triathlon. The event honored the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class XIII, which included: Colleen Cannon – 1984 Nice World Champion and founder of Women's Quest. Graham Fraser – Race producer and visionary behind Ironman North America. Ellen Hart – 18-time World Age Group Champion and Ironman podium regular. Paul Martin – Paratriathlon legend and author who turned adversity into triumph. Kenny Souza – Duathlon pioneer and charismatic ambassador of the sport [2] [3]. Here's a breakdown of the 2025 USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductees and their connections to Colorado: Colleen Cannon Lives in Boulder, Colorado. After retiring from professional racing, she founded Women's Quest, a Boulder-based adventure retreat company focused on empowering women through outdoor activities and wellness. She was inducted into the Boulder Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 [1]. Ellen Hart Lives in Niwot, Colorado, and previously served as First Lady of Denver during her marriage to former Denver Mayor Federico Peña. She is a longtime Colorado resident, Harvard graduate, and University of Colorado Law School alum. Hart has been a prominent figure in the Colorado endurance community and was inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame [2]. Final Thoughts Milwaukee once again proved why it's a favorite host city for USA Triathlon. From the scenic course to the passionate community, the weekend was a celebration of perseverance, excellence, and camaraderie. Welcome Coach Lauren Brown We are excited to have Coach Lauren Brown joining the Grit2Greatness Coaching team as our Ambassador Program Manager. We will get to know Coach Lauren in a moment.  And welcome new Grit2Greatness Team members: Laura Applebaum Kristin Keane Veron Thornhill   Sue Reynolds Sue Reynolds is a remarkable example of transformation through sport. She began her triathlon journey in her late 50s, starting from a sedentary lifestyle and a weight of 335 pounds. Over the course of several years, she lost 200 pounds and became a competitive age-group triathlete.   Sue is also the author of *The Athlete Inside*, a book chronicling her journey, and she donates proceeds to the USA Triathlon Foundation. Her story has inspired countless athletes and non-athletes alike to pursue transformation through consistency and courage.   **Championship Highlights:** - Competed in **six USA Triathlon National Championship events** since 2014. - Represented **Team USA** at the **ITU Age Group Triathlon World Championships** on **four occasions**, never finishing lower than 12th in her age group. - Achieved a **personal best of 6th place** at the **2017 World Championships in Rotterdam**, making her the **top American** in her age group https://suereynolds.net/   Robina Waterman 2024 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships Torremolinos-Andalucia 60-64 Female AG Sprint - 6 60-64 Female AG - 21 60-69 AG Relay - 14 2019 ITU World Triathlon Age-Group Championships Lausanne 55-59 Female AG Sprint - 4 2000 Nice ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships 35-39 Female AG   Ask A Coach Sponsor: G2G Endurance Triathletes, picture this: it's race day, and you know you've done the exact training your body needed to be ready. That's what Grit2Greatness Endurance and TriDot deliver—smart, targeted workouts backed by powerful analytics. Sign up for a 2-week free trial, then keep leveling up for as little as $14.99/month. Don't just show up to the start line—show up prepared. Click the sign-up link in the show notes to get started today! Website - Grit2Greatness Endurance Coaching Facebook - @grit2greatnessendurance Instagram - @grit2greatness_endurance   Coach April Spilde April.spilde@tridot.com TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/aprilspilde    Coach Rich Soares Rich.soares@tridot.com Rich Soares Coaching TriDot Signup - https://app.tridot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares RunDot Signup - https://app.rundot.com/onboard/sign-up/richsoares   Ask A Coach: Who is Coach Lauren Brown?  Bio: Coach Lauren Brown is an IRONMAN U Certified Coach, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and UESCA Certified Endurance Sports Nutrition Coach. After years of competing in the figure and bodybuilding world, she found her way into multisport through duathlon in 2018 and transitioned to triathlon in 2019. She now races across sprint, Olympic, and 70.3 distances, with 70.3 being her favorite. Lauren is passionate about working with athletes of all backgrounds and experience levels, helping them navigate real-life challenges—like time constraints, fitness level, or self-doubt—to discover what they're truly capable of. As the Grit2Greatness Ambassador Program Manager, Lauren will lead the charge in building a vibrant community of athletes who proudly represent G2G—at races, on social media, and in everyday moments that matter. She's here to empower you, connect you, and help each of you feel even more supported on this journey. Lauren, we are beyond excited to have you on board Questions for Lauren: Two Truths and a LIe Icebreaker: I danced on stage with Brittney Spears, I once got lost on a training ride and ended up in a different state; Before being an endurance athlete, I competed as a pro with the International Federation of Body Builders Where did you grow up and where do you call home? Tell us about your athlete journey? Tell us about your coach journey? Your vision for the G2G ambassador program? When I think about the Grit2Greatness Ambassador Program, I picture a true community—one that builds on the incredible foundation we've already created, but keeps growing in depth, reach, and connection. In our world, every athlete has a seat at the table. Whether you're brand new to the sport or you've been racing for decades, whether you prefer the excitement of a sprint or the challenge of an IRONMAN, you belong here. This is a space where every athlete is encouraged to step in, be seen, and thrive. My biggest hope for this year is to welcome a wave of new athletes into triathlon—people who may have been curious, but unsure if they'd fit in—and show them that this sport is for everyone. And beyond racing, I want this to be a place where we support each other's growth both inside and outside of sport. I'd love for us to lead more community events, take part in races together, and deepen relationships with race directors and the brands that make our sport stronger. My heart tells me this program is just at the beginning of its potential, and I truly cannot wait to see what we create together. Get Gritty Tip: 66-Day Challenge! Rich, as you know, I am a huge fan of the book, The ONE Thing, by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan and one of the favorite lessons I learned is about the power of breaking down habits into bite size pieces that you can consistently sustain over time. I've actually crafted several keystone habits over the past five years through using the tools from The ONE Thing.  For example, I built the habit of setting aside my gym clothes every night before work. We have our habit of reading the Daily Stoic as a morning ritual, and now we share our 3 wins and 3 things we are grateful for each day. These habits have been critical for helping me make each day purpose-driven and intentionally meaningful. So that brings me to the habit I am now currently working on. I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to complete 10 unassisted pull-ups by the end of 2025. I was going strong for the first 3 months and kind of fell off with the start of race season. Well, after doing my mid-year reset I realized I needed to get back on the proverbial horse, and what better way to do that than a 66-day pull-up challenge! So why 66 days? If you've read The ONE Thing then you'll remember in Chapter #6 the discussion around a study the University College of London did on how long it takes on average to create a habit–66 days. So my challenge, because I know how important it is to start small, is to complete 1 pull per day for 66 days. Now, I do as many as I can and right now, I'm on Day 10 and I'm up to 4 unassisted pull-ups. I also use a band and knock out as many as I can with the assist to help me continue to progress. I'm also hoping I can start adding in weighted pull-ups as we get further down the road. The other part of the challenge is to post the evidence on social media which 1) keeps me accountable, and 2) inspires others to join me! I found out today that Coach Will Nichols, @coachironwill on Instagram, bought his own pull-up bar and started his 66-day pull-up challenge!  So I want to throw the challenge out there to you, Rich, and to our audience! It doesn't have to be pull-ups, but what's one thing you can commit to doing for 66 days that helps you on your athletic journey! I want you to share with us and tag me @getgrittywithme on Instagram so I can cheer you on just like Coach Will!   TriDot Workout of the Week: Orientation Swim   Open Water Swim is the Workout of the Week I've chosen for a couple of reasons. One, it is so helpful to get in the body of water you will be racing in and get a feel for swim start, current, temperature, lighting, sun direction, weeds, swim exit, which goggles work best,  etc.    In Milwaukee this was key. They had the course setup and we were able to swim the buoys through the bridge and practice the swim exit as it would be on race day. It also gave us the opportunity  to get comfortable with the high likelihood of the race not being wetsuit legal.I chose to do the practice swim in just my TriDot swim jammers.   Here's a full list of benefits: Course Familiarization Swim the actual course (or as much as allowed) to understand sighting landmarks, turns, and exit points. Identify key buoys: Start buoy, turn buoys, and finish buoy. Practice sighting using fixed landmarks (buildings, trees, flags) beyond the buoys. Note water entry and exit terrain: Is it sandy, rocky, slippery, or grassy? Environmental Awareness Assess water conditions: Temperature, current, chop, visibility. Practice breathing on both sides if waves or sun glare may affect one side. Check for wind direction and how it may affect swim navigation. Gear Check Test your race-day gear: Goggles (anti-fog), wetsuit, swim cap. Practice wetsuit entry and exit to simulate transitions. Try different goggles if visibility or sun glare is an issue. Mental Preparation Visualize race morning: From lining up at the start to exiting the water. Practice your start strategy: Deep water start, beach start, or time trial start. Swim with others to simulate race-day contact and drafting. Technique & Strategy Practice sighting rhythm: Every 6–10 strokes is typical. Work on pacing: Start controlled, build into race effort. Try drafting behind or beside another swimmer if allowed. Safety & Logistics Locate lifeguards or safety personnel and understand emergency protocols. Note the location of medical tents or aid stations near swim exit. Time your swim to understand how long it takes at race pace.   Fun Segment: Triathlon Hot Takes Debate! So I happened upon this article in Triathlete Magazine titled “7 Spicy-Hot Debates Triathletes Can't Stop Arguing” and I thought this would be a perfectly juicy topic of discussion for this week's fun segment! Your assignment is to convincingly argue your case in 20 seconds or less. Time to bring the heat! Are you Team Bare or Team Hair: Do you shave your body hair for triathlon or go au naturel? Which is harder: Training for an Ironman or training for a marathon PR? Flying dismount or unclipping, foot down? White Tri Suits? Yay or Nay? Sprint or jog into the finisher chute? Post every workout on social media, or no? Which is more impressive? Ironman World Champion or Olympic Champion? Well there you have it. We laid our opinions on the line and now it's your turn! We want to hear from you: are you team bare or team hair? Is training for a marathon PR harder than training for an Ironman? And what about white tri suits? Give us your opinions and we'll see who truly won the Triathlon Hot Takes Debate!   Closing:   Thanks again for listening this week. Please be sure to follow us @303Triathlon and @grit2greatnessendurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it! Stay tuned, train informed and enjoy the endurance journey!  

You might have heard, but Michigan won the Charity Bowl again this spring. In celebration of that fine victory and the extension of Michigan's historic Charity Bowl winning streak, the EDSBS Extended Universe delivered three prizes for the enjoyment of our wealthy and generous donors. Two of these rewards were live events, held in Ann Arbor in June and in Atlanta in July. Here is the third and final token of our boundless appreciation for the Charity Bowl community and this year's record-shattering fundraising haul: One hourlong bonus episode in which notorious Michigan foil Steven Godfrey has to say nice things about the Wolverines.To make matters worse, he's actually sincere. It's weird for us too, but here we are!Also appearing in this episode is actual UM degree-holder, erudite ball-knower and dear friend Jane Coaston, who joins Ryan, Spencer, and Holly to drag Godfrey through the cleansing waters of Lake Michigan.Together, we celebrate the madness of the 2024 college football season and welcome Wolverines home to their true spiritual stomping grounds: The SEC.Now through September 30, 100% of proceeds from PTKU merch will be donated to Mid-South Trans Nation. Visit preownedairboats.com to find the finest Blue Sharks gear and other Fullcast-related itemsFullcast theme song arranged and performed by Russell PowellSubscribe to our new $4 Patreon for more Fullcast stuff big and small, including After Dark episodes each CFB weekendCheck out Surber's band, Killer Antz and his new show, PodcasterinoListen to Phantom Island, Ryan's new show with Godfrey, which is not a college football show because another simply cannot existCheck out Jason's critically praised novel and other workDID YOU KNOW: Holly and Spencer write Channel 6, their own year-round newsletter, mostly about football until it's notVisit HOMEFIELDAPPAREL DOT COM for all your comfy vintage oh-fficially licensed collegiate apparel needs

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NOBODY Talks About Whitmore Lake Michigan! (Here's Why) - So you're thinking about making the move to Whitmore Lake, Michigan? Probably not, or your one of the few people that actually know about it, either way, you're about to learn a thing or two, and this is worth sticking around forFor those of you that don't know, Whitmore Lake, Michigan isn't just a lake somewhere in Metro Detroit, it's actually an unincorporated community between Brighton and Ann Arbor, that's just over 6 square miles in size with a population of under 8,000 people, and when you try to look up information about it, there's not a lot going on, so as someone who has grown up near there, listed and sold houses in the community, and have friends near and on Whitmore Lake, I figured I could give you an idea what this area is all about.CONTACT ME

Like many of the triangles I have talked about throughout the years, The Michigan Triangle is no different. Connected to it are disappearances of people, planes and ships vanishing, drowning deaths and so much more. CREDITS & LINKS MUSIC COURTESY OF:

We kick off this week's show with Kris Duerson of Rapid River Knives. Kris talks about the new Mike Avery signature model to benefit the Outdoor Driven group. Then, Andrew Comtois from Outdoor Driven joins me with details about that organization. Hour two features Mike Smith of Off Shore A Count Sportfishing. Mike talks about Lake Michigan salmon fishing. Cory Kovacs from the Michigan DNR is up next with details on a Lake Superior brown trout study. The Ask Avery segment this week features Conservation Officer Doug Hermanson to talk about where to find hunter safety classes. We're talking deer hunting in Hour 3 with Adam Lewis of Deer IQ. The show wraps up with Chef Dixie Dave Minar and a very nice salmon recipe.

Maxwell Anderson was convicted of the brutal murder of Sade Robinson, a nineteen-year-old college student who vanished shortly after a date with him. Over one year after Robinson's disappearance, her killer faces sentencing. This episode of the Court TV Podcast features the full sentencing hearing from 8/1/2025, including emotional victim impact statements from those close to Sade Robinson.For more on the Sade Robinson case, Click Here.Watch 24/7 Court TV LIVE Stream Today https://www.courttv.com/Join the Investigation Newsletter https://www.courttv.com/email/Court TV Podcast https://www.courttv.com/podcast/FOLLOW THE CASE:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/courttvTwitter/X https://twitter.com/CourtTVInstagram https://www.instagram.com/courttvnetwork/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@courttvliveYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/COURTTVWATCH +140 FREE TRIALS IN THE COURT TV ARCHIVE https://www.courttv.com/trials/ HOW TO FIND COURT TV https://www.courttv.com/where-to-watch/

When Harold Dahl saw UFOs over Puget Sound in 1947, he never expected a visit from a man in black who would threaten him to keep quiet—spawning a phenomenon that would haunt UFO witnesses for decades.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateTake the WEIRD DARKNESS LISTENER SURVEY and help mold the future of the podcast: https://weirddarkness.com/surveyIN THIS EPISODE: The Bermuda Triangle isn't the only watery region with a reputation for unexplainable events and tragedies. For centuries, a triangular portion of Lake Michigan has been ground zero for sunken ships, disappearing crews, and vanishing aircraft. As if these incidents aren't creepy enough, what is now known as the Lake Michigan Triangle is also notorious for UFO sightings and strange lights appearing on the horizon. (The Lake Michigan Paranormal Triangle) *** There's a beast living in the woodlands outside of Rhinelander, Wisconsin – and its description is beyond belief. I'll introduce you to the hodag! (Meet the Hodag) *** Sylvia Plath died by suicide at the age of 30 on February 11, 1963, following a barrage of literary rejections and her husband's infidelity. We'll look at her haunting story and tragic death. (The Tragic Death of Sylvia Plath) *** It's approximately four hundred years old, full of colorful illustrations of plants, flowers, the stars, women, medicinal herbs, and text… yet no one has been able to decipher exactly what the Voynich Manuscript is for or what it says. (The Voynich Manuscript) *** The disappearance of a person is a tragedy no matter how you look at it. When we first read about missing people we usually automatically assume the most logical explanation was what happened. But what if we're wrong? We'll look at the vanishing of Claude and Sue Shelton. (The Shelton Disappearance) *** Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, the real-life Men in Black are mysterious figures who threaten people who have reported paranormal experiences. (The Intimidating and Terrifying Men in Black)ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:01:44.740 = Show Open00:04:31.537 = Intimidating and Terrifying Men In Black00:13:11.087 = Shelton Disappearance00:25:26.772 = Lake Michigan Paranormal Triangle00:42:51.645 = Tragic Death of Sylvia Plath00:51:48.043 = Voynich Manuscript00:58:43.489 = Meet The Hodag01:07:42.142 = Show OutroSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…BOOK: “The Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers” by Gray Barker: https://amzn.to/3FMkmXZBOOK: “Flying Saucers And The Three Men” by Albert Bender: https://amzn.to/40IKixr“The Lake Michigan Paranornal Triangle” by Megan Summers for Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/y2zb3xjd“The Tragic Death of Sylvia Plath” by Kaleena Fraga for All That's Interesting: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5764u398“The Voynich Manuscript” by Shelly Barclay for Historic Mysteries: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8a92bu“Meet the Hodag” from The Ghost In My Machine: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8bv8ws (PHOTOS of the captured hodag: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8u5abz; statue in front of Chamber of Commerce:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8c3h38; statue at ice arena: https://explorerhinelander.com/Listings/rhinelander-ice-arena/)“The Shelton Disappearance” by Crystal Dawn for Lost N' Found Blogs: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckkskp7“The Intimidating and Terrifying Men in Black” by Austin Harvey for All That's Interesting:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3ccn32bj=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: November 07, 2023NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice.EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/TheyKnewTooMuch#MenInBlack #MIB #UFOSightings #UFO #HaroldDahl #MauryIslandIncident #AlbertBender #GrayBarker #TheyKnewTooMuch #UFOWitnesses #UFOConspiracy #GovernmentCoverUp #FlyingSaucers #AlienEncounters #UFOHistory #MenInBlackOrigins #RealMenInBlack #MIBSightings #UFOFolklore #MysteriousVisitors #Paranormal #UFOSilencing #ConspiracyTheories #Ufology #UFOCulture #MIBPhenomenon #TrueUFOStories #UnexplainedPhenomena #AlienConspiracy #GovernmentAgents #ParanormalHistory #AmericanFolklore #ModernMythology #UFOCoverUp #1947UFO #RoswellIncident #SpaceReview #UFOThreats #UFOIntimidation #BlackSuitVisitors #PugetSoundUFO #WashingtonStateUFO #UFODebris #ParanormalInvestigation #1950sUFO #UFOMystery #AlienMystery #UnexplainedMysteries #CarlJung #FredCrisman

Ag Meteorologist Stu Muck joins the show to give us a look at if we can expect rain in this critical growing period. David Giehtbrock, a Fish Culture Section Leader with the DNR, gives us a more detailed look into how the state works to stock fish in our lakes. He says this year they stocked over 1 Million Chinook Salmon into Lake Michigan. Stephanie Hoff talks with Kelly Wilfert, the Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialist with UW, on how an expiring legislation may leave farmers needing to pay an increased “Death Tax”. Jeremy Williams the Owner of American Drone to see what he has planned as far as drone demonstrations for the 2025 Farm Technology Days. Farm Director Pam Jahnke has a conversation with Randy Cath from the Steffes Group to give a deeper dive into the work they do behind the scenes when preparing for an auction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In der 10. Folge der „DERTOUR Sports Footballereise“ geht es nach Chicago, in die „Windy City“, der Millionen-Metropole am Lake Michigan. In die Heimat der Bears, ins legendäre „Soldier Field“. Mit an Bord ist Matthias Färber vom deutschsprachigen Bears-Fanclub „German Bears Cave“. In diesem Fan-Travel-Podcast geht es um das Erlebnis, NFL-Spiele live vor Ort in den USA zu erleben, die Faszination American Football hautnah zu spüren. Die Städte, die Stadien, das Tailgating, den „American Way of life“ und vieles mehr. Ihr bekommt Erfahrungsberichte aus erster Hand sowie wertvolle Anregungen und Tipps, falls ihr auch selbst mal für NFL-Spiele nach Amerika reisen wollt. Viel Spaß beim Hören! Gemeinsam mit DERTOUR Sports veranstalten wir in diesem Jahr eine Gruppenreise nach Kansas City. Die steigt vom 9.10. – 14.10. und beinhaltet u.a. den Besuch des College-Spiels zwischen den Kansas State Wildcats und den TCU Horned Frogs sowie den NFL-Kracher zwischen den Chiefs und den DET. Um die Flüge, die Hotels, die Tickets für die Spiele, die Transfers vor Ort von A nach B – um all das kümmert sich DERTOUR Sports. Die sind nämlich die Nummer 1 darin mit jahrzehntelanger Erfahrung! Und auch zum NFL Germany Game in diesem Jahr hat DERTOUR Sports ein tolles Angebot für euch. Das Ticket fürs Spiel zwischen den Indianapolis Colts und den Atlanta Falcons plus ein Hotelzimmer gibt es bereits ab 299 €. Und auch zu den New England Patriots gibt es in der kommenden NFL-Saison zahlreiche Reisen. Hier findest du alle Infos: https://www.dertour.de/dertour-sports/nfl-usa?ecid=ooh_nfl-25-I_usa_footballerei_2upd_podcast_lp_nfl-usa_nn-nn-nn_mix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Wrecker fills in and kicks off Hour 3 with a mix of lighthearted banter and hard-hitting talk. They dive into the bizarre concept of “Scream Club” in Chicago, where crowds gather weekly to scream into Lake Michigan as a stress release. From there, the conversation pivots to political hot topics including the fallout from Texas Democrats fleeing the state, speculation on a grand jury probe into Obama-era officials over Trump-Russia conspiracies, and the deep entanglement between government and media. The hour wraps with an in-depth discussion with Mark Walters about a lawsuit challenging the 1934 National Firearms Act, the future of gun rights, and the complexities surrounding the ATF.

Aaron Zeleske, of Harbor District, Inc., hopes Deep Thought cultivates deep thinking about the about importance of Lake Michigan and how everything we do affects it.

Send us a textWe explore the hidden treasures of Michigan through Craig's recent two-and-a-half-week journey across 72 of the state's 83 counties, revealing why the often-forgotten Upper Peninsula might be America's best-kept travel secret.• Traversing Michigan's varied landscape from farmlands to freshwater beaches• Discovering the Upper Peninsula's unique character and wilderness (30% of Michigan's land area)• Crossing the magnificent 5-mile Mackinac Bridge that connects the two peninsulas• Finding pristine swimming spots like Perrot Lake with crystal-clear freshwater• Visiting quirky attractions like the 500-pound "man-killing clam" at Seashell City • Exploring Michigan's craft beer scene with creative flight presentations• Experiencing authentic American moments like roadside lemonade stands• Attending the Midwest Geobash event with its community impact on local businesses• Using apps like I Overlander to find free overnight parking spots• Witnessing spectacular Lake Michigan sunsets that rival ocean vistasIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcasting app. You can also follow us on social media or reach out via email at TreasuresOfOurTownPodcast@gmail.com.Support the showFacebookInstagramXYoutube

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Deep Thought, the abandoned boat on Lake Michigan, was removed months ago. Now, dozens of bidders hope to win the salvaged vessel in an auction.

Kamala Harris goes on Stephen Colbert and cackles her way into answering questions. Zohran Mamdani puts out a statement flip-flopping his stance on defunding the police. Dana gives credit to Trump for refusing to buy into Hamas propaganda like some on both political sides are currently doing. Chicagoans are discovering a unique way to relieve stress by gathering on Sunday evenings to scream into Lake Michigan. Kamala Harris records a cringe TikTok joking about writing a book instead of drinking margaritas. Kamala also blames “the system” for deciding to not run for Governor of California. James Clapper and John Brennan publish an op/ed in the New York Times defending their actions during the Russian Hoax of 2016. France halts all evacuations from Gaza over alleged antisemitic reposts by a Palestinian student. NPR and PBS say they will end operations within months after federal budget cuts. Trump orders two nuclear submarines to Russia. A 12 foot bronze statue of a fat black woman just went up in Ontario.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/danaGet your hands on the new compact Byrna CL. Visit Byrna.com/Dana receive 10% off Patriot Mobilehttps://PatriotMobile.com/DanaDana's personal cell phone provider is Patriot Mobile. Get a FREE MONTH of service code DANAHumanNhttps://HumanN.comSupport your cholesterol health with SuperBerine—on sale at Sam's Club from 7/23 to 8/17. Boost your metabolic health and save!Keltechttps://KelTecWeapons.comSee the third generation of the iconic SUB2000 and the NEW PS57 - Keltec Innovation & Performance at its bestAngel Studioshttps://Angel.com/danaGet free tickets to see Sketch in theaters on 8/6. Sign up for the Angel Studios Member's Guild and claim your perks today.Allio CapitalDownload Allio from the App Store or Google Play, or text “DANA” to 511511 to get started today.All Family Pharmacyhttps://AllFamilyPharmacy.com/Dana Medical freedom is American freedom. Use code DANA10 to get 10% off your order.Ruff GreensCall 214-RUFF-DOG Get a FREE Jumpstart Bag AND Ruff Chews—just pay shipping! A $30 value. Phone offer only!!!

Sheboygan brands itself as Wisconsin’s “Malibu of the Midwest” for its popular freshwater surfing scene on Lake Michigan. Surfing is a year-round sport in the community. And WPR’s Joe Schulz decided to try it himself.

In the Twentieth Century, Chicago's Midway Airport had a sign that read “Crossroads of the World,” and during its heyday Midway literally was the aviation center of the world.  From a historical perspective the same has been true for Chicago reaching back a century earlier as a critical hub of the railroads, during the Industrial Age as a center for trade and manufacturing, and for centuries before a meeting place for uncounted generations of Native Americans.   The geographic reality was that where the Chicago river and estuaries of the Chicago region meet the southwest corner of Lake Michigan attracted indigenous peoples, Potawatomi, Miami, Anishinaabeg, Ho-Chunk, or Sauk and assuredly others portaging the divide, arriving by canoe or on foot.  Sometimes they stayed for a while or moved with the migration of the game and seasonal changes. Hence this place called Chicago despite the low lying, swampy, muddy, and unattractive ground due to it's elemental location and convenient waterways has continued for centuries to be a key to the continent. This juxtaposition has spawned innumerable books on Chicago. In this episode we talk with author and Associate Professor of History John William Nelson Ph.D. about his recently published book Muddy Ground; Native Peoples, Chicago's Portage, and the Transformation of a Continent. This exhaustive history underpinned by impressive research re-enforces the basic fact that geography frequently dictates the destiny of an area and out of this meeting place and important key transportation link to the continent this muddy ground eventually gave rise to a mighty city.  Dr. Nelson's book brings important new insights and a fresh perspective on the Canon of portage history for Chicago to offer the reader a fresh perspective of the region and its importance for Native Americans and foundational story of Chicago's origin and settlement. Links to Research and Historic Sources: The book, The Middle Ground: Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650–1815, (Studies in North American Indian History), by Richard White (2010) Explore the "Life of Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard" on the Chicago Portage website The book, The Autobiography of Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard, by Gurdon Hubbard (1912) The 1928 map of The location of the Chicago portage route of the seventeenth century by Robert Knight and Lucius H. Zeuch on the Chicago Portage website Wikipedia biography of Frederick Jackson Turner, (1861-1932) Historian -- originator of the theory of the American frontier as a culture Archer Butler Hulbert (1873-1933) during his lifetime created and collected an amazing depth history and research most notably the 16 volume set entitled the Historic Highways of America University of Houston, Cullen College of Engineering website, "The Indian Canoe" by John Leinhart Wikipedia webpage on Pays d'en Haut - literally a French phrase translating to, "Upper Country" James H. Merrill, Ph.D. - a professor of history at Vasser College is the foremost expert on the interactions between colonialists and American Indians in early American history, and scholars agree Merrell's work has helped shape the contemporary study of American Indian and early American history. "Pierre Margry Collection" translations at the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library of early accounts and research from the Paris Archives by French historian Pierre Margry (1818-1894) The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Edited by Reuben Gold Thwaites Past Windy City Historians Podcast referenced in this episode: Episode One: Who Was First? Episode 2: The Place Called Chicagoua Episode 3: Urbs in Horto?

In today's news: The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce has ended its formal partnership with the South Bend Regional Chamber and is moving toward a partnership with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. Citizens Research Council of Michigan President Eric Lupher was in Berrien County this week to highlight the "Ax MI Tax" proposal that backers are currently seeking to get on the ballot in the state next year. It took a community of good Samaritans to safely resolve an incident on Lake Michigan near South Beach in South Haven on Thursday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce has ended its formal partnership with the South Bend Regional Chamber and is moving toward a partnership with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. Citizens Research Council of Michigan President Eric Lupher was in Berrien County this week to highlight the "Ax MI Tax" proposal that backers are currently seeking to get on the ballot in the state next year. It took a community of good Samaritans to safely resolve an incident on Lake Michigan near South Beach in South Haven on Thursday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Ambor joins us before his first Lollapalooza set to talk upcoming music, creative growth since writing “Belong Together” in his parents' basement, and finding inspiration in live shows. We cover his go-to karaoke song (ABBA, of course), why he's not a grill master, and his bold plan to jump into Lake Michigan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Join us as we explore the captivating history of Beaver Island, a unique gem in Lake Michigan, especially its ties to the enigmatic figure of James Strang and his Mormon community. https://youtu.be/PC9lq1Z1sGY Don't miss our other conversations about Strangism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/strangites/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. 3 Mormon Print Shop   Arrival and Reign of King Strang James Strang, a self-proclaimed prophet, settled on Beaver Island around 1848, having arrived in 1847. He led a group of Mormon dissenters who broke away from Brigham Young's leadership and settled on the island in 1846. By 1850, Strang was declared King of his community, which constituted the majority of the island's population. The main hub of the island is even named St. James, after him. Strang's influence extended to societal norms, where he apparently mandated that women wear bloomers or pants to prevent pneumonia, with husbands being whipped if their wives didn't comply. He also reportedly told non-Mormons (like the Irish settlers and original Ottawa/Ojibwe inhabitants) that they needed to convert, leave, or pay a tax. The Mormon Print Shop A pivotal location in Strang's community was the Old Mormon Printing House, erected in 1850 by Strang and his followers2. This building was significant as it published the Northern Islander, which was the first daily newspaper north of Grand Rapids. During the 1850s, Strang's group published religious works and two newspapers: the Northern Islander and the Daily Northern Islander. After Strang's assassination, the print shop was ransacked and later became a boarding house. Today, it stands as a museum and serves as the headquarters for the Beaver Island Historical Society. Tragic End of King Strang The growing friction within Beaver Island's Mormon community reached a violent climax in 1856. James Jesse Strang was fatally shot and clubbed by two of his disgruntled followers while walking towards the dock to meet the captain of the USS Michigan. These assassins were reportedly hiding behind a woodpile near the Johnson McCulla store. It's notable that two of the assassins were husbands who had been whipped under Strang's controversial bloomers policy. Strang died from his wounds 23 days later. The assassins were taken to Mackinaw Island by the USS Michigan's captain, who refused to allow the Mormon police to arrest them. They were soon released by the Mackinaw sheriff, celebrated by Strang's enemies, and astonishingly, each was fined only 50 cents, though the exact charge is unknown. The Aftermath and Island Life In the wake of Strang's assassination, an angry mob from the mainland stormed Beaver Island, destroying buildings and forcing the Mormons to flee. Beaver Island is the only island in Lake Michigan inhabited year-round, with a population of 500 to 800 people that swells to 3,000 in the summer. The island has a strong Irish presence, with many historical inhabitants speaking Gaelic and even naming a local bay "Donegal Bay" after a place in Ireland. Historically, the island's primary industries were lumber and fishing. Overfishing, particularly using a now-outlawed net fishing method, led to severe depletion, prompting Michigan and other states to ban the practice. Today, tourism is the main industry. The island didn't even get electricity until around 1939. Beaver Island Townships Cemetery Visitors can also explore the Beaver Island Townships Cemetery, one of two cemeteries on the island (the other being a Catholic cemetery). The oldest grave dates back to 1853, within James Strang's era. An interesting feature of the cemetery is the presence of posts marking older graves where the original wooden crosses have long since deteriorated, indicating a body is buried there even if the identity is unknown. The second oldest grave, dated July 27, 1859,

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We kick off this week's show with Michigan DNR Biologist Chad Stewart. Chad talks about the upcoming deer season. Hour two kicks off with Chris Kreiner. Chris is an exert at hunting coyotes after dark….even in the summer. MUCC‘s Amy Trotter is up next. She talks about a bill in congress that would ban bear baiting on federal land. We're talking Lake Michigan salmon fishing in Hour 3 with Captain Paul Schlafley of Riverside Charters. The show wraps up with Chef Dixie Dave Minar. This time, it's a catfish recipe.

See what a local historian thinks about James Strang as we tour the town of St James on Beaver Island, Michigan. Check out the conversation! https://youtu.be/wBl1C55HoyY Don't miss our other conversations about Strangism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/strangites/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. Beaver Island: A Journey Through Time and Tyranny in Lake Michigan Welcome to Beaver Island, often called "America's Emerald Isle," a fascinating gem in Lake Michigan with a history as rich and diverse as its landscape. If you've ever wondered about year-round island life, a unique Mormon kingdom, or the rise of an Irish community, you're in the right place! Island Life: Year-Round Charm and Seasonal Bustle Beaver Island is unique as the only island in Lake Michigan with a year-round population. While around 600-800 people call it home in the winter, the population swells to 3,000-4,000 during the summer months. Access to the island is primarily by private boat or air service, as ferries only run until mid-December. The main community, St. James, named after James Jesse Strang himself, is where most businesses are concentrated, including the year-round community center, taverns like the Shamrock bar and restaurant, a motel, and a hardware store that also houses a gift shop and vet clinic. Many other businesses, like some restaurants and a bicycle/boat rental shop, are open only in the summer. Historically, the island's economy relied heavily on commercial fishing, with fish being salted or iced down and sent via ferry to Charlevoix for further rail transport to cities like Indianapolis or Chicago. Hotels also played a main role in the economy for many years. Unforgettable Reign of King Strang A significant chapter in Beaver Island's history revolves around James Jesse Strang, a controversial figure who established a Mormon colony here. Strang arrived on the island around 1847-1848, with his colony reaching approximately 1,500 people by the time of his death in 1856. Strang was an ambitious leader, and his people surveyed Beaver Island for the first time in 1848. He named the town of St. James after himself and began building a highway, the King's Highway, also named after himself. His colony was so established that they even had a daily newspaper, the only one north of Grand Rapids at the time. However, Strang's rule was often described as tyrannical by the tour guide. He quickly made enemies with his policies: He mandated that anyone wishing to stay on the island had to become a Mormon or pay him a tax or leave. This drove many people off the island, though some reluctantly converted because they had nowhere else to go. He authorized his followers to steal fish from other fishermen's nets and even take items from the homes of fishermen who were out at sea, according to the guide. Initially, Strang was against plural marriages, but a couple of years after arriving, he embraced polygamy, taking four more wives after his first wife, Mary, left him and returned to Wisconsin. He was also known for peculiar practices, such as having his people build a dock just a few inches under the water in Font Lake (named for baptismal font) so he could appear to be "walking on water" when baptizing his followers. Strang also left a lasting mark on the island's geography by naming several places with biblical references. Examples include: Font Lake, where baptisms took place. Mount Pisgah, a hill named after the biblical Mount Pisgah from which Jesus preached. It became a popular spot for people to climb. A lake on the south side of the island was called Lake Jaz or Lake Galilee, corresponding to the Sea of Galilee in the Holy Land. Interestingly, Strang was a well-educated man who passed the Michigan bar exam and could practice law. This legal expertise proved useful,

Lake Michigan is America's deadliest lake — yet lifeguards are nowhere to be found Cursive comeback? Bill would return cursive instruction to Michigan public schools Sporty 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV promises up to 300 miles range, 0-60 mph under 5 seconds

In this bonus episode of The Cabin Podcast, we're headed to the Northeast corner of Wisconsin to explore all things Oconto County. Nestled between the shores of Lake Michigan and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, this hidden gem offers something for every season — from scenic trails and historic downtowns to festivals, fishing, and snowmobiling. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or looking for a new adventure, Oconto County might just be your next trip!Today's bonus episode of The Cabin Podcast is brought to you by Oconto County.Learn more about Oconto County; https://visitocontocounty.org/

State regulators say the commercial harvest of whitefish in Lake Michigan has reached its lowest level since 1990. It's early, but the battle for control of the Wisconsin Senate is already shaping up. And, a wrecked boat that became an unlikely Milwaukee landmark is up for auction.

In the 95th episode of the WGI Unleashed podcast, we're thrilled to introduce you to Darcy Nuffer, PLA, a Studio Manager on our Landscape Architecture team in Austin, Texas!  Join us as hosts Dan and Katie sit down with Darcy for a lively and thoughtful conversation that spans continents, career pivots, and sustainable design. From her roots in Michigan to her leadership in one of WGI's most creative practices, Darcy's story is anything but ordinary…. and it's packed with surprises you won't want to miss.  Early Days of Development  Growing up near Lake Michigan, Darcy spent her youth immersed in nature. Volleyball games, water skiing, campfires, and long summer days at her family's cabin instilled in her a deep appreciation for the great outdoors. This early connection with nature became a foundation for what would soon become her future career, despite landscape architecture not being her initial calling.  Darcy's first academic pursuit came in the form of writing. She dreamed of becoming a novelist, even moving to London after college on a student work visa to soak in new experiences that would fuel her creative ambitions. But it was there, while exploring Europe's rich urban landscapes, that Darcy's fascination with urban communities and the built environment began to take root.  Path Through Design and Sustainability  After relocating to Austin, Darcy worked for the City of Austin's Watershed Protection Department, where she met a landscape architect who inspired her career shift. Intrigued by the blend of ecology, design, and community, Darcy pursued a graduate degree in landscape architecture, becoming part of the inaugural class of the University of Texas at Austin's newly established program.  From there, her journey took her to San Francisco, back to Austin, through the 2008 financial crisis, and even into work on the Sustainable Sites Initiative at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Eventually, she returned to the City of Austin, stepping into the very role once held by the mentor who first introduced her to the industry that she had grown to love.  Leading with Purpose at WGI  Today, Darcy brings all of that experience and passion to WGI. As a Studio Manager, she plays a critical role in growing the firm's public landscape architecture practice, particularly through projects with the City of San Antonio. From park master planning to sustainable green infrastructure, Darcy leads with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and design excellence.  She also plays a key role as a frequent collaborator within WGI's multidisciplinary efforts, adding landscape architecture insights to a wide range of public and private projects that enhance Civil Engineering, Buildings, and Land Development service offerings…. to name a few.  But she doesn't stop there – Darcy is also expanding WGI's sustainability offerings, including LEED and Sites certifications, and routinely consults with clients on how to integrate conservation and resilience into the built environment.  A Love for Sketching, Gardening, and Storytelling  When she's not managing major projects or mentoring fellow designers, Darcy can be found tending to her garden, working on her hand-built accessory dwelling unit in Austin, or sketching the urban landscape during WGI's lunchtime “sketch crawls.”  A self-proclaimed poetry lover and former published poet in a local Austin publication, Darcy still dreams of writing a book one day, and she even has a few ideas tucked away…. And did we mention she's a trained blacksmith? That's right – Darcy took classes at Austin Community College and still has a collection of hammers she forged herself.  Why WGI?  Darcy highlights the diversity of work, supportive team culture, and the opportunity to wear many hats as her favorite parts of being at WGI.  “No two projects are the same,” she shares, “and I love collaborating across disciplines to solve new challenges every day.”  Tune In  This episode is packed with thoughtful reflections, unexpected talents, and creative inspiration – from London pubs to leading sustainable park development across Texas and a whole lot more.  So, tune in, and as always, stay curious, stay driven, and keep unleashing your full potential!  Visit your favorite podcast app now and subscribe to WGI Unleashed to receive alerts every time a new episode drops.  You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. 

Come along on this journey to Beaver Island, where James Strang was crowned King! We'll learn more about this early Mormon prophet. You don't want to miss this! https://youtu.be/MPrutzK6ljQ Don't miss our other conversations about Strangism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/strangites/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission. I'm taking you on a journey to Beaver Island, Michigan, a place central to the intriguing story of James Strang and his followers. James Strang: From Convert to Contender The tale begins with James Strang, a relatively recent convert to Mormonism, having joined the church just a few months before Joseph Smith sent him on a mission to Wisconsin. After Joseph Smith was killed on June 27, 1844, James Strang made two significant claims to succeed Smith: Angelic Ordination: Strang claimed that the angel Moroni appeared to him and ordained him to be the next prophet1. Letter of Appointment: He also presented a letter, purportedly from Joseph Smith, dated June 18, with a postmark from Nauvoo, Illinois, on June 19. The authenticity of this "letter of appointment" has been a major point of contention. Brigham Young immediately deemed it a forgery. A peculiar postmark (due to a piece of lint in the Nauvoo stamp) was used at the Nauvoo post office. Young followers claimed this was evidence of a forgery. However, when it was shown to be on other letters, Strang used as proof of authenticity. Michael Quinn, a historian, believed the letter was a fraud or forgery. Quinn noted that the signature was written in block letters and Joseph Smith's signature did not match his usual signature, although he acknowledged Joseph often used scribes. Quinn speculated that Strang might have taken a genuine letter from Nauvoo and written on it himself, with the postmark appearing to be genuine. The letter itself was vague, not explicitly naming Strang as the new church president, but rather seeming to put him in charge of the church in Wisconsin, a role Strang might have "inflated". Despite the controversy, Strang attracted some notable converts, including Joseph Smith's brother, William Smith, as well as John Page, Martin Harris, and William Marks, with several members of the Smith family initially encouraging him. Kingdom on Beaver Island Strang eventually received a revelation to move his community from Wisconsin to Beaver Island, Michigan before 1850. On Beaver Island, James Strang, much like Joseph Smith with the Council of 50, was ordained a king. This ambition, where Mormons attempted to take over the government, often led to conflict with surrounding communities. Tragedy and Scattering The Strangite community on Beaver Island ultimately faced a tragic end. In 1856, James Strang was assassinated on the dock by former Strangites. These individuals are referred to as "pseudos" or "pseudo-Mormons" by Strangites, distinguishing them from the LDS term "apostates". Strang was shot. Though not killed immediately, he succumbed to his wounds about three weeks later. Following his assassination, the US Navy, which was patrolling Lake Michigan for pirates, scattered all the people on Beaver Island. They were dropped off in various ports, often penniless and without food or money, a "terrible tragedy" that led to the scattering of Strangites. Today, while the largest congregation is believed to be in Burlington, Wisconsin (which James Strang called Voree), smaller groups exist in New Mexico, Colorado, and potentially West Virginia. Planning Your Visit to Beaver Island For those intrigued by this unique historical site, Beaver Island is accessible by ferry or plane. Travel from Grand Rapids: My journey started at Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From there, it's about a three-hour drive to Charlevoix, Michigan, the departure point for the ferry or small plane.

A Chicago woman is charged with murder after allegedly drowning a 1-year-old boy in Lake Michigan. A former FBI agent is found guilty of raping three young women after luring them to his secret tattoo parlor with promises of modeling work and free tattoos. Drew Nelson reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's news: Construction begins this week on the new Lakeshore Trail, a multi-use pathway along M-63 connecting Benton Harbor and St. Joseph to several parks and beaches along Lake Michigan. FEMA and Michigan State Police will hold a briefing on the safety plan for the Palisades nuclear power plant next month. The South Haven Regional Business Hub has announced the hiring of a new executive director. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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No BS Newshour Episode #375Michigan's Epstein IslandSHOCKING DETAILSBefore there was Jeffrey Epstein's Little St. James, Michigan had its own pedophile island owned by a millionaire tied to an international cabal of powerful people.  Unlike Epstein he was able to avoid justice. They all did.(23:22) Author J. Reuben Appelman is back with the sordid story of North Fox Island in Lake Michigan and its central role in the Oakland County Child Killer cases and international child pornography ring, which remain “unsolved.”The elites knew about it. Congress even held hearings. And yet nothing was done about it.Appleman's dogged hunt takes him from Lake Michigan to Detroit's Cass Corridor to Europe and Asia.A case as fascinating as it is horrifying.(8:18) PLUS- His new book While Idaho Slept. The Hunt for Answers in the Murders of Four College Students.(0:04) AND- Don't let local news put you to sleep.  Here's what you need to know in 75 seconds.⁠NBN on YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBSNewshourNBN on iTunes⁠⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-bs-newshour-with-charlie-leduff/id1754976617NBN on Spotify⁠⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qMLWg6goiLQCRom8QNndC⁠⁠Like NBN on Facebook⁠⁠:  https://www.facebook.com/LeDuffCharlie⁠⁠Follow to NBN on Twitter : https://x.com/charlieleduff Sponsored by American Coney Island, Pinnacle Wealth Strategies, XG Service Group, and Archangel Senior Management

This week on the Worn & Wound podcast, we're bringing you back to Chicago and this year's Windup Watch Fair in the Windy City. Zach Kazan and Kat Shoulders jump on the mic mere hours after returning home from one of the busiest Windups we can remember, and quickly discuss some of their impressions of this year's event and what made it special. The bulk of this episode though is all about the Citizen Aqualand, one of the truly iconic dive watches of the 1980s. The Aqualand celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and was a big focus for Citizen at this year's Windup in Chicago. On the last day of the fair, Zach hosted a live recording of the podcast with Neall Brick, Director of Merchandising at Citizen, Ben Lowry of The Submersible Wrist & W.O.E., and artist Justin Sowders. As a panel, they cover the Citizen Aqualand from the company's point of view, from the diver's position, and from a creative perspective as well. Ben, Neall, and Justin also give a recap of this year's “Windup in a Lake” dive trip, which once again brought a bit of the Windup spirit to Lake Michigan. To stay on top of all new episodes, you can subscribe to The Worn & Wound Podcast on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and more. You can also find our RSS feed here.And if you like what you hear, then don't forget to leave us a review.If there's a question you want us to answer you can hit us up at info@wornandwound.com, and we'll put your question in the queue.Show Notes Neall Brick on IGSubmersible Wrist on IGSubmersible Wrist SubstackJustin Sowders on IGCitizen Celebrates 40 Years of the Aqualand, One of the Most Unique Dive Watches Ever Made 

The sun is out and temps are rising again, which means crowded beaches, boat parties, and other water activities. That makes a good time to revisit some conversations about water safety. First, our 2023 chat with Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project co-founder Dave Benjamin on life-saving tips for Lake Michigan swimmers. Then we look back on our 2022 conversation with the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee's Mike McElroy about rules for boating. Good news: Karaoke Storytellers Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this July 14 episode: Top Marks Prep – Receive 15% off when you use the link Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Jim Felgenauer of St. Clair Sturgeon is my first guest. He talks about the upcoming season, the restoration of that giant fish…and the importance of getting involved in the fight for hunting and fishing. Hour two kicks off with Mark Copeland from Jay's Sporting Goods. He has great advice on getting ready for the fall bow season. Michigan DNR Biologist Adam Bump is up next. Adam talks about the turkey poult survey, then he sticks around to answer this week's Ask Avery question. Charter Captain Bobby Sullivan of Ice Breaker Charters joins me in hour three to talk about the transition from fishing walleye on Saginaw Bay to Lake Michigan salmon fishing. We wrap it all up with Chef Dixie Dave Minar. This time it's a sheephead recipe.

The screams echoing through Oregon State Hospital that morning weren't from the mentally ill patients—they were from 47 people dying in agony after taking their first bite of breakfast.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.IN THIS EPISODE: It was 1973, and the small town of Murphysboro, Illinois had quite a scare with numerous people encountering what many described as a large gorilla-like creature. We might call it Bigfoot or Sasquatch – they called it a “Big Muddy Monster”. (A Big Muddy Monster) *** In November, 1978, four employees at a hamburger restaurant are kidnapped and murdered. Almost forty-five years later, seven employees at a fried chicken establishment are found slain – their bodies found in the restaurant's walk-in freezer. One case found justice… the other is still waiting. (The Burger Chef and Brown's Chicken Murders) *** In Germanic and Scandinavian folklore, a child murdered by their mother is known as a Kindermorderinn – and if that child is a boy and decides to appear from beyond the dead, he's considered a “Radiant Boy”. And there are numerous stories of their hauntings. (Radiant Boy) *** Grace Stevens was excited to attend her company's annual picnic with friends and co-workers, dressing for the occasion, hoping to possibly meet her future Prince Charming. Her company was splurging and inviting everyone to take a ship from Chicago across Lake Michigan to attend the party in Michigan City. They never arrived. (Grace Stevens And The Tragedy Of The U.S.S. Eastland) *** In 1947 a woman jumped to her death from 86th floor of the Empire State Building… yet today, her ghost still needs to use the building's bathroom facilities. (The Haunted Empire State Building Bathroom) *** But first,, the governor called it “mass murder” in 1942 when forty-seven patients died at the Oregon State Hospital – all within hours. All of them, poisoned. Finding the murderer and motive would lead to an unexpected conclusion, and to an unrelenting haunting. We begin with that story. (An Accidental Mass Murder at Oregon State Hospital)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:00:51.611 = Show Open00:03:48.028 = An Accidental Mass Murder at Oregon State Hospital00:21:32.591 = Radiant Boy00:28:19.019 = Grace Stevens And The Tragedy of the U.S.S. Eastland00:38:31.908 = The Burger Chef and Brown's Chicken Murders00:50:31.332 = A Big Muddy Monster01:02:18.749 = The Haunted Empire State Building Bathrooom01:06:03.789 = Show CloseSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Haunted Empire State Building Bathroom” by Erin Taylor from the book, “Unfinished Business: Tales of Haunted Restrooms and Bathrooms”: https://amzn.to/3rCp9qU“A Big Muddy Monster” by Bridge Vaughan for The Patriot Press: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ycy9kr78; and from The New York Times archives: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8tpv8v“An Accidental Mass Murder at Oregon State Hospital” by Capi Lynn for The Statesman Journal: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4swhcvt2; and Macabre Mary at Puzzle Box Horror: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4k53fxa4“Radiant Boy” by Lux Ferre for Occult World: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/j75fc2w8“Grace Stevens And The Tragedy of the U.S.S. Eastland” by Kathi Kresol for Haunted Rockford: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8cn6sk“The Burger Chef and Brown's Chicken Murders” by Lexi Kakis and Andres Cipriano for Uncovered.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ycxh4r32, and Eric DeGrechie for Patch.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yc55dubz=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: July 18, 2022NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice. (AI Policy)EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/oregon-state-hospital-47-dead/