On Hand
Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special. To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund
Episodes
In Michigan, the left turn isn’t always a left turn. At certain intersections, you find yourself doing something counterintuitive. You turn right first in order to turn left. That's the notorious Michigan Left, but why does it exist?
GUESTS:
- Betty Nelson, 2025 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition
- Kirk Steudle, former head of the Michigan Department of Transportation
For a lot of us, Michigan’s iconic pop brands are tied into special memories from childhood. Maybe your mom would always give you Vernor’s when you had a tummyache. Or you can still remember the Faygo ads that played during your Saturday morning cartoons. Or you have fond memories of the Towne Club pop shop. We talked to one Michigander about the role that pop played in her childhood--and why she still loves those nosta...
Pop has long been the accepted Midwesternism for a sweet carbonated beverage. But could that be changing? On this episode of On Hand, we dig into the history of the pop vs. soda debate—and take a look at Michigan's linguistic preferences today.
GUESTS:
- Steve Stamenkovich, national accounts manager for Intrastate Distributors, Inc. ...
Matt Parker brings us a summer camp story about a childhood friend's tumble down the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The incident resulted in bloodstained shirts and an ambulance ride.
- Find last week's episode of On Hand here.
- Find Ride of Passage, a podcast about Matt Parker's journey across the country on horseback, here.
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it he...
We learned what goes into a rescue at the Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, what situations require a rescue, and how to not need one yourself. Plus, a secret hack if you want to experience the "dune drop" in a less intense way.
Chad Livengood is a Michiganian. Like... he's never going to be a "Michigander". It doesn't ring true to his ear, and his employer, The Detroit News, doesn't recognize "Michigander" in it's style guide - it prefers "Michiganian". And it's this commitment to style that landed Livengood at odds with Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Here's Chad's Off Hand story.
GUEST:
Chad Livengood, politics editor, The Detroit News
Poll after poll shows folks in Michigan prefer to call themselves "Michiganders" rather than "Michiganian". Why, though? Why did we start calling ourselves something so strange? Are we just a bunch of Michi-geese? It all started with a slave-holding senator, his run for president, and a run-in with Abraham Lincoln.
We've got the goods answering all your burning Michigan questions, beginning with our statewide identity. ...
The team that produces Michigan Public's Stateside introduces a new podcast answering listener questions about our weird and wonderful state! Our first few episodes will answer:
- Why do we call ourselves "Michiganders"?
- How many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year?
- Why we say "pop" instead of "soda"?
To submit your own questions, or share a story, fill out our handy form!
To find more On Ha...
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