Podcast
THE mostly TRAVERSE CITY
Hosted by Julie Brons and Don Piche · EN
Welcome to The (mostly) Traverse City Podcast!
Get ready to meet the dreamers, doers, and difference-makers who make Traverse City (and its surrounding magic) so unforgettable. Each episode invites you into casual, heartwarming, and engaging conversations with the fascinating people who live, love, and thrive in this little slice of Northern Michigan paradise.
We’ll explore what brought them here, what keeps them inspired, and the everyday joys that make life in TC so vibrant. Whether it’s the perfect day by the bay, hidden foodie gems, or a sunrise hike that changes everything—you’ll find ideas, stories, and local love that will make you want to plan your next adventure (or move here ASAP).
It’s lighthearted, genuine, and a celebration of community, connection, and the beautiful place we call home.
71episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Keeping History Alive: The New Chapter of the City Opera House
6d ago00:31:52Tap to summarizeChad Lindsey is the Executive Director of the City Opera House, where he's helping lead one of Northern Michigan's most treasured cultural landmarks into its next chapter. A Michigan native raised in Saginaw, Chad returned home after an accomplished career that took him from avant-garde theater in Brooklyn to artistic work in Los Angeles, Chicago, and even stages across Europe.A musician, actor, director, choreographer, designer, entrepreneur—and yes, even a snow-sculpting champion—Chad has spent his career saying "yes" to creativity in all its forms. From founding the award-winning Hook & Eye Theater Company to leading innovative arts organizations, he's built a reputation for bringing people together through meaningful experiences and bold artistic vision.Since arriving in Traverse City in 2023, Chad has embraced both the beauty of Northern Michigan and the remarkable opportunity to steward the historic City Opera House. Under his leadership, the Opera House continues to evolve with an exciting mix of music, comedy, theater, film, and community programming that welcomes everyone through its doors.On this episode of The mostly Traverse City Podcast, Chad shares his remarkable journey, why the arts are essential to healthy communities, and how one historic Victorian theater continues to inspire creativity, connection, and belonging in the heart of Traverse City.Connect with the City Opera House:Website: City Opera HouseBecome a Member: City Opera House MembershipFacebook: City Opera House FacebookInstagram: @cityoperahouseSpecial Offer: Become a City Opera House member to be the first to hear about year-round programming, enjoy ticket perks, and receive a limited-edition City Opera House tote bag while supplies last.Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Best Of: Liz Belt — Driven by Purpose
2w ago00:21:17Tap to summarizeWhether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or coming back for another listen, we think you'll walk away inspired by Liz's authenticity, determination, and unwavering commitment to her community and her country.Liz Belt, owner and operator of Intrepid Cycling Company in Traverse City, Michigan, and a dedicated board member of the Charlie Golf One Non-Profit, embodies fierce drive and ambition. Her passion extends beyond her businesses, deeply rooted in her advocacy for the outdoors and community, and an unwavering love for her country.Liz's commitment to service is undeniable, having made the pivotal decision to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve while pursuing her initial teaching degree. This dedication led to two deployments to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a testament to her profound patriotism and resilience. Upon her return, her ambition drove her to shift her academic focus to health and fitness, launching a successful career that ultimately brought her to Traverse City.Today, Liz channels her formidable energy into Intrepid Cycling Company, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and a relentless pursuit of her vision. Her involvement with Charlie Golf One further underscores her dedication to making a positive impact. Having found her home in Traverse City, she continues to inspire with her unwavering work ethic, her love for her community, and a spirit deeply infused with the values of service and determination. Her story is a powerful narrative of ambition, deep-seated patriotism, and the relentless drive to achieve and contribute. Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Best Of: A Conversation with Kevin Rhodes
3w ago00:35:29Tap to summarizeWhether you're discovering this conversation for the first time or revisiting it with us, we hope you'll find something new to appreciate. In this Best Of episode, we're bringing back our conversation with Kevin Rhodes, the longtime Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Traverse City Philharmonic, whose passion for music, leadership, and community continues to inspire audiences throughout Northern Michigan and beyond.Kevin Rhodes is the longtime Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Traverse City Philharmonic (formerly Traverse Symphony Orchestra ). Known for his engaging stage presence and vibrant interpretations, Maestro Rhodes has captivated audiences in Northern Michigan and beyond for decades. Beyond his local leadership, he is an internationally respected conductor, having led performances with prestigious orchestras and opera companies across Europe and the United States. His commitment to musical excellence and community engagement has made him a beloved figure in Traverse City's cultural landscape.tcphil.orgFollow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →From First Responder to Bookstore Founder | Rachel Zemanek's Story
4w ago00:35:34Tap to summarizeRachel Zemanek is the Owner, Founder, and self-proclaimed Keeper of Knowledge at The Folded Leaf, a charming Traverse City bookshop where great stories, great coffee, and great conversations come together. A Leelanau County native, Rachel has always had a deep love for Northern Michigan and the communities that make it special.Before opening The Folded Leaf, Rachel spent a decade serving others in Fire & EMS, helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. While her setting has changed, her mission has not. Today, she channels that same spirit of care into creating a welcoming space where people can slow down, connect, learn, and belong.Passionate about literacy, community, and helping young people thrive, Rachel has built The Folded Leaf to be much more than a bookstore. From book clubs and community gatherings to initiatives like the Good Dad Deeds Library and Letters to My Younger Self, she's creating a space where everyone is welcome and no one feels pressure to perform or purchase.On this episode of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast, Rachel shares her journey from first responder to entrepreneur, the power of books to change lives, and why creating spaces for connection may be more important than ever.Connect with Rachel & The Folded Leaf:Email: rachel@thefoldedleafnomi.comInstagram: @thefoldedleaf.nomiFacebook: facebook.com/thefoldedleaf.nomiSpecial Mention: Stop by for Footnote Fridays, where customers can participate in a pay-it-forward drip coffee program that helps spread a little kindness, one cup at a time.Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Reel Dreams: The Magic of the Cherry Bowl with Mindi Jarmin
Jul 300:25:41Tap to summarizeMindy Jarmin is the owner, steward, and dreamer behind the beloved Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre, one of Northern Michigan's most iconic summer destinations. While many see a movie screen and a concession stand, Mindy sees something much bigger—a place where memories are made, traditions are passed down, and families can disconnect from their devices long enough to reconnect with one another.A passionate entrepreneur and community builder, Mindy has dedicated herself to preserving a piece of Americana that has largely disappeared from the landscape. Under her leadership, the Cherry Bowl has remained a cherished gathering place where grandparents, parents, and children can share the simple joy of a movie under the stars.On this episode of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast, Mindy shares the challenges and rewards of operating a seasonal business, the stories behind one of the region's most treasured landmarks, and why preserving experiences that bring people together matters now more than ever. It's a conversation about nostalgia, entrepreneurship, community, and the magic that happens when the lights go down and the screen lights up.Connect with the Cherry Bowl:Cherry Bowl Drive-In TheatreFacebook: Cherry Bowl Drive-In TheatreLocation: HonorWhether you're there for the movies, the popcorn, or the memories, the Cherry Bowl remains one of Northern Michigan's most special summer traditions.Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Inside the Edit: A Conversation with Zoe Kline
Jun 2600:19:03Tap to summarizeZoe Kline is the editor of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast and is currently a film student pursuing post-production for film. Zoe and her family moved from metro Detroit to Elk Rapids in 2021 and have embraced everything the area has to offer. Zoe shares how the move has influenced her creative journey, what inspires her work as a filmmaker, and why she loves calling Northern Michigan home. Passionate about storytelling and always looking toward new opportunities, Zoe is excited to see where her creativity and ambitions take her next. Join us as we learn more about her experiences, filmmaking process, and future goals.Contact Zoe Kline Email: klinezoe5@gmail.comInstagram: Kline_zoeFollow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →From Fairways to Life Lessons with Coach Bob Lober
Jun 2200:44:58Tap to summarizeBob Lober is far more than a golf coach — he’s a mentor, teacher, and one of the great builders of youth sports in Northern Michigan. A longtime coach for Traverse City Central High School and retired educator, Bob has spent decades pouring into young people through golf, football, basketball, and life itself. As the founder of the TCJGA, he helped create a model for youth golf that not only transformed opportunities locally but became a blueprint for programs around the country as youth golf exploded nationally.Under Bob’s leadership, the TCJGA has helped generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and endowments, opening doors for countless young athletes while teaching lessons that extend far beyond the golf course — discipline, confidence, integrity, resilience, and community.On this episode of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast, Bob shares stories from a lifetime of coaching, the power of believing in young people, and why sports, at their best, are really about building character and helping kids discover who they can become.Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Making Courage Look Good on YOU with Susie Grace
Jun 1200:33:00Tap to summarizeSusie Grace has never really stayed inside the lines. A creative by nature and an adventurer at heart, her path has taken her from Denver to Chicago to Maui before ultimately landing in Traverse City nearly a decade ago. With a background in branding, user experience, and creative direction spanning the outdoor, surf, and tech industries, Susie has spent her life exploring the intersection of movement, creativity, wellness, and what it means to truly live intentionally.Still skateboarding at 43 — along with paddleboarding, mountain biking, sailing, and cross-country skiing — Susie believes some of life’s best lessons come through motion, challenge, and curiosity. But her story also includes profound heartbreak. After experiencing a late-term pregnancy loss, she began questioning everything she thought she knew about wellness, ingredients, and the products we trust every day. That deeply personal journey eventually led her to create Valor Skincare, a natural skincare brand rooted in courage, transparency, and care over perfection.On this episode of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast, Susie shares an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, creativity, and building a life that feels fully your own.Connect with Susie & Valor Skincare:Email: susie@valorskincare.comWebsite: Valor SkincareInstagram: @valor_skincareSpecial Offer:10% off your first orderFollow along for Susie's new Courage Series, exploring the everyday acts of bravery that help us build meaningful lives.Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Set Happens with Holly Mullins
Jun 500:25:47Tap to summarizeHolly Mullins is bringing a little more sand—and a lot more energy—to Traverse City. A former collegiate volleyball player turned entrepreneur, she’s now developing a one-of-a-kind indoor sand facility designed for year-round play, connection, and community.What started as an idea has quickly turned into something much bigger… blending sport, business, and a vision for creating a space people won’t want to leave.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a bold idea into something real—or why MORE sand might be the next big thing in Northern Michigan—you’ll want to hear this one.Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →Songs, Stories and Soul with Mike Sullivan
May 3000:24:50Tap to summarizeMichael Sullivan has spent more than five decades blending heart, creativity, and human connection through both psychotherapy and music. A pioneering social worker and family systems therapist in Northern Michigan, Mike helped shape the region’s mental health community through innovative treatment programs, education, consultation, and public speaking. He is also a respected author and national presenter whose work has centered on helping people better understand themselves and one another.At the same time, Mike has lived a remarkable life as a self-taught musician, singer-songwriter, and performer. Through Song of the Lakes, The Wild Sullys, 5th Street, and the Motor Town Juke Boys, he has performed thousands of concerts across the U.S. and Europe, sharing stories rooted in the spirit of the Great Lakes and the people who call this region home. From appearances alongside Ernest Borgnine to performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Mike’s life has been anything but ordinary.On this episode of The Mostly Traverse City Podcast, Mike shares stories, wisdom, music, and a deep love for people that has guided his extraordinary journey.You can find Mike at michaelsullivanacsw.com Learn about hearing his band onboard the Tall Ship Manitou all summer at Songofthelakes.com Follow our other socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577148764406 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostlytraversecitypodcast/?hl=en Watch interview here: https://www.youtube.com/@performancechirointc/videos
Transcribe →