There is something special about strawberry season in Michigan: that brief moment of the year when we trade the pale gigantic plastic clamshell berries for the sweet, deep red jewels of in-season strawberries. On this episode, Chef Abra Berens is back with a recipe that gives those summer strawberries the respect they deserve. 

GUEST: 

Abra Berens, cookbook author and culinary director at Granor Farm 

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

There is something special about strawberry season in Michigan: that brief moment of the year when we trade the pale gigantic plastic clamshell berries for the sweet, deep red jewels of in-season strawberries. On this episode, Chef Abra Berens is back with a recipe that gives those summer strawberries the respect they deserve.&nbsp;
GUEST:&nbsp;
Abra Berens, cookbook author and culinary director at Granor Farm&nbsp;
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work.</a>
Music in this episode by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Here you'll find an archive of our former daily Stateside podcast from Michigan Public.

Here you'll find an archive of our former daily Stateside podcast from Michigan Public.

Stateside Daily Archive

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

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund

On Hand

Chef Abra Berens on what to do with your summer strawberries

One listener shares memories of going to Angelo's Coney Island through the pages of his journal. Also: Patti Smith's Lafayette meet-cute, and your emails.

Have a story for us, or a question about oh-so-Michigan things?
Bring it on!

Here's our easy-to-use submission form.

One listener shares memories of going to Angelo's Coney Island through the pages of his journal. Also: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/books/review/bread-of-angels-patti-smith.html">Patti Smith's</a> Lafayette meet-cute, and your emails.
Have a story for us, or a question about oh-so-Michigan things? Bring it on!
Here's <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">our easy-to-use submission form</a>.

Your Stories: Tales from the Coney

Ask 10 different Michiganders where the best coney is and you'll get 10 different answers. But where does this dog with meat sauce come from, and why do we call our diners Coney Islands? We dig into the debate about who does coney dogs best, and dig deep into the coney history. 

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
Damon Smith, coney enthusiast, TikTok and IG content creator, westside Detroiter with an opinion
Katherine Yung, journalist and co-author of a book called Coney Detroit
Joe Grimm, journalist and co-author of Coney Detroit 

Got a late-night Coney Island story? A family coney dog tradition? Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Coney picture: Flickr user Steven Depolo/Flickr

Ask 10 different Michiganders where the best coney is and you'll get 10 different answers. But where does this dog with meat sauce come from, and why do we call our diners Coney Islands? We dig into the debate about who does coney dogs best, and dig deep into the coney history.&nbsp;
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>Damon Smith, coney enthusiast, TikTok and IG content creator, westside Detroiter with an opinion</li>
<li>Katherine Yung, journalist and co-author of a book called Coney Detroit</li>
<li>Joe Grimm, journalist and co-author of Coney Detroit&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Got a late-night Coney Island story? A family coney dog tradition? Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li aria-level="1">Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>
Coney picture: Flickr user Steven Depolo/Flickr

Where did the coney dog come from?

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West Michiganders Kate Lynnes once ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress against GOP incumbent Rep. Vern Ehlers, in an era when the district was deep red. Lynnes and Ehlers had a fine and cordial repertoire, but during a debate their distinct positions on whether medical marijuana should be legal made their political differences glaringly obvious.

GUEST ON THIS EPISODE:

Kate Lynnes, west Michigan resident and former Democratic candidate for Congress

 

Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

West Michiganders Kate Lynnes once ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress against GOP incumbent Rep. Vern Ehlers, in an era when the district was deep red. Lynnes and Ehlers had a fine and cordial repertoire, but during a debate their distinct positions on whether medical marijuana should be legal made their political differences glaringly obvious.
GUEST ON THIS EPISODE:
Kate Lynnes, west Michigan resident and former Democratic candidate for Congress
&nbsp;
Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li aria-level="1">Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Chef Abra Berens on what to do with your summer strawberries

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