It's a great Michigan debate; what is the line or the place that marks the end of the southern part of the state and the beginning of that mystical land we call Up North?

The answers vary from emotional to philosophical. But there's also an ecological answer that helps us better understand why we feel different when we go Up North. 

Check out the Michigan Natural Features Inventory website for a ton of cool stuff about our natural world.

GUESTS ON TODAY'S EPISODE:
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan
Joshua Cohen, lead ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at MSU Extension

Got a question you'd like to have answered on On Hand? Submit your questions about Michigan here.

It's a great Michigan debate; what is the line or the place that marks the end of the southern part of the state and the beginning of that mystical land we call Up North?
The answers vary from emotional to philosophical. But there's also an ecological answer that helps us better understand why we feel different when we go Up North.&nbsp;
Check out the <a href="https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/">Michigan Natural Features Inventory</a> website for a ton of cool stuff about our natural world.
GUESTS ON TODAY'S EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan</li>
<li>Joshua Cohen, lead ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at MSU Extension</li>
</ul>
Got a question you'd like to have answered on On Hand? <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">Submit your questions about Michigan here</a>.

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

Where does "Up North" begin?

Many of us have a road that's more than a line on a map—it's a memory. Maybe it’s the street you grew up on or the dirt road that leads you to a cottage Up North. 

For listener Tom Topolski, it’s Lake Michigan Drive.

GUEST: 


Thomas Topolski, Hudsonville resident

Want to submit a question to On Hand? 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

PHOTO CREDIT: City of Grand Rapids Archives and Records Center

Many of us have a road that's more than a line on a map&mdash;it's a memory. Maybe it&rsquo;s the street you grew up on or the dirt road that leads you to a cottage Up North.&nbsp;
For listener Tom Topolski, it&rsquo;s Lake Michigan Drive.
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Thomas Topolski, Hudsonville resident
</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
</li>
<li>
Call us: 734-764-7840
</li>
<li>
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="https://michiganpublic.secureallegiance.com/wuom/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=PODCAST&amp;PAGETYPE=PLG&amp;CHECK=7n6oFUxVPW20BxRi5EeOVezWDeZ%2beA1M">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>
PHOTO CREDIT: City of Grand Rapids Archives and Records Center

Your Stories: Summertime memories of Lake Michigan Drive

If you’ve ever gotten directions from a metro-Detroiter, you have probably heard a ‘9 Mile’ or a ‘10 Mile Road’ mentioned. Or maybe even the most famous of them all: 8 Mile. But where did all these boring road names come from? And how did they become a kind of cultural shorthand in the region? 

GUESTS: 

Paul Sewick, amateur Detroit historian and part-time Lyft driver. Check out his blog Detroit Urbanism here.

Jeff Horner, professor in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Wayne State University

Jamon Jordan, Detroit historian and lecturer in history at the University of Michigan Residential College. 

Cover photo courtesy of the Archives of Michigan 

Want to submit a question to On Hand? 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

If you&rsquo;ve ever gotten directions from a metro-Detroiter, you have probably heard a &lsquo;9 Mile&rsquo; or a &lsquo;10 Mile Road&rsquo; mentioned. Or maybe even the most famous of them all: 8 Mile. But where did all these boring road names come from? And how did they become a kind of cultural shorthand in the region?&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
Paul Sewick, amateur Detroit historian and part-time Lyft driver. Check out his blog Detroit Urbanism <a href="https://detroiturbanism.blogspot.com/">here.</a>
Jeff Horner, professor in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Wayne State University
Jamon Jordan, Detroit historian and lecturer in history at the University of Michigan Residential College.&nbsp;
Cover photo courtesy of the Archives of Michigan&nbsp;
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
</li>
<li>
Call us: 734-764-7840
</li>
<li>
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Why does Michigan have Mile roads?

We recently weighed the costs and benefits of Michigan's bottle bill. Today, a listener shares just how much the 10-cent bottle deposit meant to Central Michigan University students in the 70s.

GUESTS:


Andrea Haupt, listener
Michael Lehnert, listener

Want to submit a question to On Hand? 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

We recently <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2026-05-01/is-michigans-10-cent-bottle-deposit-worth-it">weighed the costs and benefits of Michigan's bottle bill</a>. Today, a listener shares just how much the 10-cent bottle deposit meant to Central Michigan University students in the 70s.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Andrea Haupt, listener
</li>
<li>Michael Lehnert, listener</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Where does "Up North" begin?

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