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. 

GUEST: Jamon Jordan, official historian, City of Detroit

Now we want to hear from you!

Do you hate being called a Michigander and prefer Michiganian? Tell us about it!

What questions do you have about Michigan? We'll investigate! Submit them here.

Or drop us a voicemail, if picking up a phone doesn't freak you out: 734-647-7840

Like this kind of local content? Support Michigan Public.

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.&nbsp; GUEST: Jamon Jordan, official historian, City of Detroit Now we want to hear from you! Do you hate being called a Michigander and prefer Michiganian? <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Tell us about it!</a> What questions do you have about Michigan? We'll investigate! <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Submit them here.</a> Or drop us a voicemail, if picking up a phone doesn't freak you out: 734-647-7840 Like this kind of local content? <a href="https://michiganpublic.secureallegiance.com/wuom/WebModule/Donate.aspx?P=PODCAST&amp;PAGETYPE=PLG&amp;CHECK=7n6oFUxVPW20BxRi5EeOVezWDeZ%2beA1M">Support Michigan Public</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

Why do we call ourselves Michiganders?

There are a couple things we know for sure:

1) Michigan is the chain pizza capital of the world. 

2) Michiganders love ranch dressing and all creamy dips.

So, then, isn't it logical that the pizza-and-ranch phenomenon started in Michigan? We dip as deep as we can into this tangy question, with a crossover episode from Dough Dynasty, our limited-run series on American chain pizza history.

GUESTS:

- Wesley Taylor, ranch-with-pizza proclaimer
- Scott Weiner, NYC pizza tour leader and pizza historian
- Alex Beggs, freelance food writer
- Vicki Haber, Hidden Valley Ranch brand experience lead



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

There are a couple things we know for sure:
1) Michigan is the chain pizza capital of the world.&nbsp;
2) Michiganders love ranch dressing and all creamy dips. So, then, isn't it logical that the pizza-and-ranch phenomenon started in Michigan? We dip as deep as we can into this tangy question, with a crossover episode from <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/dough-dynasty">Dough Dynasty</a>, our limited-run series on American chain pizza history. GUESTS:
- Wesley Taylor, ranch-with-pizza proclaimer - Scott Weiner, NYC pizza tour leader and pizza historian - Alex Beggs, freelance food writer - Vicki Haber, Hidden Valley Ranch brand experience lead 
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Did ranch + pizza start in Michigan?

It turns out that black is not the only unique color you’ll find on Michigan squirrels. We talked to John and Teri Flory about the furry neighbor they called “White Squirrel.” Plus, listener Carolyn Shalhoub tells us about a mischievous squirrel who tried to steal Christmas.  

You can find some REALLY cute pictures of White Squirrel here.

GUESTS: 
John and Teri Flory, Wyoming residents
Carolyn Shalhoub, Royal Oak resident 

Want to submit a question or story 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

It turns out that black is not the only unique color you&rsquo;ll find on Michigan squirrels. We talked to John and Teri Flory about the furry neighbor they called &ldquo;White Squirrel.&rdquo; Plus, listener Carolyn Shalhoub tells us about a mischievous squirrel who tried to steal Christmas.&nbsp;&nbsp;
You can find some REALLY cute pictures of White Squirrel&nbsp;<a href="michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-12-05/your-stories-the-white-squirrel-of-wyoming">here.</a>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>John and Teri Flory, Wyoming residents</li>
<li>Carolyn Shalhoub, Royal Oak resident&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question or story to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a> Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Your Stories: The White Squirrel of Wyoming

Squirrels aren’t a particularly exotic animal. The fluffy rodents are native to 49 out of 50 states. But there’s something that makes Michigan’s squirrels a little different–and it’s their color. Research suggests the state is part of a kind of Great Lakes “black squirrel belt.” On this episode of On Hand, we go looking for black squirrels–and talk to an evolutionary biologist about why Michigan has so many. 

(Tile photo by Corey Seeman. Check out more of Corey's black squirrel photos here.) 

GUESTS: 
Brad Cosentino, Professor of Biology Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Corey Seeman, University of Michigan librarian and squirrel photographer
Jerry Wade, Detroit resident
Gabrielle Riley, Detroit resident
Kenny Stebner, Traverse City 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

Squirrels aren&rsquo;t a particularly exotic animal. The fluffy rodents are native to 49 out of 50 states. But there&rsquo;s something that makes Michigan&rsquo;s squirrels a little different&ndash;and it&rsquo;s their color. Research suggests the state is part of a kind of Great Lakes &ldquo;black squirrel belt.&rdquo; On this episode of&nbsp;On Hand, we go looking for black squirrels&ndash;and talk to an evolutionary biologist about why Michigan has so many.&nbsp;
(Tile photo by Corey Seeman. Check out more of Corey's black squirrel photos <a href="michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-12-04/black-squirrels">here</a>.)&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Brad Cosentino, Professor of Biology Hobart and William Smith Colleges</li>
<li>Corey Seeman, University of Michigan librarian and squirrel photographer</li>
<li>Jerry Wade, Detroit resident</li>
<li>Gabrielle Riley, Detroit resident</li>
<li>Kenny Stebner, Traverse City resident&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Why do we call ourselves Michiganders?

In 1 playlist(s)

On Hand

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips