About this season
Explore the best of Michigan - from restaurants and museums to cool businesses and neighborhoods - and discover its unique people, places, and things.
Episodes (12)
1. Journey to the Center of the UP
Aired 24 October 2019
On this episode of UTR, we journey to the center of the UP to find some taste-tempting traditional toast, yummy Yooper brew, Native American culture, and a great new golf course. Heck, we’ll even take you for a satisfying sail. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make the Upper Peninsula’s middle earth so magnificent.
2. State Parks
Aired 31 October 2019
On this episode of UTR, it's a State Park Spectacular where we show you a cool chair that makes fun possible for all, an outdoorprenuer who serves smokey selections, and some talented folks who turn parks into art. We'll even take you to a tasty trail-to-table dinner. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make Michigan State Parks the best places to play.
3. Dynamic Downriver
Aired 16 January 2020
On this episode of UTR, we hit Michigan's dynamic downriver for an educational eco-sail, some delectable donuts, the Pierogi Princess, and a kayak through industry. We'll even leave Michigan just to come right back in and eat. Don't tell anyone. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make downriver a great destination.
4. Frankenmuth
Aired 4 February 2020
On this episode of UTR, we get another warm willkommen from the fine folks of Frankenmuth. We’ll chow on some cheese, get lost in a maze, bag a Bavarian burger, and have fun down on the farm. We’ll even toast a new happy place where you can turn German in style. Get ready to explore the cool Menschen, Orte, und Dinge that make Frankenmuth a great place to be.
5. Michigan Endless Summer
Aired 16 April 2020
On this episode of UTR, we heat things up and celebrate summer in Michigan UTR style. We’ll golf at The Gailes in Oscoda, eat Silver Beach Pizza in St. Joseph, go camping in Pinckney, and head to the U.P. to see some classic vessels at the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show in Hessel. Heck, we’ll even eat some Cheeseburgers in Caseville. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make Michigan a great place to summer.
6. Sports Spectacular
Aired 23 April 2020
On this special COVID-quarantined episode of UTR, Tom looks back on some of our favorite sporting segments. We'll "Go Nuts" with the Lansing Lugnuts, shoot skeet at the Drummond Island Resort, hit the river with the Ann Arbor Rowing Club, and meet Tom's cousin Tom Berry as he reports live from a K-Wings game in Kalamazoo. Last stop, Farmington for Cricket 101. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and sports that make Michigan a great place to play.
7. Feel Free in the UP
Aired 28 May 2020
On this episode of UTR, we stretch out and feel free up in the UP. We’ll try some tasty treats, fly on a bike, and monkey around with some jam. Then we’ll care for bears, dig up some history, and even walk on water (frozen that is). Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make Michigan’s Upper Peninsula a great place to roam with some room.
8. What'cha Been Up To?
Aired 25 June 2020
On this episode of UTR, we get an update from five fantastic UTR Alumni. We’ll catch up with some cops in Clare, Leon & Lulu, and a righteous Romine brother. Then we see what’s morphed at Mai Tiki and tip our caps to Stormy Kromer. Get ready to find out what’s new with some of the awesome people and places that make Michigan a great place to be.
9. What'cha Been Up To? Part II
Aired 30 July 2020
On this episode of UTR, it’s “What’cha been up to part II.” We’ll go back for some Ypsilanti ice cream, eat awesome at Detroit’s IMA, and have a heapin' helpin' of natural history at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. Then we zoom all the way back to season one for a flotilla of kayak fun in the thumb and a sweetie-licious lady in DeWitt whose pies are out of this world. Get ready to see what’s new with some of the cool people, places, and things that make Michigan a great place to be.
10. Scottville/Lansing
Aired 27 August 2020 • 26 min
On this awesome episode of UTR, we start off in Scottville for a woody wolf’s den, mounds of mushrooms, and a band that really likes to clown around. Then we hit Lansing for a cool zoo for you, an urban paddle, and four great places to please your palate. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make these two Michigan cities the best place to be.
11. PPE Michigan Companies Conquering COVID-19
Aired 24 September 2020 • 26 min
On this episode of UTR, we take a look at five Michigan companies that stepped up, set up, and came to the rescue against COVID-19. You'll see a social lubricant-turned hand sanitizer, mouth guards that make a difference, and tents retooled for triage. Then some sewing for safety and face shields that fight back. Get ready to meet the cool people, and rethought things that Michigan a proud place to be.
12. Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Aired 24 September 2020 • 26 min
On this episode of UTR, we head up to the UP's frosty center for some wild winter fun. We'll let the good times roll, go frozen fishing, let gravity be our guide, and then warm up with some awesome edibles. We'll even show you some snowshoes you can use. Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make Michigan's Upper Peninsula a great place to play.