Liz Barney’s Magical Full Moon Potlucks

Liz Barney’s Magical Full Moon Potlucks

In this episode of the Life In Michigan Podcast, we sit down with our friend Liz Barney. She is the visionary and community organizer behind Ann Arbor’s beloved Open Spoon gathering. But that is just the start. She is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and so much more. From her hilarious recap of growing up in what she lovingly calls the “Amish Mafia” to her transition from special education teacher to backcountry adventure photographer, Liz’s journey is a masterclass in following your gut and building spaces where people truly feel seen. We talk about why she stepped away from structured storytelling events to build a magical community-led potluck at the Washtenaw Food Hub. Plus, stay tuned for an epic breakdown of her perfect Michigan day, complete with a hidden lake and the ultimate Ann Arbor people-watching spot. What We Cover in This Episode: * The “Amish Mafia” & Doomsday Prepping: Liz shares hilarious and wild stories from her strict religious upbringing on a farm in Stockbridge, Michigan, including everything from mandatory floor-length dresses to her dad’s government-fueled doomsday-prep style. * From MSU to Hawaii Surf: How earning a special education degree at Michigan State University led to a ten-year career pivot in Oahu and the Big Island, trading the classroom for mountain climbing, hiking, and surf photography. * The Cold War Mystery of Lieutenant Steeves: The crazy story behind Liz’s first official paid photography gig—hauling a 50-pound pack through the Sierra Nevadas with Adventure Science to hunt for the missing ejection seat of a notorious 1950s military pilot. Read more about it here. [https://www.lizbarney.com/blog/outdoors/lessons-learned-in-team-adventure] * The Philosophy of Open Spoon: Why gathering under the full moon at the Washtenaw Food Hub to share unstructured, unjudged personal stories is the perfect antidote to the isolation of modern algorithms. * The Lightning Round & Perfect Day: Liz builds her dream 24 hours in Michigan, featuring an early trip to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, a quiet pour-over on the docks at Bandemer Park, swimming in a spring-fed Pickerel lake, and local hard cider at Bill’s Beer Garden. “In a world where everything is about performing for an online audience that isn’t even around you, I love that Open Spoon is a space where everyone puts down their phone, and your experience actually matters.” — Liz Barney A Few of Fer Films: Island Cowgirls [https://youtu.be/O3zEKhO1YOg?si=jxE6hNyokxUsSls3] shares the stories of two cowgirls on opposite sides of Hawaiʻi Island, dedicated to caring for their family ranches. In Claudia [https://youtu.be/_T5V0HMWVH0?si=VrXWGLrTXdPyleUu], A reclusive psychotherapist’s world is turned upside down when she discovers her favorite client isn’t who she thinks she is. In Toast of the Town, [https://aadl.org/toastofthetown] directors Mike Hensel & Liz Barney give viewers a look into the closing days of Angelo’s restaurant, an Ann Arbor institution. Links: * Connect with Liz: Liz Barney Photography & Stories [https://www.lizbarney.com] * Gather with Liz: Open Spoon Ann Arbor [https://rootcampcollective.com/] * Liz’s Substacks: Root Camp [https://substack.com/@rootcamp] and Field Notes of A Whimsic [https://fieldnotesofawhimsic.substack.com/] * The Venue: Washtenaw Food Hub [https://www.thewashtenawfoodhub.com/] * Community: CreativeMornings Ann Arbor [https://creativemornings.com/cities/arb] * Expeditions: Adventure Science [https://www.adventurescience.ca] * Liz’s Coffee Picks: Hyperion Coffee Co. [https://www.hyperioncoffee.com] & RoosRoast Coffee [https://www.roosroast.com] * Ann Arbor Spots: Bandemer Park [https://www.a2gov.org] & Bill’s Beer Garden [https://www.billsbeergarden.com] * Local Brews: Blake’s Hard Cider Co. [https://www.blakeshardcider.com] Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe [https://lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Why Everyone is Choosing Marshall, Michigan

We love it when a casual conversation over a bowl of soup turns into a full podcast episode. After chatting with Amy Peterson at the first-ever Soup Showdown at Dark Horse Brewing Co., we knew we had to bring her—and Marshall’s resident historian, Alena Guenther—onto the show. In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse duo from Choose Marshall to talk about why this iconic town is a national treasure trove of historic hospitality, incredible festivals, and a few quirky surprises you won’t find on a standard travel brochure. Whether you are a seasoned Michigan road-tripper or planning your very first getaway to Calhoun County, this episode is your ultimate guide to exploring the area like a local. In this episode, we cover: * From the UP to Marshall: How Amy went from the snowy Upper Peninsula to marketing a historic southern Michigan gem (plus the status of her current exotic pets). * The Honolulu House Secrets: Alena pulls back the curtain on why a 19th-century Chief Justice built a tropical, Hawaiian-inspired villa in the middle of Michigan, and on the hidden architectural quirk that casual tourists completely miss. * Car Shows & Magic Tricks: Behind the scenes of the high-octane Marshall MotorFest (featuring classic cars with a modern EV twist) and the global legacy of the American Museum of Magic. * The Best-Kept Secret in Town: Why you need to book an appointment to head underground into Marshall’s incredible Postal Museum. * A Sassy Office Dog & Doggy Bars: Why one of their rescue dogs got “evicted” from the visitor center, and where you can take your pup for a treat at a downtown biscuit bar. Places & Events Mentioned in This Episode: * Plan Your Visit: Choose Marshall [https://choosemarshall.com/] * History & Tours: Marshall Historical Society & Honolulu House Museum [https://choosemarshall.com/directory/marshall-historical-society/] * Food & Drink: Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub [https://choosemarshall.com/directory/schulers-restaurant/] & Dark Horse Brewing Co. [https://choosemarshall.com/directory/american-museum-magic/] * Unbelievable Exhibits: American Museum of Magic [https://choosemarshall.com/directory/american-museum-magic/] * Underground History: The Marshall Postal Museum (Call Choose Marshall to schedule an exclusive tour!) Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe [https://lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Haunted Mitten Podcast: Beyond the Urban Legend

On this episode of the Life in Michigan Podcast, we welcome back our good friends Crysta K. Coburn and Kay Gray from the Haunted Mitten Podcast [https://www.hauntedmitten.com/]. After crossing paths with Crysta’s husband, Greg, at a local Creative Washtenaw [https://creativewashtenaw.org/] happy hour event and later running into Crysta herself at another Creative Washtenaw gathering in Dexter, it was only a matter of time before we got the team together to talk about all things spooky in Michigan! In this episode, we dive deep into their origin stories, including Kay’s childhood experiences growing up in a haunted house and her firsthand UFO sighting at age eight. Crysta shares her own family history with the paranormal, including a chilling confirmation about a historic childhood home in Kalamazoo. We also pull back the curtain on their creative process—moving from high-tech setups at the Ann Arbor District Library [https://aadl.org/] recording studio to the simplicity of modern Zoom recording—and explore how they separate long-standing urban legends from the human history behind them. Plus, get a teaser of what they are working on next, including a brand new book focused entirely on the ghosts and legends of Ann Arbor! Organizations & Links Mentioned in This Episode: * Haunted Mitten Podcast [https://www.hauntedmitten.com/] * Creative Washtenaw [https://creativewashtenaw.org/] * Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) [https://aadl.org/] * Neighborhood Theater Group (NTG) [https://www.ntgypsi.org/] Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe [https://lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Story Behind the Stories: Kate Milligan’s "1 Girl Revolution"

In this episode of the Life in Michigan Podcast, Chuck and Brenda are joined by the visionary Detroit-based storyteller and filmmaker Kate Milligan. Kate takes us through her high-stakes transition from the worlds of PR and traditional media into the heart of impactful non-profit storytelling. As the driving force behind 1 Girl Revolution, she leads a powerhouse multimedia nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and girls everywhere. Discover how she’s shifting global perspectives and sparking real social change through the power of people-focused narratives. In this conversation, Kate discusses: * The Heart of 1 Girl Revolution: How the platform expanded from a simple podcast into an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaking operation. * National Recognition: Her recent experience on The Kelly Clarkson Show and the power of bringing youth advocate Ruby Kate Chitsey into the national spotlight. * Documentary Filmmaking: The emotional and healing biology behind her films, including the Emmy-nominated short The Girl Inside and the community-focused film In Tandem. * Community Impact: A look back at the success of the 2nd Annual “The Power of Her” event in Detroit, which featured local women-owned marketplaces. * The Michigan Quick-Fire Round: Kate’s personal favorites, including her absolute love for Port Sanilac and her go-to summer drink. Links to Organizations Mentioned * 1 Girl Revolution [https://1girlrevolution.com/]: Watch Kate’s documentaries and listen to her podcast. You can also subscribe to her video work directly on the 1 Girl Revolution YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@1GirlRevolution]. * Sixftover.org: Learn more about the mental health and suicide-prevention advocacy work at Six Ft Over [https://www.sixftover.org/]. * The Kelly Clarkson Show [https://www.kellyclarksonshow.com/]: Check out clips and past segments from the national broadcast. * The Dre Project: [https://thedreproject.org/] Explore the local emergency food relief program running pop-up pantries across Detroit. * Two James Spirits: [https://twojames.com/] Discover this Detroit-based craft distillery located in Corktown. * Little Saints [https://littlesaints.com/]: Check out this woman-owned, non-alcoholic mocktail company. * The Congregation Detroit [https://www.instagram.com/thecongregationdetroit/]: Visit this unique community hub, cafe, and bar operating out of a historic Detroit church. Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe [https://lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Creating a "Sense of Place" with The Neighborhood Theatre Group

This week on Life In Michigan, Chuck and Brenda Marshall sit down with Kristin Danko (Artistic & Executive Director) and Greg Pizzino (Technical Director) from The Neighborhood Theatre Group (NTG). For over a decade, this scrappy, award-winning ensemble has been doing something incredibly rare: producing 100% original theater, written by locals, for locals. In this fun and conversational episode, Kristin shares her journey from the Chicago theater scene to finding an unexpected artistic home in Ypsilanti. Greg pulls back the curtain on the logistical magic required to run a theater company out of The Back Office Studio—a local co-working space on North Washington Street. You’ll hear how a team of volunteers transforms a functional daytime conference room into an intimate, 44-seat black-box theater by night, and why Greg had to use a hammer and a prayer to invent a “flaming wedding arch” that wouldn’t set off the building’s sprinkler system. They also talk about creative world-building that sets NTG apart. Learn about the Huron Valley Universe—a fictional Michigan college town inspired by Ypsi and East Lansing, where many of their plays are set—and get a sneak peek into their upcoming daytime soap opera parody, San Diego Sunsets, set in the equally mysterious Tree County. Stick around for our Lightning Round to find out where to get the best custom, theater-themed cocktails in town, and meet Winnie, the official NTG dog who sleeps right through live performances! Connect with The Neighborhood Theatre Group * Official Website: ntgypsi.org [https://www.ntgypsi.org/] * Facebook: @neighborhoodtheatregroup [https://facebook.com/neighborhoodtheatregroup] * Instagram: Neighborhood Theatre Group (@neighborhoodtheatregroup) · Ypsilanti, MI [http://instagram.com/neighborhoodtheatregroup/] * Location Partner: The Back Office Studio [https://www.thebackofficestudio.com/] * Patreon Link: patreon.com/ntgypsi [http://patreon.com/ntgypsi] Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe [https://lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]