Rephonic
Artwork for Points North
Great Lakes
Lake Superior
Michigan
Wisconsin
Microplastics
Lake Huron
Invasive Species
Blue Moon Ice Cream
Nick Baumgartner
University Of Michigan
Environmental Conservation
Burt Lake Band Of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Snowboard Cross
Mount Baldy
Arson
Kayaking
Environmental Research
Crown Prince Akihito
Bluegill
Plant Music Machine

Points North is an award-winning podcast about the land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes. Through narrative, sound-rich journalism that is deeply rooted in a sense of place, each episode entertains, informs, and surprises listeners everywhere.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes167Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for Points North

Latest Episodes

When eight Bigfoot sightings were reported in just five days, northeast Ohio had the country’s attention. What was it like for these small rural communities to be at the center of the Bigfoot universe? And did it change what the people there believed... more

Passenger pigeons were once the most abundant bird in North America. But in 1914, they went extinct. Most of their last nesting grounds hugged the Great Lakes. What was it like to experience these birds? And what are we left with when we lose a speci... more

Owls are elusive birds of the night – part of this mysterious world we rarely encounter. Researchers are learning just how complex an owl’s communication is. We go into the woods to try to experience these birds for ourselves.

______________________... more

For more overlooked stories from the past, check out HISTORY This Week wherever you get your podcasts!

On April 3, 1851, a man who escaped slavery to Boston was kidnapped by slave catchers. The Fugitive Slave Act turned cities across the North into ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Joel Greenberg
Author of A Feathered River Across the Sky, expert on passenger pigeons
University of Chicago? (as author)
Episode: The Pigeons’ Last Passage
Dr. Iris Lay Barnes
Director of the Hosanna School Museum
Hosanna School Museum
Episode: Presenting HISTORY This Week: William Parker’s War on Slave Catchers
Kristi Coleman
Public Historian and Museum Executive
Historical institutions
Episode: Presenting HISTORY This Week: William Parker’s War on Slave Catchers
Kelly Carter Jackson
Chair of the Africana Studies Department at Wellesley College
Wellesley College
Episode: Presenting HISTORY This Week: William Parker’s War on Slave Catchers
Jamal Wimberly
Voice of William Parker in this episode
Voice actor
Episode: Presenting HISTORY This Week: William Parker’s War on Slave Catchers
Marty Kemper
Retired biologist for the state of Illinois
Neighbor of Seth Swoboda
Episode: The Wind and the Withered
Kim Urnt-Pitcher
Ecotoxicologist for Prairie Rivers Network
Prairie Rivers Network
Episode: The Wind and the Withered
Raul Lee
Ship captain on a research vessel
University of Minnesota Duluth research vessel (ship)
Episode: A Curious Case of Goo
Cody Schick
Microbiologist at University of Minnesota Duluth
University of Minnesota Duluth
Episode: A Curious Case of Goo

Host

Dan Wonshura
Host of Points North; producer/host with Interlochen Public Radio via Points North

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 485 ratings
  • Blah blah blah

    Infuriating, one of those podcasts where the hosts blab on and on and take tangents and then at the end wimp out and don’t even have anything interesting to say- see the Blue Moon ice cream episode as a disappointing example. Waste of time

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bekstayo
    United Statesa month ago
  • So good!

    As a newer inhabitant of the Great Lakes (Erie), I’m so glad I came across this podcast. I’ve loved learning more about the region and this is a podcast I can listen to with my 8 year old. She especially enjoyed Dan’s turtle episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LakeDuck098
    United States4 months ago
  • Love Michigan

    I love hearing all the stories about Michigan being a Michigan under myself. It teaches me about history and keeps me informed about our state. Thanks for all the work you do and for your shared passion of the state.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chelsie DeLong
    United States4 months ago
  • Quintessential & Nostalgic Stories of the Great Lakes

    Growing up in the Great Lakes region, born and raised in Green Bay, then moving to the Driftless Region, and later relocating to the Twin Cities before settling in Wyoming, this podcast has me reliving and appreciating what makes the area so special. The Points North podcast has great storytellers and high-quality production. I look forward to tuning in to each new episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jenna Lewins
    United States8 months ago
  • Very enjoyable podcast

    Really enjoy the stories in this podcast. Interesting, and relevant people interviews. Takes me back to my WI youth and how I loved Lake Michigan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mmajalca
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise high-quality storytelling and strong production that connects the Great Lakes to broader themes.
Fans appreciate the diverse mix of experts, locals, and experts, along with accessible, story-driven reporting.
Criticism notes the show can feel tangential or long at times, depending on the episode.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Presenting HISTORY This Week: William Parker’s War on Slave Catchers
Q: What sparked William Parker's decision to take action in Lancaster?
Historical context shows Parker's community mobilized after the Fugitive Slave Act, convinced that existing laws would not protect Black families, leading to organized self-defense as a means to preserve freedom.
Presenting Up From Dust: Can We Save Millions of Migrating Birds?
Q: This night when a thousand birds died, can you tell me about that?
David described how he stumbled upon a shocking scene of hundreds of dead and injured birds at McCormick Place due to light pollution.
Between Myth and Migration
Q: Why do the sightings seem to be so frequent in Hillsborough?
The specific terrain and habitat in the Driftless region provide ample hiding spots and resources for wildcats, according to residents like Steve.
Between Myth and Migration
Q: What do you think is the reason the state hasn't acknowledged the presence of black cougars?
Steve believes the lack of acknowledgment by the DNR relates to preservation concerns that would come with classifying black cougars as an endangered resource.
Some Things Never Change
Q: Do you have any tips for somebody who's never written in one of these Porcupine Mountain log books?
Just start writing, even if it feels boring at first, because eventually your mind will rebel at the boredom and you will write something meaningful.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Points North

What is Points North about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Points North delivers narrative, sound-rich journalism about the Great Lakes region, blending science, history, policy, and personal storytelling. Episodes frequently explore environmental issues, regional culture, and local heroics through multi-voiced reporting, archival voices, and on-the-ground field work. Notable strengths include deeply rooted sense of place, rigorous sourcing, and a knack for connecting regional stories to broader themes. The show often features historians, scientists, community advocates, and local residents, making it a compelling fit for listeners who enjoy well-crafted, place-based storytelling with actionable insights for professionals and sponsors focused on the Great Lakes and environmental topics.

Where can I find podcast stats for Points North?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Points North. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Points North and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Points North get?

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What are the audience demographics for Points North?

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How many subscribers and views does Points North have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Points North has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Points North?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Points North:

1. Outside/In
2. Sidedoor
3. Outside Podcast
4. Short Wave
5. The Dirtbag Diaries

How many episodes of Points North are there?

Points North launched 7 years ago and published 167 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Points North?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Points North?

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What guests have appeared on Points North?

Recent guests on Points North include:

1. Joel Greenberg
2. Dr. Iris Lay Barnes
3. Kristi Coleman
4. Kelly Carter Jackson
5. Jamal Wimberly
6. Marty Kemper
7. Kim Urnt-Pitcher
8. Raul Lee

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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