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Points North | Great Lakes. Great Stories.

A Great Lakes Podcast
Great Lakes
Lake Superior
Michigan
Wisconsin
Microplastics
Lake Huron
Invasive Species
Blue Moon Ice Cream
Chicago
Nick Baumgartner
Environmental Conservation
Burt Lake Band Of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
University Of Michigan
Snowboard Cross
Mount Baldy
Hypothermia
Arson
Crown Prince Akihito
Kayaking
Bluegill

There’s a spirit to the Great Lakes. Points North captures it through true stories of grit, wonder, and adventure alongside America’s inland seas. It’s part documentary, part road trip, part excuse to go somewhere interesting and poke around. New episodes every other Tuesday.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes167Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNatural SciencesScience

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Artwork for Points North

Latest Episodes

Kevin Shafer's job is to prevent Milwaukee’s sewage from overflowing into Lake Michigan or people’s basements. After a Points North episode about him dropped, he got something unexpected in the mail.

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*** We need at least 2... more

Marcia Bjornerud says we live in a time illiterate society. Most people don’t have a good sense of how extremely long the geologic chapters of earth’s history were. And she argues that’s leading to many of the environmental problems we’re facing toda... more

One man in northwest Wisconsin thinks the deer population is out of control. And he’s willing to go to great lengths to rein it in.

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If you enjoy this episode, please text it to a friend! Help us get Points North out to more ... more

Iceland has figured out how to use almost 100% of every fish caught – not just the filet. By making things like durable leather, beauty products and skin graft bandages, it’s increased the value of Atlantic cod from about $15 to over $5,000. Can this... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kevin Shafer
Executive at Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, responsible for preventing sewage overflows into basements and Lake Michigan
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Episode: Update: A Thank You Card
Marcia Bjornerud
Professor of Geosciences, Lawrence University; author of Timefulness
Lawrence University
Episode: Presenting Living Planet: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World
Dave Claussen
Farmer, former veterinarian, wildlife habitat advocate
Amory, Wisconsin
Episode: The Don Quixote of Wisconsin
Aaron Peterson
Co-founder of Fresh Coast Film Festival
Fresh Coast Film Festival
Episode: The Don Quixote of Wisconsin
Pat Durkin
Outdoor writer and commentator on Wisconsin wildlife issues
Wisconsin outdoors community
Episode: The Don Quixote of Wisconsin
Scott Walker
Former Governor of Wisconsin
Wisconsin state government
Episode: The Don Quixote of Wisconsin
Sarah Johnson
Ecologist studying forest understories and deer impacts
Independent ecologist / University connections
Episode: The Don Quixote of Wisconsin
Dave Nafskur
Executive director of the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers
Great Lakes Governors and Premiers organization
Episode: Thinking Outside the Filet
Cheryl Steele
Survivor sharing her experience on Lake Huron in 1980
Christian camp staff, survivor
Episode: Tossing and Turning

Host

Dan Wonshura
Host of Points North, primary on-air presenter and producer

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 502 ratings
  • Perfect

    Points North is a perfect blend of joyful celebrations, fascinating facts, & in-depth research. I feel at home when I listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RockfordSuzy
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States6 months 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 States8 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 States9 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews highlight production quality and engaging guests, with several listeners describing the episodes as informative, moving, and well-paced.
Some criticism centers on pacing or tangents in certain episodes, suggesting a preference for tighter focus in future topics.
Listeners praise the show's thorough research and strong storytelling, often noting how regional history and environmental topics come to life.

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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Points North

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

A narrative-driven, mini-documentary style show focuses on the Great Lakes region, weaving science, history, environment, and local culture into immersive reporting. Episodes center on real people—scientists, historians, maritime explorers, community activists, and residents—sharing on-the-ground perspectives, data-driven investigations, and sense-of-place storytelling. Notable strengths include rigorous research, high production value, and a knack for turning complex topics (ecology, policy, heritage) into accessible narratives. The program often features field reporting, archival context, and collaborations with regional institutions, making it a strong fit for listeners who enjoy deep dives with tangible regional relevance and a storytel... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Points North?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Points North:

1. Outside/In
2. Sidedoor
3. Curious City
4. This American Life
5. The Atlas Obscura Podcast

How many episodes of Points North are there?

Points North launched 8 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.

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What guests have appeared on Points North?

Recent guests on Points North include:

1. Kevin Shafer
2. Marcia Bjornerud
3. Dave Claussen
4. Aaron Peterson
5. Pat Durkin
6. Scott Walker
7. Sarah Johnson
8. Dave Nafskur

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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