Points North | Great Lakes. Great Stories.

Latest Episodes:

Pier Pressure Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Lane Frame was visiting the Great Lakes for the first time. It was a windy day and the water was rough, but Lane and his brothers headed onto a pier to see a lighthouse. Then a wave crashed over the breakwall and pushed him into the water. Lane drowned, but maybe it didn’t have to be that way.

Where Do Solar Panels Go To Die? Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

The Great Lakes region — and the rest of the world — is seeing a huge push for solar power. But what happens when those panels expire?

Presenting: Ride of Passage Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Matt Parker was just out of college. Unsure of what was next, he got this idea to ride a horse across the country. This is a true American adventure story about one young Michigander’s solo ride from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.

We Got Jellyfish! Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Freshwater jellyfish have been in inland lakes and rivers throughout the Great Lakes region since 1933. But a century after their discovery, we still don’t know much about the elusive creatures. A team of student scientists is trying to change that.

Dirty Laundry, Invasive Species, and the Limitations of Knowledge Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Invasive species often spread by hitching a ride on anglers, especially anglers who don’t clean their gear after fishing. Though this is widely known, research suggests many anglers still don’t clean, even though it protects the very thing they’re after – fish. So, can anything be done to change their minds?

Presenting Outside Podcast: The Sky Is Burning Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

This week we’re featuring an episode from the Outside Podcast from Outside Magazine. It's a story about Greg and Julie Welch's near-death encounter with the 2011 Pagami Creek Wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.

Rock Rehab Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

Rock hunting holds a special place in Joyce Fetrow’s heart. Years ago, she battled alcoholism that drove her to some dark places. Now, Joyce dedicates her life to helping others find recovery, and says rocks remind her of that journey and inspire her to keep on track with her sobriety.

The Stone Skipping Philosopher Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

Kurt Steiner holds the world record for stone skipping. He throws rocks because it makes him happy. And because he says it’s key to escaping digital self-saturation.

Rekindling Wilderness Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

The idea that wilderness is untouched by man is written into law, but it’s not so accurate. Humans have used fire to shape many places we call “wilderness.” A look at how tree rings affirm a long history of indigenous land management.

Birds of Paradise Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Alison Vilag pays attention for a living. She counts migrating ducks at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, near Paradise, Michigan. It's key to getting a pulse on different bird populations. But for Alison, counting ducks is more than just science – it's an escape from the expectations of others.