Frida Waara & Walt Lindala - Podcast Details

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Lake Superior PodcastS6 E11: The Road Less Paved: Biking the Wild North — with Josh RizzoBiking in the Superior Country is more than just a way to get around—it’s a way of life. From gravel roads to rugged trails to family bike packing along Big Blue’s shoreline, the region offers two-wheeled adventure in every season. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Josh Rizzo, founder of thenxrth.com—an adventure site dedicated to unpaved cycling across three states--Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Josh shares how biking became a lifelong passion, and how he’s started bringing his kids along for multi-day trips. He te...2025-08-0635 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E10: What Lies Beneath: Lake Superior’s Underwater Cleanup – With Diver Don FassbenderLake Superior is not only the largest of the Great Lakes, but the water quality is also some of the clearest. Yet, historically, the Lake was often a dumping ground for all kinds of debris. "Out of sight, out of mind” was an all-too-common mindset. Don Fassbender, president of Great Lakes Scuba Diving and Lake Preservation, has made it his life's mission to clean up Lake Superior’s underwater world. With volunteers, including fellow divers and kayakers, he estimates 14 tons of tires have been hauled up from Marquette MIchigan's Lower Harbor. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt...2025-07-2832 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E9: Mining the Past: How Copper Shaped the Keweenaw and Its World-Class Museum - An Interview with John Jaszczak"If you didn’t grow it, you’ve got to mine it,” says John Jaszczak, Director and Curator of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan. Since 1838--just after Michigan became a state--geologists and miners have been collecting rock and mineral specimens as the first American Mining Rush began. Since 1855, those specimens were housed at Michigan Technological University, then known as Michigan College of Mines, making it one of the oldest museums not only in Michigan, but the Great Lakes region. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with John about...2025-07-0931 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E8: Isle Royale: Trip Planning, Wildlife, and Wilderness Safety – An Interview with Chris AmidonIsle Royale National Park is the Great Lakes Mecca for backpackers. This archipelago of islands is also one of our most remote National Parks so preparing for a visit takes extra planning. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Chris Amidon, Supervisory Park Ranger for Interpretation and Visitor Services. He not only has tips for first-timers, but also has details on some new procedures, particularly when it comes to food storage.Key Takeaways:Planning your experience shapes everything: “The first thing we ask is...2025-06-1834 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E7: Coffee, Community, and the Power of the Big Lake – An Interview with Sarah Jorgenson-HallbergMinnesota’s North Shore has been a gathering place for centuries. Whether heading into the Boundary Waters or out on Lake Superior, Grand Marais ranks a favorite Base Camp. While it may be small in population, it’s big in spirit. Life here moves to the rhythms of the woods and waters. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Sarah Jorgensen-Halberg, longtime resident and owner of Java Moose, the beloved shoreline coffee shop that fuels both locals and visiting adventurers. Her daily weather video connects folks near and far to thi...2025-06-0436 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E6: Fort Wilkins, Copper Harbor, and Living History in the Keweenaw – An Interview with Barry JamesLong before the Keweenaw Peninsula became a destination for hikers, bikers, and Lake Superior rock hounds, it was the stage for a national copper rush. Shortly after Michigan became a state in 1837, Geologist Douglas Houghton was sent to Copper Harbor to explore reports from Native Americans about copper in the region. By 1844, Fort Wilkins was built to be the military base helping to keep the peace as fortune-seekers came to the state’s most northern port. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Barry James, Upper Peninsula historian with the...2025-05-0730 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E5: Isle Royale in Winter: Survival, Science, and Secrets in the Snow – An Interview with Jonathan PauliWinter Study at Isle Royale National Park has a decades long history, but just a few scientists ever get the chance to spend time on this isolated archipelago in Lake Superior. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with one of those fortunate ones, Johnathan Pauli, Professor in the Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin Madison. From tracking foxes and martens to unraveling a centuries-old survival story, Johnathan shares how studying this wilderness in winter reveals secrets a summer visitor would never experience. Join us for a conversation...2025-04-2337 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E4: Tourism, Economic Growth, and the Magic of Munising - An Interview with Kathy ReynoldsOur National Parks are important places, not just for their preservation of natural beauty and resources, but also for the economic impact they bring to gateway communities. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula sees nearly a million visitors, year round. For the anchor cities of Munising and Grand Marais, hosting those folks has become their chief industry. With a population of less than 2,000, how do they do it? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Kathy Reynolds, the CEO of the Greater Munising Bay Partnership as well as Di...2025-03-0534 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E3: The Lake Trout Resurgence In Lake Superior: A Conservation Success Story - An Interview with Shawn SitarSince the 1940’s, Lake Trout have been extinct in all of the Great Lakes except Lake Superior. Pressure from commercial fishing as well as the invasion of sea lamprey devastated this native species, and the population in Lake Superior also suffered. For three generations an international team of scientists has been working to restore healthy Lake Trout populations in all the Great Lakes. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Shawn Sitar, Fisheries Research Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to update the status of Lake Trout in Lake Su...2025-02-2028 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E2: Michigan Ice Fest – Where Adventure Meets Community – An Interview with Bill ThompsonWinter can be a sleepy time at the National Parks on Lake Superior, but at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, Michigan, visitors come to snowmobile, mush dogs, snowshoe, fish and cross-country ski. But the biggest event to bring folks into the park is the Michigan Ice Fest. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Ice Fest organizer Bill Thompson about the event and what makes Pictured Rocks such a Mecca for the sport. Key Takeaways:The Michigan Ice Fest has grown from a small gathering i...2025-01-2931 min

Lake Superior PodcastS6 E1: Chasing Sunrise On Lake Superior: An Interview with Bugsy SailorNew Year Resolutions, if you don’t make them, chances are you thought about it. But do those promises keep? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Bugsy Sailor, the Official Unofficial Ambassador of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Bugsy shares how a resolution he made on January 1, 2019, changed his life.Key Takeaways:Bugsy Sailor captures daily sunrises around Lake Superior, embracing nature’s raw beauty and the unpredictability of the seasons.His commitment to photographing every sunrise since 2019 highlights the power of routine, resilience, and creative passio...2025-01-2234 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E14: The Estivant Pines Story - 50 Years of Conservation with Charles EshbachThe forests that ring Lake Superior are some of the most magical on the continent. At the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, in Copper Harbor, you’ll find the Estivant Pines. This 570 acres of old-growth pine has lured hikers for decades. But saving this stand of ancient timber was no small feat. It started over 50 years ago and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with photographer and forester Charles Esshbach from Houghton, Michigan, about his work to protect one of the Upper Peninsula’s most remarkable natural treasures. 2024-11-2137 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E13: Foraging - Rediscover and Reconnect With Nature - An Interview with Tim ClemensSince time began humans have been foragers. Survival depended on connecting to the natural world. Today, when most of our food comes from a grocery store or is eaten in a restaurant, that link has been lost. But not for Tim Clemens. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tim, a professional forager and founder of Ironwood Foraging about how he’s helping people connect with nature; and not in the middle of the forest or farm country, but near his urban home of Minneapolis.Key Takeaways: ...2024-10-3033 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E12: Capturing the Magic of The Northern Lights: An Interview with Ogetay KayaliWitnessing the Northern Lights checks a bucket-list for many. The first time you see the sky erupt in waves of pulsing white, green, red, or even blue light makes lifelong memories. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Astrophysics Graduate Student Ogetay Kayali from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. Ogetay shares not only why we seem to be experiencing the Northern Lights more frequently, but also how to better take advantage of the experience with our cameras.Key Takeaways: The northern lights are at their p...2024-10-1631 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E11: Pictured Rocks: Where Conservation Meets Recreation - An Interview with Hannah BradburnNearly a million visitors came to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 2023, contributing over $45 million dollars to the nearby economies. For Alger County--with a population of less than nine thousand people—the park also supports 544 jobs. But hosting that many visitors and generating that much revenue does present unique challenges. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Hannah Bradburn, Visual Information Specialist at Pictured Rocks, to explore the park’s delicate balance between conservation and recreation.Key Takeaways: Visitor Growth: Pictured Rocks sees nea...2024-10-0231 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E10: Isle Royale Through The Lens - An Interview with Tom Haas, Photographer and AuthorFor those who have backpacked Isle Royale, you know it’s a rugged place. Imagine carrying a 20 pound camera and wooden tripod around, along with a stash of 4x5 black and white film. In 1967, Tom Haas, a 19 year old college student from Connecticut was on a mission with the National Park Service to photograph the island. Most of his travel was done by kayak and over the course of 20 years he captured 3,000 black and white images. Now, nearly 5 decades later and with help from his wife Jeannie Thoren, the couple have published a book, “Isle Royale, A Phot...2024-07-3127 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E9: Great Lakes Shipping - An Interview with Sam Hankinson, Development Coordinator at the Port of MonroeWhile we see trucks and trains moving freight around the country, goods are also traveling by freighter, and some of those ships are 1,000 feet long. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Sam Hankinson, Development Coordinator at the Port of Monroe about the health of Great Lakes shipping and how we can learn more about what’s cruising out on the water.Key Takeaways: Great Lakes vessels can haul as much cargo in one trip as hundreds of rail cars or thousands of trucks, showcasing their eff...2024-07-1038 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E8: The Lutsong Music Festival - An Interview with Co-Founder Scott SchulerMusic. Why is it important? For most--on a personal level--music stirs feelings, memories and sensations. But sharing music is also a way to for people to connect, bond thoughts and emotions when words won’t do. Lake Superior’s waves have been making their own melodies since time began, but the Big Blue also ranks a centuries old magnet luring musicians of all types to the shores to strum and sing. That tradition continues in Lutsen, on Minnesota’s north shore. Coming up July 18-21, 2024, Cook county will host the 3rd annual Lutsong Music Festival. In this episode of the La...2024-06-2629 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E7: Jon Prain - "The Isle Royale Guy"A backpacking trip to Isle Royale heads up the Bucket List for many, but with 165 miles of trails and 36 campsites, planning a trip can be overwhelming, particularly for first-timers. Experience counts. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with veteran backpacker Jon Prain. Known as the Isle Royale Guy, (also the name of his website) he shares tips about his decades of trips to this remote island park and ways to make it an even more memorable trek.Key Takeaways: Emphasize the value of slowing down a...2024-06-1231 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E6: Jerry Dennis - Award-Winning Great Lakes Author - Traverse City, MichiganJerry Dennis is one of the country’s most prolific outdoor writers. With by-lines in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Orion, American Way, Michigan Quarterly Review, and Gray's Sporting Journal as well as 13 books--and most recently a new edition of “The Living Great Lakes: Searching the Heart of the Island Seas”--to his credit, he is forever finding stories to tell about the Midwest’s waters. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with this seasoned writer about his experiences on Lake Superior, and his deep connection to the water and the natural...2024-05-2932 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E5: Aidan Lee - Owner of Trek & Trail - Bayfield, WisconsinWhen it comes to kayaking this Sweetwater Sea, a paddler has 2,726 miles of spectacular shoreline to explore as well as three National Parks: Isle Royale, Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores. But it’s also a destination where paddlers need to prepare. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Aidan Lee, owner of Trek & Trail in Bayfield, Wisconsin, talks with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara not only about the best places to visit on a day trip, but also shares how to extend your stay and camp among the Apostles Islands. He also emphasizes the ever-changing moods of...2024-05-1531 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E4: Tyler Penrod - Program Manager with the Superior Watershed Partnership - Marquette, MichiganChanging climate is impacting Lake Superior. The lack of ice cover this past winter effects coastal erosion, water levels, fish populations and wildlife. Plus, the unseasonably warm weather has economic and cultural impacts on the shoreline communities as well. But what can be done? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tyler Penrod, Program Manager at the Lake Superior Watershed Partnership. He has a plan and a list of projects in the works with the Great Lakes Climate Corps to make a difference.Key Takeaways: The l...2024-05-0129 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E3: Dan Fountain - Author, Shipwreck Historian and ResearcherLake Superior is home to an estimated 550 shipwrecks, with approximately half of them still undiscovered. In this episode of the Lake Superior podcast, hosts Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Dan Fountain, author, shipwreck historian, and researcher, about his lifelong passion for exploring Superior's depths and uncovering the stories behind these sunken vessels. He shares the challenges of finding shipwrecks in these vast and deep waters and explains the process of using side scanning sonar to locate them. Dan also recounts his latest discovery, the Arlington, a shipwreck with a unique and tragic story. This episode offers a...2024-04-0330 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E2: Phyllis Green - Former Superintendent of Isle Royale National Park - Ballast WinterLake Superior tops the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem as well as the longest deep-draft inland waterway, extending from Duluth, Minnesota, to the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Atlantic Ocean. Roughly 10,000 cargo ships pass through the Soo Locks every year. When it comes to protecting the Great Lakes from invasive species, monitoring the ballast water on these cargo ships is key. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Phyllis Green, former Superintendent at Isle Royale National Park as well as board member of the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, about ba...2024-03-1327 min

Lake Superior PodcastS5 E1: Dr. Sarah Hoy - Research Assistant Professor at Michigan Technological University - Isle Royale Winter Study SuspendedUnseasonably warm weather along Lake Superior from Sault Ste. Marie to Grand Portage has canceled a host of winter events from sled dog and cross-country ski races to snowmobile rides and ice fishing tournaments. But it’s not just tourism that has been effected by mild temperatures. After 65 years of monitoring wolf and moose populations at Isle Royale--the longest predator-prey study in history--scientists had to suspend their 7 week Winter Study because of challenges accessing the island. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Dr. Sarah Hoy, Research Assistant and Professor at Mi...2024-02-2824 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E12: Craig Blacklock, Photographer & Author - Moose Lake, MinnesotaCraig Blacklock first started taking pictures when he was nine years old, following his father, Les Blacklock, a pioneering nature photographer. By the time he was 15, he had graduated to capturing images on a large format 4x5 camera. Over his career, his award winning photos have been published in books, calendars and exhibits. He has been called the "Ansel Adams of Lake Superior," and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Craig from his home in Moose Lake, Minnesota, about his six decades of working on and around Lake Superior and...2024-01-1728 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E11: Karl Koster, Park Ranger - Grand Portage National MonumentGrand Portage National Monument in northern Minnesota sits right in the middle of the Canoe Capital of the World. The National Park has many boats on display, from smaller crafts used for gathering rice and hunting to huge Voyageur canoes used to haul thousands of pounds of furs to Montreal. Every summer visitors come to the park not only to learn more about the fur trade, but to also learn the secrets of how these age-old boats were built. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Grand Portage Ranger Karl Koster...2024-01-0331 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E10: Beth Kirschner, Author of "Copper Divide" - Ann Arbor, MichiganChristmas Eve, 1913, was a tragic night in Calumet, Michigan. 73 people—59 of them children--were killed when someone falsely yelled, “Fire,” at a crowded Christmas party on the second floor of the Italian Hall setting off a deadly stampede. The disaster occurred five months into a crippling labor strike between Western Federation of Miners Union workers and the Calumet Hecla Mining Company. Now, 110 years later, Beth Kirschner has written about the historic labor dispute and what has been called the Italian Hall Massacre in her novel, “Copper Divide.” In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and...2023-12-1329 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E9: Hannah Bradburn, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Visual Information Specialist & Emma Olechnowicz, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Ranger78 lighthouses circle Lake Superior, 42 of those navigational aids dot the Michigan shoreline. Au Sable Point Light Station in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore ranks one of the most popular. Built in 1874, it stands 86’ tall and the original third-order Fresnel lens could beam a light as far as 17 miles out on Superior. Pictured Rocks’ Hannah Bradburn, Visual Information Specialist, and Ranger Emma Olechnowicz often lead tours to the Light Station and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, they talk with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara about the history of the Light Station and plans to celebrate the 150th an...2023-11-2933 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E8: John Shepard, Associate Professor and Assistant Director at the Center for Global Environmental Education, Hamline UniversityLake Superior is one of the fastest warming lakes in the world. And when it comes to getting people’s attention about the warming, film is a powerful medium. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with film maker John Shepard about his upcoming documentary, “A Sea Change for Lake Superior.” John shares what his team at the Center for Global Environmental Education at Hamline University is doing to get the world out and ways we can be better stewards to protect our fresh water.2023-11-0133 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E7: John Mueller, Owner of the Keweenaw Mountain LodgeAs daylight hours begin to wane, the darkest months of the year are ahead. For many, it means more time to get outside and pay attention to what’s happening through the night in our sky. In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with John Mueller at the historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Named an official International Dark Sky Park, John shares what the Lodge has done to earn that distinction and even more important, what happens to the planet when you keep the night dark.2023-10-0634 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E6: Joe Hughes, Chief Ranger at Pictured Rocks National LakeshorePictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches along 42 miles of Lake Superior shoreline from Munising to Grand Marais. The year-round park covers roughly 114 square miles and includes 22 back country camp grounds, many circling the 10 inland lakes and 100 miles of trails. It’s rugged and remote. So, what does it take to be Chief Ranger in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula? In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara learn from Joe Hughes about the year-round responsibilities—including the work of the High Angle Rescue Team—covering the woods and waters of the country’s first national l...2023-09-0634 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E5: Tomás Sowles, Chief Pilot Isle Royale SeaplanesIsle Royale ranks the most remote of the five National Parks on Lake Superior. Only two ways to get there; by boat or sea plane. Whether you go by air or water, weather rules. Guests of this podcast concur, "Lake Superior is always the boss.” In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Isle Royale Sea Planes Chief Pilot Tomas Sowles about the charm and challenge of flying visitors to one of the world's most remote wilderness areas.2023-08-1637 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E4: Victoria Manganiello, Artist in Residence at Rabbit IslandWhen looking for a place to renew, refresh, reset, where do you go? The fresh air and endless horizon of Lake Superior have long created a place for folks to come to heal, contemplate change, and be inspired forward. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast Walt Lindala and Frida Waara meet New York artist Victoria Manganiello and learn about time alone at Rabbit Island, as the Artist in Residence.2023-08-0227 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E3: Anna Deschampe, Chief of Interpretation, Grand Portage National MonumentLake Superior’s fur trade dates back to the 16th century and the best place to get an understanding of that rich history is a visit to Minnesota’s Grand Portage National Monument. For most people, the best way to learn is by doing and since 1972, volunteers have been coming together to commemorate the annual Fur Trade Rendezvous with re-enactments and workshops to experience life in the 1790’s. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara learn more about the annual Rendezvous, held the second weekend in August, from Anna Deschampe, Grand Portage’s Chief of...2023-07-1932 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E2: Jo Holt, Historian at Keweenaw National Historical ParkOn July 23, 1913, life changed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and for union workers across the country. It was on that date that roughly 9,000 copper miners walked off the job in the Keweenaw peninsula protesting working conditions and wages. The strike lasted 8 months and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Jo Holt, historian at the Keweenaw Historical Park, about what was happening in Calumet 110 years ago and its impact on the labor movement in America.2023-06-1436 min

Lake Superior PodcastS4 E1: Peggy Burkman, Piping Plovers at Apostle IslandsA walk on the beach is good medicine for the soul, and Lake Superior’s sandy shores make for the perfect place to take a stroll. But every spring and summer, sections of shoreline are not open to the public, and for a very important reason. In this episode of Lake Superior podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Peggy Burkman, biologist at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore about the work she and her team do to help a tiny shorebird, the piping plover.Join our podcast community! Please share your own stories, comments and po...2023-05-2533 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E10: Jonathan Pauli, Professor of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin MadisonStudying the wildlife of the Great Lakes Region is fascinating. The ebb and flow of populations from moose and wolves to plovers and brook trout have kept biologists circling Lake Superior for centuries. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara learn about a mammal rarely seen in our woods but key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Jonathan Pauli, Professor of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin Madison has been documenting the Pine Marten and its recovery. He shares more about the homes and habits of this furry critter. 2023-02-2437 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E9: Blake Freking, Veteran MusherFor over a century, Lake Superior has been a region for sled dogs. First as a reliable way to deliver mail, and more recently as a competitive winter sport. In fact, among the five national parks, four of them team up with local volunteers to host sled dog races. Coming up at the end of January, the John Beargrease race—the oldest and largest event--takes off from Duluth, Minnesota, headed up the shore to Grand Portage. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with veteran musher Blake Freking about the race an...2023-01-2331 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E8: Seth Stein, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern UniversityThe rock that rings Lake Superior has fascinated visitors for centuries. From the most common Basalt, Granite and Rhyolite to Agates and the popular “Yooperlite” that glows fluorescent under black lite, the shoreline makes a rock hound’s paradise. When it comes to “Reading the Rock” and explaining the geologic story, there’s none better than Professor Seth Stein from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Northwestern University. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara, he shares details about the MId-Continent Rift and how all 5 National Parks on the Lake shar...2022-12-1327 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E7: Aaron Persenaire, Ranger III Ship CaptainOut of the 63 National Parks—or even all of the 423 National Park properties--Isle Royale ranks one of the toughest to get to. It takes some planning because you can only arrive by float plane or boat. Since 1958, the 165 foot Ranger III, has been making the 73 mile journey from Houghton, Michigan, to Isle Royale’s Rock Harbor. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara learn more about the job and highlights of the 6 hour journey from Captain Aaron Persenaire. Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fine, specialty green coffees. Independently owned...2022-11-1836 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E5: Heather Boyd, Grand Portage National MonumentGrand Portage National Monument has a new Superintendent, Heather Boyd. In 2008, Heather started with the National Park Service at Isle Royale. As a tribal member with the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, she is the first Anishinaabe to head Grand Portage. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Heather shares with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara how her heart and heritage have lead her back to Minnesota’s north shore. 2022-10-1520 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E4: Aaron Peterson - Filmmaker, Fresh Coast CofounderNothing tells a story like film and coming up October 13-16, 2022, is the 6th annual Fresh Coast Film Festival in Marquette Michigan. The 4-day gathering celebrates the outdoor lifestyle, water-rich environment and resilient spirit of the Great Lakes with over 80 films from around the region, as well as the world. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, co-hosts Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Aaron Peterson, filmmaker and Fresh Cost cofounder to learn how to best drink from the Fresh Coast Fire Hose of films. Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fin...2022-09-1934 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E3: Shawn Sitar - Fisheries Biologist, Michigan DNRLake Trout are a prized sport fish, but they are also considered a keystone species to the health of Lake Superior—now the only Great Lake where you can still find this critically important fish. Without Lake Trout, the ecological balance of Lake Superior would suffer, and that’s why Fisheries Biologist Shawn Sitar with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has such a passion for the study and preservation of Lake Trout. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Shawn Sitar about the most extensive and expensive egg hunt of his...2022-08-2236 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E2: Susan Reece - Chief of Interpretation and Education, Pictured Rocks National LakeshoreMaking vacation plans? No matter what the season, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, spanning 43 miles of some of the Lake’s most dramatic shoreline, has plenty to satisfy every adventure appetite, from a boat cruise out of Munising along the cliffs, to a rugged multi-day hike beginning at the Sand Dunes in Grand Marais. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Chief of Interpretation and Education, Susan Reece, shares with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara some planning tips to make the most of your visit. Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fine, specialty green coffees. Ind...2022-08-0130 min

Lake Superior PodcastS3 E1: Dave Lorenz - Vice President of Travel MichiganFrom Native Americans to modern day travelers, Lake Superior has welcomed summer visitors with cool, clear water and wooded escapes. Dave Lorenz, Vice President for Travel Michigan understands the lure of the Lake, especially since Michigan, as a state, has the most Superior shoreline at an estimated 917 miles, and three of the five National Parks on the Big Blue. In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast he shares with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara the importance of public lands along the Lake for visitors to enjoy, as well as the value of travel as the world’s greatest peacemaker. 2022-06-2731 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E13: Carl Hansen - Pictured Rocks KayakerPlanning on kayaking in Lake Superior? Learn how to prepare for a safe and successful trip with kayaker Carl Hanson.A Pictured Rocks kayak trip can include wild and rugged shoreline, forested islands and endless stretches of remote sandy beaches, luring newcomers as well as veteran paddlers to adventure. It ranks as one of the planet’s most magical places to sea kayak. Carl Hansen, the man who brought commercial kayaking to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore over three decades ago, is interviewed in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast. Hosts Walt Lindala and Frida Waa...2022-06-0829 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E12: Fred Schlichting – Ranger, Lighthouse Keeper, & HistorianSince opening the Soo Locks in 1855, lighthouses have been a part of Lake Superior’s most dramatic landscape signaling rocky shoals, cliffs and dangerous passages. Many of those towers are still visible today. In fact, on the Lake Superior circle tour--which covers 3 states and the province of Ontario Canada--you can see 56 lighthouses or towers; some you can actually tour. The greatest concentration of lighthouses in a National Park is in the Apostle Islands headquartered in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Fred Schlichting has been working as a Park Ranger and Lighthouse Keeper for 11 seasons and while you may not be a Pharaologist (fan...2022-05-2337 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E11: Ian Planchon - FilmmakerAt 31,700 square miles, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in North America. When measuring surface area, it ranks as the largest freshwater lake on the entire planet. How has climate change affected that much water? Filmmaker Ian Planchon of Minneapolis, Minnesota, started out making a film about surfing on Lake Superior, but what he found out has become a much bigger story. In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara speak with Ian and learn more about his latest film “Freshwater.” Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fine, spec...2022-04-2529 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E10: Tom Wright - Quincy Mine Hoist Facilities ManagerThe Quincy Mine operated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for nearly a century. Today, visitors can learn more about the copper boom and tour the mine in Hancock as one of the 22 Heritage Sites of Keweenaw National Historical Park. In this episode of Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tom Wright, Quincy Mine Hoist Facilities Manager, about the fascinating industrial geohistory of the area and the crucial role copper played in the development of our country. Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fine, specialty green coffees. Independently owned and operated since 1993, Caf...2022-04-1136 min

Lake Superior PodcastS1 E9: Tim Cochrane, Author & Former Grand Portage National Monument SuperintendentPeople have lived along Lake Superior since the glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago. For the last 500 years, the Anishinaabe have called the region home. Their history is rich with stories of hunting, gathering, fishing, and trading. Tim Cochrane knows many of those stories. He has spent his career with the National Park Service, beginning as a backcountry ranger, adding historian, anthropologist, and ultimately Superintendent to his experience. He has been a faithful steward of Superior’s history for over three decades. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tim about his work at...2022-03-2234 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E7: Musician Penny Menze and Calumet Theatre President Dan JamisonOn March 20, 1900, life in Michigan’s Copper Country forever changed with the opening of the Calumet Opera House. As one of the first municipal theaters in the country, it attracted some of America’s finest actors and performers including Sarah Bernhardt, Harry Houdini, and John Philip Sousa. Now, as one of the 21 Heritage Sites of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, work is underway to celebrate that history and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with musician Penny Menze and Calumet Theatre President Dan Jamison about an upcoming concert on Saturday, March 5, with...2022-02-1429 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E6: Stephanie Pearson, Author & JournalistWhen it comes to storytelling, few writers in the Great Lakes have logged in as many words about the outdoors as Stephanie Pearson of Duluth, Minnesota. Her career began at Outside Magazine, where she was on the editorial staff for more than 13 years. Her assignments circled the globe, and her work has earned four Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers. Her book, "100 Great American Parks," will be published by National Geographic in May 2022. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, she talks with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara about her research on the Apostle...2022-01-2429 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E5: Ross Anthony, Board Member, Upper Peninsula Sled Dog AssociationLake Superior ranks as one of the planet's best snowmakers, and communities around the Lake celebrate winter with gusto. Snow and terrain make the region the perfect playground for a variety of marathons and festivals, including some of the nation's premier sled dog races: John Beargrease in Duluth, Minnesota; Apostle Islands in Bayfield, Wisconsin; Copper Dog in Calumet, Michigan; Tahquamenon County in Newberry, Michigan; and UP 200 in Marquette, Michigan. Since 1990, Michigan's central Upper Peninsula has hosted the UP 200 Sled Dog Championship. The trail begins in Marquette and stretches to Grand Marais and back running a bu...2022-01-1036 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E3: David Huckfelt - Folk Musician & Lake Superior Podcast Theme Music ComposerWe spend much of our daily lives indoors, and for a professional musician yearning for inspiration, the chatter and distraction of life can dull the creative process. For mid-west based Folk Musician David Huckfelt, his Artist-In-Residence stay at Isle Royale National Park made a difference in his songwriting. He shares his experience with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara, underlining the power of landscape and the power of song to fuel energy back into art and message. David is also the Lake Superior Podcast’s theme music composer and artist.Sponsored by Cafe Imports, a Minneapolis-based importer of fi...2021-12-1330 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E2: David Gerth - Chairman, Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation SocietyLighthouses have long been key to development and safety around the Great Lakes, guiding ships along nearly 11,000 miles of coastline. From the original 267 lighthouses constructed, more than 200 are still active. According to Lake Superior Magazine Circle Tour, 56 of those lighthouses are still operating on the Big Blue, each rich in history. Rock of Ages Lighthouse, located 22 miles from Minnesota and 4 miles out into western Lake Superior from Windigo Harbor at Isle Royale, ranks one of those legendary lights. Built in 1908—after two ships ran aground on the reef—it was one of Superior's most powerful. At 137 feet tall, the beam...2021-11-2930 min

Lake Superior PodcastS2 E1: Denice Swanke, Superintendent, Isle Royale National ParkLearn about Michigan’s Isle Royale, the most remote national park in the Midwest, with Park Superintendent Denice Swanke.Isle Royale's isolation and primitive wilderness have challenged humans for centuries. Ironically, today they have become Isle Royale’s main attractions. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, there’s a whole new wild world to explore when you do arrive.Snow is falling at Isle Royale and the park has closed for the season, but that doesn’t mean work is done for the year on this remote archipelago. After her first full season at the pa...2021-11-1535 min

Lake Superior PodcastS1 E13: Frida Waara & Walt Lindala, Hosts of the Lake Superior PodcastLake Superior is a magnet for some, and it's not just the rich iron ore that draws so many to the shores. As Podcast Hosts Walt Lindala and Frida Waara explain, "it's more complicated than that." Walt, a veteran Upper Peninsula broadcaster, grew up in Chassell, MI. This "Copper Country" boy's roots run deep in the mining and Finnish heritage of the Keweenaw. Frida grew up in downstate Michigan near a Finnish community in Wixom. The members always talked with reverence about Lake Superior and shared their dreams of returning. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, you...2021-09-2028 min

Lake Superior PodcastS1 E1: Isle Royale National Park feat. Denice SwankeWhile Gates of the Arctic in Alaska ranks the country’s least visited national park, Isle Royale in Lake Superior ranks 3rd with just over 16,000 visitors per year. It’s a tough place to get to, accessed only by boat or sea plane, but when you do arrive, there’s a whole new wild world to explore. Denice Swanke came from Denali in Alaska to become Superintendent at Isle Royale, and she shares how her time in Alaska prepared her for this remote archipelago in Superior. Hosted by Walt Lindala and Frida Waara 2021-04-1930 min