Mike Dell's World
Welcome to the world of Mike Dell—where tech, storytelling, and a bit of off-the-cuff wisdom collide. Broadcasting from Northern Michigan, Mike shares his thoughts on podcasting, technology, travel, aviation, and whatever else crosses his radar. No script
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Broadcasting in Traverse City
In this episode of Mike Dell’s World, Mike talks about what it’s like broadcasting and podcasting from Traverse City, Michigan, a place that has always had a unique blend of small-town charm, regional importance, and a surprisingly rich broadcasting history. Mike shares his own experiences behind the microphone—past and present—along with observations about the local radio landscape, how podcasting fits into the region’s media identity, and how much the area has changed since the early days of local broadcasting. Topics Covered What “broadcasting in Traverse City” means today From terrestrial radio to modern podcasting, the evolution of getting your voice out from northern Michigan. Mike’s beginnings in broadcasting A look back at early experiences, equipment, motivations, and what hooked him on audio in the first place. Traverse City’s radio past and present Reflections on stations, formats, and personalities that shaped the region over the decades. How podcasting fits into a northern Michigan lifestyle The joys and challenges of producing a show in a place better known for lakes, snow, cherries, and tourism. Behind-the-scenes workflow for Mike Dell’s World Recording setups, tools, and how Mike keeps episodes flowing while juggling life, flying, work at Blubrry, and northern Michigan weather. Why Traverse City is a great place to create media Inspiration, scenery, community, and just enough quirk to keep things interesting.
Leaves
Just a quick update. I spent the last 2 days dealing with leaves and some other pre-winter things that need to be done around here since the weather was so good for it. Got a late start recording today.
Legal Pot in Michigan – EPISDOE 420 Dude!
In this milestone episode — number 420, naturally — Mike takes a look at the rise of legal marijuana in Michigan. From the early days of medical cards to today’s booming recreational market, Mike walks through how the laws changed, what it looks like around northern Michigan, and how communities have adapted (or resisted) the cannabis wave. Along the way, he shares observations, local quirks, and a bit of “Up North” perspective. Topics Covered • How Michigan Got Here A quick history of medical marijuana legalization (2008) Proposal 1 and the shift to recreational use in 2018 What changed on day one — and what didn’t • Northern Michigan’s Cannabis Scene How Traverse City, Acme, Kingsley, and neighboring towns handled the rollout Local dispensaries, differences between tourist areas vs. rural areas The slow-but-steady licensing process in TC • Common Questions People Still Ask “Can I grow my own?” “Can you smoke in public?” “What about driving?” “What’s the tax structure like?” • Tourism & Culture How legal marijuana has changed the vibe for summer visitors The mix of craft breweries, wineries, and now… dispensaries The interesting combo of retirees, tourists, and locals navigating it all • Mike’s Take Observations as someone who has watched Michigan go from dry counties to legal weed How Michigan tends to “normalize” things once the novelty wears off Why episode 420 was the perfect moment to talk about it
Clinch Park – Trains, boats, Zoo Animals and the little city
n this episode of "Mike Dell's World," host Mike Dell discusses Clinch Park in Traverse City. He starts with some light-hearted comments about himself, joking that he has a Dorito chip under his hat. The main topic is Clinch Park, a public park located along West Grand Traverse Bay. Mike describes its amenities, including a large beach, splash pad, concessions, and access to the municipal marina, along with its popularity for walking, biking, and waterfront viewing. Mike reminisces about Clinch Park's history, mentioning that it used to house the Clinch Park Zoo, which focused on local Michigan wildlife instead of exotic animals. He shares that the zoo began in the early thirties and was a favorite childhood destination. He provides background on the miniature city attraction within the park, initiated by local civic leader Con Foster during the Great Depression, which included scaled replicas of downtown buildings. Mike recalls that the miniature city was active until 1973 and later moved some of its models to the Music House Museum in Acme, Michigan. The conversation shifts to the park's miniature steam train, which offered rides around the zoo until 2007. Afterward, he describes the marina's features, noting the availability of boat slips and facilities for visitors. He then talks about the removal of the zoo and aquarium in 2007 and how they were replaced by a splash pad, which faced several issues shortly after its installation. Mike further discusses changes in the park, including the removal of other structures, such as the coal fire electric plant, to expand open spaces. He mentions that the Clinch Park has become a central waterfront area, ideal for outdoor activities and close to downtown Traverse City. He points out that the park is a great spot to watch airshows during the Cherry Festival. In concluding the episode, Mike says he will return for another podcast the next day but is unsure of the topic. He wraps up by calling it a podcast and signs off.
Traverse City’s First Snowfall
In this episode titled "Traverse City's First Snowfall," Mike Dell begins by greeting listeners and introduces the episode as number 418. He shares that it is day twelve of NaPodPoMo and mentions this is the first episode recorded in real-time rather than in advance. Mike discusses the early snowfall in Traverse City, noting that some areas received significant accumulation while much of it has already melted. He shares the current temperature, converting it to Celsius for clarity, and describes the mixed weather conditions—with rain expected in nearby areas. Continuing with his narrative, Mike reflects on the change of seasons, mentioning the leaves dropping from the trees, particularly maples and oaks, and recounts the recent yard work he has done to clear the leaves. He mentions plans to prepare his tractor for winter, including getting it serviced at the John Deere dealer after removing the mower deck and attaching the snowblower. Mike recounts an outing for his wife's birthday dinner at Outback Steakhouse, describing the significant snowfall while they were dining and the challenges his family faced getting home due to the winter driving conditions. He humorously comments on how drivers often forget how to drive in snow, leading to accidents and challenges on the road. Towards the end of the episode, Mike decides to keep this episode short and mentions that he will talk about Clinch Park, a notable park in Traverse City with an interesting history, in the following episode. He wraps up by wishing listeners a great day and prompts them to catch him later.
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