• A Curious Case of Goo
    Mar 17 2026

    After a boat captain notices strange black goo on his ship’s rudder, he scoops some of it into a cup. A few months later, that cup ends up in a lab, where scientists make a surprising discovery.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    16 mins
  • For the Fun of the Surf
    Mar 3 2026

    In northwest Indiana, there’s a 20-mile stretch of Lake Michigan that’s dominated by industry. It’s some of the dirtiest water in the lake, but it's also home to some of the biggest waves anywhere on the Great Lakes. Despite the pollution, there’s a dedicated group of surfers who keep flocking to this area. And one day, after a really big chemical spill from one of the factories, the surfers decide to do something about it.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Crying Over Spilled Sewage
    Feb 17 2026

    Kevin Shafer is obsessed with rain. As the head of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, it’s his job to be. But when a thousand-year storm comes out of nowhere and dumps over a foot of rain, Kevin is faced with a decision: send sewage into people’s basements or into Lake Michigan.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    23 mins
  • Finding Hope at Rock Bottom
    Feb 3 2026

    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.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • An Olympic Dream
    Jan 21 2026

    When U.P. snowboarder Nick Baumgartner lost in a qualifying round at the 2022 Olympics, he broke down on national TV. It was his fourth Olympics, he’d never medaled, and he was 40 years old. He might not get another shot at a medal. But then he got some news.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Going, Going, Gone
    Jan 6 2026

    It’s auction day in Rogers City, Michigan. Along a county highway lined with pine trees, another family sawmill quietly peels itself off the map.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Presenting Sidedoor: Finding Cleopatra
    Dec 19 2025

    Edmonia Lewis, the first globally-recognized sculptor of African American and Native American descent, achieved critical acclaim for her masterpiece, “The Death of Cleopatra.” But over 100 years ago, it disappeared.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • A Superior Gamble
    Dec 5 2025

    Lake Superior can change in a heartbeat; one minute it’s calm ― the next it's raging into a wild storm. When people in the water get caught off-guard, first-responders have to balance being the hero and knowing when to call it quits.

    _______________________

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

    Join the Points North Fan Club today! For just $5/month, you can support the show you love, and we'll send you some cool Points North goodies in return.

    Subscribe to the Points North Newsletter for more Great Lakes news. And follow us on Instagram.

    Show more Show less
    20 mins