Raconteur John U. Bacon, BA ’86/MA ’94, regales the listener with tales – heartfelt and hilarious – culled from a 25-year career covering sports. His new book features “select cuts,” showcasing Michigan heroes Bo Schembechler and Jim Abbott, as well as Detroit legends Ernie Harwell, Joe Louis, and more. Plus: An excerpt from The Best of Bacon.

In this episode, we chat with Susan Pile, U-M’s senior director of university unions and auxiliary services. She is managing the 20-month renovation of the beloved Michigan Union, but fear not: She is fiercely protective of its legacy.

Bakehouse co-owner Frank Carollo, BS ’76, celebrates 25 years in business with a gorgeous cookbook rich in history, humor, and of course, those precious how-tos. Magic brownies, anyone?

From dinosaurs to dioramas, U-M holds some 25 million specimens and cultural objects in more than 20 distinct museums, libraries, and collections. Listen in, as we ‘meet’ some of the explorers who amassed this expansive archive.

Student organizations at U-M may be sublime (Solar Car) or ridiculous (Squirrel Club). Either way, the students who manage them are extraordinarily bright, motivated, and accomplished. Meet them on the Diag.

Composer/arranger Jerry Bilik, BMus ’55/MMus ’61, takes you inside the Michigan Marching Band. He’s the artist behind some of their most beloved classics.

The Michigan Theater Foundation’s Lee Berry, BA ’78/MBA ’99, previews the new-and-improved State Theatre, currently under renovation.

Gail Offen, BGS ’78, takes foodies on a tasty trip through A2 past and present, from the Del Rio to Pizza Bob’s, from Drake’s to Le Dog.

Investigative reporter and civil rights advocate Will Potter talks propaganda, dissent, and a free press that is anything but an ‘enemy of the people.’