MI Michigan Story: Life in the Great Lakes State was created and is hosted by Michigan native Rob Prince. Rob was born and raised in East Lansing and studied documentary filmmaking in college. He’s a graduate of Calvin University and Michigan State University. He started MI Michigan Story in 2024.

Rob spend 18 years teaching documentary filmmaking in Fairbanks, Alaska where he started a similar radio show, podcast, and live event called Dark Winter Nights: True Stories from Alaska in 2014. The New York Times has called that show the “best winter podcast for storytelling lovers” and it consistently sells out its 1,300 seat venue in Fairbanks. Stories from the show have aired nationally on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Rob moved back to Michigan in 2023 but continues to edit and host the Dark Winter Nights radio show/podcast and help produce live events.

Rob’s top goal when he got back to Michigan was to start a similar storytelling show that would allow Michiganders to share their awesome true stories with each other. He partnered with PBS affiliate WKAR-FM in East Lansing in 2025 to broadcast the show. The radio show and podcast air the first Saturday of the month on 90.5 FM and stream live at wkar.org. Live storytelling events happen every few weeks around the state. Subscribe to our E-newsletter to stay in the loop about future events and news!