Under the Radar Michigan’s Latest Visit
Tom Daldin from Under the Radar Michigan returned to Jackson, Michigan to film an episode of the award-winning PBS television show in June 2025.
Experience Jackson hosted a premiere screening of the show to an audience of around 350 people on September 17, 2025, with co-host and special guest Jim Edelman signing books and sharing from the stage one week prior to the debut on PBS on September 25, 2025.
Under the Radar Michigan is an Emmy Award-winning PBS television series that features the cool people, places and things that make Michigan an awesome place to live, work and play. The popular show, hosted by Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman, has aired on the network for over 15 years.
“I absolutely love Michigan”, said Jim Edelman, co-host of UTR Michigan. “The places we have seen and the people we have met are truly inspiring. Getting the chance to return to Jackson to see and talk to the people and places that make up the community almost make me feel like a resident.”
While in town, Tom visited Gilbert Chocolates, Michigan Theatre of Jackson, Falling Waters Trail, Schlenker’s, The Parlour, Virginia Coney Island and Jackson Coney Island.
“Every time I visit Jackson, I’m reminded of how the culture is creative, inclusive and full of friendly folks,” explained UTR co-host Tom Daldin. “Jackson’s walkable downtown makes it that much easier to discover the many shops, restaurants and massive murals that give this town its magnificent Mojo.”
Photos from the Show
This is not the first time the pair has visited and featured Jackson County on Under the Radar Michigan.
In 2013, Daldin and Edelman taped and hosted an episode that highlighted Jackson Union Rail Station, West Texas BBQ Company, and Historic Prison Tours of Jackson. The 2013 episode was shared with Mackinac Island, highlighting both cities as tourist destinations. In 2023, attractions on their second Jackson episode included the Bright Walls Murals, Jackson’s role in the Underground Railroad, sweet treats and burgers at RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co., great brews at OGMA Brewing Co., and the quirky breakfast fun Daldin and Edelman experienced at Roxy Café.
Watch the 2025 Episode
Behind the Scenes
Tom Daldin stopped in to also record an episode of the Experience Jackson Podcast with Rachel Buchanan about his latest visit to Jackson.
About Under the Radar Michigan
Tom Daldin is an Emmy award winning producer, actor and author, who has created programs that have aired across Michigan and around the U.S. on PBS. He has also won several “best actor” awards in both commercial television and industrial films. Growing up in Birmingham, Michigan, Tom has always been a fan of travel. At the age of 12 he joined the World Adventure Series Club at the Detroit Institute of Arts where his mother would drop him off to watch travel log films. After graduation from Oakland University with a degree in journalism, Tom, his wife Cathy and their children have turned Michigan into their vacation playground, exploring its many wonders and attractions.
Jim Edelman’s path to television producer took him from Radio Talk Show Producer to Radio Promotion Director to Radio Sales Manager to National Radio Sales (Jim loved radio). Jim’s attention to detail, idea generation and the sales chops to keep the show funding flowing, help complete the circle of skills for Under the Radar Michigan. UTR fulfills a lifelong mission to combine the best of his sales skills with the creative guy that’s always been lurking in the shadows. His love of storytelling and searching or offbeat, little-known stories really makes his day. Jim attended many colleges but learned more working for the Detroit Pistons, as a Ski Instructor, Cycle Racing Producer, Tomato Picker and Bakers Assistant. He lives in Salem, Michigan and insists that he’s quite normal despite owning three cats.
This episode of Under the Radar Michigan was made possible by a partnership between Experience Jackson, Under the Radar Michigan and Pure Michigan.
Learn more about Under the Radar Michigan here.
