When I hear someone's story I often think to myself, "If people only knew, then maybe we could make some real change." If we don't know about a problem, we certainly can't fix it. It's time the world heard these stories.
#41 - Peninsula Township Part 2: Farmers are our Only Hope
If People Only Knew that farmers the only ones preventing major developments like wind farms, solar farms, data centers, and high density housing.
In part two of this investigation into Peninsula Township and the ongoing winery lawsuit, I explore a question at the center of the peninsula debate: what actually happens when farmers can no longer afford to farm?
Across the country, small farms are disappearing, and many farmers are turning to direct-to-consumer sales just to survive. Most farmers can’t survive just by growing grapes anymore, they’re trying to sell their products directly to visitors in order to keep their land profitable and preserve it from major development. They often sell their grapes in the form of wine - at wineries.
But while Peninsula Township says it wants to protect agriculture and preserve the beauty of the peninsula, farmers I talked to argue that new ordinances and zoning restrictions are doing the opposite. From rising acreage requirements to years-long permitting battles, many say the township has created hurdles that only wealthy landowners can overcome.
Policies meant to “protect” the peninsula may actually be accelerating the very thing many residents fear most: the loss of farmland and the spread of subdivisions and large-scale development.
Timestamps
02:31 - Aftermath of the Winery Lawsuit
07:04 - Amendment 201: Things get Worse
10:47 - Township Prevented Garry from Opening his Winery
19:01 - Permanent Deed Restriction Raises Questions
25:04 - Does Peninsula Township have a Shadow Government?
37:56 - An Alleged Shell Organization
42:10 - What this is Costing Residents
54:08 - Farmers are Preventing Major Development
01:07:12 - What’s Next?
If you are interested in being on the show, apply at annamatson.com (http://annamatson.com)
Follow me on:
X: https://x.com/annarmatson?s=21&t=c1WbKT4scuv0D3LsuD9W (https://x.com/annarmatson?s=21&t=c1WbKT4scuv0D3LsuD9W)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@annarmatson?_t=ZT-8t7ZrjOZWCw&_r=1 (https://www.tiktok.com/@annarmatson?_t=ZT-8t7ZrjOZWCw&_r=1)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annarmatson/?igsh=MXBkcWdxNXRhcDYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr# (https://www.instagram.com/annarmatson/?igsh=MXBkcWdxNXRhcDYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#)
Substack: https://substack.com/@annarmatson (https://substack.com/@annarmatson)
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and/or the guest(s) only. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Listeners should independently verify information.
17 Apr 2026
#40 - Peninsula Township Part 1: The 49 Million Dollar Verdict
If People Only Knew that Peninsula Township has imposed unconstitutional ordinances on their 11 winery owners over the course of several decades.
The wineries ultimately sued which resulted in a five year, 49 million dollar lawsuit. But even after all of that, not much has changed.
I sit down with Chris Baldyga, owner 2 Lads Winery, to talk about his experience that led to the decision to sue. Peninsula Township claims the wineries have not been transparent, but Chris paints a very different picture.
Timestamps
01:58 - About Peninsula Township
08:44 - Interview with Winery Owner Chris Baldyga
14:10 - Purchasing a Farm
20:28 - The Process of Build the Winery
23:15 - Things go South
45:07 - No Other Option but to Sue
1:00:34 - Operations After the $49 Million Verdict
1:13:44 - What the Federal Judge Found
2 Lads Winery
https://www.2lwinery.com/ (https://www.2lwinery.com/)
If you are interested in being on the show, apply at annamatson.com (http://annamatson.com)
Follow me on:
X: https://x.com/annarmatson?s=21&t=c1WbKT4scuv0D3LsuD9W (https://x.com/annarmatson?s=21&t=c1WbKT4scuv0D3LsuD9W)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@annarmatson?_t=ZT-8t7ZrjOZWCw&_r=1 (https://www.tiktok.com/@annarmatson?_t=ZT-8t7ZrjOZWCw&_r=1)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annarmatson/?igsh=MXBkcWdxNXRhcDYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr# (https://www.instagram.com/annarmatson/?igsh=MXBkcWdxNXRhcDYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#)
Substack: https://substack.com/@annarmatson (https://substack.com/@annarmatson)
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and/or the guest(s) only. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Listeners should independently verify information.
2 Apr 2026
#39 - Anna Matson: Records Speak Louder Than Words - How to Find What the Government Won’t Tell You
If People Only Knew that each state has laws that force the government to be transparent - but these laws mean nothing unless they are enforced. That’s where you come in.
Use these laws to see how government agencies are spending your money, what they are doing with their time, and if they are working for the people.
In this episode I explain how I became an expert in this area, how public records laws work, how to request records, and what open meetings laws are. Most importantly, I explain how you can fight back against corrupt government bodies.
Timestamps
01:35 - How I Became an Expert
11:38 - Freedom of Information Act
23:44 - How Government Agencies Hide Records
26:58 - How to Fight Back
33:22 - Who can you Request Records From
35:55 - How to do a FOIA
43:08 - Open Meetings Act
49:01 - Violations of the Open Meetings Act
Quick Links:
Public Records Laws in Your State: https://substack.com/home/post/p-185752957 (https://substack.com/home/post/p-185752957)
Censorship by Invoice: https://freedom.press/issues/censorship-by-invoice-public-records-cost-164000-in-michigan-township/ (https://freedom.press/issues/censorship-by-invoice-public-records-cost-164000-in-michigan-township/)
If you are interested in being on the show, apply at annamatson.com (http://annamatson.com)
Follow me on:
X: https://x.com/annarmatson?s=21&t=c1WbKT4scuv0D3LsuD9W (https://x.com/annarmatson?s=21&t=c1WbKT4scuv0D3LsuD9W)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@annarmatson?_t=ZT-8t7ZrjOZWCw&_r=1 (https://www.tiktok.com/@annarmatson?_t=ZT-8t7ZrjOZWCw&_r=1)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annarmatson/?igsh=MXBkcWdxNXRhcDYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr# (https://www.instagram.com/annarmatson/?igsh=MXBkcWdxNXRhcDYydA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#)
Substack: https://substack.com/@annarmatson (https://substack.com/@annarmatson)
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and/or the guest(s) only. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Listeners should independently verify information.
Who has been a guest on If People Only Knew with Anna Matson
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
JB Handley
Jeff Dornik
Andrea Keller
Peter Gillooly
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
77,547
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
51
Contact If People Only Knew with Anna Matson
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about If People Only Knew with Anna Matson
Who hosts If People Only Knew with Anna Matson?
Anna Matson host the show. Published by Anna Matson.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does If People Only Knew with Anna Matson take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of If People Only Knew with Anna Matson?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
