Welcome to “The Shore Line” — A New Lake Erie Podcast

Close your eyes, climb aboard and swing to the tropical rhythm of a brand-new podcast that will carry you far, far away as visions of love, laughter, springtime and sunshine are brought front of mind. Hosted by Jill Bauer, public relations manager for Shores & Islands Ohio, “The Shore Line” connects locals and visitors alike to the best that the state’s beautiful northwest coast has to offer, from Port Clinton, Marblehead and Sandusky to Huron, Vermilion and, of course, the Lake Erie Islands.

“There are a number of podcasts about travel in general, but there’s nothing like this for our region of Ohio,” Bauer says. “Listeners will get tips for visiting and hear directly from business owners, managers and event organizers about what makes this destination so special.”

Covering everything from dining and shopping destinations to local hot spots and must-see destinations, Bauer perfectly exudes the vibrant, welcoming charisma for which the region is known.

“I love podcasts,” Bauer says. “They’re something you can listen to in the car, while you’re folding laundry or moving about the house because your phone is always with you. They’re more informational than music — you get to know the people hosting them and become their friends.”

Tune in every Monday to discover the latest happenings, behind-the-scenes interviews and insider tips to making the most of your next coastal retreat. Episodes are available wherever you listen to podcasts, as well as shoresandislands.com.

“The possibilities are endless,” Bauer relates. “I don’t think we’ll ever run out of content.”

For the first episode, available now, Bauer and her colleagues, Dayton Barnett, social media manager for Shores & Islands Ohio, and Ben Simon, the organization’s director of marketing and sales, dish about their excitement for 2024, including the opening of Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2 and this year’s Bash on the Bay, an annual outdoor music festival held at South Bass Island in August.

The next three episodes will offer a splash into the excitement that surrounds the region’s three water parks — Castaway Bay, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

“As these cold Ohio temperatures keep us wanting to stay indoors, it’s important to remember we’ve got three amazing locations that boast summer temperatures year-round,” Bauer says, revealing her excitement for this new opportunity to connect with residents, visitors, local experts and business owners to showcase an array amazing adventures and how to make the most of them.

“I’m used to being the person interviewed, not the person interviewing. But I’ve been going on all of our local radio stations for the past eight years talking about festivals and events and doing that voice aspect of it,” says Bauer, a 20-year veteran of Shores & Islands Ohio and expert on all of the ways to find your Lake Erie love. “It’s a different experience for me, but I’m really looking forward to it and hope people will embrace it.”

It’s that exposure to local media organizations that provided the inspiration for “The Shore Line,” an idea that developed from a weekly segment Bauer does on Ottawa Broadcasting LLC/WPCR called “Talk at Ten” with station president Greg Peiffer. Now, she working with Peiffer and the Port Clinton radio station to record, edit and produce “The Shore Line.”

“It’s been a great partnership,” Bauer says. “He’s helped walk us through the process and everything we needed, from music and artwork to editing and distribution.”