La Crosse Local

In this episode, Brent and Amy are joined by Teresa Pulvermacher & Libby Weber of Viaro Health, a new direct primary care facility downtown La Crosse. Viaro Health offers comprehensive, integrated healthcare services, including primary care, chiropractic, acupuncture, behavioral health, and more. They provide affordable membership-based care with the intention of keeping patients healthy through a hospitality-focused approach. Viaro Health's hybrid model accepts insurance, offers competitive cash pricing, and provides direct primary care memberships, making healthcare accessible. The conversation explores how  Viaro Health's services and approach set it apart from other options, the benefits of its model, and how it can serve individuals, families, and businesses in the community. Viaro Health - https://viarohealth.comLa Crosse Local Events MentionedThe Tea Drawings Exhibition | Pump House Regional Arts CenterAll-Student Juried Art Exhibition | UWLFree Game Friday & Karaoke Night | Driftless Axe & ArcadeHarlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour | La Crosse CenterSteel Magnolias | La Crosse Community TheatreTrue West | The Commonwealth TheatreGruesome Playground Injuries | Pump House Regional Arts CenterPoetry Circle | Pearl Street Books

"Please be advised that this episode discusses the sensitive topics of suicide and miscarriage.”Brent and Amy are joined by Kathleen Jensen, Founder and Creator of The Little Hearts Project. Started in Onalaska, Wisconsin as a way to spread messages of encouragement to those who happen to find a crocheted heart, it was a way for Kathleen to process her life and trauma, and help others dealing with everything from a bad day, a miscarriage, and preventing suicide. The project has grown far beyond its local origins, with hearts being distributed and found in 40 states across the U.S. and even globally. Kathleen shares how the project has impacted people's lives, including preventing a death by suicide. The project is simple to get involved with by crocheting hearts, downloading the messages to attach to each heart, and distributing them wherever you travel. Find out more and get involved at https://www.thelittleheartproject.org/Events Mentioned In This PodcastThese Shining Lives - Viterbo University (Jan 31 - Feb 2) Mini Mosaic Class - artPOP (Feb 13) Winter Ecology & Wildlife Tracking - Driftless Folk School (Feb 15) Marriage of Figaro - Weber Center For The Performing Arts (Feb 21-23) Cold War - Pump House Regional Arts Center (Feb 16)

In this episode of the La Crosse Local Podcast, the hosts sit down with Tony DiMaggio, the founder of Sacred Blossom Farm. Tony shares the inspiring story of how he built a thriving artisanal herbal tea business from the ground up, despite limited resources. Through his passion for sustainable farming and connection to the local community, Tony has created a unique product that nourishes both the body and the land. By the end of the episode, you will be eager to visit the farm, sample the teas, and experience the community that Tony has cultivated. 

The electronic music duo joins Brent and Amy Be Wary, who discuss their origins, musical style, and cartoon inspiration. They explain how their choir and musical theater backgrounds have influenced their emotive and performative vocal delivery and performative live shows. New music is on the horizon, with an upcoming two-sided single produced by the Sweat Boys. Have a listen, get your dance shoes ready, and let the beat take control.

Our hosts Brent and Amy are joined by musician Greg Hall, where they discuss his recording of his new album in Nashville, working with producer Johnny Garcia, and the community support that made the project possible through a successful Kickstarter campaign. He shares the personal stories behind some of the album's songs, including his journey to sobriety. The conversation also covers Greg's upcoming album release shows and other local events happening in the La Crosse area.

Ani DiFranco, the renowned feminist folk singer, is the subject of a new documentary directed by Dana Flor, titled 1-800-ON-HER-OWN. The film explores DiFranco's lifelong commitment to activism and the challenges she has faced as a mother, artist, and independent musician. The conversation highlights DiFranco's impact on multiple generations, her use of music for political and social change, and the difficulties of pursuing a non-traditional career path. Director Dana Flor shares how she first met DiFranco, and the trust built between the two to bring a documentary together that shares so much of DiFranco's life that has not been seen before. The documentary will be screened in La Crosse on October 7th at the Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria with DiFranco and director Dana Flor in attendance for a Q&A and meet-and-greet. Enjoy this conversation that illuminates the through-line of DiFranco's activism that is as relevant today as it has been since her journey began in the 90's. 

Brent and Amy are joined by Grimrose, a rising La Crosse area musician who blends genres like punk, goth, and trap to create his unique "goth trap" sound. In this interview, they discuss his musical influences, the process behind creating his recent album "Welcome to My Kingdom," and his plans for upcoming projects. As an independent artist producing and recording his own music, Grimrose provides an interesting perspective on the local music scene and collaboration that makes this unique genre break out from the Midwest.

Rapper and musician Yung Gravy sits down and chats with our team while back in his hometown of Rochester, MN, preparing for his show in La Crosse on September 5, 2024. Brent and Amy talk about the origin of the Soundcloud Rapper scene, how the YouTube algorithm influenced his musical taste and influence, and his journey from the Midwest to LA and beyond. 

In this episode of the La Crosse Local Podcast, Brent and Amy sit down with Craig Minowa, a multiple Emmy award-winning composer and singer/songwriter of the band Cloud Cult. The conversation takes us into the places of inspiration and finding the muse of Craig's writing, upcoming releases, new album work, collaborating with the Minnesota Orchestra, and so much more.You can catch Cloud Cult performing live on August 9th, 2024, at the People's Fest in Yuba, WI. See all upcoming shows and details on their website, cloudcult.com.

In this episode of the La Crosse Local Podcast, Brent and Amy sit down with Jason Achilles, an experimental rock musician and aerospace innovator. Not your typical combination of industries, Jason shares his story of working on music in various projects that took him in new directions and led him to meet and work with NASA. Jason will also be in La Cross on June 22 at the Popcorn Tavern with his multi-instrumental duo band in a "cosmic space-rock" experience. Be sure also to check out his latest release and information on his website: https://jasonachilles.com/.

Brent and Amy are joined by Jacqueline Marcou, the Arts Coordinator for the City of La Crosse, a registered nurse, mother of two, and all-around amazing woman! Jacqueline talks about upcoming events like Artspire and more coming to the La Crosse area and new grants and works from local artists. Listen in to upcoming events around the area and intriguing projects to check out in the area!    ______________________________________    Welcome to the La Crosse Local Podcast! Here, we learn from the people living in La Crosse, WI, and hear their stories about their lives in our city. Join the conversation as we chat all things La Crosse, including how the locals have lived through the decades. We'll keep you updated on all the local happenings along the way!

As the La Crosse Local website enters a new era with new ownership, Amy and Brent interview the new owner, Becky Montpetit, and introduces her to the community. Becky is an entrepreneur and champion of local communities, having started similar businesses with Rochester Local and Twin Cities Mom. Please welcome Becky as we move forward to a new chapter for La Crosse Local and new opportunities to promote and support local.

We sit down with Ben Horn from Free Range Exchange, discussing the significance of local products, the journey from farmers markets to a store in downtown Hokah, and the recent expansion to a new shop in downtown La Crosse. We also delve into the various elements that have contributed to making them the #1 most-listened-to podcast in 2023.

A while back we caught up with the guys from Tabasco Cat, our conversation delves into their early experiences with music and bands, the formation of this version of Tabasco Cat, a preview of what audiences can anticipate at their live shows, and an exploration of the factors that have propelled them to become the #2 most-listened-to podcast in 2023.Band members include Jimbo Zill (guitar/vocals), Randy Erickson (guitar/vocals), Scoop Kohner (bass guitar/vocals), Josh Runyon (drums), and the newest addition to the band, Tycho de Boer (keyboards/guitar/vocals/percussion).

We revisit our conversation with Joe Cody, a veteran local musician. Our discussion spans his earliest music memories, entry into guitar playing, involvement in diverse bands, collaborations with Jackie Cody, insights into the writing process, and an exploration of the factors propelling it to rank as the #4 most-listened-to podcast in 2023.

We revisit our conversation with Composer and Lyricist, Sana Illahe. Our conversation delves into the realm of traditional, centuries-old music, passed down orally through generations. We explore the nuances of composing music in both classical and non-classical traditions, delve into the details of Sana's new solo album, and uncover the factors contributing to its ranking as the #4 most listened-to podcast in 2023.

We revisit our conversation with Mitchel Weber, who proudly identifies as a “butcher, baker, mover, and shaker.” Mitchell is the proprietor of Sagra Food & Wine, a dynamic establishment showcasing an ever-evolving array of dishes. In our discussion, we delve into the origins of this Italian-inspired, locally sourced pop-up, exploring its seasonal menu, the process of securing reservations, and uncovering the reasons behind its placement as the #5 most listened-to podcast in 2023.

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with the remarkable bass virtuoso, Tim Powers. Our conversation delved into his journey in the world of bass playing, his musical influences, his extensive track record with various bands, his upcoming projects as a prolific musician, and the best ways to stay updated on his musical journey.Don't miss the chance to see Tim performing with Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball at Mid West Music Fest.Listen to more interviews at https://lacrosselocal.com.

We had the opportunity to connect with Chris Rosenau of the Collections of Colonies of Bees, who will be performing at the upcoming Mid West Music Fest in La Crosse. Our conversation covers Chris's early music interests, influences, the band's various iterations, including new vocalists, and a dive into their exciting live show at the Weber Center.You can find more conversations at lacrosselocal.com.

We recently had the pleasure of connecting with Wurk, a 6-piece funk-fusion group that seamlessly weaves elements of jazz fusion, prog rock, jam rock, and more into their music, all anchored by those irresistible funk grooves. In our conversation, we delved into their beginnings, the diverse influences that shape their sound, their upcoming new music, and an exciting show slated for the Mid West Music Fest this November.You can find more conversations at lacrosselocal.com.Photo by Shatter Imagery

We had a conversation with Andrew Temte about his second book, “The Balanced Business.” During our chat, we explored the book's purpose, its target audiences, the advice it offers to new entrepreneurs, insights for thought leaders, Andrew's Saturday morning MUSE, and the common experience of feeling self-doubt when starting a business.You can find more interviews like this at lacrosselocal.com.

We hopped on a call with musician Caley Conway to dive deep into her latest EP, “Only A Dark Cocoon.” It turns out there's quite an interesting backstory to its creation. During our conversation, we also explored the realms of songwriting, recording, and the art of performing.Don't miss the chance to catch Caley Conway live in La Crosse, Wisconsin, at the upcoming Mid West Music Fest this November.You can find more conversations at lacrosselocal.com.

We had a conversation with the team at the United Fund For the Arts and Humanities (UFAH), during which we delved into the organization's history, its significant role within La Crosse, its various programs, fundraising efforts, and ways for individuals to stay updated on their activities.You can find more conversations on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with Zachary Stensen and Jacqueline Marcou from the City of La Crosse Arts Board. Our conversation covered a range of topics including new programming, ways to become involved with the board, a recent award they received, the introduction of new grants, and the positive economic impact of a vibrant arts scene.You can find more conversations on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with Ben from PECO Studio. During our discussion, we delved into the fascinating world of glass art, gaining insights into the intricate technique of kiln-formed fused glass and discovering the profound influences that water, lava, and island life have on his work.Our conversation further delved into the intricate process of working with glass, exploring aspects such as color choices, the level of ease in handling the medium, and gaining a sneak peek into the exciting developments on the horizon for this talented artist.You can find more conversations on our website lacrosselocal.com.

Join us as we delve into the world of live music photography with the talented Jessica Miller, who continually captures the vibrant essence of music festivals and musicians in our region.In our conversation, we explore Jessica's initial fascination with cameras, her enduring passion for live music, her preferred subjects to photograph, and get a sneak peek into her upcoming projects.For more engaging discussions, visit our website at lacrosselocal.com.

We connect with storyteller, mime, and artist Motoko. We chatted about Asian folktales, ghost stories, as well as oral memoirs from her childhood. We get into the practice of storytelling and what to expect from her upcoming performances.See Motoko LIVE at the The Sandbar Storytelling Festival October 12-14 in Winona, MN.You can find more conversations on our website lacrosselocal.com.

We reconnected with Michael Perry, we chatted about the themes of his new book “Forty Acres Deep”, we got into the author's hesitation with the book, a winter shed collapse that inspired it, and the agricultural mental health movement that touches on depression and anxiety.Catch Michael Perry LIVE at the Pump House Regional Arts Center.

We talked with Artist Tiana Traffas, working in a variety of mediums and styles, we explored what led to art and creation, inspiration, arts services and offerings, and what is coming up for this local and versatile artist.You can find more conversations on our website lacrosselocal.com.

We connect with Gaby Marván, a paper maché sculptor working in the Mexican folk art tradition. We talk about the history of the craft and the start of the Mexican Folk Art Collective.Check out the Mexican Folk Art Collective Exhibition at the Pump House September 13th – November 4th, 2023. Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connect with Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth, we get into lineup changes, a new album, side projects and more.Railroad Earth will be playing People Fest at the Driftless Music Gardens August 12, 2023!Photo credit: Jason Charme Photography

We connect with Adam Boehm, going by the moniker Dream Field 209, we chat bowed guitar, synths, and ambient soundscapes, and get into all of his recent releases at bandcamp.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We chat with Jeanine Scheffert of Seed Savers Exchange, we get into the story behind the organization, programming and resources, and upcoming events at the library and farm.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.SeedSaversExchange

We connected with guitarist and blues artist, Tommy Bentz, we chatted about early beginnings, getting turned onto the blues, the new album “1000 Reasons' ‘ and what to expect when he hits the stage for Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We jumped on the line with Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, we talked about being at it for 30+ years, got into Leftover's new album “Grass Roots”, and chatted about “Enjoy the Ride”, Vince's foray into country.Leftover Salmon will be playing People Fest at the Driftless Music Gardens August 12, 2023!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connect with Mike & Nancy Caucutt of the band Mr. Blink, we get into the new album “Shine”, the process for recording the album, and learn about a special local release tour with a stop at Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival July 28-30, 2023!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We sat down with the legendary hill country blues singer, Duwayne Burnside, we chatted about early influences, the album ‘Acoustic Burnside' and an upcoming performance at the Prairie Dog Blues Festival, July 27-29, 2023!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connect with guitar virtuoso Paulie Matushek, we learn about his first time picking up a guitar, influences, looping, playing with the People Brothers Band, Driftless Music Gardens, and more.Check out Paulie LIVE at Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival | July 28-30, 2023.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.Photo Credit: Madylen Photography

We chatted with Tullie Brae, we got into growing up with the blues and soul-shaking music, her new album ‘Revelation' and what people can expect from her live shows including the upcoming gig at Prairie Dog Blues Festival, July 27-29, 2023!Check out Tullie Brae at the Prairie Dog Blues Festival, July 27-29, 2023!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connected with the fellas of Tree Huggers Co-op and Tree Huggers Cannabis, we got into their line of Delta 8 & 9 gummies, a new cannabis water, and found out about a special treat for Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival ticket holders.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connect with Dana Athens of the band Jane Lee Hooker, we get into influences, the early years, the formation of the band, a new music video and what people expect from their live shows. Catch Jane Lee Hooker during the Prairie Dog Blues Festival, July 27-29, 2023!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app!

We chatted with Dave Rogers of Dave's Guitar, celebrating 40 years in business, we talked about favorite guitars, famous musicians stopping by the store, playing the blues, and his upcoming show at Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connect with the men of Tabasco Cat playing Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival this July, we chat about early music and bands, how this iteration of Tabasco Cat came together, and what people can expect from their LIVE shows.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app. Band members include Jimbo Zill (guitar/vocals), Randy Erickson (guitar/vocals), Scoop Kohner (bass guitar/vocals), Josh Runyon (drums), and the newest member of the band, Tycho de Boer (keyboards/guitar/vocals/percussion).

We chat with Rik Raven of Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys, we talk influences, how the band came together, set backs, and getting back on the road.Check out Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys at the Prairie Dog Blues Festival, July 27-29, 2023!Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connected with Chris Barton and Ben Skinner of Paulin's Provisions, we got into the mustards and marmalades of this startup, what's coming up for these guys, how can people pick it up and more.Listen to our podcast at lacrosselocal.com or your preferred podcast app.

We connected with Darren Price of the BP Smokehouse, located in Tomah Wisconsin. We got into his BBQ history, style, BBQ sauce, and what it takes to produce mouth-watering ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, and more.You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music, weekend picks and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We get into it with Nick Roesler, we chat about “Ghosting A Funeral” , his genre-defying instrumental debut album, working with Dave King and JT Bates, and playing with Porcupine.Check out Porcupine LIVE at Cheech's Deecefest Family Music Festival | July 28-30, 2023You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music, weekend picks and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We chatted with Jenna Hestekin, an Artist working in pen & ink, scratchboard, and wire sculpture. We talked about intro to the arts, realistic pet commissions, and being a signature scratchboard artist. Come check out Jenna's work at Artspire, Saturday, June 10!You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music, weekend picks and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We connect once again with Nicholas David, we catch up, and find out what's coming up for this talented musician. We also get into his headlining show at the 10th Annual celebration of Artspire,which also features music, performances, fine art sale, interactive arts, food trucks and beer.Come watch Nicholas David at Artspire, Saturday, June 10 !You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music, weekend picks and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We sat down with the vivacious, powerhouse singer-songwriter, Jaedyn James. We chat about her empowering LIVE performances, her newest Single ‘Here in Your Love” and talk about the upcoming show at Driftless Music Gardens June 8-10th during the Bonfire Music & Arts Festival. You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music, weekend picks and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

We connect with Robert Caldwell, a self described art therapist, we talk about his creative altar work, and get into the themes of this unique medium of scrap wood, thrift store finds, assorted junk, and various idols. The work explores racism, sexism, and materialism, among other “isms” but always follows through with “kindness” at the center.You can find more conversations, food reviews, weekend picks, live music and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.