Listen Up MKE

It's about time! Erin and Reuben visit the studio to give us a rundown of the movies the viewed this summer and into fall. Always a treat!

Regular contributors Erin & Reuben share their thoughts on this springs movie releases. Includes reviews of Plane, Sisu & Guardians of the Galaxy Vol3.

Guests (our regular movie reviewers), Erin and Reuben talk about and review the movies they saw in 2022. Quite the extensive list plus the usual tangents. Enjoy this " Super Sized" episode.

Mike Korsmeyer, a civil engineer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is challenging  the dry, no nonsense, avoid at parties and boring stereotype of being an engineer. Mike has started his own YouTube travel vlog Kouple of Korsys, where he shares travel hacks, room reviews and video of the locations he and his wife have traveled to. Take a listen and the go watch some of Mike's adventures.

Regular contributors, Erin and Reuben discuss the trials and tribulations of dating in a digital world. We talk about apps, expectations, their personal process of selection and what makes someone worth meeting in person. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Dr. Peter Bandettini, (Dominican High School and Marquette University Alum)  from the National Institute of Mental Health joins us again (see previous episode # 28). Peter discusses a variety of topics  including his on going research, family life during the pandemic, some history and his sensitivity to poison ivy. Listening to Episode 28 first is recommended

Kathleen Bartzen Culver is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is also a graduate with three degrees from the university ( undergrad, masters and PhD). Katy shares with us thoughts on the ever changing landscape of journalism, news , media and how she prepares students for the future.

Founder of Pink Umbrella Theater, Katie Cummings, joins us this episode. She shares with us her lifelong love of theater and why she started the theater company for and by individuals with disabilities and sensory sensitivities. You can visit their website at pinkumbrellatheater.org for class schedules and information.

Part 2 of our chat with Steve's Cousin Tommy Grippo. In this conversation we cover Tom's experiences in trade school, the army, working for the NYPD, Joe Namath and being a natural disaster relief volunteer. Stick around to the end for his proudest professional moment.

Steve's Cousin Tommy Grippo shares his memories of growing up in Brooklyn NY. We discuss stickball, smoked mozzarella cheese. old friends from the neighborhood and how he earned free egg cremes for life. Join us for the first part of this great trip down memory lane. 

A great conversation with Whitefish Bay, WI native Peter Bandettini, Ph.D. We discuss not only his research at the National Institute of Mental Health, but also how he got to where he is and his favorite place to go for a run on the entire planet. You can read his bio here.  

This episode we spend time chatting with author Adam Levin, administrator of the Old Milwaukee Facebook group. We discuss Milwaukee's history, Adam's passion of collecting photos of the cities past and his soon to be released book Fading Ads of Milwaukee. You can pre-order Fading Ads of Milwaukee at Boswell Books.

Like a good ghost story? We put the call out to our listeners, friends and family to share any and all paranormal experiences they have had. This episode we have a compilation of stories told by the people who have experienced, something out of the ordinary. Turn down the lights, curl up in a blanket and listen to our special Halloween addition.

Judge Paul Dedinsky from Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 5, discusses his background as a native of Milwaukee, a former assistant district attorney and now a judge in the juvenile courts. You can learn more about Judge Dedinsky through his website: judgepauldedinsky.com 

The Listen Up MKE podcast comes out of the studio and records at  the site of Steve's 35 year high school reunion. Interviews with his fellow graduates recorded at both the Silver Spring House and the Bavarian Bierhaus.    

Professional musician and friend of the podcast John (Calarco) Cee visits the studio and discusses his comeback from injury, the state of music, vinyl, movie soundtracks and more.

Regular contributors to the podcast, Erin & Reuben discuss the sports mentality that has crept its way into politics. 

Guests Erin and Reuben from the Movie ER Podcast talk about the summer movie releases ( and a whole lot of other stuff) as we hit the unofficial half way point of summer.

Guest Erin Thomas speaks to us from the Ancash Region of Peru. Erin is a Milwaukee native a graduate of Menomonee Falls High School and Marquette University School of Business with a economics degree. Her first year out of college, she worked at the International Rescue Committee, Baltimore. She currently is a Peace Corp volunteer in the Andes mountains of Peru.

We chat with Milwaukee born and raised John Bronikowski. John attended school in Milwaukee from K - College. A graduate of Marquette University, John raised his family in the "burbs" and has now returned to live in a city he describes as diverse, active and vibrant. in addition to taking in the many events Milwaukee has to offer, John and his wife volunteer at the Riverwest Food Pantry.

Guests Brandi, Barb and Erin discuss our fascination with serial murderers and true crime. 

Steve and Erin discuss the third installment of Marvel's Thor franchise, "Thor: Ragnarok" and get off on a few tangents along the way.

ZIPMKE founder and director Dominic Inouye shares how he is using photography and neighborhood walks to engage and educate people about the city of Milwaukee. We discuss his vision for the project to help unite the city by showcasing the people and neighborhoods within its 28 zip codes.

This episode we discuss friendships  with a group of 4 women who have been friends for at least 4 decades. Music courtesy of John Cee

What would it be like to have a close relative living at the White House? Guest, Tony Shields (Exec. Director of United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee) shares memories of his family and what it's like to be a guest of the White House when your cousin is the First Lady of the United States.   Muisc Courtesy of John Calarco

Guest Kate Jurgens, a Milwaukee native, Registered Nurse and author, talks about her book, Mo: A Loeys Dietz Syndrome Memoir. Kate shares the stories  of raising a family and the challenges of having a daughter with Loeys Dietz Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue. To learn more about Loeys Dietz Syndrome go to www.loeysdietz.org.  Mo: A Loeys Dietz Syndrome Memoir can be found on: www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com Theme music courtesy of John Calarco 

Steve, Erin and Britain talk about summer movie releases they are looking forward to and review Guardians of the Galaxy Vol2. Theme music courtesy of John Calarco

Hosts Steve Italiano and Erin Koenig are joined by guest Britain Tomson to discuss and review the cinematic release, Kong: Skull Island. They each also review and discuss they have view on a stream service. Films discussed are, Mr Brooks, The Visit and Trollhunter. Fair warning... SPOILER ALERT!!! Theme music courtesy of John Calarco

We discuss Milwaukee's love affair with frozen custard. From it's origins on a family farm, it's migration to the city that is the "Custard Capital of the World" and some of the iconic loctions that scoop it out . Join my co host Erin Koenig and me on this journey of a tasty Milwaukee treat. Milwaukee flavor of the day(FOD) websites: custardlist.com kopps.com/flavor-forecast gillesfrozencustard.com/fod.html leonsfrozencustard.us/

This episode we talk with Rochelle Weiner, graphic designer, painter and founder of Andiamo Creative. A native of Milwaukee and graduate of UW-Milwaukee, she has returned to the city after 20 years, to continue running her graphic design firm and continue the creation of her fine art. Rochelle can be contacted through her websites Andiamocreative.com and Rochelleweiner.com.

Milwaukee based musician and recording artist Johnny Cee ( aka John Calarco ) talks about his debut solo album release, Shine. Copies of Shine available through the artist's website www.johnny-cee-calarco.com, cdbaby.com and iTunes or by contacting the artist at johncalarco7@gmail.com.

Henry Hamilton III ( Drake University and Drake Law School graduate) discusses the origins of Black History Month and the history of African-Americans in Milwaukee.

Our guests, microbrewery entrepreneurs Dean Weiner and Jeremy Hanon, talk beer, craft brewing and and the joys of being a beer lover.

Noah and John from Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee discuss their methods and philosophy of investigating  claims of paranormal activity.

John Calarco (aka Johnny Cee) musician, songwriter, performer and Milwaukee native, discusses his work, his industry and the Milwaukee music scene.

Tony Shields, Executive Director of United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM), talks about his organization,it's function and the importance of it's programs to the community. 

Our inaugural episode with guest Brian Cummings. Brian talks about his sustainability project and turning his entire city lot into one large garden.