Little Big Chats: The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee Podcast

Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about putting one caring adult mentor together with a young person and letting them work and grow together. But sometimes, these matches... match up AGAIN with another pair. One big and little match pairs up with another, and the two groups end up spending as much time together as they do in their individual duos. So in this episode, we meet Taylor and Xavier, a Mentor 2.0 match who have been together for two years... and their friends Kristof and Isaiah, another Mentor 2.0 match who got together more recently. They'll share their unique story, their love of sports rivalries, and their aspirations for the future, as well as give us a peak at the unique sense of humor that brings them all together.

Many grown-ups look back on their time in school and wish they could go back and do it differently. Big Sister Gabbi is no exception. But, with her Little Sister Lupe winding down her time in high school, Gabbi actually has the chance to provide Lupe with all the advice and guidance that could have helped her thrive in the transition to college. And here's the kicker... Lupe is listening, EAGERLY. Together, this pair is touring campuses, sampling dining hall lunches, and preparing Lupe for a big leap into an ambitious career. And, after hearing them together, you'll know exactly why they were selected as BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's 2025 Mentor 2.0 Match of the Year.

For Little Brother Nazir, having a Big Brother isn't just about having someone to explore and be active with. It's about having someone challenge him to think, solve and be curious about the big questions in life. Whether it's playing mind-bending puzzle games, reading books on self-improvement, or asking big questions about the nature of the cosmos, his Big Brother Dan is ready to join him in every pursuit. And together, there's no adventure too big for this pair to tackle.

For big brother Josh and little brother Nathan, having a brother was a new experience. Neither of them grew up with a brother in their immediate family. But when they got matched up several years ago, they quickly fell into seemingly familiar roles as one another's chief supporters, rivals and antagonists. This pair loves to play games, spend time outside, and give each other a good-natured hard time. And now as 2025's School-Based Match of the Year, in this episode they'll discuss the positive impact of their bond, the activities they enjoy together, and their aspirations for the future.

In this episode of Little Big Chats, we speak with Lanelle Ramey and Betty Hill from Mentor Greater Milwaukee about the importance of mentoring relationships, the challenges faced in the mentoring community, and the impact of mentorship on both youth and mentors. We'll discuss our personal stories of mentorship, the importance of cultural humility, and the upcoming National Mentoring Month events aimed at promoting mentoring in the community. We'll also emphasize the need for more mentors and how individuals can get involved to make a difference in the lives of young people.

For some people, being on a microphone or on-camera is an absolute nightmare. But not Little Brother Josiah; he eats it up. Whether it's his budding interest as a gaming streamer, or the catalogue of music tracks he's voiced and mixed, Josiah's aspirations as a digital creator have him pursuing stardom. And with the support of his Big Brother Miles, an entrepreneur and restauranteur, Josiah's dream-big ambitions can take root in the hard work and growth that help foster success.

Mentoring relationships supported by Big Brother Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee can end up being some of the most meaningful relationships in participants' lives. So, when someone's Little Brother or Sister ages out of the program, it can be a minute before they're ready to jump back in and volunteer again. But many former Bigs still want to find other ways to stay engaged with BBBS. So in this episode of Little Big Chats, Dusty speaks with Matt, an alumni big brother and board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. They discuss the journey of being a big brother and the importance of staying engaged with the organization even after formal mentorship ends. Matt shares his personal experiences, and together, they talk about other opportunities for former Bigs to continue to support the BBBS mission.

10-year-old Little Sister Ocean is always looking for little experiments. It doesn't have to be the kind of big, flashy science experiments you see at school or on social media. Ocean is happy to take what life gives her, try something new, and see what happens. And with her Big Sister Siobhan, the world is their laboratory.

With two brothers and two dads, Little Sister Asia was starting to feel like there was nowhere to turn for a little "girl talk." That is, until she met her Big Sister Anna five years ago. Since then, they've developed an indelible bond, cemented in their mutual love of dogs, their senses of humor, and the kind of advice that can only pass from a grown woman to a growing girl.

One of the hardest things to do in life is change your habits for the better. And screen time is a habit than many people--not just kids--struggle to regulate. But in this episode, we meet Little Brother CJ, who has taken a proactive approach to his screen time habits with the support of his Big Brother Matt. A community-based match, they also discuss their shared interests such as sports, video games, and trying new food.

When Betsy bought her first house a few years ago, she decided it would be a practical adventure to do some of the renovations herself. And, fortunately, she had a perfect carpenter's assistant waiting at the ready in her little sister Aaliyah. Together, they've swung hammers, worked miter saws and built noodle boards. And in the course of learning new skills and expanding their horizons, they've built a remarkable friendship as well.

In order to make sure that key perspectives are represented in its decision making, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee Board of Directors appoints three "Voices of the Mission" to its membership. These leaders represent the Littles, the Bigs and the parents of Littles, and help the board understand how their policy-making impacts the BBBS mission on a granular level. So in this episode, we meet the current "Voices of the Mission:" Christiana, a former Little in the program; Chloe, a current Big; and Taheréh, a parent of a Little. They'll discuss what they hope to be able to contribute to the organization, what they've learned about mentoring, and what are some of the questions they've always wanted to ask other stakeholders within the BBBS ecosystem.

Years ago, when they matched with their Little Brother DayDay, Charles and Sarah were taken aback by how shy he was. Now a bombastic high schooler, it suffices to say that DayDay has really come out of his shell. But with the love and support of mentors like Charles and Sarah, and dozens of horizon-expanding experiences along the way, it's no surprise that this young man has found his voice. And this trio is now celebrating their selection as BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's Couples Match of the Year.

Starting high school after the Covid pandemic was enough to make Briya cry. For a self-proclaimed introvert, all the new people and situations just seemed so overwhelming. But when she matched with Maddie through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee's Mentor 2.0 program, that all began to change. In her big sister, Briya found a new source of confidence and inspiration. She chanced upon an eager compatriot for sharing her unique cultural food heritage. She discovered a new reason to stand up just a little bit straighter. And it turns out, when you're as tall as these two are, standing up straighter can create a BIG shift in perspective!

Fellas, we've gotta have a hard talk. Because, frankly, not enough men are stepping up to the plate to volunteer as mentors with Big Brother Big Sisters. And at BBBS of Metro Milwaukee, there are hundreds of young men just sitting on the waiting list. Maybe you're scared you don't have what it takes, maybe you're afraid of the time commitment, maybe you just don't think you can make a difference. But in this episode, we're going to introduce you to Otis, JT, Glen and Joseph: four Big Brothers who are proving that one man can make a difference in the world. They'll talk about the mentoring myths that keep so many guys from volunteering, and share their own proudest moments as Big Brothers.

If you call Little Sister Tahlia a multi-sport athlete, she WILL correct you. She's also an artist, and an entrepreneur, and a high honor roll student, and a member of various clubs and student orgs. And, when she joined BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's Mentor 2.0 program, she hoped she was getting another life-shaping experience. She was not disappointed. As a match with her Big Sister Lauren, these two fast friends have broadened their horizons together, and turned their attention to preparing for Tahlia's next big adventure—college.

When he took the reins as BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's new CEO earlier this summer, Neil Willenson had one goal at the top of his list: Make the life-changing mentoring relationships that BBBS facilitates available to more kids in the Milwaukee area. From the caring adult mentors who shaped his own upbringing to his personal experience as a Big Brother, his unique background as a founder of other charities for young people to his grounding in the performing arts, Neil has a unique story and an unrelenting passion for youth programs. So in this episode, we take the time to get to know BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's new CEO, and learn more about his plans for the future of the organization.

Sure, Big Sister Natalie has been there for her Little Sister Bre. In seven years together, Bre has changed schools several times, including the big step up to middle school, and her family has weathered some disruptive events as well. But just as much as Natalie supports Bre, Bre is there for Natalie, too. Because in that time, Natalie got married, added a dog to her family, and then became a Mom with the birth this year of her daughter. And, as these two prove every day, going through the big events in life is better when you know someone has your back. So with their favorite season, fall, coming up, Natalie and Bre are looking ahead to making even more memories and big moments together.

Having begun their mentoring relationship during the Covid pandemic, Brian and Alfredo developed a deep friendship long before they actually met one another face-to-face. But when you speak with them now, it's clear why the Mentor 2.0 program is such an asset. And they have the added distinction of being selected as 2023's Mentor 2.0 Match of the Year, to boot. Both Brian and Alfredo share an enduring love of the sport of soccer, which was the beginning of their bond. And now, their friendship has grown to include career advice, travel, and an eye to this young man's bright future as he enters his senior year at Tenor High School.

When you hear how Heidi and Aniyah gel together as a match, it will quickly become clear why they're BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's 2023 Community-Based Match of the Year! As an only child at the age of 11, Aniyah was so excited to meet her big sister for the first time. And now that high school graduation is upon her, she'll tackle her next adventures with the care and support of someone who's had her back for years. Because, when these two get together, they are always daring one another to get outside their comfort zones. And they have a list of adventures to prove it, including Aniyah's upcoming trip to France.

In episode 14 of Little Big Chats, we meet Chris and Austin, a dynamic pair who are just celebrating seven months together as a match. But while they may be relatively new to being Big Brother / Little Brother, you can tell that these two already have tons in common, and have made enough memories to last a lifetime. Whether it's supporting each other in the pursuit of their interests, like acting and volunteering, or the hilarious inside jokes that keep them in stitches, Chris and Austin have a lot to teach us about the definition of mentorship.

In episode 13 of Little Big Chats, we meet Dan and Torrance, a match who have been together for more than six years and love sports. Together, they enjoy playing basketball. They enjoy watching basketball. They enjoy going to basketball games. And they especially love DEBATING the finer points of basketball history. But after six years together, their relationship goes so much deeper than that, too. And as we learn in this episode, a perfect match is about more than just agreeing (or disagreeing) on who the GOAT is. It's about growing together, supporting one another, and forming a lifelong bond.

In episode 12 of Little Big Chats, we meet Suzanne and Lexi, a six-year match that is going strong based on their shared love of creativity, exploration and strong opinions. Suzanne works in the film industry, and Lexi is a freshman and cheerleader at Ronald Regan High School in Milwaukee. And, while they're both opinionated, they seldom end up arguing with one another. Instead, they've bonded over the activities they enjoy together, like experiencing and cooking new foods. Lexi has the distinction of having received a letter from former First Lady Michelle Obama herself and speaking in front of the United Nations, and with Suzanne's encouragement, she is pursuing her dream of becoming an anesthesiologist.

In episode 11 of Little Big Chats, we meet Valerie and Lilly, a match that has been together for 10 years. Valerie (Big Sister) is a lab manager at UW-Milwaukee, and Lilly is a 19-year-old freshman studying nursing at Alverno College. The two have been together since their initial match when Lilly was 9, and have had fun learning and growing together. Having been involved in each other's lives for a decade, these two are a great example of how a BBBS match can last a lifetime.

In episode 10 of Little Big Chats, we meet Megan, Tyler and Josiah, a Couples Match that has been together for more than a year. Couples matches are a small percentage of BBBS volunteers, but a great option for spouses or partners who are looking to volunteer together for a cause that has meaning and makes a difference. Megan (Big Sister) was a school-based mentor before deciding to become a couples match with her boyfriend, Tyler (Big Brother). Megan works in accounting at PWC, and Tyler works in business at Saputo. They are matched with Josiah, a 10-year-old elementary school student.  Together, they learn to have fun, enjoy the little things in life, be thoughtful of those around you, and best of all, enjoy lots and lots of food.

In episode 9 of Little Big Chats, we meet Anna, Angel and Chase, a Couples Match that has been together for five years already. Couples matches are a small percentage of BBBS volunteers, but a great option for spouses or partners who are looking to volunteer together for a cause that has meaning and makes a difference. Anna (Big Sister) and Angel (Big Brother) are a married couple from the Milwaukee area. Anna works at the Lynden Sculpture Gardens and Angel is an architect and works at Great Lakes Components. They are matched with Chase, an 11-year-old and sixth grader.  Together, this match proves that nothing is too big for their imaginations, you're never too old to explore, and there are some incredibly interesting sea creatures in the ocean.

In episode 8 of Little Big Chats, we meet a little/big sister pair who have worked together to grow academically: 2022's School-Based Match of the Year Morgan, a 7th grader at MacDowell Montessori, and her big sister Laura, a retired MPS teacher, meet for an hour each week to both work through Morgan's classwork, and to have some fun. The BBBS program has given Laura an opportunity to help Morgan put in the effort to get more out of her schoolwork, and it certainly shows. In this episode Morgan and Laura talk about how their relationship has grown over their five years together, and ask each other some interesting questions.

In episode 7 of Little Big Chats, we meet a little/big sister pair who have a lot in common: chiefly, a strong sense of adventure. Janina, a 7th grader from Waukesha, and her big sister Taylor are constantly learning—both from one another and the adventures they embark on with Big Brothers Big Sisters. From learning to ski, to baking, to appearing on this podcast, the program has given Janina and Taylor the opportunity to help one another grow through new and exciting experiences. In this episode Janina and Taylor recount the many adventures they've experienced, both together and apart, in the 3+ years since they first met—and how they encourage one another to get out of their comfort zones.

In episode 6 of Little Big Chats, we meet a Little Sister-Big Sister pair who were only matched a year ago. But while Alyssa and Jonaya are still getting to know each other in a lot of ways, they're already best friends in all the ways that count, and it's clear to everyone that they are a perfect match. Together, they've spent the last year making the most of Big Brothers Big Sisters' REACH events, learning to play tennis, attending Bucks games, sailing on Lake Michigan and having many more adventures. And they've discovered that, by being open to new experiences, they can make the small moments matter the most.

In episode 5 of Little Big Chats, we meet a graduating high school senior who is pursuing a career as a pharmacist, inspired by her big sister's own successful career in medicine. Prapti and Ryleigh are participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee's Mentor 2.0 program, and Ryleigh describes their relationship as "a lock with no key... an unbreakable bond" that she can count on at all times. They'll share what inspires them, how they became so close in just two years, and what their big plans are for the future.

In Episode 4 of Little Big Chats, we talk to Yulia and Charisma, a match who can't imagine life without one another in spite of the fact that Charisma admits she wasn't really into having a Big Sister at first. But as a pair of introverts, they quickly bonded while having adventures and exploring the city, trying new beverages at coffee shops and playing different board games. Charisma loves trips to the art museum, and has even recreated a painting that she saw on one of those trips. And now, they're making plans to go rummage sale-ing this summer.

In episode 3 of Little Big Chats, we talk to Anton and Esayas, who recently matched to one another but have already become fast friends. From the get-go, it's clear that these two love to compete with one another, whether it's basketball, bottle-flipping or anything else. But Esayas tells us that his big brother has also inspired him to think about the future, and to approach everything in life with the mantra, "practice makes perfect."

In episode 2 of Little Big Chats, we talk to Keith and KJ, a big brother / little brother match who have been together for more than six years. They share with us some important lessons about keeping an open mind, and detail some of the adventures that have prompted growth, discovery and opportunities for bonding.

In the first episode of Little Big Chats, we learn more about BBBS of Metro Milwaukee from CEO Amy Chionchio. She explains why caring adult mentors are needed more than ever, how mentoring has evolved during the Covid era, and the lessons she's learned during 15 years as CEO.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, we create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. And here on the Little Big Chats Podcast, we'll be highlighting a new match every month so you can learn from their inspiring stories of friendship and growth. BBBS supports hundreds of matches in the Milwaukee area, and we think you'll enjoy hearing about how these relationships are changing lives for the better. But there are other stories still waiting to be told, as HUNDREDS more children remain on waiting lists for a caring adult mentor. There's especially a need for more male mentors. So if you know someone—friends, co-workers, family members—anybody who would be a great role model, tune them into this podcast and let them know they should visit bbbsmilwaukee.org to get started TODAY as a volunteer. Little Big Chats: The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee Podcast, is coming soon. Listen and Learn how Big Brothers Big Sisters is changing lives.