WGTD's The Morning Show with Greg Berg

From 2000- Sergei Khrushchev, the son of Nikita Khrushchev. The occasion of this interview was a visit to Carthage College, where he gave a talk titled "After the Cold War." Sergei Khrushchev died in 2020.

In the wake of the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and Micele Reiner, we are replaying a memorable interview with Rob's father, Carl Reiner, one of the great legends from the early days of television. This interview was recorded more than a decade ago.

From the archives- a 2007 conversation with choral legend Weston Noble talking about Handel's Messiah. This interview took place just before the third annual Sing Along Messiah at First United Methodist Church in Kenosha. Also participating in the conversation was Carthage graduate Trevor Parker, who was the tenor soloist for that particular performance. (Recently, the 20th anniversary Messiah Sing Along took place at First United Methodist Church.)

In honor of The New Yorker magazine's 100th anniversary this year, we replay this 2008 conversation with Robert Mankoff, who served the venerable for many years as its Cartoon Editor. The occasion of this interview was the publication of The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest Book. In this contest, each issue features a cartoon with no caption attached. Readers are invited to contribute their own potential captions. The staff of magazine chooses three finalists- and readers are invited to select the winning entry. The contest began in 1999 as a one-shot deal, but it was so enormously popular that it quickly became a continuing series.

Kailyn Palomares is back- and her guest this month is Marcia Wensing, a plant pest and disease specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. She inspects Christmas tree farms and plant nurseries of all kinds, looking for pests, diseases, and invasive species.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of The New Yorker magazine, we replay two 2015 conversations with important contributors to the magazine's legacy. First , you'll hear from long-time copy editor Mary Norris, talking about her book "Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen." After that, we talk with cartoonist Matthew Diffee, whose work has appeared quite often in the magazine. His book is titled "Hand Drawn Jokes for Smart, Attractive People."

Here is the second of two interviews I recorded earlier this year with renowned composer Ricky Ian Gordon about his memoir "Seeing Through: A Chronicle of Sex, Drugs and Opera." The memoir was recently rereleased in paperback. We have already reshared the first interview, which focused mostly on personal matters in Gordon's life. This second interview takes up matters more directly related to his wide-ranging and exciting career.

Andrew Gulli, managing editor of The Strand, talks about the new collection of mysteries published over the past twenty five years: "Best of the Strand Magazine: 25 Years of Twists, Turns, and Tales from the Modern Masters of Mystery and Fiction." (A portion of this interviews aired a couple of weeks ago. This is the interview in its entirety.)

(From 2009) We talk about what is means to be Bilingual with three Carthage College professors: Wayne Thompson (Sociology), Matt Borden (Spanish), and Dimitri Shapovalov (Music.) - and what can happen when chooses to raise one's children to be bilingual.

As WGTD celebrates its 50th anniversary, it's only right that we take a moment to celebrate the legacy of WGTD's own Dave McGrath, who was the station's longest-running news director .... from 1999 until earlier this year. This is the Morning Show that happened on his last day as news director. His wife, Guida Brown, was on hand - as were a number of his friends and colleagues to wish him well and to talk about his long and varied career.

In honor of WGTD's 50th anniversary, today's Morning Show features excerpts from six memorable Morning Shows - spanning more than 25 years. Two of the interviews feature longtime news director Bill Guy, who created the show in the early 1980s and was its primary host until his death in 1999. Three of the interviews feature noteworthy guests from the community- and the other three guests include one of the greatest figures in the early days of television .... and a former U.S. president.

We celebrate 50 year of WGTD on the air with this rebroadcast of an interview from earlier this year with Gary Vaillancourt, who was on staff when the station went on the air on December 23, 2025- and shortly thereafter became general manager. [ We remind you of a public reception in honor of our 50th anniversary that's happening on Friday, December 12th 7:30- 10:30 in the Inspire Center on the Kenosha campus of Gateway Technical College.... 3520 30th Avenue. You can tour the studios, meet the staff, look at station memorabilia, and even record an anniversary greeting. ]

We speak with a representative of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation about some of the special challenges that this holiday season poses for people who are prone to addiction to alcohol or other drugs.

We talk with Doug Instenes, managing and artistic director of the Racine Theater Guild, who is also stage director for the RTG's production of the musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, which runs for the next two weekends (December 12-21).

As WGTD approaches its 50th anniversary of being on the air, I thought it would be fun to share one of my favorite interviews done by my predecessor, longtime news director Bill Guy, who created the Morning Show and was its primary host for many year. This interview was recorded in 1998- and it concerned the republication of a fascinating document: the 1925 City Plan for Kenosha by Harland Barthomew. Bill had an insatiable curiosity, and especially loved anything related to history- so he was in heaven as he conducted this particular interview with two representatives of the Kenosha County Historical Society (who were responsible for the republication) - Bob Fuhrman and Don Jensen - as well as the man who was the City Planner for Kenosha in 1998, Ray Forgianni.

From 2014 comes a conversation with former WGTD general manager Gary Vaillancourt, who was around when the radio station went on the air fifty years ago this month. This particular conversation, however, focused on a more personal topic- the fear he experienced when he was misdiagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

WGTD is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. This interview is with two people who joined the WGTD team early in its history: Jayne Herring, who became one of the station's news directors in 1980 - and Barb Axelson, whose first on-air work for WGTD in 1983 was as an intern with Gateway's radio program. *WGTD is hosting a public reception in honor of its 50th anniversary on Friday, December 12th ... 7:30- 10:30 a.m. . There will be coffee from East View Coffee in Kenosha and kringle from O & H Danish Bakery in Racine. You can tour our studios, meet the staff, view station memorabilia, and even record an anniversary greeting that will be heard over the air in coming weeks. The event occurs in the Inspire Center, which is the northernmost building on the Kenosha campus of Gateway Technical College.

From 2009- John Eisenberg, author of 'That First Season: How Vince Lombardi Took the Worst Team in the NFL and Set It on the Path to Glory." We're replaying this interview as the Packers look forward to a very significant showdown with one of their division rivals, the resurgent Chicago Bears.

We preview Saturday night's Candlelight Concert at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Racine. We speak with Jim Schatzman and Pat Badger, Artistic Director and Associate Conductor respectively of the Choral Arts Society, which is headlining the concert. Other participants will include Mark Paffrath, Victoria Vollman, and dancers from the Studio of Classical Dance Arts.

In honor of WGTD's 50th anniversary, we speak with Former Circuit Court Judge Emily Mueller - a former chair of the Board of Trustees at Gateway Technical College - who has been a faithful listener to WGTD for several decades (and for a time was part of the station's Advisory Board.) Currently, Emily Mueller is president of the board of directors of the Racine Theater Guild. (The station is hosting a coffee and kringle reception on Friday, December 12th, 7:30 to 10:30 am in the Inspire Center on the Kenosha campus of Gateway Technical College.)

We talk with Dr. James Kinchen, director of choral activities at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, about upcoming performances of the Nguzo Saba Suite by Glenn Burleigh- a work celebrating Kwanzaa that was commissioned by UW-Parkside as part of the school's 25th anniversary celebration. This vibrant work will be performed this Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7th at 3 pm and this Monday evening, Dec. 8th at 7 pm in the Frances Bedford Concert Hall.

We catch up with Dr. Morgan Phillips, interim president of Gateway Technical College. He updates us on enrollment numbers at Gateway, talks about some exciting new initiatives, and explains where Gateway is in its search for a new president and ceo. Dr. Phillips also pays tribute to local education leader Scott Pierce, who passed away on November 20th. Dr. Pierce was a long time member of the board of trustees at Gateway.

From 2010- Harlow Giles Unger, author of "Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation."

From 2008- Mark Kreidler talks about his book "6 Good Innings: How One Small Town Became a Little League Giant."

From 2008- Best-selling author John Grogan ("Marley and Me") talks about a later book titled "The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir."

We share my memorable encounter with local music legend Fred Hermes, a well-known theater organ aficionado who had a massive, 5-manual Wurlitzer theater organ in the basement of his home- which he transformed into a facsimile of a classic movie palace. This interview was recorded in Fred's amazing home back in 2008. He died ten years later. (His home recently went on the market, which is what prompts this re-sharing of this interview.)

We speak with Shawn Rivers, Racine County Veterans Service Officer, who works to make sure that area veterans are aware of and able to access the benefits that are available to them. We give special attention to the matter of mental well-being and to the special difficulties that veterans might be experiencing during this time of year. We also talk with Rivers about his own military career (he was part of the U.S. Air Force for 21 years.)

We speak with Greg Cope White, whose memoir "The Pink Marine" serves as the basis for the acclaimed new Netflix series "Boots." "The Pink Marine" tells the story of White's experience as a closeted gay man enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in the early 1980s.

From 2003 - Todd Gitlin, author of "Letters to a Young Activist." Gitlin, who passed away in 2022 due to COVID, was a well-known activist, sociologist, and author.

James Kaplan, co-author with Jerry Lewis of "Dean & Me: A Love Story." The book explores the relationship between Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin- a professional partnership and friendship that eventually fractured.

We preview Saturday afternoon's concert by the UW-Parkside Orchestra, which will be devoted to great film music. Our guest is conductor Alvaro Garcia.

We speak with Dr. Julius Crump, a member of Carthage College's religion faculty since 2018 and co-director of the school's Teaching Commons. Dr. Crump was recently named the Rev. Raymon Pedersen Distinguished Professor of Social Change.

We talk to two young people- 13-year-old Jaxson Thomas and 19-year-old Jayden Eisenbraun - who have undertaken a huge toy drive. Jaxson happens to be on the Autism spectrum- and is happy to have people know that because he wants people to know that Autistic people are capable of accomplishing great things.

Esther Roberts, executive director of The Shalom Center, talks about all that they offer to people in Kenosha living in poverty. (There is a fundraiser this Saturday evening at Union Park Tavern will benefit The Shalom Center as well as The Sharing Center in Trevor.)

We speak with Sharon Pomaville, executive director of The Sharing Center, which works with people living in poverty in rural Kenosha County. (A fundraiser this Saturday evening at Union Park Tavern is donating proceeds to The Sharing Center and The Shalom Center.)

From 2012- Michael Schumacher, author of "Mighty Fitz: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Last week (Nov. 10) marked the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the most tragic and mysterious events ever to occur on the Great Lakes. Schumacher's book is the definitive account of the tragedy and its aftermath.

We speak with David Anderson, artistic director of the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra, about the LGSO's next concert- featuring music of Glinka, Brahms, and Dawson. The group is in the midst of its 25th Anniversary season.

We speak with best-selling author Mitch Albom ("Tuesdays with Morrie") about his latest book ..... a novel titled "Twice" in which the main character discovers that he has the ability to redo anything that he regrets- but he must live with the results. It's a fascinating exploration of what it means to be human and to live with the consequences of the choices we make.

We have been replaying interviews with documentarian Barak Goodman, who has created an array of superb films for the PBS series AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, which unfortunately has been cancelled by PBS because of federal budget cuts. This conversation from 2012 concerns Goodman's two-part documentary "Clinton," which chronicles the fascinating story and complicated legacy of President Bill Clinton.

From 2019- NPR's Linda Holmes (Pop Culture Happy Hour) talks about her first novel, "Evvie Drake Starts Over."

Kelly Cervantes talks about her new book "The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self." Her husband is Miguel Cervantes, the man who has done more performances of the title role of the musical HAMILTON than anyone else. Kelly Cervantes's memoir is deeply moving and honest and touches on the joys and sorrows that she has experienced in her eventful life.

For National Community Foundation Week, we welcome back to the program Amy Greil, Executive Director of the Kenosha Community Foundation. Joining her, at her invitation, is Ton Tatum, Executive Director of Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency. What prompted the invitation was the urgent concerns raised about a possible interruption in funding for SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - and what people can do who have concerns for this issue.

From 2021- Kurt Davis, author of "Finding Soul: From Silicon Vally to Africa: A Personal Journey Through Twenty Countries in Africa." Davis, a tech entrepreneur, found his life utterly transformed when he traveled to Africa as part of an entrepreneurial support organization seeking to help refugees throughout the continent. His travels took him to places like South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and more.

For Veteran's Day- From 2019- Patrick O'Donnell, author of "The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America's Unknown Soldier and World War One's Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home."

From 2018- Edward G. Lengel, author of "Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War's Lost Battalion." This is one of the most stirring stories of heroism to emerge from World War One. (Note- the PBS special airing Tuesday night, November 11th - "American Heart in World War One: A Carnegie Hall Tribute" focuses in large measure on this same extraordinary story."

Dr. James Ripley., director of instrumental activities at Carthage College, talks about the performance this Wednesday night, November 12th, when the Wind Orchestra will accompany a screening of the Buster Keaton silent film classic "Sherlock Jr." This is the third such project with Dr. Ripley and the Wind Orchestra - following on previous screenings of "Metropolis" and "The General."

Renowned documentarian talks about his 6-part, 12-hour documentary series "The American Revolution," which begins airing this Sunday, November 16th on PBS stations across the country, including channel 10 in Milwaukee. Burns calls this the most important project he has ever done.

From 2010 - Barak Goodman talks about the American Experience documentary film "My Lai' - an examination of the most horrific massacre of the Viet Nam War. We are resharing archival interviews with Goodman in the wake of the news that PBS has cancelled "American Experience" because of federal budget cuts. Goodman's recent film "Kissinger" turned out to be his last for American Experience (at least for the foreseeable future.)

From 2017- SC Gwynn, author of "The Perfect Pass: American Genius and the Reinvention of Football."

-We preview a remarkable special airing on Veteran's Day on PBS stations across the country- including channel 10 in Milwaukee. "American Heart in World War One: a Carnegie Hall Tribute" was created, written and narrated by historian John Monsky. This multi-media presentation combines spoken narration, projected images, plus numerous songs from the period offered up by five Broadway performers and The Orchestra of Saint Luke's.

We speak with Ken Belson from the New York Times about his new book "Every Day is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL into a Cultural and Economic Juggernaut." After that is a portion of an interview with the author of "Loserville," which tells the story of how Atlanta, GA became the first southern city to be host to teams from MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL.