Podcasts about uw madison

It's Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again for his final time earlier this month. Madison and Dane County officials also raised a pride flag at the City-County Building. While these are symbols of support, we are curious about the actual day-to-day experience of LGBTQIA+ Madisonians. Host Bianca Martin talks with Sanders Weinberg,  program coordinator at the Gender and Sexuality Center at UW-Madison, and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, about how queer-friendly our city really is.  This episode originally aired on June 2, 2025.

Guest Rich Gassen has worked at UW-Madison for over 15 years as Production Manager and, more recently, as Director at Digital Publishing and Printing Services. He focuses on empowerment, autonomy, and process improvements with his team. His work mantra has always been "Show Up and Participate," which continues to guide him in his lifelong learning. He also leads a community of practice for supervisors at UW-Madison, focusing on training and development. Summary In this episode, Rich discusses his leadership journey and the principles that guide his work. Drawing on more than 35 years in the printing industry, Rich explains how influential mentors shaped his belief that effective leaders provide both autonomy and support. He recalls a manager who trusted employees to make decisions while remaining available during difficult moments—a model that continues to inform his own leadership style. Rich emphasizes that leadership is fundamentally about people. He believes employees perform best when they feel valued, understood, and connected to the larger purpose of their work. Whether by sharing customer praise, encouraging innovation, or involving staff in major decisions, such as relocating the print shop, he seeks to create an environment where people feel a sense of ownership and agency. A strong advocate for continuous learning, Rich helped build a campus-wide community of practice for supervisors, providing opportunities for networking, book discussions, and professional development. He stresses the importance of listening, asking questions, and resisting the urge to have all the answers. As leaders advance, he argues, their role shifts from solving problems to removing barriers that prevent others from succeeding. Throughout the conversation, Rich highlights transparency, curiosity, and habit-building as essential leadership skills. Ultimately, he sees leadership not as a destination but as an ongoing learning process focused on helping people grow, contribute, and thrive. The Essential Point Great leadership is less about having the answers and more about creating the conditions for others to succeed. Leaders serve their teams best when they listen, build trust, remove obstacles, and help people see the significance of their contributions. Social Media & Referenced LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richgassen/ Campus Supervisors Network Homepage: https://campussupervisorsnetwork.wisc.edu/ UW Printing site with article on innovation during a change initiative: https://printing.wisc.edu/2024/05/23/the-dpps-printshop-move-finding-innovation-through-challenge/ Jeff's LinkedIn article   About Jeff Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. "Quetico" (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government. Jeff has hosted the "Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity" podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness. Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.

WORT 89.9FM Madison · We Need Nutrition Security, Not Just Food Security Today host Douglas Haynes is joined by Kris Tazelaa of Second Harvest Food Bank, and Melissa Bublitz professor of human ecology at UW Madison. Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin distributes 26 million pounds of food to over 300 partners and programs, including local food pantries, mobile food pantries, youth programs, and many more.  The language around access to food centers on “food insecurity,” but the conversation often omits the need for healthy food. Bublitz highlights the importance of nutrition security, an effort to provide communities with not just food to survive, but the food necessary to thrive. One of the ways Second Harvest is addressing nutrition security is by partnering with local farmers to provide fresh, local and nutritious food. The majority of the 16 counties that Second Harvest serves are rural, so Second Harvest Food Bank buys excess food from farmers to make sure the local producers also have the support they need. The fresh food is often distributed the very next day. For a lot of families, there is a patchwork of sources necessary to get the food they need. Rather than going to the grocery store for everything, they rely on state programs, local food pantries, and FoodShare (SNAP) benefits. Although SNAP is a critical lifeline for many people, it is intended to be supplemental, and has not kept up with the rate of inflation. The program is not enough to provide everything, but Bublitz and Tazelaa said it is still the most efficient way to address food insecurity while also improving the local economy. For every SNAP dollar spent, $1.60 is created in the local community.   There are myriad sources of mental and physical stress on families without food security. There is still a stigma attached to swiping the green SNAP card at the grocery store and shopping at local food pantries. Many people in small communities travel 20-30 miles away to avoid being recognized by neighbors at their local pantries. There is the added stress of government paperwork and figuring out eligibility for food programs. Bublitz and Tazelaa reference feeling “hangry,” emphasizing the importance of being fed to increase your quality of life and reach your highest potential, and how nutritious food will make a world of difference. Kris Tazelaa is a Wisconsin native who has been with Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin for nearly 15 years, currently serving as the organization’s Media and Public Relations Manager. Melissa G. Bublitz, Ph.D. is the Liz Kramer Professor of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on understanding and influencing consumer behavior to promote the well-being of individuals and families as well as in the communities where they live and work. Her research studies food and nutrition access, social entrepreneurship, sustainability,  and public policy to increase consumer well-being. Utilizing qualitative and participatory research methods, her research is characterized by a strong commitment to creating real-world impact and is often conducted in partnership with social impact organizations. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post We Need Nutrition Security, Not Just Food Security appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On this episode of the podcast we speak with Thoreau College alumna Adeline Lyons and her collaborator Gabel Cramer about the diverse activities of the Youth Section of the Anthroposophical Society in North America, including the upcoming Youth Conference to be held August 3-7, 2026 in Fair Oaks California with theme "Courage: From Initiative to Idea to Initiative." We also discuss other conferences and gatherings organized by the Youth Section and Futuring Now, their journal of essays, poetry, and artwork published in hard copy thrice yearly (please subscribe!). We also discuss Gabel and Adeline's life and work at Free Columbia (Phimont, NY) and the Threefold Youth CoLab (Chestnut Ridge, NY), two anthroposophical artistic and life sharing organizations in New York State that have appeared previously on the podcast. Join us for a refreshing conversation with two visionary young people taking the lead on curating spaces for deep conversation and creative work around questions of vocation, meaning, spirituality, and the deep work we are called to do in our time.Adeline Lyons lives and works in the Threefold Community outside of New York City. She is involved as community organizer and event planner, a coworker of the North American Youth Section, editor, writer, and stage artist. She received a degree in Creative Writing from UW-Madison, and is also an alumna of Thoreau College! She keeps a Substack: @writingaworld Gabel Cramer is the director of development at Free Columbia, a community arts initiative that weaves together creativity, artistic practice, accessibility, and education. Along with this, he is an organizing member of the North American Youth Section, helping to run the finances, put on conferences, and collaborate with other passionate young people. He is sometimes a musician, sometimes a potter and sculptor, and often busy cooking, growing plants, and undertaking fun projects. After getting a master's degree in community development and planning, he has found great meaning in his work in the intersection of community, art, youth, education, and spirit, though often wondering how to bring it all into balance in his own life. For North American Youth Section: nayouthsection.org For Futuring Now: nayouthsection.org/futuring For Courage conference: nayouthsection.org/courage To support the Courage conference: nayouthsection.org/donate Threefold Youth CoLab: threefold.org/youth Free Columbia Residency Program: https://www.freecolumbia.org/residency-program

On today's pledge drive edition of A Public Affair, host Esty Dinur is in conversation with former host, Zoltán Grossman about grassroots resistance to creeping dictatorship in the US and the resilience of Indigenous communities around the world. They dedicate the program to the memory of Dr. Al Geddicks, who Grossman calls “the quintessential scholar-activist.” He was the driving force behind the anti-mining movement and author of Resource Rebels.  They discuss where Grossman finds hope, including in the backlash against ICE raids and detention centers. He says that there is a growing break in the longstanding bipartisan consensus for military and intelligence spending, even though the Senate passed the ~$70 billion budget reconciliation package for immigration enforcement. He calls this “anti-weaponization” fund another form of “internal repression” that will fund paramilitary militias.  Grossman is also optimistic about ecological and Indigenous resilience in Western Washington where he lives and teaches. He describes the wins for resource co-management and resistance to US military interventions, and why these actions seem more possible in Washington than they do in Wisconsin. They also discuss Palestine, Grossman's Hungarian lineage, and the fall of Viktor Orbán. Note: This pledge drive interview was edited to remove parts of the show dedicated to station fundraising. We thank our listeners for their generous support. Zoltán Grossman has since 2005 been a Professor in Geography and Native American ​ Indigenous Studies at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and previously taught at UW-Eau Claire.  He earned his Ph.D. in Geography and Graduate Minor in American Indian Studies at UW-Madison in 2002. He is a longtime antiwar, antiracist, and environmental organizer, and was a co-founder of the Midwest Treaty Network in Wisconsin.  He is a past co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Specialty Group of the American Association of Geographers. He was co-editor of Asserting Native Resilience: Pacific Rim Indigenous Nations Face the Climate Crisis (Oregon State University Press, 2012). He is author of Unlikely Alliances: Native Nations and White Communities Join to Defend Rural Lands (University of Washington Press, 2017). Featured image if the removed Glines Canyon Dam in Washington via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).  Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Grassroots Organizing Works with Zoltán Grossman appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibody treatments have ushered in a new era of Alzheimer's disease therapies after decades of research and clinical trials. A recent review published by Cochrane, a global, independent, non-profit network of researchers, professionals, patients and carers regarded as a gold standard for producing and promoting trusted, high-quality health information, has a different perspective on these therapies. The review found these treatments produce “little to no difference” in cognition and offer few benefits while increasing risks for adverse effects. Drs. Cynthia Carlsson, a clinical trialist, David Wolk, a clinician, and Henrik Zetterberg, a biomarker and disease biology expert, join the podcast to break down the review and their concerns, as well as highlight how this review could impact clinical care, research and public policy. Guests: Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, director, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, Clinical Core leader, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), Louis A. Holland, Sr., Professor in Alzheimer's Disease, geriatrician, University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Medicine and Public Health; David Wolk, MD, director, Penn ADRC, co-director, Penn Memory Center, co-director, Penn Institute on Aging, professor of neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; and Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD, professor of neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, visiting professor, UW–Madison and University College London, Biomarker Core co-leader, Wisconsin ADRC Show Notes Read Cochrane's review, “Amyloid‐beta‐targeting monoclonal antibodies for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease,” on the Cochrane Library website. Learn more about Dr. Carlsson and Dr. Zetterberg at their profiles on the Wisconsin ADRC website and about Dr. Wolk at his profile on the Penn Memory Center website. Watch and listen to Dr. Carlsson's past episode, “A Closer Look at the Lecanemab Clinical Trials,” on our YouTube channel or on our website. Listen to Dr. Wolk's past episode, “LATE, Explained,” on our website. Listen to Dr. Zetterberg's past episode, “The Future of Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias,” on our website. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer's. All donations go toward outreach and production. Learn about Dr. Chin's book, When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Early Signs to Full Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia, out June 2, 2026.

Throughout the month of June, farms across Wisconsin are opening their doors for visitors. Most of those farms are dairy farms because, after all, June is dairy month. But there's another farm, an herbal farm, opening their doors to visitors. Jane Hawley Stevens joins us. She's the owner of Four Elements Organic Herbals. They're 130 acres in Baraboo Bluffs. There, her and her husband, both former horticulture grads from the UW-Madison, have been certified organic since 1987. She grows herbs that go into their herbal wellness line. They make functional creams, lip balms, soaps, tea, and more with the herbs that they grow. She tells us about the event they're hosting on Saturday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deans from Wisconsin's schools of agriculture are standing is support of the Dairy Innovation Hub. The Hub acts as a collaborative "nexus," uniting the unique strengths of UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls to benefit Wisconsin's broader agricultural and education landscape. For example at UW-Platteville, faculty members from the chemistry and mechanical engineering departments successfully patented a method to turn spoiled milk into 3D printing material. Researchers at UW-River Falls developed a more affordable lactose-free ice cream, which is currently being sold to the public at the campus’s Freddy’s Dairy Bar. UW-Madison is utilizing high-level science, such as SNAP plus modeling, to create new nutrient strategies that help farmers contain phosphorus and nitrogen. The deans say despite the rising "cost of doing business," state funding for the Hub has not been adjusted for inflation since it was established around 2019 or 2020. To ensure the Hub’s value is understood during budget cycles, the universities host major public events—ranging from Lafayette County Dairy Breakfasts to field days at Madison’s 12 regional ag research stations—where lawmakers can see the impact firsthand. Heat will be noticeable today in Wisconsin and so will the wind. Stu Muck says that wind will be bringing with it a chance of rain and thunderstorms beginning overnight. On Wednesday evening, USDA confirmed the first case of New World Screw Worm in Texas. USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins, says they've mobilized APHIS staff and are implementing a 20 km quarantine radius to monitor and contain livestock movement. She stresses this is NOT a food safety issue. Dairy will be keeping an eye on the New World Screw Worm situation. Collin Aardema, dairy analyst with EverAg tells Pam Jahnke that the impacted geography right now isn't a heavy dairy populus, but if the quarantine expands - it could impact milk flow. Right now Idaho IS catching some attention because of a few outbreaks of HPAI in dairy. Aardema says the curious piece is that it's impacting calves more than cows.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's your local news for Tuesday, June 2, 2026:We detail the latest debate over MMSD's cell phone policy,Find out why a student-led animal advocacy group has accused UW-Madison of quashing free speech to protect its bottom line,Explain how a massive food safety recall in April could impact consumer pocketbooks,Take a closer look at a local culinary publication,Celebrate one of nature's tiniest travelers,And much more.

UW-Madison is removing its ethnic studies requirement for students enrolling in summer 2026 and beyond. This move aligns the university with the Board of Regents' highly debated changes to its curriculum and transfer process. Host Bianca Martin breaks down this change with executive producer Hayley Sperling. Plus, we have more news about the Ridglan Farms beagles, and AJ and Nicole Juarez from Barrio Dance tell us what they can about their America's Got Talent audition!

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear an appeal in a redistricting case that was previously dismissed by a panel of judges. UW-Madison is investigating whether a student club promoted a raid at an animal testing facility. And, we head to the zoo, to learn about a polar bear who may or may not be pregnant.

The Yahara Lakes define this region where people flock to the water year-round for recreation. But algae blooms, Madison's continued growth, and the warming planet are changing the makeup of our waterways. On today's pledge drive edition of A Public Affair, Douglas Haynes is in conversation with James Tye of Clean Lakes Alliance and Jake Vander Zanden of the Center for Limnology about the 2025 State of the Lakes report, the annual checkup of the Yahara watershed. The central issue facing the Yahara lakes is phosphorus. A single pound of phosphorus can lead to 500 pounds of algae, leading local groups to double their efforts to remove phosphorus from the waterways. The issue of phosphorus is compounded by other factors like microplastics and climate change. The Center for Limnology also tracks chlorophyll, water clarity, zooplankton, and animal and fish populations, including the invasive spiny water flea. This is the 15th year of the State of the Lakes report, and Tye says that next year they will include information on the number of acres of cover crops, rain gardens, and green roofs in order to show how what we do on land is connected to the health of our waters.  Note: This pledge drive interview was edited to remove parts of the show dedicated to station fundraising. We thank our listeners for their generous support. James Tye is the Founder and Executive Director of Clean Lakes Alliance. His connection to the lakes runs deep, as he grew up swimming, waterskiing, and sailing on Lake Mendota. As a lifelong Madison resident, he has seen many changes in the Yahara lakes over the years, and is excited to have the opportunity to work on their behalf. Jake Vander Zanden is professor of Integrative Biology and Director of the Center for Limnology at UW-Madison. His research focuses on the threats to healthy lake ecosystems. He works on Wisconsin lakes, as well as lakes and rivers around the world. Jake has trained scores of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in his 25 years at UW-Madison. Featured image of a algae bloom via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Phosphorus, That's What's in the Lakes appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The Wisconsin State FFA Convention is just around the corner, and the state officer team is pulling together the final details. Jill Welke finds out about theme's and projects from Amanda Draxler. Draxler is the current President of the WI FFA State Officer team. She says there day of service this year will involve around 1,000 members from across the state the come to Madison early to help others. Draxler says a couple components include packaging meals for those in need and helping with community projects around Wisconsin. Hot and sticky - in May! The weather gyrations in Wisconsin continue. Stu Muck says the heat will break a bit tomorrow, but overall we'll stay dry and warm. That heat has helped the state's corn crop advance pretty quickly. In this week's Wyffels Wednesday, Kiley Allan chats with Brant Smith, District Sales Manager @ Wyffels about plant development and any issues growers should monitor. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrids. Getting the general public to recognize those efforts isn't always easy. Stephanie Hoff finds out what some of the deans from our state's colleges of agriculture are doing to highlight these researchers. They note that the Dairy Innovation Hub has acted as a collaborative "nexus," uniting the unique strengths of UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls to benefit Wisconsin's broader agricultural and education landscape. UW-Platteville faculty members from the chemistry and mechanical engineering departments successfully patented a method to turn spoiled milk into 3D printing material. Researchers at UW-River Falls developed a more affordable lactose-free ice cream, which is currently being sold to the public at the campus’s Freddy’s Dairy Bar. UW-Madison is utilizing high-level science, such as SNAP plus modeling, to create new nutrient strategies that help farmers contain phosphorus and nitrogen. Despite the rising "cost of doing business," state funding for the Hub has not been adjusted for inflation since it was established around 2019 or 2020. The initiative has proven to be a massive financial win for the state; last year, Hub researchers brought in more external grant dollars than the total amount of funding provided by the state. To ensure the Hub’s value is understood during budget cycles, the universities host major public events—ranging from Lafayette County Dairy Breakfasts to field days at Madison’s 12 regional ag research stations—where lawmakers can see the impact firsthand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The dairy industry is a lot more than a cow herself." Wise words from Megan Lauber. She's a PhD candidate at the UW-Madison. Her focus is on dairy youth programming. She tells me how she's working to encourage students to pursue a career in the dairy industry in its entirety. Information about the camp can be found at https://andysci.wisc.edu/badger-dairy-camp/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women make up about two-thirds of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but experts say longer life expectancy alone does not explain the gap. Dr. Jessica Caldwell's research focuses on how sex and gender influence Alzheimer's disease risk, resilience, and progression, including the roles of genetics, menopause, lifestyle factors, and life stressors. Caldwell is a neuropsychologist and investigator of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention, or WRAP, at the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, as well as a visiting associate professor in the Department of Neurology at UW–Madison. She previously directed the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic, the first Alzheimer's prevention center designed exclusively for women.In this conversation with Being Patient's Mark Niu, Caldwell explained how the disparity is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, menopause, estrogen loss, medical conditions, lifestyle, and caregiving-related stress. She discussed why midlife may be an important window for prevention, especially for women. Caldwell also described how hormonal changes during menopause, symptoms such as hot flashes and depression, and chronic stress may affect brain health, while lifestyle factors such as exercise, nutrition, medical care and social connection may help support resilience.---If you loved listening to this Live Talk, visit our website to find more of our Alzheimer's coverage and subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beingpatient.com/Follow Being Patient: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Being_Patient_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beingpatientvoices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingpatientalzheimersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/being-patientBeing Patient is an editorially independent journalism outlet for news and reporting about brain health, cognitive science, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our Live Talk series on Facebook, former Wall Street Journal Editor and founder of Being Patient, Deborah Kan, interviews brain health experts and people living with dementia. Check out our latest Live Talks: https://beingpatient.com/live-talks/

Woods Equipment designs and manufactures tractor equipment. They have things for earth-working, such as backhoes, but their bread and butter are products for mowing grass, brush, roadsides and even shredding crops. And that's exactly why it makes sense for them to celebrate their 80th anniversary by supporting UW-Madison's Turfgrass Association Field Day this coming August. Jillian Love, the Marketing Manager, and Rob Dewey, the Business Segment Director at Woods Equipment, tell Kiley Allan all about the celebration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This interview is with Joe Ferris of Lingua Franca in Salem, Oregon. In this interview, Joe shares his background and how he found his way into the world of winemaking through travel, science, and hands-on experience. Joe grew up in Wisconsin and attended UW Madison, where he studied biomedical engineering. His interest in wine first started casually, but after traveling through South America with his wife and visiting wineries along the way, he became fascinated by the culture and science behind winemaking. After moving to Los Angeles and working in the biotech field, Joe realized he wanted to pursue wine more seriously. He later attended UC Davis for viticulture and enology, where he gained hands-on experience and learned more about the industry. During this time, he completed internships and harvest work in Oregon, Germany, and New Zealand, experiences that helped shape his understanding of winemaking and wine culture around the world. Joe especially valued the way wine brought people together and became integrated into everyday life in places like Europe. After hearing about an opening at Lingua Franca, Joe joined the team as a harvest intern and steadily worked his way up through the cellar. After several years as an assistant, he became the estate winemaker and continues to focus on producing thoughtful wines that reflect Oregon's Willamette Valley.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lingua Franca in Salem, Oregon on April 1, 2026.

Spring field activities have been accelerated because of the cool, wet start. Ben Jarboe finds out about insects adding more pressure to the system. Dr. Emily Bick, UW-Entomologist says that alfalfa weevil seem to be a little delayed in their presence this spring. Bick says it's important that farmers don't lose sight on the threat the small insect can bring to an otherwise healthy alfalfa field. It'll be another breezy day around Wisconsin which continues to help with drying field conditions. Stu Muck says milder temperatures may be hard to notice with the breeze. With those drier field conditions, more acres of corn have been planted. Pam Jahnke finds out what worries Cooper Humphries, district sales manager with Wyffels Hybrids. Humphries says his biggest concern is proper field preparation. Humphries notes if sidewalls are compacted around that seed, it will cost yield in the end. Paid for by Wyffels Hybrid. Meet Jessica Moor from Wilson! She's another candidate for the 79th Alice in Dairyland position. Moor has dabbled in several different career areas, including completing a business administration degree at UW-River Falls. She's currently a dental assistant, but ready to take on Alice's duties! Good ideas were swirling on the UW-Madison campus Tuesday during the annual Dairy Innovation Hub's spring summit. Chuck Nicholson, professor of supply chain management at Penn State University and a UW-Madison affiliate in the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences presented on Tuesday. He's completed a survey showing consumers would love a lactose-free ice cream option. Nicholson says reducing lactose in ice cream is a relatively simple process that involves adding a substance to the mix to break lactose down into its two component sugars. A study using a real-life auction revealed that lactose-intolerant consumers significantly value lactose-free ice cream over regular or reduced-lactose options. The study found that a person's specific degree of lactose tolerance is a major predictor of how much they value lactose-free dairy products. Despite the higher value placed on it by certain consumers, both local outlets like the UW Babcock store and national brands like Breyers currently price lactose-free ice cream the same as regular ice cream. Initial rough evaluations suggest that the increased costs of ingredients and labor to produce lactose-free ice cream are lower than the value consumers are willing to pay for it -- a valuable opportunity for ice cream manufacturers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephanie Hoff explores the collaborative powerhouse of the UW Dairy Innovation Hub through interviews with the agricultural deans of UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and UW-River Falls. From 3D printing with spoiled milk to cutting-edge nutrient modeling, the high-impact research and new academic programs drive Wisconsin's dairy industry forward. Glenda Gillaspy, Carrie Keller, and Michael Orth also discuss how they navigate economic shifts and legislative advocacy to ensure the Hub's future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice cream is a staple of the Wisconsin experience, but for the millions of Americans who struggle with lactose intolerance, it has long been a treat enjoyed with hesitation or avoided entirely. A new collaborative study between researchers at UW-Madison and UW-River Falls is looking to change that by proving that lactose-free dairy is not just scientifically simple, but a potentially lucrative business move for the state’s manufacturers. Professor Chuck Nicholson shares the details with Stephanie Hoff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Engage and Equip features Zane, a missionary with Overland Missions serving among the Maasai people of Tanzania. Zane shares how God redirected him from a pre-med path at UW-Madison into full-time missions, and the remarkable things he's witnessed on the ground — from a chief hearing the gospel for the first time after 20 years of pastoring, to a woman named Rhoda who dreamed of Zane and his translator a decade before they ever arrived, to a man named Edward whose life was transformed overnight after years of addiction and spiritual bondage. He also reflects on what authentic, culturally-sensitive ministry looks like in practice — going slowly, discipling deeply, and trusting that locally-raised disciples will carry the work further than any outsider ever could.   Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church. Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcast Music: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night) Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, Nama and Evan sit down with Professor Benjamin Márquez to reflect on his time at UW-Madison as he prepares to retire at the end of the semester.

This week we're celebrating all pets and "Pet Week". The UW-School of Veterinary Medicine touts the phrase 'small but mighty' when it comes to their staff size and the research and innovations developed. Star Cameron is the clinical assistant professor in veterinary neurology and neuro surgery. She also recently became the assistant dean for clinical and translational research. Pam Jahnke listens in as she explains the various types of research they undertake to help all animals. Cameron says the entire team is driven by their passion for animals. More ups and downs in the weather this week. 70's today with gusty winds, but back to the mid-50's tomorrow with more rain in the forecast. Stu Muck gives us the rundown. The U.S. House has concluded its work on the 2026 Farm Bill and now it's up to the Senate. Arkansas Senator John Boozeman chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee and says things look different for his committee. Boozeman specifically cites the filibuster they're working with and how quickly votes can move. Boozeman says he's working to build consensus with the help of MN Senator Amy Klobuchar.Maria Woldt has been named the next director of the state funded initiative designed to help America's Dairyland maintain its industry. Woldt will oversee the Dairy Innovation Hub which works with UW-River Falls, UW-Platteville and UW-Madison to integrate staff, research and innovations.The small community of Ashippun in Dodge County is struggling to maintain its farm land. Stephanie Hoff finds out The town of Ashippun in Dodge County has successfully approved starting the process to transition to farmland preservation zoning.about measures it's deploying to try to slow down urban development on valuable farm acreage. Robert Guenter is a dairy farmer and also a member of the Town of Ashippun Planning Commission. The town of Ashippun in Dodge County has successfully approved starting the process to transition to farmland preservation zoning. The town is facing increasing growth pressures, including recent applications for a private golf course and a solar energy farm. Ashippun's growth is largely driven by its location directly north of the rapidly growing village of Oconomowoc. He says local studies have shown that every dollar collected in taxes on farmland costs the town about 75 cents in services, whereas every dollar collected from development land costs about $1.25 in municipal expenses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's your local news for Thursday, April 30, 2026:We learn what's next, after an embattled testing facility agreed this week to sell most of its dogs to rescue groups,Find out why so many Wisconsin Republicans are announcing their retirement ahead of the midterms,Talk cultural experiences with a UW-Madison language lecturer,Debut our new feature on Wisconsin's most famous legal cases,Explore the idea of soft architecture,And much more.

The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at UW-Madison was a natural fit for Amanda Bender. In May, she'll graduate with her Bachelor's in Plant Pathology. She took time out of her busy schedule to tell me about her plans after the diploma is in her hands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May in Madison means tulips, UW commencement, rooftop bars, and getting outside to enjoy it all! The City Cast Madison team is here with how to take advantage of the UW-Madison campus when many students leave for the summer, plus our top picks for things to do and eat! 

This is a big weekend for the equine industry. Another big show - in Minnesota. Jill Welke talks with the organizers of the show and entertainment at the MN Horse Expo.] Rainfall reports are spotty this morning around Wisconsin. Stu Muck says western Wisconsin suffered the brunt of the heavy rainfall. Drier weather for most of the weekend with rain back in the forecast on Monday. The legislative session is in the rear view mirror for agriculture right now. Stephanie Hoff gets a quick recap on some highline items from Jason Mungniani, government affairs specialist with the WI Farm Bureau Federation. Aside from noting "wins" on things like PFA's protection and road weight adjustments, Mungniani also says they've started a campaign to engage with not only existing lawmakers, but potential candidates. Dubbed "Engage with Ag", it's made up of a consortium of bipartisan groups and associations from Wisconsin agriculture, offering farm visits and personal education about today's farms and agriculture. Award winning author James Patterson will keynote graduation ceremonies for UW Madison grads. His wife, Sue, is an alumnae of the UW. In honor of the high profile couple, Babcock Dairy has created Patterson #1 Triple Chocolate. A decadent new flavor unveiled this week. Pam Jahnke explains the ingredients and availability. Speaking of graduation - how's the job market. With agriculture facing some difficult economics, what does the job market look like? Ben Jarboe gets some perspective from Mia Dauphin. She's a double major in agribusiness and dairy science. She's actually graduating early in a blazing 3 years. She's secured a job in the feed industry, but suggests current students seek out internships and real world experiences before the exit campus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, April 22, 2026:We detail what went down at Tuesday's tense city council meeting,Share key takeaways from a new report on Wisconsin's criminal justice system,Examine the latest change in leadership at UW-Madison,Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,Travel back in time to 1967,And much more.

On this episode of 1050 Bascom, Nama sits down with Anna Haensch, Research Associate Professor at the Data Science Institute at UW-Madison, to discuss her experience at the intersection between AI, Data Science, and Public Policy, her work at the Science Desk at NPR, the U.S. Senate, and the Digital Scholarship Hub at UW (where she is Associate Director), and more!

"Forever chemicals" have been in headlines for years, but are people actually getting the information they need to protect themselves? In this episode, we sit down with Lyn van Swol, professor in the Department of Communication Arts at UW-Madison, and graduate researcher Rachel Hutchins, co-authors of a newly published study in the journal Risk Analysis. They analyzed the top 98 websites Americans visit when searching for PFAS information in drinking water. We dig into why government and public health communicators tend to downplay severity and what messaging frames actually motivate people to act. Listen now!

Send us a love letter (or hate mail, your choice!)Milk with dinner is a Midwestern birthright, and the internet has a lot of feelings about it. Whether you've kept the faith, developed a tragic intolerance, or just quietly renounced your heritage, Sophia and I weigh in on this week's episode.Then it's time for The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: the year of the firehorse, wedding gift culture, and people (read: losers) who don't dress up for themed parties.Get silly with us on social:FOLLOW THE PODCASTInstagram: @pessimisticatbestFacebook: @pessimisticatbestWebsite: pessimisticatbest.comFOLLOW SAMInstagram: @samgeorgsonTikTok: @samgeorgsonTwitter: @samgeorgsonYouTube: @samgeorgsonWebsite: samanthageorgson.comSupport the show

Did you know we wouldn't have Earth Day if it wasn't for the efforts of a Wisconsin senator? And that's not all. The UW-Madison has been home to some of the most prolific environmentalists of the last two centuries, and the work of Wisconsin's Tribal Nations has kept the state an environmental leader. To celebrate Earth Month and learn more about Wisconsin's conservationist history, we're bringing back host Bianca Martin's interview with Curt Meine, a senior fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation. This episode originally aired on April 22, 2025.

Artificial Intelligence is now involved in our everyday lives and this includes on the dairy farm. Ben Jarboe learns more about where you can find it on the farm with Jeffery Bewley. He is the executive director of genetics and innovation for Holstein Association USA. He says it is exciting, but worried that people will forget the backbone of dairy farming if they rely too much on AI. It was a wet Sunday and that looks to continue this week according to ag meteorologist Stu Muck.Warmer weather brings on fresh produce that everybody enjoys throughout the summer, but how do they make sure it is safe for human consumption? Kiley Allan chats with Kristin Krokowski, a commercial horticulture educator with UW-Madison, to find out what they look for to keep our food safe.June Dairy Month is right around the corner and it means there is a lot of work to be done by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Pam Jahnke chats with Mitch Kappelman to get the details on what it takes to spread the word of dairy throughout the month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, April 1, 2026:We get a progress update on Madison's housing development goals,Detail a new landmark verdict that holds tech giants accountable for childhood social media addiction,Find out why student leaders are demanding democratic input over the UW System's financial assets,Examine the cost of college with a pair of UW-Madison student journalists,Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,Share a retrospective on Madison's only liberal mayor of the 1960s,And much more.

Airports across the country are struggling as TSA agents go without pay. While things remain stable at the Dane County Regional Airport, officials are bracing for a potential airport shutdown. Meanwhile, gas prices in Madison creep toward $4 per gallon. Executive producer Hayley Sperling breaks down this news with newsletter editor Rob Thomas and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos. Plus, what's on your spring election ballot, and why is UW-Madison's Space Place shutting down? Mentioned on the show: How to beat high gas prices in Madison [City Cast Madison]Kwik Trip unveils a new mascot [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] But what happened to Urge? [Facebook]

Meriter Hospital support staff and labor and community supporters rally at the hospital to demand a fair contract, AFGE Local 777 President Darrell English describes what his members are going through as they are forced to work without pay, a union an student coalition at UW Madison organizes against ICE oppression on campus, Labor Radio looks at what's up at the nation's oldest teaching assistant's union, striking non-tenured faculty forced a quick agreement at New York University, March 26 was Equal Pay Day as women's pay still lags behind, and Labor Radio looks at the work of United Farm Workers leader Dolores Huerta.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, March 25, 2026:We head to Bascom Hill for a rally sounding the alarm on UWPD's new surveillance tech,Learn how many Wisconsinites identify with Christian nationalism,Meet an incumbent supervisor who says the county needs to prioritize core services in the budget,Examine the low engagement in UW-Madison's student government,Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,Travel back in time to 1969,And much more.

While the UW-Madison men's basketball team got knocked out in the first round of March Madness, the women's hockey team brought home their 9th NCAA championship. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling chat about Badger sports news. Plus, the names of two Madison Metro School District schools are up for reconsideration, so Bianca and Hayley offer some suggestions. And did you hear about the snowplow driver who cleared the path for the baby born during last week's blizzard?  Mentioned on the show: Meet Madison's First Female Snow Plow Driver [City Cast Madison] Madison district monitors effect of César Chávez allegations on namesake school [Cap Times] “It Was Time”: Dolores Huerta's First Interview After “Devastating” Cesar Chavez Expose [Latino USA]

On today's show, host Dana Pellebon is in conversation with District Attorney Ismael Ozanne about his office and the new community court that will help reduce racial disparities and recidivism in Dane County.  DA Ozanne has a long history in Madison, from playing soccer at UW-Madison to overseeing the report on racial disparities commissioned by Governor Doyle. He says that in a city with a growing population and growing law enforcement, there aren't enough public defenders to represent the community. His office has 30 total prosecutors, but there should be 1 prosecutor for every 10,000 residents. Many of these positions are funded by the state, but others like the Victim Witness Program and Crime Response Program are funded by the county. DA Ozanne discusses how these offices work together and how they will connect to a new initiative out of the Community Justice Council (CJC). The CJC was created in 2008 and now works to take criminal justice decisions out of the criminal courts.  The CJC is composed of major criminal justice leaders and aims to make evidence-based improvements and expand restorative courts with the goal of slashing recidivism rates, like similar programs in New York City and Chicago did. However, laws in Wisconsin mean that community courts have to take place in a courthouse, not in a more relaxed community setting. The new community court will be led by Circuit Judge Nia Trammell. District Attorney Ismael Ozanne is a lifelong resident of Madison, Wisconsin. He received his law degree from the UW Madison Law School in 1998 and was appointed as the Executive Assistant for the Department of Corrections (DOC), the largest cabinet agency in the state, by Governor Doyle in 2008. In 2010, he was appointed by Gov. Doyle to Dane County District Attorney and is the first African American District Attorney in Wisconsin's history. Featured image of District Attorney Ismael Ozanne. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post A New Community Court is Coming to Dane County appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Every voice counts when it comes to speaking up for agriculture. Kim Bremmer is the current President of American Agri-Women, and also serves as Executive Director of Venture Dairy Co-op. Bremmer also holds board positions with the American Dairy Coalition and the Farm Bureau. Her career is rooted in a childhood on a dairy farm and a degree in dairy science from UW-Madison, followed by 15 years as an on-farm ruminant nutritionist. A major driver for her advocacy is closing the gap between the average consumer and the farm, helping farmers find the confidence to share their stories and represent American agriculture. Through her national leadership, Brummer emphasizes that despite regional differences, farmers share the same challenges and are stronger when they amplify their voices together. She encourages others to get involved by choosing one thing they love, whether it's social media, writing, or school programs,rather than trying to do everything. Kiley Allan listens in.A little more snow overnight for some of Wisconsin. Stu Muck says the precipitation will be changing form overnight and temperatures will start to rise. That means a muddy Wisconsin is on the way by the end of the week.Four wheel drive tractors remain a hot commodity in the auction world. Pam Jahnke visits with Ashley Huhn from the Steffes Group. Huhn says selection is still good and prices are moderate. Paid for by Steffes Group.Can you imagine your food as a prescription. No pills, just focus on eating exact vitamins and elements in certainf foods. That's happening in conversation now with physicians and dieticians nationwide. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is a part of that conversation. Pam Jahnke learns about the direction of those talks from Shalene McNeil. McNeil is a registered dietician herself who is currently the executive director of nutrition, health and wellness at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. She says research done by the beef checkoff shows what lean beef's protein and vitamins bring to the table. Paid for by WI Beef Council and Equity Livestock Sales Cooperative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state of Wisconsin has a constitutional obligation to provide equal opportunity for a sound basic education and adequate and reasonably uniform funding of our public schools. But for decades, the state hasn't provided sufficient funds to school districts or distributed those funds fairly. That's why a group of five school districts have filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin legislature–the topic of our show today.  Guest host Bert Zipperer is in conversation with Jeff Mandell, Julie Underwood, and Heather DuBois Bourenane to break down the reasons for the lawsuit and how the state can better serve its 421 school districts.  Shortfalls in state funding have left many school districts using ballot referenda to increase their spending limits. Mandell points out that referendums were once used for capital expenses but now are increasingly applied to operational costs. He says this isn't how the system is designed to work. Bourenane calls it a “disequalizing way to fund public education,” that further divides the “haves from the have nots.”  But you can't talk about the school finance system without talking about vouchers, “because they suck so much money out of the landscape,” says Underwood. Mandell clarifies the lawsuit isn't against voucher schools, but legislators need to reckon with the reality that the state is now funding voucher/independent schools to the tune of over $700 million a year. Some municipalities, like Green Bay and Eau Claire, have started to publish how much of residents’ property taxes go to voucher schools.  Underwood says public education is at the heart of our democracy, and we need adequately-funded public schools to create an informed citizenry who can participate in public debate.  Jeff Mandell is a co-founder of and General Counsel at Law Forward, a nonprofit law firm dedicated to protecting and strengthening democracy in Wisconsin. Jeff has nearly twenty years of experience in complex litigation and appellate advocacy, and is widely recognized as one of Wisconsin's leading experts in constitutional litigation and election law. Julie Underwood has focused her career on issues involving public school law and policy, as General Counsel for the National School Board Association and former Dean of the School of Education at UW-Madison. Heather DuBois Bourenane is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Public Education Network, a public education advocacy group that shares resources, ideas, and actions that support the public schools at the heart of our communities. Their annual Summer Summit will be held this year in Superior, Wisconsin. Featured image of a child exploring library bookshelves via Rawpixel. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Meeting the Constitutional Obligation to Public School Students appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Here's your local news for Wednesday, March 11, 2026:We find out why the Madison Common Council is looking inwards as it prepares for two decades of significant population growth in the city,Learn how ICE fears are disrupting Wisconsin's workplaces,Meet a county board candidate who says local property taxes have gotten out of hand,Celebrate a hundred years of dance at UW-Madison,Broadcast the most comprehensive weather report on the airwaves,Travel back in time to 1969,And much more.

UW-Madison's student-run radio station WSUM was recently named Intercollegiate Broadcasting System's Best College Radio Station in the country! The 24-year-old station has gone through some major transformations over the years, from fighting for a radio tower to broadcasting from state-of-the-art equipment and launching a successful app. Today host Bianca Martin catches up with WSUM program director Paige Elizabeth Kearney and production director Johnny Raider to get the details on what's in WSUM's recipe for success.

On today's show, we're flipping the script. Producer Sara Gabler interviews Monday host, Douglas Haynes, about his new book, Teaching Toward Slow Hope: Place-Based Learning in College and Beyond.  If you listen to this show regularly, you know that Haynes is a Professor of English and cares deeply about the state of higher education in Wisconsin and beyond. His book is an ode to the hopeful and resilient educational practices at work across the Midwest in places like UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, Northland College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.  As college students experience rising rates of mental health disorders, food and financial insecurity, and eco-anxiety, some educators are turning to place-based learning to prepare students for a changing world. Whether through urban mapping projects, culinary and food share programs, or novel interdisciplinary outdoor learning cohorts, the classes Haynes' profiles are prioritizing deep listening, reciprocity, collaboration, and embodied cognition. And they're successful and popular.  Haynes shares anecdotes from his research into the five place-based learning projects in the book and how they are changing students' lives by reducing the separation between education and ordinary life, combining disciplines from the humanities to the sciences, centering Indigenous knowledges, and taking students emotional needs as seriously as their intellectual ones. Contrary to the extractive model of education which treats students like consumers and parades AI as the next horizon, place based learning is human-centered and teaches students the crucial skills of relationship building, resilience, and self-efficacy.  Teaching Toward Slow Hope: Place-Based Learning in College and Beyond will be published tomorrow by Johns Hopkins University Press.  Douglas Haynes teaches environmental humanities, creative nonfiction and poetry writing at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. He's also written a poetry collection called Last Word and a nonfiction exploration of inequality and the climate crisis called Every Day We Live Is the Future: Surviving in a City of Disasters, about two Nicaraguan families' quests to reinvent their lives in Managua, one of the world's most disaster-prone cities. Featured image of the cover of Teaching Toward Slow Hope. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Healing the Crisis of Isolation in Higher Ed appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Hilary Berning - Gio's Garden On the Unrealistic Timelines of Insurance Companies: "It's a 6 to 9 month process just to get a wheelchair. I really need some way to get my son from point A to point B." Families with special needs children already have some challenges.  These families need help and some guidance on where they can get this help.  This is where Gio's Garden comes in. Gio's Garden is a one-of-a-kind therapeutic respite center based in Middleton, Wisconsin, and recently expanded to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Their essential mission: to provide safe, enriching respite care for children with special needs aged 0–7, giving parents the chance to take a break, run errands, or simply breathe. Hilary Berning shares the struggles many of these families face.  From finding a place to care for your child temporarily since you can't just leave your medically complex child with the teenager down the block. Gio's Garden fills that gap with one-on-one care, specially trained staff, and a joyful, home-like atmosphere. Their houses are filled with arts, crafts, sensory rooms, gym equipment, and caring people who “never like to say no” to a family in need. Listen as Hilary explains the needs and complexities of these children and their families and how Gio's Garden is a place that is doing all they can to help these children and their families. Enjoy! Visit at: https://giosgarden.org/ Sponsors: Live Video chat with our customers here with LiveSwitch: https://join.liveswitch.com/gfj3m6hnmguz Some videos have been recorded with Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=james-kademan   Podcast Overview: 00:00 "Local, Unique, Community Focused" 06:03 Supporting Families Through CLTS 08:49 Greek Life Fundraising Show 11:10 "Sanfilippo Syndrome Journey Shared" 13:51 "Growth, Funding, and Strategic Planning" 19:18 Franchise Expansion Plans 20:56 Inclusive Childcare and Respite Plan 25:14 Emergency Presidency Amid Crisis 27:07 "Sun Prairie Location Announcement" 30:07 "Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis" 35:42 Sun Prairie Studio Renovation Details 38:07 Wiseman Center Connection Insights 40:48 "Planning Ahead for Kids' Safety" 44:38 "New Podcast Venture Launch" 47:10 "Reinventing With Youthful Engagement" 51:00 Nonprofits: Vital, Challenging, Impactful 52:00 Supporting Local Nonprofits Podcast Transcription: Hilary Berning [00:00:00]: Um, because you have the big nationwide organizations, right? Make-A-Wish, Boys and Girls, like they're all over the nation. They've got nationwide people telling them what to do when providing all these things. And then you have organizations like mine, like there's no one else that does this. We are the only one that does it. We're doing it on our own. We are local. We're serving local people. All the money stays here and goes back to the kids. Hilary Berning [00:00:22]: People can really think that through a little bit where we don't have We are local, we're serving local, and we're doing good. Goal and focus on those nonprofits. James Kademan [00:00:35]: You have found Authentic Business Adventures, the business program that brings you the struggle stories and triumph and successes of business owners across the land. Downloadable audio episodes can be found on the podcast link from drawincustomers.com. We are locally underwritten by the Bank of Sun Prairie, and today we're welcoming slash preparing to learn from Hillary Berning of Gio's Garden. So Hillary, how is it going today? Hilary Berning [00:00:58]: I'm good. Thanks for having me. James Kademan [00:01:00]: So let's start with the foundation here. What is Gio's Garden? Hilary Berning [00:01:03]: So Gio's Garden, so we are a respite center. We are located in Middleton, which is our original location, and we recently just opened a new location in Sun Prairie. James Kademan [00:01:11]: Nice. Hilary Berning [00:01:11]: So what we do is we provide therapeutic respite for children with special needs from ages 0 to age 7. So respite means to take a break. So it's really hard for parents of special needs kids to get a break. James Kademan [00:01:23]: Mm-hmm. Hilary Berning [00:01:23]: Because you can't just leave your special needs child with the teenager down the street. So we provide that opportunity for them to come leave their child with us and they can go and have a break. James Kademan [00:01:33]: Nice. So when you say special needs, tell me the gamut there. Hilary Berning [00:01:36]: We will see, um, everyone with, from autism to cerebral palsy to diabetes, to babies who have had strokes in utero to rare genetic disorders. We have kids with seizure disorders, so we kind of really don't say no very often. There's a few higher-grade medical needs that we can't see, like if they would have a tracheostomy or something like that. But otherwise, we don't— our motto is we don't like to say no. James Kademan [00:02:04]: Fair. And what does the care look like? Because I imagine it's not just an empty room. Hilary Berning [00:02:09]: It isn't, no. So our original location in Middleton, it's a house. It's a 100-year-old house. But we have specific rooms set up for different activities. So we have a sensory room. A lot of our kids have sensory sensory issues. So it's a quiet, subdued room where they can go and have quiet time. We have a reading room. Hilary Berning [00:02:26]: We have an arts and craft room. We have a gym that has swings that hang from the ceiling and an indoor play structure that kids can play on. Wow. Um, in Middleton, we also have outdoor, um, fenced-in yards so kids can run around and we have a place, a play structure out there as well. James Kademan [00:02:42]: Okay. I imagine you need people to be there present, right? Hilary Berning [00:02:45]: Absolutely. Yes. James Kademan [00:02:46]: It sounds like you'd need a lot. Hilary Berning [00:02:47]: We need a lot of staff. Yeah. So we provide one-on-one care. Oh, you do? Oh, wow. For every child that's in our care, they have an adult with them. James Kademan [00:02:54]: Okay. Hilary Berning [00:02:55]: So we currently have, including our executive director, 6 full-time employees. And then we have around 24 part-time employees that kind of comes and goes depending on the semester. James Kademan [00:03:06]: Okay. Hilary Berning [00:03:06]: And then we have a ton of volunteers that work with us. We are blessed to be in the Madison area where we have 3 colleges essentially that we can pull from and a lot of students who are going into medical fields or educational fields or occupational therapy or recreational therapy who need experience working with children with special needs. So we're able to provide that opportunity for them. So we're lucky that we have a large pool of students to pull from. James Kademan [00:03:33]: That's amazing. Hilary Berning [00:03:34]: But also means we have a lot of turnover and their availability changes every semester. James Kademan [00:03:38]: So that's just the nature of students. Hilary Berning [00:03:40]: It's just the nature of the, the, our staff that we work with just because we working with students, but we're blessed to have them and we, we give to them just as much as they give to us. James Kademan [00:03:50]: So nice. Hilary Berning [00:03:50]: It's really great. James Kademan [00:03:52]: So I got a lot of questions for you. Hilary Berning [00:03:53]: Nice. James Kademan [00:03:53]: So I'm gonna try to keep on task somehow. How do you let the students know that you exist even as an opportunity for them? Hilary Berning [00:04:00]: So we are on like all the job boards, like through the university and we're well connected within the different disciplines in the universities at Edgewood and at UW and at, is it Madison College? MATC? I don't— sure. James Kademan [00:04:13]: Sounds good. Hilary Berning [00:04:13]: Yeah. Yeah. So we are heavily involved in word word just kind of has gotten out about us and the people. And there's a special program, especially at UW-Madison, where they can get— part of a class credit is to volunteer at organizations. So they know about us. So they send a lot of students our way as well. James Kademan [00:04:29]: Gotcha. I imagine there's an interview process. Hilary Berning [00:04:32]: There is. Yep. There is an interview process. It's not just like, hey, come on in. Yes. There's a background check that we put all of our employees through. And it all varies depending on if you're coming in as a volunteer basis or you're coming in as a paid employee. James Kademan [00:04:44]: Okay. Hilary Berning [00:04:44]: Because your level of Um, if you're coming in as a volunteer, you're kind of paired with a full-time or part-time paid staff member, um, versus we won't just have 6 volunteers and 6 kids in the house at once. We will have paid staff to kind of help balance with that. James Kademan [00:05:01]: All right, let's talk funding. Hilary Berning [00:05:03]: Funding is— with nonprofits, yes, it is. My life revolves around funding quite a bit. James Kademan [00:05:08]: With for-profits, it's a big deal. Hilary Berning [00:05:10]: It really is. Yes. James Kademan [00:05:11]: Tell me a story. The parents of the children, are they paying? Hilary Berning [00:05:15]: They, yes and no. So when we first, when they first started opening Gio's Garden back in 2012 is when they opened their doors. It was a small subset of parents that got together and be like, we need help, we need help. We have special needs kids and there's no one to help us. So they, the idea of Gio's Garden was born. It's named after Charlotte de Lassiter. She used to be on Channel 3 News and her husband, Ron, it's their son Gio. Okay.

Send us a love letter (or hate mail, your choice!)College was a fever dream, a bunch of kids living in a pretend world, cosplaying as adults with meal plans, and it was awesome!!! Mickey and I jump on the podcast to chat about our freshman year floor (s/o Sellery 7A), navigating co-ed living and communal bathrooms, and the best places to cry on campus. Then it's time for The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: getting your alderman involved, construction companies that have the audacity to wake you up on Sundays, and rehashing the Glen Powell drama from our last episode (with Lenny Kravitz also catching a few strays)Get silly with us on social:FOLLOW THE PODCASTInstagram: @pessimisticatbestFacebook: @pessimisticatbestWebsite: pessimisticatbest.comFOLLOW SAMInstagram: @samgeorgsonTikTok: @samgeorgsonTwitter: @samgeorgsonYouTube: @samgeorgsonWebsite: samanthageorgson.comFOLLOW MICKEYInstagram: @mick_odonnellSupport the show

The Wisconsin Historical Society is safeguarding the stories of being Black in Madison by including the SoulFolk Collective's oral history collection in its archive. The collective is a research lab in UW-Madison's Department of African American Studies that does research projects centering the Black experience , including mapping Black-affirming spaces in the city. .  To learn more, host Bianca Martin speaks with Dr. Jessica Stovall and Angela Fitzgerald about the Black Madison Archive and what is next for the collective.   Shout out that the collection is at WI historical society! This episode originally aired September 16, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 24th episode: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Dane County Humane Society Taskrabbit Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Behind the scenes of everyday family life is a mental workload many of us carry without even realizing it, and that's exactly what Debbie Sorensen explores in her interview with sociologist Allison Daminger about her book, What's on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life. Allison defines cognitive labor as the invisible work of managing family needs and obligations, and walks us through its importance for individual well-being and relationship satisfaction. The discussion also touches on how these tasks are often unrecognized in statistics, the gender dynamics in cognitive labor, and the implications for families and workplaces. You'll also get a look at insights from her research involving both different-sex and same-sex couples, and she suggests ways to address gender imbalances through individual, cultural, and systemic changes.Listen and Learn: How cognitive household labor silently shapes family lifeHow mental load secretly drains energy in daily life and why the invisible tasks of keeping a household running can be more exhausting than anyone realizesWhy the small, everyday decisions parents make reveal hidden patterns in family life that most people never noticeWhy women often carry the mental load at home even when they out-earn or out-work their partnersHow couples explain unequal household labor reveals that what seems like personality differences is actually shaped by deeply ingrained social and cultural expectations around genderThe surprising ways “superhuman” and “bumbler” roles shape relationships and what small changes can help partners share the load more freelyInsights from same-sex couples on sharing mental load and the lessons they offer for balancing household responsibilitiesResources: What's on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780691245386Allison's Website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/Allison's Substack: https://allisondaminger.substack.com/Connect with Allison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisondaminger/ About Allison DamingerAllison Daminger is an assistant professor of sociology at UW-Madison and the author of the new book What's on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life. Daminger's research is focused on how and why gender shapes family dynamics, particularly the division of work and power in couples. Her award-winning scholarship has been published in top academic journals and featured in outlets including The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Psychology Today. Daminger holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy from Harvard University and lives with her family in Madison, Wisconsin. Related Episodes:176. Fair Play with Eve Rodsky 206. Fair Play Part 2 with Eve Rodsky275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun386. Parents Are Stressed: What Do We Do About It? with Emily, Debbie, and our dear friend Yael Schonbrun306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne441. Having It All with Corinne Low137. The Complexities of Motherhood with Daphne de Marneffe104. You're Doing It Wrong with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan33. Couples with Young Children: Relationship Challenges and Strategies with Yael Schonbrun See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LA-based spoken word poet edwin bodney joins Jared to explore what it really means to build an authentic writing life rooted in connection and community. edwin shares their journey to finding an artistic home at Da Poetry Lounge and why discovering the right community can shape your craft, confidence, and longevity as a writer. They also tackle the question, “Do you need an MFA to be successful?”, asking whether the MFA path is right for everyone. edwin speaks honestly about what it is like to teach at an MFA program without holding the degree, what they have learned from the experience, and how writers can define success on their own terms.  edwin bodney is a Black, Queer, non-binary artist, award-winning educator, and nationally recognized poet from Los Angeles. As someone living with M.S. and the rest of the world's chaos, they strive to remind all vulnerable communities of their joy and laughter. edwin and their work have been featured in platforms and publications like Button Poetry, Platypus Press, The Exposition Review, The Advocate, Lexus, TvOne, Amazon Prime, UW-Madison, and many others. Their full-length book of poetry, A Study of Hands (2017), is available through Not A Cult Media. edwin is a former co-host of Da Poetry Lounge, one of the country's largest and longest-running, non-profit poetry venues.edwin currently works supporting LGBTQ+ students at California State University, Dominguez Hills.MFA Writers is hosted by Jared McCormack and produced by Jared McCormack, Hanamori Skoblow, and Brié Goumaz. New episodes are released every two weeks. You can find more MFA Writers at MFAwriters.com.BE PART OF THE SHOW— Donate to the show at Buy Me a Coffee.— Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.— Submit an episode request. If there's a program you'd like to learn more about, contact us and we'll do our very best to find a guest who can speak to their experience.— Apply to be a guest on the show by filling out our application.STAY CONNECTEDTwitter: @MFAwriterspodInstagram: @MFAwriterspodcastFacebook: MFA WritersEmail: mfawriterspodcast@gmail.com

Decision making doesn't get easier as life gets fuller and for many women, the constant stream of choices can feel exhausting. In this episode we unpack what decision fatigue really looks like, how it shows up in work and family life, and why trusting yourself is often the most important part of the process.Abby kicks things off by breaking down what actually makes a “good” decision, drawing from her coaching background and education at UW–Madison. She reminds us that we're always making the best decision we can with the information we have at the time, and explains how the nervous system and personal values play a bigger role in decision making than we often realize.Amy shares behind-the-scenes insight into a recent work decision and reflects on how she gives herself more grace than most women do when it comes to the decision making process. Together, Abby and Amy walk through real-life examples; from building a home, to managing family logistics, and highlight how two people can arrive at the same decision through very different paths.They also explore confidence, indecision, and when it's helpful (or not) to bring other people's opinions into the mix. The episode wraps with a few simple, practical ways they've each reduced daily decision fatigue - small shifts that have made a big difference.If you've ever felt stuck, second-guessed yourself, or wished decisions felt a little lighter, this episode is your reminder that you already have what you need. Trust yourself.LINKS AND RESOURCES:FORAGE KITCHEN: Check out your nearest locationMEDICUBE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/abbyrosegreen/list/R54GS6HT4LUG?ccs_id=3b5d46d5-2823-4297-b696-293066dbfa20HERSELF PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/herselfpodcastLet's connect!HERSELF INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/herselfpodcastMEET AMY: http://instagram.com/ameskieferMEET ABBY: http://instagram.com/abbyrosegreenThis episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.