If you’re new in town and looking for some tips, or if you’ve lived here for years and somehow never heard of taking Highway M to avoid traffic — we’re here to give you the essential hacks you need to thrive in Madison in 2025. From getting the right winter gear to joining a CSA to finding a clean bathroom downtown, we have you covered. Host Bianca Martin sits down with City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas to share their secrets. Mentioned ...
Jan 13, 2025•27 min
We’ve made it through another week, which means it’s time for the Friday news roundup! This week, the whole City Cast Madison team is here to dish on Madison’s top stories. Newsletter editor Rob Thomas talks about the massive fundraiser Culver’s held for the Abundant Life Christian School community following a deadly school shooting in December. Host Bianca Martin gives more context to the impending closure of Short Stack Eatery . And executive producer Hayley Sperling has the details on what to...
Jan 10, 2025•30 min
When January comes around, many folks opt to lose the booze for the month. In a place with a big drinking culture like Wisconsin, though, that can be tough. But for the bartenders at popular downtown establishments Lucille and Merchant , making non-alcoholic cocktails that are just as buzzworthy as their boozy counterparts is a challenge they embrace with open arms. On today’s show, host Bianca Martin speaks with Jaiden Desens, a bar manager at Merchant, and Erika Yanke, a lead bartender at Luci...
Jan 09, 2025•26 min
Inauguration Day is coming up fast, and nobody knows just how crazy this election was in Wisconsin like Capital Times photo director Ruthie Hauge and state government reporter Erin McGroarty. Ruthie and Erin documented many rallies, campaign events, and the RNC while both candidates spent colossal amounts of time and money trying to win our votes in Wisconsin. Recently, Ruthie and Erin were invited by the Carl-Schurz-Haus German American Institute in Freiburg, Germany to exhibit their work. They...
Jan 08, 2025•26 min
In 2010, Mike Gomoll lost his four-year-old son Joey to epilepsy. That same year, Mike channeled his grief into action by creating Joey’s Song , a one-night-only benefit concert in Madison to raise money for epilepsy research. Since then the show has continued to grow and this year, Joey’s Song has become Freezing Man, a four-day music festival this week featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy winners, and music superstars. Host Bianca Martin caught up with Mike ahead of the festival to...
Jan 07, 2025•28 min
Winter has arrived and while most of us are sleeping, plow drivers across the city are at work. Like choreographed dancers, they all set about their routes, often working up to 16-hour days in some of the worst conditions, all to clear the way for the rest of us to live our lives. As the first female snow plow driver for the City of Madison, Margaret Kraege knows that dance well. Margaret worked for the city for more than 40 years and back in 2023, she shared some of her favorite memories of the...
Jan 06, 2025•19 min
For our first Friday news roundup of 2025, we’re doing something special by taking a look at the stories we’ll be watching this year. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling, and Rob Thomas talk about some exciting openings we’re looking forward to, like the long-awaited Madison Public Market and Center for Black Excellence . We also take a look at the elections on deck this spring, including an open seat on Wisconsin Supreme Court and every single seat on the Madison City Council. Wanna talk to us about...
Jan 03, 2025•31 min
Happy new year, Madison! 2025 is officially here and we’re ready to start the year off right by bringing you a hot and fresh guide on how to make the most of January in our city. From getting outside and taking in all that nature has to offer to checking out some quirky local festivals (juggling, anyone?) and of course honoring MLK Day, there’s a lot to get excited about this month. If you’re new around here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you , with episodes and articles to welc...
Jan 02, 2025•25 min
There is a Madisonian whose name you might not know, but you’ve certainly seen his work. He is the photojournalist behind the photo of President Obama in the White House situation room during the Bin Laden raid. He captured the iconic moment when a five-year-old child reached up and touched Obama’s hair, after asking if it was like his own. White House photographer Pete Souza captured history as it was happening, and then when he was done with his work at the White House, he moved here to Madiso...
Dec 30, 2024•23 min
It’s the new year, and if you're anything like us, one of your resolutions might be to eat out less. With a food scene as good as ours, that can be hard. Luckily Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians can save the day with a bounty of cookbook recommendations for everyone from beginners to experienced bakers, plus some local recommendations. Christians joins host Bianca Martin and former executive producer Molly Stentz to round up the best cookbooks for the season. Join us every Thursday as we...
Dec 26, 2024•22 min
Ketamine clinics have been popping up around Madison for some time now. While ketamine has been used in the medical field as an anesthetic for decades, its use as a treatment for PTSD, depression and chronic pain has been growing in popularity in recent years. So what is a trip to one of Madison’s clinics really like? We’re revisiting Host Bianca Martin’s conversation with Brian Czapko, co-founder of Forward Ketamine, about how ketamine therapy works and what the future of this industry and trea...
Dec 23, 2024•22 min
It’s the last Friday news roundup of 2024. This week, the City Cast Madison team has updates on the school shooting that shook the Madison community . Plus, Ald. Charles Myadze was arrested last week and on Monday was charged with eight felonies related to domestic abuse. And finally, is it safe to step out onto Madison’s frozen lakes ? Those hungry for ice time might be in trouble as the future of Madison’s ice rinks are uncertain . Mentioned on the show ❤️🩹 Abundant Life Christian School Eme...
Dec 20, 2024•28 min
With the holidays on the horizon, many Madisonians are preparing for a massive family meal. But what if you don’t want to do the cooking? Nicole Haase, freelance reporter with the Capital Times, has the scoop on which restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year for dine-in and take-and-bake options. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicema...
Dec 19, 2024•23 min
As we close the book on 2024 and get ready for the new year, we turned to you to get a taste of what Madisonians hope to see in our fair city in 2025. What are your hopes for the new year? Perhaps a more diverse range of food options? Cleaner lakes? More time spent in the community? We heard from local leaders, business owners, and even the mayor to get their takes. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling reflect on the year and talk about their own resolutions. Wanna talk to u...
Dec 18, 2024•29 min
The city of Madison was shocked Monday by a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School , in which a teacher and student were killed in addition to the suspected shooter, and several others were injured. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, Bianca Martin talks to Rob Chappell, executive editor of Madison365 , about what we know and what questions remain. Links: City of Madison Incident Report Teacher, student dead, 6 injured in shooting at Abundant Life Christian School | Live updates [WSJ] Ho...
Dec 17, 2024•25 min
The holiday season is often the biggest time of the year for new movie releases. But to see big blockbusters, Madisonians have to make a trip out to the suburbs. To get to scoop on where and what to watch, we turned to local film aficionado and our own Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm . We’re also on Instagram ! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribi...
Dec 16, 2024•28 min
On this week’s Friday news roundup, Madison365 reporter Nicholas Garton joins host Bianca Martin to talk about recent drama in the Sun Prairie School District, which ultimately led to the resignation of a principal and multiple school board members. Executive producer Hayley Sperling has the latest in Ald. Charles Myadze’s arrest yesterday afternoon and the Madison City Council’s prior decision to censure him. And Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas shares details on where speed limits ...
Dec 13, 2024•35 min
‘Tis the season for gifts! If you have a foodie in your life — whether that’s someone who loves to cook or just loves to eat — we’ve got suggestions for what to put under their tree. Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians joins Bianca Martin with a stacked list of local gift ideas everyone will enjoy. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. 🎉 Become a member of City Cast Madison today! Wanna talk to us...
Dec 12, 2024•33 min
If you’ve been to a Wisconsin bar, you’ve likely seen a pull-tab machine. Pop in a buck and out comes a rectangle cardboard card that may get you a cash prize of up to $250. Tea Krulos got the bizarre backstory of this unofficial — yet legal — lottery. He joins City Cast Madison to explain how Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps (as they're officially known) became a thing. For more on Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps, read Krulos' article " The Unlikely Story Behind Pull-Tabs in Wisconsin " published by Mil...
Dec 11, 2024•22 min
Stoughton natives Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher have collected over 13,000 obscure and delightful VHS tapes and have been taking viewers on a guided tour of their best finds since 2004. Their live show is called Found Footage Festival, and it’s coming to the Barrymore Theatre this Friday. In this episode, host Bianca Martin sits down with Joe and Nick to talk about how they got obsessed with old videos, where they find (and sometimes steal) VHS tapes, and how they pranked several local news stati...
Dec 10, 2024•31 min
Today, the tables are turned as City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin is a guest on Rev. Dr. Alex Gee’s podcast Black Like Me. In this excerpt of the show, Bianca digs into her experiences as a Black journalist and Rev. Lilada Gee also joins the conversation to discuss the often minimized roles of Black women in society and culture. Listen to the full Black Like Me episode here. 🎉 Become a member of City Cast Madison today! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 ...
Dec 09, 2024•42 min
It’s Friday, which means the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week! The kick things off, host Bianca Martin is joined by the Cap Times state government and disinformation reporter Erin McGroarty to talk about the latest development in the case against Act 10. Bianca also gives an update on Wisconsin Democratic Party leader Ben Wikler’s run for DNC chair . And executive producer Hayley Sperling joins the conversation to give an update on news from several of Madison's bo...
Dec 06, 2024•35 min
It’s been a big year for Madison’s food and restaurant scene. To help us round up all of the exciting openings — and the disappointing closures — of 2024, Madison Magazine food editor Emma Waldinger made a list . She joins host Bianca Martin to talk about some of the highlights. 🎧 City Cast Madison episodes mentioned on the show Meet Willy Street's New Weird Vegan Wonderland Why This Madison Bar Went All In On Cheese You Need to Visit Madison’s Newest French Bakery Must See Madison: Your Guide ...
Dec 05, 2024•26 min
Since March of this year, multiple women have come forward with allegations against District 18 Ald. Charles Myadze that range from harassment to domestic abuse. In a statement provided to City Cast Madison, Myadze denied these allegations and an investigation recently found he was not in violation of any city ordinance. District 2 Ald. Juliana Bennett has since identified herself as one of the anonymous complainants in the investigation, and she sat down with host Bianca Martin to share her sid...
Dec 04, 2024•33 min
Ten years ago, Scott Gordon started a podcast to tell stories about Madison’s arts and culture scenes that no other local outlets were talking about. While it’s not a podcast anymore, these days you’ll find his stories and more on Tone Madison. This year, the local publication is celebrating a decade of storytelling. To reflect on the past 10 years and beyond, Scott joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Executive Producer Hayley Sperling. Celebrate with Tone Madison this week at their 1...
Dec 03, 2024•24 min
The air is chilly and holiday lights are twinkling, it’s officially December! The City Cast Madison team is here to round up our recommendations for making the most out of this month. From pop-up bars and theater productions to holiday markets and beyond, we’ve got you covered. If you’re new around here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you , with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Madison community. Mentioned on the show 🎁 A roundup of Madison holiday arts and ...
Dec 02, 2024•29 min
Why do so many college campuses across the U.S. have their own police force? And are they really necessary? Those are the questions at the core of the new “Reorientation” podcast produced by the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History at UW-Madison. To get the scoop on UWPD’s checkered history and why the center chose to go down this rabbit hole, Host Bianca Martin spoke with the center’s director and podcast co-host Kacie Lucchini Butcher. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicem...
Nov 27, 2024•26 min
Are Madison’s restaurants, parks, and public spaces accessible to people of all abilities? More so than a lot of cities — but with plenty of room for improvement. On this week’s Must See Madison, host Bianca Martin sits down with disability advocates Autumn Neugent and Martha Siravo to talk about which Madison businesses are doing accessibility well, what steps the city can take to improve accessibility further, and how we can treat each other with empathy rather than sympathy when offering assi...
Nov 26, 2024•30 min
Winter is here and now is the time to make sure your house is properly prepped for the season. But where should you start? Home maintenance maven and social media superstar Mercury Stardust joins Host Bianca Martin to share their tips for getting your house or apartment ready for the cold months. Looking for more home repair tips? Check out our previous conversation with Mercury. Plus, check out Mercury’s podcast, Handy Ma’am Hotline. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 60...
Nov 25, 2024•25 min
This week on the Friday news roundup, host Bianca Martin talks with Madison Ald. MGR Govindarajan about his efforts to formally censure fellow Ald. Charles Myadze following allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Executive producer Hayley Sperling has the latest on a Minnesota lawsuit that involves Madison Superintendent Joe Gothard . And Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas gives the team an update on some local restaurants . Mentioned on the show: Why So Many Public Officials Have Called For a M...
Nov 22, 2024•31 min
