It’s Tuesday, and we’re taking Must See Madison on the road! Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos is on a mission to experience some of the best day trips Wisconsin has to offer. Her first stop? Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Park in Sauk County . Host Bianca Martin caught up with Jade after her trip to get the details. 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 ! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to ...
May 20, 2025•28 min
Warm weather is here and so are the bugs! If you’ve been to one of our beautiful lakes recently, or just stepped outside, you may have witnessed swarms of lakeflies filling the sky. Where the heck did they come from, and what other insects can we expect to see this season? To answer these questions and more, we caught up with the Wisconsin Bug Guy himself, PJ Liesch, who runs the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab . Grab your bug spray and dive in! Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voi...
May 19, 2025•28 min
Happy Friday, Madison! The City Cast Madison team is here to catch you up on yet another busy week of news. And this week, we have a special guest. Madison Public Library marketing manager Liz Boyd joins us to talk about the hottest party of the year: Madison Public Library’s 150th birthday party ! Plus, newsletter editor Rob Thomas has an update on the Abundant Life Christian School shooting . And executive producer Hayley Sperling and host Bianca Martin have good news and bad news from Metro T...
May 16, 2025•39 min
The moment Madison has been waiting for is finally here. Hạ Long Bay is back open on Willy Street! Officially, it’s a soft opening, which means the restaurant is open for limited dine-in and takeout service and offering a preview of its new bar menu. The iconic east side restaurant is now under the ownership of Jacqueline and Stephanie Le, nieces of founder Jean Tran. Over the past year, the duo has been busy updating the restaurant while keeping the family’s traditions and recipes alive. In hon...
May 15, 2025•22 min
Picture this. You’re standing at a 1950s garden party and everyone around you is dressed perfectly on theme — polo shirts, khaki pants, and pearls galore. Then you turn your head and are transported to the ultimate Northwoods cabin, decked out with taxidermied animals, flannels, and vintage fireplaces. Confused? Welcome to The Bounty . The South Park Street shop and makerspace creates "environmental narratives” that tell stories. But what’s the story behind The Bounty itself? We sat down with ow...
May 14, 2025•35 min
Dust off that bunad and get ready to eat some lefse because Stoughton's annual Syttende Mai celebration is right around the corner! Festivals may be a dime a dozen in the summer, but this is the only one that will transport you to Norway without having to get on a plane. To get the scoop on what to expect from this year’s fest, we caught up with Sarah Ebert, president of Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@cityca...
May 13, 2025•25 min
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and more than ever, people are looking to take control of their mental well-being and find support through therapy and wellness. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Thankfully you don’t have to go it alone. Today, we talk with Myra Renne, founder and executive director of Anesis Therapy , about mental health resources in Madison and steps you can take right now to give yourself a little more love. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voic...
May 12, 2025•31 min
Happy Friday, Madison! We’ve made it through another busy week and the City Cast Madison team is here to dig into the top stories. Host Bianca Martin talks about the impending layoffs at Wisconsin Public Radio amid federal budget cuts. Executive producer Hayley Sperling asks why people keep driving into buildings on Willy Street and beyond (!!!). And Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas has a mixed bag of restaurant news. Plus, it’s falcon time! Mentioned on the show: WORT-FM could see p...
May 09, 2025•36 min
Level 5 Donuts has taken the isthmus by storm. After getting started selling their vegan sweets at festivals and coffee shops around town, Level 5 is now leveling up its business with a brick-and-mortar store. We sat down with Caitlin Rockey, the co-owner and head baker at Level 5 to learn more about how their Atwood store came to be and what it’s like to lead a donut cult. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers. Wan...
May 08, 2025•27 min
Ready for a getaway? In this special bonus episode, sponsored by the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, City Cast Madison’s Hayley Sperling talks with Krystal Westfahl, CEO and president of the Greater Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. From water sports and cold plunges to stargazing and silent sports, Krystal shares all the reasons Minocqua is the perfect place to recharge. Plus, a look at the area's rich Native American heritage and the warm, welcoming community that makes it feel like home. Want to ...
May 07, 2025•19 min
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness announced last month they’re continuing the work of the Madison Forward Fund — Wisconsin’s first guaranteed income program.The program gave $500 to a small group of Madison parents each month for a year for them to spend however they pleased. We chat with Dr. Michelle Robinson , chief programs and partnerships officer for the foundation, about the impact of guaranteed income and the current state of Forward Fund 2.0. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Le...
May 07, 2025•32 min
In April, voters in District 15 voted to reelect Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford . The only catch? She had suspended her campaign. Ultimately Martinez-Rutherford decided to accept the win , and was recently sworn into her second term. After accepting the will of the people, she mentioned the struggle to find affordable housing in the district she represents as a reason she halted her campaign. We sat down with Alder Martinez-Rutherford to talk about her decision and how we can all better sup...
May 06, 2025•32 min
It’s rare for lawmakers in our statehouse to agree on just about anything these days. But recently, a group of Democrats and Republicans have come together to support a historically hot-button issue — nuclear energy. Momentum is building for Wisconsin to start investing more heavily in nuclear power. So what’s next? We spoke with Cap Times state government reporter Andrew Bahl to find out. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm . We’r...
May 05, 2025•28 min
It’s Friday, which means the City Cast Madison team is back together to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin talks about the latest twists and turns in the case of 27 UW-Madison students who had their international student visas suddenly suspended – and then just as suddenly reinstated. Executive Producer Hayley Sperling explains why the city sounds more optimistic about the future of a north-south BRT line . And Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas has a warm ‘n’ fuzzy story on how a kids’...
May 02, 2025•37 min
Spring has sprung and May is here! This month is jam-packed with things to do, see, and eat around town. The City Cast Madison squad is here to give you our takes on what they’re excited about this month. From night markets and plant sales to Brat Fest and theater mysteries, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in May. Plus, we have a special sponsored interview with Greyley Wellness Owner and CCS Service Director, Nicole Moll. Don’t miss it. Mentioned on the show 🌱 Willy Street Park spring ...
May 01, 2025•40 min
Mercury Stardust can fix just about anything. As a home maintenance professional with more than a decade of experience, she’s got tips on how to keep your home in tiptop shape, whether you rent or own. And as an activist with millions of followers across her social media channels, she’s taught countless people how to live life with more compassion. Host Bianca Martin sat down with Mercury to talk about her journey from growing up on a farm in northern Wisconsin to putting on weekly burlesque sho...
Apr 30, 2025•33 min
The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan last week after she allegedly tried to help a man evade immigration authorities in the courthouse. Wisconsin Republicans are calling for her removal from the bench and Democrats are calling her arrest an attack on the judicial branch. To get the details on what went down and what comes next — for the judge and our justice system — we spoke with one of the reporters who broke the story, columnist Daniel Bice of the Milwaukee Journal Sen...
Apr 29, 2025•24 min
After five years at the helm of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler is stepping down as chair. Executive Producer Hayley Sperling sits down with Wikler for a wide-ranging conversation about what he's learned since taking on the role, and what the future holds — for both him and the WisDems. From navigating pivotal elections to grassroots organizing wins, Wikler shares his insights and hopes for Wisconsin’s political landscape going forward. Get more from City Cast Madison when you become ...
Apr 28, 2025•30 min
TGIF! We made it to the end of another week, which means the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news. This week, we welcome a special guest, Wisconsin Public Radio Producer Richelle Wilson. Richelle brings a story about a possible long lost Van Gogh painting discovered at a Minnesota garage sale and the UW professor that was tapped to help determine its legitimacy. Executive Producer Hayley Sperling tells us about the letter UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin signed condemning po...
Apr 25, 2025•38 min
Two Madison culinary talents are about to hit the big time — reality TV style. Vintage Brewing Company executive chef Jake Lawler will be making his television debut on “Yes, Chef!”, a new high-pressure cooking competition judged by culinary legends Martha Stewart and José Andrés that premieres April 28. Meanwhile, local software developer Daniel Freiburger is whipping up sweet treats on “The Great American Baking Show.” Host Bianca Martin chats with one of our favorite food pros, food and cultu...
Apr 24, 2025•32 min
Spring has sprung and the birds are singing! On today’s show, host Bianca Martin chats with Dexter Patterson AKA the Wisco Birder to dish on birding, community building, and Patterson’s new book . Salamanders and baby goats even make an appearance too. Want to learn how to bird? This event at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center on Saturday is for you. Plus, learn more about Fat Bird Week . Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm . We’re als...
Apr 23, 2025•30 min
Happy Earth Day! The annual event celebrating environmental protections is observed across the globe. But did you know it was a Wisconsin senator who formalized the event? And that’s not all. The University of Wisconsin-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 Day and learn more about Wisconsin’s conservationist history, we spoke to Curt...
Apr 22, 2025•35 min
Federal support for the humanities dates back decades but it all came to a sudden halt with one email sent the night of April 2. The acting chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities announced all federal funding for state humanities programming would be eliminated immediately. So where do we go from here? That’s exactly what the folks at the nonprofit Wisconsin Humanities are wondering. We sat down with their communications director Jessica Becker to find out what comes next. Wanna talk...
Apr 21, 2025•29 min
Happy Friday! The City Cast Madison team is here with another Friday news roundup — but this time with a twist. Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians joins the show to give a sneak peek at the Overture Center’s 2025-26 season . Newsletter editor Rob Thomas gives an update on Madison’s city clerk and executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into the questions surrounding the county’s contracts with local nonprofit Urban Triage . Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemai...
Apr 18, 2025•34 min
Have you heard of the hot new restaurant on State Street that is open every night until 2 a.m.? Izakaya Kuroyama brings the tradition of Japanese street food to Madison and offers a much needed new option to the late-night food scene. Owner Hugo Leung joins Bianca Martin to explain the culture behind izakaya, characterized by shared small plates, plenty of drinks, and chance to relax after a long work day. Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers t...
Apr 17, 2025•25 min
Spring is here and it’s time to get outside and enjoy all the city has to offer. With so many trails and parks , Madison is a runner’s dream. But it can be hard to know which running route is right for you. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered. We spoke with local runner Paul Miller, who’s also on the board of the Movin’ Shoes Running Club , to find out what some of Madison’s best running routes are and to get some tried and true tips for beginners and veteran runners. Wanna talk to us abou...
Apr 16, 2025•26 min
Watching homemade porn in a room full of strangers might not be everyone’s ideal weekend plan, but longtime sex and relationship columnist Dan Savage hopes you’ll give it a chance. Savage’s indie porn film festival is celebrating 20 years and is screening at the Barrymore Theatre this weekend . We talked to Savage ahead of the showing to talk about the festival’s impact, his Madison connections, and the importance of community in turbulent times. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voi...
Apr 15, 2025•28 min
When the sky turns green and the clouds come rolling in, do you know what to do? Spring is severe weather season in the Midwest and being prepared for storms, tornadoes, and flooding is critical to keeping you, your loved ones, and your belongings safe. To get the scoop on how to stay informed and stay safe , we caught up with Andrew Beckett, Dane County Emergency Management’s emergency communications and outreach manager. Want to become a storm spotter? You can get free training this week! Wann...
Apr 14, 2025•30 min
Did you really think we were done with election news? In this week’s Friday news roundup, the team digs into election fallout for City Council, including an unexpected victory in District 15 and a recount in District 19 . Plus, more than two dozen current and former UW-Madison international students abruptly had their visas revoked , sparking questions and a demonstration set for next week. Speaking of demonstrations, thousands of people showed up over the weekend to protest President Donald Tru...
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
The Dane County Farmers’ Market kicks off its 2025 season this Saturday! Are you ready? To get the scoop on what’s new at the market as well as some tried and true tricks for shopping like a pro, we caught up with market manager Jamie Bugel. Hot tip: You might be able to score some cheap eggs. 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 voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madi...
Apr 10, 2025•22 min
