Around River City Podcast

In this episode of the Around River City Podcast, I’m sitting down with Natalia and Stephanie to give you the ultimate guide to 420 on Front Street! 🌿✨ We’re diving into the immersive experience happening this Saturday, April 18th, at the La Crosse Center, from the 4:20 Smoke Out to the surreal garden transformation of the La Crosse Center. We’ll talk about the aroma sensory experiences, exactly what an "Alternative Bar" looks like, and yes... there will be PUPPIES! If you’ve been wondering how to ease into the experience while supporting local businesses, this episode is for you.

Ken and Sarah talk about the most mispronounced words of 2024, special holiday cocktails from local establishments and lots of fun to be had this weekend. 

This is part 1 of 2 conversations with Greg Parmeter and Nic Barilar from the UW-L Theater and Dance department.  Their latest production is Dr, Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.  This is the original "sell your soul to the devil" story.  And just in time for Halloween.  We'll talk about UW-L's Theater and Dance program, Marlowe, the never ending timeliness of Faustus and possibly, what's your soul worth nowadays, anyway?  Thanks for being part of the conversation.

Midwest Family is proud to support Steppin Out in Pink, 2023 with the Gundersen Medical Foundation.   On this episode of Around River City I had the pleasure to sit down with this years Steppin Out advocate, Kirsten Bucher.  Kirsten's story is amazing.  A young mother who found a lump.  We talked a lot about that particular moment.  Now, Kirsten is a Physician Assistant in the department where she got her treatment.  It's a moving conversation with a very special person. You can support Steppin Out in Pink and get more information at www.steppinoutinpink.com or follow them on Facebook.

What a tale these two old pals have to share with you.  Ben Skinner and Chris Barton were born and raised right here in La Crosse.  They fell in love with the restaurant world here in town and as their talents grew they moved to Minneapolis and then Seattle.  But restaurants can be brutal places to work, and they each have the scars to prove it.  So, they came back home and thought "Hey....why don't we put restaurant quality food in jars?".  So was born Paulin's Provisions.  If you like delicious food, bawdy laughter and straight forward social commentary, you'll love this conversation. 

Have you ever talked with someone who's had a near death experience? Meet Lucas Herro.  I don't want to give away too much of his story so let's just say every single part of his life changed in a split second.  He was 22, now he's 32.  He was carefree, now he's in pain every day.  He was a firefighter, now he's an Olympian.  Check out this episode of Around River City and get to know Lucas.

We continue our conversation about blended families.  I'm  talking with two local authors, Kristine Valk and Asha Bianca about their book Stepping Stones; Blended Families and onus Parenting at it's Best.  What does "bonus" parent mean to you?  Did you just say or do something that you need to apologize for?  How much interaction should there be?  Who decides?  What do you even call that new person?  There are so many questions and this book helps you navigate through the complexities of a new, ready made family.

Kristine Valk and Asha Bianca are 2 local moms in blended families.  As they talked about their shared experience they realized they wished there had been a book to help them navigate through the highs and lows of bringing families together.  The result is "STEPPING STONES, Blended Families and Bonus Parenting at it's Best".  It's not a "how to" book, that's for sure.  It's more of a guide and a friend to support you and your family.   In part 1 of my conversation Kristine and I sat down to talk about love, mistakes, joy and you know, normal family stuff. 

Patrick Longmire grew up in his dad's grocery store, Red's IGA in Spring Grove, MN.  Like a lot of high school guys he decided to pick up a guitar but it turns out it wasn't to look cool it was to fall in love with Texas Barbecue.  Several states, 2 kids and 1 supportive wife later, he's turning that love into Fat Pats Brewery and BBQ.  Maybe I should have called this one, What a Long Strange Trip It's Been.

I started one of those "how was your weekend" conversations with a co-worker the other day.  She proceeded to tell me how this may the her best Christmas ever.  All thanks a a tree, a dog and a new tradition.  I really wanted to share her story and she let me record our conversation.  That led to me wondering if anyone else has a good Christmas story.  Turns out, people love to share and talk about the holidays.  I talked with several co-workers and just asked them to tell me a Christmas story.  This podcast is the result.  There's no agenda, nothing to learn, no particular point other than people are interesting and Christmas is nice.  Enjoy these Christmas stories. DISCLAIMER:  If you're listening with young ones, you may want to skip this episode as we delve into some sensitive holiday subjects, if you know what I mean.

Luke Erickson, Allison Krzych and Dominique Leuke.  Three people who embrace life in the grey area.  So much so that Luke helped create the theater group Grey Area Productions.  Allison is the interim Executive Director of the Pump House, the home of Grey Area and Dominique is acting in their current production, The Long Christmas Dinner", by Thornton Wilder.  So what do they mean by "grey area"? For one thing, it's where most of the fun happens but it's also about performances that ask questions more often that trying to answer them.  Stories that get you thinking and talking afterwards.  This is a fun conversation with a lot of good laughter and good ideas. 

Rob Thoen and Scott Stach both served in the Military.  They have very different stories that end up coming to similar conclusions.  They're both proud of their service, and glad to have served. We'll talk about life as a veteran, services that are there for all vets and with Rob, who served in active combat we'll talk about what it's like to be shot at.  It was a tough question to ask but I'm glad I asked.

I have a new favorite question;  tell me about your ten year old self.  That's how Nicole and I began part 2 of our conversation here on Around River City.  We talked about how and why Nicole decided to become a Clinical Therapist.  Where she was born (we have something in common), and we talked about generations talking, learning and respecting. 

I met Nicole when she came in to Midwest Family to record a commercial for another client.  That took about 5 minutes and then we talked for nearly an hour.  I knew we needed to get together again for the podcast.  When we did, we talked about some big ideas like the concept of "normal", the effects of the word "should", the question "why" and the joy in a nice glass of wine.  Nicole is a clinical therapist and co-owner of Brave Spaces Counseling and Wellness in La Crosse.  This conversation will really get you thinking about.....well...lets give it a listen and see where the ideas take you.

Wow....Betty is AMAZING.  I find myself using that word a lot to describe her.  Amazing.  Betty and her husband created the Kabara Cancer Research Institute at The Gundersen Medical Foundation.  She is also a survivor of multiple forms of cancer, including breast cancer....twice.  She's upbeat, optimistic and full of life.  Join Betty and me for this conversation, I don't usually say things like this but, I think you'll find it inspiring.  Actually, I know you will.

At Midwest Family we're very proud to be a part of Steppin Out in Pink with Gundersen Health System.  I first brought you this podcast last year and it's such a cool story I wanted to share it again.  Dr. Deitrich was a joy to talk with and I'll admit, my jaw dropped when she told me that besides being an Oncologist specializing in breast cancer she is also a breast cancer survivor.  She has a truly one of a kind perspective that I think you'll enjoy hearing.

This year Steppin' Out In Pink is Saturday, September 10th at Riverside Park.  Midwest Family is proud to be a sponsor of this great event with Gundersen Health System.  Last year I had a chance to sit down and get to know Dr. Paraic Kenney, he's the director of the Kabara Cancer Research Institute at the Gundersen Medical Foundation.  We talked about the unique way research is done here, how your contribution to Steppin' Out really makes an impact on local cancer patients while the results of Dr. Kenney's research is shared world wide.  I learned a lot and I think you will, too.

Whatever I can get away with.  That's Tiffany's motto in her life and her art.  Tiffany uses her art as therapy and also a way to communicate.  I first saw her work at The Winter Roots Festival at The LaCrosse Center and finally had the chance to sit down with this talented, local artist and get to know her.   

Abbie and her brother Paul are 4th generation owners of Leithold Music in downtown La Crosse.  Inside their newly renovated building on 4th street there's a lot of music, family and joy.  I sat down with Abbie and we talked about growing up in a musical family, being part of the history of the area, the power of ukuleles, the beautiful new renovation and...the joy of a lifelong relationship to an instrument.

We live in an area filled with places, large and small, that let you escape the city without really leaving.  Clearwater Farm is one of those places.  It's IN Onalaska, close by, easy to find and an actual living, breathing farm.  It has all the farm stuff you want.  Chickens?  Oh ya, lots of them, some you will have never seen before.  How bout a donkey?  Yup.  Plenty of goats, too.  And a huge garden, a really huge barn and an event space.  Oh ya, there's a llama, too.  It also has lots of volunteers including Shari Collas.  Shari gave me a tour of the farm and we sat down and talked about...well...farm stuff, you know things like keeping the animals happy, giving back to the community and helping kids realize their potential. 

Welcome to part 2 of my conversation with Local Legend, Mike Hayes.  This conversation begins in 1987, Mike has become the host of La Crosse Talk on WIZM-AM.  We'll talk about the evolution of the show and what Mike likes about talking to you every morning.

You've likely heard Mike Hayes on the radio and maybe you agree with him, maybe you don't.  He's okay either way, he just wants to have the conversation.  That's why this host of WIZM's La Crosse Talk is being honored as a Local Legend by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. Check out part 1 of my conversation with Mike and find out what kin of radio station he wanted to work at and how he came to call La Crosse home.

Artspire has become a major event in the La Crosse area.  It's happening June 10th and 11th this year....and you're invited....IN PERSON.  How cool is that?  On this episode or Around River City I sat down with Allison Krzych from the Pump House.  We talked about what we can look forward to this year, the need for volunteers and the importance of events like Artspire.  Umm....at the end we also talk a bit about oven mitts and how they can remind you of true beauty and compassion...seriously.  

In this episode three friends remember a friend they all say made them better people.  He came into their lives at different times and in different ways but as you'll find out he impacted them all in a similar way.  Terry Erickson, Scott Mihalovic and Tim Colgan sat down recently to reminisce about their friend, Steve Hole who passed away in April.  

Well, this turned out to be one heck of a conversation.  Todd Vercruysse and Michael Garcia are 2 very smart, very real and very fun people.  We sat down to talk about their business, Land Home Financial, here in La Crosse.  And I was honest with them when I said the thought of talking about mortgages and finances for an hour or so didn't sound like fun to me.  I didn't need to worry.  We touched on those topics but then, as good conversations do, it sort of...went every which way.  Scotch vs Bourbon.  Foam (you'll just have to listen).  Who's a a Cubs fan?  And if you can top any of our drinking stories, I want you for my next podcast.

We're busting some serious myths on this episode of Around River City.  Is the library just about books?  Must we always be so quiet?  Are librarians actually stuffy?  We'll answer all those questions and more in this episode of the podcast.  And we'll get to know Linda Jerome.  We'll find out why she is in love with teen literature, a bit of the history of the La Crosse Public Library and she has a great idea for me on how to get my daughter to read the books I want her to read.  Spoiler alert...I can't.

A few years ago, Linda and Steve decided it was time to retire.  And so....they started a company, making fudge, every day.  Hhhmm, I know what you're saying, this isn't your typical retirement.  Well, Linda and Steve are not typical.  Ever since they met they've done things their own way.  They're kind of inspiring that way.  There are several cool stories to be told in this episode so put your ear buds in and join us for the conversation.

Question: What do photons, chickens and your kid's summer fun all have in common?  Answer:  Spencer Hulsey Spencer is UW-L's Youth & STEM outreach programming specialist, so she knows LOTS of ways for kids to have a blast this summer.  She's also a physicist, that's where the photons come in.  And...she has a thing for chickens.  But I digress, this is a conversation about those fun summer programs that let your kids have fun and learn a thing or two.  As Spencer says, maybe discover an interest that will help them make the world a better place. 

Have you taken the plunge? This time on Around River City I sat down with Kerry Gloede and Aimee Schmidt to talk about The Polar Plunge and Special Olympics of Wisconsin. The polar Plunge takes place at Black River Beach on Saturday March 5th. You can get all the information you want at www.polarplungewi.org We also ended up talking about dinosaur buoyancy and true crime, but it was mostly The Polar Plunge.  

Allison and I sat down in the beautiful and newly renovated upstairs performance space at The Pump House.  And we talked about.....making coffee and making oatmeal and little rituals.  And then we remembered we were together to talk about her position at The Pump House and it's place in the fabric of La Crosse. Allison Krzych is the Assistant Director and the Non-Profit Arts Administrator for The Pump House and she's excited about what they're doing and what we can all do at The Pump House.  If you like the arts, community involvement, oat meal and little rituals, give this episode a listen.  OH.....and new bathrooms are coming, Woo Hoo....

Music.  Food.  Art.  Drink.  We create some of the best examples of them all in this area.  And at The La Crosse Winter Roots Festival, we'll celebrate them.  Head to aroundrivercity.com for all the latest information and I hope to see you at The La Crosse Center on Saturday February 12th.   Listen in to this conversation with Jay Breier, the guy who came up with this whole idea in the first place and with Christian Staehly, brand ambassador for La Crosse Distilling Co.  Between the two of them they know pretty much everyone who knows how to help us have a good time.  That's what the La Crosse Winter Roots Festival is about and this is the story of how it came to be. 

After a lifetime as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Shelby, Jerry Roesler says it really all comes down to a simple philosophy.  "Compassion is always in style".  Jerry was recently honored for his decades of commitment to the Shelby Fire Department and I was honored to meet him and sit down for this conversation.  Tony Holinka, the department chief joined us to talk about what Jerry means to him and to everyone who's been a part of the department. 

Ya, she's all of that and more.  You've listened to Sam on the radio, you parents probably have, too or your kids.  Now, as Sam finally retires I sat down with her to get a little perspective on things.  Like raising kids while being a public figure, being a female coming into an old boys club and what's in a name anyway?

This is a fun conversation I had with Sam Bachmeier and Karl Green about a new, unique performance space in downtown LaCrosse. 

This lady is one of a kind.  Intelligent, quirky, insanely talented and even though she tries to hide it, super competitive.  Jen Barney is representing our River City in a big way as a competitor on Food Network's Holiday Wars.  You can check it out Sunday nights at 8:00pm.  So, what's it really like behind the scenes of a national TV competition show?  How does it affect her business and her actual life?  Is it worth it? This was a wonderful conversation about those subjects an more including the importance of self care and balance.

Aiden Hessleberg has confirmed my belief in talking to strangers.  He and I aren't really friends (or weren't anyway) and we only run across each other occasionally.  But one day we decided to say more than "hello" and "could I get more onions on my sandwich please?"  Aiden, as it turns out is a talented artist with big ideas.  Take a listen to our conversation and you may find Aiden's ideas resonating with you. 

I had a chance to talk about 2 of my favorite subjects recently, music and creativity.  The conversation is with Tommy Prine, son of the great John Prine and my friend Andy Hughes.  Tommy has a show coming up this Friday at Leo and Leonas so we talked about that, about the pressure of being the son of a legend and about the work, process and vulnerability that go into writing a song. 

This started as a conversation about slang words, then it drifted and then it veered.  Just like a good conversation should.  In part 2 we talk about emojis and then talk a bit about generations.  How much are emojis a part of your every day communication?  I ended up with a new found respect for them. 

Slang, it's defined as language peculiar to a particular group, composed of arbitrarily changed words and extravagant figures of speech.  That sounds about right.  It's also a way we define ourselves and our generations.  And it can make for a lively conversation.  My daughter Sydney, a Gen Z, my wife Sara, a Gen X and I, just barely a Boomer, sat down and talked slang.  From C.E.O. and MAIN CHARACTER to GRODY and PHAT.  You'll get an education, I sure did.

There's love of all kinds on display in the wonderful conversation with Emily and Dave Hansen.  Emily is a breast cancer survivor, a mom, a wife and a real dynamo.    She and Dave share the truly frightening things they went through together but also the good things that this experience has brought to their lives.  Ya, it's about breast cancer but it's really a love story.

Dr. Dietrich is an oncologist at Gundersen Health System, specializing in breast cancer.  But there's more to her story.  Listen in for a great conversation about perspective and how life can change yours.   

This is the first of 3 episodes focused on Steppin Out in Pink and the good it does right here in our community.  Did you know that the work Dr. Kenny and his team do is shared around the world and is also used to help patients right here at home?  Did you know that Steppin Out in Pink offers a unique and beneficial form of funding that allows need + research to = treatment at a lightning pace?  You'll hear how that all happens and also about what drives Dr. Kenny to devote his career to breast cancer research here at the Gundersen Medical Foundation in La Crosse.

Simply put, Mike Kearns was and is a legend.  Enjoy this tribute from many of his friends, former co-workers and his family.

What do a software development consultant and an improv actor have in common?  Well, when they're the same person, a lot as it turns out.  On this episode of Around River City I'm talking with Chuck Charbeneau.  He learned code writing and acting at about the same time and uses skills from each while doing the other.  He's also trying to bring Shakespeare back where he belongs....with we loud, drunken groundlings.  Chuck and the group "Theater from the Ground" have a show coming up soon, find out more on line on Facebook do you prefer Twitter?  how about Insta?

Have you ever thought about all the things you don't know about everyone else?  Don't worry, you don't need to know everything about everyone.  And how about the things we don't know about ourselves?  Those ideas have become a major part of life for Richard Chrz.  He used to run ultra-marathons and now he's in a wheel chair.  According to Richard, life is a lot better these days.  He thinks more about others, in fact that's kind of his passion and he's learned that he's stronger than he ever thought he was.  Listen in to our conversation on Around River City.

This is part two of my conversation with Andy Hughes from Tugg and Alexander Platt from the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.  Trust is a big part of performing on stage, we'll talk about how it lets you be in the moment.  And not to get too deep but, can music give us hope?  What do you think?  Let's find out what Alexander and Andy think.

What do Aristotle and The Simpsons have in common?  Listen to part 2 of my conversation with UW-L Political Science Professor, Tim Dale and find out.  We're talking about Democracy but in a way that reminded me how it impacts my actual, everyday life. 

Tim Dale is a UW-L Professor of Political Science.  I know, I know, you think this is going to be a "lecture" on government stuff.  Actually, this is going to be fun, interesting and eye opening.  For example, do you get the feeling that we're just 2 groups of people who will never agree on anything?  Well, that feeling ebbs and flows over generations.  There's a lot about our government and our place in this society that has confused me, let's clear some of that up.

Erin Waldhart is the Executive Director of WAFER Food Pantry in LaCrosse.  Years ago she had what she calls a "woo hoo" moment.  From that point on she has known she is doing exactly what she needs to be doing, helping people in our community and letting all of us know how we can help.

There are so many different kinds of music.  You can call them "genres" I suppose.  Or, maybe there is just one Music.  That was the idea I had when I asked Alexander Platt, Music Director for the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and Andy Hughes, from Tugg and Andy Hughes & the Mighty Few, to sit down with me.  They had never met.  Came from different upbringings and very different musical backgrounds.  What could they ever have in common?  This is part 1 of their answer.