Around The 715

An interview with Derry Grehan of Honeymoon Suite. He talks about the band being 2026 Record Store Day Canada Ambassadors and the related Limited Edition Translucent Red Vinyl edition of "The Singles," songs from the band's 2025 album "Wake Me Up When The Sun Goes Down," the plans for the next studio album, and more.

It’s mock draft time in the Man Cave. Dan and Brandon go head-to-head in a full 7-round NFL mock draft using the Pro Football Network simulator—Dan running the Green Bay Packers and Brandon controlling the Minnesota Vikings. With trades flying, value picks slipping, and strategy evolving in real time, this episode breaks down every move—from early-round steals to late-round sleepers. Who built the better roster? Who won the draft? No scripts, no forced takes—just real football talk.

Remember the feeling of flipping through an Eastbay catalog as a kid? In this episode of The Man Cave Podcast, Dan sits down with Eastbay founders Art and Rick to relive the magic behind one of the most iconic brands in sports culture. From humble beginnings in small-town Wisconsin with just $4,000, to becoming a global force in the sneaker industry, they share untold stories—including helping athletes like Roger Clemens and Olympians in clutch moments. They also dive into their new book The Book of Eastbay, the evolution of sneaker culture, and why chasing your dream—no matter how crazy it sounds—is always worth it. It’s a nostalgic, inspiring, and behind-the-scenes look at a brand that shaped generations of athletes.

The latest episode of Inside The 715 highlights the evolving mission of Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity as new executive director Phillip Swiler steps into leadership. With housing costs in the region rising sharply, Swiler outlines plans to expand affordable homeownership by increasing build projects across Eau Claire, focusing on the group's mission and how they plan to continue supporting our community with a strong team including Libby and Maddie.  

Because of all the the things that went on this weekend in Wisconsin sports, we had to add some clips from The Dan Kasper Show to recap them! In hour two of the show, Dan chats about the Wisconsin Badgers looking for a new athletic director after the news of Chris McIntosh leaving. Dan throws out some names of potential candidates.  Then he chats about the bad weekend for the Milwaukee Brewers after they were swept by the Nationals. 

Because of all the the things that went on this weekend in Wisconsin sports, we had to add some clips from The Dan Kasper Show to recap them! In the first hour, we talk about the Green Bay Packers trading Dontayvion Wicks and what it means going forward and possibly why they traded him.  Then, with the Milwaukee Bucks season over with, we take a look at the latest comments from Giannis and the Bucks officially moving on from Doc Rivers and some potential replacements. 

Guests on the April 12th Episode of 715 Newsmakers included:  Riley and Adeline, Figure Skaters with the Eau Claire Figure Skating Club Nick White, Organizer/ Board member Cause for Celebrations, producers of the Chippewa Valley Lip Sync Battle  Dennis Graham, Founder/Organizer of ROCKONSIN  Elizabeth Hart, Executive Director, Literacy Chippewa Valley  Frank Rineck, Manager of Revival Records about RECORD STORE DAY  

A year later, we’re looking back at one of the most unforgettable sports trips we’ve ever taken — the NFL Draft in Green Bay. From the early days in Chicago to seeing how massive the event has become, we break down everything: the road trip, the behind-the-scenes chaos of broadcasting live, unexpected moments with fans, and the little stories that made the trip what it was. This episode is less about picks… and more about the experience — the people, the laughs, the nerves, and the memories that come with being part of something huge. No scripts. No forced takes. Just real talk from the road.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Lauren Otto, we continue diving into the realities of divorce—beyond the paperwork and into the emotional, financial, and family dynamics that come with it. Lauren shares practical insights on what to expect as the process unfolds, how to protect your interests, and ways to keep things as smooth as possible during a difficult time. We also explore common misconceptions, the impact of divorce on children, and how to approach major decisions with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re going through it, considering it, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honest guidance and grounded perspective from someone who sees it every day.  And be sure to listen to Part 1 first, if you have not already.

The sports card market is heating up in 2026—and we’re breaking down everything you need to know. In this episode of The Man Cave Podcast, we dive into the latest sports card news, including the Topps NFL licensing deal, rising MLB prospects like Konnor Griffin, and what’s driving the surge in card collecting right now. We also cover: Sports card collecting tips for beginners and experienced collectors How to buy and sell sports cards in today’s market The impact of rookie contracts on card values Topps Now cards explained What to expect at sports card shows (especially for families and kids) The future of Fanatics, Topps, and the trading card industry Plus, Ty from Slab Factory shares insider strategies, personal collection stories, and expert advice to help you navigate the hobby. Whether you're into baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, or Pokémon cards—this episode has something for every collector.

Dan goes solo for a laid-back Man Cave episode diving into sports nostalgia and “what-if” scenarios inspired by Field of Dreams. From building a field to bring legends back to life, to ranking his top 5 all-time sports moments he’d want to witness, this one’s all about passion for the game. Plus, in the spirit of Masters week, Dan creates his own dream Champions Dinner menu—packed with Wisconsin flavor. Who would YOU bring back? And what’s on your menu?

It’s Masters Week, and that means one thing—golf takes center stage. Host Dan Kasper is joined by Justus Cleveland for a laid-back, unscripted conversation all about the magic of Augusta. From bucket-list dreams of attending the Masters to the tournament’s unmatched tradition and mystique, the guys dive into what makes this week so special for golf fans. They also relive some of the most iconic Masters moments—from Tiger’s legendary chip to Jack’s unforgettable run—and debate where Augusta National ranks among the greatest venues in sports. Plus, they break down this year’s field and make their picks: Can Scottie Scheffler be stopped? Is Rory still riding the high of his career Grand Slam? Could Xander Schauffele finally break through at Augusta? It’s a fun mix of storytelling, golf talk, and classic Man Cave banter. 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to support the show—and enjoy the ride through Masters Week.

An interview with Marty Wilde & Darrel Higham about Wilde's 2026 album "Let's Rock This Place."  They discuss how they started working together, the origin of the title track, brining back Wilde's "Your Loving Touch," the approach to rock & roll and rockabilly on the project, how the songs were recorded, their favorite songs on the album, and more.

Guests on the April 5th Edition of 715 Newsmakers include: Dr. Francis Cardenas, Mayo Clinic Health System Colon-Rectal Surgeon regarding Early and Often Screening. Galen Klicinowicz, Chippewa Valley Bee Expo Organizer  Tami Syverson, Children's Museum Guest Expierience Manager  Frank Rineck , Manager Revival Records.

An interview with Carmine Appice about the 2026 Cactus album "Temple Of Blues II."  He talks about the lead single "The Little Red Rooster," the music video, his drumming approach today compared to the beginnings of Cactus, songs on the album, and more.

The March 29th Episode of 715 NEWSMAKERS included:  Brett Geboy of Hope Gospel Mission and Hope Gospel Resident MATT about the upcoming STRIDES FOR HOPE Run/Walk WAXX 104.5 Farm Director Bob Bosold with Amy Schaumberg and Jackie Plank , Robotic Experts with Seehaver Dairy Technologies Dr. Ann Radunz , Vice President of National Cattlemen's Beef Association, about Beef Checkoffs and Return on Investment  ( with Jill Welke of 95 -9 THE FARM )  Michelle Reinen, Wisconsin DATCP Policy Initiatives Advisor  

It’s prediction season on The Man Cave Podcast, as Dan and Brandon break down their full 2026 MLB outlook from top to bottom—no overreactions, just real baseball talk. They go division by division across both leagues, picking winners in the AL East, AL Central, AL West, NL East, NL Central, and NL West, while debating teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, and the always dominant Los Angeles Dodgers. From there, they build their playoff brackets, pick MVPs like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bobby Witt Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto, and even debate whether teams like the Atlanta Braves are being overrated heading into the season. Then it’s all about the Milwaukee Brewers—record predictions, breakout players, bold takes, disappointing candidates, and who leads the team in key categories for 2026. If you love MLB predictions, Brewers talk, and honest baseball debate without the hot takes just for clicks, this episode is for you.

It’s Opening Day, and that means a full-on baseball episode of The Man Cave Podcast. Dan Kasper dives into his growing love for the game—from childhood T-ball memories to coaching his son and rediscovering why baseball still hits different. He breaks down why baseball remains America’s pastime, why it’s the best sport to listen to on the radio, and how it connects generations like no other game. Plus: Top 5 baseball movies of all time (with a few debates) Thoughts on how the game has (and hasn’t) changed The challenge of keeping younger players engaged Full 2026 MLB predictions: division winners, wild cards, MVPs, Cy Young picks, and World Series winner Grab a drink, fire up the grill, and settle in—baseball season is officially here.

Blugolds athletics are rolling into the spring season with plenty of momentum. In this episode of Rolling with the Blugolds, Dan Kasper and Nick Hoven recap a historic gymnastics season that ended with a fourth-place finish at nationals and multiple program records. They also break down the Blugolds softball team’s impressive win streak, the baseball team’s strong start after their Florida trip, and lacrosse continuing to build momentum. Plus, the guys talk about tennis and track & field wrapping up indoor competition and shifting to outdoor season, golf getting ready to return to the course, and a huge volleyball event coming to Eau Claire when Wisconsin and Minnesota meet at Sonnentag Center. It’s a full Blugolds athletics roundup as Dan and Nick keep you up to date on everything happening around UW-Eau Claire.

An interview with Paul Rees, author of "Raised On Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola – The AOR Glory Years 1976-1986." He talks about how the Album Oriented Rock began, the definitive AOR music in the opinion of those he interviewed and himself, his favorite anecdote and interviews for the book, the connection to the current popularity of other music from the later-1970s and earlier-1980s, and more.

In this episode, we begin our 2 part conversation with family law expert Lauren Otto, owner of Otto Family Law. We discuss why people get a divorce, the different kinds and hopefully answer some questions you may have about the sometimes uncomfortable divorce process.

Guests on the March 22nd  Episode of 715 Newsmakers included:  Travis Hilton, General Manager, ROCK FALLS RACEWAY Galen Kliciowicz, Organizer Chippewa Valley Bee Expo  Brian Maki, Northern Wisconsin State Fair Executive Director about BBQ Fest in May  Semone Thomas, Executive Director, Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley  Shelley Sutley, MS Takes Charge Founder, MS Survivor and Thrive along with Melinda Wilson, MS Takes Charge Executive Director 

Dan Kasper dives back into the sports card hobby with Tyler from Slab Factory for another Inside the Hobby conversation on The Man Cave Podcast. They break down everything collectors are talking about right now—from card grading and PSA price increases to why the markets for Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shohei Ohtani cards are suddenly exploding. Tyler explains how grading really works, what collectors should know before sending cards in, and why a perfect PSA 10 can dramatically increase a card’s value. Plus, the guys talk about the upcoming baseball season, World Baseball Classic excitement, March Madness brackets, and how the hobby has evolved since the COVID boom. If you're a sports fan, collector, or someone curious about how the card market works today, this episode is packed with insights and real hobby talk. In this episode: How sports card grading works PSA vs SGC vs Beckett explained Why some cards explode in value The booming markets for Jordan, Kobe, and Shohei March Madness bracket talk A special AJ Hawk rookie patch card giveaway No scripts. No forced takes. Just Man Cave talk about sports, collecting, and the hobby.

Dan Kasper dives into one of the best times of the sports year in this episode of The Man Cave Podcast. From the electric atmosphere of the World Baseball Classic to the madness of the NCAA Tournament, there’s plenty to break down. Dan tips his cap to the World Baseball Classic for showcasing the global passion for baseball and explains why the tournament continues to grow into one of the best international events in sports. Then it’s time for March Madness as Dan goes region-by-region through his entire NCAA Tournament bracket, sharing upset picks, Final Four predictions, and the team he believes will cut down the nets. Plus, thoughts on why this stretch of the sports calendar might be the best time of the year for sports fans. In this episode: Why the World Baseball Classic was such a huge success The global growth and passion for baseball Dan’s full NCAA Tournament bracket breakdown Final Four and national championship predictions Why March and April are the best months on the sports calendar Follow and subscribe to The Man Cave Podcast on Apple and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review.