Best Cristela Alonzo Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 207 - Elena Velez 1:16:43

3d ago1:16:43

1:16:43

Fashion Designer Elena Velez finds beauty in unlikely places and attributes her industrial artistic style to her Midwest upbringing. Raised by a single mother who worked as a ship captain on the Great Lakes, Elena spent much of her childhood surrounded by heavy machinery and unique landscapes, and its influence can be seen in her work today. Though…

51
Episode 206 - Steven Olikara 1:12:48

10d ago1:12:48

1:12:48

With the 2024 election approaching, Steven Olikara returns to discuss the importance of bipartisanship in an increasingly divided political landscape. Early listeners of the Cripescast may remember Steven’s first episode, where he and Charlie dove into the impact that social media and cable news outlets have on our civility. Today they analyze what…

151
Episode 205 - Fishing with Luke Musgrave 1:30:20

16d ago1:30:20

1:30:20

Live from Lake Winnebago with Green Bay Packers’ tight end Luke Musgrave, it’s the 4th anniversary episode of the Cripescast. In this special episode, Luke and Charlie get to know each other the best way anyone can: while fishing for walleye… and the occasional sheepshead. They’re also joined by outdoor expert, fishing guide, and return Cripescast …

1
Episode 204 - Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary and Lois Bentley (Part 3) 1:23:14

24d ago1:23:14

1:23:14

Charlie is back again with everyone’s favorite gambling and gossiping gals, Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Lois Bentley. As they road trip for another day at the casino, Aunt Mary gives us an update on her love life and Charlie even chimes in to help her develop a dating profile. No conversation is off the table for the four of them, whether it’s the …

601
Episode 203 - Zane Statz 1:08:05

1M ago1:08:05

1:08:05

Whether it’s transforming an ordinary fence across from Lambeau Field into the infamous “Packers Fence” or customizing an average sneaker into every sports fan’s dream shoe, Zane Statz has a gift for reinventive art. As a muralist, custom artist, and Packers fan, Zane is living out his dream by having his custom-painted cleats worn by NFL players i…

351
Episode 202 - Charles Isbell 1:24:33

1M ago1:24:33

1:24:33

Charlie goes down the AI rabbit hole again this week but this time he’s joined by an actual AI expert, UW-Madison Provost Charles Isbell. Provost Isbell has been fascinated with computers since he was 8 years old, and in turn has dedicated his life’s work to them by becoming a researcher, computationalist, and educator in the field of computer scie…

401
Episode 201 - Kristopher Pollard 1:18:50

1M ago1:18:50

1:18:50

Kristopher Pollard eats, sleeps and breathes cinema. As Membership Manager for Milwaukee Film and co-host of the “Cinebuds” podcast, Kristopher is continually working hard to advocate for Milwaukee’s film scene. He explains how Wisconsin is a hidden gem for the film industry and has a vibrant and receptive movie-loving community. He argues that the…

501
Episode 200 - Charlie Answers Fan Questions 1:10:35

2M ago1:10:35

1:10:35

This week Charlie celebrates the 200th episode of the Cripescast by answering all of your burning questions. Buckle up for his advice on dating, lawn care and how to craft the perfect junk drawer. He and his producer Colleen go on many tangents spanning from deep philosophical discussions to what cheese is best on a charcuterie board. Full episode …

551
Episode 199 - Kristen Kish 1:14:00

2M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

Kristen Kish may be new to hosting “Top Chef” but she’s no stranger to the show. Crowned the Season 10 champion in 2012, she became the second woman ever to claim the title and has since returned to host the show. After her 2012 win, she’s gone on to open her own restaurant in Texas called Arlo Grey, release a cookbook, and host other TV shows like…

1
Episode 198 - Cristela Alonzo 1:43:56

2M ago1:43:56

1:43:56

Comedian Cristela Alonzo isn’t afraid to grab life by the horns. Having grown up squatting in an abandoned diner with her mother and three siblings, she knows what it’s like to live like you’ve got nothing to lose. Her lifelong love for comedy had her jumping at the chance to work as an office manager at the Addison Improv in Texas circa 2003, even…

1
Episode 197 - Christian Yelich 1:22:02

2M ago1:22:02

1:22:02

Christian Yelich has been a pillar for the Milwaukee community since he was first traded to Brewers in 2018. On the field, he’s an MVP, a golden glove winner, and a silver slugger just to name a few. Off the field, he’s a champion for the community by giving back with his annual Home Plate Charity Benefit that raises funds for Milwaukee little leag…

1
Introducing: Offsite Adventures 20:35

3M ago20:35

20:35

From the team behind Spark & Fire, we're happy to share the first episode of Offsite Adventures, our newest show uncovering the gems, magical moments, and unique learnings in iconic business travel destinations. Three minutes before midnight in Times Square, one of the most trafficked commercial centers in the world momentarily transforms into a vi…

1
Episode 196 - Max Wolter 54:12

4M ago54:12

54:12

Nobody knows Wisconsin fish like Max Wolter. Having grown up with a passion for the outdoors, it only makes sense that Max would end up working as a senior fisheries biologist at the Wisconsin DNR. For more than a decade, he’s been working to understand our state’s fish, protecting their habitats, and educating folks about best fishing practices. I…

1
Episode 195 - Anjelah Johnson-Reyes 1:01:55

4M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Despite never planning to become a comedian, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes has undeniably made a name for herself in the world of comedy. Starting out as an Oakland Raiders’ cheerleader, then as an aspiring actress in Hollywood, she eventually found her home in stand up comedy after taking a joke writing class at her local church. Fast forward to today, An…

1
Episode 194 - Best of Grandma Sue 1:03:14

4M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

All bets are off whenever Grandma Sue joins the podcast. In this episode of the Cripescast, we're bringing you highlights from all three of her appearances on the show including her first solo interview and her two road trip episodes to the casino. From talking about "necking" at Stinky Point to giving unexpected dating advice, this episode is full…

1
Episode 193 - Taylor Calmus Returns 1:07:31

4M ago1:07:31

1:07:31

Live from his garage in Colorado, Taylor Calmus, a.k.a. Dude Dad, makes his triumphant return to the Cripescast yet again. He and Charlie get comfortable on a vintage Davenport to shoot the breeze, answer fan questions, and sip on Charlie’s new Brandy. As good friends and frequent collaborators, they spend this episode reminiscing on the sketches t…

1
Episode 192 - Masood Boomgaard 1:17:03

5M ago1:17:03

1:17:03

Masood Boomgaard has made a name for himself around the world with his viral (de)motivational character “Self Help Singh.” While struggling with his mental health and searching for a creative outlet during the pandemic, Masood posted his first video as Singh and his life was forever changed. With that first video instantly gaining millions of views…

1
Episode 191 - Nimesh Patel 54:43

5M ago54:43

54:43

Nimesh Patel never planned on being a stand up comedian. In fact, he graduated from NYU with a degree in finance and fully planned on pursuing a career in that field. However, a lack of passion for the industry paired with the difficulty of finding a job during the Great Recession led him to take a writing class and, eventually, to stand up comedy.…

1
Episode 190 - Joel Hodgson 1:03:47

5M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

Everything in Joel Hodgson’s life led him to creating Mystery Science Theater 3000, or MST3K. From performing magic as a kid to doing stand up in college, Joel attributes his comedy chops to his Midwest upbringing. Joel explains that every opportunity in his career has been a stepping stone to MST3K, whether he was performing stand up on Late Night…

1
Episode 189 - Mary Mack 1:08:20

6M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

Having grown up in a small northwoods town in Wisconsin less than 50 miles away from the Minnesota border, comedian Mary Mack considers herself a “border child.” In the wake of her college polka band breaking up and her roommate signing her up for various open mics, Mary made her way to stand up comedy and has been doing it ever since. It wasn’t lo…

1
Episode 188 - Brett Newski 1:15:18

6M ago1:15:18

1:15:18

Milwaukee musician Brett Newski goes way back with Charlie... like, all the way back to the first grade. From their days as elementary school classmates to both being raised by tough Midwestern dads, the two reminisce on their shared childhood experiences in this episode of the Cripescast. In more recent years, Brett can be found touring the world …

1
Episode 187 - Kim & Penn Holderness 1:23:47

6M ago1:23:47

1:23:47

Kim and Penn Holderness know a thing or two about working in media. Despite their established online presence as The Holderness Family, working in social media was never part of their plan, let alone doing so for 10 years. Like Charlie, Kim and Penn both started out working in news and the three bond over their shared experiences on this episode of…

1
Episode 186 - Luke Zahm 1:20:04

6M ago1:20:04

1:20:04

For Chef Luke Zahm, food is more than just fuel. Rather, it’s about community, history, and tradition. As host of PBS’s Emmy award-winning show, Wisconsin Foodie, and owner of The Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Luke is all about celebrating the Midwest through cooking. In this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie discuss their favorite …

1
Episode 185 - Gilbert Brown and LeRoy Butler 1:48:56

6M ago1:48:56

1:48:56

NFL legends and former Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler and Gilbert Brown make a triumphant return to the Cripescast this week. Having spent 9 years as neighbors the Packers’ locker room, LeRoy and Gilbert share endless stories from back in the day, including one story about a teammate riding a bike into the sauna wearing nothing but cowboy boots and…

1
Episode 184 - Best of the Berens Siblings 1:05:57

7M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

The holidays are here, which means lots of time spent with family. This week on the Cripescast, we’re throwing it back with a compilation of the fan-favorite siblings episodes. From Charlie’s sisters dishing juicy stories, to squashing the beef with his brothers, this episode is full of all the best moments. Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cr…

1
Episode 183 - Cripescast on the Road 1:13:13

7M ago1:13:13

1:13:13

Live from the green room in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it’s the Cripescast on the Road. Joined by his opener, Bill Deucette, his music partner, Adam Greuel, and his producer, Dante Williams, you get a glimpse of life on the road for Charlie on this episode of the Cripescast. Having performed both comedy and music, Adam, Bill, and Charlie discuss the si…

1
Episode 182 - Nev Schulman 1:24:43

7M ago1:24:43

1:24:43

Whether you’re familiar with Nev Schulman or not, you’ve probably heard of his hit TV show Catfish. For those who aren’t familiar, catfishing is when someone is lured into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona. On this episode of the Cripescast, Nev explains the show’s journey. Starting as a documentary based on his own catfish expe…

1
Episode 181 - Allison Madison 1:08:15

8M ago1:08:15

1:08:15

With Winter rapidly approaching, there’s no better time for Allison Madison to educate us about the harmful effects of road salt. As the program manager at Wisconsin Salt Wise, she’s bringing awareness to salt’s effect on our environment, economy and infrastructure. On this episode of the Cripescast, she shares that “it only takes 1 teaspoon of sal…

1
Episode 180 - Sam Jay 55:59

8M ago55:59

55:59

For comedian Sam Jay it was love at first open mic. From putting out multiple stand up specials, to having written on Saturday Night Live, to co-creating and starring on Peacock’s Bust Down, her commitment to the art of comedy is steadfast. Sam explains how failing in front of an audience is a necessary growing pain for young comedians and how goin…

1
Episode 179 - Crash Dummies 1:15:22

8M ago1:15:22

1:15:22

From ranking superheroes to debating whether or not they’re going to Heaven, no topic is off limits for Patrick Johnson II and Mike Esibou. As fellow Milwaukeean podcasters, Pat and Mike dive into current events, take calls from fans, and shoot the breeze on their weekly show the Crash Dummies Podcast. This week on the Cripescast however, they go o…

1
Episode 178 - Dexter Patterson 1:06:08

8M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

It’s time to buckle in for a Cripescast episode all about Birding. UW-Madison Life Science Communications teacher, Dexter Patterson, is a self-proclaimed “Bird Nerd” and as any dedicated listener of the show knows, Charlie is too. Dexter is working to make birdwatching accessible to everyone, whether it’s through sharing his adventures to his follo…

1
Episode 177 - Myles Montplaisir 1:20:54

8M ago1:20:54

1:20:54

Returning to the show for the fourth time, Myles Montplaisir (aka the “You Betcha” guy) makes history as the Cripescast guest with the most podcast appearances. Aside from being one of Charlie’s close friends and co-host of The Bellied Up Podcast, a Midwestern call-in advice show, Myles is an entrepreneur, content creator, and conversationalist thr…

1
Episode 176 - Eric Larsen 1:14:47

9M ago1:14:47

1:14:47

Polar explorer and expedition guide Eric Larsen isn’t one to shy away from the cold. Having completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history, it’s safe to say he thrives in below freezing temperatures. From being a park ranger in Alaska to a sled dog herder in Minnesota, Eric’s spent his life in the cold and his st…

1
Episode 175 - RENEW Wisconsin 1:04:19

9M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to the advancement of clean renewable energy in the dairy state since 1991. On this episode of the Cripescast, Charlie is joined by RENEW’s Communications Manager, Alex Beld, and their Emerging Technology Director, Francisco Sayu, to discuss what RENEW is doing in the state of Wisc…

1
Episode 174 - Jeff Ditzenberger 1:07:35

9M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Jeff Ditzenberger takes mental health very seriously as a farmer and a veteran, two communities with some of the highest suicide rates in the country. When it comes to asking a friend how they are, he explains that “I’d rather spend an hour listening to all the things that are causing you angst, than sit and listen to your eulogy for five minutes.”…

1
Episode 173 - Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Grandma's Friend Lois (Part 2) 1:20:39

9M ago1:20:39

1:20:39

No one is safe from being thrown under the bus on this episode of the Cripescast. Just as unfiltered as the last time they were on the show, Charlie is joined by his Aunt Mary, his Grandma Sue and her best casino friend Lois Bentley, as they make their way to the casino. Whether it’s prying information out of Mary about her new boyfriend, asking Ch…

1
EPISODE 39: I'M NOT HIGH OR LOW...I'M MEDIUM MAINTENANCE 38:29

10M ago38:29

38:29

I'm back with a new episode where I thank my new (and old) supporters and talk about how being in the middle can be a great thing. Also, talk about mental health and how it affects me and how I treat myself....and the Cowboys. lolBy Cristela Alonzo

1
Episode 172 - Xavier Prather 1:16:22

10M ago1:16:22

1:16:22

Though he’s a Detroit Lions fan, Xavier Prather knows what it takes to win. Drawing from his skills as an attorney, he strategically won Big Brother and made history as the first Black winner of a regular season in the show’s entire series. Dubbing the experience as “The Truman Show meets summer camp,” Xavier goes into detail about what it was like…

1
Episode 171 - Kyle Kinane 1:11:09

10M ago1:11:09

1:11:09

Though he was born and raised in Illinois, comedian Kyle Kinane has nothing but admiration for Wisconsin. In fact, he uses this episode of the Cripescast to reminisce about vacationing in the Dells, closing Wolski’s, and Spring breaking in Milwaukee. From starting out in the Chicago open mic scene in the early 2000s, to having multiple stand up spe…

1
Episode 170 - Berens Brothers 1:37:07

10M ago1:37:07

1:37:07

After great anticipation, Charlie is joined by his brothers Andy, Bill, and John for the final installment of the Berens sibling podcast episodes. In this quasi-family therapy session, the brothers unpack childhood trauma, air out some dirty laundry, and commiserate about growing up with 8 sisters. Coming prepared with heartfelt apologies, each bro…

1
Episode 169 - Joe Gatto 55:34

10M ago55:34

55:34

Comedian Joe Gatto lives to make people laugh. You may recognize him from the hit TV show Impractical Jokers, starring him and his three best friends in a hidden camera comedy series. He shares stories from their humble beginnings in his parents’ basement, his favorite moments from the show, and the best punishment he came up with for his castmate …

1
Episode 168 - Cripescast Live From the Terrace 1:23:39

10M ago1:23:39

1:23:39

Live from the iconic Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, Charlie interviews a panel of environmental experts about the phosphorus levels in our lakes. The panel includes director of UW-Madison’s Center for Limnology, Jake Vander Zanden, professor of Grassland Ecology from the Department of Agronomy, Randy Jackson, and return Cripescast gu…

1
Episode 167 - Charlie Q&A 57:09

11M ago57:09

57:09

On a special episode of the Cripescast this week, Charlie answers fan questions about birding, tour, the Midwest and more of his favorite things. Find us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and check us out on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens

1
Episode 166 - Ed Bieber 1:02:19

11M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Ed Bieber, A.K.A. Ed the Diver, is cleaning up bodies of water across the Midwest one dive at a time. You may recognize him from his videos online, where he dives into lakes and rivers and retrieves anything from sunglasses, to car batteries, to engagement rings. He and Charlie bond over their love for fishing and their disdain for losing tackle wh…

1
Episode 165 - TrueMan McGee 1:01:31

11M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

Entrepreneur and founder of Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, TrueMan McGee, is always looking for the silver lining in life by turning obstacles into opportunity. In this episode of the Cripescast, he explains his motto of “collecting pennies” as the process of picking up big and small lessons throughout life, and why failure is necessary for success. Fro…

1
Will Sasso 46:24

11M ago46:24

46:24

2:00 Guest Intro 4:39 Senior Kaplan - Modern Family 5:22 MadTV 9:33 Origin Story 11:05 Getting MadTV 17:50 Rick Moranis as Mel Tourme https://youtu.be/7FceiU9DVPQ 19:21 Chris Farley 24:40 Vine - Lemons 30:24 Drop Dead Gorgeous and Best in Show 33:30 Christopher Guest stories Follow us on social media: @willsasso @jennyjohnsonhi5 @dannyzuker @doinit…

1
Episode 164 - Major General Baker 1:02:16

11M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Major General Baker signed up for the military at just 17 years old after his father, who also served, recommended that he join. Now, after many years, a variety of positions, and numerous awards and decorations, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the Army Reserve and what they do. Major General Baker touches on the recruiting issues tha…

1
Episode 163 - Tracy Hames 1:08:13

12M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Executive Director for the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Tracy Hames, has a wealth of knowledge about Wisconsin’s water supply and ecosystem. On this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie discuss wetland preservation from environmental and economic perspectives, and its impact on the average Wisconsinite. “We don’t try to get people to like d…

1
Doin’ It! With Danny Zuker and Jenny Johnson - Actor Steven Weber 47:48

12M ago47:48

47:48

Steven Weber 02:00 Guest Intro 06:22 Lawrence Wright 08:30 Origin Stories 16:05 How do you get a career in show business? 22:21 Go to factormeals.com/doinit50 for 50% off your first box! 25:13 Steven’s first and only time doing standup 29:12 As The World Turns 34:23 Fran Drescher 39:07 What are you watching…online? Follow us on social media: @actua…

1
Episode 162 - Andrew Roffe 1:20:30

12M ago1:20:30

1:20:30

For his triumphant return, stand up comedian Andrew Roffe joins the Cripescast this week to share his best and worst memories from life on the road opening for Charlie. Like an old married couple, the two air their grievances, express their pet peeves, and Andrew suggests they go to couples counseling. They discuss some of their favorite video coll…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cristela Alonzo Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide