The Husbands of Target are back. This week, Taylor Calmus, Penn Holderness, and Myles Montplaisir join the show for a reunion episode of the Cripescast. The boys get cozy in Charlie’s hotel room to reflect on their 2020 viral sketch and how it led them to shooting national advertisements with Target this year. No topic goes untouched as they debate…

Most people know Don Davey as a former defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. But that’s only where his list of accomplishments begins. After earning his Master’s of Engineering at UW Madison and getting drafted by the Packers in 1991, he played for a total of 9 seasons in the NFL. Don’s transition out of pro footb…

Comedian Nate Russ’ hard work is paying off. After 10 years of creating content, Nate’s comedy series “Buggin” recently went viral and transformed his career into something he never imagined. With the first video earning over 25 million views on Instagram alone, and its sequels not far behind, he’s taking the opportunity to capitalize on the moment…

Whether you watched him compete on Hell’s Kitchen or you’ve been to his Milwaukee restaurant Egg & Flour, it’s safe to say that Adam Pawlak knows a thing or two about food. From humble beginnings as a Jimmy John’s cashier, to becoming a sous chef, an executive chef and now the owner of his own restaurant, he made his lifelong dreams of working in t…

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…

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…

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 …

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.”…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…