Best Milwaukee Public Radio Podcasts (2025)

1
'New ways of rebuilding': Milwaukee food pantries form coalition to meet demand 4:49

8h ago4:49

4:49

While the longest federal government shutdown in history ended Nov. 12, its impact on vulnerable communities continues. An emergency Milwaukee community-wide food drive is continuing to respond to the increased need.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'It's just another opportunity to save a building': Mover's mission at data center site 5:48

5h ago5:48

5:48

A man who moves buildings for a living hopes to relocate homes and barns that otherwise will be demolished as a Port Washington data center complex takes shape.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Capitol Notes: Political implications of data centers in Wisconsin 12:44

3h ago12:44

12:44

Tech companies are trying to build data centers all over Wisconsin. Here's what to know.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Are there rules governing data center water usage? 6:37

3h ago6:37

6:37

Data centers are known for using huge amounts of water. Is that water usage regulated? If so, by whom?By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
How A Merrill Veteran’s Military Service Led Him To A Pastoral Vocation

3d ago

—

For Yauo Yang, inclusion is a guiding principle. He moved to Wisconsin as a child and went on to join the Army National Guard, where he taught fellow U.S. soldiers about Hmong history. After his service, he became a pastor and founded a church in central Wisconsin. Yang shares his experience as part of StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative, which …

1
Chew on this: the life of Milwaukee's urban river beavers 5:45

14m ago5:45

5:45

Beavers have been reintroduced into Milwaukee's waterways for over a decade. A Bubbler Talk listener wanted to know more.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Chew on this: the life of Milwaukee's urban river beavers 5:45

2h ago5:45

5:45

Beavers have been reintroduced into Milwaukee's waterways for over a decade. A Bubbler Talk listener wanted to know more.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
City of Milwaukee STI clinic closes temporarily, due to staffing woes 2:07

6h ago2:07

2:07

The City of Milwaukee's sexual and reproductive health clinic at Keenan Health Center is temporarily closed due to staffing shortages.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
The Trump admin cut money for Wisconsin schools to buy local produce. What now? 4:07

15h ago4:07

4:07

The Trump administration cut the USDA's Local Food Purchase Assistance Program in March. It allowed schools to buy local farmers' food.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Fruition Cafe feeds body, soul as part of Near West Side resurgence 7:51

13h ago7:51

7:51

Everybody needs nourishment. It’s at the top of the list for survival. But it’s not the end of the list. Tiffany Miller was well aware of that as she made plans for what would become Fruition Cafe. Located in the Concordia 27 Building on the corner of 27th and Wells, the space opened in July 2024 with what you’d expect from the name: coffee, tea, k…

1
New children’s book honors the Edmund Fitzgerald and a late Wisconsin author

1h ago

—

When the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior in 1975, 29 people lost their lives. To this day, it’s considered the largest shipwreck on the Great Lakes. WPR’s Bridgit Bowden brings us this story about a children’s book about the Fitzgerald, and the author who wrote it: “Ellie’s Pursuit of the Mighty Fitz” by Mckenzie Lee Williams.…

1
What could a 'conga line in hell' sound like? This Halloween concert had the answer 3:42

1h ago3:42

3:42

A Halloween concert at the Milwaukee Art Museum featured work from composers reflecting on Día de los Muertos.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
UWM food pantry sees increased demand during government shutdown 4:30

2d ago4:30

4:30

The uncertainty over FoodShare benefits, caused by the federal government shutdown, has some college students wondering where their next meal will come from.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Violins from the Holocaust era give life to Jewish musicians' stories 5:03

8h ago5:03

5:03

An exhibition featuring violins owned and played by Jewish musicians and others who were targeted by Nazis — before and during the Holocaust — just opened at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Milwaukee conguera, Bony Benavides, is shaping music one drum strike at a time 4:38

4h ago4:38

4:38

Where in the world is Bony Benavides? The Milwaukee conguera, or conga drummer, is making her mark in the traditionally male-dominated field of percussion.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Demand for Milwaukee food pantry triples amid FoodShare freeze 4:25

3h ago4:25

4:25

As the federal government shutdown continues, Milwaukee food pantries are seeing a growing need from people whose FoodShare benefits have been cut off.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Unearthing the history of Milwaukee’s celery farms 7:37

2h ago7:37

7:37

Celery is green, crunchy and flavorful. But did you know it also has a history in Milwaukee? "Bubbler Talk" takes a deep dive into this little-known chapter of the city’s history.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Queen of the Beatniks: Remembering ‘Chippewa Girl’ Judy Henske

4d ago

—

In the early 1960s, New York City’s “Queen of the Beatniks” was a young woman from Chippewa Falls. Judy Henske wowed audiences for decades with her deep, soulful voice … sadly passing away in 2022 at age 85. Writer Patti See looks back on Henske’s talent and western Wisconsin’s influence on the singer.…

1
Unearthing the history of Milwaukee’s celery farms 7:36

1h ago7:36

7:36

Celery is green, crunchy and flavorful. But did you know it also has a history in Milwaukee? "Bubbler Talk" takes a deep dive into this little-known chapter of the city’s history.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Students shy away from disagreement in class. One Marquette program is changing that 4:29

12d ago4:29

4:29

College professors report less student participation in class, rooted in a fear of disagreement. A Marquette University program is trying to change that.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Corey Behnke from CheeseheadTV! 39:34

5h ago39:34

39:34

Inside Wisconsin x CheeseheadTV! 🧀 Join us! Let's go Inside Wisconsin with Corey Behnke of CheeseheadTV & LiveX—on Packers fandom, live production wizardry, and building community around Green Bay. 👉 Watch now: YouTube.com/InsideWisconsin 🎧 Or listen wherever you get podcasts.By John Anderson & Trevor Thomas

1
AfterDark gives Milwaukee’s storytellers a place to shine 22:00

2d ago22:00

22:00

The driving force behind Uniquely Milwaukee is storytelling. Most of the time, it comes in the form of a news-style piece. But this episode breaks from that while still putting at its center the stories that get to the core of how we as humans connect and better understand one another. Sharing our experiences helps us be more compassionate and can …

1
Bay View bakery creates 'community gift card' to help SNAP recipients 2:28

9d ago2:28

2:28

As the federal government shutdown continues, the future of SNAP food benefits is uncertain. That’s why Gather Bakehouse in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood created a community gift card.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Mexican folk dance and ofrendas at Latino Arts' Día de los Muertos celebration 4:30

23h ago4:30

4:30

All across Milwaukee Oct. 31-Nov. 2, people celebrated Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. At Latino Arts on the south side of the city, a group remembered and preserved the past through dance, music and movement.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Why is there so much asparagus growing along the side of the road in Wisconsin?

6d ago

—

When you’re driving through Wisconsin, you might pass the time by trying to spot out-of-state license plates or unusual billboards. Some Wisconsinites, however, are on the lookout for wild veggies, specifically, asparagus. But why is asparagus so prominent along the roadsides in Wisconsin, and how did it get there? WPR’s Sarah Lehr digs into the an…

1
Short film explores Milwaukee's Chinese immigrant history 4:27

13d ago4:27

4:27

For over a century, Chinese immigrants in Milwaukee owned dozens of laundries to provide for their families. A local filmmaker is telling that story through the recent unveiling of a historical marker.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Capitol Notes: The shutdown continues 13:35

15d ago13:35

13:35

Some states have declared a state of emergency as FoodShare benefits pause because of the federal government shutdown. Wisconsin has not taken action. Why is that?By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Exchanging cultures at the Walker Square Farmers Market 3:50

6d ago3:50

3:50

Farmers markets take a community’s taste buds, culture and talent and put them on display.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'Catastrophic': Government shutdown will slash food assistance, 2 Head Start programs in WI 2:27

15d ago2:27

2:27

Food assistance programs and two Head Start centers in Wisconsin are shuttered. Why kids lose the most when the government shuts down.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Wisconsin farmers are adapting to climate change impacts on their farms 4:59

18d ago4:59

4:59

There are varying opinions on the realities of climate change, which is backed by science. But at least one group of people is close enough to the effects of it to have a more insightful perspective: farmers.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
The story behind the lone high-rise in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood 4:16

16d ago4:16

4:16

One Bay View building is not like the others. Bay View Terrace is 25-story condominium surrounded by single family homes.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Stability or speculation: What community land trusts teach us about affordable housing 4:32

7d ago4:32

4:32

Community land trusts offer housing affordability for the price of reduced appreciation. In Milwaukee and nationwide, they're showing they can be a limited solution to housing affordability, while teaching us why homes are so expensive in the first place.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Ghost stories: The spirits inside Café Corazón and Radio Milwaukee 25:51

7d ago25:51

25:51

Do you believe in ghosts? With Halloween followed closely by Dia de los Muertos, we’re right in the middle of spooky season — the perfect time to explore and answer that question. In this episode, we take a tour of Café Corazón, a restaurant in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood that some say is haunted. Guided by general manager DeVante Lisch, alo…

1
Alice’s Garden: Where culture and agriculture meet in Milwaukee 4:32

7d ago4:32

4:32

Alice's Garden Urban Farm has been growing in Milwaukee for over 50 years and its mission is to bring culture into agriculture.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
In wake of FoodShare pause, Milwaukeeans asked to donate to city and county-wide food drive 2:52

11d ago2:52

2:52

People can volunteer or donate nonperishable food or money. Donations go directly to food pantries.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'What America is about': Historical marker honors Milwaukee's Chinese Laundry Era 2:30

8d ago2:30

2:30

A new state historical marker in Milwaukee honors the city’s Chinese Laundry Era.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Outdoorspeople in Wisconsin have mixed views on the need for climate action 4:49

8d ago4:49

4:49

Most people across the globe want their governments to act on climate change. In some countries, as much as 89% of the population is in that camp, according to a scientific journal called "Nature Climate Change."By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Spilling the beans on the Kinship Urban Farm operations   4:11

8d ago4:11

4:11

Kinship Community Food Center is helping Milwaukeeans in five different zip codes fight against food insecurity with their farm fresh model.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Lessons from the ghost in my room: A story from Ex Fabula

17d ago

—

By [email protected] (Wisconsin Public Radio)

1
Local farmers turn gravel to greenery to supply fresh food 4:35

21d ago4:35

4:35

Crops on Top and Hundred Acre Farm are putting in the work to supply Milwaukee's residents, restaurants and schools with farm fresh ingredients.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Government shutdown will delay FoodShare benefits for thousands of Wisconsinites 4:17

22d ago4:17

4:17

Millions of recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could see their food assistance delayed in November, due to the federal government shutdown.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
Farming Beginnings: How Will Allen shaped urban agriculture 4:30

22d ago4:30

4:30

To kick off WUWM's new series, "Feeding the City: The People Powering Local Food," Eric Von Fellow Maria Peralta-Arellano chats with Will Allen, who is credited with starting urban agriculture in Milwaukee.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
What to know about DHS detaining U.S. Citizens 4:52

25d ago4:52

4:52

A recent report by ProPublica has found that the Department of Homeland Security and ICE has detained more than 170 U.S. citizens in their immigration crackdowns. Here's who has been swept up and what this means for constitutional rights across the nation.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'Profoundly tragic': Religious, labor leaders call out multicultural staff cuts at MATC 3:31

25d ago3:31

3:31

MATC fired four staff in its multicultural department after threats of investigation by the Department of Education this summer.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

301
Wisconsin filmmaker directs reimagined 50-year-old cult classic film for Halloween release

13d ago

—

Fifty years after it first terrified — and amused — audiences, “The Giant Spider Invasion” is crawling back onto the screen. The cult classic about extraterrestrial, blood thirty spiders was filmed in the Gleason, Wisconsin area and is beloved by campy horror fans. It even got the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment.Now, “The Giant Spider Invasi…

1
Remembering when Marian Anderson, world-famous contralto, shared her voice with Milwaukee 4:16

14d ago4:16

4:16

On this Bubbler Talk, WUWM's Teran Powell looks into this question: Did Marian Anderson ever visit and sing in Milwaukee? If so, where did she stay, as individuals who were Black were not allowed to stay in hotels in the past.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
'Dismissed:' Cap Times uncovers investigations into sexual misconduct, grooming by teachers 4:30

26d ago4:30

4:30

The Cap Times found that nearly 200 school employees were investigated for sexual misconduct and grooming. Their records are not easily accessible by the public.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

1
There’s a Third Space for the city’s art community in Merrill Park 17:37

21d ago17:37

17:37

The outside of Third Space Collective MKE is hard to miss: a black door with vibrant colors streaming down, as if the paint was striving desperately to spill out onto the sidewalk. The goal of Third Space Collective MKE is something that hasn’t always been easy to find in Milwaukee: an art gallery that also serves as an incubator for creatives, par…

1
World Champion Track & Field Cheesehead - Green Bay's Cordell Tinch! 1:24:59

16d ago1:24:59

1:24:59

Team USA’s 110M Hurdles World Champion—and Green Bay native—Cordell Tinch is our next guest on the Inside Wisconsin Podcast! 💥 Cordell’s story is packed with trials, triumphs, lessons, leadership… plus gaming, a little WWE, and now a laser focus on a world record and Olympic gold. 🥇🔥 Watch the full episode on YouTube.com/InsideWisconsin and listen …

1
‘Something isn’t adding up’: Milwaukee residents raise safety concerns at assembly 2:30

28d ago2:30

2:30

Over 800 Milwaukee-area residents shared concerns about public safety and poor living conditions at Common Ground's 2025 fall assembly.By WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Milwaukee Public Radio Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide