City Cast Madison

TGIF! We made it to the end of another week, which means the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news. This week, we welcome a special guest, Wisconsin Public Radio Producer Richelle Wilson. Richelle brings a story about a possible long lost Van Gogh painting discovered at a Minnesota garage sale and the UW professor that was tapped to help determine its legitimacy. Executive Producer Hayley Sperling tells us about the letter UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin signed condemning political interference in higher education. And Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos fills us in about the Mifflin Street Block Party, the Crazylegs Classic, and what streets to avoid this Saturday.   Plus, we tell you how to become a City Cast Madison Neighbor!Mentioned on the show:Judge Rules in Favor of UW International Student [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]Chancellor Mnookin on Federal Interference [University of Wisconsin-Madison]MPD Adopts Amnesty Policy [City of Madison]Balcony Collapse During 2022 Mifflin Street Block Party [Wisconsin State Journal]Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 25th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Cozy Earth - Use code COZYMADISON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Derek Thompson on AI, abundance, and human progress from Possible.Follow the show: Possible Why can the United States government help make a vaccine in a year but not build a high-speed train in a reasonable timeframe? What if our biggest problems—affordable housing shortages, energy limits, and scientific slowdowns—aren’t inevitable, but chosen?This week, Reid and Aria sit down with Derek Thompson—staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the podcast Plain English—to explore how a scarcity mindset is holding American society back. They cover how AI can revolutionize scientific discovery; what Operation Warp Speed got right; and why real progress depends on bold policy, not just better technology. Plus, Reid joins Derek in the hotseat for some “Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right?”—a game co-created with ChatGPT to discuss ideas in Derek’s new best-selling book, Abundance. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ Select mentions: Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson“The Anti-Social Century” Every Cure co-founder Dr. David Fajgenbaum Topics:1:06 – Episode introduction2:34 – What year would Derek choose to be born and why?7:14 – What can AI do as a co-author that Ezra Klein can't, and what are Ezra's irreplaceable strengths?9:08 – AI's impact on the future of work — what AI can and can't do — and what the enduring role of humans will be.12:00 – The situation with current tariffs, and the potential fixes or silver linings.14:28 – Operation Warp Speed and other examples of abundance in the U.S. and beyond.19:39 – What specific government policies could effectively leverage AI to speed up the creation of abundance?22:40 – Midroll22:49 – Derek and Reid play a fun game based on Abundance: “Too much, too little, or just right?” 30:46 – What's needed to better incentivize scientific progress and foster innovation?39:22 – How could society and our relationship with technology be reframed to combat the loneliness epidemic?45:08 – Derek identifies specific policies that currently hinder abundance and suggests new ones that could promote it.49:45 – Rapid-fire QuestionsPossible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

Two Madison culinary talents are about to hit the big time — reality TV style. Vintage Brewing Company executive chef Jake Lawler will be making his television debut on “Yes, Chef!”, a new high-pressure cooking competition judged by culinary legends Martha Stewart and José Andrés that premieres April 28. Meanwhile, local software developer Daniel Freiburger is whipping up sweet treats on “The Great American Baking Show.” Host Bianca Martin chats with one of our favorite food pros, food and culture editor Lindsay Christians of the Cap Times, about what it means to see Madison’s food scene represented on a national stage. Plus, we take a look back at other Madisonians who’ve been cooking on our screens recently.Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 24th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring has sprung and the birds are singing! On today’s show, host Bianca Martin chats with Dexter Patterson AKA the Wisco Birder to dish on birding, community building, and Patterson’s new book. Salamanders and baby goats even make an appearance too.Want to learn how to bird? This event at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center on Saturday is for you.Plus, learn more about Fat Bird Week.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  🏠 Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 23rd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Earth Day! The annual event celebrating environmental protections is observed across the globe. But did you know it was a Wisconsin senator who formalized the event? And that’s not all. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been home to some of the most prolific environmentalists of the last two centuries, and the work of Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations has kept the state an environmental leader. To celebrate Earth Day and learn more about Wisconsin’s conservationist history, we spoke to Curt Meine, a senior fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 22nd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code COZYMADISON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal support for the humanities dates back decades but it all came to a sudden halt with one email sent the night of April 2. The acting chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities announced all federal funding for state humanities programming would be eliminated immediately. So where do we go from here? That’s exactly what the folks at the nonprofit Wisconsin Humanities are wondering. We sat down with their communications director Jessica Becker to find out what comes next.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 21st episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Friday! The City Cast Madison team is here with another Friday news roundup — but this time with a twist. Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians joins the show to give a sneak peek at the Overture Center’s 2025-26 season. Newsletter editor Rob Thomas gives an update on Madison’s city clerk and executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into the questions surrounding the county’s contracts with local nonprofit Urban Triage.  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 18th episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center District Council of Madison Out Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you heard of the hot new restaurant on State Street that is open every night until 2 a.m.? Izakaya Kuroyama brings the tradition of Japanese street food to Madison and offers a much needed new option to the late-night food scene. Owner Hugo Leung joins Bianca Martin to explain the culture behind izakaya, characterized by shared small plates, plenty of drinks, and chance to relax after a long work day.Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 16th episode:Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% offJones Dairy FarmGoodman Community CenterDistrict Council of MadisonOut Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring is here and it’s time to get outside and enjoy all the city has to offer. With so many trails and parks , Madison is a runner’s dream. But it can be hard to know which running route is right for you. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered. We spoke with local runner Paul Miller, who’s also on the board of the Movin’ Shoes Running Club, to find out what some of Madison’s best running routes are and to get some tried and true tips for beginners and veteran runners.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 16th episode:Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% offJones Dairy FarmGoodman Community CenterDistrict Council of MadisonOut Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watching homemade porn in a room full of strangers might not be everyone’s ideal weekend plan, but longtime sex and relationship columnist Dan Savage hopes you’ll give it a chance. Savage’s indie porn film festival is celebrating 20 years and is screening at the Barrymore Theatre this weekend.We talked to Savage ahead of the showing to talk about the festival’s impact, his Madison connections, and the importance of community in turbulent times. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 15th episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Cozy Earth - Use code COZYMADISON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center District Council of Madison Out Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices