

City Cast Madison
City Cast
Join the City Cast Madison team every weekday morning for can’t-miss conversations about what’s happening in Madison, with a dose of local news to keep you up to speed. On City Cast Madison, host Bianca Martin collects people wherever she goes, like an endless conga line. She peers into our city’s soul with a journalist’s skepticism and an optimist’s heart. Whether you’re an OG Madisonian or a newcomer, all neighbors are welcome here. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter, Madison Minutes, at madison.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 20, 2026 • 28min
Drama Behind Madison Detox Center Closure
After more than a year of failed negotiations, Tellurian Behavioral Health’s detox center closed at the end of 2025, leaving the county without a partner to provide critical public health services. So what happened? The story is complicated to say the least. To help break it down, host Bianca Martin talks to Heidi Wegleitner, Dane County District 2 supervisor and chair of the Health and Human Needs Committee.
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 16, 2026 • 29min
Beltline Woes, Hip Hop Fest, and Public Market Update
TGIF, the City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and newsletter editor Rob Thomas chat about the pushback to proposed Beltline construction and who the vendors are at the soon-to-open Madison Public Market. Plus, hip hop artist Rob Dz is returning to the stage following a medical emergency last year. He chats with Bianca about what to expect at the WI Hip Hop Fest on Saturday.
Mentioned on the show:
MLK Day celebrations and events [City Cast Madison]
Give feedback on Beltline plans [Wisconsin Department of Transportation]
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 15, 2026 • 19min
Does This Go Together? And Other Questions Asked by Madison’s Fusion Trend Setters
The owners behind the Indian-Italian fusion restaurant Zafferano Ristorante are bringing a new concept to the Capitol Square. While their original restaurant sells 200 butter chicken pizzas a day, the new restaurant will feature a Mediterranean menu with East Asian flavors. Eloura is set to open in the former SASS location in February. Host Bianca Martin chats with co-owner Kalyani Venkatraman about the creativity and confidence it takes to create a fusion menu.
🥕 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!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 14, 2026 • 17min
Tips for Ice Fishing in Madison
Earlier this month, one unlucky angler dropped his wallet through the ice of Monona Bay, and spent his weekend on a recovery mission. Our friend Pat Hasburgh, owner of D&S Bait and Tackle, would probably recommend putting your wallet in a secure spot before hitting the ice. Pat has all kinds of tips for ice fishers and the curious. He chats with City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin about how to safely fish on the Madison’s lakes.
Pat is the voice behind the weekly fishing report at 608-BIG-FISH.
This year’s Kids Ice Fishing Day is Saturday, January 24th at Brittingham Park. Kids get a free rod and lunch!
This episode originally aired on February 5th, 2024.
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 13, 2026 • 34min
Are IVs Madison’s New Hot Wellness Item?
Maybe you’ve seen reality TV stars and influencers recover from a night out with an IV vitamin drip at their bedside and chalked it up to a luxury exclusively for the rich and famous. But accessing IVs outside of a hospital room has become more accessible in recent years. To understand the IV vitamin therapy trend, host Bianca Martin chats with Shahayra Majumder, franchise owner of Hydrate IV Bar, which is slated to open on Madison’s west side in March.
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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 12, 2026 • 25min
How Frank Lloyd Wright Created Madison’s Most Iconic Church
One of Madison’s coolest buildings celebrates a major milestone this year. The Unitarian Meeting House in Shorewood Hills is a noted architectural landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its unique and distinctive design has earned it national acclaim. This year, the building is celebrating its 75th birthday with an array of events. To get the scoop on this space, host Bianca Martin talks to March Schweitzer, president of the Friends of the Meeting House.
🥳 The celebrations start tomorrow! Learn more here.
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 9, 2026 • 37min
Data Center Debate, Spring Election Preview, and Badgers Go To the Olympics
Earlier this week, the village board in DeForest denied a petition from residents' to require a referendum before annexing the land of a future data center. Virginia-based company QTS has proposed a $12 billion data center on farmland just outside of town, and are negotiating with DeForest officials to bring utilities to the property. Host Bianca Martin breaks down the news with executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter editor Rob Thomas. Plus, who’s going to be on the 2026 spring election ballot, and why are there so many Badgers on the USA Olympic women’s hockey team?
Mentioned on the show:
Himal Chuli closed on New Years [Cap Times]Madison’s first woman’s sports bar [City Cast Madison]
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 8, 2026 • 24min
How to Feed Yourself During Sick Season in Madison
In the aftermath of folks getting together and traveling over the holidays, people are getting sick and feeling miserable. It’s time to break out the feel-better foods. Host Bianca Martin chats with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about what to cook and what to order when you’re under the weather.
This episode originally aired on February 20, 2025.
🥕 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!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 7, 2026 • 29min
How To Make the Most of a Madison Winter
Winter is in full force – even if the snow is slowly melting. From ice skating at one of Madison’s many outdoor rinks to snowshoeing in the park, our city is a winter wonderland. Host Bianca Martin chats with Destination Madison content manager Ashley Pettay about all the fun winter activities you should try this winter.
P.S. Check the status of the City of Madison’s 20 ice rinks here.
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Jan 6, 2026 • 27min
Wisconsin’s Legal Weed Market Is in Trouble
When lawmakers signed a federal spending bill to reopen the government after its longest closure in history, it also closed the loophole that had opened the door to the booming hemp-derived THC market seen across Wisconsin today. Now, the clock is ticking for state lawmakers to find a solution to regulate and potentially legalize cannabis products or see the end of this billion-dollar industry in Wisconsin. To get into the, ahem, weeds of it all, executive producer Hayley Sperling speaks with Phillip Scott, president and founder of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association, and owner of Crone Apothecary.
👋 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.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.


