
City Cast Madison
Join us 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. Host Bianca Martin collects people wherever she goes, like an endless conga line. On City Cast Madison, she peers into our city’s soul with a journalist’s skepticism and an optimist’s heart.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 48min
Is Madison the Best Summer City in the US?
Bianca Martin and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle festivals to Elvis impersonators driving pink convertibles, our hosts are bringing the best of the best of what their city has to offer. Did your city win?
Take our interactive quiz to see which city best fits YOUR vibe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 33min
Reimagining State Street, July 4th Festivities, and Name That Flamingo!
Surprise! The City Cast Madison team is here to give you a MIDWEEK round up of the news. Host Bianca Martin chats with producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas about a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision regarding UW nurses, potential changes coming to State Street, and Independence Day Celebrations. Plus, we try our hand at naming flamingos. Mentioned on the show:
Wisconsin Supreme Court Expect to Rule Wednesday on 1849 Abortion Ban [WPR]Where to See Fireworks in Madison [Cap Times]
2015 Removal of Philosophers Stones [Isthmus]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.
🏠 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 1, 2025 • 39min
Your Guide to July 2025 in Madison
Believe it or not, it’s already July! Madison is bringing the heat this month with plenty of local festivities to enjoy. From Fourth of July fireworks to a magical pop-up bar, we’ve got lots of recommendations to make the most out of your month.
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2025 • 30min
Meet the Drag Dynasties Who Rule Madison
Pride Month may be coming to an end, but we’re sending it out with a bang and a twirl, and plenty of glitter. That’s right, girls, we’re talking about drag! Madison has become a hotbed for popular drag performers, and their acts are about so much more than feather boas and bingo. It’s a community, and in some cases, a chosen family. To learn more about drag culture and the family dynasties that rule in Madison, we caught up with local drag icons Bianca Lynn Breeze and her drag daughter Victoria Lynn.
‼️ Plus, it’s the LAST DAY to vote for us in Best of Madison! Cast your votes for City Cast Madison in the best podcast and local news website categories.
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 27, 2025 • 45min
Summer Floodin’, Education Budgets, and Supreme Court Roundup
It’s that time of the week again — time for the Friday news roundup! This week the City Cast Madison crew is here to give you the (soggy) details on this week’s flooding, explain some highs and lows happening around education funding, and give you the scoop on the latest decisions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Plus, don’t get stuck in Morgan Wallen traffic this weekend.
Mentioned on the show:
Get Your Home in Tip Top Shape This Spring [ 🎧City Cast Madison]
Are You Prepared for Severe Weather in Madison? [🎧City Cast Madison]
MMSD Budget information
Message from UW leadership on budget reductions [UW-Madison]
Federal Funding Cuts Could Be “Disastrous” for UW [🎧City Cast Madison]
It’s Crunch Time For the Wisconsin Supreme Court [🎧City Cast Madison]
Beach & Lake Water Quality [PHMDC]
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Morgan Wallen Concerts at Camp Randall Stadium [City of Madison]
🏆The clock is ticking! Time is officially running out to vote for City Cast Madison in the 2025 Best of Madison poll. So what are you waiting for? Vote for us in the best local podcast and best local news website categories. Polls close June 30.
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.
🏠 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.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 27th episode:
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Merchant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 26, 2025 • 24min
Meet the Team Behind Madison's Smash Hit Food Truck
Now that it's food truck season in Madison, keep an eye out for that big, purple truck that took the city by storm last year! This purveyor of smash burgers and churros, Cinn City Smash, is just starting its third year making the rounds at local bars and festivals. So, we're bringing back a conversation host Bianca Martin had with the truck's owners — and long-time friends — Rutger Schiesser and Maximus “Noodle” Perdomo, about how they got started, their secret to success, and why you should give their food a try.
This show originally aired October 17, 2024.
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.
🏠 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.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode:
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Merchant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 29min
Go Beyond Picnic Point With These Madison Hiking Trails
Water bottle? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Hiking shoes and thick socks?? Check and check. Summer is the best time to get outside and explore Madison’s hiking trails. From the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to the UW-Madison Arboretum, there’s no shortage of places to explore around the isthmus. To get the scoop on the best trails for every ability and occasion, we turned to local author and the new Madison Public Library naturalist-in-residence, Andrea Debbink.
Check out Andrea’s guide to Madison’s trails here and learn more about her residency events here.
🏆 It’s the last week to vote for City Cast Madison in the 2025 Best of Madison awards! So what are you waiting for? Cast your vote for us in the best podcast and local news website categories.
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. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode:
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Merchant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 24, 2025 • 32min
Your Guide to 2025 Concerts on the Square
What do Motown, Mozart, and “Dark Side of the Moon” all have in common? The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will be paying tribute to all of them in their annual six-week free outdoor concert series. Concerts on the Square is a Madison summer favorite that will attract thousands to the capitol each Wednesday through the end of July. Will you be one of them?
To learn more, executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with WCO Music Director Andrew Sewell about what is in store this year, and what you should know before you go.
🏅Help us win Best of Madison! Vote for City Cast Madison in Madison Magazine’s annual competition here. We’re in the running for best local podcast and news website.
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.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode:
Merchant
Wisco Home Goods
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 28min
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Is Threatening Abortion Access in Madison
As it stands, abortion access in Wisconsin is extremely limited. Of the 72 counties in the state, only three have abortion providers. That limited access hinges on the next few weeks. Any day now, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to rule on the validity of an 1849 law which some interpret as an abortion ban. Meanwhile, national lawmakers are working on a budget reconciliation bill – One Big Beautiful Bill Act – which in part includes defunding Planned Parenthood.
To understand what is at stake, host Bianca Martin spoke with Planned Parenthood Wisconsin’s CEO Tanya Atkinson and manager of Planned Parenthood - Madison South Health Center Tenisha Garner.
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. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 23rd episode:
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Merchant
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 20, 2025 • 1h 2min
Here's What 13 US Cities Are Talking About This Summer | A City Cast Madison Special
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what's happening in our communities. So Bianca Martin and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode:
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Wisco Home Goods
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Merchant by Rule No. One Hospitality Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices