

City Cast Madison
City Cast
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 5, 2024 • 26min
Madison’s Best New Restaurants of 2024
It’s been a big year for Madison’s food and restaurant scene. To help us round up all of the exciting openings — and the disappointing closures — of 2024, Madison Magazine food editor Emma Waldinger made a list. She joins host Bianca Martin to talk about some of the highlights.🎧 City Cast Madison episodes mentioned on the show Meet Willy Street's New Weird Vegan WonderlandWhy This Madison Bar Went All In On Cheese You Need to Visit Madison’s Newest French BakeryMust See Madison: Your Guide to the New GreenbushWhy Morris Ramen ClosedThe Next Generation of Hạ Long BayJoin 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 December 5th episode here:
Jones Dairy Farm
BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST
Children's Theater of Madison
Madison Public Library Foundation

Dec 4, 2024 • 33min
Madison Alder Speaks Out After Allegations Against Fellow Council Member Surface
Since March of this year, multiple women have come forward with allegations against District 18 Ald. Charles Myadze that range from harassment to domestic abuse. In a statement provided to City Cast Madison, Myadze denied these allegations and an investigation recently found he was not in violation of any city ordinance. District 2 Ald. Juliana Bennett has since identified herself as one of the anonymous complainants in the investigation, and she sat down with host Bianca Martin to share her side of the story. Mentioned on the showMy Response to the Investigation and Censure Process [Ald. Charles Myadze]My Experience with Harassment and Hostility from Ald. Charles Myadze [Ald. Juliana Bennett]Resolution to censure Ald. Charles Myadze [City of 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! 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 December 4th episode here:
Jones Dairy Farm
BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST
Children's Theater of Madison
Big Brothers Big Sisters

Dec 3, 2024 • 24min
10 Years of Tone Madison: Arts, Politics, and Hot Takes
Ten years ago, Scott Gordon started a podcast to tell stories about Madison’s arts and culture scenes that no other local outlets were talking about. While it’s not a podcast anymore, these days you’ll find his stories and more on Tone Madison. This year, the local publication is celebrating a decade of storytelling. To reflect on the past 10 years and beyond, Scott joins City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin and Executive Producer Hayley Sperling.Celebrate with Tone Madison this week at their 10 year anniversary part at Gamma Ray Bar. 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 December 3rd episode here:
Jones Dairy Farm
BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST
Children's Theater of Madison
Music con Brio

Dec 2, 2024 • 29min
Your Guide To December 2024 in Madison
As December rolls in, Madison lights up with festive markets and cultural celebrations. Discover the magical atmosphere of holiday fairs and unique local artisans. Enjoy theatrical delights like A Christmas Carol and join in on the vibrant pop-up bars. Don’t miss out on community traditions at Olin Park and musical performances that bring everyone together. Embrace winter with ice skating and snowshoeing while planning for exciting New Year's Eve festivities. It’s all about joy, togetherness, and making the most of the holiday season!

Nov 27, 2024 • 26min
UWPD’s History: Gay Purges, Policing Students, & Breaking Protests
Why do so many college campuses across the U.S. have their own police force? And are they really necessary? Those are the questions at the core of the new “Reorientation” podcast produced by the Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History at UW-Madison. To get the scoop on UWPD’s checkered history and why the center chose to go down this rabbit hole, Host Bianca Martin spoke with the center’s director and podcast co-host Kacie Lucchini Butcher.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 November 27th episode here:
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Lake City Books

Nov 26, 2024 • 30min
Madison’s Best Accessible Parks, Restaurants, and Public Spaces
Are Madison’s restaurants, parks, and public spaces accessible to people of all abilities? More so than a lot of cities — but with plenty of room for improvement. On this week’s Must See Madison, host Bianca Martin sits down with disability advocates Autumn Neugent and Martha Siravo to talk about which Madison businesses are doing accessibility well, what steps the city can take to improve accessibility further, and how we can treat each other with empathy rather than sympathy when offering assistance to our neighbors.Check out Martha and Autumn’s adaptive dance nonprofit, Wheels & Heels.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 November 25th episode here:Lake City Books

Nov 25, 2024 • 25min
How To Prep Your Home for Winter in Madison
Winter is here and now is the time to make sure your house is properly prepped for the season. But where should you start? Home maintenance maven and social media superstar Mercury Stardust joins Host Bianca Martin to share their tips for getting your house or apartment ready for the cold months.Looking for more home repair tips? Check out our previous conversation with Mercury. Plus, check out Mercury’s podcast, Handy Ma’am Hotline.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 November 25th episode here:Lake City Books

Nov 22, 2024 • 31min
Council Calls For Censure, MMSD Superintendent Named in Lawsuit, and Restaurant News
This week on the Friday news roundup, host Bianca Martin talks with Madison Ald. MGR Govindarajan about his efforts to formally censure fellow Ald. Charles Myadze following allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Executive producer Hayley Sperling has the latest on a Minnesota lawsuit that involves Madison Superintendent Joe Gothard. And Newsletter Editor Rob Thomas gives the team an update on some local restaurants.Mentioned on the show:Why So Many Public Officials Have Called For a Madison Alder’s Resignation [ 🎧City Cast Madison]MPD asks hunters to keep an eye out for missing person during gun deer season [Channel 3000]Do you love Madison and have great audio skills? Apply to be the next Producer of 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! 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 November 22nd episode here:
DesignCraft Advertising
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Nov 21, 2024 • 23min
Where To Get Fed For Thanksgiving in Madison
Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and don’t forget the cranberry sauce! Thanksgiving is nearly here and if even the thought of cooking a big meal is stressing you out, sit back and relax because there are plenty of local spots that will help you out. To get a rundown of who’s serving dinner on the holiday and who’s got take-and-bake offerings, Executive Producer Hayley Sperling spoke with freelance reporter Nicole Haase who recently rounded up these local spots for the Cap Times.Looking for more options? We’ve got you covered.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 November 20th episode here:
DesignCraft Advertising
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Nov 20, 2024 • 24min
Why Madison’s Police Oversight Agencies Are the Most Empowered in the Country
In this conversation, Greg Gelembiuk, a data analyst at Madison’s Office of the Independent Monitor, sheds light on the unique powers of Madison's police oversight agencies, including their ability to subpoena. He discusses the crucial need for community involvement and adequate resources in the face of budget constraints. The talk explores innovative reforms, particularly mobile crisis response units, and highlights the importance of maintaining independence from political influence to ensure accountability and effective policing in the community.