
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

Jun 5, 2025 • 37min
Who’s Got the Best Ice Cream in Madison?
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, so you can bet Madison knows a thing or two about ice cream. But with such an abundance of flavors to choose from, whose cream reigns supreme? The whole City Cast Madison crew is on a mission to find out. Listen in as we eat our way through Madison’s best ice cream. You’ll never guess who our favorite is.
🍦 You know what else is sweet? Victory. We’re in the running for Madison Magazine’s 2025 Best of Madison competition and would love your support. Vote for City Cast Madison in the Best Local Podcast and Local News Website categories.
🔥 Got hot takes on our ice cream ratings? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 608-318-3367 to let us know what you think!
Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.
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 5th episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 4, 2025 • 27min
It’s Crunch Time For the Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to issue a host of decisions on some major legal cases this month. What’s the rush? Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is retiring and the justices must issue decisions on all of the cases they’ve heard arguments for before the term ends on June 30. The clock is ticking. To get the details on the court’s inner workings and the cases before it, we spoke with Erin McGroarty, the state government and disinformation reporter at the Cap Times.
⚖️ Plus, the jury is still out on this year’s Best of Madison winners and we’re looking for your support! Vote for us in Madison Magazine’s 2025 Best of Madison contest! 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 4th episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 3, 2025 • 31min
What To Expect From Madison’s Newest Music Venue
Been to any good shows lately? Madison is getting a brand new music venue in a historic east side building later this month. Atwood Music Hall opens June 13 with a star-studded show and continues the month with a nod to all the talent Madison has to offer. Ahead of the opening, host Bianca Martin sat down with venue owner Toffer Christensen to learn about the new space and get his takes on where Madison’s music scene is thriving and where it’s falling flat.
🗳️ Like what we’re doing? Vote for us in Madison Magazine’s 2025 Best of Madison contest! 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 3rd episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Thrill Factory
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 2, 2025 • 33min
How Queer Friendly is Madison, Really?
It’s officially June, which means it’s Pride Month, y’all! On paper, Madison is a pretty queer-friendly city. Many of our government officials, from City Council to the U.S. Senate, identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The city and county are both self-proclaimed trangender sanctuaries. We also have tons of queer-owned businesses, several LGBTQ+ non-profits, and drag shows galore. But even with all of that, there’s still room for growth. So today we’re asking the question — how queer friendly is Madison, really?
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 2nd episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 2025 • 34min
Nurses Strike, Missing Boater Recovered, New Building Developments in Bloom
It may have been a shortened week but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a newsy one! The City Cast Madison team is here for the Friday news roundup to fill you in on the stories you need to know. Host Bianca Martin has the latest on the historic UnityPoint Health - Meriter nurses strike. Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos gives a sobering update on the search for a missing boater on Lake Monona. And executive producer Hayley Sperling gives the scoop on some new apartments popping up around town.
Mentioned on the show:
Madison hotel with chronic police calls reopens as a studio apartment building [Wisconsin State Journal]
First tenants enter Bakers Place, Madison’s mass timber high-rise [Cap 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!
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 May 30th episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Wisco Home Goods
Thrill Factory
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 2025 • 34min
Your Guide To June 2025 in Madison
Summer is here! The city is buzzing with life and the City Cast Madison team is here with tips for how to make the most out of June in Madison. From festivals and flotillas to pinball and heavy metal, there’s truly something for everyone. Are you ready for it?
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 May 29th episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Wisco Home Goods
Thrill Factory
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 2025 • 21min
Don’t Miss Morel Season in Madison
It’s mushroom season y’all! And more importantly, it’s morel mushroom season. These coveted fungi can fetch $50 per pound at your local farmers’ market. But they’re free to pick in state parks and forests — if you can find them. So where do you look? We turned to expert Melissa Klotka to find out.
This show originally aired on May 25, 2023.
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 May 28th episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Wisco Home Goods
Thrill Factory
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 2025 • 38min
Madison’s Most Toxic Traits
None of us are perfect. Everyone’s got that thing they do as a Madisonian that could be considered toxic, whether it's actually hurting somebody else or not. It’s time to spill the tea on Madison’s most toxic traits, from bad manners on the bike trail to the sorry state of our lakes. The City Cast Madison team dishes on our hot takes, plus we hear from you! What’s Madison’s most toxic trait? Tune in to find out.
Have toxic thoughts of your own? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and you might hear it on the show: 608-318-3367
You can also email madison@citycast.fm and find us 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 May 27th episode:
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Wisco Home Goods
Thrill Factory
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 23, 2025 • 29min
Nurses Set to Strike, Exciting Local Groundbreakings, and Election Season Already?!
Buckle up because it’s time for another Friday news roundup! The City Cast Madison podcast team is here to break down the biggest local stories of the week. Producer Jade Iseri-Ramos has news on some exciting new construction around town, including a new 911 operations center and the Imagination Center. Executive producer Hayley Sperling has the latest on the impending nurses’ strike. And host Bianca Martin brings us into election season with Judge Chris Taylor’s announcement that she’s running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Mentioned on the show:
Madison Public Library’s 150th Anniversary Parties
The growing burden of workplace violence against healthcare workers: trends in prevalence, risk factors, consequences, and prevention – a narrative review [NIH]
What To Do on Memorial Day Weekend in Madison [Madison Minutes]
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 May 23rd episode:
Northwestern Mutual
FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7)
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Correction: The ‘Memorial Mile’ Veterans for Peace display can be seen along Atwood Avenue by Olbrich Park. Not Olin Park. We apologize for this mix up. You can check out the display through Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2025 • 29min
Madison’s Hottest New Restaurants
Madison’s restaurant scene is growing, and fast. Blink and you just might miss your next favorite place to eat. To catch us up on what’s new and notable in town, we chat with Lindsay Christians, food and culture editor at the Cap Times. Her latest article highlights 24 newly opened restaurants in Madison, as well as some recent closures. Hungry? Let’s dig in.
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 May 22nd episode:
Northwestern Mutual
FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7)
Loop the Lake - Clean Lakes Alliance: Use code BIKE10 to save 10%
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices