
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

Apr 1, 2024 • 26min
Your Guide to Madison in April
Spring has sprung and Madison is bursting with life! The City Cast Madison team is here to round up a few of our favorite things. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz share some of our picks for getting out and about in April. 🎸Get your Sh!tty Barn tickets for the summer on April 1st. 🗳️Don’t forget to vote April 2nd!🐽Learn about the barons of our food system with Austin Frerick on April 2nd📚Feed your mind with Ijeoma Oluo on April 2nd🎵See Herbie Hancock here on April 3rd! 🎞️Check out the Wisconsin Film Festival from April 4 - 11th or listen to our sneak preview 🎧🤖Discuss AI and journalism’s future with Julia Angwin on April 5th🏍️See Angels of Dirt on April 7th💅Dance your heart out at the Dyke Dive: Pink Pony Club on April 13th 🖼️Hunt for gems at the Collectibles Flea Market on April 14th 🪗Give polka a try at the Polka Party on April 18th🫧 Treat yourself at Kosa Spa on April 19th 🧥Find treasures at the Midwest Vintage Flea on April 20th🎶Pick up a few new albums at Record Store Day on April 20th or stop by the afterparty 📓Swap ‘zines at the Print and Resist Zine Fest on April 27thWanna 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 29, 2024 • 27min
The Uninstructed Vote, Amazon Drivers and DCI Agent Not Guilty
The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Bianca Martin, Hayley Sperling and Molly Stentz recap the movement to vote “uninstructed” in next Tuesday’s presidential preference election, the Wisconsin Supreme Court case that said Amazon drivers are workers, and the jury decision to acquit the Wisconsin Department of Justice agent who shot at Quadren Wilson.Mentioned on the show:What the 'uninstructed' movement means for Wisconsin voters, Biden's chances [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]Apply to be an election worker! [Madison City Clerk]Wisconsin Supreme Court lets ruling stand that declared Amazon drivers to be employees [AP]Wisconsin Supreme Court dismisses Amazon challenge to ruling that drivers are employees [WPR]State agent acquitted of recklessly firing gun during arrest of suspect in Madison [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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 2024 • 21min
Why This Madison Bar Went All In On Cheese
Chef Jacob Guyette, known for his work at Graze and L’Etoile, shares his journey of opening The Wedge, a Wisconsin-style tavern with a focus on fine cheeses. The podcast explores local cheese sourcing, community support, and the nostalgic ambiance of the bar. Learn about the unique cheese offerings, the challenges of starting a new venture, and the exciting beer and cheese pairings at this cozy retro bar in Madison.

Mar 27, 2024 • 23min
Where To Get Free Tax Help in Madison
April 15, the deadline to file your income taxes, is fast approaching. Each year, more than 1,500 volunteers trained by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, offer their time to help others with their taxes. These tax preparers help file individual income tax returns (Form 1040) for:
Low-to-moderate income individuals
Individuals with disabilities
Non-English speaking taxpayers
Military personnel
Senior individuals
Individuals who qualify for the homestead credit or the earned income credit
Bianca Martin speaks with Wisconsin Department of Revenue VITA-TCE Program Coordinator Juan Carlos Reyes to learn more. Looking for tax help or know someone who does? Call the Madison Public Library at 608‑266‑6350 to make an appointment. Schedule your appointment online to visit the Richard Dilley Tax Center at 2238 S. Park Street in Madison. IRS VITA Hotline: 800-906-9887Enter your zip code on this IRS website to find tax prep help near you. You can also call the United Way at 211 to get more information. Interested in becoming a volunteer for next season?Contact Juan Carlos Reyes at 608-266-2486 or juan.reyes@wisconsin.govWanna 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 26, 2024 • 25min
What’s On Your Ballot Next Tuesday
Next Tuesday, April 2, is election day. Spring elections mean local races – school board, county board, judges and other non-partisan races. There are also two constitutional amendments. Plus, you’ll vote on nominees to become official presidential candidates on ballots later this year. The big news of this election is the turnover happening in county government. What will it all mean? Bianca Martin speaks with Cap Times Local Government Reporter Allison Garfield to break it all down. 🗳️ Check out the Cap Times Voter Guide. 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25, 2024 • 21min
Madison’s Huge Gamble on Geothermal Technology
The City of Madison believes that geothermal energy is a technology that will help meet its climate goals. So much so, that they are investing in a huge heating and cooling upgrade to their “Triangle” public housing development. But what is geothermal technology anyway? City Cast’s Dylan Brogan sat down with Jon Evans, the Building Design Project Manager for Triangle project, to get the basics on this innovative, climate friendly technology. Is geothermal expensive to put in? What’s the cost savings over traditional heating systems? What makes it climate friendly? Geothermal 101 is right here!Here's the CDA's Geothermal Presentation 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 22, 2024 • 25min
West Side Housing Nightmare, Election Referenda, and Early Voting
It’s the Friday News Roundup! Host Bianca Martin and newsletter editor Hayley Sperling recap what’s behind the public outcry at this Tuesday’s city staff meeting on the city’s draft West Area Plan for housing growth. Plus, we round up what’s on Wisconsin’s 2024 spring election ballot and how to vote early.Mentioned on the show:Angry residents shout down city staff at meeting on draft west-side Madison zoning plan [ISTHMUS]Opinion | City hall is taking aim at Madison homeowners’ neighborhoods [Cap Times]Letter | No neighborhood can be spared in housing effort [Cap Times]What’s on your ballot [My Vote Wisconsin]Dane County spring election candidates [Dane County]What will the “uninstructed” vote say about Wisconsin? [TONE 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 21, 2024 • 24min
Why Morris Ramen Closed
The podcast discusses the closing of Morris Ramen in Madison, exploring the emotional journey of the co-owner and chef, Francesca Hong. It reflects on the challenges faced by downtown businesses during the pandemic and the strong bonds formed with customers. The episode also announces a job opening at City Cast Madison for a senior sales executive.

Mar 20, 2024 • 25min
New Peer Group Supports Madisonians After Prison
There’s a new peer support group for people who’ve served time in prison or jail and are now rebuilding their lives back in Madison society. It’s called Build Up and it’s run by Aaron Hicks and Frank Davis, through a partnership between The Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and UW-Madison. Bianca Martin talks to Aaron about why life after prison can be harder than you might think — and how to break the cycle of incarceration. 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 2024 • 22min
How to Fight a Parking Ticket in Madison
Parking tickets. We’ve all been there… rushing back to the meter just a few minutes too late or forgetting to move the car when the street sweepers come. And don’t get us started on Madison’s even-or-odd side snow-day shuffle. One man holds the power to take the sting out of those tickets... and he’s actually more reasonable than you might think. Madison Municipal Court Judge Dan Koval is on a mission to make Madison’s local court more accessible to the public. Bianca Martin talks to Judge Koval about what you can do about that ticket. Here’s how to start: Appeal your parking ticket online: https://parkingtickets.cityofmadison.com/ If you wanna request a court date to talk to Judge Koval, call (608) 266-4170.This episode originally aired on April 10, 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! 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 ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices