City Cast Madison

Two Madison culinary talents are about to hit the big time — reality TV style. Vintage Brewing Company executive chef Jake Lawler will be making his television debut on “Yes, Chef!”, a new high-pressure cooking competition judged by culinary legends Martha Stewart and José Andrés that premieres April 28. Meanwhile, local software developer Daniel Freiburger is whipping up sweet treats on “The Great American Baking Show.” Host Bianca Martin chats with one of our favorite food pros, food and culture editor Lindsay Christians of the Cap Times, about what it means to see Madison’s food scene represented on a national stage. Plus, we take a look back at other Madisonians who’ve been cooking on our screens recently.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 April 24th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring has sprung and the birds are singing! On today’s show, host Bianca Martin chats with Dexter Patterson AKA the Wisco Birder to dish on birding, community building, and Patterson’s new book. Salamanders and baby goats even make an appearance too.Want to learn how to bird? This event at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center on Saturday is for you.Plus, learn more about Fat Bird Week.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.  🏠 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 April 23rd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Earth Day! The annual event celebrating environmental protections is observed across the globe. But did you know it was a Wisconsin senator who formalized the event? And that’s not all. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been home to some of the most prolific environmentalists of the last two centuries, and the work of Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations has kept the state an environmental leader. To celebrate Earth Day and learn more about Wisconsin’s conservationist history, we spoke to Curt Meine, a senior fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation.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 April 22nd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Cozy Earth - Use code COZYMADISON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal support for the humanities dates back decades but it all came to a sudden halt with one email sent the night of April 2. The acting chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities announced all federal funding for state humanities programming would be eliminated immediately. So where do we go from here? That’s exactly what the folks at the nonprofit Wisconsin Humanities are wondering. We sat down with their communications director Jessica Becker to find out what comes next.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 April 21st episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST District Council of Madison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Friday! The City Cast Madison team is here with another Friday news roundup — but this time with a twist. Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians joins the show to give a sneak peek at the Overture Center’s 2025-26 season. Newsletter editor Rob Thomas gives an update on Madison’s city clerk and executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into the questions surrounding the county’s contracts with local nonprofit Urban Triage.  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 April 18th episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center District Council of Madison Out Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you heard of the hot new restaurant on State Street that is open every night until 2 a.m.? Izakaya Kuroyama brings the tradition of Japanese street food to Madison and offers a much needed new option to the late-night food scene. Owner Hugo Leung joins Bianca Martin to explain the culture behind izakaya, characterized by shared small plates, plenty of drinks, and chance to relax after a long work day.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 April 16th episode:Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% offJones Dairy FarmGoodman Community CenterDistrict Council of MadisonOut Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring is here and it’s time to get outside and enjoy all the city has to offer. With so many trails and parks , Madison is a runner’s dream. But it can be hard to know which running route is right for you. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered. We spoke with local runner Paul Miller, who’s also on the board of the Movin’ Shoes Running Club, to find out what some of Madison’s best running routes are and to get some tried and true tips for beginners and veteran runners.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 April 16th episode:Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% offJones Dairy FarmGoodman Community CenterDistrict Council of MadisonOut Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watching homemade porn in a room full of strangers might not be everyone’s ideal weekend plan, but longtime sex and relationship columnist Dan Savage hopes you’ll give it a chance. Savage’s indie porn film festival is celebrating 20 years and is screening at the Barrymore Theatre this weekend.We talked to Savage ahead of the showing to talk about the festival’s impact, his Madison connections, and the importance of community in turbulent 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! 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 April 15th episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Cozy Earth - Use code COZYMADISON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center District Council of Madison Out Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the sky turns green and the clouds come rolling in, do you know what to do? Spring is severe weather season in the Midwest and being prepared for storms, tornadoes, and flooding is critical to keeping you, your loved ones, and your belongings safe. To get the scoop on how to stay informed and stay safe , we caught up with Andrew Beckett, Dane County Emergency Management’s emergency communications and outreach manager.Want to become a storm spotter? You can get free training this week!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 April 14th episode: Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center District Council of Madison Out Professional Engagement Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you really think we were done with election news? In this week’s Friday news roundup, the team digs into election fallout for City Council, including an unexpected victory in District 15 and a recount in District 19. Plus, more than two dozen current and former UW-Madison international students abruptly had their visas revoked, sparking questions and a demonstration set for next week. Speaking of demonstrations, thousands of people showed up over the weekend to protest President Donald Trump’s policies and more rallies are on the way. But on the bright side, it’s farmers’ market time and nearly Terrace season!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 April 11th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices