Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

Happy Holidays from Steve and Kristin. We are highlighting some of our best interviews including: Stephanie Hauser - Executive Director of the WIAA Megan Greenwell - Author of "Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream” Steven Olikara - Founder of Bridge Entertainment Labs Trae Crowder - Comedian Dr. Matthew Boedy - Author of "The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize American and Destroy Democracy" Pam Jahnke - Host of the Midwest Farm Report (at the State Fair!) Paul Wilson, Expert on Sustainable Nuclear Energy, Energy Policy and Radiation Transport of Nuclear Systems at the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin Madison

It’s Christmas Eve on Point Taken — and for once, there’s no news. Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey open the phones and text line to hear listeners’ Christmas wishes, favorite gifts, and most disappointing surprises. Kristin shares the best gift she’s ever received, Steve vents about the missing eggnog latte at Milwaukee Starbucks, and the two sprinkle in a little Pay It Forward encouragement for holiday drivers. The heart of the show comes with holiday storytelling, as Kristin reads her “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” piece from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, followed by Steve’s version from 2017. They reflect on traditions, buying gifts for yourself (and mom), grandchildren, and what they hope to do better in 2026.

It’s still Christmas week, and Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey kick things off with a holiday question many people can relate to: are gift cards a thoughtful present — or a lazy one? With one in five Americans receiving a Starbucks gift card, Kristin explains why Starbucks increasingly operates like a bank, while listeners weigh in with strong opinions. Then, friend of the show Brian Reisinger joins to discuss his latest Milwaukee Journal Sentinel column on the necessity of deer hunting in Wisconsin, from population control to the reality of hitting a deer on the road. Next comes a Festivus tradition — Steve, Kristin, and listeners air their grievances, aluminum pole not included. Then, former Lieutenant Governor and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Mandela Barnes joins in-studio to explain why he’s running, how he’d tackle affordability, what he learned from his 2022 Senate race, and how he’d govern with a Democratic legislature. They wrap things up with Pay It Forward, keeping the holiday spirit alive.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by WISN-TV political director Matt Smith to unpack his firsthand coverage of the Judge Hannah Dugan trial, including what stood out in court and what could come next on appeal. They also break down new investigations involving the Wisconsin Department of Justice, from scrutiny over a Bloomberg-funded investment to a federal DOJ request for voter information — and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s sharp pushback. Then the show lightens up. Steve and Kristin open the phones to ask listeners one essential holiday question: what’s the most overrated Christmas thing? (Steve has strong feelings about McDonald’s dropping the Eggnog shake.) In the Monday Market Preview, Annex Wealth Management weighs in on holiday spending, credit card debt, the possibility of a Santa Claus Rally, and what the economy could look like in 2026. They close with ESPN Milwaukee’s Alex Strouf, breaking down the Packers’ tough loss to the Bears, media meltdowns, and Christmas plans.

WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey welcomed Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic State Rep. Deb Andraca for a wide-ranging, spirited conversation that moved from Wisconsin politics to national headlines—and back again. The panel dug into the split verdict in the Judge Hannah Dugan trial, what it could mean for her future, and how both sides of the political aisle were poised to weaponize the outcome. They also examined Trump’s recent address to the nation, the spotlight on Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and the growing political implications of rising Wisconsin property taxes ahead of the 2026 governor’s race. The hour balanced sharp analysis with lighter moments, including the group’s weekly “Say Something Nice,” discussions on Packers-Bears fandom, women’s health breakthroughs, and whether driverless taxis could ever work in Milwaukee. From serious reflections on civic discourse to feel-good stories of everyday heroism, the conversation wrapped with a reminder of the value of paying it forward—even in divided times.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey open the show by breaking down President Donald Trump’s national address, including his unexpected proposal for stipend checks to military service members funded by tariff revenue. They analyze contradictions in Trump’s economic messaging and ask listeners whether the speech changed their view of the administration. Then they turn local, discussing rising property taxes across Wisconsin as homeowners receive their bills. Listeners share how these increases are hitting their households. In City Stories, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene brings updates on the Judge Hannah Dugan trial, former Mayor Tom Barrett’s involvement, shifting power dynamics between Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the Common Council, executive salaries, Shorewood’s plan to move its public works site, and yet another debate over historic preservation. They also break down how Milwaukee property taxes are allocated and new efforts to crack down on fare evasion in the county transit system.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey welcome Milwaukee County Executive and Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley to recap 2025 — including his relationship with the county board, the future of the Milwaukee County Transit System, and what happens if expected federal funding doesn’t come through. Crowley also shares how he balances governing with campaigning as he heads into a competitive primary. Steve and Kristin then break down White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ unusually candid interviews about President Trump and preview what Trump might address in his nationwide speech that evening. In hour two, the hosts examine the House GOP rebellion forcing a vote to extend ACA subsidies, a sign that Republicans in purple districts are worried heading into the 2026 midterms. They also discuss declining social media usage and how it could reshape voter behavior. They wrap with Ask Us Anything, covering Kristin’s acting past, “Dead Internet Theory,” casino losses, and even cookies.

Steve Scaffidi hosts a powerhouse legal hour with retired Milwaukee County Judge Mary Kuhnmuench and former U.S. Attorney James Santelle, beginning with Milwaukee’s biggest headline: the trial of Judge Hannah Dugan. They discuss Dugan’s judicial discretion, the jury’s likely considerations, and the boundaries a judge must stay within. The conversation then shifts to major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court — including Trump v. Slaughter on the independence of federal agencies, a lawsuit challenging the legality of Trump’s tariffs (and whether farmers could be reimbursed), and predictions on a new Voting Rights Act challenge. In Closing Arguments, Judge Mary emphasizes “less is more,” urging elected officials and judges to stay in their lane, while James raises the question of whether one branch of government can be held in contempt by another. In the second hour, Steve reacts to President Trump’s insensitive comments on the murder of Rob Reiner, inviting listeners to weigh in. He also discusses holiday overspending as prices remain high and closes with Pay It Forward, encouraging small acts of kindness.

Steve Scaffidi is back, and he and Kristin Brey begin the show with a sobering recap of multiple weekend tragedies — including mass shootings in Australia and at Brown University, and the shocking stabbing deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife. They discuss global differences in gun laws, mental health concerns, community response, and the heroic father who tackled the gunman at Australia's Bondi Beach. Then, WTMJ reporter Neil Doyle joins live from the Milwaukee County Courthouse with the latest on the Judge Hannah Dugan trial, breaking down opening statements and the media frenzy surrounding the case. In the Monday Market Preview, Annex Wealth Management’s Dr. Brian Jacobsen explains what the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts mean for the economy, upcoming inflation and jobs data, Black Friday credit-card spending, and whether a “Santa Rally” could still arrive for 2025. Later, ESPN Milwaukee host Alex Strouf joins in-studio to unpack the Packers’ rough loss to the Broncos, key injuries, and playoff prospects — followed by a much brighter story: the Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Volleyball team advancing to the Final Four.

Kristin Brey hosts an energetic, cross-partisan show with , Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki and special guest Hilario Deleon, Milwaukee County Republican Party chair in for Bill McCoshen. Hilario introduces himself to listeners before they all dig into the U.S. Senate’s failure to extend Medicare subsidies, the latest Trump farm bailout, and the broader affordability debate dominating national politics. The conversation shifts to the Wisconsin Governor’s race, with analysis of Joel Brennan’s entry on the Democratic side and Hilario’s Gen Z take on the Republican field — including rumors of Tim Michels possibly eyeing another run. In the 11 a.m. hour, they tackle the upcoming Judge Hannah Dugan trial, judicial activism, and the flaws in the pardon system. Then it’s time for Say Something Nice and Grab Bags, with stories ranging from Shop-With-A-Cop chaos to tech frustrations to the healing power of music. Kristin closes the show with an interview with gubernatorial candidate Joel Brennan, discussing his launch video, campaign message, and how he plans to raise his name recognition across Wisconsin.