

Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey
620 WTMJ
Hosted by Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey, Point Taken is for the politically curious and self described political junkie. Steve & Kristin explore, debate, & offer insight into the world of Wisconsin & national politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 8, 2025 • 30min
9a: Tariff the Monkeys
WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi was joined remotely by National Review writer Christian Schneider; they began by discussing tariffs, how it has affected Americans and what it meant for U.S. President Donald Trump.
-Steve next asked Christian if politicians swore too much and what the uptick in swearing meant for politics today.
-Steve and Christian then talked about the show White Lotus.
Steve talked about former Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice Mike Gableman likely losing his law license in a case and Steve took his “homerun trot” about how he was right all along about Gableman.
Steve discussed sportswear company Fabletics charging a “tariff tax” on purchases.

Apr 8, 2025 • 15min
Why Politicians Swear More with Christian Scheider
WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi was joined remotely by National Review writer Christian Schneider; they began by discussing tariffs, how it has affected Americans and what it meant for U.S. President Donald Trump.
Steve next asked Christian if politicians swore too much and what the uptick in swearing meant for politics today.
Steve and Christian then talked about the show White Lotus.

Apr 7, 2025 • 31min
Everything Ends Otherwise It Wouldn't End
Steve Scaffidi was joined remotely by Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano to talk about the rising tariffs and the collapsing economy. They also opened the talk and text line to take questions.
-Next, Steve asked Dave what could be done to flip the markets, the federal reserve’s role in helping consumers and more.
A clip of U.S. President Donald Trump answering a reporter’s question about trade and tariffs was played and Steve reacted.
Steve opened the talk and text line for fans’ reaction to how President Trump had handled the federal government and economic fallout and the response to the journalist.

Apr 7, 2025 • 14min
Can the Markets Flip Soon? w/ Dave Spano
Steve Scaffidi was joined remotely by Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano to talk about the rising tariffs and the collapsing economy. They also opened the talk and text line to take questions.
Next, Steve asked Dave what could be done to flip the markets, the federal reserve’s role in helping consumers and more.

Apr 7, 2025 • 32min
Stocks and Snow Fall w/ Matt Smith
WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi was joined by WISN Channel 12 political reporter Matt SMith and they began by discussing tariffs, and the Republican Party’s response including a clip from U.S. Senior Senator from Wisconsin Ron Johnson with his thoughts.
Another clip from Senator Johnson was played regarding his response to the conservative loss during the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race. Steve and MAtt discussed more about the race and Wisconsin Republican Chair Brian Schimming’s efforts to get voter turnout that did not pan out.
A clip from Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin was played regarding the future of the Democratic party given recent events with tariffs, the economy and the race in Wisconsin.
Steve asked Matt if he had to do homework on tariffs and if the relationship between Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin state legislature would soften
Steve opened the talk and text line for questions for both him and Matt Smith such as making his show UpFront and formatting and moderating the Supreme Court debate.
Steve lastly asks Matt about the National Football League draft in Green Bay Wisconsin later in April

Apr 4, 2025 • 32min
Taking Serious Hits - Full Show
WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi was joined in-studio by Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki; Steve began by asking them about U.S. President Trump’s big tariff announcement and the tumbling economy that followed.
Next, they reacted to Tuesday’s election in Wisconsin and Florida, how Elon Musk factored into it and the future of the Republican party and the State Supreme Court in Wisconsin.
The Voter ID requirement amendment passed on Tuesday and was the silver lining on Election Day for Republicans according to Bill. Steve asked both about Republicans turning against Trump.
Next, the federal budget; what will happen? Bill, Joe and Steve discussed.
LOVE & RODGERS
-Bill loved the voter turnout on Tuesday’s election. Bill Rodgers’d a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire flipping a table over a political issue on Election Day.
-Joe Rodgers’d two things: the failing economy and the reckless deportation of legal immigrants to El Salvador
GRAB BAGS
-Joe wished a happy birthday for his cousin and sister.
-Bill shouted out the people who wished him well last week and the congresspeople in Washington, D.C. and Madison, Wisconsin who were kicking the can down the road for the budget.
-Steve talked about the Fox network pulling the stock ticker from their stations.

Apr 3, 2025 • 31min
Markets Come Crumbling Down - Full Show
WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi reacted to this morning’s plummeting stocks and was joined on the phone by Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty President Rick Esenberg who gave his thoughts as well. Rick also brought up how the cause of the dropping stocks was what he called “MAGA Populism”.
-Steve asked Rick what was next for MAGA Populism and how voters could shift away from it. Steve also asks him if U.S. President Donald Trump even cares about what he had caused and about Tuesday’s election in Wisconsin and how it reflects a fall for conservatives in Wisconsin.
Steve gave further thoughts pn the plummeting stocks.
Steve Scaffidi was next joined on the phone by Wisconsin Democratic Chair for his thoughts on President Trump’s big move on tariffs and the market fall that followed. Steve also asked him about the results from Wisconsin’s election from the previous Tuesday and what statement it sent to Elon Musk and others.
-Their conversation continued and talked about the future of the Democratic party with Tuesday’s results, especially as it came to future Wisconsin State Supreme Court Races like with Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s, who criticized this year’s race, which would happen the following year. Lastly, Steve asked him what was in his future.

Apr 3, 2025 • 10min
How Musk Helped Susan Crawford Win with Ben Wikler
Steve Scaffidi was next joined on the phone by Wisconsin Democratic Chair for his thoughts on President Trump’s big move on tariffs and the market fall that followed. Steve also asked him about the results from Wisconsin’s election from the previous Tuesday and what statement it sent to Elon Musk and others.
Their conversation continued and talked about the future of the Democratic party with Tuesday’s results, especially as it came to future Wisconsin State Supreme Court Races like with Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s, who criticized this year’s race, which would happen the following year. Lastly, Steve asked him what was in his future.

Apr 3, 2025 • 13min
MAGA Populism is Out of Control with Rick Esenberg
9:09 - WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi reacted to this morning’s plummeting stocks and was joined on the phone by Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty President Rick Esenberg who gave his thoughts as well. Rick also brought up how the cause of the dropping stocks was what he called “MAGA Populism”.
Steve asked Rick what was next for MAGA Populism and how voters could shift away from it. Steve also asks him if U.S. President Donald Trump even cares about what he had caused and about Tuesday’s election in Wisconsin and how it reflects a fall for conservatives in Wisconsin.

Apr 2, 2025 • 31min
Surprising Post-Election Reactions - Full Show
WTMJ hosts Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey were joined on the phone by Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki to react to yesterday’s elections in Wisconsin and Florida and what it meant as a reaction to U.S. President Trump and Elon Musk.
-A clip from Dane County judge Susan Crawford’s victory speech after winning the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race was played, then Steve and Kristin asked Joe if this was the good news Democrats needed; Joe responded yes and brought up U.S. Senator from New Jersey Cory Booker. They also asked him what it could mean for Republicans.
-Another clip from Wisconsin Supreme State Court justice Ann Walsh Bradley's response to Crawford’s victory. Kristin and Steve asked Joe about ballad shortages in certain wards in Milwaukee the previous day.
A clip from Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly’s victory speech on winning re-election. Then, Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey were joined on the phone by Republican strategist Bill McCoshen for his thoughts on the overarching theme from the previous day’s election and how it reflected Donald Trump.
-A clip from Jill Underly’s opponent Brittany Kinser concession speech was played. Kristin and Steve asked Bill about the “silver lining” for Republicans regarding the statewide Voter ID referendum passing and the Wisconsin Supreme Court race next year for Ann Walsh Bradley’s seat.
Steve and Kristin give their closing thoughts on yesterday’s election and campaign financing.


