City Cast Madison

Sure, the coffee at JavaAbilities is great (it’s Madison-based Rusty Dog) but it’s the people behind the counter who truly make the space special. Part of the mission of the new coffee shop on Monona Drive, which opened in July, is to employ and celebrate adults with disabilities. The business is co-owned by Mary Kay Clark and Tim McDonald, who admit they don’t have much cafe experience but are both fully committed to uplifting people with disabilities. Today, host Bianca Martin talks to Tim about his journey to opening the cafe and the personal connections that inspired him along the way. 🥕 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! 📧 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 September 4th episode: Dane County Humane Society RayGun Water Lantern Festival

How do you build the mental fortitude to complete a triathlon? Hundreds will see if they have what it takes this weekend when the annual IRONMAN Wisconsin comes to Madison. Participants will swim, bike, and run just over 140 miles in and around Madison. To learn what it takes mentally finish the race, host Bianca Martin talks with Larry Shapiro, recently retired UW-Madison philosophy professor, IRONMAN Wisconsin finisher, and author of Zen and the Art of Running. 👋 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 September 3rd episode: Dane County Humane Society RayGun Water Lantern Festival

Crisp air, Badgers games, and fall vibes have reached Madison, which can only mean one thing: September is here! As we transition from summer into fall, host Bianca Martin, producer Jade Iseri-Ramos, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas are bringing you our top picks for the month. We’re hopping on our bikes, catching some classic cinema, and celebrating Oktoberfest this September. Plus, now’s the perfect time to dive into fiber arts. Check out Bianca’s conversation with Gael Boyd to learn more. For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Madison, check out Madison Minutes’ take on what to do this month. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Madison community. 🌡️ City Cast Madison’s guide to September is made possible by our awesome sponsor, Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric. 👋 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 September 2nd episode: Dane County Humane Society RayGun Water Lantern Festival Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

This week, the City Cast Madison team is talking about Madison’s ties to the Minneapolis school shooting, updates to the Dane County Humane Society’s stray animal contract, and the removal of a downtown homeless encampment. Host Bianca Martin talks with producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and newsletter editor Rob Thomas about these heavy news topics, plus the hiring of Madison's new police chief. Wrapping things up on a brighter note, Rob tries to stump the team with a quiz about UW-Madison slang. Mentioned on the show: The Clock Is Ticking For the Dane County Humane Society [City Cast Madison]What we know about the shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school [Associated Press] 👋 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 August 29th episode: Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps

Summer days are slipping away, but that doesn’t mean Madisonians can’t make the most out of the remaining warm weekends. Taste of Madison is this weekend, so is Orton Park Festival. And the Willy Street Fair and Monroe Street Festival won’t be far behind. On today’s show, executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians to get her tips for what to eat — and what to skip — at these upcoming events. 🥕 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! 📧 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 August 28th episode: Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps RayGun

The low-power radio station broadcasting out of Monona’s City Hall turns 10 years old this month! WVMO 98.7 FM has been dubbed one of the “coolest radio stations in the nation” and for good reason. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin chats with Stacy Harbaugh aka DJ Shotski, host of Polka Time, to dig into the station’s decade on air and how it’s built a tight-knit community of volunteers and listeners in Madison’s backyard. We also hear a little from Bianca’s first conversation about WVMO with station founder and Wisconsin Broadcast Hall of Famer Lindsay Wood Davis. The WVMO Anniversary show featuring the Tim O’Brien Band is happening Aug. 28 at The Atwood Music Hall 👋 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 August 27th episode: Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps RayGun

Madison’s Department of Civil Rights is facing a litany of problems. The department’s director is currently under investigation for allegedly violating city and federal employment laws. Meanwhile, another longtime leader in the department was recently allowed to retire following an internal probe into whether he also violated numerous city administrative policies. Employees in the department are concerned for their rights and what this all says about the culture within a key city office. With us to break the saga down is Cap Times local government reporter Enjoyiana Nururdin, who has been on the story from the start. 👋 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 August 26th episode: Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps RayGun

On Aug. 24, 1970, four men bombed UW-Madison’s Sterling Hall in protest of the ongoing Vietnam war. The blast resulted in millions of dollars in damage, multiple injuries, and the death of a physics researcher. For some, the legacy of the Sterling Hall bombing still looms large. For others, this critical part of our city’s history is almost entirely unknown. In honor of the anniversary of the bombing, we spoke to UW oral historian Troy Reeves about the event and its lasting impact on the Madison community. Learn more about the bombing through UW Archives’ 40th anniversary project. 👋 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 August 25th episode: Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps RayGun

Happy Fri-yay! The City Cast team is rounding up this week’s top stories. Host Bianca Martin talks with executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos about UW women’s basketball players suing their former coach, the airport putting F-35 sound mitigation on hold, and a favorite Willy Street restaurant closing. Plus, Bianca took a turn in the guest seat this week on the radio talk show A Public Affair on WORT 89.9 FM. Mentioned on the show: 2025 Madison Magazine Chef of the Year Evan Dannells on City Cast Madison [City Cast Madison]U.S. Department of Defense denied funding to mitigate F-35 noise [WPR] Tips For Boosting Your Mental Health with Myra Renne [City Cast 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! 📧 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 August 22nd episode: Gilda's Club Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps

Restaurants and bars come and go in Madison all the time, it’s the nature of the industry. But some spots leave a lasting impression on our community long after they’ve closed. Today, the City Cast Madison team takes a trip down memory lane with the help of our listeners and readers to reminisce on some of Madison’s favorite bygone bars, restaurants, and community haunts. Ready to taste a little nostalgia? 🥕 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! 📧 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 August 21st episode: Gilda's Club Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps

Whether you’ve lived here for two years or 20, there’s always something new to learn about living in Madison. From getting the right winter gear to joining a CSA to finding a clean bathroom downtown, we’ve got some serious insider tips for making the most of Madison. Host Bianca Martin sits down with City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas to share their secrets. 👋 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 August 20th episode: Gilda's Club Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps

It’s no secret that Madison is a sporty town. From the Badgers at Camp Randall and the Kohl Center to the Night Mares and Mallards at Warner Park, there are plenty of hometown heroes to root for. But the sport that Madisonians can’t get enough of is ultimate frisbee. The Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association boasts thousands of members who play all year round. And the semi-pro Madison Radicals draws big crowds to Breese Stevens Field every season. This weekend the 2025 Ultimate Frisbee Association Championship will be held in Madison, so what is it about the sport that has our city spellbound? We caught up with MUFA Executive Director Pete Schramm to find out. Mentioned on the show: 2025 UFA Championship Weekend Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association 👋 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 August 19th episode: Gilda's Club Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps

On Aug. 11, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency in response to heavy rainfall and flooding across southern Wisconsin. In Madison, wet weather led to flooded streets and forced the cancellation of local events. But in the Milwaukee area, the damage was much more severe. To explain the cause and impact of this weather, we spoke with director of the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, Steve Vavrus. 👋 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 August 18th episode: Gilda's Club Bike the Barns Dane County Humane Society Overlook Maps

TGIF! The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas discuss the flooding from last weekend, median rent stats and a major step forward for the Triangle redevelopment, and news in the restaurant scene. Plus, it’s Hippie Christmas! Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Mentioned on the show:Madison Black Restaurant Week Jamboree [Madison Black Chamber of Commerce] Is Hippie Christmas…Bad?! [City Cast Madison] ‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Madison swag! 👋 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 August 15th episode: Gilda's Club Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Wisco Home Goods OutReach LGBT Community Center

Some of Madison's tastiest restaurants are hidden in strip malls throughout the city. The best spots depend on who you ask. We spoke with our friend Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians, to talk about listener suggestions and dive deeper into which stops are a must-visit. Can’t get enough food news? Sign up for the Cap Times’ Corner Table newsletter ‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Madison swag! 🥕 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! 📧 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 August 14th episode: Gilda's Club Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Wisco Home Goods OutReach LGBT Community Center

Some say there are only two seasons in Madison: winter and moving season. Starting in late July and stretching into August, downtown streets are flooded with piles of trash from folks participating in the annual housing shuffle. And keeping the city clean during this time is no easy feat, especially when would-be treasure hunters dig through the heaps looking to strike gold. To get the scoop on how the city keeps up with the mess, and get tips for what to do with your unwanted items, we caught up with Bryan Johnson, recycling coordinator and public information officer with the city’s Streets Division. Find the map, large item disposal information, and collection details mentioned in today’s show here. ‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Madison swag! 👋 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 August 13th episode: Gilda's Club Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Wisco Home Goods OutReach LGBT Community Center

When state lawmakers passed their biennial budget in July, they approved a $256 million increase to the University of Wisconsin system budget — but that money came with a lot of strings attached. Professors across the UW system are expected to carry heavier teaching loads, which has raised concerns about the potential impact on research and overall academic quality. To unpack these concerns and other potential consequences, host Bianca Martin speaks with Jon Shelton, a professor at UW-Green Bay and president of the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, and Barret Elward, president of the United Faculty & Academic Staff union at UW-Madison. ‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Madison swag! 👋 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 August 12th episode: Gilda's Club Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Wisco Home Goods OutReach LGBT Community Center

It’s been years in the making and after multiple funding concerns and construction delays, it almost felt like the Madison Public Market would remain a dream forever. But the money has come through and construction is nearly finished, and the Madison Public Market is officially on its way to an early 2026 opening. So what can you expect from this long-awaited public good? Madison Public Market Foundation CEO Keisha Harrison gives us the scoop. ‼️We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey — it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast Madison swag! 👋 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 August 11th episode: Gilda's Club Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Wisco Home Goods OutReach LGBT Community Center

Happy Friday, Madison! Executive producer Hayley Sperling is joined by producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas to round up the news of the week. Today we’re digging into the rift between the Dane County Sheriff and ICE, how funding troubles might impact Madison’s new permanent men’s shelter, and the details on this weekend’s packed schedule around town. Plus, want to put host Bianca Martin in a dunk tank? Here’s your chance! Mentioned on the show: Developer plans more than 200 apartments on old Oscar Mayer parking lot [Wisconsin State Journal] Madison businesses hosting Strip Mall Carnival to benefit Clean Lakes Alliance [WMTV] Ride The Drive Madison Comic and Pop Culture Expo Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival 👋 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 August 8th episode: Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps

Madison Black Restaurant Week is celebrating 10 years! The event highlights local Black-owned businesses through a series of events, including a farm-to-table soul food brunch, dessert competition, and a food taste jamboree at Warner Park. To learn more about the event, its impact, and history, we spoke with Camille Carter, president and CEO of theMadison Black Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the week. 🥕 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! 📧 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 August 7th episode: Merchant by Rule No. One Hospitality Group Gilda's Club Doyenne Group Overlook Maps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices