City Cast Madison

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% 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

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

The Dane County Farmers’ Market kicks off its 2025 season this Saturday! Are you ready? To get the scoop on what’s new at the market as well as some tried and true tricks for shopping like a pro, we caught up with market manager Jamie Bugel. Hot tip: You might be able to score some cheap eggs. 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 10th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wisconsin is an island of prohibition in a sea of legalized cannabis. But that hasn’t stopped entrepreneurs from selling weed-adjacent products in the state legally. This gray zone in which Wisconsin operates has left many calling for proper legalization and regulation of cannabis. Gov. Tony Evers outlined two paths for legalization in his 2025 budget proposal, though they’re not likely to make it past the Republican-controlled State Assembly. So where do we go from here? Phillip Scott, the owner of Crone Apothecary and head of Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association, has some ideas. 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 9th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The federal budget cuts just keep coming, and this time the axe is swinging at our nation’s libraries and museums. In March, the Trump administration moved to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Locally, IMLS has given grants and other funding to the Madison Public Library, Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Chazen Museum of Art, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and MMoCA. To get a sense of how this funding cut will be felt — if it goes through — we caught up with Madison Public Library Director Tana Elias. 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 8th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Budget cuts at the federal level just keep coming. Recently, hundreds of millions of dollars were slashed from a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that supports schools purchasing food from local farmers. The move will directly affect Wisconsin schools and farms. To get the scoop on these ripple effects, host Bianca Martin sat down with Allison Pfaff Harris, the Farm To School Director for REAP Food Group. Want to join the conversation? Register for REAP’s zoom call April 8. 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 7th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Goodman Community Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The election is over but we’re not done talking about it. In this Friday news roundup, the City Cast Madison team is once again rounding up the results of the spring election and its implications. We’re also celebrating Madison’s celebration of transgender visibility, and talking about Madison Public Market delays (yes, again). Plus, Madison is getting a bathhouse?! Let’s take the plunge. Mentioned on the show: Once common, now unusual: Conservative candidate publicly quashes shouts that the other side cheated [WSJ] Here’s what Susan Crawford’s state Supreme Court win means for Wisconsin [Wisconsin Watch] She dropped out of a Madison City Council race. Voters elected her anyway. [Cap Times] Provisional voting information [City of 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 and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 4th episode: UW-Madison Science Expeditions FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7) EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Madison has a secret when it comes to finding the best bagels? Mermaid Bagels has built up a loyal fanbase through the isthmus despite not having a physical storefront. Lisa Jacobson, owner of Mermaid Kitchen, joins host Bianca Martin to talk about how bagels became her thing and what it actually takes to make a good bagel. You can order bagels via Mermaid Kitchen’s website. This episode originally aired March 7, 2024. 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 3rd episode: UW-Madison Science Expeditions FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7) EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The spring election is officially over. The results are in and the whole City Cast Madison team is here to round them up for you. Host Bianca Martin, executive producer Hayley Sperling, and newsletter editor Rob Thomas dig into the key takeaways from the April election. 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 1st episode: UW-Madison Science Expeditions FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7) EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy April, Madison! We’re not fooling you when we say there’s plenty going on this month in our city. We’re kicking off the month with an election, but that’s not all we’re excited about in April. The City Cast Madison team has handpicked some of the best things to do, see, and eat in Madison this month. From Earth Day celebrations to local theater recommendations, we’ve got you covered. Mentioned on the show Why Susan Crawford Wants To Be Wisconsin’s Next Supreme Court Justice [🎧City Cast Madison] Record Store Day 2025 Madison Print & Resist Zinefest 2025 STOP MAKING SENSE: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads Why Madison Loves the Wisconsin Film Festival [🎧City Cast Madison] The Best Strip Mall Restaurants in Madison [🎧City Cast Madison] Korill Hut Cafe Domestique to open third location in former The Heights Kitchen space [Madison Magazine] 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 1st episode: UW-Madison Science Expeditions FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7) EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Tuesday, April 1, Wisconsinites will vote in the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history. The election between Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel has drawn mega donors from across the country who have flooded the campaigns with cash. Will this record level spending make a difference? And how will it affect future elections? We sat down with Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s Executive Director Nick Ramos to get some insight. *This interview was recorded on March 19th, 2025. Spending totals have increased in the last few days. 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 March 31st episode: UW-Madison Science Expeditions FOCUS Property Management: (920)-413-1471 (Available 24/7) EatStreet - Save 15% on your next order with code CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring election season is almost over. We’re just days away from voting on a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, a constitutional amendment, every Madison City Council seat, and more. But there’s more to the news than just the election. On this week’s Friday news roundup, Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas tells us who’s hot and who’s not in Badger athletics. Host Bianca Martin digs into the city’s State Street pedestrian mall experiment (will it continue?!). And of course, executive producer Hayley Sperling gives one more election news roundup and reminds you to vote. Mentioned on the show: Pingeton selected to lead Badger women's basketball program [UW Athletics] Everything You Need To Know About the Statewide 2025 Spring Election Races [🎧 City Cast Madison] Why Susan Crawford Wants To Be Wisconsin’s Next Supreme Court Justice [🎧 City Cast Madison] Meet The Candidates in Madison’s Only Contested School Board Race [🎧 City Cast Madison] Who's Running for Madison City Council [🎧 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! 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 March 28th episode: UW-Madison Science Expeditions Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winter is over! Madisonians are coming out of hibernation and hungry for adventure.Sometimes those adventures carry late into the night. But after the sun sets and hunger kicks in, where can an adventurer get a bite to eat? In this episode, host Bianca Martin is joined by our Executive Producer, Hayley Sperling, and Emma Waldinger of Madison Magazine to go over our favorite late-night dining. From fanciful full meals to quick midnight bites, we’ve got you covered. Mentioned on the show: Second dinner: Our guide to late-night dining [Madison Magazine] 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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Americans had never heard of the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, until the Trump administration gutted its funding. While some of those cuts are being battled out in court, the real-life implications of the administration’s actions are already being felt around the world and right here in Madison. To get a better understanding of the impact of these cuts,, we sat down with Dr. Jatinder Cheema, a Madisonian who worked at USAID for nearly three decades. 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 March 26th episode: Special Olympics Wisconsin UW-Madison Science Expeditions Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wisconsin Film Festival brings eight days of cinematic wonders to screens across Madison starting next week. Tickets for the 100+ movies are on sale now. But with a lineup that spans genres, languages, and decades, it can be hard to know where to start. To get the scoop on what to watch at this year’s fest, we caught up with the fest’s Operations Director Ben Reiser. Plus, we hear festival diehard fans talk about their favorite memories and what makes the fest so special. 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 March 25th episode: Special Olympics Wisconsin UW-Madison Science Expeditions Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been dubbed the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history and it’s happening right here in Wisconsin. Of course, we’re talking about the race for state Supreme Court Justice. Today, host Bianca Martin sits down with one of the candidates in the race, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford. The two get into the politics of this (allegedly) non-partisan race, why she thinks she’s the best fit for the job, and the money pouring in from billionaire donors on both sides of the political aisle. 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 March 24th episode: Special Olympics Wisconsin UW-Madison Science Expeditions Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Friday! The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week and by news, of course we’re talking about elections. Host Bianca Martin has the latest on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race (Spoiler: it’s an expensive one!). And executive producer Hayley Sperling digs into some of the responses we got from our City Council candidate questionnaire. Plus, Madison Minutes newsletter editor Rob Thomas gives the details on a new vision for the Regent Street area. Mentioned on the show: Official In-Person Absentee Voting Hours and Locations [City of Madison] The Mayor's (Ambitious) Plan For Addressing Madison's Housing Crisis [ 🎧City Cast Madison] Meet The Candidates in Madison’s Only Contested School Board Race [ 🎧City Cast Madison] New Vision Could Transform Regent Street [Channel 3000] Spring 2025 Isthmus voter guide Cap Times City Council coverage 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 March 21st episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Special Olympics Wisconsin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few frills, no gimmicks, just good food. That’s what you’ll find at Madison’s many strip mall eateries. But which ones are the best? Truthfully, it depends on who you ask. These spots are special and deeply personal. To get the scoop on Madison’s best strip mall restaurants, we turned to the lovely readers of our Madison Minutes newsletter to get their takes. To dig deeper into these recommendations, we spoke with none other than Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians, who also just published an article on the subject. 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 March 20th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices