PODCAST · society
Uniquely Milwaukee
by Radio Milwaukee
Our flagship program finds the stories in Milwaukee that lift your spirits, prompt you to think, make you feel grateful and inspire you to do more. They connect you to our community, shining a spotlight on what is good about the city, what still needs work, and what makes it Uniquely Milwaukee.
Episodes
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Getting back in the ‘Swing’ of Wisconsin election season
Who has power in Wisconsin? Two of our friends at WUWM ask — and answer — this question in their podcast that’s back just in time for election season. For season three of Swing State of the Union, hosts Joy Powers and Sam Woods decided to uncover who makes the critical decisions about changes in...
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A decade after his death, Juan Gabriel still connects with the community
This Latine Heritage Month, we remember the lasting legacy of Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, in the 1950s, he has touched generations of audiences with his powerful lyricism and magnetic energy. Known as “El Divo de Juarez,” he composed more than 1,800 songs…
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Through tech and teaching, My Way Out provides a path forward
"I’m actually changing the oil. Right now, they’re giving us a speech about the PPE." Terence is one of about a dozen particpants in a virtual-reality class inside Milwaukee County’s Community Reintegration Center. The class is part of a six-week course for men and women residents provided by My...
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Creativity is sustainable, accessible at 414 Art Revival
When Julianna Jackson and Nate Carpenter moved from St. Louis to Milwaukee, they quickly found a lot to like about their new home. “What did draw us… is the sense of community that I feel whenever we're in Milwaukee,” Jackson shared. But they also noticed something their new community could use —...
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Through words and work, Juan Miguel Martinez represents a movement
This Latine Heritage Month, we celebrate the work of Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez. Martinez was elected in 2022 as County Supervisor of District 12, representing various southside neighborhoods. In this role, he helped secure a $30 million commitment from the county for the...
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New film explores the weight Milwaukee’s community leaders carry
Milwaukee is a place of resilience and service. But a shadow of crime and violence hovers over parts of the city. You’ll find evidence of all these things in the people who see the latter and embrace the former by working to make Milwaukee safer. Vaun Mayes is one of them. For years, Mayes has…
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WI's first trauma recovery center offers specialized services to violence survivors
Survivors of violence in the Milwaukee area have a new place to turn for help. Wisconsin’s first trauma recovery center (TRC) opened in September, offering specialized mental-healthcare services. The Medical College of Wisconsin launched the clinic at ThriveOn King in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville...
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The trendy photo method bringing patience, artistry into focus
The phones we carry in our pockets give us the ability to snap a picture any time we want. But a nearly 200-year-old form of photography is still around today — and still finding new fans. Milwaukee’s own Amber Ascher has made a business out of her interest in the Victorian-era artform, which is...
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In a virtual world, Wisconsin Tech Month thrives on actual connection
No matter where you are in the world, technology is changing how we work, live and collaborate. In October, we’ll see once again how the Badger State is part of this evolving landscape as Wisconsin Tech Month returns for its sixth year. The annual event spotlights the innovators, ideas and…
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The seed of something special is flourishing in the Garden District
Driving past the corner of 6th and Howard, you might breeze by pollinators pollinating, sunflowers bending in the wind and tomatoes soaking up the sun. But, if you stop, you’ll find a window into the natural world and a community coming together. This is the location of the Garden District...
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Drivers in the city are seeing red. Your Move MKE wants to change that.
Colors do more than just catch our eyes. They can influence our moods and our actions. In Milwaukee's Lincoln Village neighborhood, some hope that colors will make a positive impact on our driving — and our safety. "People just be reckless driving everywhere,” Malik Hughes observed, echoing how a...
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FunkClub Wagon brings rhythm to the river
Milwaukee is a city where people love live music, no matter where it’s playing. “I will go anywhere where funk music is playing. And if it’s on water, it’s an absolute yes.” Jade Holcomb said that from her floating seat not far from the concert that happens every Wednesday night during the…
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At Skate on 8’s, a Milwaukee man helps others find balance
Nicole Olive has owned skates for 20 years but never used them until this summer, when someone who was in a similar position a few years ago gave her a reason. Every Wednesday, Olive and other community members gather right across from the Milwaukee Public Market to attend lessons at Skate on…
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Grand Avenue Club matches people with purpose
When Grenesha was 18, she felt the pressure of becoming an adult. Then she retreated. “I was very isolated, just spent all my time at the library mostly by myself, just reading books,” she said, adding that her isolation led to hospitalization and a bleak outlook on her future. “I honestly didn't...
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NeuVue gives Milwaukee’s youth a new perspective on their future
It started as an idea. This summer, it broke ground. NeuVue is a $16.2 million housing project that’s unlike any other in Milwaukee: a six-story building on the city’s North Side intended entirely for young adults in the city. “Neuvue will help pave the way for self-sufficiency for the young…
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In Vivent Health's fight to end HIV/AIDS, care is everything
During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Wisconsin — and especially Milwaukee — emerged as the paradigm for response and ongoing advocacy. “Forty years. It’s an amazing amount of transformation that happened.” Brandon Hill reflected on that era from a unique perspective: as the president and CEO of Vivent...
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For the members of this Milwaukee club, playing around is the point
Do you remember the games you used to play as a kid? No matter how old you are, there’s a certain nostalgia that comes when those memories resurface. But what if time didn’t matter and, even as you got older, play never stopped? For 55-year-old Tanya Phillips, a newer member of the 40+ Double…
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True Skool brings artists together to blend past, present and future
Sometimes, returning to one’s roots means an actual return to nature — a homecoming of the mind, body and spirit to where it’s always belonged. “I do a lot of work putting Black people back in nature,” Tyrone Randle said. “I feel like since slavery happened, we escaped through nature and have not...
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MKE Live Groove puts local talent in the national spotlight
Singing in church was Tyler Curtain's first time on stage. Now, the 22-year-old is representing his city on a larger scale. “It was really nerve-wracking, but I was excited because whether or not it went the way I wanted it to, I still got my music out there and somebody heard it.” That’s how...
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Venus Social Club carves out space for Milwaukee sapphics
Recently, a hot-pink flier advertising a party caught the eye of Uniquely Milwaukee guest host Rachel Tarby. It was for Venus Social Club, an organization that hosts events specifically for the sapphic community. If you’re not familiar with the term, the word “sapphic” traces back to Sappho, the...
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The Milwaukee yoga class for Black men, by Black men
When Lorenzo Edwards first began practicing yoga, he used it as it was a way to escape the stress of his job. A regular practice turned into attending classes. Attending classes turned into becoming a certified instructor. Then he noticed who was typically in the classes. And, more importantly…
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The right tool for the job is free at this Milwaukee library
Need a drill, saw, or lawnmower? Don't buy it; borrow it. Since 2021, the Milwaukee Tool Library has been lending tools to everyone from average community members to professional contractors — anyone in need of equipment for a short amount of time. The organization also hosts volunteer-led...
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Common, unspoken: The health issue of fibroids thrives on silence
“I just felt like the uterus that I had was a problem, and I wanted it out right away." At 38 years old, Tonda Thompson faced an issue that impacts many women: fibroids. For many months, they caused the mother of two pain and confusion. She said frequent trips to the emergency room and eventually...
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Sound baths offer a different wavelength on the path to wellness
”Many cultures from Asia, Europe, the Americas always used drums, singing bowls, flutes, gongs and various vibrational instruments for ceremonies. They would use them for healing and for meditation. Sound healing has been going on for thousands of years.” Djuro Rodic has been sharing his…
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How SheWolf boxing gym separates from the pack
Like most combat sports, boxing is thought of as a male-dominated activity. But in Milwaukee’s Silver City, there’s one gym providing women with a space to build strength, confidence and discipline. Many who step through the door at SheWolf have no prior experience and might not be all that...
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Months after its founder’s death, Roufusport’s impact is still strong
Tucked away on North 76th Street in Milwaukee, below Blue’s Egg Cafe, is Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts Academy. Across two decades, it built a national and even global reputation in MMA circles for training champions. That attention became acutely local in October of 2025, when founder and...
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From clippers to cancer: Gee Smith’s expanding mission to serve MKE
On this episode, we take you inside a community health clinic at a place known for being as concerned about how their customers feel as how they look: Gee’s Clippers. Started as a way to help fill an access gap in the community, the clinic is now part of an even larger mission: Gee's MKE...
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By fixing rips and tears, sewing clinic strengthens the fabric of community
Libraries are sacred, public spaces that are typically quiet. But, every other Tuesday at Milwaukee’s Washington Park Library, you’ll hear the hum of a sewing machine and conversations about seams. It’s a recurring event they call “Mind Your Mending” — a place where anyone can get simple clothing...
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Cine Sin Fronteras at the 2026 Milwaukee Film Festival
We're in the heart of the Milwaukee Film Festival, and there's one member of our Radio Milwaukee team who chose some of the movies you'll see this year. In addition to being an 88Nine DJ and co-host of La Alternativa, Paula Lovo is the new programmer for Cine Sin Fronteras, created 10 years ago…
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Pulaski automotive program turns students’ passion into possibility
Casimir Pulaski High School’s automotive program is the largest in Wisconsin. Created in 1963, it’s also the only one left within Milwaukee Public Schools. Episode host Kim Shine takes you inside the shop where students learn everything from changing oil and gas lines to replacing alternators and...
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Milwaukee’s young filmmakers go from study hall to the big screen
The Milwaukee Film Festival has always been a place to see movies from a variety of filmmakers, including local talent from here in southeastern Wisconsin. One of the groups getting their own spotlight at this year's event: the area’s youth filmmakers. As part of the “Rated K: For Kids” program,...
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Campus Changemakers: Marquette Students Lead 10th Annual Justice in Action Conference
‘What is justice without democracy? This was the question asked at Marquette University's 10th annual "Justice in Action" conference. It's a student-led initiative encouraging students, and residents, to think critically about their world. “Justice is something that I think is hard to define. I...
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Feel the Beat: Mad Hot Rhythm Celebrates 20 Years of Inspiring Young Dancers
“1,2,3 swing those arms!” This is the magic of young students learning to let go. They’re understanding the power of movement, as part of the in-school dance program – Mad Hot Rhythm. The Danceworks series is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a competitive event. Episode host Kim Shine…
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Comité Sin Fronteras comes to the aid of Milwaukee’s immigrant community
Comité Sin Fronteras has diligently worked alongside other organizations on leading immigration reform in Milwaukee. They support a community-defense network that’s responding to the growing ICE presence in the Midwest. A grassroots collective, the help local undocumented communities in various...
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The ‘Swing State’ view of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race
Wisconsin’s Spring Election is April 7, and the most high-profile race is the State Supreme Court seat vacated by conservative judge Rebecca Bradley. So who better to talk with than someone who put the court at the center of an entire podcast season? “Right now, the liberals are in the majority…
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Scaling the heights for a new perspective on the Miller High Life Theatre
Q: What do Queen, Prince, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac and Martin Luther King, Jr. all have in common? A: They’ve all played at the historic Miller High Life Theatre. The venue earned that official designation in December of 2025, and a few weeks later the Wisconsin Center District commissioned a...
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Voices across generations have their say at Black Advocacy Day
The last time Lisa Caruthers visited the Wisconsin State Capitol she was about seven or eight years old, and on a school trip. More than 50 years later, she returned as part of “Black Advocacy Day," hosted by the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus on Feb. 26. Uniquely Milwaukee host Kim Shine…
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Celine Farrell is proof positive that art and creativity are ageless
“You know, we all are made in the image and likeness of God, and God is creation. So we're all creative, but sometimes I think some of us are given an extra dose.” Celine Farrell has lived a lot of life, and those words are just a sliver of the knowledge she’s picked up along the way. She's seen...
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Milwaukee’s oldest open mic is a door to the local music scene
In the heart of the Riverwest neighborhood is a weekly showcase of some of Milwaukee’s most talented voices. Linneman’s Acoustic Open Stage began in 1993, making it the city’s oldest open mic and a staple of the local music scene. “Linneman's is an institution, and it's meant a lot to tons and…
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A Milwaukee woman's life in flight is getting off the ground again
A true calling always finds its way to you. Valencia Caldwell is living proof. Her father was an air-traffic controller who always encouraged his children to follow their dreams. After his death, a special flight helped lead Caldwell back to her first love — one that wouldn't be easy to reconnect...
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Community dance event underlines the importance of joy, connection
Step by step… Left foot, then right. Each month, line dancing takes over the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace at a free community event held in partnership with Primetime Line Dance. Whether they're grooving on the floor or have two left feet, participants say the classes build community, boost their...
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Milwaukee riders join global event in remembrance of Alex Pretti
On Saturday outside Milwaukee City Hall, solidarity showed itself in the form of hundreds of bike riders. They came together in the name of one of their own: Alex Pretti. A longtime resident of Green Bay before he moved to Minneapolis, Pretti would make the trip to Milwaukee for the annual...
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Street Angels’ foundation is simple: Trust, friendship, kindness
Mister Rogers once challenged us by saying: “Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered just one kind word to another person.” When he gave us these instructions, it wasn’t hard to look at the neighbors to the left and right of our home, and then imagine friendly...
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Sun or snow, this Milwaukee cycling group keeps rolling
In the middle of Milwaukee winter, most of us are used to being outside and active if the conditions are juuust right. But there's a cycling group that meets every month — warm or cold, rain or shine — to ride and connect. Scrappy Hour typically meets on the last Sunday of the month, rolling out...
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Sherman Park Grocery Store asks for help to keep serving the community
We’re changing things on the podcast this year, with shorter stories and themed months, each one with a different topic. For January, it’s Health & Wellness. In this episode, we focus on yet another Milwaukee grocery store in danger of closing, and it's in one of the city’s food deserts. Earlier...
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Encore: Mixing drinks and Dry January at Milwaukee's first hybrid bar
Join us for this encore edition of Uniquely Milwaukee as we grab a drink at Agency, Milwaukee's first hybrid bar and a 2025 James Beard Award finalist. Immerse yourself in the choice of indulging in an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage. Plus you'll hear from the founder, Ryan Castelaz, as he...
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Encore: Starting the year by getting rejected ... on purpose!
Happy New Year! This Uniquely Milwaukee throwback goes beyond the age-old question: "What's your New Year's resolution?" For this episode, we embraced the idea of rejection therapy by trying new things we were pretty sure would end in failure ... and bust a little ego in the process. #####…
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A big thank you and an even bigger year ahead
Thank you for listening and supporting Uniquely Milwaukee! In this episode, we have a special message of gratitude from Radio Milwaukee executive director Jordan Lee as he reflects on the triumphs and changes of 2025, and looks ahead to a brand new year. ##### Podcast host: Kim Shine Guest host:...
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From hope to home: The generational impact of one city program
A few years ago, Radio Milwaukee's Tarik Moody tried to buy a house in the city. Every offer got outbid by LLCs with out-of-state addresses and cash offers that closed in two weeks. He gave up. Recently, Tarik spent time with someone else who went on that journey — with a very different outcome....
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Making the scene: How DIY artists and venues get down to business
Every DIY scene needs its supporters. In Milwaukee, Bay View’s Cactus Club is a big one. This beloved music venue is one of the scene’s most revered spots, and headlining there is a dream for bands from all genres. So far, you’ve met Fake My Death, an alternative rock/punk DIY band here in...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Our flagship program finds the stories in Milwaukee that lift your spirits, prompt you to think, make you feel grateful and inspire you to do more. They connect you to our community, shining a spotlight on what is good about the city, what still needs work, and what makes it Uniquely Milwaukee.
HOSTED BY
Radio Milwaukee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Uniquely Milwaukee have?
Uniquely Milwaukee currently has 647 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Uniquely Milwaukee about?
Our flagship program finds the stories in Milwaukee that lift your spirits, prompt you to think, make you feel grateful and inspire you to do more. They connect you to our community, shining a spotlight on what is good about the city, what still needs work, and what makes it Uniquely Milwaukee.
How often does Uniquely Milwaukee release new episodes?
Uniquely Milwaukee releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 647 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Uniquely Milwaukee?
You can listen to Uniquely Milwaukee on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Uniquely Milwaukee?
Uniquely Milwaukee is created and hosted by Radio Milwaukee.
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