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The Amazing Story of Wheel & Sprocket and the Legacy of Chris Kegel with Amelia, Noel, and Tessa

The Amazing Story of Wheel & Sprocket and the Legacy of Chris Kegel with Amelia, Noel, and Tessa

If the original founder of Wheel & Sprocket had his way, it would have been a car dealership… well, that didn’t happen. What did happen…

If the original founder of Wheel & Sprocket had his way, it would have been a car dealership… well, that didn’t happen. What did happen was the creation of an iconic brand with 10 locations that has made an incredible impact on the community for more than 50 years.

We sat down with second-generation family members Amelia, Noel, and Tessa to hear the inside stories on:

  •  Their origin story with Frank and their father, Chris Kegel 
  •  Their earliest memories in the business, including the crazy commercials and comics they created 
  •  The growth of Wheel & Sprocket 
  •  The annual Bike Expo at the State Fair Grounds 
  •  The legendary Kegel family bike trips 
  •  Chris Kegel’s lasting legacy 
  •  The best places to cycle in Wisconsin and more

This episode is presented by our good friends that we’ve worked with for years (and that now banks Wheel & Sprocket), First Federal Bank!

SPEAKER_00
0:00

They
were
such
an
interesting
pair,
Frank
and
Chris.
Wheel
and
Sprockett
should
not
have
worked,
but
it
really
did
work.
They
were
wildly
creative.
A
lot
of
people
remember
Wheel
and
Sprockett
from
the
early
days
from
all
of
the
wacky
commercials.
They
would
pie
each
other
in
the
face,
not
be
wearing
shirts,
be
running
around
the
bike
store.

SPEAKER_01
0:16

When
we
got
older,
you
can
go
wherever
you
want
to
college,
but
you
have
to
ride
your
bike
there.

SPEAKER_03
0:29

900
miles.

SPEAKER_04
0:30

Your
father
was
one
of
the
great
people
who
walked
the
earth.
What
made
him
so
special?

SPEAKER_00
0:36

You
know,
he
did
get
diagnosed
with
this
crazy
cancer,
and
everybody
handles
the
last
part
of
their
life
in
different
ways.

SPEAKER_04
0:43

Hey
everyone,
welcome
back
to
Milwaukee
on
Cut.
We've
got
an
awesome
episode
with
the
crew
from
Wheel
and
Sprocket
today,
a
great
Milwaukee
area
business.
I
was
joined
by
Amelia,
Nolan,
Tessa,
who
I've
known
for
a
very
long
time.
We
go
over
the
origin
story
with
the
founders,
Frank
and
their
father,
the
great
Chris
Kagle,
their
earliest
memories
in
the
business,
and
the
crazy
commercials
and
comics
that
Wheel
and
Sprockett
ran
in
the
early
days,
how
the
business
grew,
the
bike
expo
at
the
state
fairgrounds
that
still
happens
every
year,
the
legendary
Kegel
family
bike
trips,
Chris
Kegel's
legacy,
best
places
to
cycle,
and
more.
Before
diving
in,
I
want
to
thank
our
partners
who
make
Milwaukee
on
Cup
possible.
We'll
kick
it
off
with
First
Federal
Bank,
who
we've
worked
with
for
years
and
who
Wheel
and
Sprockett
is
now
banking
with
Awesome
Team
over
there.
First
Federal
Bank
experience,
the
community
bank
difference.
Speaking
of
money,
Annex
Wealth
Management,
if
you're
looking
to
get
your
personal
finances
right,
reach
out
to
the
awesome
team
at
Annex
Annex
Wealth
Management.
Know
the
difference.
That's
annexwealth.com.
Nicolay
Law,
the
Midwest
Law
Firm
Injured.
Get
Nikolay.
We've
also
got
some
awesome
content
with
Russell
coming
up
on
our
social
channels,
including
a
Milwaukee
Safety
Patrol
video.
Stay
tuned
for
that
one.
It
was
great
seeing
him
last
week.
And
last
but
not
least,
Drink
Wisconsinably
Beverage
Company.
Best
brandy
vodka
and
canned
cocktails
in
the
game.
Grab
a
nice,
refreshing
cherry
lime
vodka
canned
cocktail.
Perfect
for
this
summer,
or
my
personal
favorite,
good
year
round,
the
brandy
old-fashioned
Drink
Wisconsinably
Beverage
Company.
All
right,
let's
dive
in
with
Wheel
and
Sprocket.
Hey
everyone,
welcome
back
to
Milwaukee
Uncut.
We've
got
an
amazing
local
business
story
today
presented
by
our
friends
at
First
Federal
Bank.
We've
got
the
second
generation
family
members
behind
the
beloved
Wheel
and
Sprocket
bike
stores,
which
all
started
as
a
small
shop
in
1973
in
Hills
Corners.
And
now
10
locations?
You
got
it.
10
locations,
including
a
relatively
new,
beautiful
store
right
down
the
road
in
Bayview.
Joining
me,
we've
got
Noel
Kagel,
Tessa
Kagel,
McCullough,
and
Amelia
Kagel
Bosco.
Thank
you
all
for
coming
down
today.
It's
great
seeing
you.

SPEAKER_00
3:10

We're
here.
It's
great
having
us.

SPEAKER_04
3:13

You
are
here.
So
started
in
1983.
Can
one
of
you
let
people
know
how
Wheel
and
Sprocket
began?

SPEAKER_03
3:21

Correction,
factual
correction,
1973,
Richie.
Oh,
you
know,
I
got
it
correct
in
the
introduction.

SPEAKER_04
3:31

Just
not
in
the
first
question.
It's
all
good.
Let's
see.
Did
you
change
the
seven
to
an
eight
to
f
with
me
in
the
intro?

SPEAKER_03
3:39

All
right.
Yeah,
so
what's
the
quick
history,
Amelia?

SPEAKER_00
3:43

You
know,
so
it
started
as
one
single
shop
in
1973.
Actually,
our
dad
wasn't
the
original
owner.
Uh,
there
was
a
guy
named
Frank
Tamill,
and
he
was,
this
is
the
quick
story,
a
car
salesman
who
couldn't
afford
a
fleet
of
cars,
so
he
settled
for
a
fleet
of
bicycles.
They
all
came
in
boxes,
and
he's
like,
oh
my
gosh,
I
don't
know
what
to
do
with
this.
He
was
looking
for
a
mechanic,
and
in
comes
a
curly-haired
20-year-old
Chris
Keggle,
who
had
been
uh
actually
working
on
bikes
his
entire
life
because
uh
they
were
a
poor
family,
they
had
a
lot
of
kids,
and
he
did
not
want
his
mom
to
have
to
go
on
welfare.
So
my
dad
is
the
first
boy
decided
he
needed
a
job.
And
what's
the
best
job
for
a
young
kid
at
the
time?
It
was
a
paper
route.
And
can
you
deliver
paper
very
efficiently
on
foot?
No.
But
could
you
get
it
there
on
bike
and
do
it
a
lot
faster?
Absolutely.
So
here
started
all
the
Kegel
brothers
starting
to
ride
bikes,
doing
their
paper
route,
bringing
in
some
money.
You
guys
know
this.
Uh,
the
more
you
ride
your
bike,
especially
with
lots
of
boys,
young
boys
on
it,
you
start
breaking
bikes.
So
naturally
he
started
learning
how
to
fix
bicycles.
And
that's
how
this
whole
thing
started.

SPEAKER_04
4:51

That
is
an
amazing
story.
Yeah.
It's
cool.
And
how
did
Chris
get
involved
in
in
so
he
needed
a
mechanic?

SPEAKER_00
4:58

Frank
needed
a
mechanic.
He
called
in,
uh,
he
had
heard
about
our
dad
because
he
had
been
working
at
Gimbal's,
I
think,
at
the
time,
assembling
bikes.
Um,
and
quickly
our
dad
just
started
falling
in
love.
And,
you
know,
I
think
they
were
such
an
interesting
pair,
Frank
and
Chris.
Uh,
Frank
was
really
like
charismatic,
and
you
know,
uh,
it's
very
interesting
the
way
lots
of
different
businesses
go.
But,
you
know,
for
as
awesome
as
a
salesperson
as
Frank
was,
he
maybe
wasn't
the
most
truthful
human
being
on
the
planet.
And
our
father,
being
a
young
Catholic
boy,
was
like,
you
know,
have
to
go
to
him
every
once
in
a
while
and
be
like,
excuse
me,
Mr.
Tamil,
I
believe
you
gave
false
information
about
that
bike.
That
bike
is
not
12
pounds
and
will
not
fit
that
person.
And
Frank
would
be
like,
Shut
up,
kid,
I
sold
it,
didn't
I?
And
from
there,
my
dad
just
really
realized
like
when
he
wanted
to
own
his
own
business
one
day,
they
would
do
it
right,
they
would
do
the
right
thing
and
really
serve
the
customer.
And
it
wasn't
about
just
like
getting
a
bike
out
the
door,
it
was
about
finding
a
perfect
bike
for
that
human
being.

SPEAKER_04
5:58

As
the
mechanic,
he
probably
had
to
clean
up
a
lot
of
it
was
Frank,
Frank's
messes.

SPEAKER_00
6:03

But
they
were
a
dynamic
duo.
Like,
there's
so
many
stories
where
Wheel
and
Sprocket
should
not
have
worked,
but
it
really
did
work
because
they
were
able
to
like
play
off
of
each
other
and
they
were
wildly
creative.
A
lot
of
people
remember
Wheel
and
Sprocket
from
the
early
days
from
all
of
the
wacky
commercials.
So
I
think
we'll
have
to
like
put
one
of
those
in
the
link
somewhere.
But
literally
they
would
pie
each
other
in
the
face,
not
be
wearing
shirts,
be
running
around
the
bike
store.
And
people
were
like,
wow,
these
commercials
are
so
bad,
they're
good.

SPEAKER_04
6:31

So
the
other
guy
in
those
ads
in
the
80s
was
Frank,
the
guy
who
wanted
to
sell
cars
but
settled
on
bikes
and
was
getting
pied
in
the
face
by
Chris
the
mechanic.

SPEAKER_00
6:41

It
happened.
Yeah.
And
then,
you
know,
Wheel
and
Sprocket
grew
naturally.
So,
you
know,
we
uh
inherited
a
business
that
at
the
time
our
father
had
grown
from
one
store
to
seven
stores,
uh,
which
is
an
amazing
feat.
Uh,
we
also
think
it's
pretty
impressive,
but
you
know,
we
outperform
in
our
marketplaces.
So
a
lot
of
bike
shops
that
do
a
lot
of
volume
are
in
California
or
in
Florida,
in
a
place
where
it's
nice
all
year
round.
Whereas
here
in
Wisconsin,
we
got
six
months
to
do
the
thing.
Um,
but
yeah,
we're
nationally
recognized
as
one
of
the
best
bike
shops
in
America.

SPEAKER_04
7:14

And
then
did
Chris
buy
Frank
out
at
some
point?
When
did
that
happen?

SPEAKER_03
7:18

Yeah,
it
was
sort
of
interesting.
Uh,
my
dad
was
in
school
when
he
first
started
at
UWM,
and
um,
he
actually
ended
up
dropping
out
of
school
because
he
wanted
to
make
his
experience
at
the
bike
shop
his
education.
So,
what
better
opportunity
than
to
essentially
uh
be
at
the
ground
level
of
a
new
business,
not
have
any
of
the
risks
of
ownership.
Uh,
and
he
adopted
that
as
his
education.
So
he
dropped
out
of
school,
worked
at
the
bike
shop
for
about
seven
years,
and
after
seven
years,
he
went
to
Frank
and
he
said,
Yo,
Frank,
this
is
amazing.
Thank
you
so
much.
I'm
gonna
go
off
and
open
my
own
bike
shop.
It's
a
dream
of
mine
to
open
my
own
bike
shop.
And
Frank
uh
said
something
like,
Uh,
you
can't
do
that.
Like,
you
can't
do
that,
man.
I
need
you,
need
you
here,
man.
Uh,
so
Frank
made
um
our
dad
a
uh
a
partner
uh
in
exchange
for
staying,
and
um,
they
were
business
partners
for
about
10
years,
and
then
in
1989,
my
dad
bought
them
out.
What
was
each
of
your
earliest
memory
as
it
comes
to
Wheel
and
Sprocket?
Yeah,
you
know,
I'm
the
oldest
of
four.
There's
there's
one
other
uh
uh
sibling,
Julian,
who
actually
runs
the
original
family
business,
Kegel's
in
on
59th
and
national.
So
they're
um
He's
been
on
here
before.
Yeah,
yeah.

SPEAKER_04
8:29

We
might
have
troubles
keeping
it
within
the
hour
time
limit
if
Julian
was
here
today.
But
we're
we're
a
big
fan
of
him
and
then
Kegels
in.

SPEAKER_03
8:36

Yeah,
so
uh
Julian
and
I,
I
would,
I
would
I
very
vividly
remember,
you
know,
our
dad
would
bring
us
to
the
shop
um
just
to
sort
of
you
know
hang
out.
You
know,
he
had
to
work
and
and
uh
there
wasn't
childcare
available.
So
Julian
and
I
played
uh
up
in
the
storage
area,
played
with
uh
bike
boxes,
right?
What
better
toy
than
huge
pieces
of
cardboard
and
cardboard
boxes?
Um
and
I
remember
at
the
time
our
parents
uh
were
really
not
into
video
games,
not
into
action
figures.
Uh
so
we
had
a
very
deprived
childhood
in
some
sense.
Uh,
but
the
the
uh
we
get
to
operate
the
cash
register.
So
while
our
friends
had
you
know
Nintendo
and
uh
you
know
all
these
games,
we
had
a
machine
where
if
you
push
a
button,
money
comes
out
at
the
cash
register.
So,
anyways,
uh
you
know,
really
very
few
memories.
Pocketing
a
lot
of
uh
fives
and
ones
and
twenties
potentially.
Reconciling
the
numbers
back
there,
you
know,
at
five
years
old.
Like
you
need
Chris
and
Frank
over
there.
Something
like
that.
Uh
yeah,
you
know,
so
I
you
know,
the
long
and
short
is
like
we
spent
lots
and
lots
of
time
at
the
bike
shop
growing
up.
Um
you
know,
and
by
the
time
we
were
old
enough
to
actually
be
productive
and
do
things
and
turn
wrenches
and
you
know,
operate
computers
and
you
know,
learn
about
bikes,
like
that's
what
we
were
doing.
So
yeah,
it's
like
always
been
a
part
of
our
life.

SPEAKER_00
10:02

Our
dad
used
to
say,
you
can
do
anything
at
the
bike
shop.
Honestly.

SPEAKER_01
10:10

I
think
m
some
of
my
first
memories
uh
was
just
hide
and
seek.
Find
a
nook
and
cranny
and
then
go
in
there
and
then
wait
to
see
how
long
to
hide
from
Julian
and
tormenting
me.
Um
similarly,
I
was
also
rifling
through
my
dad's
desk
for
quarters
for
the
gumball
machine.
So
that
and
then
um
hanging
on
to
any
woman
that
I
could
find.
I
was
very
girly
girl
in
a
um,
you
know,
male-dominated
bike
shop.
Bike
shop
smells
like
rubber.
So
any
um
female
employee
I
would
kind
of
just
hang
on
to
and
make
my
friend.
So
fun
stuff.

SPEAKER_00
10:50

Yeah,
you
know,
we
all
started
working
at
the
bike
shop
at
an
early
age.
Um,
I
think
there
is
some
like
loophole
in
like
paying
people
if
they're
your
children,
you
actually
don't
have
to
pay
them
to
work.
So
we
were
put
to
work
early.
Um,
but
you
know,
all
of
the
life
experiences
that
we
got
from
being
a
part
of
this
business,
like,
you
know,
we
thought
we
were
just
having
fun
and
then
all
of
a
sudden
we're
learning
all
these
life
lessons.
Um,
but
I
think
one
of
my
favorite
memories
working
in
the
bike
shop
is
uh
Wheel
and
Sprocket
is
more
than
just
selling
bikes.
We
do
a
lot
of
events,
we
do
a
lot
of
community
give
back.
And
so
our
dad
used
to
bring
us
on
these
rides
on
the
weekends.
You'd
wake
you
up
at
five
o'clock
in
the
morning
and
say,
All
right,
we're
going.
Uh,
and
we'd
start
riding
in
the
middle
of
nowhere
and
start
helping
people
like
pump
up
tires,
fix
flats,
get
them
ready
to
do
their
long
rides.
And
it
was
just
such
a
cool
way
to
see
Wisconsin.
Like,
honestly,
like,
wasn't
it
all
the
second
you
got
your
driver's
license?
Our
dad
gave
him
a
box
truck
and
said,
Okay,
go
to
Eagle
River.
Like,
we
got
some
bikes
to
fix.

SPEAKER_03
11:47

Yeah,
100%.
Uh,
I
got
my
driver's
license,
uh,
and
then
that
summer,
uh,
right,
my
my
dad
was
like,
Hey,
you
gotta
work
these
rides
in
northern
Wisconsin.
And
uh,
my
mom
was
really
not
comfortable
with
that
idea
of
a
newly
licensed
driver,
you
know,
traipsing
all
over
the
state.
So
I
had
my
mom
uh
escort
me
uh
all
the
way
from
Milwaukee
up
to
Ashland,
Wisconsin.
Um
I
was
driving
the
truck
and
she
was
driving
the
family
minivan
behind
me.
Really
cool,
really
cool
to
show
up.
I'm
here
to
work,
guys,
and
my
mom's
with
me,
so
yeah.

SPEAKER_04
12:22

That's
something
you
guys
are
known
for,
though,
is
showing
up
to
all
the
rides,
being
really
integrated
in
the
communities.
Did
that
essentially
start
from
day
one
and
you
still
keep
that
going
today?

SPEAKER_00
12:34

Yeah,
I
think
our
dad
knew
like
we
just
didn't
have
a
ton
of
money
for
marketing
early
in
the
days,
and
uh
a
way
that
we
could
be
out
there
and
help
people
was
by
doing
some
of
this
ride
support.
Um
so
we
partner
with
some
of
the
best
rides
in
southeastern
Wisconsin
and
you
know,
basically
offer
our
services
uh
so
that
people
could
actually
enjoy
riding.
Um,
and
you
know,
I
think
it's
something
we
try
to
do
to
this
day.
A
lot
of
people
do
these
like
charity
rides.
They
spent
like
raise
all
this
money
and
for
them
to
go
ride
and
then
at
mile
10
their
chain
breaks
and
now
they
can't
continue
the
ride,
it
just
seems
like
such
a
shame.
So
uh
we
really
learned
how
to
MacGyver
stuff
on
the
road
and
know
what
inventory
to
hold
and
have.
Um,
and
it's
kind
of
complicated,
you
guys,
because
like
bikes
are
there
are
hundreds
of
different
styles
of
bikes.
So
I
do
think
that's
one
thing
that's
interesting
about
Wheel
and
Sprocket
is
we
are
like
not
a
specialist
in
just
like
triathlon
bikes
or
mountain
bikes
or
whatever
it
would
be.
Like
we
know
a
lot
about
a
lot
of
different
bikes,
and
that
makes
it
more
fun,
I
think.
Like
our
motto
is
bikes
for
everyone,
and
we
really
truly
believe
like
any
person
that
can
walk
into
the
door,
we
can
help
find
the
perfect
bike
for
them.
And
I'm
sure
we'll
talk
more
about
this,
but
like
there's
not
much
more
in
this
world
that
you
can
spend
like
money
on
and
have
such
an
amazing
outcome.
Like,
riding
a
bike
is
still
fun.
If
you
haven't
ridden
a
bike
in
a
while,
you
should
try
it.

SPEAKER_04
13:52

Yeah,
you
guys
do
have
bikes
for
everyone.
I
I'd
like
to
give
you
guys
a
nice
shout
out.
I
I
bought
a
bike
from
you,
kids
bike,
last
year
at
do
Big
Brothers,
Big
Sisters
with
uh
with
a
seven-year-old.
Thought
it
would
be
a
good
idea
to
get
him
a
kid's
bike
and
go
on
rides
with
him.
And
first
one
went
well,
so
I
I
let
him
take
it
back
to
his
house.
Big
mistake.
Picked
him
up
next
week
to
go
on
another
bike
ride.
It
looked
like
the
thing
has
been
in
a
complete
war
zone,
and
he
he
apparently
let
his
cousin
ride
it
for
five
minutes.
Um,
I
don't
know
what
actually
happened,
but
brought
it
back
to
Wheel
and
Sprocket.
And
um,
one
of
your
employees
who's,
I
believe,
married
to
Jason
at
on
Milwaukee.
What's
her
name
again?

SPEAKER_00
14:33

Kelly
Lambeth,
great
lady.

SPEAKER_04
14:34

She
was
so
nice.
I
think
I
showed
up
about
10
minutes
before
you
guys
closed
in
a
panic
and
they
stayed
late
and
fixed
uh
Ray
Sean's
bike,
and
we
it's
been
it's
been
kept
in
my
garage
since
for
when
he
comes
over.
But
um
did
an
incredible
job
on
on
that.
Um
speaking
of
the
commercials,
you
guys
had
some
comics.
That
was
a
big
part
of
your
marketing
as
well.

SPEAKER_03
14:56

Do
you
want
to
touch
on
that?
Yeah,
it
was
sort
of
uh,
you
know,
in
retrospect
in
retrospect,
a
genius
move.
So
uh
Wheel
and
Sprocket
ran
comic
strips
on
the
Sunday
comics
at
the
bottom
of
the
first
uh
of
the
front
page
of
the
comics.
And
actually,
originally
Frank
drew
those
himself.
Um
one
of
the
talents
he
had
was
as
a
cartoonist.
So
were
him
and
your
dad
both
very
creative?
Yeah,
I
would
say
they
were
creative
in
complimentary
ways.
I
think
uh,
you
know,
I
think
Frank
was
maybe
you
know
more
more
traditionally
creative,
you
know,
visually
creative,
you
know,
able
to
draw.
Um,
you
know,
and
I
think
my
dad
had
a
lot
of
creativity
on
the
business
side.
Um
because
he's
good
in
those
commercials
too.
I
don't
know
who
wrote
all
those
and
mapped
out
all
those
ideas.
I
think
it
was
largely
Frank.
Um,
you
know,
and
if
you
watch
those
uh
commercials
now
with
sort
of
a
keen
eye,
I
think
like
our
dad
was
pretty
uncomfortable,
uh,
but
sort
of
you
know
understood
the
value
of
doing
it.
Um
weird
Al
curly
long
hair,
red
glasses,
and
um
yeah,
so
you
know,
in
retrospect,
really
a
genius
move
because
you
know,
for
a
long
time
the
Sunday
paper,
you
know,
huge
circulation,
expensive
from
an
advertising
perspective
to
buy
ads,
but
uh
you
could
be
on
the
front
page
of
a
section
of
the
comics
every
single
Sunday,
uh
the
biggest
circulation
day,
and
it
was
much,
much
cheaper
to
buy
that
ad
space
because
it
was
the
comics,
uh,
but
it
just
was
a
comic
itself.
And
you
know,
people
to
this
day
very
fondly
remember
uh
those
comics
as
part
of
their
their
experience
in
their
childhood.

SPEAKER_00
16:32

So
you
know,
another
brilliant
marketing
piece
on
that
is
like
honestly,
for
a
long
time,
a
lot
of
the
imagery
in
the
cycling
world
is
like
you
know,
aggressive
dude
mountain
like
mountain
biking
down
the
Himalayas,
it
looks
like.
And
it's
hard
for
people
here
in
Wisconsin
to
relate
to.
So
it
was
actually
very
genius
to
be
able
to
take
like
kind
of
some
cultural
references,
put
normal
people
on
bikes.
Um,
and
you
know,
even
to
this
day,
Tessa
like
as
it
runs
our
marketing,
like
it's
still
hard
to
just
find
pictures
of
normal
people
having
fun
on
bikes.

SPEAKER_03
17:04

Yeah,
uh,
I
would
just
underscore
that,
right?
The
the
industry,
the
bicycle
industry
is
really
driven
by
sort
of
performance,
aggressive,
you
know,
sort
of
extreme
thing,
doing
extreme
things
on
bikes
in
places
that
look
nowhere
like
Southeast
Wisconsin.
Right.
So
I
think
you
know,
we
have
found
success
over
the
years
through
comics,
through
TV
commercials,
through
our
own
um
advertising
efforts
to
just
make
it
relatable.
Like
there
is
a
bike
for
every
ambition,
every
ability.
Uh
it
doesn't
have
to
be
extreme.
You
don't
even
have
to
be
a
cyclist.
You
can
be
just
somebody
that
wants
to
ride
a
bike.
Uh
so
we're
just
trying
to
make
it
relatable,
um,
sort
of
an
everyday
it's
an
everyday
thing.

SPEAKER_04
17:44

Yeah.
One
other
huge
event
every
year,
the
uh
the
wheel
and
sprocket
bike
expo,
the
state
fairgrounds,
believe
it's
three
three
days,
couple
thousand
bikes.
What's
the
origin
story
behind
that?

SPEAKER_00
17:58

Well,
if
you
gotta
if
you
want
to
sell
a
lot
of
bikes,
you
have
to
make
it
bigger
than
life,
all
right?
And
I
think
that's
something
that
Frank
and
my
dad
understood.
Like
you
have
to
be
larger
than
life.
Um,
the
sale
originated.
Uh,
we
actually
don't
know
the
official
date.
We
know
we're
like
somewhere
between
30
and
40
years
of
doing
it.

SPEAKER_04
18:14

Yeah.
Or
that
long
ago.

SPEAKER_00
18:16

Oh
yeah.
Um,
but
you
know,
it's
like
it
was
a
big
corral.
Um,
I
also
always
remember
it
has
to
be
in
April
when
people
get
their
tax
return
money,
right?
So
that
you
can
go
and
buy
a
new
bike.
Smart.
Uh
it
also
just
jump
starts
our
season.
Uh
similarly
to
not
just
wanting
to
be
a
bike
shop,
like
we
want
the
sale
to
be
more
than
just
a
bike
sale.
So
we've
always
had
like,
you
know,
every
ride,
all
these
organizations,
ways
to
get
involved,
DNR,
uh,
places
to
ride,
all
have
booths
along
the
way.
Uh,
we've
done
seminars
throughout
the
years,
and
it's
just
like
the
start
of
the
cycling
like
season
and
like
really
reuniting
the
community,
which
you
guys
like
if
you're
looking
for
a
community
to
join,
like
the
bike
community
is
where
to
go.
Like
we
say
bike-minded
people
are
like-minded
people,
and
generally
bike
people
are
just
nicer,
right?
Like
you
can
ride
a
bike
with
virtually
any
style
human,
like,
right,
older,
younger,
any
side
of
any
spectrum,
and
you
can
have
a
nice
time.
And
there's
not
a
lot
of
things
like
that.

SPEAKER_03
19:12

You
know,
what's
also
cool
about
the
bike
expo,
uh,
you
know,
it's
a
it's
grown
to
be
a
thing
that
uh,
you
know,
that
that
sort
of
stands
alone.
And
you
know,
we'll
have
more
people
through
the
door,
and
we'll
sell
more
bikes
in
three
days
than
most
bike
shops
in
the
country
will
sell
in
an
entire
year.
And
so
it's
really
a
it's
a
it's
an
awesome
way
to
sort
of
seed
the
community
with
you
know
new
bikes
um
you
know
every
single
year.
Um,
and
and
practically
speaking,
uh
Amelia
referenced,
like
the
seasonality
of
the
bike
business
is
extreme.
So
turns
out
people
don't
buy
a
lot
of
bikes
over
the
winter.
Um,
but
we're
a
12-month
business,
and
uh
what
we
end
up
doing
is
you
know,
we
we
keep
you
know
a
really
healthy
core
of
people
employed
all
year
round,
and
we
basically
subsidize
that
over
the
winter
because
we're
not
bringing
in
enough
business,
but
the
bike
expo
helps
generate
enough
cash
flow
to
basically
pay
for
the
winter.
You
know,
and
I
think
that
is
actually
part
of
the
origin
of
the
event
back
in
the
80s
is
man,
like
uh
we
got
some
bills
to
pay
uh
in
spring,
and
so
let's
just
have
a
big
sale
and
pay
the
bills.

SPEAKER_04
20:18

So
very
smart.
Um
gotta
ask
you
guys
legendary
Kegel
family
bike
trips.
Can
you
can
you
tell
people
about
that?

SPEAKER_01
20:29

Yeah,
sure.
So
actually
how
it
sort
of
started
was
um
these
charity
bike
rides
that
my
dad
would
help
out
with,
so
like
JDRF
or
um
other
various
charities
uh
he
would
need
that
would
travel
all
over
the
United
States
and
he
would
need
some
extra
help.
So
he
would
bring
his
family
along
and
we'd
um
sort
of
just
make
a
vacation
out
of
it,
right?
So
it
was
like
half
fun,
half
work.
You
gotta
make
sure
you
fit
both
of
those
in
there,
right?
But
you
gotta
do
the
work
first
and
then
you
play
later.
Um,
and
then
we
kind
of
just
did
it
every
single
year,
and
then
when
we
got
older,
um
it's
kind
of
a
joke,
but
it
kind
of
worked
out
that
if
you
you
can
go
wherever
you
want
to
college,
but
you
have
to
ride
your
bike
there.
So
that
started
with
Noel,
who
um
went
to
school
in
Canada
in
McGill,
at
McGill
in
Quebec,
and
rode
all
the
way
to
Quebec.
Noel,
was
this
a
solo
mission
or
did
the
whole
family
come
along?

SPEAKER_03
21:28

Uh
you
know,
the
first
year
it
was
a
family
trip.
So
the
whole
family
rode
to
Quebec.
The
whole
family
rode
to
uh
to
Montreal.
Did
your
mom
drive
the
minivan
behind
and
supervise
that?
Exactly.
Really,
exactly.
You
got
it
right.
So
mom
drove
the
support
van
with
you
know
all
my
stuff
for
school.
Um
yeah,
and
that
was
the
family
trip,
and
that
was
that
ended
up
sort
of
kickstarting
a
whole
tradition
in
our
family
of
riding
our
bikes
to
college.

SPEAKER_04
21:52

How
long
is
it
to
Quebec
from
here?

SPEAKER_03
21:54

Uh
you
know,
it's
about
900
miles,
and
um,
you
know,
I
did
it
three
times.
The
first
year
it
was
Whole
family,
and
then
the
second
and
third
year
was
just
me
and
my
dad.
Uh,
and
we
were
doing
uh
a
hundred
miles
a
day,
uh,
so
it
took
nine
days.
That's
special.
What
was
your
favorite
memory
going
to
Quebec
with
Chris
Kaggle?
Yeah,
you
know,
I
uh
well,
I
remember
you
know
showing
up
to
school,
you
know,
as
a
freshman
in
first
year,
and
you
know,
you
right,
you
know,
living
away
from
home
and
stuff,
and
uh
you
know,
and
and
it's
like,
oh
yeah,
like
I
rode
my
bike
here,
and
people
would
be
like,
Oh,
that's
cool,
like
you
must
be
from
here.
And
I'm
like,
no,
no,
no,
I'm
like,
I'm
from
Milwaukee.
And
people
are
like,
well,
where's
Milwaukee?
But
um,
you
know,
it's
like,
oh,
it's
like
900
miles
away.
Like,
I
rode
my
bike
900
miles
here,
and
you
know,
people
just
conversation
started
for
sure.
This
crazy
American
who
bike
900
miles
to
get
here.
Yeah,
right.
Set
the
set
the
whole
tone
for
a
wild
and
eccentric
university
experience.

SPEAKER_00
22:50

I
think
it
started
as
a
joke,
like,
oh,
wouldn't
it
be
funny
to
make
the
kids
ride
their
bikes
to
work
or
to
school?
Uh,
but
it
was
an
amazing
tradition.
And
again,
like
there
are
just
all
of
these
stories
from
the
road.
And
I
really
equate
a
lot
of
that
family
bike
riding
to
why
we
work
so
well
together
in
business.
Like,
I
can
think
like
so
many
times,
like
this
was
before
Google
Maps,
you
guys.
Like,
literally,
we
had
an
atlas
that
was
highlighted
with
the
roads
we
were
supposed
to
go
on.
And
I
can
vividly
remember
it's
not
that
old,
is
that
like
this
was
20,
30
years
ago
for
sure.

SPEAKER_03
23:22

Um
early
2000.

SPEAKER_00
23:25

Uh,
but
I
can
remember
this
time
where
my
brother
Julian
was
like,
hey,
we
can
shave
off
10
miles
if
we
go
over
this
shortcut.
Like,
look,
look,
we
can
do
this.
And
so
we
all
start
riding
and
we
go
down
this
gravel
road
before
gravel's
cool,
and
we're
just
like
getting
exhausted,
and
then
the
road
ends.
And
I'm
just
like,
like
blood
sugar's
low,
like
totally
just
starting
to
get
super
pissed
at
him.
Have
to
turn
around,
go
another
20
miles
on
a
long
ride
before
we
make
it
to
the
end.
And
in
that
moment,
you
know,
like
I'm
just
like
furious,
right?
Like,
just
starting
to
be
like,
why
did
we
do
this?
I
can't
believe
we
had
to
do
this.
And
at
the
end
of
the
day,
we
get
to
the
hotel,
we
get
in
the
pool,
and
we
all
start
having
fun
together.
And
it's
like,
wasn't
that
awesome?
We
had
the
best
day
of
our
life.
That
was
so
cool.
And
I
really
think
they're
just
like,
you
know,
bikes
are
like
a
really
nice
metaphor
for
life.
Like,
you
gotta
get
up
to
get
down,
like
it's
all
like
part
of
the
journey,
and
getting
lost
is
sometimes
part
of
the
fun.

SPEAKER_03
24:20

That's
not
the
only
time
we
were
frustrated
with
Julian.

SPEAKER_04
24:23

Give
give
it
give
me
give
me
the
top
Julian
Kagle
frustration
on
a
bike
trip.

SPEAKER_03
24:28

What
what
did
he
pull?
Uh,
you
know,
Julian
is
a
very
ambitious
person
who
has
a
big
appetite
for
life,
which
is
wonderful.
Uh,
his
bachelor
party
was
doing
a
mountain
bike
hut
to
hut
trip
uh
around
Mount
Hood
in
Oregon.
And
um,
you
know,
so
it
was
maybe
10
guys,
uh,
most
of
whom
were
really
not,
you
know,
good
bike
riders.
And
um
uh,
you
know,
so
we're
we're
riding,
you
know,
from
hut,
like
cabin
to
cabin,
you
know,
on
fire
roads
and
single
track.
And
uh
yeah,
Julian
is
super
ambitious.
And
uh
I
think
the
short
version
is
we
got
lost.
Uh
we
were
riding
way
past
where
we
should
have
ridden.
Um,
and
you
know,
we
basically
like
were
stranded
on
the
side
of
a
mountain,
you
know,
with
nothing
but
our
bikes
to
like,
you
know,
get
out.
Uh
and
there
was
some
frustrating
words
that
were
exchanged
from
you
or
the
entire
bachelor
party.
Uh,
you
know,
what
these
are
things
that
um
uh
we
can't
say
more
about.
Everybody's
still
alive.
Everybody's
still
alive.

SPEAKER_04
25:42

But
again,
like
typical
bachelor
party
right
there.
Why
go
to
Vegas
when
you
can
go
on
a
hut
to
hut
cycling
trip
and
get
stranded
on
a
mountain
with
Julian
Cagle?
Totally.

SPEAKER_00
25:53

But
there's
all
those
different
types
of
fun,
right?
Like
type
one
fun,
type
two
fun,
type
three
fun.
And
like
biking,
even
when
it's
hard,
like
at
the
end
of
it,
like
the
things
you
get
to
see,
like
normal
saying,
like
you
can
go
a
hundred
miles
in
a
single
day
on
a
bicycle,
like
with
your
legs.
Like,
what
type
of
machine
can
do
that?
Um,
and
you're
able,
you're
still
able
to
the
entire
time
like
smell
the
flowers,
see
the
stuff.
Like,
I
don't
know,
it's
absolutely
the
most
adventurous
way
to
get
from
point
A
to
point
B.
And
we
haven't
really
talked
about
this
yet,
but
like
literally,
like
this
whole
like
starting
riding
from
college
turned
into
all
sorts
of
crazy
trips.
Like,
did
you
guys
know
that
Noel
biked
across
the
entire
world
by
himself
one
year?
Tessa
and
I,
the
year
after
decided
to
do
something
less
crazy,
but
we
rode
across
the
country
together.
Like,
there's
just,
I
don't
know,
the
bike
can
really
get
you
places,
and
you
know,
we
always
just
take
it
for
granted,
but
like
biking
can
change
your
life
in
one
of
the
most
positive
ways.
And
like
humans
are
meant
to
migrate.
There's
something
in
us
that
wants
to
move
and
see
stuff.
Um,
and
to
be
able
to
do
that
with
your
own
leg
power
and
not
have
to
rely
on
anything
but
a
simple
machine
is
pretty
special.

SPEAKER_04
27:01

Noel,
can
you
talk
about
your
cycling
around
the
world
trip?
I
I
forget
that
was
a
few
years
ago,
right?

SPEAKER_03
27:06

Uh
it
was
a
few
years
ago,
yes.
Um
yeah,
so
after
you
know,
meant
uh
after
those
uh
trips,
you
know,
riding
our
bikes
to
school,
you
know,
I
graduated,
I
graduated
college,
and
you
know,
I
had
an
idea
that
I
wanted
to
do
another
long
distance
uh
adventure.
And
you
know,
I
didn't
really
have
the
money.
Uh
I
didn't
really
know
what
I
was
gonna
do,
but
um
I
started
building
my
bike
and
I
was
like,
I
don't
exactly
know
where
I'm
gonna
go,
what
I'm
gonna
do,
but
I
know
sort
of
the
bike
that
I
want.
So
I
started,
you
know,
building
it,
spending
my
money
on
that.
And
um,
you
know,
it
took
about
five
years
to
save
up
enough
money.
And
and
what
I
decided
to
do
was
I
wanted
to
do,
you
know,
ocean
to
ocean,
and
doing
that
in
North
America,
you
know,
a
lot
of
people
do
that.
It's
an
awesome
trip.
There's
a
lot
to
see.
Um,
but
it
seemed
not
quite
epic
enough
for
me.
And
uh,
so
then
I
looked
at
the
globe,
it's
like,
what
other
oceans
can
I
do?
It's
like,
oh,
I
could
do
across
Europe
and
Asia,
you
know,
from
Atlantic
to
Pacific.
That's
like
the
world's
longest,
largest
landmass.
And
so
I
started
in
uh
Portugal,
as
far
west
as
you
could
get,
and
I
ended
in
China,
uh,
essentially
as
far
east
as
you
could
get.
So
that
was
11,000
miles.
I
was
on
my
bike
for
the
better
part
of
a
year,
um,
solo
trip,
camping
out,
you
know,
most
nights.
And
uh
it
was
like
my
job
every
day
was
to
just
ride
my
bike,
you
know,
and
head
east.
And
as
Amelia
was
saying,
like
it's
you
can
go
fast
enough
and
make
enough
distance
to
actually
piece
this
together,
but
you're
going
slow
enough
where
you
get
to
like
experience
everything,
right?
Like
you
become
intimately
familiar
with
the
rivers
and
the
valleys
and
the
mountains
and
you
know,
the
landscape
because
you
are
working
over
it.
Um,
you
know,
and
the
small
villages,
and
you
know,
you
just
think
about
people's
travel
experiences,
like
you
know,
sometimes
you
meet
people
and
like
uh
from
abroad
and
like,
oh,
I've
been
to
America,
like
I've
been
to
New
York,
Disney
World,
and
Las
Vegas.
And
I'm
like,
is
that
America?
Like,
is
that
representative?
Like,
have
you
been
to
Iowa?
Have
you
been
to
Boise?
Like,
have
you
been
to
the
in-between
places?
You
know,
have
you
been
to
Wisconsin?
And
so
that's
how
I
felt
on
that
journey.
It's
like
you
got
to
see
literally,
you
know,
this
huge
section
of
the
world,
you
know,
all
the
in-between
places,
not
point
A,
point
B,
like
all
the
places
in
between.
It
was
pretty
incredible.

SPEAKER_04
29:28

Was
it
what
was
your
favorite
place
on
that
trip?
And
what
was
the
diceyest
situation
you
got
yourself
in?

SPEAKER_03
29:33

Yeah,
uh,
you
know,
I
did
a
shakedown
ride,
uh,
and
so
that's
like
sort
of
a
ride
to
test
out
your
equipment.
And
I
did
that
from
St.
Louis
to
Atlanta,
and
that's
where
I
flew
out
of
was
Atlanta.
And
uh
like
it's
really
sad,
but
my
diciest
situation
was
in
Tennessee,
like
in
my
own
country.
Like
you're
across
the
world
trip.
Yeah.

SPEAKER_04
29:52

Out
of
all
the
places,
I
thought
you
might
be
missing
a
passport
or
might
have
got
robbed
smoke
at
Tennessee.

SPEAKER_03
29:58

So
it's
like,
you
know,
you're
on
this
real
backcountry
road
in
the
deep
south,
and
you
just
get
the
feeling
like
you
are
not
welcome.
And
that's
like
a
huge
shame.
Like,
I
this
is
America,
I'm
an
American,
like
we
all
have
similar
values,
uh,
many
of
us,
and
like
to
sort
of
feel
that
you're
not
welcome
in
a
place,
and
you
know,
the
worst
interaction
was
you
know,
sort
of
a
you
know,
big
pickup
truck
rolling
coal,
you
know,
passing
me
super
close,
flicking
a
cigarette
out
the
window
at
me
and
and
calling
me
a
derogatory
name.
Like
that's
just
sucks,
right?
You
know,
and
meanwhile,
like
I'm
in
you
know,
former
Soviet
countries
and
you
know,
Eastern
Europe
and
China
and
like
every
other
place
has
been
like
just
so
welcoming
and
friendly
and
you
know,
curious
about
travelers
and
yeah,
um
you
know,
and
you
sort
of
ask
like
what
what
what
are
some
wonderful
moments
and
or
what
you
know
great
places
to
ride.
And
the
answer
is
it
kind
of
depends,
right?
Like
if
you
want
a
very
carefree,
like
sort
of
easy,
fun
uh
riding
experience,
like
Germany
is
awesome.
Germany
is
you
know,
great
infrastructure,
great
food,
like
it's
it's
sort
of
easy
to
get
around,
but
it's
like
very
pleasurable
because
the
infrastructure
is
so
great.
Um,
you
know,
it
doesn't
feel
super
exotic,
but
it's
really
great
riding.
It's
really
fun.
There's
plenty
to
see,
plenty
to
do.
Um,
you
know,
in
contrast
that
with,
you
know,
let's
say
Kyrgyzstan
in
Central
Asia,
like
there
is
no
bike
infrastructure
there.
You're
riding
on
a
horrible
washboarded
gravel
road,
but
you're
surrounded
by
20,000
foot
peaks,
you
know,
Mount
Lenin,
and
you
know,
you're
at
the
base
of
the
Himalayas,
and
like
in
all
of
this
expanse,
like
you
are
the
only
person,
you
know,
and
like
how
awesome
is
it
to
be
in
a
place
where
you
know,
this
majestic
beauty
all
around
you,
and
and
you're
on
your
bike,
you've
you've
come
here,
you
know,
under
your
own
power,
and
you're
sort
of
alone
in
that
space.
It's
like
really
empowering.
It's
pretty
cool.

SPEAKER_04
31:56

What
was
the
what
would
you
say
the
number
one
thing
you
learned
from
that
whole
experience
was?

SPEAKER_03
32:01

Yeah,
you
know,
people
would
sometimes
ask,
like,
oh,
did
you
hit
your
limit?
And
the
answer
is
like,
no.
Like,
I
think
that's
what
I
learned.
Like,
I
I
never
found
my
limit,
like
the
physical
limit,
the
mental
limit.
Like,
uh,
you
know,
I
was
really
motivated
to
do
this
and
you
know,
make
progress
every
day.
And
like
it
was
hard.
Like,
it's
physically
hard,
it's
mentally
and
emotionally
hard,
but
like
I
never
found
that
limit,
like
I
never
broke.
Um,
you
know,
and
I
think
that
has
in
the
years
since
just
been
a
reference
point
to
me.
Like,
no
matter
how
hard
things
are,
like
my
limit
is
much
further
uh
ahead.

SPEAKER_04
32:36

All
right,
we
got
a
guest
cameo
here,
Michael
Berry.
First,
first
federal
bank.

SPEAKER_00
32:41

Yay!

SPEAKER_04
32:42

In
the
building.
Absolutely.
Thank
you
for
coming
on.
Michael,
you
guys
are
just
just
starting
to
bank
with
Wheel
and
Sprock.
Can
you
tell
me
why
you're
excited
about
that?

SPEAKER_02
32:52

Um,
well,
if
you've
been
listening
to
some
of
the
stories
already,
I
mean,
why
would
you
not
want
to
get
involved
with
a
company
like
Wheel
and
Sprocket?
Um,
credit
to
our
former
president
and
CEO,
Ed
Schaefer.
Um,
a
big
cyclist.
I
know
he
rides
at
least
a
few
times
a
week.
Um,
but
called
on
the
company
several
times.
Um,
thanks
for
Ed
for
getting
the
door
open
on
that.
Um
We
always
like
working
with
small
businesses
in
our
community.
Um
Wheel
and
Sprocket
is
no
exception.
Everybody
knows
who
Wheel
and
Sprocket
is.
Uh
great
organization,
been
around
for
decades.
Kegel's
Inn
and
the
Family
is
a
Wisconsin
institution
as
well.
So
really
excited
to
work
with
them,
really
excited
they
have
a
foundation.
So
as
a
community
bank,
we
love
to
work
with
those
that
like
to
give
back.
Uh
so
there's
just
numerous
reasons
why
we're
excited
to
work
with
Wheel
and
Sprockett.

SPEAKER_04
33:36

Ed
Schaeffer,
known
as
Eddie
Money
to
some,
an
elite
athlete
getting
on
the
bike
zone
several
times
a
week.
Um
he
was
a
good
tennis
player
back
in
the
day,
too.

SPEAKER_02
33:48

Tennis,
soccer,
cycling,
all
sorts.
Yeah,
absolutely.
Quite
the
athlete.

SPEAKER_04
33:52

Absolutely.
Have
you
have
you
rode
across
the
country
or
the
world
yet?

SPEAKER_02
33:57

I
you
know,
I
thought
900
miles
to
Quebec
was
long,
and
then
the
11,000
miles
story
came
out.
Um
no,
I've
I've
not
rode
any
anywhere
close
to
that
distance.
Not
yet.
Uh
not
yet.
Um
might
get
an
invite
here
soon.
Um
I
I
rode
BMX
when
I
was
younger,
so
I
used
to
race
BMX
bikes.
So
our
tracks
were
very
short.
Um,
so
the
race
was
hard,
but
it
was
over
quite
quickly.
So
um
more
of
a
soccer
player,
so
I
get
my
endurance
workout
on
the
soccer
field.
But
uh
yeah,
definitely
enjoyed
my
BMX
days.
So
when
I
was
this
growing
up,
high
school,
when
was
yeah,
um
high
school,
let's
see,
started
in
junior
high,
kind
of
ended
my
junior
senior
year.
Very
cool.
So
I
wasn't
that
great.
I
think
my
best
finish
was
maybe
third
place.
Sure,
all
those
trophies
are
somewhere
in
a
box.

SPEAKER_04
34:42

I
give
anyone
a
lot
of
credit
who's
getting
out
on
in
BMX
riding.

SPEAKER_02
34:47

A
lot
of
fun,
but
uh
a
lot
of
participation
trophies
in
that
box.

SPEAKER_04
34:50

So
braver
man
than
I.
Um
Noel,
do
you
want
to
touch
on
the
relationship
with
First
Fed?

SPEAKER_03
34:56

Yeah,
what
I
would
say
is
uh,
you
know,
one
of
the
uh
underlying
values
at
the
shop
is
what
we
call
win-win
or
no-deal.
And
that
that
sort
of
extends
right
to
all
the
relationships
we
have
with
our
staff,
with
customers,
with
uh
business
partners,
you
know,
and
and
our
banking
relationships,
no,
no
exception.
Like
we
we
want
it
to
be
good
for
both
parties.
Like
we
are
loyal,
we're
uh
like
long,
long-term
oriented,
you
know,
and
we
were
with
a
bank
for
30
some
years.
And
you
know,
bank
is
you
know,
banking
and
finance
is
sort
of
like
infrastructure
for
business.
Um,
you
know,
keep
keep
you
know,
money
moving
and
uh,
you
know,
supporting
the
primary
uh
actors
in
the
economy.
And
you
know,
so
I
think
um,
you
know,
a
bank
like
First
Federal
has
just
been
a
real
breath
of
fresh
air
as
we
were
sort
of
shopping
around.
Um,
you
know,
it's
very
clear
that
the
bank
is
oriented,
you
know,
to
community
businesses
uh
like
ourselves.
And
um,
you
know,
when
like
infrastructure
is
not
sexy.
Like,
you
know,
just
think
of
your
own
like
you
know,
on
the
road,
and
you
know,
like
you
want
the
roads
to
work,
right?
You
want
the
trains
to
run
on
time,
like
you
want
the
infrastructure
like
to
not
even
think
about
it.
Uh,
you
know,
and
and
every
once
in
a
while
there's
an
issue,
there's
a
pothole,
like
and
you
want
it
taken
care
of.
And
you
know,
so
I
I
think
sort
of
like
that
metaphor
works
for
banking
too.
Like
in
general,
it's
just
sort
of
there,
and
you
know,
it
works
and
you
rely
on
it,
but
when
there
are
issues,
like
you
want
them
taken
care
of,
like
because
it's
creating
friction
and
it's
um
you
know,
it's
causing
you
to
disrupt
your
primary
business.
So,
anyways,
like
uh,
you
know,
as
we
were
looking
around,
you
know,
we
mentioned
Ed
Schaefer,
you
know,
he's
been
knocking
on
the
door
for
a
little
while.
And
um,
you
know,
it
was
it
was
the
time.
And
you
know,
the
team
at
First
Federal
has
been
wonderful,
right?
Mitch
and
Mike
and
Rachel
and
Ed
and
everybody
we've
we've
dealt
with.
It's
just
a
real
breath
of
fresh
air,
and
we
feel
the
support.
Um,
you
know,
we
can
pick
up
pick
up
the
phone
or
send
an
email
and
get
an
answer,
you
know,
really
quickly,
and
it's
awesome
because
then
we
can
just
focus
on
our
business.

SPEAKER_04
36:58

That
is
nice.
I
mean,
we've
worked
with
them
for
years
very
uh
very
ingrained
in
the
local
communities,
and
and
when
a
pothole
arises,
as
you
were
saying,
you
can
pick
up
the
phone
and
call
someone
who's
right
here
and
happy
to
happy
to
help.
Totally.

SPEAKER_02
37:12

Absolutely.
We
we
really
have
a
relationship
type
drive
and
a
relationship
type
focus.
So
uh
we're
happy
to
do
transactions,
we're
happy
to
help
somebody
on
a
one-off,
but
uh
we
we
really
feel
like
we
add
value
when
we
get
to
know
a
business
more,
not
just
helping
with
opening
accounts,
but
being
there
for
service.
Our
money
is
green
as
the
next
bank.
Uh,
it
really
comes
down
to
the
people
that
you
work
with
and
the
service
that
you
get.
So
um
responding
quickly
to
those
potholes
and
being
able
to
get
through
that
stuff,
I
think,
is
a
big
difference.

SPEAKER_04
37:40

Absolutely.
Michael,
thank
you
for
joining
us.
Yeah,
thanks
for
having
me.
Absolutely.
Tess,
should
we
bring
you
back
in
for
a
few
more
family
questions?
Any
memories
that
stand
out
from
you
two
on
these
long
kegle
cycling
trips.
And
where
did
everyone
else
go
to
school?
Did
someone
bike
to
was
it
Alaska
or
was
Quebec
the
the
highest?

SPEAKER_03
38:04

Uh
not
Alaska.

SPEAKER_00
38:08

I
went
to
school
in
British
Columbia,
so
you
can
see
this
Canadian
theme
here.
Um
actually,
fun
fact,
you
can
go
out
of
state
for
uh
like
out
of
state
is
pretty
expensive
for
college.
Canada
is
very
affordable.
So
if
your
kids
are
looking
for
college,
there's
great
scholarships.
AP
classes
uh
really
translate.
So
shout
out
to
Canada.
We
love
Canada,
okay.
Um
but
yeah,
so
uh
British
Columbia
is
obviously
too
far
away
for
a
family
vacation.
So
we
decided
to
start
in
Alberta,
which
is
the
province
next
to
British
Columbia,
and
we
rode
across
British
Columbia,
um,
which
I
should
know
the
distance
and
I
just
don't
remember.
But
it
took
about
two
weeks,
and
we
would
usually,
as
a
family,
average
about
60
miles
a
day.
That
seemed
to
be
like
family
standard
where
we
would
still
have
energy
to
be
nice
to
each
other
at
the
end
of
the
day,
okay,
because
that's
important.
Um,
but
yeah,
I
think
one
of
the
there's
so
many
best
days
on
a
bike,
but
um
I
actually
think
if
I
can
graduate
over
uh
after
I
finished
college,
I
decided
I
also
wanted
to
do
an
epic
bike
trip.
So
I
decided
I
wanted
to
ride
my
bike
across
the
country
because
that
seemed
more
attainable
to
me
than
the
world,
right?
Um,
but
I
invited
my
sister
and
my
dad
and
12
of
my
college
buddies
uh
before
accepting
my
fate
in
the
bicycle
world.
I
actually
thought
I
wanted
to
be
a
farmer.
All
right.
So
it's
the
only
thing
harder
than
bike
shop,
I
think,
because
at
least
like
it's
seasonal,
but
our
crops
don't
get
eaten.
So
um,
anyways,
I
wanted
to
go
and
snoop
on
different
farms.
So
we've
literally
rode
60
miles
a
day
for
60
days
and
stopped
on
local
organic
farms
along
the
way,
which
was
amazing.
Um,
I
also
am
a
little
bit
like
had
a
hippie
mom.
So
we
traded
an
hour
of
work
for
them
from
the
12
of
us
to
go
work
on
the
farm
so
that
the
farm
would
put
us
up
for
the
night
and
cook
us
a
meal.
And
I
have
to
say,
you
guys,
after
you
ride
60
miles
in
a
day,
everything
tastes
good,
right?
Like
you're
like,
oh
my
gosh.
And
these
farmers
would
like,
there's
a
lady
who
slaughtered
a
cow
and
fed
us
the
meat.
And
that
was
it
was
the
best
food
of
our
entire
lives.
Um,
and
it
was
so
many,
like,
there's
so
many
things
that
you
learn
from
that.
But
like
as
a
young
adult,
learning
what
good
food
did
for
your
body
was
actually
really
interesting.
Cause
for
example,
we
went
to
Philadelphia,
rode
through
Philadelphia,
had
some
Philly
cheesesteaks.
All
of
us
were
dying.
Like,
we're
like,
oh
my
God,
too
much
grease,
too
much
whatever.
Um,
but
I
think
one
of
the
most
fun
things
about
that
was
I
did,
I
had
12
of
my
cool
college
buddies,
and
then
I
had
my
dad
and
my
sister.
All
right.
Um,
but
the
time
that
we
got
to
spend
together
as
a
family,
like
in
hindsight,
like
I
don't
know
if
you
guys
know
the
story,
but
our
dad
got
terminally
sick
with
a
cancer
and
died
within
a
year
of
that
diagnosis.
So
to
be
able
to
spend
two
months
with
my
dad
and
my
sister,
and
again,
like
when
you're
riding,
you
can
just
storytell.
Like
it's
just
fascinating.
The
person
that
you
get
to
ride
with,
you'd
start
talking
about
super
weird
topics
or
just
like
really
big
topics.
Um
and
yeah,
I
just
will
always
treasure
like
being
able
to
spend
that
time
with
my
dad,
with
my
sister.
It
was
amazing.

SPEAKER_04
41:09

Tess,
any
f
any
favorite
memories
that
you
had
on
these
bike
trips?

SPEAKER_01
41:14

Oh,
yeah,
tons
of
them.
Well,
I'll
first
start
and
say
that
I
had
no
interest
in
riding
my
bike
to
college.
So
where
did
you
go?
Um
Did
you
go
to
Canada
as
well?
Um
no,
but
very
close.
I
went
to
the
University
of
Montana
in
Missoula.
Oh,
cool.
Um,
so
uh
while
we
were
already
on
a
bike
trip,
these
were
yearly
events,
um,
we
were
in
what
was
it,
Bayomp
Jasper
National
Park
in
Canada.
And
I
was
looking
for
colleges.
So
during
that
trip,
we
made
our
way
down
to
Montana
and
through
the
glacier,
I
think
we
stopped
in.
And
then
um
I
was
able
to
tour
the
University
of
Montana
and
I
decided
I
want
to
go
there.
So
when
it
was
time,
I
just
got
dropped
off
at
college.
We
did
not
ride.
Um
but
yeah,
I
think
similarly,
um
it's
hard
to
forget
that
cross-country
bike
trip
with
my
dad,
especially
because
I
was
I
did
no
training
whatsoever.
I
was
20
years
old.
I
didn't
really
have
like
interest
in
much
other
than
you
know,
whatever
I
was
doing
that
moment,
right?
So
I
decided
sure,
I'll
go
with
them.
And
I
was
the
last
person
with
my
dad
every
single
day
for
the
entire
two
months.
How
sore
were
you?
Very
sore.
I
mean,
you
start
in
in
Oregon,
so
you're
going
through
mountains.
So
I'm
like,
oh,
I
probably
could
have
trained
for
this.
However,
uh
along
the
way,
you
you
train
yourself
to
just
shut
up
and
do
it.
Um,
but
yeah,
it's
very
special
to
have
that
time
just
at
the
end
of
the
pack.
You
know,
everyone
in
the
front
was
Amelia's
friends,
they
were
a
little
bit
older.
They
um,
you
know,
were
duking
it
out
to
see
who
could
get
there
first,
and
I
just
had
no
interest
in
that.
So
me
and
my
dad
were
chilling
in
the
back
and
always
remember
that.
Um
yeah,
I
mean,
I
think
the
last
trip
that
we
did
with
my
dad
was
in
Alaska.
We
were
doing
a
bike
trip
with
um
my
all
the
keggles
and
also
our
step
family,
the
con
uh
Connolly's
family.
They
have
different
last
names
now.
Um
doing
a
family
trip
and
just
I
think
my
dad
at
that
time
knew
he
was
sick
and
he
would
just
look
around
the
room
and
just
shed
a
tear
with
how
happy
he
was
that
everyone
was
together.
And
little
did
we
know
that
was
our
last
trip
with
them.
But
amazing.

SPEAKER_04
43:38

Um
speaking
of,
uh
uh
my
my
reached
out
to
my
dad
before
doing
this
ask
for
some
questions.
Um
referring
to
Chris
Kegley
said
your
father
was
one
of
the
great
people
who
walked
the
earth.
What
what
made
him
so
special?
In
in
your
own
words?

SPEAKER_00
43:55

I
think
a
million
things,
but
our
dad
was
truly
a
kind
human
being.
And
You
know,
though
he
lived
this
big
life
and
was
always
interacting
with
humans
of
like
all
different
walks
of
life,
whenever
he
would
talk
with
you,
he
would
make
you
feel
like
you
were
the
only
person
that
mattered.
Um,
and
I
think
that
was
one
of
his
like
super
skills
because
uh,
you
know,
he
did
get
diagnosed
with
this
crazy
cancer,
and
everybody
handles
the
last
part
of
their
life
in
different
ways.
But
our
dad
wanted
to
be
surrounded
by
people,
all
right?
So
there
were
people
who
literally
flew
in.
We
had
to
like
manage
his
calendar
and
it
was
a
lot.
But
people
flew
in
from
all
over
the
country,
being
like,
Christ,
you
sold
me
my
first
bike
when
I
was
20,
to
hey,
you
did
a
business
seminar
and
it
changed
my
business
forever.
Um,
but
it
was
literally
like,
I
don't
know,
I
didn't
read
that
book,
but
like
Tuesdays
with
Maury,
like
people
just
got
to
have
this
like
time
with
him.
And
it
was
so
incredibly
special.
But
it
really,
like,
you
know,
I'll
always
remember
this,
like
somewhere
close
to
being
on
his
deathbed,
he
honestly
said
to
me,
like,
Oh,
Amelia,
maybe
I
should
have
focused
on
making
more
money.
And
I
was
like,
What
are
you
talking
about?
You
know,
and
I
think
uh
he
had
run
this
very
successful
business
in
many,
many
ways.
And
I
think
there's
so
many
things
that
made
him
even
more
extraordinary
than
just
being
like
a
millionaire,
uh,
because
he
cared
about
social
wealth
as
much
as
he
did
about
economic
wealth.
Um,
and
to
me,
just
as
a
young
human
seeing
the
impact
that
one
person
can
have
on
so
many
different
lives,
like
that's
a
superpower
and
would
like
to
try
to
emulate
that.

SPEAKER_03
45:26

Yeah,
I
think
that's
right.
You
know,
kindness
was
certainly
uh
an
attribute
that
um
you
know
shaped
every
uh
interaction
that
that
uh
people
had
with
him.
You
know,
one
of
the
other
things
um,
you
know,
was
was
a
sense
of
uh
or
an
intention
of
self
to
self-improve
yourself.
And
you
know,
I
remember
uh
you
know
being
a
kid
and
you
know
he
would
have
these
tape
programs
from
like
Tony
Robbins
or
Zig
Ziggler
or
Brian
Tracy,
sort
of
these
like
self-improvement,
whether
personal
improvement,
business
improvement,
and
he
would
play
these
tapes
uh
in
the
car
and
just
driving
around
and
you
know,
sort
of
that
spirit
of
continuous
learning
and
improvement
uh
I
think
you
know
has
carried
forward.
I
think
we
all,
you
know,
similarly
are
always
you
know
trying
to
improve
ourselves
and
improve
the
business.
Uh
like
you
can
always
be
learning,
and
you
know,
this
is
a
this
is
a
guy
who
never
graduated
college,
like
he
dropped
out,
uh,
but
yet
he
was
committed
to
always
improving
himself
and
learning
over
the
course
of
his
career
of
his
life.
And
um,
you
know,
it
was
a
special
moment
in
those
last
few
months.
He
actually
received
uh
an
honorary
doctorate
from
UWM
from
the
school
that
he
never
graduated
from.
Um,
you
know,
but
in
those
last
few
months
um
to
be
recognized
in
that
way
for
his
contributions
to
the
community
um,
you
know,
as
a
as
a
um
honorary
alum
was
pretty
cool.
Tessa
anything
to
add?

SPEAKER_01
46:52

Yeah,
I
think
um
one
of
my
favorite
things
about
my
dad
is
that
to
everyone
else,
he
was
this
soft-spoken,
kind
um,
you
know,
person
that
would
give
you
the
time
of
day.
And
then
to
us,
he
was
just
super
goofy.
So
in
a
weirdo,
like
the
biggest
weirdo.
Um
so
when
I
went
to
high
school,
I
was
at
Homestead
High
School
and
it's
right
um
on
Mekwan
Road
there,
and
every
morning
my
dad
would
be
riding
his
recumbent
bike
that
had
a
shield
over
it,
like
a
red
spandex
shield
over
it.
Looked
like
he
was
from
outer
space,
like
riding
a
spam.
Yeah.
So
all
my
friends
would
be
like,
hey,
I
saw
your
dad
riding
this
morning.
He's
looking
cool.
I'm
like,
I
don't
know
how
to
explain
what
that
is.
I
mean,
it
is
funny.
He
just
really
did
not
care
um,
you
know,
how
goofy
he
looked.
He
was
like,
I'm
I'm
gonna
ride
this
recumbent
bike.
I'm
not
gonna
ride
a
cool
bike.
I'm
gonna
sit
back,
relax,
enjoy
my
ride.
So
fun
times.

SPEAKER_04
48:00

I
landed
on
some
website
before
this,
and
it
was
like
just
some
Chris
Kegel
messages
and
stories.
And
the
range
of
it
was
like
someone
writing
about
he
was
coaching
soccer
and
he
put
their
daughter
in
who
was
either
autistic
or
had
had
some
issue,
and
the
parents
weren't
that
happy,
and
he
he
played
her
anyway,
and
like
how
grateful
that
parent
was,
or
the
other
one
was
like,
I
bought
a
kayak
from
Wheel
and
Sprocket
in
the
80s,
and
Chris
Kaggle
went
to
the
pool
and
taught
me
how
to
ride
and
was
like
zipping
around
the
aquatic
center.
So,
like
the
uh
yeah,
just
the
range
of
stories.
What
what
a
what
an
amazing
individual.
And
he
the
the
first
slow
roll.
Do
you
guys
want
to
talk
about
the
slow
roll
slow
roll
that
happens
every
year?
Um,
he
was
still
alive
for
the
first
one.
I
I
remember,
and
it
was
amazing.
I
don't
know,
it
seemed
like
thousands
of
people
showed
up,
and
it's
something
that
you
all
do
every
year.
And
we
touched
on
the
foundation
earlier.

SPEAKER_00
48:52

I
mean,
Richie,
like
I
think
you
pointed
out
something.
Like,
actually,
our
families
like
have
been
tied
in
such
a
nice
way
for
so
long.
But
literally,
when
our
dad
got
sick,
we
didn't
know
what
to
do,
and
we
called
your
dad,
and
he
was
like,
We
should
put
on
a
bike
ride.
And
I'm
like,
Okay,
when?
And
he's
like,
ten
days
from
now,
right?
And
Trek
came
in
and
bought
us
a
thousand
yellow
shirts
and
figured
out
a
way
to
get
a
jumbotron
so
we
could
watch
the
Packer
game
and
keggles
in,
right?
Keggles
in.
And
it
literally,
like
all
of
a
sudden,
we
just
had
all
of
the
support
of
all
of
Trek
Bicycles,
like
there
for
us
in
a
really
hard
time.
Like,
you
know,
we
were
all
grieving
and
just
didn't
know
what
to
do.
And
it
still
tears
me
up,
like,
because
it
was
such
a
generous
moment,
and
it
really
like
is
just
again
a
testament
to
this
relationship
thing.
Like,
for
years,
Wheel
and
Sprocket
and
Trek
have
grown
together
as
a
big
business
and
you
know,
gotten
to
the
top
of
both
of
the
fields.
And
it's
just
it's
truly
amazing.
So
I
know
I'm
going
on
a
tangent,
but
the
slow
roll
is
only
exists
because
of
the
generosity
of
your
father
and
of
truck
bicycles.
So
that
first
year
was
very
special.
We
love
that.
Uh,
we've
been
doing
it
ever
since.
So
we're
on
year
this
is
the
year
11.
Year
11.
Um,
and
the
I'll
let
you
guys
talk
about
it,
but
like,
you
know,
we
just
really
want
to
do
something
that
gives
back
to
the
bike
community
that
celebrates
how
special
like
the
relationship
in
the
community
really
is.
So
we
make
it
free.
What?
How
do
we
do
that?

SPEAKER_03
50:17

Yeah,
so
really
the
right,
the
the
slow
roll
is
the
idea
is
like
just
show
up
with
your
bike
and
join
a
thousand
other
people
on
this
casual,
sort
of
fun,
all
ages,
uh,
you
know,
very
accessible
ride.
Um,
and
and
now
it's
on
the
east
side
uh
along
the
lake
and
on
the
Oak
Leaf
Trail.
And
right,
like
that's
that's
the
purpose
of
it.
The
purpose
is
just
to
bring
people
together.
There's
you
don't
have
to
pay
anything,
uh,
just
show
up
and
ride
your
bike
with
a
thousand
friends.
Um,
you
know,
and
it's
it's
sustained
itself
now
for
11
years,
which
is
pretty
incredible.
And
you
know,
a
lot
of
people
when
you
ask
people
why
they
don't
ride
bikes,
the
number
one
answer
is
I
don't
feel
safe.
And
this
is
a
you
know,
when
you're
with
a
big
group
of
people,
you
now
you
are
the
dominant
force
on
the
road.
So,
you
know,
it
helps
people
who
maybe
you
know
don't
otherwise
feel
confident
on
the
road.
And
um,
you
know,
there's
a
there's
a
great
social
dynamic
with
the
all
that
many
people
sort
of
supporting
each
other
and
riding
together.
And
it's
not
about
going
fast,
it's
you
know,
there's
there's
tons
of
families
and
kids
and
people
of
all
ages
uh
and
abilities,
and
it's
just
a
feel-good
show
up
and
ride
your
bike
together
event.

SPEAKER_01
51:31

I
just
wanted
to
add
with
that,
is
like
it's
the
slow
roll
started
as
a
celebration
of
life
for
my
dad
while
he
was
alive,
and
now
it's
a
celebration
of
just
bicycles
and
what
they
can
do
for
their
community
and
bringing
it
together.
So
it
whether
people
are
there
for
to
commemorate
my
dad
or
just
because
they
heard
about
it,
um,
heard
about
this
amazing
community
event,
it
it's
uh
holds
a
different
place
for
everyone,
but
the
commonality
is
that
everyone
has
fun
on
a
bicycle.

SPEAKER_03
52:00

So
yeah,
so
it's
uh
September
20th,
20th,
2026,
and
you
show
up,
you
get
a
yellow
shirt,
you
get
a
beer,
you
get
a
brat,
and
you
have
get
a
good
time
on
a
bike.

SPEAKER_04
52:12

Food
bike
headless
in.
Is
it
is
it
on
a
Sunday?
Sunday
morning.
Sunday,
September
20th.
Yep.
Mark
it
on
the
calendar.
Um,
before
I
let
you
guys
go,
you
talked
about
great
places
to
cycle
or
cycling
trips
mostly
across
the
country
and
the
world.
Where
are
your
favorite
places
or
trails
to
cycle
in
the
state
of
Wisconsin?

SPEAKER_00
52:34

Okay,
when
I'm
not
pregnant
or
having
a
tidy
child,
I
really
love
to
mountain
bike.
And
this
is
something
I
started
later
in
life.
Like,
I
don't
know,
I
was
always
touring,
always
riding
on
the
road,
and
I
love
hiking.
And
I
was
like,
oh,
you
can
ride
your
bike
in
the
woods?
Like,
I
didn't
know
that
was
a
thing.
Um,
and
there
are
so
many
amazing
mountain
bike
trails
here
in
Wisconsin.
Huge
shout
out
to
Wisconsin
DNR
that
is
continually
building
more
trails.
Uh,
I
think
the
John
Muir
Trail
was
my
first
mountain
bike
trail.
I
think
that's
a
lot
of
people's
first
experience.
Uh,
but
I
have
to
do
a
shout-out
to
some
local
stuff,
like
Minooka
Park
in
Waukeshaw,
absolutely
amazing.
Um,
Milwaukee
County
Parks
is
starting
to
put
some
more
trails
here
in
Milwaukee,
which
we're
really
excited
for.
And
then
weirdly,
in
Kenosha,
I
really
like
Silver
Lake
Park.

SPEAKER_04
53:19

Oh,
mountain
bike
trails.

SPEAKER_00
53:20

That's
what
I'm
gonna
go
for.

SPEAKER_04
53:22

Yeah,
I'm
not
too
much
of
a
mountain
biker,
so
and
I'm
also
we
could
we
could
give
some
rotor
casual
riders
something
something
as
well.

SPEAKER_01
53:29

I'm
quite
the
casual
rider.
Um
so
I
actually
live
in
West
Dallas,
so
I
commute
to
Bayview
on
the
Hank
Aaron
State
Trail.
And
then
when
I
feel
like
taking
a
detour,
we
go
to
the
Oak
Leaf
Trail,
which
is
amazing.
Um,
it's
an
amazing
network
kind
of
um
connecting
the
whole
city
together.
So
anytime
I
want
to
go
anywhere,
just
hop
on
the
oak
leaf.

SPEAKER_04
53:53

That's
a
good
one.
Went
on
that
one
a
bunch
when
I
lived
on
the
east
side.
Now
now
I'm
Mentosis,
so
we
do
the
uh
the
Menominee
Parkway
and
like
to
stop
at
Hoyt
Park
for
beer.

SPEAKER_01
54:02

Yeah,
there's
lots
of
beer
beer
gardens
on
every
stop
at
the
oak
leaf
trail.

SPEAKER_04
54:07

So
there
are.
There
are
a
lot
of
good
ones
on
that
one.
Yeah,
you
got
Estherbrook,
you
got
um
Juno.

SPEAKER_01
54:13

South
Shore.

SPEAKER_04
54:14

Hubbard
Park.

SPEAKER_01
54:15

Whitnell
Park?
Yeah.
Wait,
Whitnell's
a
little
far,
but
South
Shore
is
a
great
one.

SPEAKER_04
54:21

Oh
yeah.

SPEAKER_01
54:21

McCarty
Park.
That's
by
me.

SPEAKER_04
54:24

Noel,
any
places
around
the
state,
you've
been
all
over
the
place.

SPEAKER_03
54:29

Yeah,
you
know,
I'm
in
I'm
in
a
phase
of
life
with
uh
two
little
kids,
and
what
I
really
just
love
to
do
is
we
have
one
of
these
cargo
bikes
with
a
big
bucket
in
the
front,
and
they
could
put
both
of
them
in
there.
And
um
we
have
sort
of
a
little
circuit,
you
know,
we
live
on
the
east
side,
you
know,
Riverwest
area,
and
uh
so
we
have
a
little
circuit,
you
know,
we'll
go,
you
know,
on
the
marsupial
bridge,
we'll
you
know,
go
on
Water
Street,
um,
you
know,
pick
up
pick
up
food,
you
know,
have
a
picnic
somewhere,
you
know,
ride
back
on
the
oak
leaf.
So,
you
know,
it's
really
a
shout
out
to
you
know
all
the
people
that
have
worked
over
decades
to
develop
um
you
know
off-street
uh
trail
uh
infrastructure
here
in
Milwaukee
County.
It's
it's
genuinely
amazing,
and
and
a
lot
of
places
around
the
country
just
don't
have
access
to
it
the
way
that
we
do
and
kind
of
take
for
granted.
Um,
so
yeah,
uh
I
was
just
saying
Oakleaf
Trail.
It's
awesome.
Uh
connects
you
to
so
many
places
uh
throughout
the
area
here.
Very
cool.
Well,
thank
you
guys
so
much
for
coming
on
today.

SPEAKER_04
55:31

It
was
great
having
you.
Thanks,
Richie.

SPEAKER_00
55:33

Thank
you.
Thanks.

SPEAKER_04
55:35

Huge
thank
you
to
Amelia
Knoll
and
Tessa
for
coming
in.
Loved
having
them.
And
before
signing
off,
just
want
to
thank
our
partners
who
make
Milwaukee
Uncut
possible.
Nicolela,
first
federal
bank
annexed
wealth
management
and
drink
Wisconsin
Bleed
Beverage
Company.

Ishdarr: Early Fame, Touring, Starring with Matthew McConaughey and What’s Next

Ishdarr: Early Fame, Touring, Starring with Matthew McConaughey and What’s Next

Ishdarr is a Milwaukee legend- he started taking off while in high school and gained early fame through hits like “Locals” and “Too Bad”, he…

Ishdarr is a Milwaukee legend- he started taking off while in high school and gained early fame through hits like “Locals” and “Too Bad”, he toured the world and landed a role in White Boy Rick alongside Matthew McConaughey. 

What’s he been up to the last few years and what’s next? 

We cover: 

  • Growing up on the northside of Milwaukee 
  • The most trouble he got in 
  • His European tour at age 20 
  • Taking off with with his hits Locals and Too Bad 
  • Getting arrested 
  • Getting cast in Whiteboy Rick alongside Matthew McConaughey and what that was like 
  • Favorite spots in Milwaukee 
  • What’s next and more 

SPEAKER_01

0:00

Police was just petty that day. It was morning. Everybody get out. What y'all doing? You know, we're gonna search the van, everything. They search it. Yep, we get we gotta take you all in. And I'm like, no, I gotta show. Like in like five hours, I can't go. They like, get in the car, like you're gone.

SPEAKER_02

0:17

Do you have a couple hours stint? Couple hours. Make it to the stage. Make it to the state.

SPEAKER_01

0:21

And then you get a roll with Matthew McConaughey. Get off stage, Matthew McConaughey. I said, bro, you can't make this thing up.

SPEAKER_02

0:28

I just heard you guys did 20 bottles in one knife. How many people were you feeding? The club. Everybody. The club.

SPEAKER_01

0:36

You get one. You get one. Lynn. Brother. Let's have fun.

SPEAKER_02

0:42

Hey guys, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut. What an amazing episode today. Love Tavin, a Milwaukee legend, entertainer, rapper, actor, Ishtar was on this one and he did not disappoint. We go over growing up on the north side of Milwaukee, the most trouble he got in growing up, his European tour at age 20. Good stories on that one. Really taking off with his hits locals in Too Bad, getting arrested in Dallas, and getting cast in White Boy Rick alongside Matthew McConaughey and what that was like, his favorite spots in Milwaukee, what's next for Ishtar, and more. Before diving in, I want to thank our partners for making Milwaukee Uncut possible. We'll kick it off with Nicola, the Midwest law firm injured. Get Nicolay and Russell, and the team will take great care of you. Also, have some great videos with Russell coming up on our social channel, so stay tuned for those big fans of that guy. Also, Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, best vodka brandy and canned cocktails in the game. Ishtar and I were really enjoying one of their canned old fashions on this episode, one of my favorite drinks out there. They've also got some really good vodka canned cocktails that are perfect for summer. That is Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company. And last but not least, our friends over at Annex Wealth Management. If you are looking to get your finances together and maybe not below it on 20 bottles, that lucid light lounge like Ishtar did about a decade ago. And you have goals that deal with your money, your earnings, and your investments. Go talk to the experts at Annex. They have an amazing team ready to listen and help you with your personal goals. Annex Wealth Management, know the difference. That's annexwealth.com. All right, let's dive in with Ishtar. We've got a Milwaukee legend, Mesmer High School grad played Freaky Steve in the movie, White Boy Rick, which starred Matthew McConaughey. He's had hits including Too Bad in Locals, over 45 million streams. He's performed at South by Southwest. Open for Jason DeRulo on the main stage at Summerfest. Just to name a few. Yes, sir. All right now we got Ishtar in the building.

SPEAKER_01

3:12

All right, guys. What's going on? Thank you for the intro, brother. Yes. What's going on, gang? It's good to meet you in person. Thanks for coming down. Yes, sir, bro. You too, man. I heard a lot of good things. And so, Liam, I was like, man, it's time. Let me go. So, but yes, new project out now. There is no tomorrow. Go get that. Um, it's one of my favorites right now to date. Uh it's only seven songs, but seven of my most personal, I feel like. Um some of my babies. So definitely go get that if y'all get a chance. Good going back, um, you born in Milwaukee? Born and raised in Milwaukee, yes, sir. Um whole life, like I said, uh right here, you know, it's my my baby.

SPEAKER_02

3:59

Yeah, what uh what area was it like growing up in Milwaukee?

SPEAKER_01

4:02

So growing up in Milwaukee, um, it was uh, you know, it was something. Like I said, I from every city, I mean from every side of the city. Um I went to high school, well, let's say my first school, uh, what was that, Claire Mohammed? So that was in um that's in the trenches. I just don't like MLK. So uh started right there, kind of when we moved, you know, got uh over there. Um from there I went to Mesmer, so that's like seventh and capital. That kind of gave me a you know, kind of better sense of the city. Um like I said, it was, you know, so north side, like I said, north side. Um from there, like I said, I'm still just downtown. Like just stay, you know, pretty every side.

SPEAKER_02

4:48

So um growing up it seemed like your dad had uh had a pretty big influence on you just doing my research.

SPEAKER_01

4:55

Yes, so Pops had a big influence racine. Shout out 262 in the building. Um he's a racine native, so I spent a lot of time in racine as well. Um so I always shout out 262. Um that's kind of like my heart as well. Um taught me a lot, you know. Kind of I taught them, you know, where I kind of brought them a lot of my 414 energy down there. And so it was cool. It was cool kind of seeing both sides of uh racine and then Milwaukee as well.

SPEAKER_02

5:30

Um it seemed like you played sports a lot growing up too, and he put he pushed you or not.

SPEAKER_01

5:36

Yes, football was my baby. Um, I was running back. That was my coach. Uh that was kind of just like Your Dad was your coach. Pops was my coach. Was he a hard ass? So what was he like? He was nah, he wasn't a hard ass, but he was. So like was it was he a player's coach except for you? Was he like You feel him? So like it'll be you know subtle stuff. Like I think, okay, we all good, you know, Pops, you know, I forget to do something at home. I get to practice the next day. You know, we doing, we run into the hill, we doing, I'm like, man, Pops, like to the hill, son, to the hill. And I'm just like, all right, and that's you know, the far hill we had to run to, and that was kind of like not punishment, but just kind of like, hey, get to the hill, we see you when you get back. And so um, he wasn't a hard ass. Um, you know, he definitely just kept me, kept me going, kept me motivated.

SPEAKER_02

6:36

Um, do you have any siblings? Was your mom in the picture?

SPEAKER_01

6:39

Yeah, so mom's was in the picture. She was uh, you know, mom's was football coach mom. Shout out to her, making sure I got to practice every day. Um, because we were, I think we were, yeah, we were coming from Milwaukee down to racine probably like every day on some shit.

SPEAKER_02

6:55

Um So you was your dad in Racine and she was in Milwaukee? Yeah. Okay, got it. So you were kind of in a single single mom household on the on the north side growing up.

SPEAKER_01

7:03

There we go. North side, just mom, just us. Um, you know, Pops was you know, Pops was always in the picture, but he was yeah, racing, doing his thing. And so we would just, you know, some summers with shout out to them summers, you know, and racing. We would get to go with him for like the whole summer. And so um give mom a break. Give moms a break. Like moms, we about to go wild out for a little bit. And so, um, but yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

7:32

What was the toughest thing about growing up on the north side of Milwaukee?

SPEAKER_01

7:35

The toughest thing for me, um, not crazy. Like, it was just knowing, I guess, where you at. Um, you know, we would go to a lot of parties, you you know, you can't predict what would happen. And so it's just staying frosty, I would say. You were put you were partying a lot. I was partying a lot. What what age did you start partying on the north side of Milwaukee? I started partying on the north side of Milwaukee. Mom sent me at the crib like you know, 15, 16.

SPEAKER_02

8:06

Okay, so like sophomore if you're a high school. Oh, with with Wave. Did Wave rope you into this?

SPEAKER_01

8:11

Wave with no, no, let me let me tell y'all about that now.

SPEAKER_02

8:15

We don't want to throw the guy under the bus. We don't have to, but I'm happy to do so if he deserves it.

SPEAKER_01

8:19

There we go. Now, no, wave didn't rope me in. Wave, they would actually, because again, they were two years older, so they would go out. I would have to stay at home. Yeah, I was little, bro, so you know, still in. And so they'd be like, look, bro, it's the grown folks night, you know, you stay at home. So I'd be like that. It's the 17-year-old grown folks night with Wave Chappelle. What a time to be alive, bro. Come on, man. So I would just be like, all right, well, I'm gonna see if I got some friends. And so luckily, um, like I said, moms let me out with the homies, and we'd just go ride around, hit about two, three house parties, get some dance stone, like, you know, it was young.

SPEAKER_02

9:01

What was the what was the most trouble you got in growing up? You guys ever get busted or not really? Yeah, like what?

SPEAKER_01

9:09

Um, I don't think we ever got. Now let's see, a couple cops shut down some parties. Um, I always will get away. I don't know how. Like I said, you're right. You were a running back. I was a running back. Come on, man. So it's be fast. I wouldn't, I wouldn't know. I wouldn't know. Bro, we see 12, we're gone. And so we're gone. Like we hear, you know, light shots, anything to where it's, you know, it's time to evacuate. Hey, bro, it's time to go. So nothing too crazy. Like I said, luckily, um, yeah, just a minor stuff.

SPEAKER_02

9:45

So you're at you're at Mesmer, and then uh you're you're into music in high school. Yes. And shit shit pops off relevant pretty early for you.

SPEAKER_01

9:57

Early, early. So um, shout out to Mesmer, because that was actually, you know, the first time I had access to the studio, recording my own music. And so um, that was pretty cool. Just those resources stay open. From then, I feel like that allowed me to just, like you said, kind of start puzzling early, kind of take it early, take it serious. Every day after school, you know, we stand at Mesmer until five, six o'clock, you know, as long as you know, G Flat, shout out G Flat, as long as he let us stay in the studio. We're staying. And so, you know, the repetition just kind of who is it?

SPEAKER_02

10:36

Was it you and Wave and those those guys?

SPEAKER_01

10:38

Yep, so it was me, Wave, my brother in Buddha Dar. Um, we had another one, uh Denzel. It was it was a bunch of us. Safe line, it was a couple of us.

SPEAKER_02

10:51

There was some talent coming out of Mesmer.

SPEAKER_01

10:53

Yes, Mesmer, you know, again, shout out Mesmer, man. It's, you know, I I appreciate it a lot more. You know, back then it's like, you know, you had the uniform school, like it's not public, but kind of now I just kind of see it, you know, it helped me in a bit.

SPEAKER_02

11:10

You had to wear a uniform.

SPEAKER_01

11:11

I had to wear a uniform, bro.

SPEAKER_02

11:12

You could you couldn't dress like this in the mess.

SPEAKER_01

11:14

That wouldn't have cut it. I couldn't get fresh, bro. No, but we would get we was getting fresh with the with the uniform. Yeah. We get the skinny, skinny khakis, you know, with the come on, fresh all white, skinny khakis. I had it depressed. Is that in all boys' school? No, no, no. Okay, okay. Yeah, nah. Thank God. Nah, I can't do that. No, hell no.

SPEAKER_02

11:39

Okay, so what was um what was the first moment or the first thing that you put out? Was it senior year of high school? Was it or was it shortly after that or before that?

SPEAKER_01

11:50

It might have been that senior year, and that was the Better Life EP. Um, I think it was probably yeah, like my senior year. Um, and that was again just six songs I recorded right in the crib, you know, at my mom's house. Um, and that was the first project. Yeah, Better Life EP, my baby.

SPEAKER_02

12:10

And that got a that got a good response, right?

SPEAKER_01

12:12

Yes. Um initially that got a great response. Uh the city loved it. Um we got some cool write-ups right away from it.

SPEAKER_02

12:21

Was it was too bad or locals on that?

SPEAKER_01

12:23

Not on that one. Oh, really? That was pre-that. Okay, that was pre-that. So that was they lost me. Um, so that was kind of one of the standouts there was they lost me. It was kind of like my first, you know, my first anything, I guess, was from that EP. That went on to do his thing, stream excellent for me. Um, and so uh, but no, no too bad or anything on that one.

SPEAKER_02

12:46

That was, you know, I was in that and that got that got a good response. Well, what was that like for you? Were you were you like, oh, this this is easy?

SPEAKER_01

12:54

It was kinda, yeah. Not e yeah, I guess, because it was kind of like eye-opening. Like, um, bam, like we made this in the house, you know, dropped it. You know, the blogs are writing about it. Like, let's keep going. I love let's keep going. Like, easy. And then too bad on locals were the was the next year? That was the next year. So freshman year comes. I'm in college. Where were you at in school? I went to UWM. Okay. Yep. So one semester, I don't even remember what major I was going for at that time either. I just had to go because I graduated. So I'm like, all right. But then uh I think I did like one semester there. I might have dropped it. I might have dropped it. I gotta see. We gotta I gotta check to see how I actually went. But um, I all I remember is I did one semester. Call my mom's and told her, you know, I need to take a break. I failed everything.

SPEAKER_02

13:51

How did that how did that go over with your mom and the football coach?

SPEAKER_01

13:55

So mom's and football coach, dad, right. Uh, you know, at first it was um I kind of I feel like they were hard on me at first because they didn't understand. But at the same time, I was showing them kind of, you know, I missed it. You had some traction. Yeah. Were you making money at that point? I was making money being booked. It was, you know, kind of the start. But were you making a decent amount of money at that point? Or I was making livable money. Enough, you know, not no, I wouldn't say livable, enough to, you know, risk it. I I guess, you know, enough to be like, shit, let's try it. If I could do this, you know, let's try doing, you know, undivided attention, 20, and then my manager, you know, he was like, shit, if I got to go, I think like shit, the next month we was in Europe, every show paid, like, yeah, it was fire. It was fire. I was like, bro, what the f you you were you were booked out in Europe. Booked out in Europe. At age 19. At age 19. Two weeks in Europe, didn't know, you know, again, this was um, bro, like, how?

SPEAKER_02

15:02

And it was, you know, really what was that experience like?

SPEAKER_01

15:06

That was um I'm guessing you'd never been out of the country at that point. I'd never thought of going out of the country.

SPEAKER_02

15:13

You know, like yeah, kid from north side of Milwaukee, all of a sudden you're 19 and getting booked in Europe.

SPEAKER_01

15:19

What is this? Like, I'm looking like, bro, where am I going? Like, and so that was just kind of one of those this is real moments. Like, okay, um, ish, you know, we got some offers from you here, here, here. And I'm like, again, let me see where is this? And so, again, just new cultures, new experiences. Um, I learned a lot, like I said, over there. I got to bring Pops with me, football coach.

SPEAKER_02

15:43

So oh, nice. Was he kind of supervising the situation a little bit?

SPEAKER_01

15:47

Tour manager of the year, like I said, shout out pops, made sure I got to man, we was on trains, we was on all type of shit. We had to wake up for, and he was on my ass. Now, like you said, football coach, chill. Tour manager, son, the I'm damn Pops.

SPEAKER_02

16:04

I'm sleepy. Yeah. Well, he probably he probably realized the opportunity you had. Literally. That's when I yeah.

SPEAKER_01

16:12

Were you partying over there, or was it it was I the last day, missed my flight home.

SPEAKER_02

16:19

Let's just say that. Did Pops make the flight and you weren't on it, or was did you both miss it?

SPEAKER_01

16:23

We all missed it, and I got a three-hour leap. Oh no. And me and uh my man, we out partying, and man, all I remember is Did you remember what city that was in? I remember where I went that night. I just remember we did the show, and it was like, yeah, we got an after spot, boom, boom, come to this club. I'm like, all right, and Pop's like, you know, it's your last night, we gotta be at the airport. Like, I got you, Pops. I'll be right back.

SPEAKER_02

16:52

Those clubs go late there too.

SPEAKER_01

16:54

Again, I don't know. I don't remember getting into the hotel, nothing. I just remember waking up the next morning, Pop's yelling at me, knocking on my door. And I'm like, damn. And we missed the flight, but we got back, you know. At the bottom, I think.

SPEAKER_02

17:12

And then you then you made it back and you you dropped some hits that next year.

SPEAKER_01

17:17

Kept it going, you know, got back. That inspired me. Um again to go, I think Broken Hearts and Bank Rose right after that. But uh again, locals, mucho mango, kind of some of my um, some of my were you were you on a label at any for any of this? For any of that, no, just independent. Independent, uh-huh. Um had some distribution, but no label, no, no, no masters, none of that.

SPEAKER_02

17:48

Were you making good money at that point?

SPEAKER_01

17:50

Yes. Yes, you know, and that's when I knew it was real.

SPEAKER_02

17:55

So you're you're 20.

SPEAKER_01

17:56

20.

SPEAKER_02

17:57

How how how much m money ballpark are you making at that point from that stuff?

SPEAKER_01

18:02

From that stuff, you know, I think once I know it was real, when I seen my first check for like 10. Yeah. 10, like off of um like 10 or 15.

SPEAKER_02

18:14

I'm like, damn, this is where's it is that is that coming from bookings or streaming or was it? Streaming, and that was just from streaming.

SPEAKER_01

18:21

Oh, not bookings. No bookings, no shows. That was one streaming check. And I'm like, goodness.

SPEAKER_02

18:27

SoundCloud money?

SPEAKER_01

18:28

It's Spotify. Spotify. Spotify, Apple Music. Shout out to the, you know, I love them to this day. But yeah, Spotify, Apple Music. SoundCloud, I don't think, was even even they weren't okay. Yeah, not yet. They weren't monetizing. Were you were you were you good with them with your m the money that was coming in? I was good with it. I saved it. My mom made me. Shout out to mom, she made me, you know.

SPEAKER_02

18:53

Did you make did you make at least one stupid purchase?

SPEAKER_01

18:57

Oh, I made a hundred stupid purchases. What topped the list? No, um, but nothing too crazy. No, I can I always live, you know, I've lived living below my means. I get just what I want. Um, but nothing crazy. Like I said, I I can say no stupid purchases. I just used to just buy a lot of just clothes and accessories and everything, and then I would, you know, lose it the next day, and I'm like, damn, like from a good night, because I didn't bought too many bottles. I'm like, yo, this is too big. Like, bro, it didn't stop. And so I just felt like, man, it's just dumb purchases.

SPEAKER_02

19:40

Did they did they kind of get you to make an appearance at the club and give you a couple bottles and then you just kept buying? Was it one of those situations?

SPEAKER_01

19:47

No, see, they were stingy, bro. They didn't get no, bro. A lot of places. I'm just a couple did show love. Shout out, you know, Lucid here in the city. They all show me love. Lucid light lounge? Lucid Light Lounge. R.I.P. Lucid. I miss it. You've been to Lucid. I miss Lucid. That was our favorite.

SPEAKER_02

20:03

Um shout out to Chris Stegman, Lucid Light Lounge Lounge legend right there. And Omar. I think Omar was running the place. Omar was running it.

SPEAKER_01

20:12

Omar was running the place. Yes, sir. So yeah, those was lucid days.

SPEAKER_02

20:17

You a 720 guy?

SPEAKER_01

20:19

Um, nah. No, lucid. I just went to 720. Like I'm just getting back into 720, but um, I really it was lucid. They took the cake.

SPEAKER_02

20:29

Um what was it like having having all the all that come at you at once at that age?

SPEAKER_01

20:37

Man, it was you know, it was I guess it was uh it was a lot. I guess it was you kind of just live in it. So it's kind of like time is fast. It's uh you know, it's a lot going on, but it's fun. So it's like you're having so much freaking fun. Um but at the same time it's work too. So again, that's a lot, you know, some things I learned over the time was you know, as much fun as you having, make sure you're taking the time to treat it as you know your job now because it is.

SPEAKER_02

21:08

Then not white white boy Rick.

SPEAKER_01

21:10

Oh man.

SPEAKER_02

21:11

It it didn't seem like you had any experience acting at all. None. Like you're on you're you're I mean, you're on the cover of the movie with Matthew McConaughey.

SPEAKER_01

21:21

With Matthew, shout out to the guys uh again. You know, that was the man above just working, you know, again, I feel like how did that even happen? So that happened again, I feel like through the music. Um, it was just through our music email. Hey, this is you know what we're doing. We would love to see Ishri for a role. And I was like, Okay, random. I'll try it.

SPEAKER_02

21:44

Do they just like your look?

SPEAKER_01

21:46

Basically, maybe that. And I feel like again, it was buzzing. Like I had the movie was shot in in Cleveland or it was, you know, based. So I don't know if they did like some regional research or something. But I don't know how it, you know, ended up. Shout out to my agent too at that time. Um, and so they didn't think I would be interested in it. They were like, you know, we're just seeing if you might. I was like, oh yeah, let's try it. Next thing I know, no.

SPEAKER_02

22:17

Did you did the part come right after the read, or did it take a little while?

SPEAKER_01

22:21

So the part probably came a year after the read. Like six months. A year. Like six months. So it was a while. Because I remember I did. You probably forgot it, but forgot you did it basically. I didn't forget, but I just thought I didn't get it. Like they moved on, like, you know, it's good. And so um, I was actually on a tour at that time. Um, and I forget which tour we might have been on tour with Thay. And um, we were in Dallas, we were in Texas, horrible day, like I said. That was one of the worst days, but the best days at the end. Got pulled over, went to jail, all type of shit. On tour in Texas. Bogus. What did you go to jail for, ish? Bro, exactly, man. Now let's tell, bro. We were entering in Texas. I got my my driver, my shooter is driving. West. Shout out West. You know, we just driving. I guess he's speeding. Yep. We get pulled over. Everybody get out the van. You know, dickheads. I'm like, bruh, can I curse on here? Yeah. Okay, there you go. So police were just petty that day. It was morning. Everybody get out. What y'all doing? You know, we're gonna search the van, everything. They search it, they find not even enough weed to make a damn paper. Like, it was like some bro, smithereens that I forgot it was even in my pocket. What's the bro? You can't even make a blunt with this. Like, you see what this is. And so I had one. I think Buddha might have had a little bit in his book bag. Mind you, we're passing a lot of legal states, so it's just one of the things. Yeah. Got him. And so, yeah, we get we gotta take you all in. And I'm like, no, I gotta show like in like five hours. I can't go. They like get in the car, like you're gone. I was like, well, damn, let's go. Shit. And so what was that exp? How long were you in there for? So I was only in there in a couple for a couple hours. Uh thank, thank God. Got the bomb.

SPEAKER_02

24:23

Is that the only time you've been behind bars before?

SPEAKER_01

24:26

Nah, man, we ain't gonna get into that. Not the only, but yeah, you know, a couple times with petty stuff like that. Um, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

24:37

So you have a couple hours stint. Couple hours stint. Make it to the stage. Make it to the state.

SPEAKER_01

24:42

And then you get a roll with Matthew McConaughey. Get off stage, Matthew McConaughey. I said, bro, you can't make this day up. I remember this. What a day. Yeah. And so then that was another, like, okay.

SPEAKER_02

24:54

What's what's better, the Dallas jail or the Milwaukee jail? Assuming that was the other place you'd better.

SPEAKER_01

25:01

Milwaukee jail, because that was the other place. And I'm gonna say the Milwaukee one because hey, shout out to the guards. They be showing love to ones who know me if they did. So I got cheating, you know, they be like, hey. Oh man.

SPEAKER_02

25:15

So man, okay. So you so you get the role. I mean, what where was that shot and what was that project like?

SPEAKER_01

25:21

So that was shot in Cleveland. Um, that was in Cleveland, Ohio. Six weeks out there. Um, yeah, I think I was out there for about six or eight weeks, about eight weeks in Cleveland. Um that experience was crazy. Still my my favorite experience, I would say, of my whole career. Like music, and that I was like the cherry on top for me.

SPEAKER_02

25:44

Um what's it what's that? Are you shooting like I hear those shoot days are wild? Like 12, are they 12-hour days? Is it what people say it is?

SPEAKER_01

25:52

Yeah, nah, they they would get wild. Like you would be, you know, some days two hours, some days you would be shooting until three, four in the morning. Everybody's sleepy, and you just, you know, but it was I feel like my set was was cool. I had a lot of friends on there. Um, I got to meet some really cool people there. Uh, shout out RJ Kyler that I'm still cool with today. Um, Jonathan Majors, freaking uh Kwan, uh Swank, like a lot of cool people in in there that I, you know, got to connect with.

SPEAKER_02

26:24

And so did you guys go to Vegas for the Vegas scene?

SPEAKER_01

26:28

Then we went to Vegas, man. Shout out Vegas, the golden nugget. That is where we stayed. Yes, that was the final trip. Um, that was after we shot. I think we shot, rapped. They sent us home. It was like, you know, we got to shoot one more scene in Vegas, be ready. And it was funny because not everybody was going to Vegas, and so we were just shooting the whole time, like, you know, are you going to Vegas? You know. Like, we don't know yet. Were some people pissed they didn't they didn't get? Hell yeah. Like, shit, man. And so we got to go to Vegas for another two weeks, you know, about a week or two, and live it up again.

SPEAKER_02

27:06

What was it like working with Matthew McConaughey? He's he's crazy. It seems. He's a goat, you know. Like, he's a legend. He's wild. Hey guys, just wanted to take a sec to remind you that summer is pretty much here. Time to get outside and enjoy the weather, and maybe take a hard look at your financial life too. Led by our guy, who you've probably seen on some of our videos, the iconic Dave Spano, Annex Wealth Management are the ones to call. Annex is a holistic wealth management firm right here in Milwaukee that helps you with everything from retirement planning, smart investing, estate planning, legacy planning, and tax strategies all under one roof. They'll help you declutter your old accounts, dust off your investment strategy, organize your estate documents, and build a plan focused on your goals. That's our good friends at AnnexWealth Management, annexwealth.com. Annex know the difference. Let's get back with Ishtar.

SPEAKER_01

28:07

A lot of times I feel like I was on set with Matthew, you know, and he would he would like really be in character, but you would think, you know, he's just talking and he's, you know, rehearsing his lines. Um, but he was just really down to earth, but he was, you know, also took his job. Like, you know, I'm on set. And um, but as far as just like us and his castmates goes, open arms, call me his nephew, you know, like that was Unk. Um you know, he was, you know, I get my makeup done in the trailer, he was right next to me, you know. And so what else?

SPEAKER_02

28:40

Any stories with him stand out?

SPEAKER_01

28:42

Stories with Steve, um, or with um Matthew was the again, it was a uh it was a movie scene in there. Uh I remember that we were shooting. It's not a personal experience, but it's just a you know, like a film experience. And you know, again, Matthew was, you know, it's Matthew, so we we would see him, but that was the most time that I feel like we were, you know, we just chilling, like not doing anything. And so Matthew came by us, you know, he gets to talking about, you know, just the environment, kind of the movie store, all this shit. And you know, I'm again thinking he's you know talking to me, and I'm talking back to him and like, yeah. And it's you know, these are his lines in his movie. I'm like, oh my gosh, you are like I'm like, bro, and whole time he's lit, and you know, again, I'm in, you know, I'm thinking we having a conversation. So that just showed.

SPEAKER_02

29:37

So you're thinking you're talking to him as a friend if he's just in character rehearsing his line.

SPEAKER_01

29:42

Like, and then he said, Oh, yeah, no, Steve, I'm and I'm like, how? Like, how, Matthew, how? And he's like, you know, time.

SPEAKER_02

29:49

That's why he's he's at the top of the game. Yeah. He's just in in that mode the entire time. Any any good stories from the the Vegas trip with the crew?

SPEAKER_01

29:58

A lot of fun stories. Um, I'm trying to think, Vegas. So we did uh, like I said, I remember we stayed at the gold nugget. I got to go with my best homies there, RJ and Quan. We caught ourselves just the we were the boys, we was in the the group. Um, we was in Richie's group, so we were like his closest friends. Um just some of the favorite stories was kind of I'm gonna say the casino. Um, now that was fire. And then also like our walk into the casino scene was like we all had on the uh the first, you know, the chains, like we walking into the fight, um YG, what I'm saying. It was it was lit. It was lit. And again, we just partying in Vegas, but we shooting, you know, and so it was again, you know, yeah, it's moving quick.

SPEAKER_02

30:46

Yeah, and then um I guess after after that, did you want to pursue acting more?

SPEAKER_01

30:54

Or did you Yes, that was um for me it was kind of like the the opener, and from there, that was it. Went to get an agent, uh, manager. We got some more things in the works now, so um, I definitely pursued it more. It's just a slower game, um, kind of longer, but definitely want to pursue it more and um people will be seeing me.

SPEAKER_02

31:19

And then the time the time between then and now, you've put out more music. Are you is that is that the main the main focus?

SPEAKER_01

31:28

Yes, so the main focus again, um keep the music dropping, keep the fans they're listening. I have to, you know, and so I feel like I was kind of um ignoring it uh for a while, just living, you know, artists take a time to live, and so I took a couple years off and you know, just didn't drop anything, and the fans did not like that, and so I was like, oh, you know, I didn't know. And so now it's like keep the music dropping, man. And you'll be you'll be touring this summer? We'll be touring this summer. We got the tour dates dropping next month. Storn in Milwaukee. So we got some exclusive.

SPEAKER_02

32:10

Can you tease anything? Any any anything you're most excited about? Are you at you're at are you at Summerfest? Can I tease? Tease uh tease a little bit of the hop, the hop experience and uh we can tease break. The hop experience? So yes. Wait, are you playing on the hop? I'm playing, uh not. Okay, because we did have a hop till you drop idea. Turn the hop into a nightclub so people actually go on it, hop till you drop. Put me first. Yeah, I mean we would love to do something. Okay, so City of Milwaukee, Ishtar is committing to Hoph Till You Drop. Hop till you drop. And that's again, we're just No, we had uh we had uh uh Mayor Tommy on. We did you know six initiatives to get the city popping and hop till you drop.

SPEAKER_01

32:54

There we go. I love that. That's what I'm saying. New shit, bro. We want new vibes, new new experiences.

SPEAKER_02

33:02

Okay, so you won't be playing on on the hop.

SPEAKER_01

33:05

Won't be playing on the hop yet until you make that happen.

SPEAKER_02

33:09

Until we drop.

SPEAKER_01

33:10

We're gonna do the wicked hop, is what the hop we were talking about. And that's right out front of the hop, too.

SPEAKER_02

33:17

So we'll send a message to them. You'll send a message to them, not me. No one wants to hear that.

SPEAKER_01

33:23

There we go. So, yes, um, that's one I guess I could tease. We're about to do a wicked hop takeover, just some intimate again. In the uh Jack Lobe, is it the Jack Lobe Lounge connected to it, I believe. There we go. Yeah, good people over there. They're like, you know, you can do what you want. And so that's it. We're gonna do a nice curated event. That's gonna be probably something more, you know, intimate again, because it's you know, but I'm happy, excited for that. Like I said, it's new experiences, new stages, um, and then some other stuff, like I said. Yeah. People stay tuned.

SPEAKER_02

33:57

Stay tuned for that. Stay tuned for that. Um how how how have you evolved and what what have you learned most over the last decade or so since since you got in really in the game?

SPEAKER_01

34:10

Uh I learned, I feel like as far as evolved, um, I had a time. I had time to just kind of think about everything. Um as far as uh now, I feel like I'm a lot more uh sort of, you know, back then I said I was young, wow, kind of just everywhere, you know, party guy. No, I'm more reserved, chill. Um, I kind of know what I want to do, how I want to do it. And um so I feel like as far as evolving, just a little more calm, I guess. Still, you know, I still get crazy, you know. But I tried to just, you know. Pick your spots. Pick my spots. Pick your spots. Like, you know, you can't you can't do that forever, man. So that's uh that's one thing I would say.

SPEAKER_02

34:58

Before we get into some Milwaukee questions, what um what would you say your favorite moment has been in your career so far? You've you've had some amazing ones.

SPEAKER_01

35:09

Not my favorite. Uh like I said, white boy riks, it's like that was probably my favorite experience of now we're talking everything. Everything. Everything.

SPEAKER_02

35:24

I mean, you could do one white boy rick, one one music. Yeah, one music other than missing your flight in Europe.

SPEAKER_01

35:30

Other than missing my flight in Europe. Um, the cherry on top. Oh, that's a hard one for like music. Um I don't know, man.

SPEAKER_02

35:45

Was there was there a certain moment where you were like, holy shit, I can't believe this is happening to me?

SPEAKER_01

35:51

Yeah, like in a good way. Yes, yes. Um, as far as musically, I guess we can start with the shows, you know, from um say my first time at Summerfest seeing kind of that response. Uh again, like I said, I'm I'm just making music just on the.

SPEAKER_02

36:11

I mean, you had thousands of people like chanting your name, right?

SPEAKER_01

36:15

You know, about 10,000. You know, and at that time it's like, bro, like how? Like, I don't, you know, and so that was probably my topic, you know, as far as music was that Summerfest headline spot. One of the, I know when at that time when the first headline at stage, like 10 p.m. It was crazy. And you know, still I think we should definitely shot a video, Sanity. Uh, we got the clips in there, and so that was, you know, like yo, we can it's no stopping now.

SPEAKER_02

36:49

Like, any any favorite music videos that you've shot or that that you're one that stands out to you that's your favorite?

SPEAKER_01

36:55

One of my favorite is actually the song you said, Locals. Uh-huh. It's one of my favorite videos. Um, and that's just again, just I guess because of the time period. Um you know, I was with the guys, you know, just regular shit, you know, still just trying to see what was to it, you know, what was to the music thing. Uh kind of trying to create you know, opportunities and shit. So that was cool though. Like I said, we shot that at home, at Mom's Crib, um Legendary Garage. I still got a lot of the uh we spray painted my name on there, that's still in there. Like, so that was one.

SPEAKER_02

37:36

Any anything Big E would have done differently looking back?

SPEAKER_01

37:42

I would have dropped more music. That's it.

SPEAKER_02

37:44

Yeah. Yeah, I would have dropped more music. Went a little harder when things were.

SPEAKER_01

37:49

Like instead of stopping, I I should have, you know.

SPEAKER_02

37:52

That's fair. Do you think you just needed time to de to decompress from everything that happened, which was a which was a whirlwind of a few several years for you?

SPEAKER_01

38:00

That that was it. Um, that was exactly it. It was like, you know, all of this happened, bro. I just want, and this happened, you know, in three to five years, you know, I might take three to five years to just think and you know, chill, live, see my sister, see my brother, you know, pops, moms, and you know gang members.

SPEAKER_02

38:21

Yeah. All right. Um, if someone's coming to Milwaukee for 24 hours, where are you taking them?

SPEAKER_01

38:28

Oh man. So if they're coming for 24 hours now, they don't have to be, you know. Uh we would do a little bit. We'll wake up, take them to breakfast. Um I don't know where I would take them, but we would go to the breakfast spot. Maybe uh make sure we edit this out. There you go. You know, the sweet diner. Um get something. Uh from there we go back to the crib. Like I said, I do some work, um, take a couple calls. Um might have a Twitch session, like I said, for a couple hours. I like to be on my Twitch every day. Um do that for a little bit in the daytime. Like I said, it's chill, smoke a little bit. Nighttime, depending on the day. Um, of course we're gonna hit the bars.

SPEAKER_02

39:18

Um What what bars are you going to in Milwaukee on a night on a night out?

SPEAKER_01

39:23

On a night out.

SPEAKER_02

39:24

You're going on a little bit of if you're going on a little bit of a bender in Milwaukee. Where are you going? On a bender, now one spot I love is gonna be the trade. Um now. You're going upstairs, downstairs, second floor, where are you going? Rooftop. Rooftop.

SPEAKER_01

39:38

We're going right to the rooftop at the El Cervo, right? El Cervo. El servo. There we go. I love just the view. You know, we got the the outside patio. When it, you know. So we'll be there all night. And then um, it is some A-Bars, but I don't really do A-Bars too much. I like to take it home at two. Um, but if we had to.

SPEAKER_02

39:59

Okay, what do you like better? El Servo or Lucid Light Lounge? If Lucid was still around.

SPEAKER_01

40:06

We're going to Lucid Light Lounge and we're getting a section and we're buying bottles. Great answer, Ishgar. We Lucy, come on, come back, please. Open the night. Chris Stegman, open it back up. Open it back.

SPEAKER_02

40:19

Open it back up. We're waiting. Any any uh any other favorite spots around the city, favorite businesses? Any any businesses on the north side people should check out?

SPEAKER_01

40:29

Yeah, so I was gonna say, um, well, it's still downtown, but uh elevate, as far as clubs, I was gonna say like Elevate Truth Lounge, those two spots. I like, you know, get good love there. Um the north. Um any any what restaurants do you like going to? Now, 1700 pull-up. Shout out to 1700 pull up. If you want some good soul food, fire eats, catfish, things like that, that's gonna be my favorite over there. Um but I eat every, you know, everything here besides that. Uh is that your favorite restaurant in Milwaukee? Yeah. My favorite in Milwaukee. No, that's I can't even. I don't think I might go Oakland just because, you know, memorabilia. Oakland Euros? Oakland Euros. On Oakland, not the airport one. On Oakland. Gotta differentiate. I like it. So that'll probably be my favorite go-to. You got you got like two more? I do have two more. Um, we're gonna do uh let's see, like some fire wings. I know you said like Stinny's.

SPEAKER_02

41:39

Um Stinny's right over there. Right around.

SPEAKER_01

41:44

They got some fire wings. Uh there was one more. I freak. ODBs. Now, classy dive. That's a slept-on one. ODBs. ODBs is the name of it. It's new. Now it's a new spot in. I don't even know, right? It's near the brewer's and like uh that's the name, ODBs. ODB's Classy Dive. Yeah, ODBs.

SPEAKER_02

42:11

It's a newer You got some gems over there.

SPEAKER_01

42:13

Yeah. They got a beef brisket nacho. It changed your life.

SPEAKER_02

42:18

I was gonna ask you your your favorite thing about Milwaukee and why you live here, but I I just heard you guys did 20 bottles in one night at Lucid Light Lounge.

SPEAKER_01

42:25

Well, can't I come on, man? Like 20 bottles in one night. It's like, bro, it's got to the point, like I said, one night, bro. How many people were you feeding? 20 bottles ish. The club. Everybody clubs. Everybody, you we open you get one, you get one, brother. We let's have fun. Cause, man, it's free. You know, it ain't free.

SPEAKER_02

42:51

I'm guessing the ladies loved it. You know, I I'm cu I'm curious to hear. I'm curious to hear um loved it. The strategy. Did you ever go to Mikey's back in the day? Where was that at? Cathedral Square, not far from Lucia, just on Cathedral Square, right by Elsa's.

SPEAKER_01

43:07

Jefferson Street. Was it what was it after Mikey's? Or was it?

SPEAKER_02

43:11

Oh man, they might have done some like country or barbecue place after Mikey's. But anyway, um, they had bomb night on Wednesdays, and my friend the wolf, he would just go up to the bar and buy like 50 bombs, and he would just walk around the girls hand in hand in the bombs like he was a fucking waiter. But if the wolf was the wolf of Milwaukee was just playing the numbers game, and that's it. You know, you know. He wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time. That's it. We gonna party.

SPEAKER_01

43:41

If we was there, everyone's partying, bro.

SPEAKER_02

43:44

Like I said, loose lucid light lounge and Mikeys need to need to read. Gotta bring that back. Bring them back. Gotta bring them back. Um, are you still partying? You're you're you're 30 now. Are you 30 or 29? 29. Do you do you have hangovers yet or no?

SPEAKER_01

44:02

I don't have hangovers. Thank God.

SPEAKER_02

44:05

Congratulations. Thank God. They might get you someday.

SPEAKER_01

44:10

There soon. You know, I know they're, you know, a month away, it seems like. Keep taking advantage of your youth over there. I'm trying. Like I said, no hangovers. I definitely slowed down a lot more.

SPEAKER_02

44:22

And any anyway, Ish, what um why do you choose to live in Milwaukee? What's your favorite thing about the city?

SPEAKER_01

44:27

Man, um shoot, the love, to be honest. Like shit. Uh, you know, I've lived a couple other places too. Um, moved to Atlanta for a little bit, moved to Canada and shit. You moved to Canada. I moved to freaking Canada, bro. For about six months.

SPEAKER_02

44:47

Really? Yeah. Soul searching or exploring, exploring. Going out in nature, exploring.

SPEAKER_01

44:52

All the above? All the above. What part of Canada? I was in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Far code as shit. Where is where's Winnipeg again? I don't fucking know. You lived there. Exactly. It's in can it's in look at I don't have my phone.

SPEAKER_02

45:09

Is that West Coast or is it central?

SPEAKER_01

45:12

I don't freaking. Somewhere over there.

SPEAKER_02

45:16

Why did you move to Winnipeg? I moved to Winnipeg.

SPEAKER_01

45:18

I've heard Toronto is pretty glamorous. You know, I went to Toronto too, five, you know, a couple years later, but I moved right. Where is that?

SPEAKER_02

45:29

Oh Jesus. Did you drive? Did you just did you just drive north for the night and end up in Winnipeg? No, we're not. Were you chasing a girl to Winnipeg?

SPEAKER_01

45:37

No, bro. No, gang. I promise my producer was out there, Cannon's Major, the one I just dropped the album with. That's where he's from. That was hometown. And so I'm like, what? Like, he's like, you know, yeah, I'm from here. I got a house. Like, you're good. Just come. And so.

SPEAKER_02

45:55

Can you give me your phone? I don't have mine on it.

SPEAKER_01

45:57

Yeah. Next thing I know, six months in Canada. Six months.

SPEAKER_02

46:03

Oh wow. Just north of just north of Minnesota. Did you ever pass through Grand Marae, Minnesota? Probably not. Not that I'm not. That's just fucking gorgeous. Right on. That's on the lake still. What was the what was the loot? Did they have a lucid light lounge equivalent in Winnipeg? Any good no. Any talent there?

SPEAKER_01

46:25

Actually, no. No, let me not know. They had one spot. What was it called? Cain's gonna be mad. They had one spot that we would go to every night. It was like the spot. It wasn't a lucid light lounge. It was good though. It was good though. Well, popping was you know, some shirties. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02

46:43

You're the only black guy in Winnipeg.

SPEAKER_01

46:45

I was the only American black guy I felt. Yes. Yes.

SPEAKER_02

46:50

Well, you might have been one of the only American guys, period. In Buddha.

SPEAKER_01

46:53

In Buddha. Buddha came with Buddha. Oh, Buddha came with you.

SPEAKER_02

46:57

The whole crew just took over Winnipeg for a year.

SPEAKER_01

46:59

Bro, for six, bro, we were causing havoc. After part of my career. What? It was like that in uh Winnipeg for like six months. I mean, the the shortys in Winnipeg had to love you guys. Well, I don't know why. I wasn't, what? No action. But bro, he was going crazy. Like Buddha every night.

SPEAKER_02

47:22

You were striking out in Winnipeg and Buddha was just wanted there. He was like SimGod out there. I gotta tell you about SimGod sometime. He's one man wrecking crew, but okay. Yes, sir. All right. So you so you stay in Milwaukee because of the love and because it's better than Winnipeg, Canada.

SPEAKER_01

47:40

It's better than Winnipeg, Canada. Like get from everywhere, one side of the city to the other in 20 minutes. I love that. You know, that's it for me.

SPEAKER_02

47:50

Oh man. Well, thank you so much for coming in today. It was great meeting you. That was that was a lot of fun and like um excited, excited for the tour this summer. You getting back out there.

SPEAKER_01

48:01

Absolutely, man. Thank you, Richie, for having me. Like I said, tour dates dropping soon. New music, a lot of fun stuff.

SPEAKER_02

48:08

So absolutely. Stay tuned for those dates and bring back Lucid Light Lounge.

SPEAKER_01

48:14

ASAP.

SPEAKER_02

48:17

Hey everyone, thanks so much for listening. And a big thank you to Ishtar for coming on before signing off. Just want to thank our partners who make Milwaukee Uncle possible. Nikola, Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, and Annex Wealth Management, Annex Wealth. Know the difference.

Summer in Milwaukee Guide (May + June) w/ Josh and Claire from VISIT Milwaukee

Summer in Milwaukee Guide (May + June) w/ Josh and Claire from VISIT Milwaukee

What’s better than summer in Milwaukee? On this episode we’re joined by Josh Albrecht and Claire Hanan from VISIT Milwaukee to let you know all…

What’s better than summer in Milwaukee? On this episode we’re joined by Josh Albrecht and Claire Hanan from VISIT Milwaukee to let you know all the events to hit in May & June (plus a couple others)! We cover:

  • Milwaukee Wheel of Fortune 
  • The Adidas Shoe Drop that sold out (and another one coming) 
  • The Milwaukee Gold Rush? 
  • Michelin in Milwaukee 
  • Milwaukee Chefs 
  • Must hit events in May & June

SPEAKER_01

0:04

Hey guys, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut. We've got a full May and June preview for you with our good friends Josh and Claire from Visit Milwaukee. Couldn't think of two better people to have on this episode, they know pretty much everything going on in Milwaukee, and they host the best events calendar in Milwaukee. So we're gonna give you a good preview, but make sure to visit visitmilwaukee.org and just click on events, and they've they've got literally everything going on there. We also talk about their shoe drop they did in collaboration with Summerfest and Adidas that sold out really fast, and there might be a new one coming. Also, there is a cheese hunt where there will be$20,000 cash up for grabs in Milwaukee, but there's a bit of a catch, so we dive into that. We also talk Michelin in Milwaukee and more. If you're pumped for summer, this is a great one for you. Before diving in, I just want to thank our partners who make Milwaukee Uncut possible. We'll kick things off with Nicola Injured. Get Nicola in Russell and the team will take great care of you. Drink Wisconsin Wee Beverage Company, best vodka brandy and canned cocktails in the game, available at liquor stores across the state, at the DW pub across from the Pfizer and the Corner Bar in Right Field at Ampham. And last but not least, Annex Wealth Management. If you're looking to get your finances in order this summer, talk to our friends, the experts at Annex Wealth Management. Just head to annexwealth.com. Annex know the difference. All right, let's dive in with Josh and Claire from Visit Milwaukee. Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut. What better place is there to be in the summer than Milwaukee, Wisconsin? And today, got two amazing people from Visit Milwaukee, Claire Hannon and Josh Albrick. Not Josh Ashenberg, so I've cut that more, but Josh Josh, Josh Albrick from Visit Milwaukee. And we're gonna give you a uh a guide and not to the entire summer, but really with uh a focus on the rest of May and June because there's a lot of going a lot going on. There's a lot going on. And before we get into that, you guys have done some really cool stuff recently.

SPEAKER_00

2:18

We've been busy bees.

SPEAKER_03

2:20

Yeah, yeah, it's been uh a fantastic April. Just April alone has been uh the uh probably the same amount of work as a full year's worth of uh things. In in many respects, it was a full year. I mean, the things that we've been launching have taken a full 365-day calendar year, right? Whether that's getting Milwaukee on Wheel of Fortune, our own episode of Wheel of Fortune uh to showcase to uh the world. And believe it or not, there's eight to nine million viewers of Wheel of Fortune every night. Is it is second only to the NFL in in uh repeat viewership. Can you believe that? That that's how many people. Not by the blank stare I'm giving right now.

SPEAKER_01

3:02

I blew your mind.

SPEAKER_03

3:05

And that's broadcast television still. It is that popular of a show. We're not even including streaming, next day streaming on Hulu and Peacock, which takes it to about 14 million viewers of every episode of Wheel of Fortune. So if you're not watching Wheel of Fortune, I guarantee it somebody in your family is. And uh and we had Milwaukee on it. We had a wedge prize. So many of our partners, uh, you know, whether it was the the Pfister and the Barlotta restaurant group and and several others, uh, Lakefront Brewery. Um somebody gave us prize packets. We had the prize package on the wheel that someone could have won. Of course, the the contestant on the show did not win the prize package, but what was the prize package? Yeah, but now I'm intrigued. Oh man, we had so uh like it was a trip to Milwaukee in the summer for Summerfest and uh a cheese curd making class at Lakefront Brewery, uh spa treatments at the Fister.

SPEAKER_00

3:57

Um about 12,000 bucks is in a Milwaukee vacation.

SPEAKER_01

4:02

Does Lakefront do cheese curd making classes? I feel like they'd want to keep that recipe under wraps.

SPEAKER_03

4:07

Well, it's a it's a special experience that you can get if you were a wheel watcher, you know? Uh and of course, we uh got to uh use their email marketing system and we sent direct messages to all their Wheel Watchers club and uh great way just to grow the network across the country and the globe. It's it airs in Canada and the United Kingdom too. So uh people from all over the world were watching Wheel of Fortune seeing Milwaukee Shine Bright.

SPEAKER_01

4:32

And that wasn't even on the outline.

SPEAKER_03

4:34

No things you've done. Do you want to get the beautiful shoes we're wearing right now? Our uh our amazing collab with with Adidas and Sheik James here locally, who owns Clicks and Sneaks and Summerfest again uh to drop two shoes, two different styles of shoes. The first one dropped uh in April here, uh just in time for 414 Day. That's the one I'm wearing now. For those watching, they can see the shoes. If you didn't see it online, if you didn't see it on social in Milwaukee, if you didn't see it in the news in Milwaukee, I'm not sure what you're watching. It was everywhere. And um the shoes sold out in one day. So one day the lines were wrapped around the block on Brady Street from roughly 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Complete sellout of the shoe. And online we had um it sell out online, the online availability sold out in 20 minutes.

SPEAKER_00

5:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

5:25

What did you guys expect to happen? Uh uh well, we knew we would get a lot of media energy. And how many pairs flew? Yeah, so we had uh just shy of 3,000 available for sale that day, uh, which is a uh a small boutique run. I mean, we weren't looking to like have these sold everywhere, we wanted to sell them in the water. And we wanted to be able to tell the story of the city, that's why it's the map on the shoe, that's why we have uh a bunch of Easter eggs on the shoe of Summerfest and uh and things like that. And we thought this is a great storytelling piece. Uh, enter our flavor era that we promote right now through our marketing. Um, and and yeah, so that's it was just that it was like extending the message.

SPEAKER_00

6:07

Well, and so one of the coolest things about it is when you unbox the shoe, take it out of the special paper that we got to design that has like this design on it. Um, you take it out and there's a special metal like hang tag thing with a compass on it. You scan that with your phone, and that's your Summerfest ticket. And it gives you a single-day GA entry to Summerfest. So for us, as you know, trying to get visitors here, you can order that shoe from Shake's website in LA, and you in theory, it brings you to Milwaukee, so you can come to Summerfest. And that like we thought that that fact alone would really help it go viral online, get picked up in media, and it definitely did. And so like we're not in the business of selling shoes, but I think given all that and all of that that made it unique, that like when it blew up online, and then we went to the store and I started talking to people that were like, I've been in line since 6 a.m., like here to get these, and then I mean it was wild.

SPEAKER_01

7:13

Yeah, you're not in the business of shoes, but you're in the business of Milwaukee. And if you drop a cool product with a great story behind it, you see what that can do.

SPEAKER_03

7:22

Yeah, a big portion of what we're trying to uh establish with our tourism marketing and just the marketing in general for the city is that this is Milwaukee as a lifestyle brand. And so it was uh the concept was you know, before you even before you even see the skyline, you're wearing the shoes. And you're you're being endeared to the city and you're being endeared to what we represent and the lifestyle that we live here as a collective. And we want that that same energy to be infused across the country, right? So if you're whether you're from LA or Austin or uh Detroit, you want to be a part of the scene in Milwaukee. And part of that is cool style, right? It's it's shoes, it's it's that flavor that we bring. Um and so we want people to wear it and they they gravitate toward it, they they embraced it. Our locals embraced it. Um the labs. We we launched it at South by Southwest with Summerfest and Shake and Adidas. That's where it launched back in March. We announced it to the world, and right away um the community gathered around it, and the sneaker community gathered around it, and then next thing you know, hip hop culture is all around it, and people are wanting uh athletes were reaching out to us, uh begging for pairs. Musicians, um, and there's and those those requests are still coming. People are because there's people are catching up, right? Yeah, and they're like, Oh, can I still get a pair? And you're like, sorry, sold out.

SPEAKER_00

8:32

Yeah, we found them on eBay for 800 bucks, uh, which is why I'm gonna go. You can still get your pairs on the page. Yeah, yeah. So technically you can find them. But we so on June 6th.

SPEAKER_01

8:44

Not not Peggy, Peggy selling them on eBay, is it? Well, you never know.

SPEAKER_00

8:49

No, it's not. Um, but on June 6th, that's when um the other style, the forum style, um, the what the Milwaukee, these are the viewfinders. Um, so the second style, which is a forum style. Um, and those that's the same style as Shake's 414 shoe from last year, but obviously completely different design. And this design incorporates so many Milwaukee references. I don't even think I could list them all off the top of my head, but they're super colorful. There's tons of different patterns and textures to mimic waves and brick and cheese and box colors, marquette colors, UWM. Like it's it is everything, and they are really, really cool. Um, they have the same hang tag with the ticket on them. So those will go, those will drop on June 6th.

SPEAKER_03

9:41

Yeah. So the first one, the viewfinder, was a literal map of the city. So an actual map overlaid on the shoe as part of the shoe. The second shoe is a cultural map of the city. Yep. So you have two ways to explore the city. That literal map, the grid system, it's on your shoe and the viewfinder. But if you want to really feel the culture and feel the people and the neighborhoods, all 191 neighborhoods, that's the what the.

SPEAKER_01

10:02

Yep. Is it is it the same drop formula? Is it 3,000? Is there gonna be some in retail, some online? Some retail, some online. Um so mark your calendar if you want. June 6th. Yeah, yeah. June 6th, show up early.

SPEAKER_00

10:15

Coffee. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

10:15

Is that sweatshirt? Is that from the shoe? This yeah, we did do that.

SPEAKER_00

10:20

Yeah, we did do some merch um with Adidas. And so there was this. There's a long sleeve. Those sold out too. Sold out really fast. One of them was like a cool like crop jersey. That was like really cool. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

10:35

It's like in drop June since.

SPEAKER_00

10:37

And there will be merch with the second jersey.

SPEAKER_03

10:39

New fresh merch, fresh style, fresh shoes. Yeah, you're not you're not gonna want to miss it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

10:44

We we do not personally have access to early sales, so let's put that out in the world to our friends and family. Yeah. Yeah. Fair. I got someone who came up to me in line that morning and they were like, I will buy you a steak dinner if you can get me the shoe right now. And I'm like, I can't.

unknown

11:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

11:04

Are we talking carnivore steak dinner? What are we talking about?

SPEAKER_00

11:06

Yeah, no, it was. It was a carnivore steak dinner. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

11:09

So uh and then Michelin, speaking of food, right? I mean, yeah, flavor era. Going to the flavor era, dropping the shoes, dropping Wheel of Fortune. Uh, and really the biggest news might be Michelin. And now that we're a Michelin city, and this is huge for our culinary industry, but it's huge for the city in general. I mean, Michelin is the type of premier brand that is internationally known, internationally recognized, yeah, that puts you in the same playing field as other major cities around the world in that space. So now we can easily compare ourselves to Paris, to Tokyo, to London, to New York City, to Miami.

SPEAKER_02

11:43

Yep.

SPEAKER_03

11:44

And and we're we're we're peers now fully in the culinary space by having this Michelin partnership.

SPEAKER_00

11:51

So what and so they're inspectors who are totally anonymous. We don't know how many of them there are, we don't know what they look like, we don't know their names. Um, they are out in the city and in the other Great Lakes cities that are doing that this with us, they're out there now inspecting our restaurants. So we're constantly telling our restaurants like now is the time, polish that silverware, it's a game only. Um, and if we have a restaurant that receives Michelin recognition, but especially a star, that doesn't just mean you're the best restaurant in Milwaukee. It doesn't mean that. It means you are as good as a starred Michelin restaurant in Singapore, in Tokyo, in Paris, and like it's it is it's a life-changing recognition. It means you are a sous chef at a one-star restaurant. You can now go work in any one-star restaurant in the world, and that is your that's your resume, that's your like seal of approval. Um, so it it it'll mean our restaurants have an easier time hiring people because everyone wants to work for a Michelin-starred restaurant. So the awards will be announced in 2027. We are so excited for that. And um, but yeah, the I mean the media coverage of the announcement alone is bonkers, so it's everywhere.

SPEAKER_01

13:10

How how rare is it for Michelin to come to a mid-market city like Milwaukee?

SPEAKER_03

13:16

Well, extremely rare. I mean, they hadn't before. And our team had to work for over the last 12 to 18 months uh with them to uh figure out the best path to make sure that we were qualified. So first Yeah, how did how did that whole application process? We worked closely with the American Great Lakes uh contingent. So our friends in Detroit and Pittsburgh and uh Cleveland and Minneapolis and Indianapolis, and we all sort of came together, uh formed a group to pitch to Michelin why they should look at the Great Lakes region. Because other than Chicago, no other city in the Great Lakes region had been a Michelin city. Uh and we really wanted to put our put the collective on the map, and we knew we had more weight collectively than going individually to Michelin. So we made the pitch. They had to vet all the cities. So they actually sent uh inspectors, did their due diligence, how they do it, whether it's online or however, to judge each city and judge what they deemed as culinary maturity. Uh-huh. Was the city for far enough along in their restaurants, with their chefs, with their uh their culinary landscape to even be considered to be judged. So before we could even get there, we had to pass a test. Um and there were many cities reviewed across the Great Lakes region. So every state that touched the Great Lakes uh had cities reviewed. And during that time they came back to us and said, All right, Milwaukee is one of the ones that meets the culinary maturity. And that's partially because of the hard work that Visit Milwaukee has done, whether it's bringing top chef to the city into the state, launching a cookbook with our over 50 chefs in the community that we have that uh has been extremely well received, uh declared her team on our on our diligent work on PR of getting our restaurants in the New York Times, in National Geographic, in Coney Nash Traveler, and all these amazing publications, Eater and Midwest Living, making sure that we are being publicized. And then really the big test though, were our chefs capable? And they are. We have chefs like Edam Pollock, who's been a guest on the show here, who has made a name, right? He's made such a name, not just for himself, but when he does that, he's making a name for Milwaukee. When he's on Hell's Kitchen and Food Network, he's making a name for Milwaukee. When Dan Jacobs was a star on Top Chef, our season of Top Chef, and he made it to the finals, he's representing Milwaukee. When Paul Bartellotta is going on live with um with Kelly uh Regis and Kelly. Regis and Kelly. It's not Regis anymore. Who is it?

SPEAKER_00

15:37

Uh Mark and Kelly.

SPEAKER_03

15:39

Mark and Kelly. When he's going on that show and talking about uh the Bartolotta restaurants and sharing recipes, he's representing Milwaukee. And so all these great chefs when Dane Baldwin's been best chef Midwest for James Beard. And Moramoto, uh written a comma. Exactly. So I mean, we could keep going here, right? And saying, look at the quality of chef we have in this community. And the thing that really separates Milwaukee, though, that I believe is one of our separators, is that our chefs work together. You know, Dimsom Givesome just happened, a great fundraiser that all the chefs come together for. Um they they they do that throughout the year where they all come together and do these amazing fundraisers.

SPEAKER_01

16:18

Yeah. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not really in that world, but when I talk to just Chef Adam and other chefs, it does seem like instead of competing against each other, which is what I would kind of think, because they're all restaurants, it does seem like they're cheering each other on and trying to uplift each other, which which does seem unique for a competitive environment.

SPEAKER_02

16:39

Definitely.

SPEAKER_03

16:40

Yeah, and it's been so that that showcase allowed Michelin to look at Milwaukee and say, yeah, they're they're they're ready to be judged, and they're ready and they can they can hold their own against any other city in the world on the culinary landscape. And so now it's time for our chefs and restaurants to to you know to to prove it for us. And I think that they can. I think I think we're gonna have several who are receive. So there's stars, there's one star, two stars, three stars. Obviously, one star, you're doing great, two stars, even better. Three stars, dear God, you're one of the best in the world. Uh and um, but there's also the Bib Gourmands, which is a recommended restaurant. So before you earn a star, you can be a Bib Gourmand and you can be Michelin recommended. I think we'll get several designations from our chefs. We've got such a strong uh restaurant community. So a year from now, hopefully we're talking about many, and um and uh and we'll see what happens when they announce at the at a ceremony next next spring.

SPEAKER_01

17:33

Yeah. Uh before we get into specific events going on in in May and June, anything you two are most excited about in Milwaukee this summer?

SPEAKER_00

17:44

I mean, seeing our shoes walk into Summerfest, I think is gonna mean Summerfest is a little different for me this year. I'm really excited for that. Um we're gonna do some special stuff at Summerfest to like make it feel like you're you're walking into a community situation because you are, and like it they are their own club now. Um so we have some special tricks of our sleeves there. What about you?

SPEAKER_03

18:12

Yeah, I mean we're the city of festivals. So give me a festival which happens literally almost daily throughout the summer in Milwaukee, whether it's Bastial Days who's celebrating anniversaries this year, or maybe it's IndyCar Race at the end of the season, Summerfest, Wisconsin State Fair, all the ethnic festivals. I mean the list goes on and on and on and on. Um it's really a delight to get to go to a pick your pick your flavor, right? Yeah, and you can go have fun.

SPEAKER_00

18:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

18:38

Can't go wrong. I mean, we we went to Mexican Fiesta for the first time last year. I didn't realize it's like Summerfest in there. Yeah, yeah. It's so largest ethnic festival in the US, I think, over that time span. Yeah. More than 100,000 people every year.

SPEAKER_00

18:53

Yeah, Irish Fest, same size, same scale. I mean, Italiana's a good one. Seeing Pride Fest get bigger and bigger every year, and that's just like a rowdy party for four years.

SPEAKER_03

19:06

I mean, just the list goes on and on. Yep.

SPEAKER_01

19:08

Every every weekend.

SPEAKER_00

19:10

City of festivals.

SPEAKER_01

19:12

Um, let's get into events going on. Hey guys, just want to take a sec to remind you that spring is here. Time to open the windows, clean out the garage, and yeah, maybe take a hard look at your financial life too. If your retirement plan, investments, or estate stuff feels dusty or disorganized. Our friends at Annex Wealth Management are here to help, led by our guy who you've probably seen on some of our recent videos, Dave Spano. They're the ones to call. Annex is a holistic wealth management firm right here in Milwaukee that helps you with everything retirement planning, smart investing, estate planning, legacy planning, and tax strategies all under one roof. Think of them as your financial spring cleaning crew. They'll help you declutter old accounts, dust off your investment strategy, and organize your estate documents and build a plan focused on your goals. That's our friends at AnnexWealth Management. Just head to annexwealth.com. All right, let's get back into it with Josh and Claire.

SPEAKER_00

20:13

Well, there's still a few days left to enjoy uh the Bruce City Birding Fest. So it's like a legal requirement that once you hit 30, you get into birds.

SPEAKER_01

20:25

And so once you hit 30, what? Age in your okay. Yeah. So I should be birding right now.

SPEAKER_00

20:31

Uh 100%. And so there's sorry for asking.

SPEAKER_03

20:36

Sorry for asking. I think you'd like it. You seem like a bird.

SPEAKER_00

20:40

I yeah, it's awesome. There's a lot of apps for our community, and um, there's also a lot of events as part of the festival, including like a kayaking paddle with the UEC. Um, so go paddle and bird watch. I just did it in Florida. You can do it in Milwaukee too. So that ends in 17 years.

SPEAKER_01

20:58

Birding could be good for me. Bree's been telling me to relax more.

SPEAKER_00

21:02

It they're fascinating creatures.

SPEAKER_03

21:04

Take a walk, uh, go go out to Lakeshore uh State Park and the uh and the that stretch of Lake Michigan has some of the most diverse offering of bird uh in the entire country. It's a big migratory path. Yeah, it's a huge migratory path along Lake Michigan, and you can get all year long, you're gonna see different birds throughout the year. So you just keep going back, take a nice walk, see the skyline in the background, and check out all the amazing birds.

SPEAKER_01

21:29

Claire, do you even bird?

unknown

21:30

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

21:30

Josh seems like he knows a lot more than you.

SPEAKER_00

21:33

Well, okay. So Do you do you do bird bird?

SPEAKER_01

21:38

Do you even bird bird birds?

SPEAKER_00

21:40

I would say we have different geographic specialties in the community. No, even in Milwaukee. Look, I'm into crows, I love a hawk, you know, there we got eagles.

SPEAKER_03

21:54

But you can go all and you can go all over Washington Park. We took we took Bobby Porter's bird into Washington Park.

SPEAKER_00

21:59

He birds.

SPEAKER_01

22:00

Oh, that would be good idea.

SPEAKER_03

22:02

That was a good time uh walking around. So the all those little pockets, all the little parks that we have.

SPEAKER_00

22:07

Washington Park has a BIPOC birders club. Like where we roll deep.

SPEAKER_01

22:14

Oh the Milwaukee Gold Rush.

SPEAKER_00

22:18

Yeah. We also uh our hunters of the city.

SPEAKER_03

22:22

The only thing that outshines our love of birds is our love of cheese. Is that it's a good segue right there. I like it.

SPEAKER_00

22:28

So it's scavenger hunt time uh actively going on right now. Um and you if you go to um the our digital map on visimalkey.org, you can sign up for this scavenger hunt where there's clues dropped on the schedule that's on the map. Um and it means you get out and explore the city and you might find a special sculpture, a cheese sculpture designed by artist Adam Heimbach. And there's varying amounts of cash hidden inside these sculptures. So you could keep it on your mantle uh as I would do, um, or smash it open, find some money. But the point is you want to find as many as you can.

SPEAKER_01

23:10

So there are hidden cheese sculptures around the city right now that you can go smash and get cash.

SPEAKER_03

23:16

Or don't smash, because maybe this maybe because uh Adam is uh has a great following, is uh a famous artist. He has spent many years in New York City uh showing at galleries and doing graffiti style art throughout New York City, uh even though he's from Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area. Um so there is value already in the artwork. So you have to ask yourself, if you're lucky enough to find one of these uh cheese sculptures, you have to ask yourself, uh, is it worth destroying the art to see what's inside, or do I always have the art and wonder what's inside?

SPEAKER_01

23:50

Do you know the varying amounts of cash? Because I saw on the website over 20 grand.

SPEAKER_03

23:54

Over 20 grand worth of cash and prizes are available, and you don't know until you crack it open. It could be 20 grand, it could be a dollar, it could be nothing.

SPEAKER_01

24:02

Do you guys know how many total sculptures are going out there this uh this season?

SPEAKER_03

24:07

It's to be determined because the great thing of working with a experiential artist is that things kind of organically grow. So um probably at least a dozen, but uh he I think he might surprise us every now and then. And what a great idea.

SPEAKER_00

24:24

Yeah, it's gonna be super fun. Organic function.

SPEAKER_03

24:28

Truly Milwaukee.

SPEAKER_00

24:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

24:29

The other events in May.

SPEAKER_03

24:32

Yeah, Christian Yellich uh annual charity concert. We're a proud partner with the the Yellich concert every year, last three years. Uh it's growing this year. It's obviously uh in a new venue, uh, which is exciting. It's at the the new um Landmark Credit Union. Landmark Credit Union Live that's downtown. Uh so many people haven't been there yet, obviously, since it's brand new uh venue. Uh we can see Jake Owen there as the headliner, uh, so you can get your your country music on. Of course, Charlie Barron's friend of the pot here, I think. Uh Charlie is uh is gonna be MC and doing some comedy for everybody. Uh Nicotine Dolls, which is a popular band that's come comes through here every year, plays Summerfest. They've played the the charity concert every year. So those diehards of nicotine dolls can come uh get their fix. See what I did there, get their fix. Um but uh and then Chef Adam Pollock, who is as we mentioned, a friend of the pod here, uh, does a great uh VIP foodie experience that goes along with it. Uh those tickets are in short supply. So if you are a last-minute ticket buyer, you better look real quick at visitmilwaukee.org to see if those tickets are still available because those go fast. Plenty of general admission is still available so you can get general admission at least. Wonderful Nights Benefits Visit Milwaukee, our foundation, which goes to our emergency relief fund for small business owners when disruption occurs, as well as scholarships for local college students. Brewers Foundation gets some of the those funding, uh, that funding as well, and stuff for other uh local charities.

SPEAKER_01

25:57

So Heartland Farm Sanctuary and the public library. Yeah. As you can tell, I watched that clip like 30 times when I was editing it. And Isaac Slade from the fray, I think, is gonna be there. Yep, I know that. Well, but um yeah, I mean I'm I'm slightly biased because I was very thankful that Christian came in here, but it it it has been like my favorite charity event of the year. I like it. It's laid back. They do such a good job with the pre-party, the after party. It's a good it's a good event. Charlie's obviously very funny and some amazing musical acts. And um there's no other fundraiser like we also have um Tacos and Tequila, which is just like millennial bait to its core, I think.

SPEAKER_00

26:41

This is uh May 30th at Franklin Field. But you got like genuine, a lot of like millennial ripross, a lot of millennial and soldier boy. I'm trying to teach my kids to dance, um, but then delicious food trucks, great drinks, chihuahua contest.

SPEAKER_01

27:01

Chihuahua contest. You got the whole lineup. Yeah, rumor is big Frank could be doing a set as well.

SPEAKER_03

27:07

Oh dang local connect. And then the night before, the night before it's all country. Country. So you can get your your twofer, your country, and your RB right now. Big X the plug.

SPEAKER_00

27:19

Big X the plug, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

27:20

Big name and some other don't forget.

SPEAKER_00

27:24

Shaggy Shaggy.

SPEAKER_01

27:25

Shaggy Shaggy's is on the tacos side.

SPEAKER_03

27:28

Shaggy is on him, like east.

SPEAKER_01

27:30

Is Soldier Boy this year or was that last year? But Soldier Boy's this year, but Millionaire's feedback. I know I know my 2000s rap. Um Bree gives me a lot of shit for it. That was probably my favorite genre.

SPEAKER_03

27:44

Flow riders coming to Summerfest, and I could not be more excited. Like, this is that I still have to.

SPEAKER_01

27:50

I might actually stay up past nine o'clock and flow riding.

SPEAKER_03

27:54

I saw him in Miami at a conference, and I know I was like, conference concert? Like, this is what's this gonna be? One of the best concerts I've ever seen. Flowrider brings it.

SPEAKER_01

28:02

What's your favorite Flowrider song of all time?

SPEAKER_03

28:04

Oh man, favorite? Uh well, I'm biased towards My House because it's I used to I used to coach soccer uh for my my son and his youth soccer team, a bunch of eighth graders, and we used to play My House to hype them. Uh so Flowrider on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to hype a bunch of eight-year-olds. Yeah, and you were what great coaching. Yeah. And parenting. Oh man. We we won the championship. How could you not could be any better? And I credit some of that to Flowrider.

SPEAKER_01

28:31

I liked right round. That was that was that was a banger. That was a banger.

SPEAKER_00

28:36

Um man. Yeah. Oh, if you don't want to do if none of that is your bag, which that's fine.

SPEAKER_03

28:45

Are you looking up Florrider song?

SPEAKER_01

28:47

I want I want I wanted to confirm something before I said it.

SPEAKER_00

28:52

Um well we have smoke on the water is at the Summer Fest grounds that weekend, if you're more in the blues and barbecue mode. So just a little festival for every flavor. Uh and we're not even in June.

unknown

29:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

29:08

So what'd you find? What's the flow right? What do you got?

SPEAKER_01

29:11

Nothing. Nothing but um uh good feeling came up. That was another good one. Um about Ayer?

SPEAKER_03

29:21

Ayer? A-Y-E-R-A.

SPEAKER_01

29:23

I wasn't as big of an Ayer guy, but um Oh, I mean low with T-Pain?

SPEAKER_00

29:28

Come on, guys. Oh wow. Yeah. How do how did we miss that? Wild ones with Sia?

SPEAKER_03

29:34

Alrighty. So now everybody's listening to this and they're saying, Okay, oh dear God, I need to see Florida.

SPEAKER_01

29:39

I got confused. I got confused. Okay, so for some reason I thought Flow Rada might have hopped on um Lady Gaga's just dance. No. So I'm what I was thinking of is Kasha is actually on right round.

SPEAKER_00

29:54

Yes. Yes.

SPEAKER_01

29:57

That was all that all took place junior year in college. We were throwing some some keggers, and uh there was a lot of flow rata and lady gaga being played at the end.

SPEAKER_03

30:05

Add in some Sean Paul at Summerfest this year. We have we have some stuff. And then if you want to get the rock, David Lee Roth, I'm can't wait for him either. You're gonna have old school 80s rock and roll. You've got Sean Paul with the reggae. I mean, Flow Rida with the 2000s rag.

SPEAKER_01

30:21

Every everyone just descending on the city of Milwaukee.

SPEAKER_00

30:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

30:25

It's gonna be beautiful.

SPEAKER_00

30:26

They saw the Michelin news. They're trying to get the shoes. Lil Rider.

SPEAKER_03

30:30

Lil Rider needs a pair of shoes.

SPEAKER_00

30:32

Like, probably.

SPEAKER_03

30:33

Last year I was at Tacos and Tequila and Lil John yelled at the entire crowd and said he didn't think we knew in Milwaukee where the windows on the walls were. Can you believe that? But he taught us, and we know now.

SPEAKER_01

30:51

Were they on that one? Maybe. I don't maybe. They could they could be. They could be. Oh man.

SPEAKER_00

30:57

Um uh this does take us into June on the event.

SPEAKER_01

31:02

You did talk about smoke on the water, right? Well, that was well, I was ferociously looking up if Lowrider was on Lady Gaga's song.

SPEAKER_03

31:09

Right after that's Pride Fest. So you get smoke of the water a week later, I think. You're at Pride Fest for the Friday. I'm fired up for Pride Fest.

SPEAKER_01

31:14

I have never been before. You gotta go. It's amazing. I think we're gonna go get some in-the-field content at Pridefest.

SPEAKER_03

31:21

I've gone the last two years, uh, some of the best nights of the season. Like they do it right there.

SPEAKER_00

31:26

For those whose therapy is dance, it's that's where you need to go. That's how I process a lot of my big feelings, and so it's like a cathartic experience, and you're doing it with 60,000 of your best friends in glitter.

SPEAKER_01

31:44

Were you dancing? Oh, actually, you know, I did go for a little bit last year because it is literally right right there. Were you dancing in the rain last year? I remember the monsoon one day. No, okay. Oh, um, Locust Street Fest. They do a phenomenal beer run. I remember we covered that they have four beer stops and people run a mile, and I don't know how they do it. But um it's impressive to watch the elite athlete in Milwaukee.

SPEAKER_03

32:09

There's there are there are festivals, there's events where you're like, it's just better to watch. And that might be a that's a watch.

SPEAKER_01

32:16

I I don't enjoy throwing up personally, but um if other people are putting themselves in that position to showcase their athleticism, I'm I'm for it.

SPEAKER_00

32:24

I was reminiscing about um when Bastille days would have, remember they had like the bartender Olympic things where you had to like carry a tray full of wine glasses around and run and like sprint around an area and again feats of athleticism unique to our festival's sensibilities, and it it was just fantastic watching.

SPEAKER_03

32:53

I mean, think about feats of athleticism at festivals, five Sazz's sampler platters in one sitting. Did you do it? Did you do that? I mean, neither confirm nor deny.

SPEAKER_01

33:06

I'd be very impressed. Those are really, really tasty. They're super tasty.

SPEAKER_03

33:11

And Saz's celebrating anniversary this year, too.

SPEAKER_00

33:14

Happy 50th to our friends at Saz's 50th, Saz's Absolute legend growing up here in great business.

SPEAKER_01

33:21

Um Lowlands for the first time throwing Belgian beer fest June 13th, I believe at in the heart of Tosa Village. I don't know if it's at Hart Park or right there, but um over 25 Belgian breweries and a hundred Belgian beers.

SPEAKER_00

33:38

I think that's awesome. You a Belgian beer and then one of their um fry cone like fries, the frites with all the little dipping sauces.

SPEAKER_01

33:49

Yeah, like the sweet potato ones, those are those are good.

SPEAKER_00

33:51

And then get a bunch of sauces and have a beer on a nice sunny day. Yeah, perfect flavor combo. You don't need anything else.

SPEAKER_03

33:59

You think they'll have Belgian beer? I think they might have a couple, just a few, just a couple, just a couple.

SPEAKER_00

34:05

Um perfect lead-in to World Cup season, I think. So genius on Lowland's part.

SPEAKER_03

34:10

Yeah, lots of lots of World Cup activity this year. Zokolo is gonna have a watch party, um, several of the other bar you know bars throughout the area have them watch parties.

SPEAKER_01

34:19

Oh, no mad scary.

SPEAKER_03

34:21

Brady Street will be hopping. Yep. Um we'll have a section on visitmilwaukee.org to highlight all the World Cup watch parties and block parties. So definitely people should be on the lookout for those. Those will be popping up a lot uh as we get into June and through July as well. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

34:36

Toward the end of June, Tour of America's Dairyland. Speaking of lowlands, I know they love Toad. Those are fun to watch. I like it because I mean those guys go so fast and they're so close to each other. I'm I'm not athletic or brave enough to do that. And it's nice because they go around like every couple minutes. It's it's fun to watch.

SPEAKER_03

34:57

Those criterions, those types of races are really, really cool. Now imagine if we combined Locust Street Fest with Toad and they had to ride a bike and drink beer. I'm sure no one was there. Yeah, that's coming up too.

SPEAKER_00

35:11

Yeah, you actually they just launched, you can register your vehicle, uh, like right now.

SPEAKER_01

35:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

35:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

35:18

And then tell me you guys got something cooking with D. Wade.

SPEAKER_03

35:22

Yeah, that's right. Super excited to work with uh Dwayne Wade and Marquette University and uh trying to find a way to again raise funds for some really great programs uh through uh Sharp Literacy, uh putting funds towards uh a new uh some new facility work on the the auxiliary gyms and some things at Marquette University. Obviously, the Visit Milwaukee Foundation and what we do, same concept of our emergency relief fund and our scholarships and the Wade Scholars program that they announced last year, where they give full rides to several students every year to Marquette through the Wade Scholars program. We're lucky enough that one of the Wade Scholars is an intern with Visit Milwaukee. We've got a great program where uh uh the student who wins the Wade Scholarship also gets an automatic internship with Visit Milwaukee for at least one. Oh, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_01

36:10

Uh so it's it's Fernando or someone else?

SPEAKER_03

36:13

Uh no, no, it's uh Kennedy Luckett is her name. Yeah, she's still a student, um, and she's a sophomore this year, and uh she's been doing fantastic uh work for us. But it's a great way for us to continue to work uh with the students, work with the Wade Foundation. We're gonna be having a party with them uh in July. So uh we're looking at July 16, 17 uh time frame. We'll do a guest bartending uh competition with Dwayne Wade and Travis Deaner, who they they played together on some of those. Deaner's very legendary Marquette teams uh from the Flowrider era. Um and a little before. Yeah, and uh uh so they're gonna compete at Central Standard, do a little guest bartending, see who can make the most tips in one night. It's a ticketed event. Yeah, uh all the proceeds go to those foundations and uh and nonprofits mentioned. And then we'll have an exclusive dinner with our friends at Lupin Iris on that Friday night. Uh a very small uh amount of tickets available for that, so people should act early. Uh tickets will go on sale soon during National Travel and Tourism Week on May 7th, uh, in celebration of uh Travis uh Diener's number seven. Uh and uh about 60 tickets only available that. So exclusive dinner at Lupin Iris or the big community celebration at Central Standard.

SPEAKER_01

37:29

People need to get some dates on the calendar for the new shoe drop and all the D-Waite activities and empty their bank account and have a great time that's right doing so. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

37:39

Travel and leisure uh said that Milwaukee has the perfect summer experience in an article today. So I think we just like made the case for them. We wrote we wrote the next 10 seconds.

SPEAKER_01

37:53

I agree. I'm I'm really excited after this, you know, little chat, and uh we only got through the month of June. Other than the D Wade event we've got to do it. Touched up just touch of July. Just graced it. Um anything else?

SPEAKER_03

38:08

I mean, look, we could go on literally, we could go on forever. Our calendar of events is stacked. Uh, people if if anyone's ever looking for something to do, I encourage you to just go to visitmilwaukee.org and look at our calendar of events. There's probably 30 to 40 events almost daily, especially in the summer. Uh we do uh we actually partner with the theater district and uh Lakefront Brewery, um Bluebat, uh actually Village, the Wawatosa Village, and several others on it's a live uh busker series, so live free music throughout the community all summer long. We'll be announcing that lineup soon uh as well. So from June through uh August, free music all over the place throughout the city. Um so there's just all I mean, there's always something going on, and we're not even we haven't even gotten into like the concerts that are at Pfizer Forum, the concerts that are at the Pepst Theater Group venues. Yeah. Um, you know, it's it's non-stop all the time. So you just you have to find a place where where is it all at? Visit Milwaukee.org.

SPEAKER_01

39:03

You guys do do an amazing job with that calendar. And then thank you for all you do for the city and all the amazing stuff you guys have going on. Always, always love having you in here. All right, everyone. I hope you're pumped for summer in Milwaukee. And before signing off, just want to thank our partners who make Milwaukee Uncut possible, Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, Annex Wealth Management, and our friends over at Nikola.

Milwaukee Moms Guide w/ Monica Jurken, Alysha Newby, and Allison Steinhafel

Milwaukee Moms Guide w/ Monica Jurken, Alysha Newby, and Allison Steinhafel

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, and if you haven’t thought about what you’re going to do for the leading lady in your life, today’s episode…

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, and if you haven’t thought about what you’re going to do for the leading lady in your life, today’s episode should give you some ideas. We’ve got three amazing moms joining us for a conversation on all things motherhood. Okay… maybe not all things. But, they’ll be sharing some of their biggest lessons learned as moms, funny things kids do, and how to treat the moms in your life right. Think spas, gifts, date nights, and more.

We’re joined by Monica Jurken, Alysha Newby, and Allison Steinhafel as we dive into what it takes to be a full-time mom while balancing careers and maintaining their lifestyles.

Topics covered:

  • Biggest surprises about motherhood
  • Things they got wrong
  • Funny things kids do that they can’t laugh at
  • Favorite thing about being a mom
  • What Milwaukee moms’ like: Mother’s Day gifts, favorite spas, kids activities, date night spots & favorite woman-owned businesses in the area

SPEAKER_00

0:04

Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut and Happy Mother's Day week. Make sure to get your mom something nice. There still might be time depending on when you're listening to this. We've got some gift recommendations in this episode, or you cannot go wrong at Kessler's Diamonds, Diamond Joe, and the team will take great care of you. Or I'm a big Sendex flowers, chocolate, and a card guy in and out in five minutes. Can't go wrong with either of those. And we've got more coming anyway. We've got three amazing moms joining us today: Monica Jerkin, Alicia Newby, and Alison Steinhoffel, all working very important and demanding jobs while raising young kids. We go over something they got wrong about being a mom and biggest surprises, lessons learned from their moms, what their kids do that they find funny but have to pretend it's not. Favorite thing about being a mother. And we get into, like I said, Mother's Day gifts for you and their favorite spas, favorite kids' activities, date spots, and favorite women-known businesses in the area. Before diving in, just want to thank our partners who make Milwaukee Uncut possible. We'll kick things off with Nicolay Law, the Midwest law firm injured. Get Nicolay and Rust, and the team will take great care of you over there. Drink Wisconsinably Beverage Company. If you're looking to throw back some brandy, some canned cocktails, or some vodka on Mother's Day, my personal favorite, their canned brandy old-fashioned Drink Wisconsinably Beverage Company available at bars and liquor stores across the state and at their corner bar over in Right Field at MFAM. And last but not least, Annex Wealth Management. If you are looking to get your finances in order this spring, this summer, you need to reach out to our good friends at Annex Wealth Management. Annex Wealth know the difference. Just head on over to annexwealth.com. All right, let's dive in. Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut and happy Mother's Day week. We have three amazing mothers with us today. We have Alicia Newby, the ringleader of this episode, who came up to me after a few drinks of carnivore and proposed this amazing idea. She's also a mother of two: a girl and a boy, and a dog, global sales for a tech company and the wife of the amazing charismatic, larger-than-life personality, Jonathan Newby.

SPEAKER_03

2:39

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_00

2:40

Alicia, welcome to the show.

SPEAKER_03

2:42

Thank you so much, Richie, for having us. Um, yeah, appreciate the invite and honor to be a part of what you're doing for Milan.

SPEAKER_00

2:51

And this this episode is not about Jonathan Newby, but we may need to may need a snippet on him later. Later on.

SPEAKER_03

2:57

Just a little bit.

SPEAKER_00

2:58

Later on. Okay, and we have uh Alison Steinhoffel. She is the mother of three boys, one, two, and six, and works at a real estate private equity firm in the area. Married to a great guy, Andrew. Um thank you for coming in today as well.

SPEAKER_04

3:15

Thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_00

3:16

And Monica Jerkin.

SPEAKER_04

3:17

Hey Richie.

SPEAKER_00

3:19

Yeah, one of the owners owns Magic Productions with her husband, Mike, awesome guy, mom of two young boys, one and two.

SPEAKER_02

3:27

Yeah, or two and three.

SPEAKER_00

3:28

Two and three, excuse me. One year apart, though. And uh and a dog, and Magic does um a lot of amazed Super Bowls, rider cups, just lots of cool events.

SPEAKER_02

3:38

Yeah, audio.

SPEAKER_00

3:40

A lot of cruises, etc. Um anyway. Thank you all for coming in today.

SPEAKER_02

3:44

Thanks for having us. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00

3:46

All right, we we will kick it off with something that you got wrong about motherhood before having kids or biggest surprises.

SPEAKER_03

3:55

I think the biggest surprise about motherhood is you I had no realization of how tired I would be. All the time. To all the people I complained of before kids that I was tired. I was false. I didn't know what tired meant. And while it's the most amazing, magical adventure, it is like the most exhausting. So that has what has been a surprise. And you know, just that nobody knows what they're doing. We're all trying to figure out how to raise these good humans. And yeah, it's it's a wild adventure.

SPEAKER_02

4:34

Do you remember when before kids you'd kind of be on the couch at night, like kind of bored? Like, what do we do? Should we watch a show? Now it's like, I want to go to bed, I want to just not have anyone near me, and that's like I need like 20 minutes of that. 20 minutes of like nothing.

SPEAKER_03

4:51

20 minutes of nonverbal time.

SPEAKER_02

4:52

I'm like, Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

4:54

I've been spending a lot of time driving in my car in silence.

SPEAKER_02

4:57

Oh, that's a good one.

SPEAKER_04

4:58

It's probably an indicator of how overstimulated I am.

SPEAKER_03

5:02

But uh also when you get home from meetings and you just sit in the driveway and you need that like quiet car time.

SPEAKER_02

5:08

Like I've turned on coffee house, I'm serious, and I literally just like I sit there and I'm like, this is nice. This is what like normal, like this is this is just a ringing endorsement for Bree and I to have someday.

SPEAKER_00

5:20

This this is not this is off to a fantastic.

SPEAKER_02

5:22

You just need like 15 to 20 minutes of quiet. That's all. And then you can like recalibrate your insides a little bit.

SPEAKER_03

5:28

Well, we are also all like toddler moms, so so our current era.

SPEAKER_00

5:34

Toddler moms and and uh and all working very, I would say, demanding jobs.

SPEAKER_03

5:38

Yes.

SPEAKER_00

5:39

And important jobs.

SPEAKER_03

5:40

Yeah, yeah. It's it's an interesting dynamic in my role when I have you know clients or or leadership pinging me at 7 a.m. You know, hey, can you can you take a call really quick? And it's like, no, I am cage fighting my children, trying to get them in the car and get them to daycare, and then I will figure this out. So yeah, it's it's a wild ride being a working mom.

SPEAKER_02

6:05

Um and also we're I I would not to like boast about it, but we're also very social. So it's not like we're all. Yeah, you all you all are.

SPEAKER_00

6:13

It seems like you all all of you um uh uh run in some similar circles, but have maintained very good social relationships as well.

SPEAKER_03

6:21

Yes, our husbands' social batteries never die. And while I'd half the time rather be home in sweats, we we rally, we and it's fun, right?

SPEAKER_02

6:32

But then it's another layer of stuff to do. So you're doing obviously you're doing your job of work and then you're doing your job of being a mom, and then also maintaining friendships, which is really fun and just a lot.

SPEAKER_04

6:46

It's a lot of logistics. I feel like I could sum up motherhood in one word, it's logistics, yeah, lots of lists, yeah, right. Yeah, nothing an Excel spreadsheet can't help you with.

SPEAKER_02

6:56

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_03

6:57

Yeah, I think you realize like more women, more mothers need to be in charge because the way that we can just be smart about scheduling and thoughtful about thoughtful and intentional um about what we're gonna do. That is that is moms. You just figure out a way to make it all happen.

SPEAKER_00

7:19

Alison, what's the biggest difference of uh being a mom to a six-year-old opposed to more of a a toddler like these two have right now?

SPEAKER_04

7:28

Yeah, that's a good question. It's magical and they can kind of do things for themselves. So, you know, I love I love a spreadsheet. He has a checklist in the morning, like do these things and then you can play with your Legos. Oh, that's awesome. Um that's bad. That's pretty magical. Uh yeah, most of the time. Nice. Yeah, most of the time. Yeah, because he wants the Legos, right? So you know Don't we all? It's pretty simple, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

7:50

We just easier at our incentive program, any any other major surprises? Or mostly just the ti the tiredness and the demand of balancing everything.

SPEAKER_02

8:04

I think it's just figuring out the logistics, as Allison said. Like, it's crazy how much stuff comes with kids. I don't know if you feel the same way, but there was one point when they were really little, and it's like, I don't have enough clothes for them because they're growing, growing, growing. So you're constantly having to be on your phone to order a new size, to get more diapers, to get more whatever. And it's like, I'm not on my phone, like looking at it for like fun stuff. Like, I'm actually like working on doing tasks on it, which is tricky because I try not to have my kids around screens as much, but it's like mom's ordering groceries or mom's doing this, and it's like kind of the dynamic of balancing all that without not being present with your kids too. You kind of feel guilty. I feel guilty about it.

SPEAKER_03

8:48

But I think just all also the internal reflection you do when you once you become a mother and you compare it to your childhood often, and you know, the mind fuck of becoming a mother is is wild.

SPEAKER_00

9:03

Have you have you all intentionally um done things, certain things very similar to how your mothers raised you and certain things differently? Are you are you more strict, less strict, um anything like that?

SPEAKER_02

9:18

I don't know if that world exists anymore, you know, like without like social media and people didn't really know what was around, I guess. Like, think about growing up in the 90s, like magical, right? Um but also like our parents didn't know that there was all of this stuff going around to take us to or to do. And I just think it's a little different than it than it was when we were kids, too. There was no target delivery, there was no Amazon Prime. So I think our parents just had to sound silly, but they had to go to the store, they didn't have time to not do that because they had to do the actual errands probably with us most of the time.

SPEAKER_03

9:55

Well, and I think the expectation on our generation, I feel like our parents got the gold star for keeping us alive. And I feel like my generation of mothers, it can be a little bit competitive as far as, well, what's your kid signed up for? And, you know, sports. I I had someone ask me if I was going to hold my son back a year in daycare so he would effectively be the oldest in his graduating class. I'm sure it is. And potentially better at sports. That's a thing. And I'm like, actually, I think I'm more interested in uh, you know, shedding this daycare bill and if he getting him out of the house a year sooner. Yeah, and neatly has the ability to be a professional athlete. We'll take it. But it's the fact that at two years old there are parents out there thinking of ways to game the system.

SPEAKER_04

10:48

So I mean, there's no risk of a professional athlete in my house. And no one suggested that to us.

SPEAKER_00

10:58

He's got some decent height on him.

SPEAKER_03

11:00

Yeah. Yeah. So so it's interesting. And I feel like because I work all week and I travel for work on occasion, you know, signing my kids up for a ton of activities on the weekends is less appealing to me because I don't know if Newbie's gonna be showing a house. So, but but a lot of my kids' peers are like, oh, we have gymnastics and then we're going to basketball. And I'm like, well, we're gonna go play in the backyard. So it's it's it's interesting, you know, and I think as moms being able to say no is there's also power in that.

unknown

11:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

11:38

I heard a stat the other day that the average parent today spends double the time with their kids than they did in the 90s. That's both dads and moms, which is kind of crazy when you think about it that way. I mean everyone's feeling compressed for time, but on average we're spending double the time with our kids. So that's that's kind of a nice thing.

SPEAKER_00

11:56

That is interesting. I wonder if if does that have to do with work from home or is that just that's a good question.

SPEAKER_04

12:03

I don't know.

SPEAKER_00

12:04

Yeah, but still. Um what's something your kids uh do that you secretly find very funny but have to pretend it it is not Oh I mean when one of my kids drops an F-bomb and it's like perfectly placed, yes.

SPEAKER_04

12:22

Um or like, you know, another choice word that's Do you do you break or no? I mean, I try not to, but you know, there's gotta be a little discipline. It's amazing what they pick up on the playground. Yeah, it's it's when they say they pick it up on the playground and not at home, but yeah, yeah, a perfectly used swear word when someone's Lego truck breaks. Like I'm impressed.

SPEAKER_03

12:44

Yes, we're teaching them well.

SPEAKER_02

12:47

I also love when one of them is being kind of naughty and the other one just kind of like self-corrects, like either like does a little like butt pat or like pulls a little hair, and I'm like the two and three-year-old are doing that to each other.

SPEAKER_00

13:00

Yeah, that would be funny.

SPEAKER_02

13:04

That's not like you're kind of defending yourself, right? But just lovingly, right?

SPEAKER_00

13:11

Um something about motherhood that uh people don't talk about enough.

SPEAKER_03

13:20

Um I think the pressures of being a mom, I think first time moms go into it with an idea that everything's gonna go according to plan. And I think accepting that very few of those plans will go accordingly, um, you know, it's is eye-opening. Um I think I I think there's a lot of pressure around the journey to breastfeed. And that for a lot of women, you know, does not work out um the way you want it to. And then you're researching all of these different formulas and and you know, what's the right, you know, blend for my kid, and then and then you have a two-year-old who will only eat mac and cheese. So it's a it's a it's a fun little evolution of you know, the pressure you put on yourself for perfection via the standards that you know you read about on social media and things like that to what it actually ends up being.

SPEAKER_02

14:24

So I also heard something that once you think you've figured it out, whether it's a phase or a type of um milestone, like I finally got my kid to sleep, or I finally had them eat their vegetables, something changes. Like you're kind of living in this like limbo area of like goodness for a little bit, and then inevitably it changes because your kids growing so fast. So I think that's so true. Like when they sleep in their crib or when they start sleeping in their bed, it's all working and you're kind of just waiting for the next ball to drop because it it's it's bound to change at any moment, you know.

SPEAKER_03

14:58

Yeah, the good, the bad, everything's temporary.

SPEAKER_00

15:02

Going to raising kids in the in the social media or screens era, and I Alison, I'm guessing you might deal with this a little bit with the six-year-old or at least the screen time. I don't know since your kids are younger, but what are your views on all of that and how do you try and manage manage it?

SPEAKER_02

15:18

So, like uh screen time for the kids in in particular.

SPEAKER_00

15:22

For us, we I'm guessing you're not worrying about a three-year-old on social media right now.

SPEAKER_02

15:27

No, but it's crazy. Like some people there's different thresholds, right? And one of the things I learned as Alicia alluded to to like the feeding journey of your child, you learn really quickly that different homes do different things, and it's really none of my business what other parents do. And I don't really it doesn't impact me, you know. But for for us, um, we we limit screen time a lot. Like they're it just I'm trying to do my best to not be on my phone, not having the kids watch TV. Um, everyone has a different threshold. So like we'll probably do maybe 15 to 20 minutes of TV three to four times a week. And they're watching 90s, like we're watching Arthur, Bernstein Bears, we're watching the stuff that like I watched when I was a kid, but I don't know if that's the right move. Like everyone's doing what's best for their family, you know.

SPEAKER_00

16:20

And do you all try and limit your screen time around the kids? And is that difficult to do?

SPEAKER_02

16:24

I try to, but the problem, as I alluded to earlier, is like I I pick up my phone and I'm like, I need to place a target delivery. Like, like we need diapers, we need X or Y. So then I catch myself telling my two and three-year-old, mommy's on her phone ordering groceries. Like I'm trying to like tell them that I'm actually working and not just like staring at my phone for for fun. Because again, we're growing up in a like we're living in an era where there's so much media around us, and I'm a consumer of it, and my children will be consumers of it. So, how do you teach your kids to be responsible consumers of it as they grow up? I I don't know the answer to that.

SPEAKER_03

17:04

Yeah, I mean, we're obviously not there yet. Our our eldest is about to be five, but I think I'd be wrong to like I work in tech, so obviously we're gonna embrace technology. Um, but I think you know, just raising confident humans that when they are exposed to social media one day that they aren't seeking the validation. Um actually, someone someone gave me a really good anecdote once on the likes that you get on Instagram. Because while you may want, you know, hundreds, even thousands of likes on a certain post, if you only receive 20 and someone, you know, but if you put that in real life that somebody came up to you and you got 20 compliments, like you'd feel really good about yourself if you got but then when you put it in-if you got one compliment in real life, you feel pretty good about yourself. Yeah, so like you can't, you know, hone in on the number of likes because if you if you got all those in person, you'd feel way better about yourself. So I think you know, just raising confidence in my kids to not seek that validation and also you know, social media is a very edited place in realizing, you know, that that it is the highlight reel and you know, to not take it so seriously. But but it is scary. There's a there's a lot of fear with that. I think you know, we'll try to defer it as long as we can, but I think it's inevitable. And hopefully these tech companies are making different changes to make it safer.

SPEAKER_04

18:39

So I don't know, we're not huge TV people, like we never have been, so our kids aren't that excited about or we just don't offer TV that often. But we've come up with things that kind of showcase how exciting TV can be for them. So, for example, our kids hate getting their nails trimmed. I don't know, is that universal mind do? Um, so I let them watch a YouTube video of their choice while I'm trimming their nails, and we've now realized that like our kids are working us independently where they'll be like, I need my nails trimmed. They're so smart. I just trimmed, I just trimmed his nails yesterday. Those nails don't need to be trimmed. So, you know, they they work the system, which I guess is good. They're being creative and clever, but um I think yeah, you can tell kids are obsessed with screens. Even when we go to a restaurant and there's like a TV on in the bar, they're like, you know, trying to see what's what's going on, and yeah, that's just part of life, I guess.

SPEAKER_02

19:37

And it's also crazy, like the brain fog for me is so real. Like after having kids, I don't think it's like actually something wrong with me, but I think I have so much to think about at all times. So for me, a lot of what I do on social media personally, I'm literally recording it so it's saved somewhere because my phone has so much content. Like I'm taking photos at work, I'm taking photos of like a receipt or like a tag of something. And so when I post on like an Instagram post personally, it's basically a reminder of my life, so that I'm like, oh, this was fun, this was fun, this was fun. So that's always my intention whenever I post on social media because my memory has gotten so bad, and it's like, oh, well, this was great. Like this was so fun when we went to on this trip or when we did that. So it it truly is a highlight reel for my for me, you know, which is kind of a unique way of looking at it, I think. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

20:30

Um on a on a positive note, what it what is you all's favorite thing about being a mother?

SPEAKER_03

20:36

For me, it's recreating the magic of the holidays. Like, I probably go a little bit over the top, but I just love creating, you know, Christmas morning excitement and oh, here's the Easter bunny, and and it's just really fun the way at least at this age they they get into it. I've I've been told I'm living in the blink, and like by the time you know they're eight, ten years old, all of this is not gonna land the the way it is now. So so I think just enjoying it.

SPEAKER_00

21:10

I still believe in Santa right now.

unknown

21:12

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03

21:12

Well, for my my parents were, you know, if you don't believe, you don't receive. So I I borderline one into high school, like guys, Santa, come to town.

SPEAKER_02

21:27

I would echo that too. Just kind of creating magic for your kids. And also they're there's so much fun. So like you come home and like they're happy to see you. Life is good. Like we're I'm I'm so tired all the time, but like I love it, you know.

SPEAKER_04

21:39

Yeah, it's pretty wild to have these creatures that you've created, right? Somehow you're you've got these babies and you're supposed to teach them what to do. And it's hilarious when they're negotiating with you and you've taught them how to do that too. So pros and cons. They're smart.

SPEAKER_00

21:58

And any uh any best lesson. From your own own mothers, or anything you admire most about them.

SPEAKER_04

22:04

I mean, my mom always says, trust your instincts. And I feel like that's such a good piece of advice in life. I've been lucky, you know, she's also an excellent grandma who lives very close by. So we are able to leverage that a lot. But I think that's a good point, especially in the age of social media, and everyone's got an opinion and just kind of what feels right in your gut and and go with that and try not to worry too much about it, what everybody else is thinking or doing.

SPEAKER_02

22:29

I second that. And Allison's mom makes family dinner every Sunday. She does. So she will invite the whole family over to her house with like meals. So it's like a theme night. It's pretty awesome.

SPEAKER_04

22:40

Yeah, she's pretty great. And when they're out of town, I'm like, what do you mean you're out of town on Sunday night? What am I gonna do?

SPEAKER_03

22:47

Yeah. Um, my mom has just always been so supportive, always told me she's proud of me, things like that. So I think as I I look to raise my own children, you know, just loving support, you know, letting them know that they're seen and valued. That's something my mom has always done for me.

SPEAKER_02

23:08

I think I I echo I hate going last on this one, but I think those same points and also just learning how to be you, like what works well for you doesn't always work for somebody else. And just realizing maybe I need more time for X or Y, and just realizing when to commit to certain things and when not to.

SPEAKER_00

23:26

Awesome. Should we should we get into some of the uh the gift ideas and date spots, things like that?

SPEAKER_03

23:32

Yes, let's do it.

SPEAKER_00

23:34

Great. Um, let's start with Mother's Day gift ideas for people who could use them right now.

SPEAKER_03

23:40

All right, dad. This one's for you.

SPEAKER_00

23:43

Hey guys, spring is here, at least sometimes it's here. I think third, third or fourth spring is finally here. Felt like summer yesterday. Feels like a crisp November morning today. Anyway, time to open the windows, clean out the garage, and yeah, maybe take a hard look at your financial life too. If your retirement plan, investments, or estate stuff feels dusty or disorganized. Our friends at Annex Wealth Management are here to help, led by our guy you've probably seen on some of our recent hit social media videos, Dave Spano. You gotta call our guys over at Annex Wealth Management. Annex is a holistic wealth management firm right here in Milwaukee that helps you with everything retirement planning, smart investing, estate planning, legacy planning, and tax strategies all under one roof. Think of them as your financial spring cleaning crew. They'll help you declutter your old accounts, dust off your investment strategy, organize your estate documents, and build a financial plan focused on your goals. That is our friends at AnnexWealth Management, annexwealth.com. Know the difference. All right, let's get back to today's episode.

SPEAKER_03

24:52

I think we always we still want something handmade. Like it doesn't even won't cost you anything but time. But like force these kids to sit down and like make me a card I can keep forever.

SPEAKER_02

25:05

Yeah, that's that's probably key, I think, especially when they're little. Because when they're older, it's like it is what it is. But like when they're little, like if they can cut something, even if it's not socially like if it's not like aesthetically pleasing, right? Yeah, it doesn't matter. Like our probably won't be if it comes out of my life. No, but like even for like for my husband's birthday a couple weeks ago, Tanner cut confetti and he's learning how to cut. So all this confetti is like different pieces of cardboard and like different pieces of like paper from the house, and he glued them onto the refrigerator, and it was like the best thing to have confetti in our house, you know. So the handmade stuff is awesome.

SPEAKER_03

25:44

Yeah, and if you're not going to make a brunch reservation for Mother's Day, I think you could pick up brunch and on the kitchen table have all these handmade goodies for us, but then maybe go to Alley Boy's and go see Stacy and bring back some bagels and sandwiches. Or you could go to Poppy Bakery and Amy makes the best uh pastries and um avocado and all the things, and you can just do like a little spread of baked goods if you don't want to go to brunch and we like that. Who doesn't like brunch? Get out of your house. You don't have to have anyone clean up.

SPEAKER_02

26:27

I'm a big fan of Mother's Day brunch.

SPEAKER_03

26:29

We also like Commodore out in Peewake. They do.

SPEAKER_00

26:32

No, I haven't been there yet. That's a new new Bartellotta, newish Bartellotta's place.

SPEAKER_03

26:36

Yes, they do a good spread. Um, also like Harbor House downtown for a brunch. Um lower key. Could maybe go to like a blues egg. Um Tosa. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

26:52

I mean, on the gifts, I would say something. I love a practical gift. Like, don't buy me jewelry, which seems crazy. Don't buy me jewelry. Um, but buy me a practical gift and like what's practical? Uh you know, something you can use that's not just like a pretty thing or a dust collector.

SPEAKER_02

27:10

Do you have an example?

SPEAKER_04

27:12

Um, last year Andrew bought me a Kindle, and I'm very I was very anti-Kindle, but he bought me one anyway, and he opened it up and loaded it and charged it and made it real plug and play, which I thought was.

SPEAKER_00

27:25

Does it get more romantic than that?

SPEAKER_04

27:28

Andrew and the Kindle preloading. It that was magical. Like he did the extra work to get it all set up. I mean, a mother's dream.

SPEAKER_03

27:37

Yeah. I also think flowers. Um you have to do flowers.

SPEAKER_02

27:41

I agree.

SPEAKER_03

27:42

My favorite florist is Lataire out in Mekwan. Sally is the most amazing floral artist, and she will hook you up. So order an arrangement from Lataire, and that will be beautiful.

SPEAKER_02

27:58

And also I agree flowers, I agree brunch, cards, right? But to Allison's point, like get me a nice pair of pajamas. You know what I mean? Like Turkish Pima cotton, like lake pajamas. That is my like I don't think you can go wrong with that.

SPEAKER_03

28:15

Yeah, for the best. Yeah. Newbie and I also we like to spend our money on experiences. I feel like we've gotten to the point in our careers where if I want it, I'll just buy it. So why don't you take the planning out of something and plan an experience? Book the flight, you know.

SPEAKER_00

28:39

We got a good range of gift IDs.

SPEAKER_04

28:42

Yeah. High low. A trip to Paris, sure. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

28:47

You you guys had some spas in there too, maybe a spa trip.

SPEAKER_03

28:51

Yes. Yes. You have cards.

SPEAKER_00

28:52

Any any favorite spas in the area?

SPEAKER_03

28:55

Um, I like it's out in Tosa by um Mayfair Mall, actually. It's called Aura Spa, and they do these amazing lymphatic drainage facials. Probably could have used one before I came today. But she will like have you snatch and like get rid of that double chin. So I love Aura. There's also Fister. Yeah. Close by.

SPEAKER_02

29:21

I I love uh locally, I go to Neroli in Brookfield, which I really, really love. And we do a lot of Kohler trips. So we'll do the Kohler water spa frequently. Place is magical. It's magical. It is so wonderful going out there and getting a massage.

SPEAKER_03

29:36

Monica is the queen of Kohler.

SPEAKER_02

29:38

I love Kohler.

SPEAKER_03

29:38

If you need a Kohler right, if you want the inside guide to Kohler, Monica Jerkin.

SPEAKER_02

29:43

It's convenient, it's an hour away. Like you can get there. It feels like you're going on like a little tiny trip and you can still get home the next the same day or the next day.

SPEAKER_00

29:52

It does feel like a different little world when you're in there.

SPEAKER_02

29:54

Yeah. I love it out there getting a massage, getting your nails done, and going out to lunch, either at the American Club or somewhere in Sheboygan, like Il Retrovo. It's pretty awesome. That's a good Mother's Day idea. Sending mom there.

SPEAKER_01

30:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

30:09

Or even with some girlfriends. Like, how nice would it be if Andrew, Newbie, and Michael planned a little Mother's Day gift for all of us to like golf. It's like a real layup for them. Yeah, yeah. Because then the boys can sneak off to golf.

SPEAKER_04

30:21

Well, they're like an add-to-cart button. Hope they're listening.

SPEAKER_00

30:25

They can uh they can do a little day trip there too. Yeah, it is only an hour away. Staying over the overnight there is extremely nice, but like, yeah, there's stuff to do during the day.

SPEAKER_02

30:33

We do it all the time. Like we'll go up in the morning and come back before the end of the day.

SPEAKER_00

30:37

They got that iconic coffee shop in the American Club.

SPEAKER_03

30:40

Yeah, the greenhouse cafe. Go there. Yeah. Get a picture.

SPEAKER_02

30:45

That's pretty awesome. Can't go wrong.

SPEAKER_03

30:48

And they have a lot of um, they have the little shops on Woodlake too.

SPEAKER_00

30:52

So new grocery store coming this year. Yeah, next year, you're excited. Yeah, later this year.

SPEAKER_02

30:59

And they have the cutest little baby shop there too for kids called Little Love. So I love that shop. It's wonderful. But even when you're away from your kids, you still want to like buy stuff for your kids inevitably.

SPEAKER_03

31:10

So guilty of that. Like they need not a thing more. Yeah. But like how can we cat from Little Love? How do you resist Little Love, right? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

31:19

Um, let's do kid kid outings. If people are looking for kids' activity in the area, where are you going?

SPEAKER_02

31:27

This is Alicia's forte.

SPEAKER_03

31:29

No, not it's always instant regret. Um, you know, I can I can I can chime.

SPEAKER_00

31:34

I can I can actually chime in on this one for instant regret. I do big brothers, big sisters with an eight-year-old and um realized a couple places not to take him.

SPEAKER_02

31:43

I'll let you guys go first though, because this isn't Do you have good examples of where not to take him?

SPEAKER_00

31:48

The roller skating rink.

SPEAKER_02

31:49

Why?

SPEAKER_00

31:50

It is fucking chaos in there. I mean loud music, hundreds of kids, dim lights, light show going. Yeah. I can't skate. I was out there with a walker trying to survive. Um and he didn't want to leave either. So I had to hunt him down. I think one kid almost knocked me over. I think I stayed up, but uh leaning on that, and then I told him um after we went that since I used a walker, the city of Milwaukee banned me from going to skating rinks for 10 years.

SPEAKER_02

32:25

Did he believe it or no?

SPEAKER_00

32:27

Yeah, he believes it, right, Brie? I think he does. It was the first time I lied to uh to Ray Sean straight up like that. I looked, I looked him in the eye and uh felt a little bad doing it, but I do not regret doing that. So I have not been back to uh the roller skating rink since. Daven Buster's has been good.

SPEAKER_01

32:47

Yeah, he couldn't pay me for something.

SPEAKER_00

32:49

First time I took him there, he was running around in in hiding in some of the machines from me. Kind of had a heart attack, but he's he's gotten he's gotten better.

SPEAKER_01

32:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

33:00

Listens to me a little better. So uh he's he's making progress. You know what's a good spot? Um Cause's mini bowl.

SPEAKER_03

33:07

I've never been there. I've never I've never done it. I've never taken the kids there.

SPEAKER_00

33:11

It's not you wouldn't think of it as a kid spot. It's a dive, it's like it was voted best dive bar in America on Esquire like years ago. And it is a good dive bar, and they have mini bowling, so they're smaller balls.

SPEAKER_04

33:22

Oh yeah, that's cool.

SPEAKER_00

33:24

And um yeah, they they let us in. There was another kid there too. He was really enthralled by the gambling machine, so I had to not make that happen, but he did enjoy bowling too. So anyway, those are those are my places to go and not to go list. But I would love to hear from some actual parents.

SPEAKER_02

33:42

Again, our kids are little, so a lot of we have a zoopass for the Milwaukee County Zoo.

SPEAKER_00

33:47

Oh, shout out to the zoo. I love the show. Shout out to the zoo.

SPEAKER_02

33:50

Yeah. And so with the Zoopass, what what you don't realize with the Zoopass is that you have the convenience to leave whenever you want to. So I feel like when you buy tickets to something, you want to be there for a bit. You don't want to pay a bunch of money and then you feel obligated. And so with the Zoopass to plug that for the third time, it's incredible because you can go in, park, stay for an hour, and leave once everyone starts running around and you are overstimulated. And you don't feel guilty that you're leaving early because you can go back anytime you want.

SPEAKER_00

34:21

I do want to shout out the zoo. They put up an amazing light display for Christmas. That was really cool.

SPEAKER_03

34:29

We love a farmer's market, I feel like ideal weekend morning. We can also take the dog. Shout out to Bruno. He doesn't get enough love now that we've had kids. Massive. Like this is what happens.

SPEAKER_00

34:43

What's Bruno weighing in at?

SPEAKER_03

34:44

Probably 115 pounds. Yeah. He is a burnoodle. This is what happens when your husband shows a condo in the third ward, sees a puppy in the elevator, and says, Oh, they have one left. And then 12 hours later, two people with no experience owning a dog during COVID are driving to Indiana to pick up a massive puppy. Bruno's name in his litter was actually Tank because he was the biggest. And now he's also the biggest dog in the neighborhood. And what have we gotten ourselves into?

SPEAKER_00

35:17

I think after Newbie got it, he had some good quote to me like, I'm a big boy, I need a big dog, or something like that.

SPEAKER_03

35:23

That's just like Yeah, it's respect. So yeah, Bruno adds adds chaos. And um, yeah, we like to do things where we can also show Bruno a little love because he's a COVID puppy, and you know, he just wants to be wants to be in the mix. Um, but also I would say in Milwaukee, like art museum, Betty Brynn, you can find key days where you can go for free. So so that's nice, or even just like going to cops, having a custard date, things, things we like to do with the kids. But like Georgie is a savage, and at two years old, it's just a lot to you know take him out into the wild. We try, we try.

SPEAKER_02

36:05

But don't you think getting them out sometimes makes it better? Because like they're in a car seat and they're stuck there for a little bit as you're driving car somewhere. Like if you're let's say our our routine on like Saturday mornings is we wake up, either go to breakfast or make a nice breakfast, and then we'll like go do something, whether it's like a Sendix run or like going anywhere just to get the kids out, because then they're running around a store or running around the park rather than like opening every box in your house and pulling out toys. I don't know. That's just art that it works for us. Then we come home, put them nap time, and then we have a couple hours of quiet.

SPEAKER_03

36:42

You're just way better at boy energy than I am, Monica. Like, had I had a boy first, we Allison has three boys.

SPEAKER_02

36:50

She's the queen of boy energy.

SPEAKER_04

36:52

Yeah, I come from an all-girl household, so I don't know what's going on 90% of the time. Thankfully, Andrew's from an all-boy household, so he reassures me that this is normal. Um I don't know if it is. So, yeah, I think we like to do, we love to go out to eat. I think, you know, sisters is our morning spot on the weekends um in Elm Grove. They do a great job with breakfast, and then we love Bel Air, they do a great dinner. They've got like the chips and the margaritas on the table within 90 seconds of being there, so everybody's happy.

SPEAKER_00

37:23

Yeah, you guys are really thinking about the kids.

SPEAKER_04

37:25

It's all about the kids. Fast margaritas. Yes. You know, you want everyone to have a good time. So um, and then I don't know, we don't do that much exciting stuff, I don't think. Um, we don't even really go to the zoo very often, which we should because we're not far, but um, the libraries, I mean, guys, the libraries, what an untapped resource. Some of them have toys. Yeah. Like kids. We don't do that enough.

SPEAKER_00

37:49

Milwaukee public library, just whatever library, yeah.

SPEAKER_04

37:52

Um we love the Brookfield Library, they've got puzzles and toys. And um the Waukeshaw Library. I'm sure the Milwaukee public libraries are awesome too. It's just like the libraries are really cool and they're usually not that crowded, which is surprising. And they're free.

SPEAKER_02

38:08

You can rent Tonies at the library. Did you know that? I don't know if Brookfield does it, but one of the libraries rents like Tonies for like the Tony box. Okay.

SPEAKER_03

38:16

Yeah, they're like$20 a piece to buy. You can rent them. Okay. Do you remember like oh yeah, go ahead?

SPEAKER_02

38:22

So think of like a box, literally like a cube that has a speaker in it.

SPEAKER_00

38:26

Looking at the package.

SPEAKER_02

38:27

And I'm kind of looking at the beer, the the lovely beer.

SPEAKER_00

38:30

Three sheep's beer. We'll give them a fuck. Okay.

SPEAKER_02

38:33

So when you put this, it's like a little box that has a speaker, and there's uh almost like a magnet on it. So you put a little figurine on it. And this is a great gift for like a kid that's younger, if you need a recommendation for that. But these little figurines go on top, and let's say it's aerial or it's uh like a Disney character or not, it automatically plays the story. So your kid can then like listen to something different based on what's what he's putting on his Tony box.

SPEAKER_00

39:01

Sounds like a genius invention.

SPEAKER_02

39:03

It's awesome. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

39:04

Yeah. We also love a box game.

SPEAKER_00

39:07

So with the little kids.

SPEAKER_03

39:09

Yeah, we will do it. I don't know if it's bold to me, but we've now got it.

SPEAKER_00

39:13

Have you done that, Monica?

SPEAKER_02

39:14

We have. We've done it a couple of times. The kids love it, but it's like, look, it's Giannis, and they just want the blue ice cream. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_03

39:21

They just want to find the ice cream machine. I don't know if it's unique to the Milwaukee box.

SPEAKER_00

39:26

You know, I d I took uh Ray Sean to a brewer's game, and I didn't realize how many kid-friendly stuff was around Ampham Park, and I was pretty friendly. Shocked by like the amount of stuff they had for kids to do.

SPEAKER_03

39:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

39:40

Before before I unnecessarily budded in where you oh, you're fine.

SPEAKER_03

39:43

I'm I'm used to it. No, it's okay. Um no, but I think Bango does an amazing job with the kids, and it's so sweet. And I don't know if that's something unique to the Milwaukee Bucks team, is like this mascot that's you know.

SPEAKER_02

39:58

Bango is so great to the kids.

SPEAKER_03

40:01

Bango is great.

SPEAKER_00

40:02

Did you guys want to shout out any women-owned businesses?

SPEAKER_03

40:05

Yeah, would love to. Um fire away. So I think I got Sally at Leterre. Um love what she's doing with the floral. Um, we also, who else do we like for women? Um a good place to go for like a fun mom date while the kids are at school. You can go get some tea at um Honeybee Sage.

SPEAKER_00

40:28

Oh, we shouted them out.

SPEAKER_03

40:30

Yeah, so they do Angie will make you like an amazing tea concoction that can de stress and improve your health.

SPEAKER_02

40:39

I feel like I need to get out more. I haven't heard of that. Wonderful. I want to do that one too.

SPEAKER_03

40:44

Yeah. We have uh Poppy Bakery. Um, Amy's incredible pastries. Who else?

SPEAKER_02

40:52

Well, this is non-food related, but even like Goo Goo Gaga and Brookfield, it's a women-owned children's boutique, and they are wonderful. The owner Ginny is so sweet. Um, and I mentioned Little Love and Kohler, so there's a lot of wonderful children's boutiques run by really creative women.

SPEAKER_03

41:07

Yeah, little monsters. Um, down in it's across from Whole Foods downtown. She has a lot of wonderful clothing and toys, some very nostalgic toys, too. So that's cute to things that don't make noise. Yeah. If you've ever been to Wonderland bookshop in Shorewood, amazing women-owned business, and it like transports you back to your childhood. It like opens a piece of your heart.

SPEAKER_00

41:35

Very cool. I I went to a good one this morning. Um, May 1, physical therapy. Morgan woman started it. And um, if you're aging and banged up at all, I highly recommend it. She does an amazing job over there.

SPEAKER_03

41:47

Yes. Oh, Dr. Fox, go see Dr. Fox at Bo Health. Yes, we love an IV.

SPEAKER_00

41:54

If you're hungover, go to Dr. Fox or or just tired.

SPEAKER_03

41:58

Yeah, yeah. If you're just tired from these kids, or if you're like going on a trip and need that additional support, Dr. Four. Dr. Fox has got your back.

SPEAKER_04

42:09

I was gonna add in the PT realm because yeah, my body's aging too, and um, the untold tale of having kids is that it's very hard on your body. Um, so I have two great PTs that I love: Dr. Brenda at Revitalize. She's a pelvic floor PT, so if you know, you know.

SPEAKER_03

42:27

If you know, you know.

SPEAKER_04

42:28

And then um Crystal at Empower out in Heartland. So um Revitalizes and Hails the Corners. Those are my two shout-outs. And then Miss Molly's Bakery is like so great on what is that, 92nd and center, I think. Tosa in Milwaukee. She's great.

SPEAKER_03

42:47

Yeah. I think Black Bear Boutique in Shorewood as well. That's cute. Cutest, like if you've got a baby shower coming up and those little special occasion outfits, they have got you covered over there.

SPEAKER_00

43:00

How about date night spots?

SPEAKER_02

43:02

Take me to Calucenzo. I want Chef Zach's pasta, and I want to give Sarah a big hug at Calucenzo. And I'm so excited for them and their James Beard nomination.

SPEAKER_00

43:12

Is that right over there?

SPEAKER_02

43:13

It's in Tosa.

SPEAKER_00

43:14

Never mind. I'm thinking of something. Richie, you haven't been.

SPEAKER_02

43:17

You haven't been to Calucenzo?

SPEAKER_00

43:18

I don't think so.

SPEAKER_03

43:19

You guys, CJ Coggle, your favorite lawyer's favorite lawyer, brought this into our lives.

SPEAKER_00

43:27

I told him to come on here and he hasn't taken me up on the him and him and newbie.

SPEAKER_03

43:31

Yes, I'd love to get them on together.

SPEAKER_00

43:33

But that would be good, actually.

SPEAKER_03

43:35

CJ is the most incredible foodie. So, like his knowledge.

SPEAKER_02

43:40

I listen to CJ. Like, I'm kind of a picky eater, but if CJ tells me to try something, I will do it. Like he knows what he's talking about.

SPEAKER_00

43:49

CJ. CJ. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

43:51

Or life advice or just anything in general.

SPEAKER_00

43:53

Someone to look at a contract. Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_03

43:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

43:56

He's the best. He is. He is. Absolute best.

SPEAKER_03

43:58

Yeah, but Kalu Kenzo. So, you know, small small restaurant in Tosa. He was like, no, you guys don't understand. Like, this is where we're going. What Chef Zach is doing with pasta is, you know, otherworldly. And this is where I'm going to go.

SPEAKER_02

44:12

I feel like thanks to CJ, like we've known about this before. You know what I mean? Like now everyone's trying to go and they're having such success with all of their recent uh accolades from the James Beard, but they've always been good. So it's not not a new thing. It's always been good.

SPEAKER_03

44:28

Yeah. Um, we also love love carnivore. Consistently good. Omar, Mark, they they always make you feel special.

SPEAKER_00

44:38

I got a phone call from Omar after he saw you telling apparently you told um him that I told you to come up with a different recommendation because he gets too much love on this show. And I would like to clarify that I said it was cool to list him also to come up with an original thought. So I bet we do love Omar and the team over there.

SPEAKER_03

44:59

No, we we love love Omar. No, I was I was trying to build the list out, you know, give people give people a few more options than carnivore.

SPEAKER_00

45:06

So Alicia, do you have another option other than carnivore?

SPEAKER_03

45:09

Can we keep talking about carnivore? Because I love it so much. Yes, they're so wonderful. Seriously. They are, they are. Um, also love birch, the contramar tacos. Life-changing. Get those. Um, Lake Park Bistro for French.

SPEAKER_00

45:25

Yeah, that's a good sleeper that doesn't get talked about a ton.

SPEAKER_03

45:28

It's a great spot. Yeah. Yeah. Love LPB. Um where where else are people going for date nights? Where we go, just get the sitter and I will be there. Yeah. If you want fun, more relaxed, um, electric lime. Or like that. That's a great spot to do that. Cathedral square, right? Yeah, yeah. Elsa's get the broccoli. We're we're dying for them to bring back all the other favorites, but love, love to date night at Elsa's too. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

45:58

Brianna did a uh get a drink at Bryant's and then go to Tenuda's Italian place in Bayview the other night. That that was a good that was a good one-two punch spot right there.

SPEAKER_03

46:08

Um, and then Cassis that just opened, another French spot. Feels like once you're in there, it um it doesn't feel like you're in Milwaukee. Like they've done just such an amazing job.

SPEAKER_00

46:19

So I agree, and it's right on the river for the summer. I've only been there when it's 10 degrees outside. So it'll be good. All right. Well, thank you guys so much for coming on today. This was great.

SPEAKER_03

46:30

Thanks for being here. Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_00

46:33

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of Milwaukee Uncut, and thank you to Monica, Alicia, and Allison for coming on. Before signing off, just want to thank our partners who make Milwaukee Uncut possible. Nicolay Lodge Rink, Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, and Annex Wealth Management.

Patrick O’Donnell: 25 Years as a Milwaukee Cop with Stories You Won’t Believe

Patrick O’Donnell: 25 Years as a Milwaukee Cop with Stories You Won’t Believe

Is Milwaukee one of the toughest cities to be a cop in? Former Milwaukee Police Sergeant who spent 25 years on the force joins us…

Is Milwaukee one of the toughest cities to be a cop in? Former Milwaukee Police Sergeant who spent 25 years on the force joins us today and he’s got some stories that you are going to find hard to believe.

We go over:

  • If Milwaukee is a difficult city to be a cop in 
  • What he’d change about Milwaukee 
  • Several near death experiences on the job 
  • Craziest call he’s ever received 
  • How not to act with the police 
  • What people get wrong about cops

SPEAKER_01

0:00

Life and death stuff. Your brain just clicks into caveman mode. It either speeds up or slows down. And it slowed down for me. A lot of it is crimes of passion. Spur of the moment where you infuse booze, other drugs, really bad decision making. Here comes this car coming at us. This all happened in a blink of an eye. And I go over the hood and I wind up in somebody's front yard. I've got glass and metal in my hair stuck in my head, and I my first thought was Tommy's dead.

SPEAKER_04

0:42

Oh man. If there's something that you you could change about the city of Milwaukee, what would it be? Oh boy. Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut. Patrick O'Donnell, former Milwaukee police sergeant who spent 25 years on the force, joins us today. And he's got some crazy stories that you are going to find hard to believe. We go over. If Milwaukee is a difficult city to be a cop in, what he'd change about Milwaukee, a few of the uh near-death experiences he had on the job, the craziest call he's ever received, which was um shocked me how not to act with the police. I'm sure some of you could use some of that advice and what uh what people get wrong about cops. It was a it was a really cool episode and was grateful to have Patrick in. Before diving in, I want to thank our partners for making Milwaukee Uncut possible. We'll kick it off with Nicolai Law, the Midwest law firm injured. Get Nicola and Russ and the team. We'll take great care of you. That is Nicola. Next, we've got Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, Best Vodka, brandy, and canned cocktails in the game, available at bars and liquor stores across the state. And now, available at Amfam, make sure to grab an old-fashioned in their corner bar, located in right field. And last but not least, our good friends over at Annex Wealth Management. If you're looking to get your finances together and have a goal that deals with your money, your earnings, your investments, go talk to the experts at Annex. They have an amazing team ready to listen and help you with your personal goals. That is Annex Wealth Management. Know the difference. All right, let's dive in with Patrick O'Donnell. Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut. Today we're sitting down with a former Milwaukee police sergeant who has seen pretty much everything you're not supposed to see in the ensemble. Patrick O'Donnell has spent 25 years or spent 25 years on the force before retiring. He has authored 11 books. Yes. 11 books, his latest titled Police Stories, The Rookie Years. He has a podcast, Cops and Writers. He's got some stories that are hard to believe. Hard to believe, we'll put it that way. Really excited to have you in today. Thanks for reaching out. It's great meeting you. And thank you so much for your 25 years of service on the on the force as well in Milwaukee.

SPEAKER_01

3:16

Well, thank you so much. And I'm super excited to be here because this is local. You know, all my books, the background is Milwaukee. And I love to be here at a podcast, and you guys are doing a great job in Milwaukee. You know, and it's just I've done a bunch of national stuff. I've done TV, and it's just so much fun to come back to the you know to Milwaukee. That's given me so much through the years.

SPEAKER_04

3:40

Yeah, I'm I'm excited to have you as well. We've never never had a cop or former cop on the on the show. We've had some firefighters and some vets and first responders, but never a uh never a cop. We get a bunch of emails and submissions and stuff, and I saw yours come through, and I'm like, yeah, that sounds awesome. Let's get let's get this guy in here. So uh yeah, welcome. Welcome to the show. Um, what was the moment you realized you were gonna be a cop and did anyone try and talk you out of it?

SPEAKER_01

4:11

Well, I grew up in Chicago. Please don't hate me. Yeah, I am from Illinois. Are you a Bears fan? I am Walter Page to the good start. Are you a Cubs fan, Sox fan? Oh, no, I don't like the socks, the Cubs. I know, I know, but I am a Brewers fan because I love to see the hometown win. Because if the hometown wins, that brings in more revenue. It's you know, it's good for the economy. You know, it's just a good thing. I love to see the brewers do well, unless they're playing the Cubs, then that's different. But I I will say this growing up, Walter Payton was my hero. You know, I I grew up through the years where the Bears were absolutely horrible. Every year was a new quarterback, it just was terrible. And 1986 rolled around, and I'm just like, oh thank God, finally, you know, it's like yay. But I have gone to a Packer game, I've been to Lambeau, which I think everybody should at least once in their lifetime. That's so iconic, it's so neat. Just that whole vibe there is really, really cool.

SPEAKER_04

5:17

It it it is it is magical there. We we um we go to pretty much every game. We don't go into the games, our our interview content just it's it's a uh it's a gold mine talking to the tailgators there. It's so much fun. And like, you how's the opposing fan experience there? I'm guessing you're wearing Bears gear. I did not know you didn't.

SPEAKER_01

5:37

My ex I wouldn't the last time I went there, I was with my ex-wife who was a Packer fan. Okay, okay. That's not why we got divorced, but maybe I don't know.

SPEAKER_04

5:44

Maybe that's legitimately enough not to wear Bears gear, and you still got interesting.

SPEAKER_01

5:50

Yeah, I I did not wear Bears gear. I still had fun, and I even went to an away game in Detroit when they were playing at the old uh was it the Silver Dome or the Silver? Silver Dome, yeah. Yeah, in Pontiac. Yep. And I I gotta say this, we're all wearing, I guess I wore Packer gear because you know I'm like, all right, I'll rub it. It's good when the home team does well for the economy. And I gotta say, the Detroit fans were horrible. Oh my god, they're throwing ice balls at us and stuff, and I mean we're tailgating, and like you people suck.

SPEAKER_04

6:22

Yeah, usually, because we'll always talk to opposing fans when we're up there, and usually they're surprised at how Green Bay fans treat them right in a friendly way. Like it was funny, we went to the Eagles game in the Philadelphia. The dirty birds, yeah. The Eagles fans weren't weren't happy about it. One of them was like, This is so weird, I just need someone to call me a dickhead. And I was just like they were they they wanted some animosity and some fighting, but uh all the other fans seemed uh seemed very cool, uh cool with the the welcoming nature of Lambo.

SPEAKER_01

6:55

Well, I I did get a chance to see Barry Sanders live. That's cool. When I did go and I was TV and reels and whatever, don't do that guy justice. Um the cuts he was doing, my knees would be like in two pieces. I mean, and that was the later years. I can't imagine what he would be like in his prime. There's no way you're tackling that guy. It was just it's like Walter Payton. They were just gods, yeah.

SPEAKER_04

7:21

So you you grew up you grew up in Chicago, yeah. Very, very strict household, it seemed.

SPEAKER_01

7:27

Oh, incredibly strict, yeah. Strict Irish Catholic. Both mom and dad are immigrants from Ireland. Mom came over when she was about 11, dad came over when he was about 19. And you know, you're when did I want to become a cop? It's like, well, I would see the flashing blue lights of the squads going up and down the streets, you know. I'm like, well, that's pretty cool. Then we move from the inner city to a suburb, and this it's very Chicago-esque still. And one night, the the cops are doing a search warrant on our neighbors, they're executing a search warrant. And here comes the stack with the shield, they're all suited up, and I look in my backyard, there's a guy with an M16, the other guy's got a shotgun. I'm like, mom, mom, check this out. And she's like, Oh, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, what's going on here? And I was just like, I don't know. So we're just looking out the window, and these houses are so close together. And I'm just like, I wonder what they're gonna do. Boom, the door comes down, they're pulling people out, and I was just like, I gotta do this for a living. This is the cool thing they're getting paid for this. This is awesome. You know, I'm a little kid, you know, and I'm just like, wow, that and TV shows, you know, back then it was chips and SWAT and Beretta, Hill Street Blues, you know, all the all the classics. And I'm like, man, that just seems like such a cool job. So you want to go in and raid houses and chase down the bad guys? Absolutely. Drive a squad car really fast with the lights and siren going. I mean, what kid doesn't want to do that?

SPEAKER_04

9:05

You seemed from what I listened to, you seemed like a fearless individual growing up that wasn't afraid to ruffle some feathers or uh not knock a couple people out here and there.

SPEAKER_01

9:17

I do have an Irish temper, which I have controlled through the years. I had to. When I was a youngster, you know, my grandpa thought I was gonna go to prison. You know, I was like in eighth grade, he gave me a pair of brass knuckles, and he's like, You're gonna need these kids, you know. But yeah, I calmed down and uh yeah, look what happened.

SPEAKER_04

9:39

So, when did when did you officially join the force and how did that happen? Where where was it? Was it in Milwaukee when you first joined?

SPEAKER_01

9:47

Yeah, um, what happened was when I was in a freshman in high school, my dad got a job transfer to Whitewater. So the whole family moved to Fort Atkinson. We found a house in Fort Atkinson, and I went to high school in Fort Atkinson and then went to UW Whitewater, graduated from there after getting kicked out a couple of times. But hey, I still graduated. That's what matters. Yeah, exactly. And I floated around doing all kinds of Joe jobs. We moved to Madison. I lived there for six years, five, six years. And I loved it there. That was just a blast. To be a young person. I grew up in Madison, that's a good town. Oh, to be a young person and live in Madison, that's just that's yeah, that's a lot of fun. Well, what jobs were you working there? I was a night manager at IHOP. How did that go on university? I got into more fights at IHOP than I did in 25 years of being a cop. I did in one year, every night was a battle. It was drunks, street people, you name it, and there was a mental health, an outpatient mental health facility a block away. So you literally had like crazies coming in that were just off the chain. So I did that, I sold cars. Sounds worse than the Walgreens on Brady. Yeah, very much so. But yeah, I did that, I sold cars, I bartended, I did whatever I could do to pay the bills, and I took the test when I was 26 for Milwaukee, and it took four years to get on.

SPEAKER_04

11:25

Really?

SPEAKER_01

11:25

When I took the written test, there was like three, four thousand people there, and that was just one of them. Competition was fierce for how many jobs. I don't know, four or five hundred, maybe? Really? What's it what's it like today? Polar opposite. They're begging people to be cops. You know, Milwaukee never did lateral transfers. Say you're a cop in Shorewood, you know, you've you know got like five, six years on, Milwaukee will pay you a bonus to come over to Milwaukee. We never, ever did that. It was unheard of. I mean, when I I started in 1995, January 16, 1995, and we were supposed to be at 2,000 sworn, and I think we were down to about eight, 1700, 1800. I don't even know if they have 1100 now or 1200. I mean, but the numbers are diminished quite a bit. Why why is that? And did that happen overnight? It didn't happen overnight. A big I think it's multi-tiered. I when I joined, it was you'll do your 25 or more, then you retire. And that was kind of the idea for my generation of you know, you go to college or you go to trade school, you get a job, and you work that job forever, and then you retire. I think job hopping is a lot more accepted now. And it's like, yeah, I'll do this for like four or five years, and something else interests me, I'll do something else. And you know, 2020 didn't help. You're one YouTube video away from going to prison or losing your job or whatever because some weak knee politician just bends to political wins. So that's that's a tough position to be in. Social media's hurt. I'm guessing. Oh, terribly, yes. You know, you'll see a video that looks horrific, and you're only seeing like four or five seconds of it. You don't see what happened for you know, like two or three minutes before that, or after. So that you know as well as I do, you can paint any picture you want and manipulate when it comes to video. And that's what you see a lot.

SPEAKER_04

13:39

Right. So this this is probably the the environment we're in now, is probably the toughest environment to be a cop, would you say, with everything going on in the in the in the media and social media?

SPEAKER_01

13:49

It doesn't make it easier, right? But when I was brand new, you know, picture this 1995. There was Vietnam vets that I was working with on days shift. I mean, I wasn't days, but I worked overtime all the time, you know. So they'd be like, kid, why the hell do you want to be a cop? You know, like this is the worst time ever to be a cop, you know. Blah blah, we were able to do this and that, and yada yada. And I'm like, really? But you don't miss what you never had, right? So, like the new cops that are out there now, they think this is normal. Yeah, so for me, I mean, I saw a lot of evolution going when I first started. We hand wrote all of our reports, we had carbon paper. You know, the the big thing was you went and bought your own carbon paper and you hid it in your locker because the stuff in the assembly was just garbage. You know, you're using white out and green out, and everything was written by hand. Yeah, we didn't we had one computer in the district. There was no computers in the cars. Now it's like completely different. There was no body cameras. There was when I started, there was no tasers.

SPEAKER_02

14:57

Really?

SPEAKER_01

14:58

Oh no. You just had to do what you had to do.

SPEAKER_04

15:04

Spe speaking of, I know you had a uh in in interesting welcome on your first week or so. Oh yeah. For first day or night, maybe.

SPEAKER_01

15:12

Uh, it was the first week. So I'm on field training. And for those that don't know, you go through a six-month academy where you know you're they run your butt off, you know, they scream at you, you learn a bunch of stuff, you salute everything, including the fire extinguisher, you know, whatever, you're marching around, you know, you're doing whatever you gotta do, you're getting all the basics. And they let you loose in a district. Hey, you're a cop now. And I went to district five over at Fourth and Locust, and my first FTO was Reggie, and he was fantastic. This guy was awesome. Just I couldn't ask for better. I had I was very blessed. I had great FTOs, and you do six weeks with one FTO on a shift, so I did six weeks with him. Then they flip you to a different shift. I went to early power, which was 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Paulie, and he was fabulous as well. But I'm on the wagon with Reggie, and we get a call at seven o'clock in the morning for a stabbing, and we're like, and it's funny because Reggie just gave me this speech and was like, you know what? I've been working you really hard. He said, We've been working till afternoon every day. He says, I want to go home on time. And I'm like, whatever you want, boss. You know, you're you're the captain of this ship. I'm just along for the ride. He says, All right. So of course we get the call. The dispatcher's like, Yeah, you know, take the stabbing. It was by 17th and no 12th in Galena in that area. And they give a description of the subject, and it's like, okay. So we're bebopping down there, and sure enough, there's dude with a butcher knife, and he's wearing a white t-shirt that's like got blood all over it. And just out in the open, just running, yeah, just running with a knife like this out in the open. 7 a.m. broad daylight. Yeah. Yeah. So my FTO slams on the brakes. I almost go through the windshield. Yeah, I open the door, I draw down on him, and he's running at me with a with a knife like this. Not away from you, at you. At me. And I I got my gun, and I'm like pointing it at him. I'm like, oh shit. So my finger's going to the trigger because you never put your finger on the trigger unless you make you want to you want it to go boom. That's every every gun has a safety. It's your trigger finger. You're not gonna have a discharge unless you're squeezing Mr. Trigger. So I'm like, I start prepping the trigger. I'm gonna I'm aiming for center mass. And I'm like through your head. I'm like, well, that was a quick odd career. Yeah. You know, what, a week? This is all I get out of this shit. I'm like, damn, this this kind of sucks. But you know, there's all kinds of things going on biologically with you. There's auditory exclusion, your hearing is almost gone.

SPEAKER_02

18:03

Really?

SPEAKER_01

18:04

Yes, this is all scientifically proven. You get tunnel vision. These are all the effects, and there's time distortion. So I've talked to guys that have been in similar situations, and it's like life and death stuff. Your brain just clicks into caveman mode, and it either speeds up or slows down. And it slowed down for me. And all of a sudden it's like I'm like, oh shit, here we go. And you know, I'm like, police drop the knife. And he looked at me, and I looked at him, and I think he could tell I was probably more scared than him. My eyes were just like saucers, like, ah, and he's just like, oh shit. So he drops a knife, goes prone, we hook him up, and I'm like, oh thank God. So we take him to the back of the wagon, put him in. My FTL looks at me and says, Usually they're running the other way. They're not running at us, they're running away from us. I don't know. I think this guy was in shock. What was going on? So we go to the crime scene by now. Homicide detectives are there, etc., etc. The med unit's there, and the lieutenant's like, hey, get a dying declaration from this guy. It ain't looking good. Paramedics are like, he's circling the drain fast. So he's in the back of the med unit, and I'm like, dying declaration. I think we had one class where we talked about this, but I'm not exactly sure what. But this is the real deal, you know. This is not, you know, playtime. This is not, you know, role playing. And I'm like, I'm in this med unit, that's what we call our ambulances that are MFD. And they've got his feet up in the air, they got two IVs in them, and they're squeezing the bags. And I'm like, well, I'm no doctor, but I have a feeling this is not going well. And I'm like, dude, you're gonna die. Who killed you? And he's just gurgling. And the paramedics are looking at me like, hey, want to cut us some slack here? We're trying to save this guy, you know. And it's like, all right, we go to the trauma room at Freighter. And if you're ever injured badly, there is no better place to go to. They are amazing. I want to tattoo it on my forehead. Take me to Freighter. It is bar none, the best medical care you're gonna get. You know, they they see it all. You know, like army surgeons, you know, around Desert Storm and all that, they would go to Freighter and train because where else are you gonna get all these gunshot wounds and traumas? Is you know, they're a level one trauma center. If the president's in town and gets shot or anything happens to him, that's where he's going. You know, it it is amazing. But anyway, so they start working on Guy, and I'm amazed. I've never seen anything like it except like on TV. And there's a small army of techs, nurses, doctors, and they all have their own specific jobs working on this guy. And I asked the doc when things started calming down. I'm like, hey, uh, is he gonna make it? He says, Shit. He said, if it was you or I we'd be dead. This guy'll live to 100. And I'm like, oh, okay.

unknown

21:14

Woo!

SPEAKER_01

21:15

Flat light, he's like, so they jumpstart him, they get him going again, they do this three times. He crashes three times. You know, this is like way over an hour, they're working on him. And then finally, the doc the last time he crashes, the doctor grabs his scalpel, opens up his chest, breaks, gets a rib spreader, and starts doing open heart massage. And I'm from me to you. And I'm like, so that's what the inside of a person looks like. And I'm like, I cannot believe this is happening. So he he expired, he died. They did everything humanly possible to try and save this guy, but he died. And they're like, and it was just dejection. Everybody was like, You know, it's like a team losing the Super Bowl or something. You know, they're all these are people, you know, and they're all just so eventually, you know, I I call my boss, I say, yeah, now it's a homicide for sure. You know, etc. etc. So my FTO and a detective comes, and then the um investigator from the medical examiner comes because they take custody of the body, and then you know they take it down to the morgue. So we're all walking out, and Reggie looks at me and says, You know what this is all about? I'm like, no, he said, that was his brother that stabbed him, and he stabbed him over the last hot dog. They were fighting over the last hot dog.

unknown

22:41

Jeez.

SPEAKER_01

22:42

You can't make that stuff up.

SPEAKER_04

22:44

No, I just doing my research on YouTube. It seems like a lot of these crimes are committed over very small items to an extent. Some of them. Some of them, yeah. I've listened to a story about like how someone was basically killed over twenty twenty dollars. Oh, yeah. Or a pair of sneakers. Stuff stuff like that. It's not a hey, this guy what I would think is this guy's uh 50 grand in the hole or something, or 100 grand in the hole, you know, something like that.

SPEAKER_01

23:17

Or a lot of it is crimes of passion, spur of the moment where you infuse booze, other drugs, really bad decision making, and a very low threshold for you know what the quality of life is. You know, how do you value life? And there's places where the value of life is very low.

SPEAKER_04

23:40

Do you see that a lot in in in Milwaukee comparative to other cities? And is it more difficult to be a cop here than other places?

SPEAKER_01

23:50

It depends where you are in Milwaukee. You know, it not all Milwaukee is terrible, and even in the most terrible neighborhoods of Milwaukee, it's mostly good people that live there. It's just that obviously the dynamic, you know, like, hey, this guy just got killed over a hot dog, that's what sticks out. Or, you know, that's what makes the news. That's that's where we're that's where you're going. Right. Absolutely. And it's really a false narrative because, like I said before, you know, there's people that live in these neighborhoods, they feel like they're trapped. You know, they're scared to go outside, they're scared to have their kids go outside and play. It's it's horrible. So that's why we need the bullies.

SPEAKER_04

24:32

Um, speaking of death, what is the closest you've ever come to death? Oh boy. There's been a few times.

SPEAKER_01

24:39

Um any that stand out. Uh two different occasions I've had bullets whiz by my head and hit like the building next to me. And I couldn't return fire because I didn't see where it was coming. You know, it was just like, you know, one was there was a riot at in front of Throttle Twisters, which was at Fourth and Center. It's uh a biker bar. And it was New Year's Eve, and things were getting way out of hand. What year was this around? 97, 98. And it was completely off the chain. It was just one fight on top of another fight, and then the gunfight, then the gun plays started. And you know, you're talking hundreds of people in the street, and there was like maybe 10 of us. If it's probably like 10 degrees out, too. Oh, yeah. But then you know, you hear rounds being popped off, and that's not unusual, but then all of a sudden it's like they're getting closer and closer, and I'm like, whoa, one hit right by my head. So there was that. Then there was another time where um I was on Oakland, like 2400 block of Oakland, that's like two blocks north of North Avenue, and we just broke up a college drinking party. It was not a big deal. Standard. Yeah. And I was one man that night, and there was another copper that was one man. And we just went in there and said, hey guys, you know, we're getting complaints, just you know, chill out, you know, just under the radar, all right? So if you were cool with us, we never wrote him tickets. We never, I'd be like, whatever. So, of course, you know, we're talking afterwards, and his car was facing north, his squad car, and his right leg was inside the car. He was a tall dude, he's like 6'4. The officer you were with. Mm-hmm. He's got his elbow on the roof, and we're just and I'm facing south, and we're just shooting the shit. You know, we're just talking. And I don't know what alerted me to it. I just heard this engine go, I'm like, I'm like, Tommy, jump. So here comes this car coming at us. This all happened in a blink of an eye. And I go over the hood and I wind up in somebody's front yard. There was like a 68 or a 69 Volvo went right where we were standing. Peeled the door. The door was hanging like on one hinge, and it was peeled back like a sardine can. It was a drunk. And I've got glass and metal in my hair stuck in my head, and I my first thought was Tommy's dead. There's no way he survived that.

SPEAKER_04

27:24

Were you two in the street in the car?

SPEAKER_01

27:26

Ran you ran you. Yeah. So I go running over, and I'm fully expecting to see Tommy parts. The guy took off. But thankfully, there was another cop that saw the whole thing and took off after him and got him. But I'm like, okay, there's gonna be Tommy parts all over the street. He's he's gone. And I look and he's in the passenger seat. This guy's six foot four, like 250, in the fetal position. He's like, go get that son of a bitch. And I'm like, yes. So I run to my car and I'm shaking so bad I can't get the key in. I'm just like, I took two hands to put the key in. But this is after you went over the hook of a car. And I'm just like, oh my gosh. So yeah, I'm going the wrong way. I'm just a hot mess. I was I completely lost it. I'm just like, what the F is going on here? So that was close. And then I had another instance where I had a recruit. I wound up being an FTO, you know, later on in my career. And we're at Hillside Housing Project off of, I think it's 12th, oh, maybe like one or two blocks north of Juno, like on the west side. And we get a call again, seven o'clock in the morning, boy girl travel. And it's like, all right. We get a ton of those. It was a boyfriend and a girlfriend having an argument outside, and I'm like, does some someone else does a third party call you on that? Okay. Because they're being really loud, things are getting heated, and they're afraid that it's gonna get physical. So we go there, and I'm with a trainee. This is his first week with me. And I'm like, hey, dude, you know, like, chill out, everything's gonna be okay. So I'm like, get her information, I'll get his. So we did, he they're cooperating, both of them are, but there's something about him, and again, this guy's just a monster. He's like six foot three, six foot four, a solid 250. And I'm like, hmm. And the recruit that I'm with, he's yeah, I'm 5'9, he's probably like 5'8. And I'm like, all right, and said, you know, run these guys. So it's typical you run them for warrants, you know, make sure they're telling the truth about who they are, et cetera, et cetera. And I um I just got a weird feeling. So I'm like, hey, sir, you know, I'm gonna pat you down, make sure you don't have any weapons. You don't have any weapons on you, do you? No. It's like, all right. As soon as I touched him, his shoulders go up like this, and he gets stiff as a board. It's called resistive tension. And it's like, this guy's gonna fight. His fingers, his hands started balling like this, and I'm just like, oh shit. Before I could think, he spun around. Now the fight's on. He's trying to take me down, and I just went lower. And I had a lot of martial arts training, I was boxing, I was, and so fighting wasn't foreign to me. And you know, you you use what your strengths are, and I'm lower to the ground, I have a low center of gravity, so it's like, okay, you're gonna have a hard time taking me down. And then I look and I feel, and he's got his hand on my gun, and I'm just like, oh shit, this guy wants my gun. So I take him, my hand, my left hand, under his chin, and there was these big um metal uh mailboxes on the outside of these buildings, and I just tackled them like I couldn't get them on the ground. And so I just pushed him up against this building as he's trying to get my gun, and I just start banging his head, the back of his head, into these mailboxes until he went unconscious. So his head is split open, and I'm just like, my heart's going a hundred miles an hour. I forgot that I had a trainee. I forgot that there was another person there, and she's screaming at the top of her lungs. Turns out he was on parole for armed robbery. He was, he just did, I think, three or four years in Wapan. He just got out and he violated his parole. So he was going back to Wapon for the for the stretch. He had like another four or five years to go. So me and my recruit were the only two things in between him going back to a maximum security prison and staying, you know, free a free dude. So once he woke up, he's in the hospital. He's like, Yeah, I was gonna take his gun and kill both of them.

SPEAKER_04

32:04

How do you uh how do you process something like that after it happens?

SPEAKER_01

32:08

Oh, my heart was beaten like a rabbit. It's beaten right now, thinking about it. Do you do you go into work the next day? Oh, absolutely. Okay, yeah, you'd I mean, there was a mountain of paperwork we had to do. Yeah. And I'm training this guy, and the recruit that I had with me was really good. He was a sheriff's deputy for like three, four years. He'd worked in the jail the entire time, which is a great training ground for cops. And now I think he's a captain or an inspector. He's done really well for himself, which makes me really happy, Erwin. Love you. And uh yeah, but he could write really good reports, and you know, you're go you just went through all that, and it's like, yeah, are you okay? Yeah, I'm fine. And you can't stop. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

32:58

That's crazy. What is um maybe not the the scariest or closest to death, but what's what's one of the weirdest calls you've ever received?

SPEAKER_00

33:06

There's so many.

SPEAKER_04

33:08

Oh man. I Hey guys, just wanted to take a second to drop a fun fact in here. Did you know, according to a recent Schwab survey, Americans say it takes$2.3 million to be wealthy. You may have had your financial plan set on a bigger or smaller number. But if you're looking for added insights on how to get there or how to avoid some tax pitfalls along the way, our friends at Annex Wealth Management are ready to listen. No matter where you're at in your financial journey and if your situation is complex or simple, the Annex Wealth Management team can give you the wealth expertise and guidance on reaching your goals. That is Annex Wealth Management. All right, let's get back into the episode with Patrick O'Donnell.

SPEAKER_01

33:53

Any stick out, any anyway, stick out, maybe. You know, like in my book, you know, I put in it's like one of the reasons I I wrote the book was you're always gonna, what's the craziest thing that ever happened to you as a cop? And there's so many. But one of the strangest was I was a sergeant in District 2, actually around here. And I was working 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. and I heard a call for a dead body come over. It was in a warehouse, actually, right down the road, that I'd forgot. I've driven by it a hundred times, and I'm like, okay. So my cops get there first, and I'm with a partner, which is odd for sergeants. Usually sergeants didn't ride together, but he was new, and I wanted to kind of show him the ropes kind of thing, you know, the geography. And we uh are getting there, and my cop gets me on the cell phone. He says, Sarge, you gotta see this shit. And I'm like, Well, yeah, I have to because I'm the boss and there's a dead body. I have to respond. No, you don't understand, you gotta see this. And I'm like, Okay. So we get there, there's a woman probably in her late 50s, early 60s, sobbing, and it looks like her adult son is comforting her. There's yellow tape up, and I'm like, okay, we'll see what this is all about. So we go inside, and this warehouse didn't have electricity, and it was a dirt floor. I'm like, okay, there's a bunch of like cars, and there was like a tractor in there, there's all kinds of weird stuff. So they're like, Sarge, Sarge, give me. I'm like, all right, all right. So here's this van with double doors in the back. They got their flashlights out. It was like watching the showcase thing from the price is right, they're gonna reveal. So yeah, it's like, okay, you ready? You ready? I'm like, yeah, I'm ready. So they open the doors, and I'm like, oh boy. Here's a guy on all fours, his pants and his underwear are down to his ankles, and there's a bottle of jolly good soda shoved up his ass with a pick and save bag with strings. It looked like a parachute. And he was dead. Rigamortis had said it. And we all looked at each other and I'm like, He was dead? Yes, very dead.

SPEAKER_04

36:21

How did he die?

SPEAKER_01

36:23

We either it was a heart attack, he went on a uh crack cocaine bench, and he was also doing heroin. He's an older cat, retired, and decided to start doing all these crazy drugs. So he hires a prostitute to shove said bottle of jolly good soda up his ass while they're doing this. That was his kink. And that's how he went out. That's how he went out, and his wife is like, I want to see him. I'm like, not like this. You're not gonna see him like this. Oh, he had a wife, too. Yeah. So, you know, the medical examiner the medical examiner has investigators that comes out to any scene like this, homicides, you know, bizarre deaths, you know, whatever. And one of my favorites was Jen Penn. I loved her. She, no nonsense. When she was smoking, she kind of was like, What do you got, Sarge? And I'm like, Oh, I've got something for you, Jen. Here we go. Come on over here. And she's like, I've never seen anything like this before, and she'd been around, man. And I'm just like, neither have I. So we do our thing. They actually found the hooker, they found the prostitute, and she explained the whole thing, and it's like, okay. So a week goes by, and I'm in a different homicide, and Jen shows up and she said, Sarge, you remember that guy with the jolly good soda? And I'm like, How could I forget? You probably can't unseat the sort of thing. Yeah, exactly. I said, Jenny, how could I forget that? And she's like, They did the autopsy. Now they don't remove anything like that until they do the autopsy. If they're dead, dead, you leave the body the way it is, and you bag it up and off to the morgue it goes. So she said, You'll never guess what they found. And I'm like, don't tell me a hamster or a gerbil. And she said, nope. A bottle of hot sauce. He used that bottle of Jolly Good Soda, just shoved the bottle of hot sauce with the cap off. Oh my god. And I'm like, you can't make this stuff up. I'm like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_04

38:34

Sounds so painful, too. Oh. And he paid somebody to do it.

SPEAKER_02

38:39

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_04

38:41

Wow. Wow.

SPEAKER_01

38:44

Yeah, I don't know if you can follow that one up. Yeah, I can't. I mean, I've seen all I've seen death in all kinds of ways, but not like that.

SPEAKER_04

38:54

Oh man. Oh man. Speaking speaking of arrests, if someone is in trouble with the cops, not like they just, you know, shot someone and you need you need to get them out. Is there a um is there a way they could minimize their chances of getting arrested and things they do to to escalate this?

SPEAKER_01

39:18

It's all situational. Yeah. You know, it's like, as far as like, say, you know, like the college party. If you're like, if you open the door and you're like, yeah, you know, there's some other okay. Bye. Have a good night. We got a lot bigger fish to fry, just keep it cool, okay, guys. Yeah. But if you're like, F you, you need a warrant to come in here, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, oh, okay. You're gonna be that guy. I had something like that where over by UWM, and what happened was I get a 911 call. We have to go to 911. It was a 911 hang-up, and it was a female crying for help. Okay, we gotta go. Yeah, so we go, and it was coming from a crow's nest apartment at an older house, and the only way to get to this apartment was to go through the main living room. I mean, it was just a goofy setup, and they're having a big old party. So this kid answers the door, and I'm like, hey, I got a 911 call for upstairs. I have to go and check it out. And I'm with like three other cops. And he says, Well, you need a warrant to come in here. And I'm like, Not for this, I don't. And he's like, Well, my brother's a lawyer, and I know. And I'm like, dude, I said, tell you what, I'll be super cool about this. I'll give you 30 seconds if you got dope, if you you know you got a bong somewhere or whatever, just put it in the closet. You know, if you're drinking, there's underagers. I'm just gonna pretend they're not here. I it's a busy, busy night. We don't have time for these shenanigans, okay? No, you can't. And I'm like, so he opens the screen door and he starts shoving his finger into my chest. And I'm like, all right, time for you to go. So I literally grabbed his arm, flipped him over, he went airborne. I cuff him up, we go upstairs, she's just drunk. And I'm like, all right, this didn't have to happen, but okay. So I take him to jail, and he's sitting in jail, and I'm like, you know what, dude? If you just would have let me in, you'd be at home partying still. You'd be having a good time. Yeah, but no, you gotta be a moron. All right, that's fine. So, you know, I told the booker, I said, I just gave him a ticket, and he got to sit in a jail cell at District 5, which was really icky with real criminals. And while I'm doing all this, I hear over the loudspeaker like, hey, O'Donnell, you got a visitor at the desk. And I'm like, What? Nobody's visiting me, but okay, sure. Here's this guy with a camcorder. This is the 90s, the late 90s. He puts it on the counter. He says, just so you know, I'm videoing all of this. And I'm like, okay. He says, I'm representing, you know, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, oh, are you a lawyer? Well, I'm going to Marquette, I'm pre-law. And I was like, you ain't no lawyer, buddy. You don't have a license to practice law. And I said, No what you just did? You just bought your brother more time in jail. I was gonna have the, I was just gonna cut him loose, but I said, you know what? He's gonna stay till nine o'clock tomorrow morning. And I said, and it's all because of you. And I'm gonna tell him that it's because of you. That had to feel kind of good. It did.

SPEAKER_04

42:32

I'm not gonna lie, man. It it felt awesome. Um, what do what do you think something is that people get completely wrong about about cops that would annoy you guys or any misconceptions?

SPEAKER_01

42:44

There's so many, you know, and I don't blame people for the most part because you learn everything from watching TV or you know, social media or whatever. You know, they're people. Yeah, they're gonna have their bad days, they're gonna go days without sleep, they're gonna have divorces, they're gonna have sick kids, they're gonna have whatever. They are human beings, they're not robots. So might they they might be a little short-tempered sometimes, yes, you know, or whatever. But probably one of the biggest misconceptions that I see and that really chaps me is in TV and movies, you see a cop get into an officer-involved shooting where they have to shoot and kill somebody, and like five minutes later, they're eating donuts and high-fiving each other, and they're back on the street. It doesn't work that way. You won't see the street for six months to a year while all this stuff is going on, and all this stuff is going on in your head, and you're being demonized, you're on the nightly TV, your kids are going to school, and you know, their little friends are calling, Yeah, your dad killed somebody, you know, blah, blah, blah. Your wife has to deal with that, your husband has to deal with that. It's a ripple effect, and they just sensationalize it. It's like, yeah. Yeah, no big deal, whatever, blah, blah, blah. It's a huge deal.

SPEAKER_04

44:02

And I'm guessing in 99.9% of those cases, the cop did not want to kill that person.

SPEAKER_01

44:08

No, but no cop goes to work and said, Boy, I really hope I smoke somebody today. That is the very, very last thing we want to do. It changes your life forever. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

44:20

And peep people don't really even even a lot of the stories you're telling me, I'm like, the fact that you have to have to do that, which is really admirable work, which is needed to be done, and then go back to work the next day or file the report, and it's I you know, I don't realize it as a normal civilian, all you guys kinda all you guys go through.

SPEAKER_01

44:40

Well, in everybody has a different experience for the most part, but there are a lot of similarities. You know, with my podcast, I I talk to cops from all over the world, and we share a lot of the same stories, a lot of a lot of the same heartburn, a lot of the I mean, yeah, it's you're a hundred percent right.

SPEAKER_04

45:00

Um is the if there's something not you you could change about the city of Milwaukee, what would it be?

SPEAKER_01

45:10

Oh boy, I guess it it would be like anything else, it shouldn't be so politically driven. It shouldn't be one person, i.e. the mayor or whoever, that is shocked or outraged and they just have a knee-jerk reaction. The department's the same way, they're guilty of sin for that as well. You know, the police chief, you're a politician, you're not a cop when you get to that level and you're trying to appease so many different people. You know, if if I had a magic wand, there'd be a lot more cops out there. There would be cops doing what they're doing right now, and there'd be a lot more neighborhood cops. I had bicycle cops, they were fabulous, they were awesome. And I had them working at night, I had them working during the day, going down Lincoln, Mitchell. You know, I had beat guys that they knew everybody on that block. They knew everybody in that whole area. I remember one time I was working in a different district, I was looking for a guy for armed robbery, and we had a name. I go, I'm like, I know who knows this guy. I go to the beat guy and say, hey, do you know you know Joe Blow or whatever? He says, Yeah, he works out at that boxing gym boxing gym from three to four. I'm like, solved. You know, I just a lot of kids don't have positive role models, male positive role models. And a lot of times it's the cops. If you talk to the cops that grew up in horrible neighborhoods in Milwaukee and later on became cops, a lot of them will say, Yeah, my positive role model was the neighborhood cop, or the the the cop that would just you know stop and talk to me for five minutes. That's that's huge. That's really important.

SPEAKER_04

46:50

Do you think that's especially a problem in in Milwaukee? I know um I do I've been doing Big Brothers, Big Sisters for like the last couple years. That's great. Yeah, it's been yeah, it's been good. My my uh my kids, single mom household, um, yep, dad, very in and out of the picture, most mostly out, as far as I know. And I know just in Milwaukee Metro alone, I believe there's 600 kids on the wait list looking for a mentor, essentially. And that's just that's just in Milwaukee. And some will try and get into the program in you know it starts at six, which is when I got my kid. It's the youngest age, they let people in, and someone will some people apply and get to 18 and not get get anyone. And um, yeah, not to derail this and plug that organization. But if anyone's worthy, I mean, yeah, no, that's been doing it. It is a uh good way to make an impact. And I know just from research, I know especially boys, I'm sure girls too, but I think boys, especially if they don't have a male role model, they'll just go completely off the rails.

SPEAKER_01

47:55

Well, now the role model is a neighborhood drug dealer. Right. You know, they see the bling, they see the car, they see, you know, yeah, and there isn't a lot of thought about future me in these neighborhoods. They don't think about it as like, okay, I should go to college or I should pick up this trade and you know, get married, have kids, you know, blah blah blah. That's kind of like a lot of them are just trying to survive on a day-to-day basis in their fam families too.

SPEAKER_04

48:21

Absolutely. Yeah, so one one thing, one thing would be yeah, getting more of those positive role models on the streets.

SPEAKER_01

48:29

Yep, and more cops. You know, when I went day shift, I worked nights for 17 years. When I went days, I had to go to community meetings. And I remember my captain is like, You ever been to one of these? I'm like, No. He said, It's kind of like Jerry Springer. You're gonna have some Jerry Springer moments. You know, there's gonna be outrage. There's gonna be somebody that just they love screaming and yelling and you know, blah, blah, blah. He said, just get, just be ready for it. And I'm like, okay. And every time I went to one of these meetings, it was, we want more cops. These are the people that are actually living in these neighborhoods. They want a cop like parked on their front lawn, they want their own personal cop. They don't want less cops. That's why I was like, defund the police. Are you out of your freaking mind? It's probably the worst slogan of all time. Oh my god. I was like, obviously, all of you screaming and chanting this, never lived in a bad neighborhood ever in your life. You've never been the victim of a crime, you know, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, oh, this is so silly.

SPEAKER_02

49:27

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_04

49:29

Yeah, and as you were saying earlier, um I'd I'd I'd um get your take, but I'm guessing, you know, a very, very, very high percentage of cops are good people who do it to help the community, and then you see a bad apple on social media for eight seconds, and that's what gets thrown out there.

SPEAKER_01

49:49

Nobody hates a bad cop more than a good cop. You know, that that's what that all boils down to.

SPEAKER_04

49:55

Do the bad cops get filtered out at all once they're in the in the system due to good cops, or is it Yeah?

SPEAKER_01

50:02

I mean, there is a pecking order, and it's like, dude, not cool. Yeah, you know, it's like, no, this is not gonna fly. You know, if you have this anger issue, if you have this whatever issue, A, don't do it in front of me. B, maybe it's time for a career shift because this ain't the right one for you. You know, you're talking about you're a community servant. And if you can't wrap your head around that, you're there to serve the the public. You're not there to serve a police chief or a mayor or whoever. You're your bosses literally are the people. You're there for them. And if you can't wrap your head around that, if you feel you're too important or whatever, again, time for a career shift.

SPEAKER_04

50:41

Um, any before I let you go, any closing thoughts or uh or stories you didn't share? There's so many. We could we could have you back sometime.

SPEAKER_01

50:50

I would love that. I would absolutely love that.

SPEAKER_04

50:52

Well, um, it was amazing having you in today, and and thank you so much for all you've done for the community and the new book. The new book Police Stories, The Rookie Years. Um, if you enjoyed this this episode, I'm sure you will enjoy that. And I'm guessing you could find it on Amazon. Yes, it's on Amazon, and I'm writing the sequel as we speak.

SPEAKER_01

51:11

Love it. More to come. Yep. Thanks so much. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_04

51:16

All right, huge thank you to Patrick for coming on. Before signing off, just want to thank our partners who make the show possible Annex Wealth Management, Nicola, and Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company.

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Featured Episode

Christian Yelich on Milwaukee, Chasing a World Series, Ueck Memories, Playing for Murph, the Beer Chugoff and the Home Plate Charity Concert Returns

Christian Yelich on Milwaukee, Chasing a World Series, Ueck Memories, Playing for Murph, the Beer Chugoff and the Home Plate Charity Concert Returns

When Christian Yelich got traded to Milwaukee he didn’t know what to expect. He didn’t know any players on the team and his car got…

When Christian Yelich got traded to Milwaukee he didn’t know what to expect. He didn’t know any players on the team and his car got snowed in his first week in town. A warm welcome for a California guy coming from Miami. 

Since then it’s been an incredible run. He won the NL MVP his first year here, the Brewers have made the playoffs in 7 of the last 8 seasons, he’s made several all-star games and has become one of the most beloved athletes in Wisconsin. Off the field, his Home Plate Charity Concert has raised over $250,000 and is back again this May. Tickets —> https://www.yeli22concert.com/

But the job’s not finished. After experiencing the NLCS twice Yelich is still chasing bringing a World Series in Milwaukee. 

On this episode we cover: 

  • The Yelich Home Plate Charity Concert 
  • Getting traded to Milwaukee & winning NL MVP
  • Memories with Bob Uecker 
  • Blocking out the noise over a 162 game season  
  • His famous beer chug off with Bakhitari and Aaron Rodgers 
  • What a World Series would mean to him and the city 
  • The Murph/Counsell transition and playing for Murph 
  • Favorite Brewers Memories 
  • And more 

SPEAKER_00

0:00

Getting traded to to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

SPEAKER_01

0:02

Uh I think it was snow it was a snowy April that year. The beer chug off you got into with Bakhtiari and he kind of like peer pressured me into it. He kind of just told me that this is what was happening. So what do you think of the Brewers fans? The atmospheres before those playoff games, how awesome they were, you know, before the games against the Cubs and both sides going back and forth at it, and you know, that's what you play for. We've had so many great moments as a team and with the fan base. Is that something you think about a lot? Winning a World Series? We all want to do it. You know, we've come really close, we've had some really good teams.

SPEAKER_00

0:35

Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncovered. Very special episode today. As you can tell, we've got the NLMVP, one of the most beloved brewers and Wisconsin athletes of all time, Christian Jellich. We went through his big event coming up at the end of May that you're not gonna want to miss. We talked about him getting traded to Milwaukee, his first impressions of the city, and winning the MVP his first year here in the run that they went on. Favorite memories with Bob Euchre, blocking out the noise over a long season, his famous beer chug off with Bakhtiari and Aaron Rodgers, what a World Series would mean to him and the city, playing for Murph, favorite Brewers memories, and more. Super nice of him to come in. Loved having him. Before diving in, I just want to thank our partners who make Milwaukee on Cup possible. We'll kick it off with Nikola, the Midwest law firm injured. Get Nikolay and Russ and the team will take great care of you. That's our friends at Nikolay Law. Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, best vodka brandy and canned cocktails in the game, available at bars and liquor stores across the state. And if you're cheering on Christian and the Brewers this season, Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company is now available in Wright Field at their new corner bar at Amfam Field. Make sure to check them out there and grab yourself an old-fashioned Annex Wealth Management. If you're looking to get your finances together and have a goal that deals with your money, your earnings, your investments, go talk to the experts at Annex. They have an amazing team ready to listen and help you with your personal goals. Annex Wealth Management, know the difference. And if you're enjoying a beer in the parking lot at Amfam Tailgating or in the craft beer section, make sure to check out our good friends at Three Cheaps, the beer Wisconsin drinks. All right, let's dive in with Christian Jelic. Hey everyone, welcome back to Milwaukee Uncut, one of the most beloved Milwaukee brewers of all time. 2018 NLM VP, three-time All-Star. He's led the crew to the playoff seven of the last eight seasons, which um I did some research slightly better than the four playoff appearances, the 47 years before you got here, off to a good start this season. And a big event coming up Thursday, May 21st, landmark live, the Yellow Chone Plate charity concert featuring Isaac Slade, Jake Owen, Nicotine Dolls, hosted by Charlie Barron's, and Chef Adam Pollock will be there in a jolly mood, cooking up some good food. Christian, thanks so much for coming down today. You got it. Thanks for having me. Yeah. Do you want to uh you want to touch on the event coming up? Is this this the uh the fourth year you've had it?

SPEAKER_01

3:20

Yeah, fourth time we're doing it. Um, you know, it's a lot of fun. I think it's gotten better each year, you know, once you learn a little bit more about you know what you want to do or how the previous one went. And uh we're really excited about this one. Like you said, Isaac Slade, former um, you know, lead singer, the fray, Jake Owen, uh the nicotine dolls who have been there the last three years. We love having them. They're they're awesome. And um, you know, they do a great job as well. So we're really looking forward to a fun night and raising some money for some good causes and um you know just hanging with everybody that comes out.

SPEAKER_00

3:50

Yeah, you guys do a phenomenal job. Um Brie can attest to this. I usually don't like going to the the charity things where it's it's a big table with 10 people and 17 speeches and a three-hour day. You you guys do an amazing job. It's a fun pre-party concert's amazing, and uh yeah, it's just a little different.

SPEAKER_01

4:08

We like to make it a little bit different than like you said, like the typical charity event, which you know, there's nothing wrong with you know the dinner and the speeches and anything like that, but we wanted to have it be more of like a fun night out while also doing good and uh just bringing everybody together for for some good music, some good food, and uh just hanging out, having a great time.

SPEAKER_00

4:26

Yeah, and you're supporting um a number of good causes this year. We got the Heartland Farm Sanctuary, the public library, cooking for kids, which the uh the chefs involved in. So join our community foundation, visit Milwaukee. Um why is why is giving back important to you?

SPEAKER_01

4:42

Yeah, it's just it's just nice to give back to the community that you know supports us throughout the year, and you have a great platform uh in this in the city that allows you to do good and bring people together and um you know try to use your platform for good. So that's what we've tried to do. And uh, like you said, we've got a bunch of great causes this year. We we we kind of switch it up uh every year to kind of touch on a little bit of everything. But we're excited this year, we're excited for uh you know the partnerships and um you know it's just a great night all around.

SPEAKER_00

5:12

Um go going back to last season, I don't know if it was with you know every everything with you, because it seemed like it just had like a uh it's kind of a magical year and run that you guys you guys went on. Did it did it feel like it had a a different energy in the clubhouse and for you guys?

SPEAKER_01

5:30

Yeah, I mean it was a good time. We had a we had a really good team. Uh, you know, we got off to a slow start, we were injured, um, you know, a lot of guys were hurt at the beginning of the year, then we got healthy and uh kind of went on a really cool run run with a bunch of different winning streaks, and um you know the the atmosphere in the stadium was awesome. And you know, each team's different, each year's different, but you know, last year was one of those years where it was just a great group of guys that won a lot of games and we did it a bunch of different ways, good energy on the team, and um just one of those special years.

SPEAKER_00

6:02

Was that Cubs series one of the better series you've been a part of in your career? Does it make it more special when it's when it's against the Cubs?

SPEAKER_01

6:10

And yeah, I mean I'd say so. You know, I think you know, any playoff series is important, but um it just seemed like that one was important for a lot of reasons. You know, the the two cities don't like each other, uh the two fan bases don't really like each other, so there was like a little bit of extra stakes it felt like going into those games, and the atmospheres are awesome in both places. You know, here and Wrigley were um great environments to play in, a lot of fun. Um, you know, ended up being a great series. I went five games, you know, they were a good team, we were a good team, and uh just happy that we came out on top.

SPEAKER_00

6:43

So so were we. That was uh that was a fun ride to be on. Um in in the year before that, I I mean that seems special too. Um those shots of of Yuke at 90 years old celebrating with you guys in the locker room. I know you've formed a really good relationship with him. Um do you have any favorite favorite memories or anything you learned from him over the years?

SPEAKER_01

7:04

Uh yeah, but I mean Bob was awesome. You know, I I was fortunate to be pretty close with him and we became really good friends over the years. Uh I spent a lot of time together. I think it was what seven, seven years together. Um so kind of each year progressed a little bit, and uh he was going through some hard times there at the end, but he loved being around the guys and being in the locker room, and uh I kind of felt like that was always his his safe space to to tell stories, be himself. Uh you know, he didn't have to worry about being Bob Euchre, he could just be one of the guys, and he really enjoyed those times. We always enjoyed having him, getting to hear his his stories and his time throughout you know, baseball and then his life and you know, off the field, which you know, late night TV and the movies and commercials, all that stuff, all the people he knew, all the life that he got to live. So I I was fortunate to be his friend and get to hear those stories and um you know just be around him.

SPEAKER_00

7:55

Yeah. Any any main takeaways or lessons that you got from him over the years?

SPEAKER_01

8:00

Uh it was just more so about you know, it was just cool hearing his perspective and the things he got to do in his life with you know, people that you know were legends of the game or or just like cool stories of you know being on set at the movies or things he got to do and just you know, he was in the game of baseball forever. And you know, some of his best friends or guys that he would go out with and hang out with were some of the best players in the history of the sport, you know, and they were just buddies back in the day, just hanging out, being teammates, all that kind of stuff. So I I think that was just really cool to get a hangout kind of like this and listen to them tell stories or go to dinner or just whatever. And you know, anytime you went to dinner with you, it was always gonna be three, four hours because he was gonna tell stories forever, which was awesome. Nobody ever minded, and I always liked getting the opportunity to do that, and uh, you know, I never really took it for granted.

SPEAKER_00

8:50

Did anyone else get a word in at those dinners, or was it was it just youke story hour for the city? No, which doesn't sound like a bad time.

SPEAKER_01

8:56

Yeah, it'd be conversations, but um he would tell stories for sure, and you know, you just let him go and listen and laugh and all that kind of stuff. So I always really enjoyed those nights, and when we got the opportunity to do that, so um, you know, I always realized how how special that was and how fortunate I was to be there at those dinners and be able to hang out with them, be his friend. So um, yeah, something I'll remember forever.

SPEAKER_00

9:18

Yeah. Um, going back before you got to Milwaukee, you were you were in Miami in your 20s, making good money as a professional athlete, getting traded to to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, kind of a smaller market, Midwest, home of the sausage races, et cetera. What was your initial reaction? Did you know much about Milwaukee? Obviously, who had played here before, but probably hadn't spent much meaningful time here.

SPEAKER_01

9:41

Yeah, I honestly I didn't know a whole lot about Milwaukee. We'd come here three days every season, you know. Um, we'd stay at the fister, go to the stadium, play the two night games, day game, and leave. So I I I didn't really know anything about the city. Uh I it was one of the few teams in the league that I actually didn't know any players on the team either. Like didn't have any friends, didn't know a single person on the team.

SPEAKER_00

10:05

Um it's probably pretty rare with how much.

SPEAKER_01

10:07

Yeah, you kind of know each other or you've played with guys growing up and you know, just doing whatever before you even got into professional baseball. But uh, this was one of the few teams that I didn't know anyone, and you know, so had to kind of learn and make new friends and get used to a new place quick because it happened like a a week or two before spring training, and uh ended up being awesome. You know, it was a great group of guys, an awesome team to play for. I really enjoyed getting to know the city and um you know that first year was really special. We had we had a really good team and um you know got close to making it to the World Series and yeah, just just ended up being um something that was really awesome.

SPEAKER_00

10:43

Any uh any culture shock coming here and settling here in Wisconsin?

SPEAKER_01

10:48

Uh I think it was snow, it was a snowy April that year. So yes, yeah, I remember we yeah, we got back from a road trip and there was like our cars were all stuck in snow. Um, so we had to do that, which was different than being in Miami in the software.

SPEAKER_00

11:02

Did you really ever experience snow? Because you I mean you're you're not a ton up in California than in Miami, and usually it's not snowing during baseball season.

SPEAKER_01

11:09

Yeah, not a ton, no. Uh so that was a little different than from you know where I'd uh where I'd come from um in the past, being you know, growing up in California and then playing five years in Miami. There's not a whole lot of snow in other place, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

11:22

But yeah, you guys seem to like it. I mean, call Colin didn't have to move up, your brother um didn't have to move up here. He's been here for what, five-ish? Yeah, something like that. Yeah, he's been out here for a while. From California. What what do you love most about the city?

SPEAKER_01

11:35

Yeah, I'm I just enjoy, you know, it's a great summer city. I I've I've enjoyed really enjoyed playing out here. Um you know, there's the lake, summer fest, there's a lot of stuff going on um during those months when whenever we do get the rare off day or downtime or you know, have a night off after a day game or something like that. It's been it's been really nice just kind of getting away and doing your own thing and um you know just getting to decompress for a little while. So I've really enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_00

12:02

Any um any favorite spots to go to on an off day? Um I don't know.

SPEAKER_01

12:08

I've favorite restaurants, things, things like that. Uh I mean car I'm really good friends with Omar, so kind of pop in and go to carnivore all the time. Yeah, go some places with um you know Adam sometimes or uh wherever my brother wants to go or something like that. But honestly, on off days I like to do nothing because we're always doing something during the season or the day. We have you know long days off the field, so when you do get an off day, it's nice to just chill and and not do a whole lot.

SPEAKER_00

12:35

Yeah. Going um, going back to the first year, you came to Milwaukee, you win the MVP that year, you guys you make it to the NLCS um with a franchise that hadn't had mu a lot of previous success, a couple playoff appearances, you know, before that a while ago. What what was that like and was it an adjustment to all the fame coming at you for for you? It had to be a whirlwind.

SPEAKER_01

13:02

Yeah, it's definitely uh it's definitely a unique experience, you know. I think I not a lot of people can relate to it, I don't think. Um so it's uh it's weird when it's happening to you and when it happens that quickly. Um you know, but like you said, it was a it was a special season for a lot of different reasons and uh a lot of things changed in like two months for me in my whole life. So uh it was just kind of going with the flow and trying to do the best you could with you know what you had at the time. And it was just I really just enjoyed hanging out with my teammates at the time and just you know, playing every night was a great time because we were a good team. We felt like we were winning every night there at the end of the season. And like you said, we got a game away from the World Series and you know, hadn't been to the playoffs as an organization in a little while, and you know, it's now it's kind of become something that you know we've done a lot, and that's the expectation. And um, it's really hard to get to that point of where you know you expect your your team expects to win every single season, and the fan base is you know expects to win now every year because we've done it for so long, and uh you know it's something to be really proud of, in my opinion.

SPEAKER_00

14:11

Do you guys um Yeah, it again it's been crazy, like I brought up in the intro, seven of the last eight years. I remember I think I was going to Marquette in 2008 and the Brewers got CC Sabathy. I don't know if you remember that at all, but it seemed like he was pitching every other day, and it was crazy because I think that was the first time since the eighties in 2008 where they made the playoffs, and obviously smaller payroll, smaller market team. It's um yeah, it's incredible what you guys have been able to accomplish in the yeah, relatively short time you've been here.

SPEAKER_01

14:39

Yeah, well, I mean winning in Major League Baseball is not not easy, you know, winning one game is really hard to do. Um so to be able to do that consistently and and a lot of times over the years is uh and you know a testament to the organization having a lot of great players, a lot of great people. Um, you know, them just doing a great job providing us with what we need to go out and win. Um but yeah, you know, each year's its its own thing, and um it's incredibly hard to do, you know, to be a to be a postseason team and to, you know, make make a playoff run and you know, you don't take them for granted as as players, and you know, hopefully uh we're able to do it again this year.

SPEAKER_00

15:16

Was it um was it helpful that first year to have did any any guys take you under your wing? I know I know Braun was on that roster and he was an MVP at one point.

SPEAKER_01

15:26

Yeah, I mean a little bit. I think it was just kind of you know, I never really looked at it that way. I just kind of always was just approaching it the same way I did any other day throughout my career. Um, it just there's nothing you can do about it. Like it's just gonna surround the the conversations are gonna surround you. And you know, I've always been a big believer in like it doesn't matter if people say you're great, people say you're bad, like it doesn't matter. Everyone's gonna have an opinion about something, but um neither one of them's really right. You know, it's up to you to kind of determine what it's gonna be just because somebody says that you're something, um, you still have to go out and prove it one way or the other. And I I just really just dove into to playing and and try to isolate myself that way of just like focusing on the game and trying to block out everything else. Like obviously you hear it all and you're aware of kind of what's going on, but uh I I really tried hard not to get caught up into it and you know I was aware of like maybe with two weeks left of the season and being like, if I don't screw this up, my life will definitely change. Um, you know, depending on what happens here in the next two weeks, which that's always a weird like realization of like, hey, if I you know don't mess this up or I you keep playing good, like hey, your life could kind of change here in a couple weeks. And you know, after that thought it was kind of just like back to playing because we had a lot to to play for as a team and we were trying to win the division still and uh it just ended up being a really cool year.

SPEAKER_00

16:49

Yeah, have you got have you got better at controlling that mentally over over the years? Because obviously, you know, every season I'm sure you go through stretches like that.

SPEAKER_01

17:00

Yeah, I mean I just I've gotten used to it and kind of just you know gotten used to just blocking out the noise and staying to myself and trying to be um as private as possible and uh just dive into you know the process and you know your teammates and what we need to do as a team and and focus on you know the grind of the season and realize that it's six months and you know people are gonna there's gonna be opinions always. It's just part of being uh a professional athlete. So uh you never get caught up too caught up in in the good ones or the bad ones or you know, the highs and lows of you know people being on the team during the season. You know, we we win five or six in a row, you know, everybody rides a high, talks about how good we are as a team, you know, you lose three or four in a row. Everybody talks about how much you're struggling, and you know, it's slipping away. And that's just the the length of the baseball season. You're gonna have stretches like that both ways. You know, you're gonna have really good moments, you're gonna have really bad moments, and um, you know, you just have to keep trying to get better as a team and navigate those stretches um as best you can because you have to navigate the good stretches too, because you don't want to get complacent or you don't want to, you know, things can change quick in the game of baseball, you know. So even when you're going good, you still have to navigate those just as much as um you know, when you're going bad.

SPEAKER_00

18:14

Yeah, things can change fast too, and it is a very long season, and you got games pretty much every day. Yeah. A long time. Um, what are you most excited for this season? Hey guys, just wanted to take a second to throw out a fun fact. According to a recent Schwab survey, Americans say it takes$2.3 million to be wealthy. You may have had your financial plan set on a bigger or smaller number. If you're looking for added insights on how to get there, how to avoid some tax pitfalls along the way. Our friends at Annex Wealth Management are ready to listen no matter where you're at in your financial journey. And if your situation is simple or complex, the Annex Wealth Management team can give you the wealth expertise and guidance on reaching your goals. It's a great company run by the legendary Dave Spano, our good friend. They've got great people over there. Make sure to check them out. annexwealth.com. That is annexwealth.com. All right, let's get back to the episode with Christian Jellich.

SPEAKER_01

19:12

I I just really enjoy playing with the group of guys that we have, you know, and I've I've been in the game long enough to know that, you know, these teams don't stay around forever, you know, and the guys on the team aren't going to be that way, it's not gonna be that way forever. And, you know, see seasons are sacred, so you never want to, you know, take them for granted or you know, wish them to go by quick. So I I just really like, you know, staying present, playing with the guys on the team that you know that are all friends, and and that's not really something that you experience a lot. And you know, in the game, we've been fortunate to have really great teams and clubhouses here, which is a big reason for our success, especially when it's such a long season, you got guys pulling for each other and um who care about winning, and when it's like that, it's it's special. So um you know, I I just try to stay present in that aspect of it. And um, you know, you just go play the season and uh you know you you navigate each situation each day differently, and you know, you look up in six months and and hopefully you're in a good spot.

SPEAKER_00

20:11

Yeah. Um one of the non-baseball related moments I wanted to touch on was the uh the the beer chug off you got into with bakhtiari and seven years ago. In Air Raph, just about about seven years ago. Kind of an iconic moment though when you were um yeah sitting next to Bakhtiari, which I know you're around athletic greatness quite a bit, but being able to take those down in about 0.2 seconds had to be up there with athletic feats and uh yeah, he was definitely better at it than than most people.

SPEAKER_01

20:40

Um God he's definitely better at it than myself and Aaron. Um, you know, I think I probably got second place out of the three of us. You definitely got second place. Did you know that was coming for you or did no? He kind of like peer pressured me into it. Bached it. Yeah, he kind of just told me that this is what was happening. I think I was on the I think I was on the aisle at the time, and you know, I didn't really want to do it because I was I wasn't playing, I was hurt, and it's just not a good look if you're at a basketball game while you're hurt slamming a beer with Bakhtiari. Yeah, it's just not it's not something that you probably should be doing, even though it if it it is really just it's not that big of a deal, but it just looks bad. Um but I was playing, I was coming off the aisle the next day and I was playing.

SPEAKER_00

21:24

So uh so even better slamming beers before put before playing.

SPEAKER_01

21:28

Yeah, I mean, yeah, so it ended up working out. I think I had a good game the next day, but uh I remember like not wanting to do it for that reason.

SPEAKER_00

21:35

I thought I thought you did a pretty pretty good job. Were you nervous before that? I mean not yeah, a little bit because you got a lot of eyeballs on it.

SPEAKER_01

21:42

It's been a while since I had chugged a beer, so um yeah, I wanted to make sure that I was able to do it obviously in front of a a a stadium full of people, and uh especially after he was kind of just rolling through him, no problem.

SPEAKER_00

21:55

Yeah, you've had uh you've had so many great moments in your stretch here. Do any uh do Any stand out to you as a favorite moment with the with the organization?

SPEAKER_01

22:05

Um you know, I think game 163 is always cool just because it was like the first time went in the division for for the team in a while. And my first year here, um, beating the Cubs in Wrigley Field. And, you know, last year's DS was pretty cool. Um, there's just been so many great moments though. You know, play with a lot of great players here. You know, it's definitely the the best era of Brewers baseball, you know. Um just so many talented players have come through here. Some of the best players that have ever been brewers have played during this this little stretch. So try to take it all in. I I I think it's something that I'll probably appreciate more when I'm done and you know, retired and all that stuff, kind of look back on, you know, the career and and and and what we've done. You know, it'd be nice if we could cap that with a World Series here at some point. But um, you know, still been great to play with a lot of you know really talented players and um you know we got guys that are still around right now.

SPEAKER_00

22:59

Is that uh is that something you think about a lot winning a World Series and what that would mean to the four years? Yeah, of course.

SPEAKER_01

23:05

I mean we all want to do it. Um you know it's a it's a great goal to have. You know, we've come really close, we've had some really good teams, we just haven't been able to get it done, and you need a lot of stuff to go right for you in the postseason too. You know, just those short series are so quick and you have to play well right away. Um, you know, it's not like the season where you know over the course of the the year everything will even out. Like those series are you gotta go. Um, you know, you have a bad three or four days and that's it, you know, you're out and you're playing against really good teams. And um we've come close and we have we haven't gotten it all the all the way, but uh you know, I think if we were ever able to do that, uh, you know, it it'd be electric and something that you know the city would be it'd be awesome, you know. So that's definitely the main goal. It's always you know goal number one for myself for the for the entire organization and hopefully something that we're able to accomplish.

SPEAKER_00

23:58

What is it like mentally getting knocked out of the NLCS? Because it's like, as you said, so many things have to go right. There's so many variables to make it to a World Series and to win a World Series, and even like win a playoff series, and it's such a special season, but you probably a little gut-wrenching at at the same time.

SPEAKER_01

24:17

Yeah, I mean, it's just I you know, obviously it's disappointing. You know, I I don't you know there's no really other way to put it other than that. Like you're disappointed, and you know, the opportunities to be in that position are it's so hard to get there. So once you're there, you realize like these are those opportunities don't come around every single season. You know, it's just really hard to get to that point. Like I said before, it's really hard to just be a postseason team, you know, and then to get to that point, um, not only for our organization, but any team in the sport, you know, just to get to the the league championship series is is really hard, and to get to the World Series um is even harder, let alone win it. So when you're that close, obviously it sucks. And you know, we've been there twice now since I've been there. We've you know, a couple DS losses, some wildcard games. Um, you know, you gotta be healthy, you gotta be playing good. You know, you know, sometimes in baseball, like when you you just you're just not playing good as a team, you're not playing good as a player, and you know, over the course of the season that's hidden. And then when it comes to the playoffs, if that's the case, like it's obviously magnified. You have a couple days where you're just playing bad as a team or a player, like that's it, you know. So you really gotta lock in and you gotta make sure that you know everything's clicking, and that's why they say like the team that gets hot is the team that it's not always the best team, it's the team that's that's playing the best baseball at the time. Um, so the more chances you give yourself, the more times you can get to that point, you know. Hopefully you can you can get across the finish line. Yeah, it really is.

SPEAKER_00

25:40

If you if you're hot and healthy when the postseason starts. Um speak speaking of the atmosphere, what do you uh you know, what do you think of the Brewers fans? And have you had any um favorite or most memorable fan interactions in your time here?

SPEAKER_01

25:53

Yeah, I mean our fans are great, and you know, especially in the summer when we're playing well, like you said last year was was awesome when we were on those winning streaks and the place was packed out and loud, and um, you know, we're able to win a lot of games for everybody. And you know, I just you know the energy at the stadium is awesome and the team feeds on it, and you know, we we played really well at home. We're a really hard team to beat at home. Um, you know, and and just remember like the atmospheres before those playoff games, how awesome they were, you know, before uh the games against the Cubs and both sides going back and forth at it. And uh, you know, that's what you play for. That's that's the that's when it's the most fun and things that you look forward to. And like you said, we've had so many great moments as a team and with the fan base and um just being able to provide memories for people, you know, I think is a cool thing where you know you understand that it's like it's a bonding moment for for fans and people that attend the games and rally around the team and support us, you know, just as much as we're making memories as players, you know, people that are coming out as fans and and watching the game are are also making memories with their family members or their friends or um whoever they're going to the games with. So it it's just special and you know, when you have good teams and you and and you're playing um you know for a city, that that's what it's all about and and what we really enjoy.

SPEAKER_00

27:09

Yeah. Um, what did you think after Counts left and Pat Murphy got the job? And what's what's made him such a good fit?

SPEAKER_01

27:16

Yeah, I mean, Counts was great. I I really I really enjoyed playing for Counts, getting to know him. Um, you know, he was my manager for a long time with the Brewers. Um we had a lot of great moments together, won a lot of games where um, you know, he he deserves a lot of credit for the success we had early on, and you know, Murph's been around that entire time. And they're definitely different, you know. Counts' personality is different than Murph's personality. And um it was nice that Murph was the one that took over because we were all familiar with him. He knew all of us, he kind of just knew the day-to-day operations, and he's done a phenomenal job. He's he's he really has, you know, he gets the most out of people and players, and uh he's got great people skills and able to relate to people and and get them to be the best version of themselves. And uh, you know, it's no coincidence that we've played as well as we had the last two years, you know, with him as the manager, and um, you know, he he holds a high standard, he he holds people accountable and we you know while also having a lot of fun. You know, it's not always just like super strict and all that stuff, like there's a time to be serious and you understand what he expects out of you, but also uh you know, there's a fun aspect to it and and you know, guys really enjoy playing for him.

SPEAKER_00

28:26

How's how's the turtle doing?

SPEAKER_01

28:28

Uh the turtle's still in Kansas City, I think. He didn't make the trip. Uh I think I think one of the bat boys has him there who is gonna either keep him for himself or find him a new home.

SPEAKER_00

28:39

So yeah, he was there for like a he has not made the trip to Milwaukee.

SPEAKER_01

28:43

He's not no, he didn't go to Boston, didn't go to Boston, didn't come back to Milwaukee. So uh I think he's somewhere in Kansas City still.

SPEAKER_00

28:51

Sounds good. Do you have any uh any favorite ballparks to to play in? Uh Finway actually.

SPEAKER_01

28:56

Finway is one of my favorite. We were just there um a couple days ago. I just really enjoy it there. Um it was freezing this time, but it was in the 30s and windy and um, you know, not as awesome as when it's the summertime and you're playing there, but I still really enjoy playing um at Finway in Boston. Um, you know, but there's a bunch of cool stadiums, but I think I think that was probably my favorite road one.

SPEAKER_00

29:22

Hey guys, thanks so much for tuning into this episode of Milwaukee Uncut. Make sure to head to yelly22concert.com and get your tickets for the home plate charity concert if you have not already. Going to be an amazing night. And before signing off, just want to thank our partners for making Milwaukee Uncut possible. Nikolela, Annex Wealth Management, Drink Wisconsin Bleed Beverage Company, and Three Sheeps.