Acting. Women’s Health. Software Sales. Politics. Radio. Social Media. Kristin Brey has built a career across more industries than most people can list on a resume – and that kaleidoscope of experience is exactly what makes her so relatable as a radio host, content creator, mom, and proud Milwaukeean today.
From the East Coast to the West Coast, and now back in the Midwest, Kristin’s energy and curiosity have led her to positions in everything from B2B software sales to hosting 620WTMJ’s ‘Point Taken’.
It was really neat to hear her story and the impact she’s had not just on the Milwaukee community, but on Wisconsin as a whole. We hope you enjoy our Q&A with her as much as we did!
What is your background (born here or a transplant – if so, from where)?
Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, I had an early appetite for performance and bold ambition — at 16, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. From there, my path took me through stops in Berkeley (where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on International Women’s Health at the University of California, Berkeley) and into the tech sector in the San Francisco Bay Area.
After years bouncing between coasts and careers, I returned to Wisconsin in 2020 — setting the stage for my next evolution. Now, I live in the heart of Milwaukee with my husband, Michael Sampson, and our daughter, Frankie Lou, and our 15-year-old chihuahua, Clifford.
Any stories from your youth that define your path – how’d you get to where you are now? Early inspirations, challenges, etc?
One defining story from my youth is my decision to move to Los Angeles at 16 and postpone going to college. Looking back, it’s clear I was a willful teenager—when I think about how young 16 really is, it feels like a lot to take on.
At the time, though, the choice felt obvious. While I’m no longer acting and that path didn’t become my long-term career, the experience shaped me in lasting ways. It taught me how to take risks, how to hear “no,” and how to step into the unknown with confidence. It’s not a typical path, and being able to tell that story often sets me apart in conversation.
I learned an enormous amount from that chapter of my life, and I still draw on my performance background in many aspects of what I do today. More than anything, it set the tone for my willingness to take chances, and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
What do you do for work now
I am a radio host at 620WTMJ where I co-host Point Taken which airs live 10a-12p Monday-Friday and can be found wherever you get your podcasts. I do a variety of different things at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from writing columns, creating social videos, moderating events and this year working on a docuseries about polarization. Beyond that, you can find all my personal social content at @kristinbrey.
Can you talk a little bit about your career journey? How’d you get to where you are now?
My career journey began when I moved to Los Angeles at 16 to pursue acting. At 20, I made the decision to return to school, starting at Santa Monica College before transferring to UC Berkeley.
There, I studied international women’s health through an interdisciplinary focus that combined public health, political science, public policy, and women’s studies.
After graduating, I stayed in the Bay Area and entered the tech world, where I spent seven years working in sales at B2B software-as-a-service startups. During that time, I learned how to build and manage teams and gained deep experience in sales and marketing. While the work was valuable, I was never truly passionate about software, technology, or startup culture.
In 2017, while living in New York after the election of Donald Trump, I realized I didn’t want to spend the rest of my career selling software. I quit without a clear plan and began exploring ways to combine my background in performance with news and politics. I taught myself how to film, edit, write, and produce content, and started creating political comedy videos on YouTube.
In 2020, I returned to Wisconsin—not because I was stuck there during COVID, but because I chose to be. While there, I narrowed my focus and began creating content specifically for a Wisconsin audience. That decision led to the launch of As Goes Wisconsin, which has since opened the door to opportunities with 620 WTMJ, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and many other meaningful projects. Moving back to Wisconsin and settling in Milwaukee has ultimately shaped the work I do today in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
What are some ways you have impacted the community in your line of work?
Community involvement is a core part of both my work and my personal life. I’m deeply invested in Milwaukee and Wisconsin, not just as places I cover, but as communities I actively show up for. That belief shows up in how I use my platform to highlight local issues, champion small businesses, and participate in events that celebrate civic pride and local culture.
I also support several Milwaukee nonprofits in more hands-on ways. I’m involved with the Sojourner Family Peace Center and am slated to co-chair its annual Be The Light fundraiser in 2026.
My husband and I have been active supporters of the Milwaukee Diaper Mission, raising nearly $15,000 through their Big Giveback campaigns in 2024 and 2025. I’m also a member of UPAF’s NextGen Council, which focuses on engaging younger audiences with Milwaukee’s performing arts community.
Beyond formal volunteer roles, I try to lend my humor and visibility wherever it’s useful—from participating in local events like Milwaukee Record’s Roast of Milwaukee to community-focused programming and fundraising efforts. Whether on air, online, or in person, I see community engagement as inseparable from my role as a storyteller. If I’m talking about Milwaukee and Wisconsin every day, I believe it’s important to also contribute to the people and institutions that make those places thrive.
What do you like about living in Milwaukee?
I love living in Milwaukee because everything good in my life right now is a result of my decision to move here—and that’s not an exaggeration. I met my husband here, bought a house, had my daughter, and watched my career take off.
So much of that, I believe, comes from how interconnected Milwaukee is. People show up for one another, collaboration is accessible, and it’s still a city—just one that feels manageable. You’re only one or two degrees of separation from so many people, and that sense of togetherness makes it easier to get things done. Milwaukee is diverse, dynamic, and full of opportunity, yet it doesn’t feel so large that individual contributions get lost. It’s a place where you truly feel like you can make a difference.
What do you want to see for Milwaukee’s future?
I want to see us grow. I think a thriving city is a growing city and one that more people want to move to. But we have work to do and so getting people to move and stay here is as much about positive promotion as it is about effective governance and I plan to continue to contribute what on both areas.
You can find her at the links below:
Social media:
@kristinbrey
Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0QKS0NzsBgZB6EWSM8yka3
Columns:
https://www.jsonline.com/staff/9430601002/kristin-brey/