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Listen to the exclusive podcast interviews produced by the Milwaukee Independent.

Episodes

  • Podcast: A "Deep Dive" into how refugee communities have historically defined Milwaukee

    This episode explores how Milwaukee's refugee communities have transformed the city's cultural and civic fabric over generations, building enduring institutions even when formal municipal support remained limited. The episode also examines…

  • Podcast: A "Deep Dive" into Milwaukee's population decline and the limits of Act 12 relief

    This episode explores how Milwaukee confronts its deepening demographic and fiscal crossroads, with steady population loss colliding with mounting budget pressures that test the region's long-term stability. The episode also examines how A…

  • Podcast: A “deep dive” into how today’s cross-strait tensions took shape over the past century

    This episode explores how tensions between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan took shape over more than a century of imperial transition, civil war, Cold War alignment, and the emergence of a distinct Taiwanese political identity. A…

  • Podcast: A “deep dive” into a journey across Japan and its connection to Milwaukee in 2026

    This episode explores how a return to Japan in 2026, three decades after a formative 1996 trip, reshaped a Milwaukee journalist's understanding of memory, place, and the slow arrival of perspective. As detailed in the article "A look at my…

  • Podcast: A “deep dive” into Taiwan's democracy and the cost for its diaspora in Milwaukee

    This episode explores what Taiwan's democracy costs to sustain and what that weight means for the diaspora communities who carry it with them into cities like Milwaukee. As detailed in the article "What Taiwan's democracy costs and what it…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 040626

    This episode explores how an experimental collaboration between human oversight and machine reasoning examines the question of God through logic, evidence, and the historical record rather than belief. As detailed in the piece "From data t…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 031626

    This episode analyzes how contemporary right-wing Christianity in the US deviates from biblical standards by prioritizing political power over compassion. It contrasts the movement's nationalism and exclusion with scriptural tests for auth…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 030926

    This episode examines the Christian Right's origins as a political movement against Civil Rights reforms and for white-only schools, detailing how abortion and family values were later used to obscure these roots. It connects historical fo…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 030226

    This episode of Milwaukee Independent's Deep Dive applies C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" to understand Milwaukee's current moral and political atmosphere. It examines how Lewis's observations on temptation and power dynamics resonate…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 022326

    This episode analyzes how decades of conservative Second Amendment rhetoric contrasts with the reality of authoritarian government actions, particularly the Trump administration's deployment of federal forces against civilians. It argues t…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 021626

    This episode of Deep Dive traces the connection between Republican-led culture wars and the Confederacy's legacy, analyzing how historical myths, backlash politics, and Confederate symbolism fueled contemporary conflicts over identity and…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 020926

    This episode, drawing from the piece "Why AI’s marketed image of humanlike reasoning conflicts with its statistical prediction engine," contrasts the public perception of AI as a reasoning entity with its actual function as a word-sequence…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 020226

    This episode examines the paradox of US tech platforms that fueled social isolation and now promote AI companionship as a solution to the nation's loneliness crisis. It discusses how social media reshaped communication, eroded community, a…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 012626

    This episode of Milwaukee Independent's Deep Dive explores a modern legal challenge to birthright citizenship. It connects the case to Fred Korematsu's historical warnings about exclusion and the 14th Amendment's citizenship guarantee, exa…

  • ICE Activity in Wisconsin - October 2025 press conference

    ICE Activity in Wisconsin - October 2025 press conference by Milwaukee Independent

  • Ukraine Flag Day @ Milwaukee's City Hall

    Ukraine Flag Day @ Milwaukee's City Hall by Milwaukee Independent

  • Podcast: Deep Dive – Episode 070525

    This episode explores the 175th anniversary of Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee’s oldest and most historic burial ground. As detailed in the piece "Historic Forest Home Cemetery celebrates 175 years as Milwaukee’s beloved and enduring Silen…

  • Milwaukee leaders denounce arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan

    Milwaukee leaders denounce arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan by Milwaukee Independent

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 040125

    This episode includes an exploration of how a high-energy K-pop song about jazz unexpectedly became a viral anti-Trump anthem. We break down the linguistic misunderstanding that fueled the controversy, the Internet frenzy that turned “Amer…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 032925

    This episode delves into the collapse of American democracy and the widespread complacency enabling it. As Donald Trump’s second term cements an authoritarian reality, many Americans cling to outdated tactics and misplaced faith in broken…

  • 2025 State of Milwaukee County Address

    2025 State of Milwaukee County Address by Milwaukee Independent

  • Milwaukee Stands with Ukraine

    The song "Milwaukee Stands with Ukraine" was produced by Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. for the "Third Annual Rally for Ukraine" and in commemoration of that somber milestone. "Мілуокі разом з Україною" Рідна земля у вогні і в сльозах, Вітер не…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 010525

    This episode delves into the transformative and turbulent era of Prohibition, as explored in the article “Unintended Consequences: A Tale for Today About Morality, Politics, and Law from the Prohibition Era.” The podcast examines the sweep…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 123124 Scissors

    This episode includes a thought-provoking exploration of the precarious state of American democracy, inspired by the editorial “Once upon a Tuesday: A political parable about running with scissors in America.” We delve into the metaphorica…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 123124 Sikh

    This episode includes a reflection on resilience and unity as Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield delivers a message of hope on the 12th anniversary of the Sikh Temple shooting in Oak Creek. Inspired by the story “Ambassador Thomas-Greenfie…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 123124 Weil

    This episode includes an exploration of the idea that progress is not always linear, inspired by the article “Undoing superstition of chronology: Simone Weil’s words remind us that progress is not always linear.” We delve into Simone Weil’…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 122924 Serbia

    This episode includes an exploration of the growing international cooperation between Milwaukee and its sister city, Kragujevac, Serbia. Inspired by “Serbia’s Kragujevac sees new chapter of international cooperation with Milwaukee as a Sis…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 122924 Halyna

    This episode includes an intimate look at the resilience of Milwaukee’s Ukrainian community, inspired by Halyna Zdyrko-Salapata’s story “The sacrifices that come with supporting Ukraine while raising a family in Milwaukee.” We explore the…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 122924 Hmong

    This episode includes a celebration of resilience and achievement as we highlight the 2024 graduating class of the Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA), marking the school’s 20th anniversary. Inspired by “From COVID to College: Class of 202…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 122724 Old Main

    This episode includes an exploration of the next phase in the historic restoration of Milwaukee’s Soldiers Home, focusing on efforts to save the Theater, Chapel, and Ward Memorial Hall. Drawing from the story “Historic Restoration: A first…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 122724 Spain

    This episode includes a heartfelt reflection on the essential nature of social connectedness, inspired by Luke Waldo’s column “A reunion in Spain with lifelong friends shows the essential nature of social connectedness.” We explore how mea…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 122724 Honey

    This episode includes a look into the unique initiative at Milwaukee’s Forest Home Cemetery, where an arboretum and apiary are being used to connect history, ecology, and community engagement. Inspired by the story “Silent City Honey: The…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 121524 MKE County Medical

    This episode includes an exploration of Milwaukee County’s groundbreaking initiative to provide whole blood transfusions in the field for critically injured trauma patients. We discuss the life-saving potential of this innovation, which ad…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 121524 MKE County Budget

    This episode includes an analysis of Milwaukee County’s budget and its implications for the community. Drawing from County Executive David Crowley’s and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson’s statements, we explore the delicate balance between ad…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 121524 MKE County Homeless

    This episode includes a discussion on Milwaukee County’s innovative approach to breaking the cycle of homelessness and incarceration, inspired by its selection for the Just Home Project. We explore how housing instability exacerbates recid…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 112124

    This episode includes an in-depth discussion inspired by Reggie Jackson’s column, "History teaches us that ignoring the elephant in the room will not make it go away." It explores historical parallels and examines how societies, from pre-W…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 111124

    This episode includes an exploration of themes drawn from the insightful series by Edward Morgan on Azerbaijan and the pressing global environmental challenges of our time. Inspired by the interconnected narratives of "Exploring Baku’s his…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 101424

    This episode includes a look into the rich tapestry of Korean history, culture, and its local connections in Milwaukee, inspired by the 72-part series “Exploring Korea’s Stories.” From the enduring traditions of Korean society to the histo…

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 081624

    This episode includes a look at the critical restoration efforts needed to save one of Milwaukee’s iconic landmarks, the historic Pabst Mansion. As highlighted in the piece “Milwaukee’s Mansion: Critical Restoration Needed to Save Landmark…

  • Track 17 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 03 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 06 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 05 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 01 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 07 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Podcast: Deep Dive - Episode 061524

    This episode includes a heartfelt exploration of the “Music Tour of Gratitude to America,” featuring a special concert in Milwaukee by frontline Ukrainian soldiers from the Cultural Forces of Ukraine. We discuss how these “soldier artists”…

  • Track 08 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 09 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 10 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk

  • Track 11 Milwaukee Concert 2024

    https://linktr.ee/support_culturalforces Milwaukee Concert 2024 Mykolai Sierga, Taras Stoliar, Olha Rukavishnikova, Yurii Ivaskevych, Mykhailo Oliynyk, with Valeriia Vovk