The Upswing

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Milwaukee Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn to discuss Milwaukee’s new membership in the Global Swimmable Cities Alliance and what it means for the city’s future. Nenn explains how years of improving water quality have positioned Milwaukee to join the international movement, while outlining efforts to make local waterways safer and more accessible throu...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman explores two stories centered on growth and innovation. First, Tommy Pennington and Kevin Schmoldt, franchise owners of 7 Brew, discuss the drive-thru coffee chain’s expansion across Wisconsin, their community-first approach to site selection, and how new locations can help drive business for surrounding retailers. Later, Thomas Fisher of Platform94 jo...

This month on Marquette on the Move, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun, Rose Howard, and Sarah Pancheri for a conversation about the unique connection between Marquette and Milwaukee. The group explores how the city’s festival culture, volunteer spirit, and sense of community create opportunities for students to engage beyond campus and become active citizens...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes back Tedd Lookatch, managing partner at the ERA Group, for a conversation about business, community, and making smart decisions in a changing economy. They discuss the opportunities and challenges that data center growth presents for Wisconsin businesses, the pressures facing nonprofits, and why Milwaukee’s collaborative culture continues to b...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity CEO Brian Sonderman for a conversation about one of the region’s most pressing challenges: housing. Sonderman explains why housing is fundamentally a public health issue and discusses the collaborative efforts among nonprofits, businesses, developers, and government to expand homeownership opportunities in Milwau...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Martin Moore of Koss Headphones for another edition of The Future of Almost Everything. The conversation explores the intersection of creativity, leadership, and artificial intelligence, including why human imagination still matters in an AI-powered world and where businesses should draw the line when using generative tools. Jeff and Martin al...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Tina Jones, executive director of Girls on the Run Southeastern Wisconsin, for a conversation about confidence, mentorship, and the connection between physical activity and mental well-being. Jones shares how the organization helps girls build resilience through movement, previews the upcoming non-competitive 5K at American Family Field, and r...

It’s National Nurses Month, and this edition of Marquette on the Move on The Upswing brings together leaders helping shape the future of healthcare and nursing education. WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman is joined by Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun, Children’s Wisconsin CEO Gil Peri, and Madeline Schmidt from Marquette’s College of Nursing for a conversation about workforce demand, mental health, te...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman sits down with two family-owned food businesses from southeastern Wisconsin — and the similarities in their journeys stand out. First, John and Maria Ranieri of Sheboygan Pasty Company share how they grew their business out of a family bar during the pandemic, built key distribution partnerships, and continue to expand with new products. Then, Hannah a...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Milwaukee Alderman Bob Bauman for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of downtown. They dive into the nighttime economy, including Water Street, food truck curfews, and efforts to balance safety with a vibrant entertainment district. Bauman also shares updates on housing development, long-term plans for The Hop streetcar, and how policy...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman opens with his “Two Up” segment, highlighting a new boutique hotel in Hartland and Brian Williams’ return with a Netflix podcast. From there, Jeff explores cultural shifts — including more young men returning to church and declining alcohol consumption among younger generations — and what those trends could mean for community and local businesses. He a...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman tackles one of the biggest challenges facing Milwaukee and communities nationwide: housing. From rising first-time buyer ages to the need for real solutions, Jeff explores what it will take to move from conversation to action, drawing on insights from a recent Greater Milwaukee Committee panel. He’s joined by Luke Knapp from the Mayor’s Office to break...

WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman goes (mostly) solo this week on The Upswing, diving into a little bit of everything Milwaukee. From new restaurant openings like Nino’s Southern Sides in Fox Point to rising gas prices and MCTS’s new tap-to-pay system, Jeff explores how daily life in the region is evolving. He also looks at changes in local retail, including Metro Market’s shift away from in-store bars, and ref...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman and Martin Moore of Koss dive into the fast-moving world of tech, culture, and consumer trends. From Apple’s evolving AI strategy and the future of Siri to OpenAI shutting down Sora, they break down what’s next in artificial intelligence — and what’s already changing. The conversation also explores everything from phone-free dining and stadium beer pri...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Steve “Saz” Sazama, founder of Saz’s, as the Milwaukee staple celebrates its 50th anniversary. Saz reflects on opening day in 1976, the relationships that helped build the business, and how a neighborhood bar grew into a beloved institution. He shares the stories behind iconic menu items like Mozzarella Marinara, memorable moments from State F...

This month on Marquette on the Move on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes back Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun and Tim Rabolt, manager of recovery at the university. The conversation addresses recent vandalism at the Church of the Gesu and how the campus community is responding, along with reflections on Marquette men’s basketball and continued student engagement. They also highl...

As Milwaukee prepares for the 58th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, The Upswing host WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman sits down with two guests helping bring the celebration — and its economic impact — to life. Stacie Callies, executive director of the Westown Association, discusses how the parade continues to thrive through corporate partnerships, downtown collaboration, and the growing momentum around Milwau...

Change can be hard — but it can also open the door to new opportunities. This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman talks with Tina Quealy, CEO of the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, about plans to find a new home for the beloved Milwaukee institution. She explains why expanded classrooms and outdoor space are part of the vision, what the multi-year relocation process could look like, and why ac...

Jeff Sherman likes to say that in greater Milwaukee, “seven degrees of separation” feels more like 1.5 — and this episode proves it. Jeff brings together James Shiparski of Hot Spell Sauna and Moshe Katz of Yellow Wood and Atid Properties for a conversation about health, wellness, retail, real estate, and community — only to discover the two guests already knew each other from regular sauna sessio...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun and Judge Derek Mosley, director of Marquette Law School’s Lubar Center, for another edition of Marquette on the Move. In recognition of Black History Month, Judge Mosley reflects on 15 years of sharing daily social media posts highlighting lesser-known Black history and how digital platforms shape th...

This week on The Upswing, host Jeff Sherman explores innovation in food access, co-working, and the future of communities. First, Michael Hostad of Fork Farms explains how indoor hydroponic Flex Farms are expanding access to fresh food in schools and communities — and why healthy food access should be a priority in Wisconsin’s 2026 governor’s race. Then, longtime guest Steve Glynn of Experience Mi...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Martin Moore of Koss to the studio for another edition of The Future of Almost Everything, exploring the latest in technology and innovation. They dive into emerging AI platforms like Moltbook, debate the impact of AI-related Super Bowl commercials, and discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative industries and consumer expectati...

As National Mentorship Month comes to a close, The Upswing host WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Marquette Mentors’ Radtke Director Dan DeWeerdt and Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun for this month’s edition of Marquette on the Move. The conversation reflects on the legacy of Marquette mentor and actor Pat Finn, the importance of presence and connection in mentoring, and the reopening of the...

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman talks with Ryan Laessig, executive director of Milwaukee’s East Side BID #20, about how the neighborhood is evolving while staying true to what makes it special. A Milwaukee native, Laessig shares why he sees the East Side as “a beacon for what Milwaukee stands for,” how investments like bike lanes are improving safety and access, and what it means to...

This weekend on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes Arthur Ircink, a Milwaukee-area creative and community leader whose work spans food media, local government, and community-building. Ircink shares behind-the-scenes insight into the Emmy Award-winning Wisconsin Foodie and what it means to spotlight Midwest culinary innovators, including Indigenous chef Sean Sherman. He also discusses Shorew...