Eau Claire Hometown Media

New Fair Executive Director Brian Maki explains how an attempt to simply get a “news scoop” for his previous employer, turned into an accidental job application for his new position. The goal the fairgrounds have in making  the venue accessible to groups to use and stay relevant with lots competition for entertainment dollars #GoChippewaCounty #eauclairepodcast #eauclairepod #thingstodoinchippewa...

As in any physical activity, bumps and bruises can happen torunners.  Dr. Curt Riley is a PT with Phileo Health in Altoona who is no stranger to the running community, working withathletes to keep them healthy and get them back to action as quickly and safely as possible.  He takes us through whatthe most common injuries and what typically leads to them.  We learn habits that can strengthen your c...

Breaking down health monopolies and opening more choices and opportunities is the goal of SolarteHealth. On this episode Dr. David Usher, learns more about SolarteHealth from Director of Growth Partnerships A.J. Sherman.  SolarteHealth is a new health plan that works with independent practitioners who operate in an open market,offering high quality and competitive prices.  Their objective through...

This episodes dives into the powerful role that co-curricular activities play in high school experience.  Beyond the classroom, these programs help students build confidence, leadership skills and meaningful relationships.  Altoona High school junior Annika Nesseth and senior Aleigha Jones tell us the variety of clubs and activities they are in and the benefits they feel they are getting from them...

Hosted by the Phoenix Taproom and Kitchen in downtown Eau Claire, this month's edition features Chase Hoople from Valley Sports Academy taking on Roy Atkinson with the City of Altoona Find out who comes out on top as they answer trivia questions while enjoying a tasty beverage.

Whether bringing a dog into your family for the first time, or adding an additional one to the home, there are essential steps for successfully adding a dog into your family.  No matter what we may playfully believe, a dog didn’t “choose” to live with us.  So Heather takes us through the steps on how to properly welcome them in.  She discusses how preparation,patience and consistency are key.  Lis...

A local basketball official has cried foul of area coaches/players/spectators/administrators and Scott has thoughts on that. Also, there are a couple of local HS basketball games coming up that you MUST attend...and a pet peeve of Scott's now has more context changing his tune a bit #eauclairesportstalk #sportstalkradio #highschoolsportsofficiating #referees #eauclairewi

Accountability is front and center at the Chippewa FallsMiddle School.  With one of the top 10 largest middle schools in the state of Wisconsin, its important for ChippewaFalls to have a one that provides a safe and nurturing environment.  Principal Derek Kunsman and Dean of StudentsCory Hahn visit to give insight into the education and culture that is being developed within the middle school. -  ...

The mayoral race in Menomonie takes center stage thiselection season and it starts with a primary on February 17th.  One of the challengers to long-term mayorRandy Knaack is Grady Richartz and he joins Emilie to discuss why he wants the position.  We learn his background, hiscommunity involvement with groups like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and what his goals as mayor would be. That includes his tran...

In this episode, Brit and Susie are joined by Angela Roe,Partnership Manager at Feed My People Food Bank to talk about the critical role she and her team play in fighting hunger across our communities.  She works to connect communities over a 14-county radius, identifying where food insecurity exists and both establishing new pantries and assisting existing ones.  They also dig into the evolving n...

Join Zach and Nick as they sit down with Zac Neal of To Be Alive (TBA), singer and guitar player of Neal Brothers Acoustic Duo, and drummer of their band Shovelhead. Hear about recording and the first of hopefully many hotdish exclusive announcements. #musicpodcast #musictalk #supportlocalmusic #hometownsounds #eauclairemusic #chippewavalleymusic #newmusic

Railroaders' head girls basketball coach Michelle Peplinski returns to share insight as the team readies for the postseason later in the month. We also discuss the rise in opportunities for girls to participate in sports both directly and indirectly and why the nurturing and supportive culture of girls sports in Altoona has created strong participation numbers. Michelle also shares with us wha...

We hear the personal perspective of the McDonellCatholic School system with Beth Leahy and one of her kids, her oldest Cate (age 5).  Beth shares the experience of amother with a budding family, what drew her into the school system, how the balance of play vs. curriculum played a vital role. We learn the benefits mom has already seen from her daughter. The impact of the virtue-based lessons thatst...

Saving Money isn’t about getting rich, its about being ready. Lisa Lyon and Brooke McLaren with Pillar Bank joinus to provide some ideas to create good habits from different perspectives.  From stashing away a set percentage of thatpaycheck to 401Ks  Brooke provides some suggestions from a Gen Z demographic while Lisa tells us what savings couldlike for the Gen X generation.   They let us know why...

Now in its second full year in operation, Summit Academy inMenomonie has established itself as an education option for families in the area. The Principal Jen Cimino sits down with Emilie to discuss how the vision for the school has played out, what enrollment numbers are and plans for the future.  She goes into detail on the curriculum and the ways the school is held accountable.  She also touche...

One of Eau Claire’s master of the pen BJ Hollars joins the podcast to highlight the area’s writing scene.  A prolific writer and creator, BJ is the Director of Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, author of numerous books and one of the creative forces behind the award-winning documentary Rubber Hit the Road and the  upcoming Kings of Kubb.                The rise and role technology plays in the releva...

The postseason nears for area high school hockey,including for RAM Hockey, with head coach Mick Podruch sitting down with us to give an update on the season.  Hediscusses ways the team has had to deal with adversity, the excitement of playing a toucher schedule to ready for the Division I level tournament and spotlights some of the team’s key contributors and strengths. We also discuss the introdu...

This Fall, ReforMedicine unveiled its exciting addition toits offerings, with Derm Direct, a dermatology clinic.  ReforMedicine Physician Assistant Lori Arndtjoins the show to highlight Derm Direct and the services offered. She has years of experience in diagnosis and treatment of skin ailments. This is not a cosmeticspace but instead a medical practice.  Derm Direct will be able to treat many ski...

Incoming CFAUSD Superintendent Dr. Brad Saron discusses why he wanted this job and what the next few months will be like ahead of his official start date of July 1st.  Fromacademic and personnel priorities to community engagement.   We find out his background, including hisprevious time in the district administration office, and why he felt this job was worth leaving a similar position in another...

What potentially sets your dog off and how much they can handle before stress takes over? Like us as humans, dogs too have items that fire them off and a limit before it has an adverse impact. From doorbells and strange guests, to otherdogs in the area to decorations on a neighbor’s lawn Heather breaks down common triggers and explains how a dog’s threshold can change.  She discusses spotting earl...

Coach, competitive runner and previous Eau Claire Marathon winner Danny Docherty is this episode’s guest with Adam and Emily.  A well-known name in Twin Cities running circles, Danny has run at the collegiate and professional level and while still running also coaches.  They discuss how one enters the “elite space”.  What were the stages and setbacks Danny experienced on his way? He also provides...

Considering adding a dog to your family in 2026?  Heather is here to give you a primer on some questions you should ask to greatly increase the chance this dog will be a right fit for you. From finding out how the dog reacts around unfamiliar peopleto what types of sensitivities might they have, she takes us through the things you can find out BEFORE and not necessarily have to wait to find out on...

Grab your walking shoes and that sense of wonder as wepreview the 2026 Banbury Art Crawl with coordinator Mindy Huntress.  This FREE and family-friendly started in 2008and continues to highlight both local and regional artists with that colorful event that turns Banbury Place into an open art gallery and art fair complete with live music and food.  As full-time artist herself, Mindy also gives us...

The backbone of any organization such as Feed My People arethe volunteers and donor and one of them is highlighted here with LuAnn Livingston. She details her own upbringing and backstory that served as her calling to an organizing such as this.  What does she do with Feed My People and why does she continue to come back month after month.  The role her faith has played in her volunteering.

Grab your own cup of coffee and join us for this latestepisode.  Emilie starts off by giving a sad us a sad update on a major summertime event in Menomonie.  She and Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack then dive into a number of topics, including his plans to re for re-election. And at the end, Randy makes a HUGE announcement concerning a large sporting venue that is now slated to come to Menomonie!!! #w...