WTMJ Conversations

Many of us love to play along with Jeopardy at home, but what does it take to make it on the show for real? Today, Jeopardy Champion and St. Norbert professor Ben Chan talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about how many times he tried out for the show, what it was like behind the scenes, going on a championship run, and who HE thinks is the best Jeopardy player of all time. It's all ahead on this geniu...

You watched her for years as a FOX6 TV anchor. Now, Stephanie Grady has a new career teaching young female athletes how to succeed in all facets of their life. She tells WTMJ's Libby Collins her story of growing up devoted to training for the Olympics as a figure skater, her method for success, and her techniques for training young women to be camera-ready and business-savvy. It's all ahead on thi...

You may not know his name, but chances are you've seen photos taken by Samer Ghani, who has worked for multiple organizations and businesses in the city. Samer grew up in Milwaukee as the son of an immigrant single mom from Palestine. Today, he talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about his experiences working with rock stars, athletes, and fashion models in New York City as a professional photographer...

Since beginning as an Italian bakery on the east side in 1964, Palermo's Pizza has become one of the best-known pizza makers in the U.S. Today, Libby Collins talks with Giacomo and Jasper Fallucca about how it all began, the trials and tribulations of bringing their pizza to the national and international market, and what's next for Palermo's on this delicious edition of WTMJ Conversations!

The Milwaukee Fire Department has developed the MORI program to address the problem of multiple overdose calls. Chief Aaron Lipski and Lt. Jonathan Belott talk with Libby Collins on this edition of WTMJ Conversations about the Milwaukee Overdose Response Initiative.

Gary Nocasek may be the most interesting man in the world. He's held many different titles in wildly different fields, each of which sounds more outlandish than the last. Today on Conversations, he sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss his path from radio, to wrestling, to blessing lions, tigers, and circus clowns as the Deacon of Circus and Rodeo Ministry. If you think working for a chur...

Kristine Hoiland is a nurse practitioner in the Medical College of Wisconsin Division of Hematology and Oncology. But that's not the only thing Kristine does. She also works with international aid organizations, bringing her nursing skills to vulnerable patients in places like Haiti, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda, Pakistan and Ukraine. Today on WTMJ Conversations,...

Jeff Morin, President of Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, grew up in a small town in Maine. Today on WTMJ Conversations, he talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about the culture shock he experienced attending art school, his path from Maine all the way to Milwaukee, and what he believes the future holds for artists with the advent of A.I. art. It's all ahead on this creative edition of WTMJ Conv...

As the new Editor-in-Chief of the Milwaukee Business Journal, Tim Gibbons has a large role to fill, and he knows it. Today on WTMJ Conversations, he sits down with Libby Collins to discuss his beginnings as a reporter, the importance of local news, how to make business interesting, and much more. It's all ahead on this edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Cindy Karrels started crafting delicious chocolates for herself and her loved ones. Then, after more than ten years, she entered into competition at the State Fair. Today, the Best of Show winner talks to WTMJ's Libby Collins about how she began making chocolates, the people and ideas that inspire her luxurious flavors, and the intricacies of the chocolate-making process. It's all ahead on this de...

Sidney McCain, Music Director of WMSE, has worked with some of the biggest names on the music industry. Today on WTMJ Conversations, she joins Libby Collins to discuss growing up as the rebellious child of two parents involved in politics, her time as an intern with MTV, and her work with countless record labels. Tune in to hear Sid talk about her favorite and least favorite artists to work with,...

Brew City Wrestling promoter, Frankie DeFalco has been in the ring with notables ranging from Shawn Michaels to Andre the Giant. Today on WTMJ Conversations, Libby Collins gets in the ring with him to learn what it takes to become a professional wrestler.

Before Brian Noonan became co-host of Spanning the State, he worked in L.A. as an actor and comedian. Today, he talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about growing up in Chicago, getting his start in radio, working as a bouncer with the mob, being a game show winner, and so much more. It's all ahead on this uproarious edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Greg Wesley is the new President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Today, he talks with Libby Collins about the people who made him who he is today, the new community space, Thrive on King, and ways the Greater Milwaukee Foundations invests in the community. It's all ahead on this edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Educator Peter Rettler has run every single day for over 30 years. Today on WTMJ Conversations, he tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how his journey began, continuing through hurdles like kidney stones, cancelled flights, and childbirth, and why he decided to turn his passion into a way to raise funds for the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial in Kewaskum. It's all ahead on this invigorating edition of WTMJ Convers...

In the summer of 2020, twins Leena and Leean Le joined Milwaukee activist Frank Nitty's march to Washington. What they experienced over those 24 days would change the course of their lives forever. Today, they sit down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to talk about how they became involved with the march, the cult-like atmosphere that developed as they walked across the country, and the way that summer a...

For some it's a dream come true, selling it all and hitting the road in an RV to see the country. Well, Kira and Tim Lafond did just that. Today on WTMJ Conversations, they talk with WTMJ's Libby Collins about their journey, the plethora of people they met along the way, and what they learned about themselves and each other. It's all ahead on this free-spirited edition of WTMJ Conversations!

We were shocked how quickly the Afghan government fell apart when the U.S. troop withdrawal took place. But Qadir Shah Hotek lived through it. Today, he tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how he escaped Afghanistan not knowing where he would end up, his long journey to the United States, starting a new life from nothing, and his work helping other new immigrants adjust to life in the United States. It's a...

Most of us would never get on a plane, without knowing your destination, to meet the love of your life on a TV show. But Racine's Grace Girard decided to look for love on Fox TV's Farmer Wants A Wife. She tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how she found love on a TV show and the unexpected turn her romantic life took after the cameras stopped filming. It's all ahead on this delightful edition of WTMJ Conv...

Roger Caplinger spent 33 years as the Medical Director for the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2017 he received the devastating news that he had pancreatic cancer. Today, he sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss his remarkable journey, what he learned from working with the Brewers, the revolutionary pancreatic cancer research being done in Milwaukee, and so much more. It's all ahead on this edition...

With the RNC in Milwaukee, politics are at the top of everyone's mind. On this edition of WTMJ Conversations, Libby Collins shares 3 interviews about an American political dynasty: the Kennedys. First, Libby talks with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy about his struggles with mental health. Next, an interview with the former boarding school roommate of JFK Jr., and finally, an exclusive intervie...

Diana Higgenbottom Anagnostopoulos has had a long journey. After finding out as a child that she was adopted, her search for her birth parents is a story decades in the making. Today, she sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to tell the whole tale, from finding out that her biological mother did not want to meet her, to being reunited with her father's family, and having her journey be the focus of...

Ivan Bannier, a sixteen-year-old from Franklin, Wisconsin, is part of a very exclusive club. He is one of about 500 people to earn every scouting merit badge! On this edition of WTMJ Conversations, he talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about his favorite badges, the highs and lows of his quest, the badges that almost made him give up, and what he could possibly do now. Be prepared for this exciting e...

WTMJ's Sandy Maxx brings you backstage for this exclusive preview of the diverse music lineup and new unique attractions at Summerfest. Milwaukee World Festivals, Inc's Vice President of Entertainment, Scott Ziel, and Senior Director of Marketing, Jerrod Woods, give you an insider's look to help you plan to make the most of your visit to The World's Largest Music Festival.