Bridge the City

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Jennifer Bolger Breceda, Executive Director of Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Deisy and Jennifer talk about the vital work Milwaukee Riverkeeper does to protect, restore, and advocate for the Milwaukee River Basin. They discuss the organization's water quality monitoring program, the four pillars of their work, and the major $450 million federal investment currently underw...

Host Benjamin Rangel provides an overview of the upcoming State Supreme Court Election on April 7th, 2026. To learn more, visit: myvote.wi.gov for more information about where to vote and check your reigstration status. Bridge the City’s election guide on our website. Action Steps: Vote Reach out to others and make sure they have a plan to vote! Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your co...

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Isabel Castro, Community Outreach Specialist, and Joanna Bautch, Executive Director of Via Community Development Corporation. Deisy, Isa, and Joanna talk about the work Via does throughout Milwaukee. In particular, they discuss how Via works in Silver City, Burnham Park, and Layton Park to promote business, community, and housing. To learn more, visit: Via CDC’s We...

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Michael Nguyen, Executive Director of Teach for America (TFA) Milwaukee. They talk about the origin of TFA in Milwaukee, the work TFA does in the community, and how TFA is supporting educators during a challenging time for educators in the U.S. To learn more, visit: Teach for America Action Steps: Mike’s action steps include: Pay attention to your local school board...

In this special episode we hear from Barbara Cerda and Valeria Cerda about La Revo Books, but you won’t hear a Bridge the City host. Instead, listen to Barbara and Valeria as they discuss the inception of a community-driven pop-up bookstore, why this work is so important to them and their community, and how you can support their work. To learn more, visit: La Revo Books Action steps: Support La Re...

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Melissa Soberalski, with Soberalski Law, and Fernanda Jimenez, with the Comite sin Fronteras, to discuss how recent immigration policies have impacted the immigrant community in Milwaukee. Ben and Melissa talk about some of the legal advice she’s providing to the immigrant community while his conversation with Fernanda focuses on how local activists are responding to...

Host Ben Rangel sits down with both candidates for the third aldermanic district race on April 1st - Alex Brower and Daniel Bauman. Alex and Daniel discuss their plans for housing, public transit, economic investment, and more. In addition, to the full length conversations with Alex and Daniel, Ben details some information about the other items on the ballot. To learn more, visit: Bridge the City’...

Hosts Deisy Espana and Ben Rangel discuss the upcoming February 18th primary. They talk about the State Superintendent Race and the 3rd Aldermanic District Race. If you’re not sure what aldermanic district you are in, you can check here. To Learn more, visit: WUWM’s Information about the District 3 Common Council candidates The Daily Cardinal’s Information about the State Superintendent candidates...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Taylor Korslin and John Everitt, volunteers with Rethink 794. They talk about the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-794 Lake Interchange Study and why they believe the best option is to remove the freeway. To learn more, visit: Rethink 794’s Website John Everitt’s Website Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Website Action Steps: Contact your repres...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Jessica Luebbering , former Executive Director of Father Gene’s Help Center. They talk about Jessica’s path to her position, the work of Father Gene’s Help Center, and what dignity means. To learn more, visit: Father Gene’s Help Center Ethical practices in buying clothes Action Steps: Jessica’s actions include: Donate clean, quality clothing to Father Gene’s Hel...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with former Bridge the City producer and current WUWM Reporter, Sam Woods. Sam Woods is the production assistant for WUWM’s Lake Effect. They talk about Sam’s award-winning podcast with Joy Powers, Swing State of the Union, what he learned making the podcast, and what to look out for in the upcoming presidential election. To learn more, visit: Swing State of the Unio...

Hosts Ashlie Benson and Benjamin Rangel discuss the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, August 13th with special guest, Sinclair Johnston. They answer Sinclair’s questions about the election and the two referenda (referendums?) that would amend the state Constitution. To learn more, visit: Map of Assembly Districts in MKE Contested Primaries for Democratic Candidates and their Districts: 8 - Enr...

*Note this is a bilingual episode presented in English and Espanol* Host Deisy España sits down with Elizabeth Ramirez and Alison Hernandez with Muskego Way Forward. They talk about the community organizing and development work of Muskego Way Forward, the importance of grassroots neighborhood social programming, and how you can support their community. To learn more, visit: Muskego Way Forward Act...

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Ingrid Walker-Henry, the President of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, to discuss the “Say Yes to MPS” campaign. Ingrid and Deisy talk about what the additional funding would mean for MPS and why the District needs additional revenue from taxpayers. To learn more, visit: Say Yes to MPS Website Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Research on the Referendum Action...

Hosts Deisy Espana and Ben Rangel sit down to talk about and discuss the upcoming election on Tuesday, April 2nd. They discuss the referendums on the ballot, the different aldermanic races, and other local elections. To learn more, visit: Myvote.wi.gov ACLU’s Position on Elections Referendum League of Women Voters’ Position on Election Referendum Wisconsin Policy Forum Research and Forum on MPS Fu...

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Galy Montes and Nataly Andrade, co-founders of Mercadera Market. They talk about the growth of Latina owned small businesses and their part in amplifying their voices.  Host Deisy Espana se sienta con Galy Montes y Nataly Andrade cofundadoras  de Mercadera Market. Hablan sobre el crecimiento de los pequeños negocios de latinas y su objetivo de amplif...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Lauren Hubbard, Director of Community Crisis Services at Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services. Ben and Lauren discuss how her teams serves the Milwaukee Community in a variety of ways and the work of the Mobile Health Crisis Team. To learn more, visit: MKEmobilecrisiscareers.com If you or someone you know is in crisis, call - 414-257-7222 Action Steps: La...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down in a Milwaukee Talkie with Brett Heaton Juarez. Ben and Brett talk about their relationship with finances and money, Brett’s new book, “ Change from your Dollars ”, and how to use your time and resources to support the Milwaukee Community. To learn more, visit: Change from your Dollars Brett Heaton Juarez Action step(s): Brett’s action steps include: Find awareness -...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Chris Corkery, CEO of Hundred Acre Farm. They talk about what vertical hydroponic farming is, how it can disrupt the agricultural and food industry, and the difference its already making in our city. To learn more, visit: Hundred Acre Farm Marquette Trinity Fellows Program (from advertisement in introduction) Action Steps: Chris’ action steps include: If you wan...

Hosts Deisy España and Benjamin Rangel sit down with Nancy Retana, Clean Wisconsin's Resilient Communities Program Director. They talk about Clean Wisconsin’s work to preserve and protect Wisconsin’s clean water, clean air and natural heritage and the City of Milwaukee’s Climate and Equity Plan,. The Climate and Equity Plan was adopted the summer of 2023 and aims to reduce the city’s greenhouse ga...

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Deisy España sit down with Anna Dvorak and Gregory Brown with the Power to the People Campaign. They talk about their campaign to turn our energy utilities from an investor-owned utility to a municipally owned and operated utility, the success of the campaign so far, and why they think it’s important for working families in Milwaukee. To learn more, visit: Power to the Pe...

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Deisy España sit down with Nora Godoy-Gonzalez and Kate Rodriguez the current and future Mexican Fiesta Ambassadors, respectively. They talk about how much fun the Fiesta is, how the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation supports the community year-round, and what the Fiesta means to them and our Milwaukee community. To learn more, visit: Meixcan Fiesta’s Website Volu...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with guest Jacob Krieg, founder of the Milwaukee Central Park Project. They talk about the potential removal of the I794 spur of freeway on the the Eastside of the city and what could take its place. Specifically, they discuss Jacob’s idea to create a park and greenspace, the Milwaukee Central Park, in its place. To learn more, visit: Milwaukee Central Park Project o...

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Bridge the City teammate and guest producer, Ashlie Benson, to break down the upcoming election on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023. They talk about the following: State Supreme Court Election: Referenda: Milwaukee Public School Board At-Large Election: Municipal Judge Election Wisconsin Court of Appeals Election: To learn more, visit: Myvote.wi.gov Milwaukee Election C...

Host Ben Hoekstra sits down with Eric Collins-Dyke, Assistant Administrator of the Milwaukee County Housing Division, to discuss Housing First and homelessness in the county. To learn more, visit: Milwaukee County Housing Division Action Steps: Eric’s action steps include: 1. Get involved with nonprofits and organizations advocating for Housing First. 2. Don’t ever forget the humanity of people ex...