Brutal Wisconsin

This week C.J. and Kent discuss the career of Robert Bloch, who was a pulp novelist who was a part of the Lovecraft Circle alongside August Derleth. They discuss Bloch’s writing style as well as a general outline of his body of work. News: Ancient canoe recovered; PFAS mitigation delayed again; Alligator sighting in Kewaskum.

This week C.J. talks about the news with Kent and then, due to technical difficulties, CJ solos a few news stories from the Wisconsin Historical Society archives. News: Brett Favre welfare scandal; White Supremacists use Waukesha parade tragedy for recruiting.

Join C.J. and Kent for a discussion about Yerkes Observatory, home of the world’s largest refracting telescope and former home of the University of Chicago astronomy and astrophysics department. News: Abortion acces post-Roe; Enbridge Line-5 Tresspass; Police benefitting from opiate settlement plan.

In lieu of not posting an episode this week, enjoy a crossover episode of this week's Historaholics, ep. 45: MK ULTRA Part Four: The Tragic Tale of Frank Olson (Wisconsin native), where CJ and Zak discuss the death of Frank, whether it be by suicide or homicide, after an LSD-fueled CIA retreat.

This week C.J. and Evan discuss the disappearance of Northwest Orient Flight 2501 in the summer of 1950. News: Federal funding for WI conservation projects approved; Lumberjack World Championships.

Join C.J. and Evan for a discussion on even more Wisconsin weirdness including charcoal-colored cloud-like things and haunted bunk beds. News Primary election winners and losers.

Join C.J. and Evan as they discuss the father of MK ULTRA (and UW Madison graduate) Sidney Gottlieb and his role in the CIA’s search for the Manchurian candidate. News: Ron Johnson on Social Security and Medicare; AR-15s in Madison County schools.

This week C.J. and Evan finish their conversation about Carl Sandburg by talking about some poems from one of his last collections, Harvest Poems: 1910-1960, as well as their reactions to his life and work. News: No fraud found in Gableman probe; Godlewski suspends and Dems coalesce for midterm elections.

This week C.J. and Evan continue their discussion of Carl Sandburg by talking about his massive Abraham Lincoln biography and his poetry collection The People, Yes. News: Republican Governor pre-debate discussion and commentary.

This week C.J. and Evan discuss Carl Sandburg’s work on the Chicago race riot of 1919 as well as his poetry collection Smoke and Steel. News: New 988 Emergency Crisis Line; Trump’s bogus ballot box claims.

This week C.J. and Evan have a discussion about Carl Sandburg and his early life and works, up to the publication of Chicago Poems in 1916. News: Kenosha Cty declares 2nd Amendment sanctuary; WI Supreme Court disallows absentee ballots; Ron Johnson pulls campaign ad.

This Week C.J. and Evan discuss poems and a short story from a collection of writings by Indigenous Wisconsinites called Dreaming History. News: Wisconsin leaders respond to Roe v. Wade decision (and so do we).

This week C.J. and Evan discuss the neurodivergence of Rosemary Kennedy, her family’s response to it, and her eventual lobotomy. News: Dane Co. sues over PFAS requirements; Madison’s 33rd Juneteenth celebration; Goodman Community Center Free Career Closet.

This week the Brutal Wisconsin boys discuss some more Wisconsin weirdness including: more Mothman, the Beast of 92, and Forest Hill Cemetery. News: The Contemptible Gableman; GOP allows Evers Admin PFAS standards.

C.J. and Evan discuss the experiences of two B-17 crew men from the state of Wisconsin, as well as the experiences of the German victims of their attacks. News: WI sundown towns; Lyin’ Ted heads to MKE; Afghan refugee dentist story.

Join C.J.and Evan as they discuss the story of the goatman of Washington County, in both folklore and, possibly, reality. News: Whitefish Bay students protest gun violence; Lac du Flambeau tribal youth taught tradition of spearfishing.

Join Evan for a dramatic reading of The Ancestor, by August Derleth.

C.J. and Evan finish their discussion of August Derleth by touching on his relationship with noted racist H.P. Lovecraft. Because of Derleth’s pivotal role in the preservation of Lovecraft’s work we will touch on the Cthulhu Mythos, as well as Lovecraft’s racism. News: WI Cannabis Expo; State legislators joining right-wing FB groups.

Join C.J., Evan, and Kent as they continue their discussion of August Derleth and his work. This week they discuss more of his poetry, as well as prose poems from his book Walden West. News: Wisconsin legislators mass exodus; RoJo only more popular than McConnell.

Join C.J., Evan, and Kent as they discuss the life of August Derleth, one of the most prolific writers from the state of Wisconsin. This week they will discuss his work, including reading a few of his poems, as well as his numerous achievements. News: AG Kaul refuses abortion ban enforcement; Madison anti-abortion arson attack.

Join C.J., Evan, and Kent for the hundredth episode of Brutal Wisconsin! We reflect on 100 episodes and engage in some good ol’ Spring Spookin’!

Join your hosts C.J. and Evan as they discuss more myths of Manabush, a culture hero of the Anishinabe. This week they go beyond the stories of the Menominee by discussing Chippewa and Ojibwa stories as well. News: Uptick in white supremacist activity in WI; plans to change the derogatory names of places in Wisconsin.

Join your hosts C.J. and Evan as they discuss the stories of Manabush, a culture hero of the Menominee. This week they talk about Manabush’s origins, the time he told his thigh to keep watch, and the origin of corn. News: Cavalier Johnson’s victory, and WIGOP election “review” continues.

Join your hosts C.J. and Evan as they discuss some more Wisconsin folklore, this week they discuss indigenous stories, lumberjack tall-tales, and urban legends. News: Pro-Ivermectin candidate joins AG race, and Tommy Thompson meets w/Trump.

Join your hosts C.J. and Evan as they revisit the Battle of Shiloh. They also discuss C.J.’s recent visit to the Shiloh National Military Park and he shares what he learned in the process. News: Evers signs healthcare worker protection bill, and new downtown biking/walking infrastructure plans.