WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Bubbler Talk

Society EN ↓ 226 episodes

What's got you scratching your head about the Milwaukee area? WUWM investigates your questions.

Author

WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.wuwm.com

Latest episode

Jul 2, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Milwaukee's FDR-Era Water Treatment Plant: 'A Monument To Civic Majesty' 14.04.2017

This week's Bubbler Talk inquiry takes us to Milwaukee's lakefront. It has just a few buildings, such as snack bars and a place to buy a kite. Yet there's an imposing structure on the north end of Lincoln Memorial Drive, which is a mystery to many.

A Milwaukee Obsession: Sunday Hot Ham & Rolls 07.04.2017

Sometimes we come across questions that confound us. What came first, the chicken or the egg? Do we truly have free will? And this week’s profound Bubbler Talk question: What’s up with ham and rolls in Milwaukee?

What Once Stood On The Vacant Acres In Milwaukee's Harbor? 05.04.2017

Update:

The Story Behind The Giant Ladybugs On The Milwaukee Building 31.03.2017

Almost 20 years ago, Milwaukee was 'invaded' by three six-foot-tall ladybugs. They latched on to a downtown building and have been there ever since.

What Happened to Milwaukee's Signature Yeast Smell? 17.02.2017

Anyone who grew up in Milwaukee or who lived here before 2005 may remember a pungent yeast smell in the Menomonee Valley, around I-94.

What's Going On With The Grand Avenue Mall's Transformation? 03.02.2017

This week’s Bubbler Talk question comes from Jeanne Pehoski, who wanted to know: When is the Grand Avenue going to be a go-to destination again and get some viable anchor stores and better offerings in the food court?

There In Form, And Now In Function: Milwaukee's (Formerly) Timeless Clock 27.01.2017

To kick off the new season of Bubbler Talk, we’re going to revisit a question we pursued last year, from listener Patricia Mousseau.

The Story Behind Milwaukee's Iconic Address Tiles 06.01.2017

If you’ve ever walked around the city, you might have noticed the distinctive tiles adorning some of the older homes in town. They’re small, white ceramic with a black font, and they’re fairly standard.

North Point: A Milwaukee Water Tower That Never Held Water 09.12.2016

At the far eastern end of North Avenue in Milwaukee, you’ll find a structure that looks sort of like a turret in a medieval castle. Joe Peschio, a professor of Russian at UW-Milwaukee, has driven past the historic water tower plenty of times and has been wondering how it worked, since it doesn’t seem like it could hold much water.

What's the History of Pompeii Square in Milwaukee? 02.12.2016

The sign reads Pompeii Square. Many people have zipped past this tiny strip of green space while exiting 794 on their way to Summerfest or the Milwaukee Art Museum. And, many may have even wondered.. 'What is that?'

Camels And Minarets In Milwaukee: What's The Story Behind That Tripoli Shrine? 18.11.2016

Nestled between Miller Brewery and Harley Davidson on the west and Marquette University on the east, Milwaukee's near west side neighborhood is dotted with mansions and other historic spots from the 1800s and 1900s.

Marble Hall: A Contender for Milwaukee's Oldest Building 12.11.2016

What is the oldest building in Milwaukee? That's the question Emily Pauly posed to WUWM in this week's Bubbler Talk.

South Side Of Milwaukee, Your Bar Dice Rules Aren't Wrong — Just Different 04.11.2016

The game bar dice is a staple at bars across Milwaukee as well as the state.

Is There a Star of David on the Original Miller Brewhouse? Well, Not Exactly. 28.10.2016

Chances are if you ask a Milwaukeean about the best things to do in Brew City, a brewery tour will be pretty high on their list. For much of its history, Milwaukee has been known as the "beer capital of the world" and the city has been the birthplace of many heavy hitters in the industry: Pabst, Schlitz, and of course, Miller.

Discarded Cigarette Butts: More Than An Annoying Eyesore in Milwaukee 21.10.2016

Gross. Annoying. Ugly. But, illegal? This week, WUWM's Bubbler Talk answers the question: Is littering by throwing cigarette butts legal in Milwaukee?

A Stream Runs Under It: Wisconsin's State Fair Park Covers Part of Honey Creek 07.10.2016

This week's Bubbler Talk question comes from Jim Thompson, who teaches mechanical drawing at MATC.

In Wisconsin, A Bloody Mary Isn't Complete Unless It Has A Beer Chaser 23.09.2016

A weekend brunch staple: the Bloody Mary. The vodka and tomato juice drink has become known for its garnishes, which tower over other cocktails. Garnishes in Milwaukee may include asparagus spears, jumbo shrimp, even a piece of brisket or a miniature hamburger.

Is There a Waterfall in Menomonee Falls? 22.07.2016

This week's Bubbler Talk question is a simple one. Danica Herritz asked: Is or was there a falls (some sort of waterfall) in Menomonee Falls?

More Than A Bar: Riverwest Public House Builds Community 08.07.2016

This week’s Bubbler Talk inquiry comes from Beth Gehred. She wanted to know how Milwaukee's public tavern is doing.

Why Is There a Street Named for Henry Clay in Whitefish Bay? 03.06.2016

Whether you've just moved to a new city or have been a life-long resident, sometimes street names can catch your attention.

Did You Know There's An Ancient Coral Reef in Wauwatosa? 27.05.2016

This week's Bubbler Talk question comes from Spencer Hoyt, who asked WUWM: Why is the 425 million year old Schoonmaker Reef so important to metro Milwaukee?

The Story Behind Milwaukee's Round Buildings 13.05.2016

This week’s Bubbler Talk is all about buildings--round ones.

Does Lake Michigan Water Make Sausage Taste Better? 06.05.2016

The ready access Milwaukee has to fresh water - lots and lots of fresh water - seems like an obvious reason that so many breweries chose to open up shop here. Of course, the thousands of German immigrants didn't hurt, either.

What's the Deal with South Milwaukee's Addresses and Street Names? 29.04.2016

Steve Liszewski first noticed South Milwaukee's unique house numbering and street naming system when he was young and his parents taught him how to travel the county by bus.

Why Do Wisconsinites Call That A Bubbler, Anyway? 22.04.2016

Katie Gnau recently moved to Shorewood from Chicago. And when her daughter came home from school one day, Katie noticed she had picked up a new word for a familiar item. So, she asked WUWM's Bubbler Talk: Why does everyone around here call that a Bubbler, anyway?

Listen to the Bubbler Talk podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.