Lean Local

This episode dives into the impactful work of Aspiro , a Wisconsin disability service provider led by Ryan Ruzziconi. Celebrating nearly 70 years, Aspiro champions independence and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood. Their mantra, 'Live Your Way,' embodies their mission to empower clients with choice, connection, and dignity. The discussion explores Aspiro's...

In this episode of Lean Local, Jim Schmitt talks with Andrea Fanta, owner of Soul Purpose at Bay Park Square and founder of the Mommy AF community. Andrea shares how an online support group for moms grew into a broader network for connection, collaboration, and small business support. The conversation looks at what it really takes for local artists, makers, and vendors to get their products in fro...

Jim Schmitt talks with longtime local journalist Connie Fellman about how Green Bay has changed over time, including local media, downtown growth, education, culture, regional identity, the NFL Draft, and what a thriving Green Bay could look like over the next decade. Guest: Connie Fellman

In this episode of Lean Local, Jim Schmitt sits down with Brian Johnson, director of On Broadway and former Green Bay City Council president, to examine how Green Bay has changed over the last decade and what still needs to improve. They discuss downtown development, housing demand, brownfields versus greenfields, permitting friction, truck traffic on Broadway, the Green Bay Public Market, and the...

Jennifer Grant joins Jim Schmitt to talk about what residents in Green Bay's District 1 are actually asking for: smarter development, tax restraint, better infrastructure, and more responsive city government. They cover reassessment-driven tax pressure, fire and police facility needs, homelessness and mental health service gaps, affordable housing, the push for more single-family homes, and the Re...

This week, Jim talks with Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director of Downtown Green Bay . Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,' hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it 'leans local' with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our n...

Here on Lean Local, we are always looking for new ways our listeners can get involved with the community. President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation Dennis Buehler joins Jim to talk about how we can all pitch in to make Green Bay a better place. Learn more about the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation at ggbcf.org . Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,'...

Today is just two days before Green Bay's nonpartisan primary election, so Jim Schmitt brings in a few more candidates to share their stories: Pete Borchardt , candidate for County Supervisor, District 10 Ben DeBaker , candidate for Alderperson, District 9 Sly Chou , candidate for Alderperson, District 9 John Schultz, candidate for County Supervisor, District 10 Head over to myvote.wi.gov for more...

Coming up on Tuesday, February 17th is a very important primary election for the city of Green Bay. For information about what's on the ballot and where your polling place is, go to myvote.wi.gov . On this Super Bowl Sunday, former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt interviews several more candidates running in these nonpartisan races: Michael Brezinski , candidate for Alderperson in District 9 Rachael M...

This week on Lean Local, Jim Schmitt hosts a conversation that hits especially close to home. District 4, where Jim lives, sits at the heart of downtown Green Bay—an area where local decisions directly impact small businesses, neighborhood vitality, and the city’s future. With the primary approaching, the show brings together all three candidates running in District 4: Jessica Radunzel, Jon Shelto...

Jim Schmitt welcomes Jessica Adams from Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization based here in Wisconsin. Jessica shares how Wisconsin Watch operates differently from traditional newsrooms. Rather than focusing on daily breaking news, the organization works to provide in-depth, missing coverage that often doesn’t find space in larger media networks. Funded through indepen...

Jim Schmitt sits down with  Mark Becker  for a casual, wide-ranging conversation about work, politics, and the paths people take to create change. The discussion covers what each of them is focused on professionally, the issues they care most about in politics, and how they think progress actually happens—on the ground, over time, and through sustained effort. Rather than diving into policy specif...

This week on  Lean Local , the conversation focuses on  Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) —the nonprofit organizations formed in the late 1990s that help shape some of Green Bay’s most active commercial areas. The show first welcomes  Jeff Mirkes , Executive Director of  Downtown Green Bay, Inc. , followed by  Brian Johnson  from  On Broadway  across the...

This week on  Lean Local , Jim Schmitt welcomes Ken and Lauren Dombrowski from Love Your Life Hypnosis for a conversation about stress, habits, and what it really takes to make lasting change. Ken shares how his life took an unexpected turn after years as a successful general contractor, when illness led him to search across the U.S. and South America for answers—only to discover that unresol...

This week on  Lean Local , Jim Schmitt is joined by  Rod Goldhahn , Secretary of the  Brown County Taxpayers Association , to discuss local taxes, government spending, and citizen involvement. Rod explains the association’s role in educating residents about public finances and encouraging participation in local government—especially as many local races continue to run unopposed. The...

This week on Lean Local, Jim Schmitt welcomes Mayor Eric Genrich for a citywide checkup covering some of Green Bay’s biggest ongoing stories. The discussion begins with election season, as 109 local positions are now open for candidates. The mayor and Jim review what it takes to get on the ballot and why so many seats still go uncontested, raising questions about civic participation at the local l...

In Green Bay, 67% of local elections run unopposed. A statistic that raises real questions about civic engagement and accountability. When candidates stop competing, ideas stop competing too. This week on Lean Local, Jim Schmitt brings together two voices who know the election process inside and out: Pat Moynihan from the Brown County Clerk’s Office and Celestine Jeffreys, the City Clerk of G...

In this episode of Lean Local, hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, the focus is on local issues including a new project designed to combat homelessness. Schmidt interviews Terri Refsguard, CEO of the new Community Shelter in Green Bay, who discusses their recent groundbreaking for 41 supportive housing apartments aimed at providing permanent housing for those who have completed transitio...

Jim Schmitt welcomes  John Woodhead of Woodhead Insurance  to unpack what  open enrollment  really means for families in Green Bay. John explains how the  Affordable Care Act  bases financial assistance on income— the lower your income, the cheaper your plan becomes —but notes those subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. The conversation also looks at why  medical bills are so hi...

Every day, around  170,000 people die worldwide  and most families are left making emotional, high-pressure decisions in their hardest moments. This week on  Lean Local with Jim Schmitt , guests  Alyssa Nelson  and  Dana Schmitt  from  Newcomer Funeral Home  join the show to discuss the value of  funeral pre-planning —and how it gives people the opportunity...

This week on Lean Local, Jim Schmitt sits down with Mark Murphy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, for a conversation that bridges football, leadership, and community. The two share a long history of collaboration, and that connection sets the tone early in the interview. “We got a lot done together,” Jim recalls with a smile. Murphy reflects on his journey from growing up in Hamilton, t...

This week on Lean Local with Jim Schmitt, the focus turns to local news in Green Bay — where it’s thriving, where it’s fading, and why it matters. Jim is joined by Mike Hollihan of the Press Times and Connie Fellman with Civic Media. They discuss how national headlines have replaced community coverage, leaving many local elections and stories unseen. They unpack the rise of news deserts, the chall...

This week on Lean Local with Jim Schmitt, Congressman Tony Wied joins the conversation to discuss what’s happening in Washington and how it affects Northeast Wisconsin. From the ongoing government shutdown to his work on the Agriculture Committee, Wied explains where things stand and what comes next for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District. He shares what he’s hearing directly from farmers, why...

Former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt welcomes a conversations with Students, Parents, Police, and School Board Members to talk School Safety.

In this episode of Lean Local, host and former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt focuses on local issues and initiatives in Greater Green Bay. He discusses past episodes covering the impact of volunteers and addresses local challenges such as improving reading proficiency and mental health awareness. The featured guest, Laurie Radke, outgoing president of the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, discu...