Raised in the Woods

The outdoors of Wisconsin provide so much to us, from natural beauty to bountiful harvests, but one thing that many folks don't know is that one of the most delicious delicacies in Dairyland can actually be found in our own front lawns. Today Chef Ellie Lawton-Smoller teaches us about the many ways that the humble dandelion can be prepared and consumed ! So next time you have some out-of-staters d...

Last week we met a young outdoorswoman who went on her first ever turkey hunt, but this week we're spicing things up another notch by talking to Tylor Flynn of the National Wild Turkey Federation ! Tylor and the NWTF know just about everything there is to know about turkeys in Wisconsin, including how to do some KILLER impressions of our favorite feathery friends. So join us, won't you?! It's gonn...

Hey-o, Wisco! Today Joel Kleefisch and chef-eree Ellie Lawton- Smoller are joined by special guests Mr. and Mrs. Justin Kumbier and 13-year-old Harper Schumacher to talk about Harper’s first time turkey hunting! It’s an exciting day as Joel gets to share his feelings on that special first hunt experience, Justin tells us about the joy of helping young people get into hunting, and Hunter walks us t...

Spring is sprunging and it’s time to talk about all of our favorite spring-based activities in Wisconsin. Dad jokes start flying left and right as the team introduces themselves to their new producer. Joel challenges chef-eree Ellie to come up with a recipe for a delicious meal based only on the random assortment of ingredients he tosses at her! The stakes are high as Danielle must choose a new co...

Wisco, today we end one chapter so that another may begin. Producer Jess- hi, that's me writing this podcast as I've written them all for the past 10 months!- is moving on. No, nothing dramatic, it's just time for a new adventure in healthcare! So today, we reflect. From our first meetings to my first hunting trip, we've come a long way. Here at Civic Media we cherish the opportunities to bring to...

Wisconsin, we made it to spring! In just a few short days, the spring turkey season opens. You butter believe we're ready for those birds, with Joel scouting like crazy and Ellie testing out new recipes daily. Make sure you're ready for it as well by buying leftover spring turkey tags, information available here. Today we talk with two people serious about birds. Tim Andryk is part of Ducks Unlimi...

Wisconsin, we're in that quiet time between hunting seasons, but there's still so much to do in our great state! Buy your leftover turkey tags for the spring season here and be ready to get out there! Today, we talk with our newest recurring guest, taxidermy extraordinaire Wendy Christensen. She last joined us a few weeks ago to discuss her incredible work preserving Samson the gorilla . Wendy's w...

Wisco, at the end of the day, what is this program? That's right, all together now: A COOKING SHOW! In honor of Joel's favorite dish, food, today's episode features culinary artists Ellie Lawton-Smoller, Megan Salazar, and Alex Ezell, with Mike Kretschmer along for commentary. Still, we begin with some Weekly Wiscos- highlights (or, er, lowlights in one case) of life in Wisconsin. And then, it's i...

We were all raised in Wisco. And you know who else was? A gorilla named Samson. In 1981, Samson the gorilla, a beloved Milwaukee icon who inspired so many to pursue science and love animals, died. After his death, the Milwaukee Zoo and a strong segment of the public wanted his body preserved as a taxidermy mount. And a nearly equally vocal and impassioned group opposed the efforts. So his body sat...

Oh Wisconsin, the hunting and fishing seasons may be drawing to a close. But that doesn't mean there's any shortage of fantastic things to do in this great state! Ice fishing remains open and viable as long as the ice holds. Watch out for the ice beginning to thaw, water-side first, though! Today, we catch up with friends of the show Ellie Lawton-Smoller, our cheferee, and Mike Kretschmer, senior...

What does it take to achieve high accuracy long distance shooting? Well, Wisconsin, we asked the expert. Tom Stewart of American Defense Manufacturing joins us to discuss guns, shooting, hunting, and eating varmints. If you've ever wanted to learn how to shoot a target at 900+ yards, this one's for you. Across his multiple careers and throughout his life, Tom's developed a keen fondness for guns a...

Wisconsin, get ready for a TRULY Wisco episode. Two weeks ago, we talked with outdoor enthusiast and guide, Dan Timm . Dan shared how he'd recently attended the 98th Annual Delafield American Legion Coon Feed. What's that? So glad you asked! It's a yearly fundraiser for the Legion- Post 196- featuring auctions, raffles, and a whole lotta raccoon. Today, Commander Terry Frazier and his fellow Coon...

Wisconsin, you know how we roll. Every week, we bring you people with the experience and connections to help you get *out there* and enjoy the best of this amazing state! This week, Nick Scaffidi and Will Galligan join us to talk fish and birds. Nick is the owner of Milwaukee Offshore Fishing, a Lake Michigan charter fishing business, and Will is his first mate. These two offer guided fishing trip...

It can be intimidating to start a new hobby. Especially if you don't know anyone who has the connections, equipment, and know-how to get you started. When that hobby is hunting, it can feel extra obstructed. And that's where Raised in Wisco comes in! We've got the people, we've got the experience, and we can absolutely help you get into the great outdoors of Wisconsin to enjoy all that our amazing...

At long last, Danielle returns to the group! And thank goodness for that, we've been a little off track (do we ever really have one of those though?...) In addition, Shotgun Sarah Engel joins us, with Cheferee Ellie Lawton-Smoller rounding the ranks for the day. Sarah is the current President and a cofounder of Wisconsin's Women's Hunting and Sporting Association . WHSA is a movement focused on co...

Bonjour, Wisconsin! Danielle is still out this week, so Ellie Lawton-Smoller and Mike Kretschmer fill out the ranks. This week, it's all about treating Producer Jess, with two surprises from Joel! One of those surprises helps answer the question: what do you do with the non-meat part of a hunted animal? Also this week, we're catching up on some Weekly Wiscos and getting TWO fantastic recipes. Gues...

Wisconsin, winter is truly upon us as the fall turkey season ended this past Sunday. However, there's plenty more hunting to be done this season and so much more to come in spring. This week, Danielle's off enjoying some well-earned vacation, so Ellie Lawton-Smoller is here to fill in. Joining us as well is Marty Simpson, a friend of the show-- normally. Today, he's got a few bones to pick with Jo...

Happy New Year, Wisconsin! We start off this new year of 2025 just like we finished t2024- talking about all the great things Wisconsin offers in her beautiful outdoors. A few days ago Joel, Danielle, and our friend Ellie Lawton-Smoller went turkey hunting. Now that's not surprising. But one thing was different- who secured the permission for them to hunt on the land, and who did the scouting. Usu...

Happy Holidays, Wisconsin! This week, we're revisiting some of our favorite moments from the past few months. First, highlights from our star-studded November 23rd episode with The Fowl Life crew. What brings together this disparate ragtag group? A love of the great outdoors and authenticity. Then, from October 26th , learn about the Gold Star Shoot with Matt Johnson and Jeremy Walker. Next, some...

Wisconsin, we've got another packed house for you for this episode! We've got First Hunt Wisconsin 's state director Alex Ezell and deputy state director Megan Salazar. Also along for the ride is friend of the show, Gator Gal, and First Hunt Wisconsin's Share the HERitage representative Ellie Lawton-Smoller. From the shadows, friend of the show Rob Brennecke. All together, it's a recipe for laughs...

Helloooo Wisconsin! This week, Raised in Wisco takes a southern turn as Joel, Danielle, and Ellie Lawton-Smoller share their tales of hunting in central Florida. The team primarily journeyed south to hunt alligators. However while there, they figured they'd do their level best to help with the wild hog problem as well. Tune in for this episode to hear successful hunt stories from Danielle and our...

Wisconsin, we are currently spoiled for choice when it comes to hunting. Whatever species you're choosing to hunt or fish this week, bring us along for the ride! This week, Ellie Lawton-Smoller joins Joel and Danielle to talk about what it means to bring a new hunter (Producer Jess) into the fold. In just a few weeks, Joel will take Jess out for her very first hunt (turkey). We talk together about...

Wisconsin, it's gun deer season and that's enough to keep Joel running on about 3 hours of sleep a night. He's been busy, so tune in for even more Joel tangents than usual, and try to keep up. He hosted some serious outdoor and culinary celebrities for the past week. Joel also interviewed Green Bay Packers icon Leroy Butler on how his excited leap into the stands after scoring a critical touchdown...

What do a 6 time World Barbecue Grand Champion , a watermelon farming social media platform creator , a UFC Featherweight , and our two Raised in Wisco hosts have in common? A friendship with Chad Belding, national host of The Fowl Life tv series and a great love for the outdoors! Wisconsin, this is a jam-packed episode about making connections and being honest. Join Joel and Danielle as they talk...

Hey there, Wisconsin! Joel's back from Spain, but his voice might still be across the Atlantic. In addition to sampling local cuisine that gets us salivating, Joel went hunting. Because of course he did. He hunted a Beceite Ibex, a truly remarkable animal with majestic horns. And an animal not typically hunted for food in Spain- at least not for humans. That is, until Joel went and made the best d...