Scaffidiology

Sarah Pancheri is the President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF) which hosts the annual Summerfest celebration along Milwaukee's lakefront, as well as many other events throughout the year at the Henry Maier Festival Park. Pancheri, who took over the reins at Summerfest after Don Smiley retired, sat down with Scaffidiology Podcast Host Steve Scaffidi for a look at her role at MWF an...

He’s not only the owner of one of Milwaukee’s premier steakhouses (Carnevor), but Omar Shaikh is also a principal partner of downtown Milwaukee's 3rd Street Market Hall, which recently was voted one of the best food halls in America. Shaikh joined Steve Scaffidi for a conversation about Milwaukee, his role in the local restaurant scene, and his thoughts on leading by example on the latest edition...

Its four campuses are located in Central Milwaukee and serve more than 2,000 students from K-3 through 8th grade. 91% of its students are black, with 85% coming from economic disadvantaged backgrounds.  Milwaukee College Prep's CEO Al Keith joins Steve Scaffidi for a look at their unique Milwaukee schools achieving high marks in a challenging educational environment. To find out more about Milwauk...

In a recent sports card auction, a rare Victor Wembanyama NBA rookie card sold for more than $500,000.  Since the pandemic in 2020, interest in buying and trading collectible sports cards has been increasing at a blistering pace, with many retailers selling out their shelves as quickly as the new boxes arrive from manufacturers like Panini and Topps.  Scaffidiology podcast host Steve Scaffidi sits...

It's the maiden voyage for ESPN Wisconsin host Alex Strouf and 620 WTMJ host Steve Scaffidi up in The Cheap Seats! They talk about how they'd fix the sports calendar, give their personal Dive Bar must-haves, argue about pizza crust (there's a right side to this debate), and share Opening Day stories.

He's worn a lot of hats in his long career in public service. As Ambassador to Luxembourg, Mayor of Milwaukee, and as a Wisconsin Congressman, Tom Barrett has met a lot of people in his life. In a two-part, wide-ranging conversation with Steve Scaffidi, Barrett details what life was like as a U.S Ambassador, lessons he learned while spending three years in Europe, and how that experience continues...

He's worn a lot of hats in his long career in public service. As Ambassador to Luxembourg, Mayor of Milwaukee, and as a Wisconsin Congressman, Tom Barrett has met a lot of people in his life. In a two-part, wide-ranging conversation with Steve Scaffidi, Barrett details what life was like as a U.S Ambassador, lessons he learned while spending three years in Europe, and how that experience continues...

He’s a Wisconsin guy with a love of weather forecasting and just talking about the weather, a perfect recipe for an extended conversation with Steve Scaffidi on the Scaffidiology Podcast. With over 20 years of experience in weather forecasting across the state, and a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Brian Niznansky combines great scientific acumen with his ability to communicate...

Writer James Wigderson is well known in Wisconsin as a voice of conservatism and common sense when it comes to politics. He’s also a regular contributor to the Political Power Hour on Newsradio 620WTMJ, which airs weekdays, from 9 – 10 a.m. His twice-weekly newsletter, Wigderson Library and Pub, is a reader-supported publication which offers James unique takes on everything from culture to politic...

Gary D'Amato has covered the golf world for more than 4 decades. His work has appeared in every major golf publication, as he's reported on dozens of major golf tournaments around the world. He was inducted into the WSGA Hall of Fame in 2017 and his work has been recognized by the Golf Writers of America, which he currently serves as President. D'Amato sat down with Scaffidiology Podcast host Stev...

Wisconsin resident Gavin Scudella had been sick for a long time and was facing a challenging health future as he received weekly dialysis and waited to receive a donor kidney. Kelly Haefs, his next- door neighbor and friend, made the decision to participate in the National Kidney Exchange, a decision which would change Gavin's story by allowing him to receive a voucher for a donated kidney, one mo...

Local musicians Isaac Marquardt and Connor Erickson make up part of the Milwaukee band Barely Civil. Their album, "I'd Say I'm Not Fine", was recently chosen by Piet Levy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as Milwaukee's 2024 Album of the Year. 'Barely Civil has made the finest Milwaukee album of the year, and one of the finest albums to come from anywhere in 2024', Levy wrote in his recent story o...

Veteran Milwaukee Journal Sentinel journalist Mary Spicuzza joins Scaffidiology Podcast host Steve Scaffidi for a look back at a story that made newspaper headlines in Milwaukee in 1978. August Palmisano, Spicuzza’s cousin, was killed by a car bombing on June 30, 1978, a case that remains unsolved to this day. Spicuzza details the open questions in the case and possible connections to the Milwauke...

AARP's Director of Communications Jim Flaherty sits down with Scaffidilogy Podcast Host Steve Scaffidi for a primer on how to avoid the scammers during the holidays. Porch pirates, gift card fraud, and other scams are unfortunately part of our holiday reality, and we'll walk you through how YOU can avoid them. Steve Scaffidi is also the host of the Political Power Hour on 620 WTMJ, heard Monday th...

America’s favorite co-host, Carole Caine, joins the Scaffidiology Podcast for a look at Thanksgivings past, and how she celebrates Steve Scaffidi’s favorite holiday. Steve Scaffidi is also the host of the Political Power Hour on 620 WTMJ, Monday through Friday, 9–10 a.m.

It’s the generational divide. Political Power Hour host Steve Scaffidi is joined by Martin Moore, a content creator for Koss Corporation, former frequent guest on Steve’s old show and current weekly guest on The Upswing with Jeff SHerman. They discuss issues regarding teaching financial literacy, the affordability of housing, social security and the overall uncertainty of one’s own financial futur...

Hunters are set to take to the woods across Wisconsin in late November for the annual gun deer hunt, and Journal Sentinel Outdoors editor Paul Smith joins Steve Scaffidi for a conversation about one of the state’s best traditions. For the first time starting this yar, Wisconsin deer hunters can use air rifles which have no recoil and, more importantly, quiet. This year's deer population, according...

Rush Tribute Project (RTP) members Sean Jones, Bill Heck and Thomas Slawnik sit down with Scaffidiology podcast host Steve Scaffidi for a look at their 20-year career playing the music of Rush.  Combining vintage instruments and a state-of-the-art light show, RTP recreates the live concert experience of one of one of the most significant and top-selling rock bands of all time.  Steve Scaffidi is a...

Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community, joined Steve Scaffidi for a conversation on the impact of artificial intelligence (A.I.) on the small business community and how it could soon change all of our lives. Steve Scaffidi is also the host of the Political Power Hour on 620 WTMJ, and the Decision Wisconsin Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts or at wtmj.com.

You can see her great work every Saturday of the college football season on ESPN's College Gameday, and listen to her Monday through Friday, 7-9 a.m. on the Jen, Gabe and Chewy Show on ESPN 94.5 in Milwaukee, but that's just part of what makes Jen Lada so good at what she does. With a resume built on her significant experiences as a sports reporter, radio host, and an award-winning journalist for...

Andrew, Nick, Frank and Bobby, the Engel’s unique Pastiche Bistro and Wine Bar combines their love of food with an appreciation of family, with a mix of French, Spanish, Italian and American dishes. The Engels sat down with Steve Scaffidi for a lively conversation about their restaurant with family as a centerpiece of their business model. Steve Scaffidi is also the host of the Political Power Hou...

Golf has always been a popular sport, but golf merchandising has also seen a meteoric rise in consumer interest and sales. Swag Golf, launched in 2018 by four friends in Northbrook, Illinois, now employs 150 people nationwide, and is currently building a new 30,000 square foot headquarters. Chief Operating Officer Scott Weber, along with founder Nick Venson, have created an innovative and unique c...

Author Brian Reisinger shares his family's story of struggling to survive as a small midwestern farmer and documents the challenges facing them as they deal with economic and environmental concerns along with a growing mental health crisis. The Associated Press called Land Rich, Cash Poor, an "anthem to the family farm in America." Reisinger is also the President of Platform Communications. Steve...