The Weather'd Report

Join Bruce Magee and Ken Madden for The Weather'd Report Episode 97, as they welcome Amir Santiago, founder of Santiago Cigars, for a conversation about premium hand-crafted cigars, the Tiki community, and the future of tobacco cultivation on California's Central Coast. We'll explore the history of Santiago Cigars, the art of hand-rolled premium cigars, cigar culture, and the exciting projects Ami...

Real-World Uses from the Kitchen to the Job Site This week’s Saturday Morning Coffee Chat on The Weather’d Report, we’re cutting through the hype and getting real about Artificial Intelligence—not the sci-fi version, but how it’s actually being used in everyday life. From figuring out what to cook with what’s already in your fridge… to fixing problems around the house… to leveling up creative work...

Morning Coffee Chat with George Fontes ☕ In Episode 95 of The Weather’d Report, Bruce Magee sits down with George Fontes for a relaxed conversation about the early episodes of George’s World Ablaze Podcast. Over coffee and microphones, Bruce and George talk about the themes George has been exploring on his show, including Iran, immigration, geopolitics, and the cultural shifts shaping today’s wor...

Episode 94 — Bold Flavor & Great Coffee Tonight we’re joined by our longtime friend Aaron Deshotel to talk about his Kickstarter campaign for Ember Forged Spices — chef-crafted blends designed to bring bold, restaurant-quality flavor to everyday home cooking. With over 20 years in professional kitchens, Aaron created clean-ingredient, all-purpose spice blends that eliminate guesswork and deliv...

After Ken curated music for Bruce in the first installment, Episode 94 reverses roles. Bruce brings selections designed to surprise Ken — whether it’s an unfamiliar track, an unexpected performance, or an artist he didn’t see coming. With no context given in advance, Ken reacts in real time, drawing on his own musical background and instincts. The conversation focuses on feel, craft, and the momen...

Minnesota is once again under a national spotlight. In this episode of The Weather’d Report, we’re joined by returning guest and Minnesota State Representative Shane Mekeland for a grounded, inside perspective as fraud investigations and renewed attention on Minneapolis continue to unfold. This is an evolving story — with facts still emerging and narratives moving quickly. Representative Mekeland...

Season 3 of The Weather’d Report begins with music. Ken will introduce songs Bruce has most likely never heard before. Bruce reacts in real time — no prep, no backstory, no safety net. Both hosts are musicians with shared tastes that span genres and decades, including eras that predate them both. Ken’s musical lineage runs deep through his late father, Eddie Madden, a composer who worked closely w...

In Episode 90, Bruce and Ken welcome longtime friend and independent journalist Steve McShane for a raw, insightful conversation that spans his days in Whiskey Hell to the creation of Razor Wire News — and the revelations that pushed him to start telling the real stories others won’t touch. This episode blends deep conversation, real-world perspective, and classic Weather’d Soul authenticity. The...

In Part 2 of Bruce’s conversation with George Fontes, the energy shifts into a calm, Sunday-morning coffee chat about the craft behind his voice. This episode explores the inner workings of World Ablaze — how George shapes his tone, develops his topics, and brings a distinctive presence to the microphone. George walks Bruce through his creative process, the mindset he enters before recording, and...

In Part 1 of this two-episode feature, Bruce sits down with George Fontes — AV veteran, entertainment industry insider, and the personality behind the champagne-and-cigar lifestyle. This episode focuses on the man before the microphone: His early path into events and AV The realities of high-pressure entertainment production What he learned managing crews, venues, logistics, and expectations How t...

This week’s Weather’d Report, Bruce sat down with longtime friend Joey DeSimone to talk about their shared history with the Lake Lundy Lunkers — that tight-knit crew of guys who gather every year for a weekend of fishing, poker, and camaraderie that’s equal parts tradition and therapy. What started years ago as a simple fishing trip has evolved into a genuine brotherhood. Bruce and Joey swapped st...

Bruce sits down with his good friend Joey DeSimone, a member of the Lake Lundy Lunkers — a tight-knit group of men bound by fishing, poker, and lifelong friendship. A man rooted in community and creativity, Joey has worn many hats — radio personality, actor, and now vending-machine entrepreneur. He’s proof that reinvention can be fun when you bring your sense of humor and a love for people along f...

Episode 85 of The Weather’d Report features Brian Tramel as Bruce revisits the first album he ever bought — ELO’s Out of the Blue. Music, memories, and nostalgia come together in this crossover episode with STS Pod Club.

This Sunday, The Weather’d Report brings you Episode 84: Shootin’ the Shiznit with Brian Tramel. I’ve been waiting a long time to do a show on Professional Wrestling, and I couldn’t be more excited for this one. Brian joins the show to share stories from the wrestling world, commentary on pop culture, and plenty of laughs along the way. Visit Brian’s site at https://soundcloud.com/shootintheshizni...

We explore how Drew Holmes — musician, librarian, and entrepreneur — built Boomer Music Company, ThePodcastingStore.com, and DrumsWest.com into thriving, community-driven brands. From orchestra libraries to retail counters, Drew’s story shows how adaptability, purpose, and local connection keep music alive even in the digital age. Links & Resources: https://www.boomermusiccompany.com/ https://...

How innovation in less-than-lethal defense tools can empower citizens to protect themselves, their families, and their freedom in uncertain times. This week on The Weather’d Report, Bruce sits down with Michael Mercer, founder of F3Defense.com. A retired Mesa, AZ police officer and U.S. Navy veteran, Michael brings decades of experience in law enforcement, crime prevention, and community safety. H...

Episode 79 of The Weather’d Report, “Is this a Turning Point for America”, brings Bruce and Ken together for a deep dive into the week’s biggest headlines. We’ll discuss the fallout around Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel’s firing, and the broader ramifications for free speech under the Trump administration. Special guests (to be announced) will also join the conversation with their own insights.

In this special Episode 78 of The Weather’d Report, Bruce and Ken sits down with Jason Polinski of 3D Response Systems and Minnesota State Representative Shane Mekeland. They discuss how school safety systems are evolving, the intersection of technology and public policy, and how state government can support innovation while ensuring accountability. Whether it’s proactive threat mitigation, emerge...

Danny Hudson returns to share what’s new at Tennessee Hot Sauce Co. in 2025—product drops, subscription growth, retail placements, and the realities of scaling a family-run, small-batch brand. We dig into sourcing, co-packing vs. in-house, margins, shipping, marketing, and what’s working on socials. If you love craft hot sauce or you’re building a food brand, this one’s packed with playbook-level...

In this milestone episode, we welcome back Don Huizenga —entrepreneur, historian, and sharp observer of human nature. Together we explore timeless patterns in politics, religion, and economics: from Rome to Jerusalem, the Crusades to the Middle East, and the Founding Fathers to today’s global finance battles. We dive into Israel/Palestine, the Abraham Accords, corporate consolidation, the debt-to-...

This week on The Weather’d Report , we’re joined by Don Huizenga , the mind behind the Terminator Clip —a small innovation making a big impact in the construction world. Don shares the story of how a simple clip is transforming siding installation: reducing waste, saving time, cutting costs, and standing up to 140 MPH wind tests. We’ll dive into the invention process, the challenges of bringing ne...

Welcome back to The Weather’d Report! Today we have a warm and delightful guest joining us—Andy Lindloff, the co-founder of Woodland Creek Candles & Apothecary Products, based in New Richmond, Wisconsin. In 2023, Andy and his daughter Molly turned their passion into a flourishing small business, hand-pouring natural soy-blend candles, wax melts, room sprays, body and lip balms—all made with to...

In this Episode we continue our discussion on the Hot Rodding Topics and show you the Interviews Ken collected during his week end at the show. Ken spent the weekend at the legendary Street Machine Nationals—an annual event held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. As lifelong classic car enthusiasts, Ken and I share a deep affection for the timeless beauty of yesteryear. But as the years go by, th...

Ken spent the weekend at the legendary Street Machine Nationals—an annual event held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. As lifelong classic car enthusiasts, Ken and I share a deep affection for the timeless beauty of yesteryear. But as the years go by, the definition of a “classic” keeps evolving. It’s no longer just about Grandpa’s ’32 Deuce Coupe, your Uncle’s ’65 Mustang, or Dad’s ’71 442. Tod...

Ken and I continue our journey through the Golden Age of music, exploring the 70s, 80s, and early 90s—and how today’s music stacks up. In Episode 70: The artists and songs that became legends Why older music feels more “human” than modern hits The impact of streaming and production trends Listener stories and personal memories We’re still using insights from channels like Rick Beato’s as a springb...