WTMJ Conversations

The Marcus Corporation has built a stellar reputation in entertainment and hotels over the last 90 years. CEO Greg Marcus tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how it all began, talks about how movie theaters have evolved over the years, and takes a look at the future on this blockbuster edition of WTMJ Conversations!

The city of Port Washington has been at the center of the ongoing heated debate about A.I. data centers and their impact. Mayor Ted Neitzke sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss his path to leading the city and his vision for Port Washington. He also breaks down the entire story of how Port Washington was chosen as the site for a data center, and addresses concerns and criticism. It's all...

Attorney Anthony Cotton has been representing criminal defendants for over twenty years. He's worked on some of Wisconsin's most infamous cases, including representing Morgan Geyser and Maxwell Anderson. He sat down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss how he got his start in criminal defense, some of his biggest and strangest cases, getting "not guilty" verdicts for clients who had confessed to c...

Dan Winkelman has lived many lives. Today on WTMJ Conversations, he sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss joining the Air Force as a teen, being a world-traveling pastor, his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and more. Dan's latest adventure? A motorcycle trip to Hope, Alaska to raise awareness for Pancreatic Cancer. Get ready for motorcycle cameraderie, wildlife encounters, and more on this e...

Steve March-Tormé grew up around stardom in New York City and Los Angeles. The son of singer Mel Tormé and stepson of actor Hal March, Steve grew up playing music with friends like Liza Minnelli, Carrie Fischer, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Dean Martin Jr. He sat down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to talk about sharing the stage with his famous father, working on a game show, the trials and tribulations of the...

Nationally known gardening expert, TV and radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers joins WTMJ's Libby Collins to talk about how she began her career, how she spends her winter months when the plants aren't blooming, interviewing celebrities in their gardens, and much more on this edition of WTMJ Conversations.

Mark Van Hecke is a composer and producer born and raised in Milwaukee who has lead a fascinating life. He sat down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss his beginnings in music, composing for the Milwaukee Rep and actors like Willem Dafoe, producing the first albums for the Violent Femmes, creating music for video games and so much more. It's all ahead on this fascinating edition of WTMJ Conversat...

The future of the Domes has been in discussion for many years. Today on WTMJ Conversations, Libby Collins sits down with Christa Beall Diefenbach, Executive Director of Friends of the Domes. She talks about the history of the domes, from their opening in the 1960s to where they are today, as well as their architectural and horticultural significance. She also details Friends of the Domes, plan to...

The Milwaukee Art Museum's new director had a long and interesting path to her new position. Today on WTMJ Conversations, she sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss the painting that changed her life, revitalizing the National Portrait Gallery, why she loves the Milwaukee Art Museum, and so much more.

Chef Gregory León, owner and operator of Amilinda, has been nominated four times for a James Beard Award, but has never attended culinary school. Since opening his restaurant, Chef León has used his talents as a chef to support charities including Ronald McDonald House, Tables Across Borders, and the Fondy Food Center. On WTMJ Conversations, he sits down with host Libby Collins to discuss his prog...

A heart/lung transplant is an extremely rare & high risk procedure.  In fact, the UW Heart Transplant Center has only performed 17 such transplants since 1989. Today on WTMJ Conversations, WTMJ's Libby Collins sits down with Kortney Zblewski, a Wisconsin mother who documented her journey as a heart/lung transplant recipient on TIkTok. Kortney talks about her wait for a heart and lung, the challeng...

Sara Larson is the Founder and Executive Director of Awake, a Milwaukee-based organization representing survivors of clergy abuse throughout the United States. Today on WTMJ Conversations, she sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss why she founded the organization, the mission of Awake, infiltrating the Vatican to get her message to Pope Leo, and much more. It's all ahead on this edition o...

This week, Mayor Cavalier Johnson appointed Adam Procell as the new Director of Milwaukee's Office of Wellness and Community Safety.  A few days before the announcement, WTMJ's Libby Collins talked with Adam about decisions he made as a teenager eventually leading him to become an advocate for violence prevention. He discussed his time in a prominent Milwaukee gang, his life in prison, and what ma...

Megan Woodward Johnson creates her paintings by talking to them. Today on WTMJ Conversations, the Artist in Residence at Saint Kate the Arts Hotel sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins. She talks about the way that she puts together her pieces from scraps and paint, the way that audiences react to her art, and much more. It's all ahead on this perspective-shifting edition of WTMJ Conversations!

The Wauwatosa Historical Society is presenting an exhibit of artifacts dating back to 1875, the year Charles Hawks, Sr. founded his business. Today on WTMJ Conversations, Joe Kresl, the current president of The Hawks Nursery Company, sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins. He talks about the history of the company, the importance of nature in urban spaces, his favorite gardens in Milwaukee, and so mu...

Maestro Alexander Platt hears music in his head at all times. As the conductor of three different orchestras, Alexander Platt works with a wide variety of different musicians. Today on WTMJ Conversations, he shares his story of how he got where he is today and his encounters with celebrities, royalty, and so much more. It's all ahead on this musical edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Local author and motivational coach Susan K. Wehrley has written 12 books. Her latest, titled Shift has been turned into a docu-reality show that will air in September on multiple streaming services. Today on WTMJ Conversations, she sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss the importance of using your intuition, how trusting her gut saved her daughter's life and revealed a family secret, the...

Billboard called The Buckinghams "the most listened-to band in America" in 1967. Today on WTMJ Conversations, guitarist Carl Giammarese tells Libby Collins everything about the Chicago pop outfit, including having the number one song in the country while being a senior in high school, playing on the Ed Sullivan Show, singing some of the most memorable jingles of all time, and so much more. It's al...

WTMJ's Sandy Maxx sits down with Milwaukee World Festival Inc President & CEO Sarah Panchieri and VP of Sales and Development Kevin Canady to discuss the hottest performers coming to Summerfest this year, the delicious food, and the newest mind-blowing experiences!

5th District Alderman Lamont Westmoreland is known for being outspoken. He's only been a member of Milwaukee's Common Council for a few years, yet has made an impact because he is not afraid to tell it like it is. Today on Conversations, he sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss what he believes are the greatest problems threatening Milwaukee and what we can do to fix them. He also reveals...

Hat making is a lost art with only 15 master hat makers left in the United States, but three of them are right here in Milwaukee. Today on WTMJ Conversations, Kate McLaughlin from the McLaughlin & Hayes Hat Company talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about the lost art of hat making, creating headpieces for stage and screen, being immortalized in the Kentucky Derby Museum, and so much more. It's all a...