WTMJ Conversations

Educator Peter Rettler has run every single day for over 30 years. Today on WTMJ Conversations, he tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how his journey began, continuing through hurdles like kidney stones, cancelled flights, and childbirth, and why he decided to turn his passion into a way to raise funds for the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial in Kewaskum. It's all ahead on this invigorating edition of WTMJ Convers...

In the summer of 2020, twins Leena and Leean Le joined Milwaukee activist Frank Nitty's march to Washington. What they experienced over those 24 days would change the course of their lives forever. Today, they sit down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to talk about how they became involved with the march, the cult-like atmosphere that developed as they walked across the country, and the way that summer a...

For some it's a dream come true, selling it all and hitting the road in an RV to see the country. Well, Kira and Tim Lafond did just that. Today on WTMJ Conversations, they talk with WTMJ's Libby Collins about their journey, the plethora of people they met along the way, and what they learned about themselves and each other. It's all ahead on this free-spirited edition of WTMJ Conversations!

We were shocked how quickly the Afghan government fell apart when the U.S. troop withdrawal took place. But Qadir Shah Hotek lived through it. Today, he tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how he escaped Afghanistan not knowing where he would end up, his long journey to the United States, starting a new life from nothing, and his work helping other new immigrants adjust to life in the United States. It's a...

Most of us would never get on a plane, without knowing your destination, to meet the love of your life on a TV show. But Racine's Grace Girard decided to look for love on Fox TV's Farmer Wants A Wife. She tells WTMJ's Libby Collins how she found love on a TV show and the unexpected turn her romantic life took after the cameras stopped filming. It's all ahead on this delightful edition of WTMJ Conv...

Roger Caplinger spent 33 years as the Medical Director for the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2017 he received the devastating news that he had pancreatic cancer. Today, he sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss his remarkable journey, what he learned from working with the Brewers, the revolutionary pancreatic cancer research being done in Milwaukee, and so much more. It's all ahead on this edition...

With the RNC in Milwaukee, politics are at the top of everyone's mind. On this edition of WTMJ Conversations, Libby Collins shares 3 interviews about an American political dynasty: the Kennedys. First, Libby talks with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy about his struggles with mental health. Next, an interview with the former boarding school roommate of JFK Jr., and finally, an exclusive intervie...

Diana Higgenbottom Anagnostopoulos has had a long journey. After finding out as a child that she was adopted, her search for her birth parents is a story decades in the making. Today, she sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to tell the whole tale, from finding out that her biological mother did not want to meet her, to being reunited with her father's family, and having her journey be the focus of...

Ivan Bannier, a sixteen-year-old from Franklin, Wisconsin, is part of a very exclusive club. He is one of about 500 people to earn every scouting merit badge! On this edition of WTMJ Conversations, he talks with WTMJ's Libby Collins about his favorite badges, the highs and lows of his quest, the badges that almost made him give up, and what he could possibly do now. Be prepared for this exciting e...

WTMJ's Sandy Maxx brings you backstage for this exclusive preview of the diverse music lineup and new unique attractions at Summerfest. Milwaukee World Festivals, Inc's Vice President of Entertainment, Scott Ziel, and Senior Director of Marketing, Jerrod Woods, give you an insider's look to help you plan to make the most of your visit to The World's Largest Music Festival.

Sister Debra Sciano is not only the provincial leader for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, but she also spent years working in the District Attorney's office. What's it like being a nun in the 21st century? Sister Debra Sciano joins WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss balancing her duties to the church with her life as a lawyer, the increasing age of nuns, and much more on this candid edition of WTMJ...

In early 2023, Mark Jensen was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 1998 murder of his wife. Today, WTMJ's Libby Collins sits down with that trial's jury, Ken Humphrey. Ken goes deep into the jury selection process, gives us the inside scoop on how a jury operates, and talks about his new book, which is loosely based on his experiences with the trial. It's all ahead on this thrilling...

You know her from Spanning the State and As Goes Wisconsin, but there's so much more to Kristin Brey. Today, she sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to tell her story. Tune in to hear about Kristin's life as an actor in Hollywood, her time working in tech in New York, and how she ended up in Milwaukee at WTMJ. It's all ahead on this exciting edition of WTMJ Conversations.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson recently proclaimed April 7th, 2024 as "Milwaukee Record Day" in honor of the publication's ten year anniversary. Today, WTMJ's Libby Collins sits down with the Milwaukee Record's co-founders, Matt Wild and Tyler Maas, for a hilarious discussion about music, culture, gentle sarcasm, and much more on this edition of WTMJ Conversations.

As the CEO of Sellars Absorbent Materials, Tom Sellars has been dedicated to creating sustainable, environmentally friendly products. But Tom is much more than a businessman. He has worked with artists like James Taylor, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, and even Paul McCartney to plan massive concerts to raise awareness of Earth Day. Tom joins WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss how he first began working...

Musician Ben Mulwana was born in Uganda, but now resides in Wisconsin. Today, he tells WTMJ's Libby Collins the story of how he began playing music in Africa, his move to Wisconsin, his biggest culture shocks and much more on this edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Do you ever wonder what goes on at the Port of Milwaukee? Jackie Q. Carter is the current president of the Port of Milwaukee. She's also the first woman and first person of color to hold the position. Today, she joins Libby Collins to discuss her path to the port and the importance of what the Port of Milwaukee contributes to the city. It's all ahead on this edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Whether you watch PBS for concerts, documentaries or kid's shows, they've got programming for everyone. Today, Libby Collins is joined by Vice President and General Manager of Milwaukee PBS, Debbie Hamlett. Debbie discusses the most popular PBS shows, the process of a PBS project from conception to national distribution, and much more. It's all ahead on today's WTMJ Conversations!

Many people dream of writing a book. But where do you start? On today's WTMJ Conversations, Libby Collins sits down with founder of Waukesha's International Creative Writing Studio, Kathie Giorgio, to discuss how she began writing, the events in her life that inspire her work, how she helps aspiring authors get published, and much more! It's all ahead on this exciting edition of WTMJ Conversations...

If you wanted to record an album, where would you go? Nashville, New York, or L.A.? What about Grafton? Today, WTMJ's Libby Collins sits down with Blues Historian Angie Mack to talk about a recording studio that recorded some of the most influential blues artists of the genre. Learn about the early days of Paramount Records, how Grafton is keeping its blues legacy alive, and much more on this exci...

Anwar Floyd Pruitt may be the most interesting man in Milwaukee. He is an artist and puppeteer, a Harvard graduate, and much more. He sat down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss how he became an artist in his 30s, being attacked while creating a Black Lives Matter mural, and more on this exciting edition of WTMJ Conversations!

Growing up, David Lee wanted to be the Chinese George Clooney. Today, he's the president and general manager of Milwaukee NPR. He sits down with WTMJ's Libby Collins to discuss how he ended up in Milwaukee, the trials and tribulations of working as a screenwriter, the tremendous impact that public radio has had on his life, and much, much more. It's all ahead on this exciting edition of WTMJ Conve...