Conversations: Recent Episodes
WDRT
Frank Dravis discusses the Coulee Region cultural scene with guests Allison Krzych of the Pump House Regional Arts Center, and Gabriella Marvan founder of the Mexican Folk Art Collective. Of the topics they cover, including Artspire and the creation of alebrijes, the trio also explore the roots of the art center and when the Myrick Park Zoo monkeys escaped from the Pump House. Where would they go?
Frank Dravis delves into the Prairie Enthusiasts and Friends of the Blufflands with his guests Jim Rogala and Jon Rigden. They have an enlightened conversation on what comprises a prairie, especially the dwindling goat prairies that still adorn our bluff tops in the Driftless Region. The use of fire as a prairie management tool is discussed, how the native Americans employed it prior to the region being settled, and the importance of remnant species as vessels of our biodiversity genome.
Dena's guest is Debra Giilispie, the founder of Milwaukee's Mothers Against Gun Violence. She advocates for the voices of survivors of gun violence, recognizing the healing evoked in telling their stories. This is a powerful telling of one mother's love.
Tamara Dean talks with Ed Holahan about her new book, "Shelter and Storm", a marvelous account of living on the land in the Driftless.
Disaster recovery is a long process and the Village of Ontario knows that as well as all communities along the Kickapoo River that have had to deal with floods. In this episode of Conversations, Marcy West gets an update from Ontario Village President, Mike Parr on what makes Ontario a great community and highlights the projects completed since the historic flood of 2018.
Mary Christenson revisits themes of Viroqua's road to revitalization with Teresa Washburn, the first project manager of the Viroqua Revitalization program that began in 1989. Thirty-five years later we reflect on the dynamic period since then, built on the creativity, collaboration, good will and integration of new energies that Viroqua is known for today.
Join Marcy West as she chats with two long-time volunteer firefighters from the La Farge Fire Department - Phil Stittleburg and Lyle Dorschied. Hear about the critical role volunteers play in keeping us safe in rural areas, some memorable fires in our area and how to keep your family and property safe. Truly, there are heroes among us in every community!
Immigration is the topic for this week’s Conversation. Host Kailean Welsh talks with Michele Engh about her recent visit to the southern border and what she’s come to know about the immigration situation in America.
Eddy interviews his brother, Norbert Nix, musician, and record company guy who just moved back to the Driftless from a career in Nashville.
Host Steve Brandl talks with Julia Buckingham of the Kickapoo Valley Forest School about the schools history and educational philosophy of using curriculum based on full immersion in nature.
Dena's guest is Amanda Ali, Wisdom Wisconsin and Racine Interfaith Coalition's digital organizer on Immigrants and Immigrant RIghts. Learn factual ways of helping stem the misinformation about our Immigrant neighbors, co-workers and friends.
This week, Host Marcy West talks with Vernon County Zoning Administrator Matthew Albright about the proposed County Comprehensive Plan, Farmland Preservation and other land use issues.
Taylor Henry of Viroqua and owner of the national publishing company, Acres U.S.A, talks with Host Mary Christenson on a wide range of agricultural topics including his path to farming and his many other ventures.
Host Kailean Welsh talks with Pete Beckstand from the Bethel Butikk in Westby about their store, the importance of charitable giving and the history of Boxing Day.
This week Dan Kiedinger of United Country-Oakwood Realty talks with Host Steve Brandl and shares his knowledge and best practices when buying or selling property in the Driftless. Lots of great advice!
Dr. Sarah D'Ononfrio is Dena's guest on this conversation about digesters, protecting our environment, community and the everyday actions people can take to limit their exposure to plastic pollution within our food system.
This week, Host Ed Holahan talks with Musician Dodie Whitaker about her career and the upcoming Holiday Concert on December 14 by the Ridgetones.
Mary Christenson speaks with Teresa Washburn about the Viroqua Main St. and Revitalization program of the late 1980's.
Retired Executive Director of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve - Marcy West talks with host Steve Brandl about her new book "Protecting Paradise in the Driftless" which covers how and why the KVR was formed and its evolution over years.
“The Changing of the Gods” is our “Conversation” on WDRT 91.9 fm Driftless Community Radio this week as Kailean Welsh talks with Jenny Cain and Jerome McGeorge about this 10-part docu-series offered monthly in Viroqua. Called “A Revolutionary Series for a Revolutionary Time,” we explore historical cycles, planetary correlations, and the part humanity plays in an integrated universe as we seek the best way through these changing times.
The Changing of the Gods is a 8 week video and discussion group based on the docu-series at the Viroqua Commons, running the last Monday of each month at 6pm. Get more info here
This week, Host Steve Brandl talks with Local Historian Brad Steinmitz about the History of the village of La Farge from the early 1800's to the present, including stories of the first tribes to inhabit the area, early European settlers and if the town's first basketball court really did have a wood stove at half court.
Brad Geyer is Dena's guest this week. Brad is a Veteran For Peace - Madison Chapter. They discuss the costs of militarism, the propaganda that keeps it going, and the need for more voices for peace and justice.
This week, Host Ed Holahan talks with Dr. Paul Bergquist about what brought him to the Driftless and his journey to become a Doctor of Family Medicine in Viroqua.
This week Host Mary Christenson talks with Ada Lenarz about her travels and volunteer teaching work in Guatemala.
More information on this topic:
https://tejiendofuturos.org
Instagram and Facebook
Taking Flight https://filmfreeway.com/TakingFlight435 -- an interesting documentary about Ingrid Aguilar, their founder (English subtitles available)
https://gofund.me/221141aa
Kailean Welsh talks with Vernon County Clerk Jerry Pedretti about preparations and requirements for voting this November.
Host Steve Brandl talks with Kevin Larson of the Vernon County Fair Board about its history and upcoming 2024 Fair.
Shawna McDowell is Dena's guest. She is Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden for Vernon County. It is a wide ranging and informative conversation
Tom Fassbender talks with Organic Valley CEO Jeff Frank about how he landed at Organic Valley and what to look forward to in the future.
Host Mary Christensen talks with David Paull of Compost Now about household and municipal composting options.
Dena Eakles talks with Arsenio Sorrell, professional writer and performer from Madison, WI.
Kailean Welsh speaks with Riverlorian Steven Marking about one of America’s great treasures, the Mississippi River.
Host Steve Brandl talks with members of the Cheyenne Settlers Heritage Society about Homesteading life in Cheyenne Valley (Vernon County) in the 1800's. Guests include Kevin Alderson, Diane Revels and Ronesa Revels.
This week host Tom Fassbender talks with Matthew Canter of Highland Farm about how he became a first generation organic dairy farmer.
Garvin Mayer and Tracy Budworth of Vernon Communications Co-op talk with host Steve Brandl about the history of telephone service in the Driftless and new technology options in rural America.
Host Mary Christenson talks with Sue Noble - Executive Director of the Vernon Economic Development Association about its origins and upcoming initiatives.
On this week's Conversations, Guest Host Sarah Bratnober talks with Scott Lind and John Heasley about the Dark Sky Movement and simple things we can do to protect our nocturnal habitat and enhance the night skies of the Driftless region.
Host Kailean Welsh talks with local historian Bill Burke about the history of the Blackhawk Bridge that connects Lansing, IA to DeSoto , WI.
Host Connie Minowa talks with Justin Miller about the local music scene for the summer of 2024.
Dena's guest is Alan Chavoya, a member of Milw. Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Wisconsin Coalition of Justice in Palestine. We talk about humanistic approaches to activism.
This week, host Tom Fassbender talks with Esther Crotser about her activism centered around reproductive healthcare.
Host Steve Brandl talks with Chad Berger of Westby, WI and Earnie Bell of Dakota, MN about their motorcycle adventures to Alaska, Mexico and the Mountain West.
This week host Ed Holahan talks with Marinella Pro about her childhood growing up in Turin, Italy, Puppeteering and her 20 years as a Waldorf teacher in Wisconsin. Marinella also compares the pros and cons of Italian drivers vs U.S. drivers.
Kailean Welsh speaks with Viroqua Library Director Trina Erickson about all-things library and Viroqua!
Dena Eakles and Rachel Ida Buff address anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism and the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
Host Mary Christenson talks with Franica of Bricolage Cirkus about her aerial arts school in Viroqua and Francia's interesting life's journey which landed her in the Driftless.
Allison Mendoza of LPL Financial talks with Host Steve Brandl about socially responsible investing and simple ideas on how to start planning for retirement.
Host Tom Fassbender talks with Youth Initiative High School's Administrator Matt Voz about the latest happenings at YIHS, whales and their favorite necktie knots.
Ed Holahan talks with his lifelong friend Johanna Taylor Katroscik about stories from the past and Johanna's latest adventure into blueberry farming.
A sweet essay about a close encounter water rescue of a little jumping mouse ( Zapus), written by Ben Johnston.
And a brief warning and description of a plant no one wants to live anywhere near; Poison Hemlock, making its way into our landscape. But we will prevail! Forewarned is forearmed!
Dena Eakles Alan Buss Board President of Vernon County Energy District discussing renewable energy
Brian Wickert hosts Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson discussing the functions of the department.
Mary Christensen hosts Philothea Bezin discussing the mid 1970' "Back to the Land" settlement in the Driftless Area
Lars Begren interviews the interviewer Joe Orso discussing the life transition and end of life farewell ritual surrounding Joe's departed father, Jim Orso
Ed Holahan hosts at talk with Randall Olson "Big brain, big heart, good man" as the host describes his guest in his own description of today's hour.
Kailean Welsh hosts Diane Huth on Isla Mujeres Mexico discussing retirement living in other countries.
Dena Eakles host Dr. Paula Rogge from Physicians for Social Responsibilty discussing steps towards nuclear disarmament
Mary Christensen hosts organic farmer Justin Trussoni, discussing the wide variety of food based cooperative businesses in the Driftless Area.
Ed Holohan hosts Karla Boehm, Executive Director of the International Owl Center in Houston, MN
Brian Wickert hosts Luigi Morelli discussing his work with co-housing and intentional community building in Ithaca, New York (This is a re-broadcast from 2019)
Dena Eakles hosts Voces de la Frontera Executive Director Christine Neumann-Ortiz and UW Madison Professor Armando Ibarra discussing immigrant rights.
Joe Orso hosts Lars Bergen discussing an assortment of viewpoints about farming, ecpnomics and life.
Mary Christenson hosts Nan Marshall discussing a wide variety of interests and finding a true home in the Driftless Area
Ed Holohan host Mark Shepard discussing the importance of Permaculture in modern Agro-Ecology.
Kailean Welsh hosts her brother Greg discussing his rich history involving organic agriculture in the Driftless.
Mary Chritensen hosts Janelle Thimmesch discussing Zero-point Balancing and other healing modalities.
Joe Orso hosts Sawyer Paar and Ellena Wolff.discussing the joys of being young organic farmers in the Driftless.
Host Ed Holohan chooses a special brodcast from the archives of Life on the Radio which was the predecessor to Conversations. Ed and former co-host Genie Nordskog speak with Prudence Tippins suggesting a strategy for the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration and other holiday family gatherings.
Tatiana Katara hosts Toby Grotz and Al Kaspersky discussing alternatives to alternative energy including "Free Energy".
Mary Christensen hosts Gail Frie, Kelly Whited-Ford and Kathy Doerfer discussing green burial and Viroqua's new green cemetary
Joe Orso hosts Susan Cushing discuss a variety of subjects including her role coordinating the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (archived re-broadcast)
Mary Chritenson hosts Lucien Dante Lazar- Anthroposophist Scholar and Artist-discussing his upcoming exhibit at the Commons Gallery in Viroqua
Ed Holohan hosts Deborah Ecklund talking about the "good old days" and growing up in Viroqua
Mary Christenson hosts Rachel Jepson-Wolf discussing soapmaking, entrepreneurial business and community based volunteer projects