Conversations: Recent Episodes
WDRT
Frank Dravis and Tennille Osthoff discuss the proposed 765 kilovolt power transmission line and its proposed right of way, with a 250’ easement, across Vernon, Crawford, and other Wisconsin counties.
Mary Christenson hosts Susan Townsley discussing the services Stonehouse Counseling (stonehousecares.com) provides for all ages. Also, she outlines the many collaborations that exist within the county, schools and other social agencies that work to assure that mental health services and education are widely available.
Joe Block tells about his transition from Chicago Businessman to living in rural Wisconsin, the history of Yuba and his upcoming vintage motorcycle gathering.
The structure is up, so whats next? Get an update on the new bridge at Lansing as host Kailean Welsh talks with DOT Project Manager Clayton Burke on this week’s edition of “Conversations.”
In this week’s Conversation, Frank Dravis and Leslie Wegener, Chief Election Inspector for the Village of Stoddard in Vernon County, discuss the details of the election process at the local level, including ballot security, how new voters can register, and the day in the life of an election poll volunteer during election day.
Erik Davis (born June 12, 1967) is an American writer, scholar, journalist and public speaker whose writings have ranged from rock criticism to cultural analysis to creative explorations of esoteric mysticism.[1] He is perhaps best known for his book Techgnosis: Myth, Magic and Mysticism in the Age of Information, as well as his work on California counterculture, including Burning Man, the human potential movement, and the writings of Philip K. Dick.
Learn more about Sharing the Land model for private landowners to get help caring for the land and recreationists to gain access for outdoor activities. Doug Duren joins Marcy West to discuss the evolution of the idea and how to get involved.
On this week's show host Steve Brandl talks with Christina Dollhausen and Karen Innis about the area's upcoming Music and Arts events and the formation of Fourthstream as a driving force behind the Driftless region’s creative future.
Movement is the topic for this week’s Conversations. Guest Mandy Herrick talks with host Kailean Welsh on the value of movement and how our activity in a space impacts the space. Pretty fascinating.
Guest Tatiana Katara joins host Kailean Welsh for this week’s Thanksgiving episode of Conversations. They talk traditions, stories, and gratitude, exploring ways to re-align with the greater meaning of this holiday.
Deer and the deer hunting tradition is the topic of Conversations airing November 20, 2025. Marcy West is joined by long-time conservationist Jeff Hastings, who currently serves as the southern representative to the Natural Resources Board and Dan Goltz who works for the Department of Natural Resources as the Wildlife Biologist for Vernon and Richland Counties.
Granville 'Sonny' Van Dusenis an American stage, screen, and voice actor who portrayed Race Bannon in the 1986 television series The New Adventures of Jonny Quest,
Van Dusen portrayed the 16th president of the United States for 25 years in the one-man play, The Memoirs of Abraham Lincoln. His 1992 performance in Wausau, Wisconsin, aired by Wisconsin Public Television and part of its archives, drew a standing ovation and his depiction of Lincoln is regarded among his best work stage acting.
He has appeared in over 200 films and tv shows and has done over 1000 voice overs for commercials. He lives half the year in DeSoto
This week, Host Steve Brandl talks with Abbie Hawes and Tomas Herrera from Ethos Green Power Coop about the latest news in Green Energy and their worker-owned Co-op. Tune in to learn more about Solar energy production and Mini-Split heating and cooling.
Loma Huh and Mary Christenson explore the value of cultural exchange in learning to be more open, knowledgeable and understanding of people from other cultures. Loma married a S. Korean man and lived in Korea for several years raising their children before relocating to Viroqua. Since 2011 she and her niece have created programs for many Korean students to have a unique experience of Viroqua while improving their English skills.
Emily Berge, Democrat candidate for Wisconsin’s 3rd District, US House of Representatives joins Frank Dravis for a conversation on the upcoming election, demographics of the 3rd district, rural healthcare, and other topics of current interest.
For this week’s Conversations, host Kailean Welsh speaks with Susan Nesbit about her work as a Death Doula. Susan talks about the importance of reclaiming death as a natural part of life and shares ideas on how we can prepare for the end of life from an intentional and open space.
DeWayne, Lori and Aaron from Linds Home Center talk with Steve Brandl about the history of their business and other businesses and happenings in the Cashton area.
Joel Jepsen, Forestry Specialist for the Wisconsin DNR joins Marcy West to have a Conversation about what makes our woodlands special and the programs and people who can assist landowners in managing their forests.
I have chosen an hour with a great woman from "Down Under" as my last regularly scheduled Conversation. Recorded eight years ago, and still vivid in my memory. I think Sister Val is just what the world needs right now.
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.
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 Holahan hosts Karla Bloem, 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.
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
Dena Eakles hosts Rebecca Cooke Democratic Candidate for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District