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Politics, Prom & Plushies

365 Amplified

Release Date: 03/28/2025

Wine & cupcakes! show art Wine & cupcakes!

365 Amplified

Today, we announce the date and opening of registration for the eighth annual , the state's premier professional development, networking and community building event. Plus, we wrap up the sixth annual list of Wisconsin's Most Influential Asian American Leaders and share a bit of basketball news. Then, Rob Chappell visits Shakkiah Curtis at the Black Business Hub, where this weekend she celebrates the grand opening of Tailer Nicole, her wine and cupcake bar, and where she hopes to see you this weekend! Connect: Full coverage at  Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work,...

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Madison Black Restaurant Week is coming show art Madison Black Restaurant Week is coming

365 Amplified

This week, Rob Chappell brings you news and voices from the community while the rest of the team is scattered. Highlights include: 📰 Top Stories: The Center for Black Excellence and Culture announces it has raised all $31 million for construction—debt free! A Black Lives Matter sign at Crestwood Elementary is vandalized. The Girls State Soccer Tournament kicks off with Madison-area teams in the finals. Forward Madison celebrates Juneteenth with a special jersey designed by local artist Brooklyn Doby. 🍽️ Main Interview: Camille Carter, President and CEO of the Madison Black...

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Chuck Brown is dead show art Chuck Brown is dead

365 Amplified

In this week’s episode of 365 Amplified, the team dives into the Juneteenth celebrations happening around Dane County and across Wisconsin, previews summer opportunities with the Maydm youth STEM program, and spotlights Madison Night Mares softball team in their second season. Then, Rob is joined by Anna Gonzalez, Alys Dickerson, and Patty Heaston of American Players Theatre to discuss how the repertory company is expanding access and representation in its programming. The conversation highlights their new contemporary production The Death of Chuck Brown, written and directed by Gavin...

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We Tell the News show art We Tell the News

365 Amplified

This week, the 365 Amplified crew covers a range of timely and thought-provoking topics: 🏥 Meriter Nurses Win Contract Fight Omar recaps the surprising outcome of the Meriter nurses' five-day strike, which ended in a new contract featuring an 8% raise over two years and steps toward improved staffing ratios and safety accountability. 🏛️ Hospitals Shift DEI Language Amid Political Pressure Rob breaks down new reporting from Wisconsin Watch on how major healthcare systems like SSM and UW Health are altering their DEI messaging in response to anticipated federal scrutiny—raising...

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"Empathy is not a bargaining chip"

365 Amplified

This week on 365 Amplified, the team dives deep into some of Wisconsin’s top stories: UnityPoint Health Meriter Nurses Strike: Omar reports from the picket line as nurses strike for better pay, safer staffing, and improved patient care. It's the first strike of its kind at Meriter, and we break down the stakes, the support, and what might come next. Read Omar's reporting and . Madison Mallards Celebrate 25 Years: Nick heads to the Duck Pond to catch the latest in family fun—including a human claw game and zip-line beer delivery—and reflects on the team’s community-first legacy. ...

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Passing the Torch: Dr. Alex Gee hands Nehemiah over to Harry Hawkins show art Passing the Torch: Dr. Alex Gee hands Nehemiah over to Harry Hawkins

365 Amplified

In this week’s episode of 365 Amplified, hosts Stephanie Díaz de León, Rob Chappell, and Omar Waheed dive into local news and the real-world implications of artificial intelligence in journalism. Omar recaps his trip to Detroit for the Online News Association’s AI Summit and reflects on how media organizations must evolve alongside emerging technologies. The team also covers local news, including the opening of the Atwood Music Hall and an ongoing following a controversial fluoride vote and reported harassment of local residents. Later in the episode, Rob sits down for an in-depth...

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Food is medicine show art Food is medicine

365 Amplified

This week, the full crew is in the house! Rob, Stephanie, Dave, Omar, and Nicholas share stories and sharp insights from across Wisconsin. 🖌️ A South Side Tribute in Color Dave shares the story behind a vibrant new mural on Park Street honoring South Side Madison legends, designed by the Hip-Hop Architect Michael Ford. Hear how families and community members reacted to seeing their loved ones immortalized in art. 🎷 Jazz, Justice & Mary Lou Williams The crew discusses the upcoming Madison Jazz Festival, including a spotlight on the Mary Lou Williams tribute show featuring Madison...

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Get outside! Advice for enjoying the great outdoors right here in Madison show art Get outside! Advice for enjoying the great outdoors right here in Madison

365 Amplified

Underground Hiking Collective founder Jasmine Banks joins the show today to give some recommendations for great places to enjoy the great outdoors for a hike or a paddle in and near Madison. She also dispenses some words of wisdom on what to wear and bring to ensure you have a good time on the trail. Plus, local men's health advocate Gary Davis chats with Rob about next weekend's free health screening event and the disparities he's faced in his journey as a cancer survivor. Connect: Full coverage at  Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365...

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We got DOGEd show art We got DOGEd

365 Amplified

In this episode of 365 Amplified, Rob Chappell is joined by Dave Dahmer, Nicholas Garten, and Omar Waheed for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from NFL Draft day thrills to the real-world impact of abrupt federal funding cuts. Dave kicks off the show with a firsthand account from the NFL Draft in Green Bay, where Packers fans celebrated the unexpected first-round pick of wide receiver Matthew Golden. The crew breaks down the electric atmosphere and discusses the surprising fall of quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the fifth round. Then Rob shifts gears to a much more sobering...

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Draft Day Edition show art Draft Day Edition

365 Amplified

This week on 365 Amplified, Rob Chappell, Stephanie Diaz de Leon and Omar Waheed bring you an episode of the week's most important news. 🎉 The crew starts with a look at the NFL Draft in Green Bay, including how the Packers are using the moment to promote diversity through workshops and vendor opportunities. 🧃 Omar gives a flavorful recap of a THC beverage tasting event in Madison, spotlighting several local vendors — including the state’s first Indigenous-owned cannabis company — and how Wisconsin’s murky legality around THC creates both opportunity and awkwardness. 🇵🇸...

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More Episodes

This week, the team is back from a much-needed break and ready to break down the big news in Madison and across Wisconsin.

🧑‍⚖️ Local Elections Are Here (April 1!)

  • The gang discusses the impact of local elections, including the upcoming Madison Common Council races and the statewide constitutional amendment on voter ID.

  • Confusion around election dates? We break down what’s real and what’s political misdirection.

  • Rob and Stephanie unpack why these “small” elections actually matter—local government = big consequences.

Interview: Joanne Pritchett

  • We hear from the challenger for District 9 Alder, on her motivation to run, her advocacy style, and environmental concerns in Madison’s west side.

Most Influential Native American List

  • Rob highlights Madison365’s sixth annual list celebrating influential Native American leaders statewide.

  • The team reflects on how the list has grown and the importance of representation across professions—judges, teachers, CDFI leaders, and more.

Encore Prom & Wisconsin’s Aging Population

  • Want to relive prom with purpose? Verona’s Encore Prom is back—this year’s event supports older adult programming amid Wisconsin’s aging demographic surge.

  • Read more here.

Nerd Bugs Makes the INC. 500 List!

  • Madison’s own Dr. Ronak Mehta lands on Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 for her educational plushie startup, Nerd Bugs.

  • Omar shares how the company began as a children’s book idea and turned into a national health education tool—with cute, anatomically-correct organs.

  • Read the story here.

⚽ Soccer, Shots, and Showdowns

  • Forward Madison advances in the U.S. Open Cup and prepares to host a second-division team for the first time ever.

  • Rob dreams of the ultimate “Jager Henny Derby” and defends his love for Jägermeister.

  • Plus: a surprise sports education moment on “escort parades” for local teams—and what the 365 crew would want to be celebrated for.

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