A "cosmic romp" & local news controversy
365 Amplified
On the podcast today, Rob, Stephanie and Omar talk through some local news, including a summit of Milwaukee social justice nonprofits, a snow removal apprenticeship program and the Madison College soccer team's first-ever trip to the national tournament. Then, poet and performer Gina Cornejo joins the show to preview her new production at Theatre LILA, "Planets as Stars," opening this weekend. Then, we have an update on Channel 3000's unethical and erroneous reporting on Urban Triage and consider the larger context of racism and media ethics.
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A false news story, a response and what it all means
365 Amplified
This week, News 3 Now published an erroneous news story about Madison-based nonprofit Urban Triage, and . On the podcast today, Rob, Nicholas and Omar talk through how that went down and what it means for the larger landscape of journalism and media. Plus, this weekend, Midwest Mujeres is hosting its fifth annual "Yo Quiero Dinero" storytelling event, so founder Araceli Ezparza and production manager Jonathan Delgado join the show for a preview, and Omar has a recap of the annual Black Parents Summit with Madison schools. It's NewsMatch time! Your donations in support of nonprofit local media...
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FoodShare ends this weekend
365 Amplified
Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, Omar Waheed Guest: Prenicia Clifton Episode Overview This week, the team covers the end of SNAP benefits and its impact on Wisconsin families and small businesses, the return of Madison Nonprofit Day, the growing threat of media capture, and a few lighter conversations to close the show — including conspiracy theories they wish were true. SNAP Benefits Ending Nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites are about to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of November 1. Rob, Stephanie, and Omar discuss what this means for food...
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Pumpkins, politics & a rising Disney star
365 Amplified
Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, and Omar Waheed Guest: Nate Buescher, UW–Madison freshman and star of Disney Channel’s Electric Bloom Runtime: 53:38 On this week's podcast, we catch up on a range of news stories from the week, and get acquainted with a new neighbor who's a rising Disney star. 🌟 Leadership Summit Preview The eighth annual 365 Leadership Summit is just around the corner, happening Monday, November 3, at the Madison Concourse Hotel. Stephanie and Rob preview the lineup: Opening panel “Leadership Unscripted” with Henry Sanders, Dr. Sagashus Livingston,...
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"Fascism aims to divide us:" a conversation with Francesca Hong
365 Amplified
Rob and Omar kick off this week’s 365 Amplified with stories making headlines across Madison365: Hmong New Year 50th Anniversary – A preview of this year’s celebration marking 50 years since Hmong families began arriving in Wisconsin, emphasizing renewed connections with elders and cultural traditions. Indigenous Business Conference – Omar reports from Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Casino, where hundreds of Indigenous entrepreneurs and tribal leaders gathered to discuss sovereignty, new trade opportunities, and economic independence. Funding Cuts for Nonprofits – At Madison’s...
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Madison's first woman-centered sports bar is coming soon
365 Amplified
Two big stories to discuss on the podcast today: first, editor-in-chief David Dahmer joins the pod to preview the opening of Bernell's, Madison's first sports bar focused on women's sports. (Don't worry, they'll show the Packers too.) Then, Omar has a recap of the Sun Prairie Area School District, where voters passed a no-confidence motion against Superintendent Brad Saron. Finally, after the requisite mentions of Forward Madison and Milwaukee Brewers, we consider: what's the sound cue you want when you enter a room? Connect: Full coverage at Support Local Journalism: If you...
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Madison College has a new president
365 Amplified
On this week's 365 Amplified, Omar and Rob talk through a tense Common Council session on a new men's homeless shelter that ended in confrontations between alders and protesters. Then, we go over a change at the University of Wisconsin, where the Office of Human Resources has eliminated its Equity, Inclusion and Employee Wellbeing Department, and what that might mean for the university's faculty and staff. Then, new Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne joins the show to discuss her vision for the college, how it fits into the fabric of the community, and how it can empower more...
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The GenXPats
365 Amplified
Today on 365 Amplified, Rob, Omar and Nick give an update on what we know -- and what we still don't know -- about who's been trying to enforce Madison parks rules with unhoused people on Madison's east side. Next, we've learned a lot about some disturbing allegations that led to the arrest of the Sun Prairie West High School Dean of Students on charges of child pornography and exploitation. There's quite a bit we still don't know -- including whether or not the dean of students ever actually applied for that job. Then, lots of people have said during the Trump era that they want to...
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"A Court of Resistance." Judicial candidate Huma Ahsan
365 Amplified
In this week’s episode of 365 Amplified, hosts Stephanie Díaz de León, Omar Waheed, and Rob Chappell dive into a wide range of local and national stories — from media censorship and free speech battles to community leadership and grassroots democracy — before welcoming a special guest. Featured Interview: Huma Ahsan Madison attorney Huma Ahsan, candidate for Dane County Circuit Court Judge (Branch 1), joins the show to talk about her journey from immigration law to tribal courts, her work rebuilding a judicial system from scratch on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation, and...
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Affordability, Equity, and the Road to 2026: David Crowley Joins the Race
365 Amplified
This week on 365 Amplified, the team dives into national, state, and local news—and sits down with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has just entered the race for governor of Wisconsin. Highlights from this episode: Political violence and rhetoric: The hosts discuss the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, the responses from both the right and the left, and the broader implications for gun control, public safety, and accountability. Wisconsin politics: David Crowley joins the show to talk about his campaign for governor, his path from youth organizing to county executive,...
info_outlineHosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, and Omar Waheed
Guest: Nate Buescher, UW–Madison freshman and star of Disney Channel’s Electric Bloom
Runtime: 53:38
On this week's podcast, we catch up on a range of news stories from the week, and get acquainted with a new neighbor who's a rising Disney star.
🌟 Leadership Summit Preview
The eighth annual 365 Leadership Summit is just around the corner, happening Monday, November 3, at the Madison Concourse Hotel. Stephanie and Rob preview the lineup:
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Opening panel “Leadership Unscripted” with Henry Sanders, Dr. Sagashus Livingston, Karen Menendez Coller of Centro Hispano, and Chairman Tehassi Hill of the Oneida Nation.
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Honoring the 2025 Most Influential Leaders at the evening celebration.
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Presented by UW Credit Union and other key sponsors.
“It feels like a homecoming,” Stephanie says — a reunion for changemakers across Wisconsin.
Register now at 365LeadershipSummit.org/registration.
🔫 Moms Demand Action at the Capitol
Omar reports from the State Capitol, where Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held their annual Advocacy Day, pushing for six common-sense gun safety measures:
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Banning guns on college campuses
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Universal background checks
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Extreme risk protection orders (“Red Flag Laws”)
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Tax-free gun safes
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Stricter liability for unsafe firearm storage
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Background checks for gun store employees
Stephanie reminds listeners that “the Second Amendment is not absolute,” and Rob notes that every proposal sounded “pretty sensible.” Read Omar's story here.
📚 Wisconsin Book Festival: Shobha Rao Returns
Omar recaps his interview with novelist Shobha Rao, author of Indian Country, ahead of her Wisconsin Book Festival appearance. The book explores land, memory, and identity through a murder mystery lens. Rao recalls her “healing” time living in Madison as a young adult and her love of Wisconsin's own Laura Ingalls Wilder. Read Omar's story here.
🏫 MMSD’s $507 Million Plan
Madison voters approved a massive school facilities referendum, and the Sherman and Shabazz schools are first in line for new buildings. Omar details plans for larger classrooms, separate libraries, and a 13,500-square-foot gym — all ready by September 2027. Stephanie highlights how basic needs like warmth, air flow, and space “deeply affect how kids learn.” Read Omar's story here.
🥫 SNAP Benefits Suspended
Rob reports troubling news: 700,000 Wisconsinites could lose access to FoodShare (SNAP) benefits starting November 1 due to the federal government shutdown. The panel discusses who’s affected — families, seniors, and the disabled — and pushes back on myths about “lazy” recipients. Read Rob's story here.
🎬 Guest Interview: Nate Buescher, Star of Electric Bloom
Rob chats with Nate Buescher, a freshman at UW–Madison and co-star of Disney’s new teen series Electric Bloom, now streaming on Disney+. Nate shares:
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How he landed the role after months of auditions
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Filming in California and the culture shock from Chicago winters to LA
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His plans to study biology while continuing acting
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His lifelong passion for storytelling — from Weebles Wobbles commercials at age seven to now being part of Disney’s next big friendship series.
“Even though the show’s for tweens,” Nate says, “my grandma watches it — and she loves it.”
💬 The Question: “What’s Your Ratio?”
In the closing segment, Stephanie poses this week’s question:
“What’s your ratio of pretending to know what’s going on versus actually knowing what’s going on?”
After a wild story about a $88 million jewel heist at the Louvre, the crew confesses to plenty of “confident BSing.” Omar admits he’s “winging it 70% of the time,” while Rob recalls faking his way through a grad seminar, and somehow getting away with it.
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365 Amplified is produced and edited by Rob Chappell for 365 Media Foundation, a nonprofit local independent media organization based in Madison, Wisconsin.
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