365 Amplified
From Madison365, weekly discussion of the news for and from Wisconsin's communities of color and allies.
info_outline
Another Mayoral Contender, a Restraining Order Fight, and Basketball's Next Big Thing
09/11/2026
Another Mayoral Contender, a Restraining Order Fight, and Basketball's Next Big Thing
April Kigeya becomes the latest candidate to enter Madison's mayoral race, joining a growing field ahead of the spring election. Rob breaks down the ongoing fallout from a Madison police officer's restraining order against Independent Police Monitor Aracely Glass, plus new city council moves to review years of police oversight recommendations. Then, a change of pace: Rob shares the story of Braylin Calhoun, a basketball phenom from a tiny Upper Peninsula town turning heads in the national prep scene who's recently relocated to Milwaukee. Omar spotlights Sultan Ahmed's new cookbook, "Zamin," which reimagines Pakistani cuisine with Wisconsin-sourced ingredients, and previews "Ugly Little Monkeys," a documentary on a youth mariachi group screening in Madison and Oshkosh. Plus: emotional support snacks, and a ruling on candy corn.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42868960
info_outline
The thing about body cameras. Plus, Mayoral candidate Brian Benford
09/04/2026
The thing about body cameras. Plus, Mayoral candidate Brian Benford
State Rep Shelia Stubbs is advocating legislation to require body-worn cameras in all police departments. Will that actually increase transparency? We are skeptical. On the show today, Rob and Omar dig into that, including specific reasons for skepticism. Then, we touch on a new effort to unionize yet another group of nurses, and Omar recaps his visit to the Milwaukee Black Historical Society's exhibit on racist memorobilia. Finally, former Alder Brian Benford stops by the studio to discuss his mayoral bid, truth & reconciliation, and the power of possibility.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42779790
info_outline
Madison's transparency problem
08/28/2026
Madison's transparency problem
This week, the 365 Amplified crew breaks down a suddenly crowded Madison mayoral race — Syed Abbas, Brian Benford, and Kaleem Caire all jumping in against incumbent Satya Rhodes-Conway. They dig into this week's contentious council Q&A on the Baldwin Street encampment clearing, the mayor's much-criticized answer for why she never visited the site, and lingering transparency fights with MPD and the Dane County Sheriff's Office over the Cortez shooting and a Sun Prairie traffic stop. Plus: an update on Luis Macias's return to K-12 education. Then, Common Council Vice President Carmella Glenn joins to give her unfiltered take on Monday's Q&A, the stalled 2020 ad hoc committee recommendations, and why she thinks city leadership still isn't giving Madisonians straight answers.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42587270
info_outline
An unconvincing memo, a charter school debate & a peek inside the Forward Madison PA booth
08/21/2026
An unconvincing memo, a charter school debate & a peek inside the Forward Madison PA booth
Stephanie, Omar, Abby, and Rob dig into the ongoing standoff over evidence-sharing in the Corey Ruiz shooting investigation — breaking down City Attorney Michael Haas's 11-page memo on why police records can't go to the Office of Independent Monitor yet, and why we aren't entirely buying the reasoning. Plus: an upcoming Common Council Q&A on the cleared memorial site, a visit to new Filipino food truck Las Islas Filipinas, free breakfast and lunch coming to 19 MMSD schools, and an impromptu debate on charter schools' role (and limits) in Madison. Then a crossover treat: Rob and Ethan's 608 Soccer Show interview with Forward Madison PA announcer Christopher Pennant on pronunciation prep, his "Lord of the Rings" bit and what he brings to the job from his training as a journalist. Don't miss the Sept. 12 Madison365 Night at Forward Madison ticket deal, and stick around for the window-vs-aisle roundtable debate.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42509550
info_outline
Another policing problem
08/14/2026
Another policing problem
The crew breaks down a chaotic primary election night and what the results mean. Then, a disturbing story out of Sun Prairie: a Dane County sheriff's deputy followed a 19-year-old Black woman for six and a half miles before handcuffing her dad and throwing her to the ground. Plus, SSM Health's latest attempt to delay its nurses' union, Halal Restaurant Week's expansion to Madison, and a lightning round on the crew's most irrational competitive streaks.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42434485
info_outline
After the encampment: Accountability & trust in Madison
08/07/2026
After the encampment: Accountability & trust in Madison
This week, the team breaks down a chaotic week on Madison's east side: the city's clearing of the Williamson and Baldwin Street encampment that had formed after police killed Corey Ruiz, the violent altercation between independent police monitor Aeiramique Glass and Madison Police, and the ongoing fight over whether the Office of the Independent Monitor will get the evidence it needs. Common Council Vice President Carmella Glenn joins to describe what she witnessed firsthand, why she calls the police response "unsafe," and why she's backing a resolution tying city spending on the response to funding for police oversight. Plus: Black Restaurant Week returnsnext week, the Madison Public Market profiles continue, and the crew plays a round of "what were you sure you'd be good at?"
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42352610
info_outline
Who's Policing the Police? Plus, Madison Public Market is Open!
07/31/2026
Who's Policing the Police? Plus, Madison Public Market is Open!
The crew packs a full room this week: nine days after Madison police killed Corey Ruiz, Rob breaks down the standoff between the Office of the Independent Monitor , Madison Police and the state DCI over evidence access. Plus, we have updates on the La Crosse homicide inquest and Charles Myadze's latest trial delay. The Francesca Hong-led governor's race gets a deep dive on electability, race, and the most recent Marquette poll. Plus: Stoughton kills its Flock camera contract, the CARES team's five-year mental-health-response numbers, an algae-eating boat on Lake Monona, a new mural at Lighthouse Christian School, and Rob's on-site interview with Madison Public Market CEO Keisha Harrison on opening day.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42277370
info_outline
A police killing in Madison
07/24/2026
A police killing in Madison
On Wednesday, Madison police shot and killed 38-year-old Corey Ruiz at the corner of Williamson and Baldwin Streets in Madison. Today on the podcast, we talk through what we know and what's next. Then, we talk through some more news that came up this week: the end of SNAP and Badgercare benefits for refugees and some other immigrants; a growning run club for young people of color in Madison, Ju Ju's Block Party coming up in August, a debate over Flock cameras in Stoughton, and a white politician's ad that implies people of color are unelectable. And in our roundtable question: in a heavy week, what were the bright moments?
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42201175
info_outline
The $570,000 Question
07/17/2026
The $570,000 Question
New studio, same crew — 365 Amplified moves into the Black Business Hub's new podcast studio with a full house. Rob and Stephanie dig into the messy world of campaign finance reports as Wisconsin's governor's race heats up, including a serious discrepancy in Sarah Rodriguez's filings. Beth previews Africa Fest, Omar reports from a youth social action march, Miles warns Wisconsinites about the Lone Star tick's red meat allergy risk, and Camille asks where Madison teens are supposed to hang out this summer. Plus, Myra McNair joins to celebrate 10 years of Anisa's Family Therapy and the launch of the Anisa's Foundation. It all wraps with a round of "main character energy" confessions.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42124770
info_outline
Ten Years of Interruption: Anthony Cooper on a Decade of Violence Prevention
07/10/2026
Ten Years of Interruption: Anthony Cooper on a Decade of Violence Prevention
Those swarms by the lake? Harmless, mostly. Miles gets the buzz on Madison's midge season from a UW entomologist, then Omar breaks down Meriter's nurses union facing pushback from hospital management after their historic vote. Beth shares an intimate conversation with a Madison mother fighting to get her autistic children the support — and the belief — they're entitled to. Plus: Barrio Dance scores three "yeses" on America's Got Talent, an Indigenous Cultural Celebration returns to Schumacher Farm Park, the Wisconsin governor's race narrows as David Crowley drops out, and Rob sits down with Focused Interruption's Anthony Cooper on 10 years of violence prevention work in Madison.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42032830
info_outline
Democratic governor candidate forum
07/08/2026
Democratic governor candidate forum
Blacks for Political and Social Action of Dane County hosted a forum for Democratic candidates for governor on Tuesday, July 7, at The Hub on Madison's south side. The candidates present were: Lt. Gov. Sarah Rodriguez State Rep. Francesca Hong State Sen. Kelda Roys former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes former Dept. of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley This is the full audio of the forum.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/42003605
info_outline
Food trucks, conspiracy theories and Rally reflections
07/03/2026
Food trucks, conspiracy theories and Rally reflections
This week, after a roundup of the week's news, we talk through the controversial appointment of Sean Eichorst has the University of Wisconsin's next athletic director, which happened without interviewing a single Black candidate -- including the guy doing the job now. Then, in a special 608 Soccer Show crossover, we welcome Rally Madison technical director Liz Lawrence and assistant coach Tenzin Rampa to look back on the team's inaugural season and ahead to the future of women's soccer. Finally, we wrap up with the weekly roundtable question: what's the one conspiracy theory you want to believe? We consider World Cup fixes, haunted mountain ranges, Stevie Wonder's visual acuity, subterranean biomes, the realness of birds and more. Bookmark and follow us on Facebook, Blue Sky, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up on all your local news. And catch up on 608 Soccer at .
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41949665
info_outline
"An Acceptable Level of Bureaucracy." Meet Goodman Community Center's New Boss
06/26/2026
"An Acceptable Level of Bureaucracy." Meet Goodman Community Center's New Boss
We have the full crew this week, and a robust roundup of news: an organization inviting the community to help create cartoneras to uplift Palestinian stories; a family-focused health event that grew out of one woman's faith community; the excitement around women's soccer in Madison; the chef behind all the events at Madison's Black Business Hub; an all-Spanish anthology of poetry from around the Midwest. Then, Rob chats with Christopher Talton, the new CEO of the Goodman Community Center, about connecting with a new community, what nonprofit leadership means, rebuilding trust, and what's next for the beloved institution. Finally, the roundtable question: what snack defines your generation?
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41812725
info_outline
Did Madison Police cause a man's death? Independent Monitor says yes.
06/19/2026
Did Madison Police cause a man's death? Independent Monitor says yes.
Today, we get caught up on a few news items -- including Madison's softball dominance, health advocates heading across the pond, and a young entrepreneur making a difference through totes -- before digging into the Office of the Independent Monitor's bombshell report on the in-custody death of Richard Lee Johnson in 2024. The report says Madison Police are responsible for his death through use of prone restraint, poor communication and negligence. Rob has seen the videos, and gives his assessment of the report and the Madison Police Department's response. Then, Madison Common Council Vice President Carmella Glenn joins us to discuss that case and zoom out to consider the OIM and why she says it must maintain its independence.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41699585
info_outline
Remembering Michael Johnson. Plus: Meet the interns!
06/12/2026
Remembering Michael Johnson. Plus: Meet the interns!
It's been a hard week in Madison. Today, Rob remembers Michael Johnson as a mover, and a vocal supporter of Madison365 and its mission to amplify voices and create a more informed community. Then, we meet the Summer 2026 class of Madison365 reporting interns, and hear about the stories they're working on: girls' flag football in Madison schools, the Madison Pubilc Market's soft launch, a youth entrepreneurship event for the Harmony Apartments community and Juneteenth in Sun Prairie. Plus, a big union vote at a Madison hospital. Follow Madison365 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Blue Sky, subscribe to our newsletter and bookmark Madison365.org to keep up with the latest. Links:
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41619670
info_outline
Two Wheels, One Big Vote, and a 10.7-Second Freshman
06/05/2026
Two Wheels, One Big Vote, and a 10.7-Second Freshman
It's a special, abbreviated episode of 365 Amplified as Rob and Omar welcome the first of Madison365's four summer interns to the mic. Abi Maxey makes her podcast debut and breaks down her first Madison365 story: Bikes 4 Kids Wisconsin's new "Meals on Two Wheels," an e-bike grocery delivery service partnering with the River Food Pantry to get groceries to neighbors who need them. Omar reports on Urban Triage's young adult transitional home — now one year old — and what it means for kids aging out of the foster care system, plus an update on the St. Mary's nurses' union vote set for June 11. Then Rob shares the jaw-dropping story of Waunakee freshman Ross Kidau, who may have just run the fastest 100 meters by a Wisconsin freshman ever. Plus: a call for nominations for Wisconsin's Most Influential Asian American Leaders. New episodes every Friday.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41544690
info_outline
Code Words and Common Sense with Rob Dz
05/29/2026
Code Words and Common Sense with Rob Dz
Rob, Stephanie, and Omar are back from a little break, ready to dig into a packed week of news before sitting down with a Madison hip hop legend. The crew breaks down the Office of the Independent Monitor's report on the December arrest of Police Civilian Oversight Board chair Maia Pearson, examining the show of force, the circular logic of being arrested for resisting arrest, and why "doing right and being right are two different things." Plus: the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness is moving to a new home on the south side (targeting July 1, with a community fundraising push underway), a preview of the second Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival in Monona, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra's free centennial festival weekend. Then, Madison hip hop legend Rob Dz joins the show. Fresh off a November heart attack and open-heart surgery, he talks about getting back on stage, his upcoming July 1 performance with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at Concerts on the Square — a collaboration with the Urban Community Arts Network — and a candid conversation about barriers, "handpicked ambassadors," the end of Mad Lit, and why hip hop is so often treated as a code word in a city that calls itself progressive.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41461245
info_outline
It's time to Rally
05/15/2026
It's time to Rally
Madison's new women's soccer team is in preparing for their first match next Wednesday, followed by the home opener the following Saturday. This week, Rob talked to head coach Giuliano Oliviero, goalie Malia Zillman and striker Kayla Budish about the preparations, the demands of a busy season and lots more. Plus, Madison schools are reallocating kitchen staff, which could have real implications for student nutrition. St Mary's nurses are looking to unionize, and say they're getting stiff opposition from management. Finally, the school board in Watertown voted not to allow its band to play a piece celebrating LGBTQ+ hero Marsha P. Johnson. And in our roundtable question: what objectively bad opinion could you defend in front of a jury? Bookmark Madison365.com and follow Madison365 on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram to keep up with the latest news.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41300080
info_outline
"A Great Day to be Black." Center for Black Excellence and Culture is open!
05/08/2026
"A Great Day to be Black." Center for Black Excellence and Culture is open!
This week: The Center for Black Excellence and Culture officially opens its doors, the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness calls for funding after proving its "Saving Our Babies" model works, Urban Triage gets into the hemp business, we remember the founder of Shabazz City High School, and Rally Madison puts together an advisory board for its players. Plus, Dr. Alex Gee's full grand opening speech, and we debate how many hats is too many hats. Stories discussed: — The three-story, 37,000-square-foot building on Madison's South Side held its grand opening Wednesday, featuring a theater, podcast studio, art studio, senior center, co-working space, and more. Dr. Alex Gee raised $32 million to open the center debt-free. His full speech is featured in this episode. — The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness held its seventh annual press conference urging the state to fund programs like ConnectRx and doula services that have shown measurable results in addressing Wisconsin's Black maternal and infant health disparities. — Urban Triage launched Less Noise Wellness, a full-spectrum organic hemp and CBD brand grown at Farley Center, in partnership with La Crosse-based Stacks Family Farms and Carbon Cannabis. The move aims to reduce the organization's reliance on government funding. — Dymzarov, a teacher in Madison who secured a Ford Foundation grant to start the alternative high school in 1971, passed away last week. — The pre-professional women's soccer team announced an advisory board featuring Lauren Sesselmann, Mason Crosby, Jay DeMerit and more to provide mentorship and professional development for players. Fun stuff: The hosts riff on Rob's Chromebook going into tablet mode, Stephanie's ongoing war with Rob's 30–40 hats and shoes scattered around the house, and the group's love-hate relationship with podcast advertising.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41210635
info_outline
Strikes, Stories, and Bookstores with Jeff Oloizia
05/01/2026
Strikes, Stories, and Bookstores with Jeff Oloizia
It's May Day, and the 365 Amplified crew digs into A Day Without Immigrants, the general strike organized by Voces de la Frontera, and why the day's meaning extends far beyond any single administration. Plus: the Madison school district moves to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary, the Center for Black Excellence and Culture prepares for its grand opening, a Middleton Mandarin teacher earns a 21-state teaching honor, and NFL offensive lineman James Daniels talks about opening a Black-owned bookstore in Sun Prairie. Then, Jeff Oloizia — former New York Times editor and Madison magazine writer — joins to preview his new podcast Writing Forward, celebrating Wisconsin's literary community. And a breaking story on a public health employee charged with drug trafficking raises questions about public trust. Links: Don't forget to the subscribe to the podcast, bookmark , and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Blue Sky, and Instagram for the latest.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/41113880
info_outline
"Now That It Works, They Want to Kill It." Aeiramique Glass on the PCOB controversy
04/24/2026
"Now That It Works, They Want to Kill It." Aeiramique Glass on the PCOB controversy
Madison's Common Council has new leadership — and new tensions. Sabrina Madison and Carmella Glenn make history as the first two Black women to serve as council president and vice president. Meanwhile, a proposed ordinance amendment targeting the Police Civilian Oversight Board sparks a firestorm. Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass joins us to break down what's really behind the push to rein in the office she's finally gotten up and running — and why she says the resistance started the moment oversight actually started working. Plus: an update on the CAYA Clinic AI controversy, Barrio Dance heads to America's Got Talent, and Wisconsin's Black-owned bookstores. Links: Bookmark Madison365.com and follow Madison365 on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram to keep up with the latest news.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40999510
info_outline
Who's Building Out the Public Market — And Who's Paying?
04/17/2026
Who's Building Out the Public Market — And Who's Paying?
This week on 365 Amplified, Rob takes Stephanie and Omar inside the still-under-construction Madison Public Market. After 20 years, $25 million in investment, and a string of missed opening dates, Rob visited the building and found art on the walls but no vendors ready to serve. The team digs into a key question: if the market calls itself "mission driven," why are small vendors — many of them Black and brown entrepreneurs — being required to pay for their own build-outs, and why can't they choose their own contractors? Rob shares what he learned from vendors, a UW urban development expert, city officials, and Public Market CEO Keisha Harrison. Plus, Omar reports on another round of federal funding cuts hitting the Literacy Network's refugee English program, and the team covers the early start to the 2027 Supreme Court race and a shakeup atop UW Athletics. And stick around for a crossover interview from the 608 Soccer Show with Forward Madison striker Stephen Annor Gyamfi, who talks about his secret soccer stardom in Ghana, his path from UVA to the MLS draft, and why he's saving his backflip celebration for the home opener.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40909370
info_outline
What does Chris Taylor's win mean for the midterms?
04/10/2026
What does Chris Taylor's win mean for the midterms?
This week, the team talks through the spring election results, some surprising, some with broader implications. Then, after a few other news updates, Rob sits down with Alejandro Verdin, who ran the State Supreme Court campaign of Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whose 2023 win flipped the court from a conservative to liberal majority. Verdin has some thoughts about what Chris Taylor's win, and the larger-than-expected margin of victory, means for Wisconsin, for the two parties, and the 2026 midterm elections. Finally, the roundtable question: what did you rage quit, then quietly come back to? Learn more about Jackson's Yard Care . Donate to support their new buiding . Follow Madison365 on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and watch Madison365.org every day for the latest news.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40797300
info_outline
Four Generations, One Million Dollars
03/20/2026
Four Generations, One Million Dollars
It's the season finale! (Not really.) Rob and Omar preview the sixth annual Most Influential Native American Leaders list, then discuss Hydrate IV Bar, a new hydration therapy franchise opening in Madison. St. Paul Mayor Mee Moua visits Madison as the Hmong community marks the 50th anniversary of the Hmong American diaspora. The guys dig into a Wisconsin Watch investigation on data center job claims, celebrate Middleton teens behind Meals Matter earning national recognition, and discuss the fallout from Cesar Chavez allegations. Then, Diane Endres-Ballweg joins to talk 100 years of Endres Manufacturing, $1 million in foundation grants, and the upcoming "Year of the Kids." Plus: a rough day for Madison sports.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40555640
info_outline
"Stand up. Be a man." A talk with Congressional candidate Lorenzo Santos
03/13/2026
"Stand up. Be a man." A talk with Congressional candidate Lorenzo Santos
Today, Rob talks through a few news items before welcoming Lorenzo Santos, a Navy vet and Racine County emergency management director running for Congress in Wisconsin's First Congressional District. Links:
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40422225
info_outline
"Some of my best friends are dead"
03/06/2026
"Some of my best friends are dead"
On this week's 365 Amplified, Omar and Rob talk through the new initiatives of Improve Your Tomorrow, a program targetted at students of color in Madison that we first reported on a few weeks ago which has now expanded into Verona and which will host an information session next week. Then, they go over the latest polling on the race for Wisconsin governor. Next up, Tony Castañeda joins to talk about his run for State Assembly, his long history in leftist politics and social justice, and what he brings to the race as a musician. Finally, a bit about the upcoming Forward Madison season. Read Omar's reporting on Improve Your Tomorrow and . Check out the Marquette University polling . Listen to the latest Black Oxygen and 608 Soccer .
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40337830
info_outline
Podcast history, hip-hop ed, local budget woes
02/27/2026
Podcast history, hip-hop ed, local budget woes
Hosts: Rob Chappell, Stephanie Díaz de León, Omar Waheed Dee Star's big moment: Three major milestones for Dee Star, host of the OuttaDeeBox podcast: February 3 has been declared Dee Star Day in Sun Prairie; the Out of Dee Box podcast will be the first podcast enshrined at the Wisconsin History Museum and the Sun Prairie Historical Society; and he's receiving a legislative citation for community impact. Omar caught up with him about what it all means. Hip-hop in the classroom: Omar visited Kennedy Elementary to check out a hip-hop artist residency featuring Lex, a clean hip-hop artist, author, poet, DJ and educator. Lex spent two weeks visiting 16 MMSD schools, performing and helping kids process emotions through music — and it was anything but a corny after-school special. School funding crunch: MMSD is already laying groundwork for next year's budget, and the outlook isn't great. The hosts dig into why: a state legislature that funds only about 5% of school district budgets (compared to 60-70% in Minnesota), federal special education cuts, and a new lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's funding model as unconstitutional. Dane County's $31 million problem: Rob obtained a budget memo showing the county faces a roughly $31 million deficit heading into 2027, as post-COVID surpluses dry up and health insurance and employee costs climb. Balancing the budget could mean cutting around 241 full-time positions. Only one county supervisor responded to Rob's request for comment. County contracting review: County Executive Melissa Agard has ordered a comprehensive review of county contracting practices. Rob spoke with Agard, Human Services Director Josh Luter, and several nonprofit leaders. The recurring theme: a need for greater transparency in bidding, scoring and feedback — plus structural issues like one-year contracts for five-year projects with no built-in cost-of-living increases. On the radar: Stephanie flags the November 3 election, which will include a Republican-backed constitutional amendment that would prohibit DEI policies at any state government entity, including UW. Also coming up: spring county board elections with a few competitive races. Question of the week: How big would a worm have to be before you'd tell somebody about it?
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40250140
info_outline
Stay Gold: the local kid making his Broadway debut in The Outsiders
02/20/2026
Stay Gold: the local kid making his Broadway debut in The Outsiders
This week, Rob, Stephanie, and Omar dig into the ICE detention of Noel Quintana, co-owner of Madison's beloved Señor Machete's restaurant — and what his family is facing as they fight for his return. Plus: results from Tuesday's local primaries, including a Mount Horeb village board race where the top three candidates were separated by just two votes. Then Rob sits down with Caleb Mathura, a Verona High School graduate who is making his Broadway debut next month playing Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. And the crew answers the big question: if you were a weather pattern, which one would you be?
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40172765
info_outline
Mandela Barnes on policy, organizing and the path to 2026
02/13/2026
Mandela Barnes on policy, organizing and the path to 2026
This week’s episode of 365 Amplified features two in-depth conversations centered on Wisconsin politics and community response to homelessness, plus local nonprofit and business updates. Rob Chappell opens with a look at a bankruptcy case involving a nonprofit donation platform that reportedly owes millions of dollars to organizations nationwide, including dozens in Wisconsin. The discussion includes how the case came to light through nonprofit newsroom collaboration and how at least one Madison organization was affected. The episode also highlights the opening of Luna’s Groceries’ new, larger South Park Street location, expanding fresh food access and community space in a historically underserved area. The first featured interview is with former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, now a candidate for governor. Barnes discusses his campaign priorities, including health care expansion, public school funding, affordability pressures, and his outlook on working with the state legislature and the broader Democratic coalition. In the second segment, Omar Waheed speaks with Brandi Grayson and Alex Lindenmeyer of Urban Triage about “Seen and Unseen,” a March 3 public art installation around Capitol Square. The four-site walking tour is designed to illustrate both visible and hidden causes and consequences of homelessness, and to highlight systemic barriers and community-based solutions. The event will include speakers, artists, and community partners, and coincides with The Big Share Day of Giving.
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40095590
info_outline
"I have Black friends" but bigger
02/06/2026
"I have Black friends" but bigger
This week, we have the (more or less) final update on the proposed harm reduction center on Madison's East Side. Turns out, the organization recommended to get $2.4 million to run it listed a bunch of partnerships and collaborations with organziations that never agreed to be partners or collaborate -- a fact we exclusively reported this week. The Board of Health ultimately rejected the contract. On the podcast today, we go through the details and dig into just how problematic it is for white leaders to claim more connection to Black and brown communities than nthey actually have. Then, well-known Ho-Chunk chef Elena Terry is finally opening a brick and mortar restaurant at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Omar Waheed spoke with her and catches us up on her plans. Next up, Madison seventh-grader Iliyan Hoskins is just back from his first international judo competition, where he won a bronze medal for Team USA at the Pan American Judo Championships in Lima, Peru. He and his mom Ivanka join the show to educate Rob about the sport, recap the Pan Am championship, and talk about his Olympic Dreams. 365 Amplified is produced by Rob Chappell for the 365 Media Foundation, a nonprofit local media organization in Madison, Wisconsin. Follow Madison365 on , , , , and .
/episode/index/show/itsonly10minutes/id/40016205