Wisconsin Forward

Common Cause Wisconsin Moves Forward

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:56:08 +0000

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, host Matt Rothschild talks with Bianca Shaw, the new executive director of Common Cause Wisconsin.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

An Interview with Mandela Barnes

Matt Rothschild — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:24:09 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with Mandela Barnes.

Wisconsin Forward tells stories from one of the nation’s most closely contested swing state. Host Matt Rothschild looks to explain the background on a number of issues across Wisconsin, including the seemingly split personality the state presents in electoral politics, the results of political gerrymandering, and many more. This multipart series will take a deeper look into Wisconsin politics, featuring voices from around the state and the Civic Media network, to provide the context of our complex swing state and provide some insight on how the state can move forward.

Guests: Mandela Barnes

Citizen Rights in the State Capitol

Matt Rothschild — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:12:10 +0000

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, host Matt Rothschild interviews Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, about the demise of Wisconsin Eye and the anti-democratic ban on recordings in the State Capitol.

Guests: Bill Lueders

When Law Enforcement Becomes Lawless

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:54:10 +0000

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, Matt Rothschild talks with David Couper, Madison’s former police chief, about the murder of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, and what we all need to do to nonviolently resist the lawlessness of ICE.

Guests: David Couper

Trump, Maduro, and the Wisconsin Reaction

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:48:07 +0000

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, host Matt Rothschild discusses his reaction to the news of President Trump sending the military to remove Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. Rothschild outlines four specific legal frameworks the action violated, including the U.S. Constitution and the UN Charter.

An Interview with Brett Hulsey

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:18:10 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with Brett Hulsey.

Guests: Brett Hulsey

An Interview with Kelda Roys

Matt Rothschild — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:32:08 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with Kelda Roys.

Guests: Kelda Roys

An Interview with David Crowley

Matt Rothschild — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:06:07 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with David Crowley.

Guests: David Crowley

An Interview with Missy Hughes

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:42:11 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with Missy Hughes.

Guests: Missy Hughes

An Interview with Ryan Strnad

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:26:06 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with Ryan Strnad.

Guests: Ryan Strnad

An Interview with Sara Rodriguez

Matt Rothschild — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:50:07 +0000

In his ongoing series of interviews with Democratic candidates for governor, here’s Matt Rothschild’s interview with Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.

An Interview with Francesca Hong

Matt Rothschild — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:56:07 +0000

Over the next couple weeks, Matt Rothschild, the host of the “Wisconsin Forward” podcast, is interviewing Democratic candidates for governor. Here’s his first interview, with Rep. Francesca Hong.

Guests: Francesca Hong

The Usefulness of Protest

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:52:07 +0000

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward Podcast, host Matt Rothschild provides insights from Timothy Snyder and Ruth Ben-Ghiat and then interviews Carlene Bechen and Earl Ingram on why protests are so crucial right now.

Guests: Carlene Bechen, Earl Ingram

Trump’s Militarization of Policing

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:04:22 +0000

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward Podcast, host Matt Rothschild talks with David Couper, the former police chief of Madison, Wisconsin, and with Angela Lang, the executive director of BLOC, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities. They discuss the threat that Trump’s militarization of policing poses to our cities and to our democracy.

Standing Up for Transgender Rights in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:00:08 +0000

In this episode of Wisconsin Forward, Matt Rothschild addresses Trump’s assault on trans folks, and how that assault has reverberated around Wisconsin. Matt talks with Abigail Swetz, the executive director of Fair Wisconsin; B, an anonymous trans man in Madison; and Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, who is running to be the first trans person elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.

Guests: Abigail Swetz, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, Matt Rothschild

The Immigration Fight in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:46:06 +0000

On this edition of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, host Matt Rothschild speaks with immigrant rights activist Cely Flores, Aissa Olivarez, the legal director at the Community Immigration Law Center; and State Representative Darrin Madison. Hear how each is dealing with the threat environment, and their suggestions for what we all can do to combat the attacks on immigrants.

Guests: Aissa Olivarez, Darrin Madison, Iuscely Flores

Is It Ever Okay to Gerrymander a State?

Matt Rothschild — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, Matt Rothschild talks about the national question of what should be done with redistricting in Texas, California, and other states around the nation with Ruth Conniff, editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Examiner; Iuscely Flores, statewide organizer for the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition; and Sachin Chheda, one of the co-founders of that coalition. They all don’t agree, and that’s OK. Listen to the conversation, and decide for yourself.

Guests: Iuscely Flores, Matt Rothschild, Ruth Conniff, Sachin Chheda

A Gubernatorial Race in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, Matt Rothschild talks with Dan Shafer, the political editor of Civic Media and the founder of the Recombobulation Area, about the upcoming race for governor of Wisconsin. Shafer picks the candidate with “the most upside,” and another one who would be the frontrunner if he jumps in.

Guests: Dan Shafer, Matt Rothschild

Wisconsin Faith Leaders Speak Out on Trump’s Authoritarianism

Matt Rothschild — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, host Matt Rothschild speaks with four faith leaders in Wisconsin about how to respond to Trump’s authoritarianism. The Rev. Dr. Kerri Parker, Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Pastor Walter Lanier, and the Rev. David Couper all offer their wisdom and their hopes for Matt and listeners across the state of Wisconsin.

Guests: Bonnie Margulis, David Couper, Kerri Parker, Walter Lanier

Are We Truly Divided in Wisconsin?

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

On this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, host Matt Rothschild pursues the topic of the so-called urban-rural divide with two guests: Mike McCabe, who wrote Blue Jeans in High Places, and with Bill Hogseth, organizing director of a group called GROWW, which stands for Grassroots Organizing of Western Wisconsin. Is the divide real, or is it made up? Listen and decide for yourself!

Guests: Bill Hogseth, Mike McCabe

Bridging the Urban / Rural Divide in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the “Wisconsin Forward” podcast, Matt Rothschild talks with Professor Kathy Cramer, the political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who wrote the classic book, The Politics of Resentment. They talk about the dangerous moment our democracy faces right now, and how we should engage with our neighbors. And Professor Cramer explains why she remains hopeful that we’ll get through this.

Guests: Kathy Cramer

Conservation: A Wisconsin Cause

Matt Rothschild — Sat, 31 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the “Wisconsin Forward” podcast, host Matt Rothschild gives a brief history of conservation in Wisconsin, and he plays audio from Sen. Gaylord Nelson. Then he talks with Tia Nelson, Gaylord Nelson’s daughter and a lifelong environmentalist; Kerry Schumann, executive director of Wisconsin Conservation Voters; and Todd Allbaugh, host of “The Todd Allbaugh Show” on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Guests: Kerry Schumann, Matt Rothschild, Tia Nelson, Todd Allbaugh

How to Get Money Out of Wisconsin Politics

Matt Rothschild — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode, host Matt Rothschild remembers the night in 2015 when the Republicans in the Legislature drastically rewrote our campaign finance law to give the super-rich more power than ever. For solutions, he speaks with Nick Ramos of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Wisconsin State Senator Chris Larson, and Maggie Daun of “The Maggie Daun Show.”

Guests: Chris Larson, Matt Rothschild, Nick Ramos

How to Fight Authoritarianism in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000

In this episode, host Matt Rothschild discusses how everyday folks can stand up to authoritarianism that is on the rise around the country. Hear from interviews that Matt has conducted with experts on the subject, including Trygve Olson, a senior advisor at The Lincoln Project, and Dominic Salvia, host of the Dom Salvia Show, sharing their thoughts on protests and more.

Guests: Dom Salvia, Matt Rothschild, Trygve Olson

The Stakes of the Supreme Court Race in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

Host Matt Rothschild sits down with founder of the Recombobulation Area and Civic Media Political Editor, Dan Shafer, for a conversation on the April 1st Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The two take a look at the candidates in Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel, and share what makes this different from recent Supreme Court races in Wisconsin as well as what is at stake depending on who wins in April.

Guests: Dan Shafer, Matt Rothschild

The Ballooning of School Vouchers in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Wisconsin introduced school vouchers in 1989, but the program has morphed into something unrecognizable, now costing taxpayers $500 million a year. In this episode, Matt Rothschild speaks with Earl Ingram, host of “The Earl Ingram Show”: Heather DuBois Bourenane, the executive director of the Wisconsin Public Education Network; and Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupanacci of “Busted Pencils.”

Guests: Earl Ingram, Heather DuBois Bourenane, Johnny Lupinacci, Tim Slekar

The Effect of Right-Wing Radio in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000

This time on Wisconsin Forward, Matt Rothschild discusses the topic of right-wing radio and its effect on politics in Wisconsin. With him to break down this topic are radio veterans and hosts on the Civic Media Network, Jane Matenaer and Earl Ingram. Also joining him is Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin, Lew Friedland, and founder and CEO of Civic Media, Sage Weil.

To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Guests: Earl Ingram, Jane Matenaer, Lew Friedland, Sage Weil

The Legal Landscape in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000

On this edition of Wisconsin Forward, host Matt Rothschild sits down with Jim Santelle for a conversation about the legal landscape in Wisconsin and the nation. Santelle is a former U.S. Attorney and currently hosts Amicus: A Law Review on Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 across the Civic Media radio network.

Matt and Jim discuss the recent changes of the ideological make up of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the upcoming spring election that could once again change that make up, and the most impactful cases from the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years for democracy in Wisconsin and around the country.

To learn more about this podcast and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Guests: Jim Santelle

How Racism Infects Wisconsin Politics

Matt Rothschild — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Host Matt Rothschild talks with Earl Ingram of “The Earl Ingram Show” and Angela Lang of BLOC (Black Leaders Organizing for Communities) about the insidious role that racism plays in our politics, both here in Wisconsin and nationally.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Guests: Angela Lang, Earl Ingram, Matt Rothschild, Todd Allbaugh

Being the Light Going Forward

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Matt Rothschild shares his thoughts following the 2024 election results, and asks the question, ‘How Do We Go On?‘. Matt shares his reflections of what is to come for some of the most marginalized groups in Wisconsin and around the country and what we can do in the coming weeks and months to continue Forward.

Matt Rothschild is the host of the “Wisconsin Forward Podcast” on
Civic Media, and is a frequent guest host on the network. He formerly
was editor and publisher of The Progressive magazine and executive
director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

To learn more about this podcast and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

A Fight for Fair Maps in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:13:09 +0000

How we got fairer maps in Wisconsin, and what they mean for the upcoming election. Matt Rothschild talks with Jay Heck of Common Cause, Carlene Bechen of the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, and Dan Shafer of Civic Media and the Recombobulation Area on the history of redistricting in Wisconsin and the saga that occurred around these most recent maps.

To learn more about this podcast and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Guests: Carlene Bechen, Dan Shafer, Jay Heck, Matt Rothschild

The 2024 Presidential Election in Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Host Matt Rothschild talks with Marquette Law School pollster Charles Franklin about recent presidential elections in Wisconsin, and what the odds are looking like for this November. We also hear from Civic Media voices including Dominic Salvia, Todd Allbaugh and Maggie Daun about their thoughts on how the presidential race is shaping up in the swingiest swing state.

To learn more about this podcast and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Guests: Dom Salvia, Matt Rothschild, Todd Allbaugh

The Riddle of Wisconsin

Matt Rothschild — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:00:51 +0000

What is up with Wisconsin? The state that brought us the labor union and five day work week, the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, the state once known as the “laboratory of democracy,” has also brought us Joseph McCarthy and Scott Walker, and has become one of the most closely divided battleground states in the country. How did we get here, and how does what has happened here in this state reflect larger trends in American politics–a harbinger of what is to come, or how we can fix it?

Guests: Charles Franklin, Jay Heck, Luke Mathers, Matt Rothschild, Todd Allbaugh, Trygve Olson