From Packers to Pastries: A Wisconsin Whirlwind (Hour 2)

Transcript

From Packers to Pastries: A Wisconsin Whirlwind (Hour 2)

Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach · Mon Jan 12, 2026

Announcer

Broadcasting live from the Civic Media Studios in Green Bay.

This is Night Light with Pete Chwaba.

Your inside source on everything entertainment from Wisconsin to Hollywood.

And now, a guy who appreciates a nice hot meal at a fair price.

Pete Chwaba.

Pete Chwaba

Welcome to nightlight ladies and gentlemen.

It is finally Monday Pardon me, and I am so excited to be back on the air.

We've got so much to talk about tonight So much happened over the weekend, especially here in Wisconsin Those of you who are Packer fans and there are many we will

try to bring a smile to your face tonight, try to cheer you up as the results from this weekend.

Four Packer fans, Conrad included, were not great, and it was not a very good way to end the season.

Now, I've made it very clear on the show that I'm a Bears fan, and yes, I'm happy about the win, and all I can tell you, you listening, Con?

I'm listening.

All right.

This is what it's been like for the last 30 years as a bear fan.

So as much as I feel bad for you guys, I actually do because I've been on that side of it and it was no fun.

How are you doing, Conn?

Conrad Kreeker

I'm doing all right.

Pete Chwaba

Hanging in there.

Conrad Kreeker

I got the wordle in two today, so that's

Pete Chwaba

good.

I've not done the wordle yet.

You know, the one time the wordle, I used to, I usually do a do for my first word.

And in the past, audio is another one with four vowels.

So I would do that.

So I would switch back and forth and about

Probably two years ago a year and a half ago.

I switched to a do and the word was audio So

Announcer

if I

Pete Chwaba

had guessed audio, I would have had it one.

Announcer

I'm

Pete Chwaba

sure that's been done before But I've got a handful of twos this year or in the last couple months I should say but

Conrad Kreeker

I keep it the same every time just in case that

Pete Chwaba

that's

Conrad Kreeker

smart

I will never change it.

Pete Chwaba

Now I do a do all the time because I feel like they're gonna make that.

It's gonna do it.

Yeah, but when I do it like my wife and my daughter and if my son's around we'll do it together and we always pick a word and go from there and I know that will be a do that time too when I pick the word like brick or something, you know, so.

But two is good.

I start with

Conrad Kreeker

dream.

That's my go-to word.

Oh, that's a good one.

Because I dreamed to get it in one.

Pete Chwaba

Very well done.

And you also keep the S and the T. Like, those are good go-to letters.

But you also keep your S, keep your T. And, uh, yeah, there you go.

I'm excited.

Now knowing that you got it in two, I usually do it with my wife when I get home at night.

And I'll have to figure out.

Conrad Kreeker

Don't, don't, don't do a dream.

You can't, you

Pete Chwaba

can't switch up now.

That's true.

Although I think you'd be a pal and tell me if it was a do, if that was the word.

Conrad Kreeker

Well, I'm not going to tell you what the word is.

All right, whatever.

Pete Chwaba

That is Conrad Kreeker, folks, producing the show tonight.

I am Pete Schwab.

It is great to have you with us.

We have a really good show tonight.

Some outstanding guests.

A fun question.

We will break down the events of the weekend.

We'll talk a little Bears Packers.

We'll talk a little Golden Globe Awards maybe next hour.

We'll get to that.

Some fun stuff happening.

I didn't know that there was an ARP Awards, AARP.

They give movie awards out.

They already announced them over the weekend.

We talk about that a little bit too, but the celebration or the event, I should say, will be airing in late February.

And it's kind of cool because they chose different, like I would say a lot of the films that have been chosen in the award show so far are kind of repetitive.

It's a lot of the same films.

And the ARP Awards were not that.

They had some different winners.

Some that were nominated.

For the Golden Globes or Critics Choice or whatever, but different winners, which is kind of fun and I didn't even know that Anybody can have film awards con you could give out Conrad's film awards Yes, I could might take you a while to get some traction

Conrad Kreeker

everything would be going to Marty supreme

Pete Chwaba

We my son Joe who?

Periodically will do movie reviews.

He'll come out and give like a quick five-minute movie review saw a primate

So

Conrad Kreeker

that movie actually looks kind of scary to be honest like because the plot is that the the ape gets

Pete Chwaba

Yeah, it's like a family pet Yeah, and it gets rabies and I thought I read where the whole family had to stay in the pool or something to protect themselves I don't

Conrad Kreeker

know.

Well, I saw that in the you know in the three-minute commercial where I pretty much saw the whole movie,

Pete Chwaba

right?

Yeah, but he liked it.

He thought it was an amazing premise.

He went with a group.

That's a kind of fun movie, too, to see with a group like Anaconda or something like that.

But we'll probably have Joe on Tuesday or Wednesday, because I do want to hear about that movie.

I said, save it for the air.

I don't want to hear about it too much, because I think it'll be fun to talk about.

So at some point, we'll talk about Primate.

But Avatar number one again at the box office.

I still haven't seen it.

Conrad Kreeker

Really?

I don't know.

Well, this weekend, I'll probably go because there's no...

Packer football

Pete Chwaba

no packer football.

So let's jump into that.

Let's get the elephant Out of the room so we can proceed well, and you know what Connie Felman is gonna be here at 535 great reporters

Conrad Kreeker

something about

Pete Chwaba

it, too She'll have Packer thoughts.

Mike Clemens is here at 610 Sherry Stoker nutritionists is here at 635.

She is from Wisconsin.

I believe still lives here She might have thoughts and then at least in the last hour

One of our favorites, Rob Brackenridge, will be here with his good pal, Mike Merrifield.

Both of them phenomenal stand-up comedians and Wisconsinites.

So maybe we can go out on a laugh and put everybody at ease tonight, but there will be some packer talk over the course of the show.

It was such a... It was crazy that that was only the third time in over a hundred years they met in the playoffs.

Conrad Kreeker

Yeah, and the Bears are two and one against us in the playoffs.

Pete Chwaba

Is that true?

Yeah.

How far are you going back for that other victory because the Packers beat the Bears and was it 2010 or 2012 2010

Conrad Kreeker

when we won the Super Bowl?

Pete Chwaba

I think that's the year.

Lovey Smith kind of rested his starters And not maybe the Packers would have won anyway, but the Packers won and I think that got them into the playoffs Is that true or is that 2012 I'm thinking of I don't know if it was the Super Bowl year or not, but anyway that that one hurt a lot so We're two in one against the Packers in the playoffs.

That's crazy

Conrad Kreeker

and you know it was a tough one definitely for sure I mean but it's like kind of how it went till a year basically

Pete Chwaba

yeah

Conrad Kreeker

and the second half the floor plays down to his competition and Ben Johnson has a crazy comeback one like just how we've been seeing all year it's

Pete Chwaba

just

Conrad Kreeker

yeah it happens

Pete Chwaba

it has been an insane I don't think it's been exciting if for Bears fans with those comebacks I don't think that's

any way to live permanently in the NFL like and I do think Ben Johnson is a little crazy going for it.

I know I

Conrad Kreeker

mean those were crazy to go for it but insane but

Pete Chwaba

I know you don't trust your defense but you're sending them a terrible message too because they're a bunch of gritty guys I know they're not a good defense they have no pass rush they can't stop the run but

to go for it then at least punt it maybe the special teams guy fumbles it or you get a takeaway or I mean that is he's got to be a little crazy and I don't understand Conrad this fight he's kind of picked with the floor

Conrad Kreeker

yeah I mean I think it's just he wants to you know the rivalry to continue because it's like I don't know it's like that handshake at the end of the game was

Pete Chwaba

oh my gosh it made me laugh a lot

He looked a little crazy when he went in for the handshake, dude, because he just took a header.

One of his players knocked him over, and then he went and shook LaFleur's hand.

And I'm sure LaFleur is still dealing with what just happened.

But I don't know if they're going for a Mike or if Johnson, I should say.

And a lot of Bears fans are saying, oh, the Packers are trash talking all week.

I don't know if that's true or not.

Is that where the Packers kind of

Conrad Kreeker

did?

This is the thing is they said, oh, yeah, because last week it was like, we're either going to play the Eagles or the Bears.

You know and then the right the Packers players like well, we want the Bears.

Pete Chwaba

Oh Right, okay.

I wouldn't call that track.

Well, I mean it's Confrontative.

I don't know if I call it trash talk

Conrad Kreeker

Honestly, I would have played the Eagles after watching what they did last night

Pete Chwaba

Yeah, that was weird too.

Hi.

Tell me is are the Chargers a bad team is Justin Herbert a good quarterback?

Conrad Kreeker

He has no time in the pocket ever like it's like he gets the ball and then there's already a guy right there

I

Pete Chwaba

feel

Conrad Kreeker

like there's no line for him.

Like I saw the stat yesterday that three of his offensive linemen are rated last for offensive linemen.

Pete Chwaba

Okay.

Conrad Kreeker

I

Pete Chwaba

know he was getting rushed, but I this guy just seems like he's never want to play off game.

Conrad Kreeker

Yeah,

Pete Chwaba

he's got all the tools.

He looks like a quarterback.

He's tall.

I just don't know if he's a good good or not.

You know what I mean?

Like everybody needs a line.

I

Conrad Kreeker

mean, I think this could be like a Drew Breese kind of thing.

He will

Pete Chwaba

trade him

Conrad Kreeker

Harba, you know, he'll go to another team and he'll

Pete Chwaba

be great.

Oh speaking of crazy Harba's type that would do something like that, too Here's what I do on okay.

This is alright.

So here's what happened Saturday.

We went to Chicago.

I took my wife and my two kids We met a couple family members down there and watch the game and the game would have cost me us I should say 25 hundred bucks minimum And I go if I'm not like I was kind of expect I didn't think

The Packers were slightly favored.

I'm like, I'm not going to go pay.

And then if they lose, I'll be furious.

Had I known they were going to, the Bears were going to win, I would have paid.

But who knows that?

But so we just went to a bar.

We got a great deal on a hotel.

We went to a bar.

Here's what, and I told you this before the show.

I don't like fans that yell and try to emasculate NFL players while they're sitting on their fat butts in a sports bar.

And I saw this in Chicago.

And I saw this online with Packer fans and all NFL fans do it.

They try to They use the word bitch like they're yelling like sit down you like What are you doing?

Like you're not in the game.

You're a fan So to sort of denigrate a professional athlete I mean I get cheering but I get uncomfortable with that I get uncomfortable with the Ben Johnson Lafleur thing these two guys are both like these clean cut

good guys in front of the, I don't, it seems manufactured to me.

And Johnson's doing, I will admit.

Conrad Kreeker

Yeah, I mean, so there's this thing called, I don't have it anymore, I wish I still did, but it's called a Packer Brick, all right?

And it's, it's just, you know, it has like, it's like a pillow pretty much, but it's

Pete Chwaba

in

Conrad Kreeker

the shape of a brick and has a Packers logo on it.

And every time you get a little angry, you just chuck that thing at the TV, instead of saying words.

And

Pete Chwaba

it works, you know?

It just gets your hostility out or whatever you see these terrible like there was a montage of reels of both sides of fans and people breaking TVs I mean get a grip and I've been mad I've been but at the end of the day and then I see kids like I felt a little bit worse about the wind when I saw this Packer fan this kid just started balling

And I want to say to the parents.

Yeah, tell them it doesn't matter.

It's not that important But also your kid you it was horrible to see that you know,

Conrad Kreeker

I mean I definitely Would when I was younger I'd cry over team my team's losing

Pete Chwaba

really

Conrad Kreeker

that's just cuz I love sports so much.

Pete Chwaba

I Did do it.

I think it's gotten more Important in our culture.

I don't ever remember crying over something like it would hurt, you know if my team didn't win but I

Conrad Kreeker

Yeah, I seen a bunch of posts like on

TikTok or Twitter.

Pete Chwaba

I was

Conrad Kreeker

like, it's probably like these kids that have TikTok accounts.

They're like, yeah, I cried all night.

Yeah.

Like, oh,

Pete Chwaba

okay.

Oh my

Conrad Kreeker

God.

You know what I did after the game?

I was at my brother's and I was, I was planning just to stay at his house because it got, it was like, I was like, I want to go home.

I sat in silence for a 30 minute ride home, just thought about it.

Pete Chwaba

That is so funny because that's what we, in this bar we were at.

You know, I hadn't been around other Bears fans in so long.

We just sat there like we couldn't believe what we had just seen.

Especially after what happened.

That's why I was thinking there's no way they're gonna come back again.

Because of what happened three weeks ago.

It was shocking.

I mean it was a, I truly feel for Packer fans because I've been on that side of it.

many, many times against Aaron Rodgers who tore our hearts out many times.

But condolences to Packer fans.

Congratulations to Bear.

The rivalry is officially back.

That's one thing is for sure.

So we know that.

And

Conrad Kreeker

I'll say this, the one thing I saw yesterday that really made me happy was Matthew Golden finally getting a touchdown.

Pete Chwaba

Oh yeah.

Conrad Kreeker

He looked great.

And this was like, I'm finally happy that he

kind of took a jump just in the playoffs, too, out of all things.

Pete Chwaba

Well, maybe that's something we can mention to Mike Clemens, too, who will be here to break down the game for us at 6'10".

Connie Feldman coming up after new sports and weather, which is just 10 minutes away, folks.

Sit tight.

We are coming right back with the question of the night.

It's Pichuaba in Nightlight on the Civic Media Radio

Conrad Kreeker

Network.

Pete Schwab (host)

I'm Pete Schwab.

This is Nightlight.

Happy Monday, everybody.

Great to have you here.

We've got a really fun week of guests coming your way this week and a really fun night tonight.

As I mentioned, Connie Thelman will be here after the news, which is coming up in just about eight minutes.

We've got news, sports, and weather.

We'll talk to Connie about some of the things going on around here locally.

Have a nice discussion with our friend.

She's been on the show before and we love when she joins us.

And then after the top of the hour, Mike Clemens will be here at about 6'10", breaking down the Packer Bear Game.

And then Sheri Stoka, nutritionist and Wayless MD founder here in Wisconsin.

She will join us at 6'35".

And we're going to ask Sheri, how to shed those extra few pounds you might have put on during the holidays?

Did you put weight on Con during the holidays?

Connie Thelman

I mean, yeah, I didn't work out for like two weeks.

So I probably, and I ate a bunch of good food.

So.

Pete Schwab (host)

I did read something not too far back where people say you'd be surprised how much weight you don't like everybody kind of does that.

I think they stop working out for two weeks.

They eat a lot and they go, Oh my God, I gained 20 pounds.

It's really only like a pound or two that you can work off pretty quickly if you're if you're like serious about it.

So we will ask Sherry about that.

I actually did put on 20 pounds So I have lots to lots to ask our friend Sherry and then in hour number three Rob Brackenridge Appleton based a very funny stand-up comedian and another I believe This other gentleman is also from Appleton.

I know he has a Wisconsin comedian Mike Merrifield will be here They're gonna be here together because they're doing a football fundraiser for me and Marinette that I do every year January 31st these two outstanding comedians

The people of Marinette do not know what they're in for on January 31st.

They're both going to be in the studio, so we'll get some laughs before we get out of here tonight.

It'll be fun to have Rob, who we have on regularly, and Mike.

It will be his first time on the show, so I'm excited to meet Mike.

But that's a fun show.

Right now, before we go any further...

And before the news, let's get to the nightlight question of the night.

Connie Thelman

Let's talk about the question.

Okay, question.

Question.

Question.

Pregunta.

Question.

Pete Schwab (host)

Question.

Connie Thelman

Okay, I have a question.

Questions.

This question.

Domanda.

Question.

Questions.

Pete Schwab (host)

Yesterday was national Sunday dinner day.

What is your favorite tradition that involves food?

What is your favorite tradition that involves food?

I used to love Sunday dinners.

We used to have them in my family a lot.

We'd go out to my grandparents in the suburbs and have Sunday dinner every week.

And that was a lot of fun.

So I would say that would be mine, but I have a couple others.

But let us know what your favorite tradition is that involves food.

It could be a holiday dinner, hot dog eating contest, Joey Chestnut, whatever.

Whatever floats your boat when it comes to food.

855-752-4842-8555, 75 Civic.

If you want to text us on the text line, you can also use the app, very easy to use.

And if you're watching the radio tonight on YouTube, Facebook, or X, drop us a stream comment and let us know what your favorite tradition is that involves food.

I'm just gonna say, I'm gonna come right out and say it, foreplay.

Really?

Thanks, Point.

I like eating a casserole.

awful woman's butt.

No, I just, you know, I was just trying to be silly, but I have a lot of, I love, I don't think people really eat dinner as much together as they used to.

I know it was tough to do in my family with my kids because they were so busy and I think that's a challenge of a lot of families, but so I will just say a basic dinner, but I also love ordering food, specifically bad food during what I like to call a sports contest.

Connie Thelman

That's a good one cuz you know I've had my fair share of bad food and watching football games wings pizza That stuff, but I'd say my favorite thing is a is a nice hot dog at the ballpark.

Pete Schwab (host)

Oh, that's a good one Yeah, yeah,

Connie Thelman

you know when I was younger washing it down with a Pepsi, but now washing it down with a summer shanny.

Pete Schwab (host)

There you go That's a great one.

Yeah ballpark food or any you know the other night

this bar we were at we just the food wasn't great so I kind of felt cheated I'm in Chicago a good food city so we went to Portillo's got a couple beef sandwiches way too late at night so I would say watching my favorite is probably and I'll throw a movie in there too like if you go to Flix Brewhouse in Madison love getting a decent meal while you're watching a movie or during a game whether you're watching it at home or like you said con eating a hot dog at the ballpark you cannot beat that those are great

How about a pancake breakfast?

I mean that's great, too.

Yeah.

Connie Thelman

Yeah, I also say taco Tuesday.

Oh, I saw you said that

Pete Schwab (host)

yeah taco Tuesday I

Connie Thelman

don't do it much often anymore, but like when you know and like In high school they do taco Tuesday just for the lunches, you know

Pete Schwab (host)

Absolutely

Connie Thelman

or just after that.

It's just taco Tuesday is great going out to get a taco from a place.

Pete Schwab (host)

Yeah on

Connie Thelman

Tuesday

Could you leave your campus when you were in high school

Pete Schwab (host)

during

Connie Thelman

lunch?

We, a senior year we could, if we got, like, I forget what it was called, but yeah, we could.

Pete Schwab (host)

A B average.

Connie Thelman

Yeah, this is open campus.

You could go out to eat for lunch or whatever, but there wasn't many options in Qosco.

Pete Schwab (host)

That's kind of cool.

Connie Thelman

Subway, Dairy Queen or McDonald's.

Pete Schwab (host)

Those are your options in Qosco?

Those

Connie Thelman

are the options.

Man,

Pete Schwab (host)

and isn't it funny?

Like it was the same way in Marinette.

I remember being at a bar and a woman saying, oh, we're getting an Arby's.

I hope we get an Arby's.

She was so excited.

Like when you're in these tiny towns, unless you get, you know, a nice restaurant, that's what you hope for is fast food, but that is different, you know?

So let us know what your favorite way or what your favorite tradition is that involves food.

Folks, that is our question of the night.

We've got Connie Feldman coming up in the news, coming up in just a couple minutes.

Um, I do have to say, Con, this was kind of funny.

I do... I know we've only got a few seconds here, but these guys in the train, these Packer fans sat right in front of us.

There were these young guys having fun.

They had energy drinks, shots, beer, and my son said they were doing zins, like nicotine patch?

Mm-hmm.

What is your goal there?

Well, you don't remember the game I want energy drink.

I don't even think I It's insane sounds like a great night.

That's celebrating with food though.

That's a food tradition We're coming right back new sports and weather is next Connie Feldman is coming up at 535 I am so glad you're here folks.

It is Monday.

Let's party It's nightlight with peach wabba on the civic media radio network

Pete Schwabba

I'm Pete Schwabba.

This is Nightlight with Pete Schwabba.

It is so great to have you with me tonight, folks.

Lots of fun stuff happening on the show.

Connie Feldman, WGBW reporter, will be here in just a couple minutes.

Mike Clemens after the top of the hour, and then we've got nutritionist Sheri Stoka at 635, and then two really outstanding comedians join me at 720 in the studio.

Local Fellows, Rob Brackenridge and Mike Merrifield.

So there's your guest lineup.

Our question of the night is, and I've thought about this too much.

Yesterday was National Sunday Dinner Day.

What is your favorite tradition that involves food?

I said foreplay.

Conrad said something much more wholesome.

Taco Tuesday.

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

Well, and a nice hot dog.

At

Pete Schwabba

the ballpark a nice hot dog at the ballpark.

That's a good one, too We will ask Connie Feldman what she thinks too when she joins the show.

I saw this this was Kind of funny 10 things we want to stop caring about in 2026.

Yeah,

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

where's the Packers is that and number one?

Pete Schwabba

So how long will it take you I will say when I was younger like when I was your age It took me longer to get over something but like I said

As bear fans, we've had our hearts ripped out.

And part of it was just, maybe this hurts more, you tell me what you think, but Aaron Rodgers was just a better player than anybody we had.

So even though it looked like we had the game in the bag, Rodgers would come down and win and throw a touchdown and he would trash talk and say his stuff, but he was a better player.

These two teams are pretty even, they've had a lot of injuries, certainly the Packers as of late, but I don't know.

I think

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

Micah Parsons is the best player on that field, you know, when he's healthy at all times, but.

Pete Schwabba

Right.

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

That's just how it goes.

And now I'm just, you know, I didn't have too much expectations going to this game, just because how many injuries and just lost four in a row.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah, but you guys got a lot of players back, which had to, I mean, Jordan Love looked really sharp.

He did look, he looked great.

He looked great during the game.

So he's obviously all healed up.

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

Yes, and I forgot okay top ten things to stop caring about

Pete Schwabba

the backers is your number one So We got a text on the stream to from my pal Alan Martin who says glad to hear you're still a Bears fan Pete that game could have gone to either team Yeah, that's a diplomatic way of looking at it.

I

It was just one of those games you can't you know what con it to it's you can't believe it happened after what happened three weeks ago That's what's so crazy.

Yeah, you know what I mean?

Yeah Also on the stream Stacy sue answering our question of the night She says I have fond memories of my Swedish grandmother and her Swedish Christmas cookies.

They were delicious So every Christmas I make her cookies.

Oh, that's nice Stacy sue.

What are Swedish?

Christmas cookies

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

I don't know.

Stacey Sue, you should maybe send

Pete Schwabba

us a recipe if you

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

want.

Send us the samples.

Pete Schwabba

Well, let's figure that out.

But thank you for the text either way, Stacey Sue.

And we've got Connie Feldman coming up in just a moment.

She will be here live and in person.

And she's very demanding.

She said she'd like to be flown in for her appearance.

And she wants a per diem and we gave that to her and now she's here.

So we will talk to her in just a moment.

But yeah, I want to get to this kind because there are things that you people don't, they don't want to stress about in 2026.

And the first one, I'll just tease you with this, responding to texts as soon as possible.

One person said they intentionally wait now because they don't want to establish an expectation.

And that makes sense to me.

I'm, you know,

Because my kids were like that for a long time.

They would have to be, respond right away.

And I hate that expectation.

I couldn't do it.

You respond right away, do you give a cushion

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

there?

Depends on the person.

Like, you know, if it's you, I'll probably wait two days or something.

Yeah.

Pete Schwabba

I've noticed.

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

If it's my parents, I'll text them back.

Pete Schwabba

Do you get

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

right back to them?

Well, of course.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah.

Paula and Steve, always nice to get a text back from Conrad.

All right, here's number 10 things you can't control There's no use stressing over stuff.

You can't do about anything, but it's a tough one everyone does it That is the one thing I try to teach my kids is like if you can't control it take it off your plate Yeah, yeah, you know if it's something like you're late.

That's on you whatever But if you if it's out of your control it is wasted worry Number nine buying a house it's gotten so hard a lot of people would rather stop stressing and just be happy where they are I always thought I was gonna be a renter

Honestly, I never had any I didn't desire it wasn't even a cost thing as much as it was.

I didn't want to do the upkeep I didn't want to garden cut grass.

It's just not my thing

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

Yeah, I mean I like I like renting.

It's pretty nice the last Two place no three places.

I've lived that I haven't had a shovel the place

Pete Schwabba

before that they made a

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

shovel though

Pete Schwabba

So that's cool.

They made you shovel.

He was a part of

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

the

Pete Schwabba

leaves.

Oh, wow really?

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

Yeah, we had to split duties with like our upstairs neighbors

Pete Schwabba

That's a

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

house in Milwaukee,

Pete Schwabba

you know, so then you argue like over whose turn it is Well,

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

pretty much we did it all the time because the people upstairs did we're like well, I thought it was your turn I'm sorry.

I'm just gonna get it done.

Just so no arguing That

Pete Schwabba

would be a that would be a deal breaker for me.

I don't think I would One of my

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

supposed to do it.

I was like, yeah, well this place is open and it's cheap enough that two college kids

Pete Schwabba

And you bench

to probably back then even more.

So you can hit the shovel.

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

No, I benched less then because I didn't work out all the time.

Pete Schwabba

That's because you didn't shovel.

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

In college, I never wanted to go to the gym.

Pete Schwabba

Steve, Conrad's dad checks in.

This is good.

I'd love to hear from Packer fans, guys.

Tell me what you're thinking.

Steve says there's no doubt about it.

The pack will be back.

Hopefully, we will hire a new kicker.

That's probably a consensus,

Conrad (Pete's guest host or co-host)

right?

Yeah, I want the substitute teacher back.

Pete Schwabba

That's terrible.

But the LaFleur, I think, is safe.

Let's ask a true pro about what she thinks, whether she has inside information or not.

I don't know, but Connie Feldman is here now in the studio.

She does great work here at WGBW and throughout civic media on the network.

She's one of our pals.

She's been here before and she joins us now in studio to talk about all things Connie.

How are you?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

I'm great.

Pete Schwabba

It's good to have you here.

Did you have to come back?

Because you're here all day, right?

I am, I am.

And you have to come back to be on the show.

See, I was thinking you'd like hang around and it wouldn't be heavy lifting for you to do this.

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Well, I thought about it, but then I actually took off early because I'm like, ah, I'm coming back tonight.

Pete Schwabba

We are on the air.

So if you took off early, I don't want you to get in trouble.

I don't want you to

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

just put.

I think I'm OK.

Pete Schwabba

OK.

You could say you're recovering a story or something.

I spend

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

plenty of hours here.

I think I'm just fine.

Pete Schwabba

How are you tonight?

How are you doing?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

I'm doing great.

I'm over it, you know, I kind of over the Packers loss this morning was a little rough for me Dan was talking about it, and I'm like, I don't think I'm ready to talk yet,

Pete Schwabba

but really you kind of have to be though, right with what you do Where did you watch the game on Saturday night

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

at home

Pete Schwabba

at home?

Okay,

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

which was unusual

Pete Schwabba

with your husband or a

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

whole family nice, which was really unusual

Pete Schwabba

You know I part of me is like I told Conrad earlier as a bear fan.

I I've had my heart literally ripped out of my chest so many times over the last 25 years like You know you guys and this is like usually though was easy for me to stomach because you guys had better players Aaron Rodgers is better but far we've never had a quarterback You do now.

Yeah, he's definitely a playmaker.

I wish he didn't have to wait

He kind of drives me a little crazy.

I don't think I can live like this much longer, but what do you do after a loss like that?

What would you tell other Packer fans?

I know for me, I would just watch a movie.

I would try to put sports out of my head when my team lost, but how do you deal with it?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

I don't know.

That's a good question, because I don't very well.

I kind of obsess about it.

Pete Schwabba

Talk about things that

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

you can't control.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah.

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

You can't

Pete Schwabba

control it.

You can't control it.

Exactly.

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

It's a great point.

you gotta move on.

Pete Schwabba

Right.

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

But yeah, you know, and especially games like just even this last one up until 10 seconds to go, there was still a chance.

Right.

You know, and I always believe they can do it.

Pete Schwabba

And I'll tell you this, the trauma I have as a Bears fan was always, Rogers always did it.

He did, he got, he got it done.

And they had all those plays and you know, loves had a great game.

His numbers were incredible.

I thought, there's no way we're going to hold them for four plays.

just because of what had happened in the past.

It's trauma.

It's sports trauma.

It's not even important and it bothers me that I care, but that's what happens, right?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Did you hear about, Terry Barr did a story today about the rehash of Packers, Bears, Games kind of turns into sports therapy?

SPEAKER_??

You know?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Because you kind of got to talk it out.

Pete Schwabba

You got to talk it

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

out.

Pete Schwabba

Well, that's what we're doing right here tonight.

It's great to have you here.

What do you have yesterday was national...

I can't think of the word food traditions.

Yes, Sunday dinner Sunday dinner day.

Oh, what is your favorite tradition that involves food and it could be a sporting event I said That's one of my favorite things to do is just order pizza or wings or nachos or something to watch sports

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

You know, well, it's it's a food tradition.

I guess we I host Thanksgiving dinner every year at

Pete Schwabba

our

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

cabins.

Pete Schwabba

Oh, nice.

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

So which sounds really quaint and comfy cozy But there is the issue

Like, last year, this past year, the power went out.

I had

Pete Schwabba

two

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

15-pound birds.

I had to keep cold, but I didn't want to put them outside because there's bears.

You know, there's... I mean, just the fiascos have gone through to do this cozy, quaint tradition.

It's hysterical.

Pete Schwabba

Oh, that's funny.

But

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

it is.

I mean, it's a

Pete Schwabba

great place.

That's a great one.

Then everybody

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

can come to me.

There's not all that driving around on Thanksgiving.

I'll be at the cabin with the bird in the oven.

Come if you're able

Pete Schwabba

and and you seem like one of those people that likes to feed other people that you just enjoy in Providing that's so cool.

That's fun.

All right.

So what is happening Connie Felman is here by the way, folks She is a reporter here at WGBW you hear her work here or in the southern part of the state.

She does outstanding Work here just covering the news

What is going on?

What do we need to know about?

Anything happening locally?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Well, you know, there is, but I'm trying to think of some more lighthearted stuff because

Pete Schwabba

what's

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

happening right now are a lot of ice protests.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah.

Oh, in Green Bay here?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Yeah,

Pete Schwabba

well, all

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

around.

Pete Schwabba

But yeah,

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

in Green Bay, the interesting thing about Green Bay is they've doubled in size in just the past week.

Pete Schwabba

Really?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

There are a couple dozen folks out, I think, the night of the shooting in Light Park and then the last one this last weekend on Sunday.

There are hundreds of people there.

And now there's, there's a notice going out from the Oneida business people that, for tribal members to make sure you keep your ID, your tribal ID

Pete Schwabba

handy.

So

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

that's not late-hearted.

Pete Schwabba

That's not late-hearted, but that's what's happening.

And I'm proud of myself because I didn't make a joke about people liking warm drinks when you said ice protests.

So I'm a fan.

But you know what?

I've grown up, Connie.

I don't think that's appropriate.

So I don't say that kind of stuff anymore.

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

It reminds me of Europe.

Pete Schwabba

Europe?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Yeah, you've been to Europe.

Pete Schwabba

I have not been to Europe.

Oh, okay

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

Well, they serve your beer warm and if you order order soda or water, you know, it's

Pete Schwabba

warm

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

room temperature

Pete Schwabba

Okay,

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

give you a lot of ice.

Pete Schwabba

What do you make of that?

Connie Feldman (WGBW Reporter)

I think it's conspiracies what I

Pete Schwabba

think I Want to ask you and maybe we'll do this after the break because I know we don't have too much time with you So I want to maximize it but you have recently and we'll do this after after a very short break folks, but Connie

shared this great story with me recently when I had Steve March Torme on the show and Steve came in and he's Mel Torme's son he's this famous you know he's a nepo baby basically and he grew up in Manhattan and then in Beverly Hills and now he lives in Appleton We had such a fun time and you share this outstanding story with me

about your interaction with him, and I put it down right where I wouldn't see it.

Totally blew it off.

I did, but it wasn't intentional.

It must not have been that fantastic.

I finished my other questions and put them down on top of the story, and then after the show, I'm like, oh, God, you're such a numbskull, Pete.

So we will talk to Connie about that.

She can share that story with us.

Let us know, folks.

If you want to vent about the Packers, that's OK.

If you want to answer tonight's question, which is, what is your favorite tradition that involves food?

That's fine as well.

Brett from Brown Deer says, growing up every Sunday, my mom had two iron skillets and she would fry chicken for dinner.

That's my favorite tradition.

That's a great tradition.

It can be anything, folks.

Cher, be part of the fun.

We are coming right back with Connie Feldman and her Steve March Tornay story.

That's coming up next.

It's Nightlight with Peach Wamba on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Welcome back.

This is Night Light with Pete Schwabba.

Our question of the night is yesterday was National Sunday Dinner Day.

What is your favorite tradition that involves food?

Barb from Waukesha says Valentine's Day because I can always count on a delicious steak at Bartoladas.

That's a Milwaukee, I think.

That's a Milwaukee steakhouse.

I've heard it.

I've heard it's fantastic.

Great text, Barb.

Thank you.

Keep those texts coming.

Folks, we will read them on the radio.

Right now, we've got a few more minutes with our pal reporter here at WGBW and Pacific Media, Connie Filman.

I say that, but you've done kind of everything in media, haven't you?

I

Connie Filman

have.

I used to, well, I started out years, and I've been at every station in Green Bay, except for

Pete Schwabba

Channel

Connie Filman

2.

Started at 26 before 26 had news.

Pete Schwabba

Really?

And

Connie Filman

before they were, what are they?

NBC.

They were Fox

Pete Schwabba

back

Connie Filman

then.

But I wrote commercials.

I wrote and produced commercials.

So, and then I went to news from there.

And then funny thing about the Steve March tourmate story has to do with,

Pete Schwabba

well, I

Connie Filman

don't want to give it away.

Well,

Pete Schwabba

let's jump into it.

We know that you're qualified for what you do.

We don't have to rehash that.

We've talked about that before.

But yeah, tell us, Steve March-Tormey, for those of you just joining us, is the son of Mel Tormey and the stepson of Hal March.

So two famous father figures.

I'm not sure what his mom did.

We didn't really cover that.

So he's had a really interesting life.

Born in Manhattan, raised in Beverly Hills.

He's been in Appleton now for 20 years maybe, something like that.

Married a girl from Appleton, lives here.

Great guy.

He was so much fun.

I had him in the studio.

He sang the Christmas song.

I know his dad made famous and you had a story that I alluded to Right before the break the and I just dropped the ball.

He's faced out and did not share it with him I but I would love it if you told it.

It's such a fun story

Connie Filman

It was funny because I was such a huge fan geek over him I didn't because being I'm a musician.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah, if

Connie Filman

you're a musician

You know the son of Mel Torme and I love big band music.

I love and as a result I go to this Music camp.

Yep.

It's a band camp up in the Northwoods But they bring in these musicians from LA and New York Long story about that the guy's married to a woman whose family owns this resort anyway, so Steve March Torme was our guest artist one night and I was so starstruck to be

playing behind him and then to be standing next to him at the bar we were ordering and the bartender comes up and I'm trying to be all cool, you know, because I'm standing next to Steve Marshall, right?

And she says, wait, I know you from somewhere.

And I look over at Steve, you know, because and waiting for him to answer.

And she says, you're that gallon TV.

Oh, and he looks at me and I'm thinking, well, I've been on the news for, you know,

about 15 years, I was a broadcaster, probably from that.

Then she comes back and she says, you're that girl that does the shoe commercials.

And he looks and I'm trying to be funny and self deprecating.

And I'm like, yeah, I'm kind of a big deal up in these parts.

And look at him and he's like, yeah, apparently so.

I was so embarrassed.

Pete Schwabba

But you thought at first they were talking to him.

Connie Filman

Of course.

Yeah.

And she still has no idea who he is.

Who he

Pete Schwabba

is, yeah.

She

Connie Filman

thinks I'm a big shot because I do shoe commercials.

I

Pete Schwabba

just score the shoe

Connie Filman

commercials.

And that's a funny story.

Okay.

Because I took a break from TV to raise our daughter.

I was at Fox 11 for about 10 years.

My husband was there.

He still works there.

He's been there 48 years.

Oh,

Pete Schwabba

wow.

I

Connie Filman

was visiting him.

I walked through the studio where they were shooting.

Rogan's shoe commercial because they used to produce them there.

I used to write them actually back at 26 anyway After I left apparently they went to my husband and said oh, you know what?

We've been looking for a spokesperson for Rogan's with Connie be interested Ask her

Pete Schwabba

and I got outstanding feet.

We gotta

Connie Filman

have her I had a foot double because I

Pete Schwabba

don't have

Connie Filman

outstanding feet and they did some sandals anyway

I had been out of news because that to me there's a big conflict of interest had I wanted any future in news as a journalist

Pete Schwabba

You

Connie Filman

don't want to be a paid spokesperson But anyway, I did those commercials for about 12 years and when they ran They ran on every station back to back all the time and more people to this day recognize me from broken shoe commercials

Pete Schwabba

no kidding

Connie Filman

From, however, 15 years as a journalist on television, Green Bay.

Pete Schwabba

You out-celebrityed Steve March Torme, it sounds like.

Connie Filman

Well, in the North Woods, maybe I did, yeah.

Pete Schwabba

What was it like when you said, okay, I'll do this?

And then they saw your feet and they said, ooh.

Connie Filman

They didn't ever see my

Pete Schwabba

feet.

Oh, they just knew who they wanted for

Connie Filman

them.

They said, are you comfortable in sandals?

We're going to shoot a thing.

And I said, actually, nope.

I'm not.

Pete Schwabba

I got an

Connie Filman

early fee.

I was a dancer.

Pete Schwabba

All right, okay,

Connie Filman

so the grip at the time who was also I think she's the promotion manager

Pete Schwabba

With them often showed her dogs.

Connie Filman

Oh, no, she she yeah, she's like I'll do it

Pete Schwabba

Wow.

Oh, that's so

Connie Filman

funny and she had beautiful feet.

Pete Schwabba

Thank you Donna.

Thank you.

Thank you Donna What how long goes that now?

Connie Filman

Oh that had to be to Mid 2012 maybe

Pete Schwabba

okay,

Connie Filman

I did him from 2008 till

Tell they went back into television great run But I had so many different sets of kids during that time they used to give me like a different set of kids for each commercial I'm like you guys are really making me look a little bit like the Rogan Schumann that kind of

Pete Schwabba

I don't think anybody thought that.

I don't think anybody.

You have a very newsworthy, a trustworthy face, as they say in news.

And I think we hear that in your voice now on radio.

I really want you to tell me about Song Song Blue.

We've got about a minute before we have to bail for the news.

Mike Clemens is coming up.

Stay for a few minutes after the news?

Yeah, absolutely.

Okay, and you're welcome to stay and hang with Mike.

He's, we're gonna, Mike Clemens is the guy for Packer fans, I think, to have and listen to him.

Yeah.

Because, you know, he's so great.

So, we'll do this.

We'll talk to Connie when we come back.

We'll hear your, um, your thumbnail sketch review of Song Song Blue.

And real quick, in about 30 seconds, the accent, did they get that or?

Connie Filman

I thought they nailed it.

Okay.

I thought Kate Hudson sounded exactly like my stepmother.

Wow.

Pete Schwabba

That's funny.

Did she burr duck your step mom and try to copy the.

All right, Connie Feldman is here folks.

We love her work here at WGBW and Civic Media.

We're coming right back after news, sports and weather and Mike Clemens will be here as well.

We'll keep talking Packers Bears, Sherry Stoka, nutritionist and founder of Wayless MD is going to tell us how we can shed those couple holiday pounds we might have put on.

That's at 635 and two really funny guys, Rob Brackenridge and Mike Merrifield will be here in hour number three.

It's Peach Wamba and Nightlight on the Civic.

media radio network.

Announcer

Broadcasting live statewide from the Civic Media Studios in Green Bay.

This is Nightlight with Pete Schwabba, your inside source on everything entertainment from Wisconsin to Hollywood.

And now a guy who binge watches TV for a living but doesn't get paid.

Pete Schwabba.

Pete Schwabba

Sad but true, I am so underpaid when it comes to watching color television.

Announcer

Ah,

Pete Schwabba

folks.

You got the big bucks, man.

You think I make the big bucks?

Yes!

Announcer

You're famous.

You don't see my bank

Pete Schwabba

account.

See, I was never a shoe model or a spokesman

Connie Feldman

for

Pete Schwabba

a major shoe store, so like Connie Filman.

That's the voice of Connie Filman.

Connie Feldman

Second Bear, half off.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah, she's decided to, not decided, I invited her to stick around for a few minutes and hear my Clemens break down on the Bears and Packers, which will be coming up momentarily.

If you miss the first hour of the show,

You missed Connie Feldman telling her Steve March Torme story and her story about how she has bad feet because she was a dancer.

Connie Feldman

That's right.

Pete Schwabba

I wish I had that excuse.

And we talked about a lot of fun stuff.

We broke down the Bears Packers game a little bit and Conrad got to vent a bit, but go to civicmedia.us folks.

If you want to hear the first hour of the show, it is catalog there in podcast form.

And it's a fun night.

It's a great night here, a great Monday to be here with us at Night Light.

Our question of the night is,

What is your favorite food tradition, I'm sorry, what is your favorite tradition that involves food?

And this is an honor of yesterday because it was national Sunday dinner date.

Did you ever have Sunday dinners?

Connie Feldman

We did when I was growing up.

Okay.

Yeah.

Pete Schwabba

But what about now with your daughter and your husband?

You guys, is it hard to connect?

When my daughter was home,

Connie Feldman

she's in college now.

When she was home, yeah, I made dinner at home with a family of priority every night.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah, really?

Yeah.

God, I wish, you know, we did that sometimes, but...

Because when I was a kid, it was the same thing, too.

We sat and had dinner together.

Connie Feldman

It was like

Pete Schwabba

a sacred time.

That's

Connie Feldman

when you connect.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Pete Schwabba

And I would, you know, I would come home and, you know, even if we had, I was in theater and sports and all that kind of stuff, my mom would have a plate put in the fridge for me.

And now I'm just like, go to Taco Bell.

I'm not really the parent, my parents were, but I'm just kidding.

But let us know, folks, what is your favorite tradition that involves food?

8-5-5-7-5-2-4-8-4-2-8-5-5-7-5 Civic.

You can also text us on the app.

Or if you're watching the radio on YouTube, Facebook, or... What's the other one, Con?

X?

Y?

Announcer

Yeah,

Pete Schwabba

X.

Drop us a stream comment and we'll read that on the radio as well.

Great night here.

Great guests.

Mike Clemens is about to join us and break down the game from Saturday night.

We've got Sherry Stoka, the founder and chief health strategist at Wayless MD.

She's an excellent nutritionist.

She's going to join us at 6.35.

We'll talk some dietary stuff and nutrition.

Two very funny Wisconsinites will be here.

Mike Merrifield and Rob Brackenridge will join me at 720 in Act 3.

They're doing a stand-up comedy show up in Marinette on the 31st and they're coming in to talk about it.

It's going to be a blast.

They're both nationally touring headliners, been on TV, had their own specials.

They will be here at 720 tonight in the studio and I cannot wait to have them here.

So lots of all Wisconsin based guests tonight.

Have you guys realized that?

Connie Feldman

I wanted to ask about your nutritionist.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah.

Connie Feldman

Is she the one?

You had a nutritionist on a while back, and I was listening, and I felt like there was nothing I could eat.

I can't eat anything.

Can you ask her what can you eat?

Pete Schwabba

Yeah, I know what you're saying, because I go back and forth, too.

I was a vegan for a while.

I didn't do meat for a while.

And I had a lot of energy.

And then people said, oh, no, no, no, you got to cut the carbs.

And then you and I did the protein.

And they change things all the time, it seems like.

Connie Feldman

Well, and everything was so processed.

And I get, I don't know.

Pete Schwabba

She's excellent, though.

Connie Feldman

Sherry does a

Pete Schwabba

great job.

Connie Feldman

And

Pete Schwabba

she's helped people lose

Connie Feldman

weight.

I'm going to text in and see what I can eat if it's the same person.

It might be someone different.

Pete Schwabba

I think it's probably her and we're gonna talk about Ozempic is available

Connie Feldman

in

Pete Schwabba

pill form now So I don't know if you knew that

Connie Feldman

I did not

Pete Schwabba

okay.

Well, it's it's pretty big and it's it tastes like a pizza.

Connie Feldman

So yeah, I'm into that

Pete Schwabba

Let's go.

I dropped that joke last week.

I thought I was pulling gold out here and I got nothing

Connie Feldman

well Conrad said they're silently zombers.

I was in

Pete Schwabba

Madison.

They're just looking at me like whatever so Conn how we doing we have Mike?

Not Mike yet?

Okay, we don't have Mike.

So you can tell us about Song Song Blue.

This great movie set in Wisconsin.

It's based

Announcer

on a true story

Pete Schwabba

about two, a couple in Milwaukee that formed a Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning and Thunder,

Connie Feldman

correct?

Tell us

Pete Schwabba

about what you thought of the movie.

I'm ashamed I haven't seen it

Connie Feldman

yet.

Well, I had a preconceived notion, I'll admit, going in because I thought it was going to be a real cheeseball thing.

You know, they're personators and it, to me, it was

Outstanding

Announcer

it was

Connie Feldman

just the perspective of someone who's a performer and has such a passion and the way I mean Hugh Jackman's voice

Announcer

sound

Connie Feldman

like Neil Diamond can't be a hard voice to duplicate and Speaking of voice Kate Hudson.

I thought she nailed the Wisconsin accent.

It wasn't too heavy, but it was there and it's just it's a beautiful touching

Touching story.

I was ballin.

I was really at the

Pete Schwabba

end.

Yes.

I've heard there are some really heartfelt moments.

There are some funny moments, but Yeah, I haven't seen it.

I'm ashamed because I love Neil Diamond's music and I really like I will say I was kind of

I like Hugh Jackman enough.

I'm not really a Wolverine guy.

I don't go see those movies, typically.

Kate Hudson, I like.

I loved her and almost famous.

She is, speaking of Steve March-Tormey, she's a nepo baby

Announcer

to like

Pete Schwabba

the 10th degree with Kurt Russell and Carrie or Goldie Haun as her folks, but she doesn't just take any gig to do it.

She's really selective and maybe that's where being a nepo baby helps.

You just don't have to work all the time and you're a little more selective in your roles, but I've heard she's great and might get an Oscar

Connie Feldman

nod.

Did she do all her own vocals?

Because if she did, you know, that's, I heard recently that she's, she's launching more of a musical career.

Really?

She was, she was outstanding.

Huh.

You know, and she was imitating Patsy Klein, which is not easy to do, but the vocals were phenomenal.

I

Pete Schwabba

need to launch more of a music career.

Connie Feldman

I think you do.

You think it's too late for me?

I'll back you up.

Me and Steve March Tormé will hit the road.

Because you

Pete Schwabba

can sing.

Tell us about your, you know, before you were in broadcasting, you were, like you said, very musical.

Connie Feldman

I was, yeah, I still am.

I just, uh, I don't have time for it as much as I used to.

But yeah, I had a, you know, I had a band.

I had, uh... You had a band?

We had a chick band.

Chick trip.

Wow.

Chick trip?

That's what it was called?

It was a take-off of Cheap Trick.

I love that.

Yeah.

Um, all female band.

Um, more than that, I'm a trumpet player.

Um, played, you know, locally in a lot of different community bands, jazz bands, things like that.

Pete Schwabba

How come trumpet players aren't... don't get the l... Like Chuck Mangione.

Was there only room for one trumpet player in the whole?

Like, the guy was a star.

I couldn't name another trumpet player.

Well, Dizzy Gillespie.

I mean, some of the famous, but who's touring that's like, hey, come see this trumpet player at the Resh Sound?

Connie Feldman

His

Pete Schwabba

body.

But I don't know him, but you know that world

Connie Feldman

better.

And here's, well, trumpet players will hate me for saying this, but if you know trumpet players, they don't, because they don't have it.

get enough credit because they give it all to themselves.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah.

Connie Feldman

Trumpet players are kind of known for being, you know.

Pete Schwabba

Self-righteous or

Connie Feldman

arrogant.

Yeah, I mean, it's a loud, high instrument.

You gotta have some fortitude to stand up and play it.

Pete Schwabba

Absolutely.

Are you a Kenny G fan?

No.

No?

Connie Feldman

How come?

Pete Schwabba

You draw the line of trumpet, you don't?

Connie Feldman

That's, no, that's more of a smooth jazz thing, which I might.

You like the smooth?

No.

Pete Schwabba

You like that, that jarring

Connie Feldman

kind of.

I like big band.

I like jazz.

I like, but not my elevator

Pete Schwabba

music.

Connie Feldman

It's hard to go.

Okay.

Pete Schwabba

I'm with you.

I don't, I was not a huge, I had friends going to see Kenny G. And I was like, listen, I am accepting, I'm, I accept everybody.

I don't judge.

I never like look down on friends that, but I had a group of guys that were kind of guys, guys are going to see Kenny G at the Park West.

Connie Feldman

I'm like,

Pete Schwabba

are you?

I thought they were kidding.

I'm like,

Announcer

why would

Pete Schwabba

you go see him?

Like, even if it's on your car, like, he had a couple of songs.

I'm like, yeah, I'd listen to this in the car.

But they went, maybe they thought it was a good place to meet girls.

I don't know.

Women loved him, right?

He was like the Michael Bolton of saxophone playing.

Connie Feldman

But, you know, the other music thing recently, Bob Weir died over the weekend.

Pete Schwabba

Yeah, I saw that.

Connie Feldman

I was a big deadhead.

So I can like Neil Diamond.

Yeah.

It's still like the Grateful Dead.

Pete Schwabba

And,

Connie Feldman

you

Pete Schwabba

know.

You're a deadhead you don't seem old enough to be a deadhead

Connie Feldman

I was a late blooming deadhead and I was you know I was in a college sorority trying to be a hippie and it didn't work but you know

Pete Schwabba

Alright, so your Connie Feldman is here.

She does covers news here at WGBW.

And for Civic Media, she's here in the studio with us.

We talked a little bit about what's happening in the community.

A little, we dipped our toe in the packer talk, and we heard your great Steve March tourmate story.

What is the mood, would you say, if you know this of the community?

You know the Packers usually at least play a couple weeks into January.

Yeah, it ended a little soon this year What does that do like and I told Conrad even though I they're not my first team?

It's fun to talk about

Connie Feldman

like

Pete Schwabba

I'm part of this community even though I'm a Bears fan.

I like talking about this stuff What is the mood of the community right now?

Connie Feldman

The mood is hushed a little bit Okay, but I think the great thing about Packer fans as opposed to let's just say some other teams I think yeah, they are Packer fans do or die

I

Announcer

think

Connie Feldman

there's a lot of frustration now, because it's not the first time we got to the playoffs and stopped there.

So they're looking to see, OK, what's going to happen with Coach LaFleur, what's going to happen with.

But I think they're standing behind their team.

There's some talk about some people not as nuts about Jordan Love as they were a little while ago, which I think is unfounded.

And he's following up Aaron Rodgers.

Two Hall of Famers,

Pete Schwabba

yeah.

I can't figure that out either, like if you look at Love's numbers, maybe he doesn't have the quite, or I don't know that Aaron Rodgers had it immediately, but the clutch gene, like Rodgers developed it, certainly against the Bears.

And Love the other night at least proved that he doesn't, he's not quite there yet, but man, his numbers are as good as any quarterback in the league.

Connie Feldman

Well, and he wasn't, I mean, he doesn't have Michael Parsons protecting them either, you know?

Pete Schwabba

That's true.

Connie Feldman

Or not protecting him.

Pete Schwabba

But,

Connie Feldman

you

Pete Schwabba

know, protecting the

Connie Feldman

offense through defense.

Yes, you know what I mean.

Pete Schwabba

Absolutely, I do.

And what about LeFleur, like, and, Con, we talked about this a little bit before, but, like, there are coaches that every year, Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, and I think that's a big reason, like, people saw that Harbaugh got fired.

They thought, is LeFleur on the hot seat if he doesn't, if he didn't win?

But, I mean, I think he's a good coach.

What do you think?

Connie Feldman

I think so, too.

I think he's a good coach.

I think he's a good guy.

Yeah.

And I think we've got the cutest coach in the league.

So that's important.

Have you seen those t-shirts?

Our coach is hotter than your coach.

Pete Schwabba

What do you, you don't think Jim Harbaugh's a looker?

No?

What about Mike Vrable?

Got that guy's guy that iron jaw?

Connie Feldman

I have no idea.

Pete Schwabba

You don't care.

You're just a Homer.

SPEAKER_??

Yeah.

Connie Feldman

Packer fan, man.

Pete Schwabba

Are you, are you a sports fan in general?

Outside of the Packers or Wisconsin Sports?

Connie Feldman

Not really.

Not outside of the Packers and Wisconsin Sports, like you said.

Pete Schwabba

That's what I love about Green Bay.

Or in Wisconsin too, a lesser degree, but mostly Green Bay because the team is here.

It is a community event.

Connie Feldman

It's a culture.

Pete Schwabba

It's a sport, but it's also people that don't give two craps about football.

care about the Packers

Connie Feldman

and they

Pete Schwabba

want to watch the game.

It's an event.

Connie Feldman

Yeah,

Pete Schwabba

right?

Connie Feldman

It is an event.

It's just, you know, it's got such a beautiful, storied history.

Yeah.

That's what makes the Packers story so cool.

Pete Schwabba

Aside from Song Song Blue Packers games, what are you watching?

You watching anything you could recommend?

A binge?

You binge watch anything?

Connie Feldman

Well, right now, actually, I'm binging.

It was recommended to me.

Monarch of the Glen because I've heard of

Pete Schwabba

that.

Connie Feldman

Because my daughter's going to Scotland and we're going to go visit her.

So I was, you know, looking all this and it's really.

It's it's got a bit of a cheese to it.

I don't think anybody beyond Gen X should be watching it.

OK, but what I have been in the past, which I've what is it made?

Pete Schwabba

Made mask.

Connie Feldman

No, no, me.

That was awesome.

Breaking bad.

Oh, sure.

24 back in the day.

Pete Schwabba

Love 24.

I don't think I can sit through it now because of the commercials and the It doesn't quite hold up, but I'm with you.

I love that was like a streamer

Connie Feldman

show

Pete Schwabba

before streaming,

Connie Feldman

you

Pete Schwabba

know Connie, thank you so much.

Connie Feldman

Thank you for having me.

You're always fun to have on.

So let's do this again.

Thank you so much for having

Pete Schwabba

me.

Come back and tell another celebrity.

Connie Feldman

I

Pete Schwabba

will.

Okay, I mean someone that you're more of a celebrity then.

Connie Feldman

All right, Connie

Pete Schwabba

Feldman, listen to her here at WGVW.

She is great.

We are coming back to read your texts, peach wava and nightlight.

on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Announcer

Welcome

Pete Schwabba (host)

back.

This is Nightlight with Pete Schwabba and it is great to have you here on this Monday, folks, wherever you're joining us from around our beautiful state.

It is outstanding to come together and talk about the things we love movies TV comedy music We've got it all and tonight coming up an hour three Rob Brackenridge very talented Appleton based comedian will be here with his pal Mike Merrifield who is also a very talented Outstanding comedian who I know is from Wisconsin, but we'll learn more about Mike This will be his first time on the show very excited to have these two guys coming up and act three

After news at the bottom of the hour, my pal Sherry Stoko will be here.

Sherry is an excellent nutritionist and dietitian, and she is the founder of Wayless MD just outside of Milwaukee.

They do great work there, helping people get their weight under control and eat more consciously and that kind of stuff.

And what, you know, it's funny.

Conn, I, what did you eat when you watched the game?

Cause we're talking about food.

A pizza.

Conn (co-host)

Well, so Tanners in a in Appleton and Kimberly they do this thing called 12 12 beers of Christmas It's a little punch card and you drink love it you drink 12 beers on the list and you get a free pizza and a t-shirt That's

Pete Schwabba (host)

kind of cool.

Conn (co-host)

So get some swag.

Yeah, I used that one for for the pizza at the packer game

Pete Schwabba (host)

I don't you know remember what time?

Her last time Sherry was here, do you remember I asked him, what is a food people should avoid at all costs?

She said pizza.

So we can follow up with that when she is here at 635 because at this time of year, when you've got sports, it's nachos, wings, pizza.

That's just what people eat.

Monica in the 608, responding to our question of the night, which is yesterday was national Sunday dinner day.

What is your favorite tradition that involves food?

Monica.

says, not sure if it's my favorite, but it's the first thing I thought of, king cake, and I don't even know how to pronounce this word, and I'm ashamed because I'm part Polish.

Packies?

I think it's packies.

From Mardi Gras, I'm not religious, so I don't do it for Lent.

It's just about the food.

It's surprising I have a weight problem.

And then parenthetically, sarcasm.

On the way to the gym now, though, but currently waiting in line for a car wash.

All right, well, Monica.

Monica's texts.

She is honing her text.

They're outstanding.

She's crushing it.

All right.

We've got our guest.

Oh, Mike Clemens is on the phone.

We've only got a few minutes, but let's break down as much of the game as we can and get Mike's thoughts.

He does great work here at Civic Media.

He is our sports authority, and he joins us now over the phone.

Mr. Mike Clemens, hey, buddy.

I think that's Poochkes.

Poochkes, okay.

I knew it was something.

I knew I was getting it wrong.

Are they good?

Mike Clemens (guest)

Yeah, they're the those, you know, like, fried donuts, the folks from Poland make, you know, going into Lent and, you know, during, you know, Ash Wednesday,

Pete Schwabba (host)

that kind of

Mike Clemens (guest)

thing, right?

Pete Schwabba (host)

Yeah, that

Mike Clemens (guest)

sounds right.

Fat Tuesday.

That's a treat on Fat Tuesday.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Before Ash Wednesday, there was this comedian, John Knight, who used to do a joke.

He's like, where do they get all the ashes?

And he goes, I think before Ash Wednesday, all the priests get together and play poker.

It's called Poker Tuesday, and they smoke cigars.

Mike, we just have a few minutes, but overall thoughts in the game, it's great.

Thank you so much for joining us.

I'm sure you're busy as all get out since this

Mike Clemens (guest)

weekend.

The Matlow first coaching staff has got to figure out in-game adjustments better.

Yeah.

And because Dennis Allen, a former head coach, a longtime defensive coordinator down there, Sean Payton during their run with Drew Brees and the Saints, came up with some different ways to blitz Jordan Love.

And it screwed up the offensive tack where the Packers were up 21 to three in the second half and then came out and three and out and three and out.

You know struggle they got one touchdown back.

It's funny one of our senior writers that covers a team every day when Brandon McManus missed that point after in the second half after the Packers only touched on the second half He turned it said they're gonna lose this game and I thought well, you know that that'd be a quite a sensational story.

Wasn't it?

Yeah, right?

And that's exactly what happened.

I mean Caleb Williams is just crazy

You know in the fourth quarter.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah,

Mike Clemens (guest)

it's just he's he's a unique talent and You combine him with Ben Johnson who for me in the last three or four years if you See a coordinator either offense or defense and he say wow that guy's hot that guy should probably be a head coach That's the best candidate.

I've seen in five years and it's working out so far

Pete Schwabba (host)

Mike is he a little crazy?

I mean, the first half, he's going for it deep in his own territory.

He's kind of picked a fight with LaFleur.

I'm sure there's a method to his madness, but I got to say it makes me uncomfortable.

As a guy who lives around a lot of Packer fans, I just don't know that you need that.

Mike Clemens (guest)

No, I know.

I think it's brilliant.

I think he's a pretty much straightforward, buckle down, button collar shirt kind of a guy, but he knows his market.

He's been coming to Chicago for weekend trips and stuff, going to Cubs games and all that two years before he took the job.

And he's playing to the fan base.

He's trying to infuse that kind of a thing.

And, you know, actually the floor was doing that a couple of years ago when he was, you know, looking at the crowd and wave, you know, get the headset on and waving with the manual plays to sort of get, that was, I kind of noticed that I brought up in a press conference and then all the TV stations started taping, you know, what the head coach was doing, kind of doing cheerleading stuff.

No, I think Ben Johnson is playing this perfectly so far.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Well, the rivalry is definitely back.

It does remind me a little bit of Ditka, Greg, back in the 80s, but

Mike, it was short but sweet.

I really appreciate your time and it must have been a blast down there in Chicago.

Let's catch up another time and would love to get your thoughts on the whole season if you're game.

Mike Clemens (guest)

We got to talk to Micah Parsons and Tye and Tucker Kraft today, both coming back from ACLs.

That was some great content that we'll probably share later in the week, but those guys hope to be back by September.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Outstanding.

Thank you, sir.

Much appreciated.

You

Conn (co-host)

gotta

Pete Schwabba (host)

follow Mike Clemens at Mike Clemens NFL.

He does such great work here at Civic Media.

We are coming back to talk nutrition and how we can burn a few of those holiday pounds that we all have with our pal Sherry Stoker.

She will be here after news, sports and weather.

It's Pete Schwabba and Nightlight on the Civic Media Radio

Announcer

Network.

you

Pete Schwabber

Welcome back.

I'm Pete Schwabber.

This is Nightlight.

So great to have you with me, folks, on this outstanding Monday in our beautiful state of Wisconsin as we talk about some of the really cool stuff in life.

And you know what, not to be out, we talk movies, TV, comedy, a lot of that kind of stuff.

We talked about the Packers and the Bears a little bit tonight, but right now we are turning our attention to your health and something we all need to take more seriously in our life.

My next guest is a nutritionist and dietitian and the founder and chief health strategist of Wayless MD.

It is my pleasure to welcome back tonight, Ms.

Sherry Stoka.

Hi, Sherry.

Sherry Stoka

Hi.

How are you?

Happy New Year.

Pete Schwabber

Happy New Year.

Um, it's funny you say that because as part of the reason I wanted, I mean, I always like to hear what you have to say about nutrition and, uh, diets and all that kind of stuff.

But, uh, I think everybody, you know, puts on a couple pounds around the holidays.

So we'll jump into all that if you have any tips on how to, uh, to kick those holiday pounds.

But speaking of food, I have to ask you before we start, um, in honor of yesterday being national Sunday dinner day.

What is your favorite custom or tradition that involves food?

Do you have one?

Sherry Stoka

Oh

Pete Schwabber

Could be a holiday or you know,

Sherry Stoka

I mean, I guess I mean it would have to be Thanksgiving.

Pete Schwabber

Yeah, okay Same here.

I mean, that's one of mine.

I said some some crap.

Sherry Stoka

I didn't even know that was a special day yesterday Listen to know

Pete Schwabber

Everything is a special day.

And I put much more crass, sarcastic answers on our social media page, but I agree with you.

Thanksgiving, you cannot beat it.

The other thing I want to ask you before we jump into nutrition is, have you kicked any field goals lately?

Sherry Stoka

Oh my gosh.

Well, guess what?

You're not going to believe it.

I tore my hamstring.

I've been on crutches for like the last five weeks.

Pete Schwabber

That's a long recuperation, isn't

Sherry Stoka

it?

It's been torture.

Pete Schwabber

Oh, no.

Sherry Stoka

I mean, it's been absolute torture.

So I will definitely get back out there and start kicking again.

But it's going to be another like two to three months.

Pete Schwabber

Oh, my gosh.

Sherry Stoka

On the stinks.

Pete Schwabber

Did you do it kicking a field goal or was it something else?

Sherry Stoka

No, I mean, I've done them both.

I've ripped them both years of soccer, you know, and then.

It's been partially torn for a while, and I went running with a front, and we were getting kind of like nutty on hills, and I felt the pop, and I pulled it, so.

Pete Schwabber

What is that?

I've heard, like, I've seen friends rip their Achilles' tendons.

When you pop your hamstring, can you limp, or are you totally immobile?

Like, you just go down and need the paramedics, or what's that like?

Sherry Stoka

Yeah, well, it depends where you tear it.

I tore it right in below the butt bone where it attaches and it didn't completely rip off the bone.

There was some still attached so it didn't curl, but it's kind of the same as in Achilles.

Like if it's entirely severed, it will curl and mine did not curl.

Thank God.

So they were able to kind of just like

reattach

Pete Schwabber

it.

Is that the worst injury you've ever had?

I know last time you were here, we talked about your college soccer days and you're obviously still kicking field goals because I saw your social media posts and I thought that was so cool.

What's the worst sports injury you've had?

Sherry Stoka

I mean, I think it was my first hamstring where I was actually, it was during a game and I went to slide and it was really a loud pop.

And that's the one that I completely ripped.

So I crawled off the field on that one.

Pete Schwabber

Yeah.

All right, let's talk about the holidays and everybody.

I read something not too long ago that said, you really don't put on as many pounds as you think over the holidays.

But I always feel like I'm 20 pounds heavier after the holidays, even though I sometimes even work out through the holidays.

But for people that have put on a few pounds, what's the best advice you could give them for getting back in shape?

Sherry Stoka

Kind of stop the cycle at some point.

The cycle is what keeps people stuck, you know?

And until we kind of awaken to that, we will continue to be in that constant cycle.

So it's estimated that approximately 90% of American adults are metabolically compromised, which that's not a surprise.

But what that means is that weight loss strategies don't really work because your body isn't using like fat stores as it should.

And so we keep trying all these same ways of losing weight by calorie restricting.

And now every single person now knows that that doesn't work.

Pete Schwabber

You have to make a life change, don't you?

I mean, it can't just be a temporary.

My biggest thing is, I'll go crazy over the holidays with, I'll be so good, very few carbs.

feeling energetic, healthy, and then the holidays come and you just fall into this like, oh, I'm just eating salty, sweet stuff.

And my big thing is I'll go, well, I'll give myself two extra days.

Like I'm on vacation from my health.

How do you snap that?

Is there a tactic or something for people to go to break the cycle and do it easier because it's hard to do?

Sherry Stoka

Yeah, you have to be.

In order to have those days, you have to be metabolically resilient and metabolically healthy.

And so like the best kind of marker for that is your insulin levels.

And nobody's checking their insulin levels when it's like such a part of medicine that's so neglected because it's such a proactive way

of looking at your insulin levels because if your insulin levels are elevated you will never ever be able to access fat and so if you keep going into these holidays like metabolically compromised it's just again it kind of keeps you in the cycle so you have to kind of know where you are metabolically and like it's it really has to do with you know you're like

Insulin is one thing, but it's your visceral fat like your waistline because visceral fat is the driver of inflammation and insulin resistance and then you have to have adequate muscle if you're like muscle is depleted again your your metabolic health is going to be destroyed so you kind of have to be pretty metabolically sound in order to get away with going through the holidays like look at young younger adults that are healthy like they eat like crazy and they're fine when they come out of the holidays so like that's kind of where you have to

get to.

Pete Schwabber

So when you say metabolically compromise, I understand you're talking about metabolism, but is it, can you elaborate on that a little bit for those of us who really don't understand maybe exactly what you're saying?

Sherry Stoka

I know, because it is, it means so much.

But when you're metabolically unhealthy, typically what's going on with you is you have

a lot of astral fat.

So your waistline is, you have a big belly, you know, you have, you have the fat that is like is, you know, lining your, your abdominal area, right?

Your vital organs.

So that is the, that is the insulin kind of resistant fat cells.

So if you have a big waistline, if you have high blood pressure, if you have high cholesterol, if you have high triglycerides,

your body is not metabolically functioning the way it should.

So what that means is that your body is not using its fat reserves as it should.

So to take it a step further, if you're metabolically healthy and you eat bad and then you kind of go back, you go on like a calorie restricted diet, your body will go to fat stores when it needs it.

If you are metabolically healthy, it will use your fat stores.

If you're metabolically unhealthy, your body doesn't even recognize the fat stores because it's resistant.

It's inflammatory.

Your body doesn't even recognize it.

So that's why the cycle just keeps going on and on.

It's like a snowball effect.

Pete Schwabber

That's very well said.

Sheri Stoka is my guest.

She is the founder, I should say, and chief health strategist of Wayless MD.

Check it out, folks.

She really helps people get their nutrition goals in line.

She is also a nutritionist and a dietitian, and she joins us here periodically on Nightlight.

Are carbs bad?

Not all carbs, I understand, but for the longevity of brain health?

And brain fog, what's the best way as we get older to combat brain fog?

Sherry Stoka

I mean, we need like, did you see the new food guide pyramid that's been turned upside down?

Like I've been saying that forever.

We don't need carbs.

We're told it all the time that we do.

I mean, we can get carbs from like vegetables and fruit and nuts and seeds and a little bit of dairy.

We don't need

pizza and pasta and bagels like we don't need that so that I mean it is that is that's what's killing us yeah it is causing blood sugar dysregulation insulin resistance your body is no longer functioning as it as it should you can eat carbs but we just are eating way too much of the starchy poison you know i mean it's poison because it's all genetically modified processed and all of that

Pete Schwabber

What is the best food to eat, in your opinion, for brain health?

I assume proteins, but like, is there one specific food, like sometimes you hear fish oils, to stay sharp mentally as you get older?

Sherry Stoka

Yeah, I mean, you know, a diet that is, you know, yes, adequate animal protein.

You need animal protein.

I mean, I know there's a lot of people out there, you know, like, but you need animal protein, has all the amino acids.

You need healthy fats.

That's the anti-inflammatory.

Our brain is

the majority of our brain is fat.

So if you're not getting like DHA and EPA, like that's our brain.

So you have to be able, you have to eat your fish and or take fish oil supplements.

So that's really important.

And or like the healthy oils, you know, olive oil is has, you know, so many different healthy fatty acids.

And then, you know, nuts and seeds are also such an important part of the diet.

So it's really, it's really kind of just cleaning that up and not being afraid of fat, because okay, so when you look at the macros, you have carbs, protein and fat.

What starts metabolic dysfunction is any kind of any type of food that raises your blood sugar, because if you have a, if you increase your blood sugar, insulin follows.

And whenever you have high insulin, you go, it tells your body to store

to store calories.

So carbs, skyrocket your blood sugar.

Protein, very minimal.

Fats, zero.

Doesn't do anything to your blood sugar.

So we're kind of just really flawed in how we look at the diet.

Pete Schwabber

Here's what, I don't know if maybe some of the listeners can relate to this.

I have this issue where I'll fast, then I'll come off it and eat proteins, and within a day or two, I have no cravings, and I have energy, and my brain feels sharp, and I work out, and then a holiday comes up, and I sink back into the old ways.

How do you keep, and maybe you do this with your clients at Wayless MD, but how do you...

keep people in that zone where they don't binge or don't go off a program they're on.

And we've got about a minute to break and then maybe we can, if this is a longer answer, we can cover it after the break.

But what are your thoughts on that?

Sherry Stoka

Well, it's a little, a little more convoluted and very individualistic with everybody.

I mean, I'm even, I even have my boys who are like super high elite athletes, like I have them going in and out of like low carb, high carb because they notice

Such an extreme difference of endurance when they're off of carbs, but I do think we're human We're absolutely gonna go in and out of you know different diets and things like that.

So I do think it's somewhat Inadaptable like you have to kind of adapt to certain Editions and restrictions where your body starts to get used to it because if you just go keto and then all of a sudden go

All out, you know super high carb.

You're gonna feel terrible So you have to kind of get your body and adapt to the to the changes that that you feel comfortable with

Pete Schwabber

All right, Sherry Stoka is here.

We'll have her for a few more minutes on the other side of the break.

Check out Wayless MD, folks.

They do great work there.

It's just outside of Milwaukee.

We'll have a few more.

I'm going to ask Sherry, too, if breakfast is still the most important meal of the day.

We'll cover all that with Sherry Stoka when we come back.

This is Pete Schwabba and Nightlight on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Welcome back.

Con, I love when you discover a song that I share with you to use in the bumpers and I can tell when you like really good music.

I just want to say I'm very proud of you.

SPEAKER_??

Thank you.

Thank you.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Hey, we're back here.

It's Nightlight with Pete Schwabba.

I am Pete Schwabba.

Sherry Stoka is my guest.

At the moment, she is the founder and an outstanding health strategist at Wayless MD.

Definitely check it out.

Sherry, why don't you just tell us exactly what, if people go to Wayless MD or want more information and go to your website, what kind of people go there?

Are they looking to lose weight, just be more healthy in general, or is it a combination of the two?

Sherry Stoka (guest)

Yeah, it's a combination.

I mean, my passion is getting the body into a healthier state and really getting people to a place where we lost the sustainable kind of like how I was explaining.

We have to get into a state in order for it to be sustainable.

Otherwise, it's just going to continue.

you know yeah and so we're all about whole body healing but you know we offer many different things we offer holistic we offer many you know the glp medications so it really we try to just you know meet people where they're at

Pete Schwabba (host)

is breakfast the most important meal of the day

Sherry Stoka (guest)

oh i love that question

Pete Schwabba (host)

i thought so

Sherry Stoka (guest)

well

Okay, so if you're, again, it all comes back to your metabolic health and it all comes back to like what you're eating, right?

Like nobody on the planet should be having a bagel in the morning.

So, okay, so the most important thing in the human body is regulating blood sugars because if they're too high for long periods of time, you die.

If they're too low for long periods of time, you die.

So the body's like really, really good at managing blood sugars.

So if you think about it, when you wake up in the morning,

you eat right away.

When you don't eat, you're in a fasted state.

So your body actually has to use its own fat and its own energy for calories.

So I will answer the question, but I do want people to kind of understand this.

I just said that approximately 90% of people have metabolic dysfunction.

So that means there's higher insulin levels.

Just by

Normal physiology when you wake up in the morning because of cortisol and it's called like this dawn phenomenon We all kind of wake up with high insulin.

It's just normal So, um, you know after like an hour or so the insulin will drop to normal levels assuming that you're not, you know, you know Not completely like diabetic and things like that, right?

So if you wake up and you eat a bagel at you already have high insulin levels you eat a bagel you just destroyed

your body's ability to ever be able to burn fat.

So, yeah, I mean, like, so breakfast is so important, meaning either don't have it, because I do believe that there are people that do really well without eating breakfast, or don't ever eat carbs in the morning.

Have something like eggs or an omelet or, you know, some type of protein.

you know, yogurt with nuts or something like that.

Like don't spike your blood sugars in the morning because not only does that tell your body to store calories, it also is going to set the stage for the rest of the day.

I mean, breakfast is the reason why people are tired all day.

If you change your breakfast, you will notice the rest of your day

Pete Schwabba (host)

change.

Really?

That is fascinating.

Let me ask you this, sometimes you see people who are kind of lean and they can eat whatever they want.

And then you see people that are a little heavier, but they eat very health consciously.

Is it better to keep weight off even though you eat crappy or vice versa?

Sherry Stoka (guest)

Well, I don't believe that people that eat crappy, just because they're not overweight, they're probably incredibly unhealthy.

You can only get away with that for so long because you can't...

continue to poison your body and think that it's in a healthy state.

I mean, just because, you know, just because you're not like technically overweight.

So I mean, I feel like, I feel like there's so many ways to define like health, but when it comes down to like the foundation, it truly has to be, it has to, it has to be like your body composition.

You know, it can't, we can't continue to go on

weight loss diets and lose weight and not even know what we're losing.

You know, I mean, cause so many people now they'll drop 20 pounds and like eight pounds of it is muscle.

Like you've now destroyed yourself.

So now you will gain more weight back the second you start eating normally then.

Pete Schwabba (host)

We have about a minute left.

What the flu is horrible this season.

Are there any tips you could give people for ways that they could boost their immune system through natural foods?

Sherry Stoka (guest)

Just eat clean, eat clean, eat whole foods.

And I do think taking extra vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D, oh my gosh, are crucial.

We get everybody on those supplements because they're such the fighters of all the stuff going around.

So I do think we do need a little added supplement because we can't get it in our food.

as far as like to go back to you, because I know it's just like not really a great answer, but it really is giving people off the processed foods and just eating, trying to eat as real as possible.

Pete Schwabba (host)

That's the lesson of your visit here tonight, I think, is just eat whole foods and get off processed foods.

And it sounds so easy, but...

It's not as easily done, so check out WaylessMD and Sherry's work.

Outstanding.

Always fun to have you on the show, my friend.

And next time you come back, let's talk.

I know Ozempic is available in pill form now, and I made the joke last week that it's a huge pill and it tastes like a pizza, and it didn't go over that well.

So we'll jump into that next time, I hope.

I

Sherry Stoka (guest)

would love to.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Yeah, do rest at that bad gam there, too.

I hope you feel better soon.

Sherry Stoka (guest)

Thank you so much.

Pete Schwabba (host)

You got it.

All right.

That's a Sherry Stilke check out whaless MD.

She does great work there and can get you on the right path We are gonna break for new sports and weather and when we come back a Mike Merrifield and Rob Brackenridge will be here at 720 We're gonna read your texts next and maybe you bring out a funny clip or some comedy kill us to play a funny clip bring

Sherry Stoka (guest)

some well

Pete Schwabba (host)

smiles to people's face Let's make an entry all about comedy.

I know we're all wondering what Nick Cannon is doing.

So oh

He's probably running out of names to give his kids crazy names It's one thing to have a lot of kids, but the name he can't remember his kids names, right?

He can't remember all of them all I think 12 you break all the big stories here We're coming right back.

It's nightlight with peach wabba on the civic media radio

Sherry Stoka (guest)

network

Announcer

Broadcasting live from the Civic Media Studios in Green Bay.

This is Night Light with P. Chwaba.

Your inside source on everything entertainment from Wisconsin to Hollywood.

And now a guy who loves the sin but hates the sinner, P. Chwaba.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Welcome back to Night Light, ladies and gentlemen.

It is so much fun to be on the radio on this gorgeous Monday night in our beautiful state of Wisconsin.

We've already had way too much fun for a Monday, although I love Mondays.

Can I always say this?

I can't wait for Monday.

I don't know what to do with myself in the weekends.

I think I'm probably on an island there for the most part, but...

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Yeah.

I like what I do.

I like being able to binge all my TV in one sitting.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

In the weekend?

Yeah.

On the weekend?

That's good.

What did you watch?

Besides football, what did you watch?

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Did I watch this?

I'm a sucker for just a new movie on Netflix like whatever on Saturday after the game I was like All right, I want to just forget about something.

Yeah, I want to forget about this So I watch this movie is called the people you meet on vacation or something like that But it's based on a book and it's like a rom-com

Okay.

It wasn't for me, but I watched it anyways.

You got my mind off it, but

Pete Schwabba (Host)

just take a chance on something sometimes, and sometimes you're pleasantly surprised.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

And, you know, I was hearing some theories again about, oh no, so it wasn't, Stranger Things is coming out this week.

Gosh, I know.

No, it's, you know, the documentary that they really seen about the last season, the making it.

People are saying oh at the end of that it's actually gonna turn into an episode Come on

Pete Schwabba (Host)

what people need to get a

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

life

Pete Schwabba (Host)

seriously I

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

guess that that's what happened at like a like a the Friday the 13th documentary or something Okay,

Pete Schwabba (Host)

they

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

released a documentary about it at the end.

It was actually them getting chased by like Jason or something.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Is that true?

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Yeah,

Pete Schwabba (Host)

I

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Think it's I don't know if it's Friday the 13th one of the movie franchises around that though.

Okay, and

No, it's just like, I don't know.

I'm like, it's over.

They're not that good of writers that you thought they were.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Right.

Well, that last season, season five, and I probably mentioned this last week, that audience scores were worse than the critics.

Like, the stranger things faithful just thought it was okay.

I mean,

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

the last season was just kind of... Yeah.

I didn't in the first two seasons.

I mean even the third there were dynamite there.

Unknown Speaker

I was

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

like it kept me locked in I was like I can't wait for the next you know Or whatever it was, but

Pete Schwabba (Host)

this

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

awesome.

I'd watch an episode.

I'm like I can wait

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Yeah, I'm in no hurry.

It's not a cliffhanger

We've had a lot of fun here tonight, folks.

In hour number one, we had Connie Feldman, our wonderful WGBW reporter.

She's always fun when she comes on the air.

She's had such a great career.

We discussed that in hour number one and a little bit into hour number two.

We had a quick update from Mike Clemens about the state of the Packers.

I didn't ask him about Lafleur, did I?

We have just a few minutes.

I mean

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

he kind of did say it at the beginning.

It's like he didn't he didn't make adjustments

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Okay, no, but I mean like in terms of his job security.

It seems like he's okay Despite what national pundits were surmising

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

what would it be the worst thing if Packers kind of got a new face a new identity Are

Pete Schwabba (Host)

you calling for it as a reporter on now make the call

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

the Packers have been doing the same things for the past like five years now just yeah

just doesn't seem like, at the end of the year, we're always like, we need a new kicker.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

We're special

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

teams.

Special teams needs a new coach, and then just doesn't happen, and we just do the same things that we did the year before.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Well, it's interesting because I made the comparison to Mike Tomlin and Harbott.

Now, both those guys have won Super Bowls, but since then, it's pretty much just been a winning record.

They make the playoffs, maybe a playoff win, but typically out.

And it's kind of been the same thing with LeFleur.

His two predecessors both have Super Bowl rings.

But like, at some point you get, and Packer fans are, and this is a testament to the organization, are spoiled.

It's a good organization.

They have two Super Bowls.

You guys don't really have that much to complain about.

But once you have a taste for it, it's not good enough to make the playoffs.

Like, Bears fans were like, oh my God, we're in the playoffs.

What do we even do?

So I don't know.

It's interesting.

You seem safe, though.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Don't think I don't think he'll get fired.

I know I think he'll get extended You know what here's something funny though.

So

Pete Schwabba (Host)

last

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

night 20 or not last night Saturday 21 to 3.

Okay.

Yeah, you know what other comeback met the floor was a part of

Pete Schwabba (Host)

No,

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

he was on the Falcon the Falcon sideline when Tom Brady came back 28 to 3

Pete Schwabba (Host)

he was Yeah, what was he like a quarterbacks coach or something like that?

Yeah, he was I don't

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

think

Pete Schwabba (Host)

See that's the thing about Brady's legacy and it's it's you can't fault the guy was he seven and three six and four or whatever like he's lost a few Super Bowls, but he's won that Like that was a choke that was the Falcons just and what was the Packers?

That was the total joke do you mean the other night?

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Yeah, that was a total choke as well.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

That was a choke But that's also Caleb Williams for as much as he drives me crazy the guy's a gamer.

I mean at the end of the game, you know

Don't know but yeah, obviously the Packers contributed the thing is like with all the turnover like they weren't even turnovers the Packers fumble like four times The Bears couldn't get it.

I don't think they sacked.

Maybe they sacked him once but I don't know it's hard to say

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

it was just Like I told you before I had the three note that we had in the first drive for the second half.

I was like we're gonna lose

Pete Schwabba (Host)

I

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Knew because I've seen that against the Browns the Panthers just any

any time that teams came back this year, we look like that on the first drive in the second half.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

I missed a text last week from when I think we said what national holiday would you like to see.

There's pretty much a national day for everything, but this is a great one.

Jimmy Cusco put National Peach Waba Day.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Yeah, that's a great one.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

We got to get Jimmy back on.

The problem is, he's like the busiest guy in the world.

I mean, he

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

calls like 800 games.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

I know.

No, listen, and he's got the voice for it, too.

Our question of the night, if you're just joining us, is what is your favorite tradition that involves food?

And this is an honor of National Sunday Dinner Day, which was yesterday.

Jim from Appleton says there is no more of a... Oh, this is nice.

I'm sorry, we just saw this.

although I think she was already gone.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

I told her, I told her before.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Did you say it?

Okay.

Jim says there's no more of a celebrity than Connie Feldman in the Fox Valley.

That's awesome.

Yeah, we're big fans.

I've just, I've only known Connie a short time and she doesn't like me, but I like her a lot.

She's a very fun guest.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

I think she likes me.

I help her with all the technical stuff.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Oh, there you go.

That's a good way to get on anybody's good side.

Steady Eddie in the 608 says Thanksgiving.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, served with a nice merlot, and later on pumpkin pie with ice cream and a good cup of coffee for dessert, my favorite.

Eddie continues, Pete, earlier today I had a lightball moment I had to share with you and Conrad.

On the opening weekend of deer hunting season, the Green vape hackers play their game in blaze orange jerseys and pants with gold and green trim, helmets to match.

Wish Mike Clemens could have heard my bright idea.

Genius, am I right?

And then steady Eddie says, good luck to the bears.

No hard feelings because I know the bears don't mean to cause no trouble.

They just want to do the Super Bowl shuffle.

It's been a while.

It certainly has Eddie.

And thank you for the bears love.

You're a big man to extend the well wishes to the bears.

And I, you know, look, I don't know, what do you think about the Packer uniforms?

I will say this.

I loved their uniforms when they were all white.

And have the trim of green and gold.

I think those look really slick.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

I'm just happy with the basic unis that this the classic green gold Packers uniforms that it just it's so much history.

Yeah, that's why I think Lambo will never it will always be the Packers team as well.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Okay

Fair enough, 920 says, warm loving smells.

That's my favorite tradition around food that I forgot to tell you about when my daughter is coming home from college or anyone coming home who's been away a while.

I'll throw a batch of cookies in the oven or bake a loaf of bread or something.

So when they walk in the house, they are greeted by warm loving smells that remind them of home.

Oh my gosh, this is great.

Do we know who sent this?

Uh, no.

I almost want to say that's Connie, because she's referring.

That is so great.

The text continues from 920 saying, reminds me of being a kid coming home from school on a cold day when my stay at home mom would have a batch of my favorite cookies just coming out of the oven.

That is a great text.

Thank you 920.

Tony the trucker in the 608 says, Pete, we began hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas at our home after it became too much for our parents.

Very chaotic with 30 plus friends and family, but memories we are creating are priceless.

It is weird, like there's times in my life I don't want everything to be about food so I can stay in shape, but food does bring people together.

It is a tradition.

And those are great texts.

Conrad's mom.

Paula on the stream says the tradition our family has done for the holidays is not have the usual turkey and ham we like to mix it up every year taco pizzas Phillies of Philly cheesesteaks.

Oh, wow So we can all spend time together instead of being in the kitchen.

See that's what I'm talking about like my wife will say that sometimes Let's not make it all about food.

Let's all take a walk together But like we're just so ingrained.

It's just a food culture.

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

Yeah, you know, I I'm not the

biggest fan of turkey anyways.

I always, I don't know, sometimes too dry for me.

And I like when you do this because it's like different every year.

You never, you know, it's like,

Pete Schwabba (Host)

yeah, you can mow some tacos.

There's nothing wrong with that.

I

Ken (Co-host/Producer)

mean, tacos are great for any occasion.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

I agree.

100% Robert from McFarland in the 608 says tailgating is my favorite tradition for food, beer, Brotsburgers.

I cannot believe we haven't heard tailgating yet.

That is outstanding, Robert.

Thank you, sir.

We've got, coming up at some point, Rob might be running a few minutes late, but Rob Brackenridge and Mike Merrifield will be here at 7.20 around their abouts.

They've got a big comedy event.

They've actually got two big comedy shows coming up, one in Marinette that we'll discuss and then another one in the Wisconsin Dells, but they're both outstanding, outstanding, funny men, great stand-ups, well-seasoned, great joke writers and excellent performers.

They will be here in the studio whenever they get here and it'll be great to have them.

We've also, we talked to Mike and then Sherry Stoka.

I love having Sherry on because sometimes you just need the motivation to get in shape.

The holidays were just a couple of weeks ago, not even, and we're all sort of recovering.

And I just think when you talk to someone with her kind of knowledge about nutrition, it really is motivating.

So I thank you also to Sherry for being on the show last hour.

All of the hours of nightlight folks are catalogued in podcast form at civicmedia.us.

And you can listen to them there if you missed earlier interviews or nightlight fun.

So, oh, we got a phone call.

Who's on the phone, Ken?

Olly from the Northwoods.

Olly from the North.

You know what?

I knew Olly was going to call when I was thinking of this question because it's food related and Olly has great phone calls, well about anything, but specifically about food.

Hi, Olly.

Olly from the Northwoods (caller)

Hi, how are you?

Doing

Pete Schwabba (Host)

well.

How are you tonight?

Olly from the Northwoods (caller)

I'm doing good.

My favorite thing was baking cookies with Christmas cookies with my children and then taking them and passing them around to the elderly people in our neighborhood.

And then also doing the same thing with my grandkids.

Baking Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses and things with

my grandkids.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

That is so great, Ollie.

Do you still do these things?

Do your kids and grandkids come to you for the holidays, or do you go there?

Olly from the Northwoods (caller)

No.

I go there for the holidays, but the kids are all out of the house gone, and so we don't make cookies together much anymore, but we do all try to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving at my daughter and son-in-law, and I have a

Son-in-law, who is a wonderful cook, and so he places us all with his wonderful cooking every holiday.

Pete Schwabba (Host)

Well, it sounds like he had a great mentor.

Thank you so much, Ali.

As always, love your thoughts on food or any topic for the question of the night.

Thanks so much.

Have a great night.

Olly from the Northwoods (caller)

All right.

All

Pete Schwabba (Host)

right.

We are coming right back with two of certainly the funniest people in the studio, but I would go statewide or even nationwide.

Rob Brackenridge and Mike Merrifield will be here two very funny stand-up comedians in the studio.

We're talking comedy coming up next.

It's Night Light with Pete Schwabba on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Peach Wabba (host)

Nightlight with Peach Waba and Packer fans.

I will tell you this is the perfect way to end your Monday night because we've got two really funny guys helping us close down the show tonight they're here in the studio two great Wisconsin guys great comics Rob Brackenridge is Just an excellent comic.

He's been here several times before and he's brought his pal

A guy I've been anxious to have on the show forever, too, the very funny, Mike Merrifield.

So it's great to have both of you in studio.

Thank you for making the drive.

Good to be

Mike Merrifield (guest)

here.

Do I have to slide over so

Peach Wabba (host)

Rob can fit in?

Mike Merrifield (guest)

I

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

want to see my shirt.

Peach Wabba (host)

What does it say?

Open bar.

That's my special.

We're going to talk about that.

Is that the antithesis to dry bar?

Dry bar, yes.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

100%.

Peach Wabba (host)

Yep.

Which is funny because we were just talking during the break, Mike, you were talking about a comic who...

You just tell the end of that story again.

I thought that was so funny.

Which story?

I already forgot the story I was telling.

It was about the headliner who drank, and I always thought, I remember doing stand-up, the headliners I would work with were either recovering alcoholics or party crazy.

Right, right.

Like they hadn't been to rehab yet.

But this guy was drinking wine in his hotel room.

Well, he was

Mike Merrifield (guest)

actually the opener.

He was flipping the switch.

He was the opener.

I was the sober one.

Peach Wabba (host)

Oh my gosh.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

But yeah, I went to his room.

It's his terrible gig.

in Nagani, Michigan.

And the gig's actually fun, but they put you at the Triangle Motel, which there's just no way with the name Triangle Motel, it can be good.

And I woke up the next morning.

I told him we had to be ready to go at 9 a.m.

And I went to his room and he was getting yelled at by the maid.

She was like, you got to get your life together, man.

You're drinking at nine o'clock in the morning.

I forgot to add he had a bottle of wine.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, just listening to it.

He's just

taking swings out of the bottle while she yelled at him.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

Wow.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

When

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

you got to get advice from a maid.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Yeah, yeah.

When she's working at the Triangle Motel in Neganian, she's telling you you screwed your life

Peach Wabba (host)

up.

Not even a

Mike Merrifield (guest)

good gig for maids necessarily.

Yeah,

Peach Wabba (host)

there's a

Mike Merrifield (guest)

day that happened right across the street.

Why not just go to the days

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

in and clean?

Doesn't make any sense.

Nothing good is ever gonna happen.

I know I tried.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Yeah, tell your story.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

Back in the day, I used to actually get laid after a show.

I know it's weird.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

By the way, this is not the way you told the story.

First, you're embellishing a

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

little.

I brought a girl back after the show because I was hilarious and she said, what can I do, you know, to show you my appreciation?

I brought her back to the Triangle motel and she took one look and it went, no way.

We're going

Peach Wabba (host)

back.

You're not that funny.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

It makes, you know, like a Red Roof fan, you know, look like a five star hotel.

Peach Wabba (host)

It's terrible.

Alright, you guys are here.

Mike, we kind of, I feel like most of the listeners have heard Rob.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Get him out of here.

He doesn't need to be on this.

Get out of here,

Peach Wabba (host)

Rob.

The bar is

Mike Merrifield (guest)

closed apparently.

Peach Wabba (host)

Get out, Rob.

Get out.

Get out.

Get out.

Come on, Rob.

He could be in the frame.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Well, what do you want to know?

I mean a similar story.

I did comedy forever and Rob talked me into it.

He told me that

Peach Wabba (host)

Really

Mike Merrifield (guest)

this is a hundred percent true because I was telling him, you know I had a job at the time and but I was thinking I need to just lean into comedy Make it my soul income.

So I try harder, you know and Rob was like man, it's great You know you go out on the road and you go to all these small towns and women think you're

you know famous so they sleep with you you know and they throw themselves at you and some of the clubs even pay in drugs that you know they'll offer you you want cash or drugs you know back in the day.

Green or white.

Yeah he can tell me all these amazing stories and I've been a comic for 30 years none of it's ever happened.

Not one thing he ever promised ever happened.

Well you gotta be

Peach Wabba (host)

good looking.

And funny.

Look at this picture.

Look at Mike your clean shit.

and you've got no hair, and you look like a badass.

That's a great photo.

You think so?

We're also rocking the beard tonight, and it must be nice.

Yeah, he looks like Ayatollah

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Khomeini right now, doesn't he?

Well, when

Peach Wabba (host)

you don't

Mike Merrifield (guest)

have hair on the top, you have a lovely head of hair.

You have to do what you can, so you grow your beard out to compensate.

And it doesn't matter anyway when you're a comic.

Well, it especially doesn't matter when you're 53.

I'm invisible to women.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

We've given

Mike Merrifield (guest)

up.

Peach Wabba (host)

So where are you based, Mike?

I know you're from Wisconsin.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Yeah, well, I still live in Appleton, actually.

Nice.

So you guys get to pal around?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I was in Nashville for a while.

I did five years there.

I would go back and forth every couple of weeks.

I was working down there.

Nice.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

He works for a 800-pound groove.

Yeah, it's on a

Peach Wabba (host)

sweatshirt.

Oh,

Mike Merrifield (guest)

fantastic.

Yeah,

Peach Wabba (host)

we're

Mike Merrifield (guest)

plugging.

So

Peach Wabba (host)

we're plugging the 800 pound gorilla and the open bar comedy festival.

Yeah, our special.

So tell us about that, Rob.

You've got you've done a dry bar where you have to be totally clean.

You're great at that.

I didn't even know you worked dirty at all.

I don't.

I don't really.

All I did.

I did.

I did the exact same

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

set with the F word in between each word.

SPEAKER_??

So yeah.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

No, it was fun.

It was in Sarasota, Florida, you know, in a great club, McCurdy's Comedy Theater.

Peach Wabba (host)

Have you heard of that place?

Maybe heard of it.

Never been

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

there.

It's really good.

And they treat you really good in a packed place, and I had an awesome set.

Wow,

Mike Merrifield (guest)

that goes without saying.

I know.

I felt you needed to go ahead and say it.

I'm one of those guys that never

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

has a bad set,

Mike Merrifield (guest)

you know?

It's like, even if you hit

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

bomb, boy, did I kill him.

No, I'm not that

Mike Merrifield (guest)

guy.

You mentioned the old days, though.

It's not like it was in the old days.

It's like stand-up is not like it was when I started.

Like you said, everybody was an addict.

Everybody was either

Peach Wabba (host)

a

Mike Merrifield (guest)

drunk or a pod head.

And now these young comics, they have no vices.

Peach Wabba (host)

I guess the

Mike Merrifield (guest)

only vice they would have would be social media.

You sit in a green room and everyone's staring at their phones.

No one's talking anymore.

And get this, they changed open mic to mic.

They just call them mics now.

Hey guys, wanna go do a couple of mics on Friday?

Peach Wabba (host)

Because they don't have the kind of time to add open.

Oh, yeah.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Their time is valuable.

That's the excuse they gave me.

Because the first time I heard it, I was like, it's open mic.

You can't just change it.

It's been open

Peach Wabba (host)

mic

Mike Merrifield (guest)

since the teens.

You know what I mean?

Like, there have been open mics.

And I realized they dropped the open because it makes them seem more legitimate.

Because if it's an open mic, that means anyone can do it.

Now they

Peach Wabba (host)

call them

Mike Merrifield (guest)

mikes and they say they're booked, so it's different than an open mic.

My thought is you're just dropping the open to make yourself feel more legitimate.

Like street crowd or

Peach Wabba (host)

something.

Yeah, like

Mike Merrifield (guest)

you're doing something bigger than what you are.

Peach Wabba (host)

All right, we got two hilarious guys.

I'm so thrilled these guys are here.

Rob Brackenridge and Mike Merrifield.

We're going to do the news.

We're going to come back.

I'm going to tell you where you can see these two guys coming up in the next couple of weeks.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

And that's what we're doing here to close out.

Are you guys Packer fans?

We'll get into that, too.

All right, we'll talk about that.

It's Peach Wabba and Nightlight on the Civic Media Radio

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

Network.

Mike Merrifield

Hey, this is Lance Barber, and you're listening to Nightlight with Pete Schwaballs.

Pete Schwab (host)

Isn't that what, did Lauren Holly say that too?

She said in the intro we had her do when she was on the show a couple weeks ago, she called me Schwaballs, just like.

Lance Barber does.

That's great.

I guess it's great.

That's kind of how I want to be known.

Hey, welcome back to Nightlight.

I am Pete Schwab.

We have two outstanding guests in the studio here tonight, Mike Merrifield and Rob Brackenridge.

Two Appleton-based comics, but they tour all over and they've been around a long time and they're

Have so many like accolades Rob was just telling us about his new open bar special that is the opposite of a dry bar where you have to be clean How dirty do you get on that and where can people see I

Rob Brackenridge

actually do get kind of dirty and you can get it on YouTube It's absolutely free.

Just

Pete Schwab (host)

go to

Rob Brackenridge

open bar.

They have their own site, you know their own YouTube channel and then just Just find Rob

Pete Schwab (host)

break.

Oh my specials can read it's called be

Rob Brackenridge

or no.

Pete Schwab (host)

I that's I was just gonna say I love that

And Mike, you've been touring all over too.

I love that you're still Appleton-based.

You opened for Rob Schneider, I know quite a bit.

His HBO Young Comedian Special was so funny.

And then he, of course, did Saturday and didn't live it all that.

What are those gigs like?

With him now.

Mike Merrifield

Yeah, I mean he sells out theaters like this coming

Pete Schwab (host)

weekend

Mike Merrifield

We're gonna be at the MGM in Copperfields theater on Friday and Saturday and he'll sell it out both nights.

Yeah, he's uh, you know, he started out as a comic He was a comic from like 21 to 23.

Rob Brackenridge

I worked with him

Mike Merrifield

30 years

Rob Brackenridge

and

Mike Merrifield

Rob

Rob Brackenridge

worked with him

Mike Merrifield

back in the in the 20s on the megaphone, right?

Rob Brackenridge

Oh, yes, yes, still your

Mike Merrifield

offer

Yeah, what are we talking about?

I forgot.

I'm getting

Pete Schwab (host)

old.

Vegas.

You're

Mike Merrifield

talking

Pete Schwab (host)

about how.

Oh, he was a stand up.

But I thought he still was.

But is he not?

Mike Merrifield

Well, he once he got huge, he took 10 years off of doing stand up.

And then Chris Rock told him, like, why aren't you doing stand up?

Like, you're a funny guy.

You're a funny stand up.

You should do it.

And you can make a lot of money doing it.

So he started doing it.

And he was he's good.

He's amazing now.

But I remember his one then one that

used to be on Netflix as a comedy dynamic special of his.

I think it's called Hot Sauce and the Holocaust or something like

Rob Brackenridge

that.

Mike Merrifield

Something like that.

Some weird name, but I remember I was in LA with a bunch of comics and I was like, guys, let's watch Rob Schneider's special.

You know, I'm sure this will be hilarious.

Like we're all ready to goof on it and act like we're better than him.

And five minutes in, we're all looking at each other like this stuff's great.

Like I

Pete Schwab (host)

can't

Mike Merrifield

even, he's good.

And he's sort of, he's a Trump.

guy or whatever.

Pete Schwab (host)

And

Mike Merrifield

so he had a lot of political stuff that he wrote the last few years that he really cares about.

And I really feel like it took him to like another level.

He's really killing it.

That's my neighbor.

That is really

Pete Schwab (host)

weird.

I live in Marinette.

I live an hour away and my neighbors are walking by the window.

No idea what's going on.

Maybe restraining orders in order.

Yeah, he is a Trump or he's kind of a lot of money.

And I believe he really probably really is and isn't just trying to cash in.

But man, would you

do that as a comic.

Well, you're costing yourself money too, right?

Well,

Mike Merrifield

he already was sort of blacklisted by Hollywood about 15

Pete Schwab (host)

years ago.

Because of his

Mike Merrifield

movies.

Well,

Pete Schwab (host)

that's a good one.

No, yeah.

For non-political

Mike Merrifield

reasons.

No, he spoke out against vaccines around the time that Jenny McCarthy spoke out or whatever.

He spoke out then.

And apparently, I didn't know this.

A lot of your big corporations that sponsored

television shows and things in Hollywood are all pharmaceutical companies.

Right.

So

Pete Schwab (host)

he

Mike Merrifield

basically got blacklisted for being outspoken.

Luckily, he's got Sandler.

Sandler puts him in all his stuff.

Right.

And then he had done all those movies.

And then, like I said, he got back into doing stand up.

And he, you know, I look at older stuff and compared to what he's doing now and what he's doing now is amazing.

And actually, right now we're touring with a band.

Do

Pete Schwab (host)

you know

Mike Merrifield

what Kill Tony is

Pete Schwab (host)

on YouTube?

Is that what you sent me before

Mike Merrifield

Rob?

No,

Rob Brackenridge

I didn't send you any Kill Tony.

Mike Merrifield

Kill Tony is Tony Hinchcliffe's YouTube show.

It's actually on Netflix.

Pete Schwab (host)

In

Mike Merrifield

fact, there's, I think, a new episode dropped last night and Rob is on it.

Schneider's on

Pete Schwab (host)

it.

Oh,

Mike Merrifield

nice.

But yeah, he just, he's sort of had like a rebirth, man.

And he's firing on all eight cylinders.

And like I said, we're touring with a band and we have Tony's band.

We have the Kill Tony band.

tours with us now.

That's cool.

Pete Schwab (host)

And

Mike Merrifield

he's done a bunch of different band iterations.

We had Tony Bennett's band for a while.

What?

And so he did more of like a jazz type style thing.

And now he's doing it's rock and roll.

Basically, it's a lot of Elvis.

He sounds a lot like Elvis, but he can really sing, man.

Rob Brackenridge

Wow.

He's an

Mike Merrifield

incredible singer.

Rob Brackenridge

He used to be an Elvis impersonator.

That's true.

That's when I worked with him.

He had just stopped being an Elvis impersonator in Japan.

You know, he finally

Mike Merrifield

told me that full story.

I thought he had done it for a while.

He only did it for like four months.

And when he got there, he didn't realize he had to do three shows a day, seven days a week.

And after the first show, he lost his voice because he...

you know, he was singing.

He wasn't used

Pete Schwab (host)

to singing.

Mike Merrifield

It was kind of one of those things where the, the booking agent was like, I need a guy.

You know, can you sing Elvis?

And he's like, yeah, I can sing Elvis.

And he probably been singing it in his shower and in his car, but it's a whole different thing when you have to sing it in front of people.

Pete Schwab (host)

Use your diaphragm.

Yeah.

Mike Merrifield

You got to sing.

You got to know what you're doing.

But yeah, he did that for a while.

But I was thinking about it.

It's cool hanging out with him because he got famous at 23 years old.

Yeah.

And back when

You know if you were on Saturday Night Live everybody in the world knew who the cast of Saturday Night Live was.

I can only tell you Colin Joest and Michael Che.

I don't know anybody else that's on.

Keenan Thompson.

Pete Schwab (host)

He's been on there forever.

Is he funny?

He makes me.

Do you ever see the sketch or the sketch what's up with that?

That floors me.

And he was funny in the Beavis and Butthead.

I don't watch the show.

I only see with the quips online.

I'll give you a

Mike Merrifield

thousand dollars if you can show me something funny that he's done.

$1,000 cash

Pete Schwab (host)

that

Mike Merrifield

I'm gonna borrow for some.

Rob Brackenridge

After we do your gig.

You give it to me.

I'm gonna owe you 800 bucks

Pete Schwab (host)

after

Rob Brackenridge

we

Mike Merrifield

do your

Rob Brackenridge

gig.

Pete Schwab (host)

That's a great segue.

Let's talk about that.

Mike Merrifield is here.

Rob Brackenridge, two Appleton-based stand-up comics, really

great comics that have carved out a niche in the industry, outstanding stuff.

What, what, you got, I can't believe, Mike, like I see, I don't, are we Facebook?

Somehow I see our posts.

I think I made a request a long time ago, but we've, aside from Pasquale, we don't really know each other that well, but you're, you're stuff, you're all over the place.

And I couldn't believe when I reached out to Rob to do this football fundraiser in Marinette, he's like, I'll bring Mike Merrifield.

I'm like, the nationally touring headliner is going to open for you in Marinette, Wisconsin at the country.

Score so thank you for doing it and thank you Rob because you guys are gonna be a really fun

Mike Merrifield

show really Thank Rob when he first gave me the offer he put an extra zero on the end No

Pete Schwab (host)

zeros when I

Mike Merrifield

first

Rob Brackenridge

1350 that's what it was

Pete Schwab (host)

So you guys are coming up to Marinette it's January 31st the rooms

Are comped let me just say that nice, but it's a country club in Marinette use fundraiser It's a good crowd and thank you for doing that, but tell us also about you got a show coming up in the in the Dells right

Mike Merrifield

do you

Pete Schwab (host)

I don't I don't

Mike Merrifield

I have no shows

Pete Schwab (host)

hold on a

Mike Merrifield

second you're looking at my The website that hasn't been updated.

I'll bet you that thing hasn't been updated in five years.

Oh man.

I was

Pete Schwab (host)

talking about

Mike Merrifield

that the stand-up journey man new

Well, it's new-ish.

It's a comedy series that I produced called The Stand-Up Journeyman, and we filmed it at the Meyer Theater.

Rob Brackenridge

I love

Mike Merrifield

it.

And what was it, North Coast Productions?

Those guys were cool enough to come out and film everything.

Rob Brackenridge

I put out a clip.

I got million views.

Pete Schwab (host)

Yeah, yeah.

Oh, okay.

So this is a great lineup.

Johnny Bainer, Mike Stanley, and you guys.

Mike Merrifield

Yep.

Pete Schwab (host)

And

Mike Merrifield

we had filmed it before the pandemic, and then during the pandemic with all the free time is when I put it all together.

So it's four episodes.

And I think it's on Amazon still.

It's on Amazon.

You have to pay for it on Amazon, but

Pete Schwab (host)

okay.

Oh, it's worth though.

It's worth 99 cents.

All right, we talked about Rob's dry bar and open bar specials.

You can see both of them on YouTube.

You've done the the Wisconsin Francisco comedy competition.

Yeah, the premier comedy competition.

Mike Merrifield

You know, that's another thing Rob told me.

Speaking of Rob misleading me, I'm the whipping boy.

He was like, dude, if you make it to the finals in that competition, you got management.

Like you'll, you know, and then he reads off the list of second place winners, you know, Robin Williams, all

Pete Schwab (host)

these

Mike Merrifield

people that didn't win, but they became famous.

And the last week he said, you go to all the shows that are like in San Francisco or whatever, it's going to be all these industry people, nobody there.

They were like, they couldn't get people to be judges.

That's the other thing you should never judge comedy.

Rob Brackenridge

So I

Mike Merrifield

didn't feel good about the whole thing, but I ended up getting second place.

Second place is amazing because there's

Rob Brackenridge

Robin

Mike Merrifield

Williams and I both

Rob Brackenridge

got second place.

It's amazing anyway.

It's been 30 years and every second place winner has gone on to great things except one.

That would be me.

Mike Merrifield

That would

Pete Schwab (host)

be me.

I like to break

Mike Merrifield

a good streak.

Pete Schwab (host)

I went to the Montreal Comedy Festival.

I was a new face in 97.

That's huge.

It was.

Mike Merrifield

Nothing like that happens anymore except being on Joe Rogan.

Yeah,

Pete Schwab (host)

well, I never got I never killed Tony

Mike Merrifield

That's like the modern version of that.

Pete Schwab (host)

Yeah, but it was the same thing It was like oh you remember getting picked up the airport and there was a manager there and he's like oh you're gonna come away with this Representation I was just a Chicago comic and all these guys get deals and this and that I left I like got like one business card.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I was like is this a bad sign Make a mistake.

Yeah, and I knew that he said that that's not gonna happen for me because that's just kind of how things happen sometimes,

Mike Merrifield

you know, well

Well, it is what it is.

You

Pete Schwab (host)

know,

Mike Merrifield

you mentioned that I'm doing well, but am I?

I mean, I didn't start out to be Rob Schneider's opening comic.

You know what I mean?

I started out doing this.

to

Pete Schwab (host)

be Rob

Mike Merrifield

Schneider.

It's a good

Pete Schwab (host)

gig.

And you got all this other stuff too, Mike.

You got to, and I know you don't need a pep talk from the guy doing radio, but like two comedy specials on Sirius Example.

Yeah, I've done some stuff.

I used

Mike Merrifield

to have a bunch of records and

Rob Brackenridge

stuff.

You've done, you have seven albums out.

Okay, fine guys.

Mike, you're a funny guy.

Come on.

I want to hand myself.

I mean, seven albums and that's all different material.

This new set brought us just for decoration.

I wasn't going to use it.

And you know how he got that gig?

I mean, you got to be pretty good to get that gig with.

Rob Schneider.

Tell

Pete Schwab (host)

him how

Rob Brackenridge

you got it.

Oh, thanks to Rob Brackenridge.

Mike Merrifield

I got it, because Brackenridge is a moron.

No,

Rob Brackenridge

he's not a moron.

It's true.

The

Mike Merrifield

quick story is Rob Brackenridge was opening for Rob Schneider at the Epic Events Center, and he just messaged me and said, hey, you want to go up?

I'm opening for him, and you'll get to meet him.

It'll be cool.

So yeah, that's cool.

We go, we kind of watch the show.

We don't really watch the show.

We're sitting in the green room, most of the show.

And then we hung out with Schneider for like three hours afterwards.

And he asked Rob Brackenridge if he was open the next two nights, because he needed someone to open for him in Springfield, Illinois, and then one other place.

Rob Brackenridge

Milwaukee, in Milwaukee in Springfield.

Mike Merrifield

At the Pottawatomie.

And Brackenridge says, no, I can't because I'm working at the skyline the next two nights.

But my buddy Mike can do it for you.

And he can record your show because he works for 800 pound gorilla.

Rob Brackenridge

So that's

Mike Merrifield

right.

Yeah.

Rob Brackenridge

He could record

Mike Merrifield

your show

Rob Brackenridge

for you.

And then right then I felt my stomach drop.

I saw the words come down and then I saw all this money go away.

What am I giving this gig away for?

Mike Merrifield

And now I'm like best friends with Rob Schneider.

And he

Rob Brackenridge

looks at me every once.

Oh yeah, you're that guy.

Yeah.

Pete Schwab (host)

Do you get a taste of that?

He had 10% like no.

Rob Brackenridge

No,

Pete Schwab (host)

he does

Rob Brackenridge

my reels, he makes my reels.

All those tic-tac reels, how many 147?

147, how much do I

Mike Merrifield

owe you?

The minimum would be a hundred bucks a reel for the production work.

Pete Schwab (host)

Do you want a man?

You owe me a lot of money.

But it's not like he got you booked in Marinette.

That's true.

At the end of January.

That's true.

See?

Mike Merrifield

And let's not forget I'm going to owe you money after that

Pete Schwab (host)

gig.

That's how little it pays.

If you have.

I thank you to do the gig.

Oh, that's so funny.

All right.

Mike Merrifield and Rob Bracken-Ridge are here in the studio.

They are doing, you know what it was?

It was the January 20th.

I don't know where you saw this.

One of your websites that said January 20th.

Cheeseball show with Rob Bracken-Ridge.

Bob Brackenridge, Wisconsin Delta.

Yeah, that must have been on your website.

Rob Brackenridge

Man,

Mike Merrifield

that was like two years

Pete Schwab (host)

ago.

Two years ago, yeah.

You haven't

Rob Brackenridge

touched your website in

Pete Schwab (host)

two years.

No, I don't update it.

You're doing his reels.

Mike Merrifield

Yeah, I know, and I did some for myself, but then when I didn't become famous after two months of doing it, I was like, I'm not doing this anymore.

It's a lot of work, man.

Pete Schwab (host)

I

Mike Merrifield

will say that about the young comic, okay?

Because when we were young comics,

All we had to concentrate on was being funny.

They have to concentrate on being funny.

Pete Schwab (host)

They have to know how

Mike Merrifield

to use all of the platforms.

They got to be able to film their shows, edit their shows.

I mean, you got to do so, they have to, everyone has to have a podcast.

There's just so many more, so many more requirements.

Pete Schwab (host)

When we come back, we'll have a few minutes left with these two hilarious guys.

And I'm going to ask you about the Comedy Cafe if you're part of that whole thing going on.

We'll do that after a very short break.

It's Peach Wabba and Nightlight on the Civic Media Radio Network.

Pete Schwabba (host)

All right, welcome back.

This is Night Light with Beach Wabba, a Monday night version.

Con, we got another good show tomorrow night.

Daniel Rico, producer, will be here.

Comedian Olivia Witt, Jason Jerry, the Green Bay Llama.

Do you guys know, or heard of this guy?

No, no.

He's like a local community guy.

He's kind of all over Facebook, but... Is he

Mike Merrifield (guest)

like wearing a llama costume?

I don't understand

Pete Schwabba (host)

a llama costume.

I gotta get to

Mike Merrifield (guest)

the

Pete Schwabba (host)

bottom of it.

Spits

Mike Merrifield (guest)

when he

Pete Schwabba (host)

talks.

That is the voice of Mike Merrifield and the laugh of Rob Brackenridge, two comedy titans who are in the studio here tonight.

You can check out Rob's new special open bar.

To be or no, on YouTube, and Mike Merrifield's got seven comedy albums.

I also have one too.

I have an open bar as

Mike Merrifield (guest)

well.

What was mine called?

Your big break.

The big break.

Oh, the big break.

Or my big break.

My big break.

There's like 19 people in the audience.

That's exactly how you want to film a special.

Oh my

Pete Schwabba (host)

god.

Did you ever do, were you guys doing stand-up when the Evening of the Improv was still on?

I

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

got passed for it.

It went out of business.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

The producer saw Rob's name on the list and they're like, we don't want to do this anymore.

Isn't he from

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

Wisconsin?

Pete Schwabba (host)

We

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

have not gotten as low as that.

We're not getting

Pete Schwabba (host)

it.

This is going to sound weird.

That was a goal of mine was to get on that show because I remember sitting in Marinette.

watching when I was in high school, and Robin Williams hanging out.

They used to do these little vignettes where they're hanging out outside the club, and it looked like the greatest life ever.

So when I did it, I was thrilled, but I did it at the Santa Monica Club.

Same thing.

It was like...

seven people it was like the last legs of Evening at the Improv was terrible, but it was I mean I could say I did it, but it wasn't really a great experience Well, you

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

could cut up the clips now and Michael juice it and it looked like you killed

Mike Merrifield (guest)

I'm actually wondering because I work for 800 pound gorilla records and one of our our other record labels is What are the crown jewels and we do all these legacy

Media things and one of them we did is I took all of the evening at the Improv's chopped them up into tracks You know clean them by today's standards took out a lot of a lot of gay bashing back in the day, but I took it not your set but I Packaged them as albums and they play on serious XM and stuff and

Pete Schwabba (host)

all

Mike Merrifield (guest)

that but yeah, I don't I don't I would remember seeing your name It's possible.

I did see it though.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Well, like I said, I'm not even if you juiced the laugh track people go

It sounds

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

like there's eight

Mike Merrifield (guest)

people now you didn't do much

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

and Mike actually does he edits old Those things from the 50s, you know where they were really.

Oh, yeah.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Yeah.

Yeah Well,

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

I

Mike Merrifield (guest)

guess the roast yeah, I did a bunch of the roasts

Like in the fifties turn those into records checky green because we're all used to the Friars Club roasts But there was the craft roasts as well like craft that make mac and cheese Yeah, yeah, they sponsored their own series of roasts as well And then I also did a bunch of them turn a bunch into records that were never heard before they were private Friars Club recordings that they didn't have cameras that and things

Pete Schwabba (host)

but they just

Mike Merrifield (guest)

like feel

Pete Schwabba (host)

but they would Oh,

Mike Merrifield (guest)

it's terrible worse than you didn't want you didn't want to be a woman

You didn't want to be a woman at the Friars Club back

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

in the day.

Anyone other than a rich white guy,

Mike Merrifield (guest)

you

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

know?

It's kind of like today.

No, I think they were always accepting stuff.

But they didn't feel guilty about it.

No.

It wasn't as well

Mike Merrifield (guest)

or anything.

No,

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

it was a boys club.

Mike Merrifield (guest)

But he

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

had to take out all the racial stuff.

And even with Martin, what was the Martin Luther King thing?

Mike Merrifield (guest)

Oh, my God.

Mike Wallace had this interview show in the 50s, and they used to use the old N-word.

I don't even know if we can say the old one anymore, but... Oh, right.

Pete Schwabba (host)

That

Mike Merrifield (guest)

was accepted by everyone back in the day, so they say it a lot.

You know, so Mike will be interviewing an actress that happens to be a black actress, and he'll be using the, you know, the friendlier... The accepted term.

Right, the accepted term.

And some 23-year-old at SiriusXM objected to it and had me take all of those out.

All of that particular... Really?

Which ruins the conversation.

You know, he's trying to get insight into it.

I would just take it out.

So instead of saying, what's it like being a bleep entertainer?

He would say, what's it like being an entertainer?

Which takes everything away from that question.

And then he had Martin Luther King, Jr.

on and they asked me to take him saying it out of there.

And I go,

He's the guy.

He can't say it.

Pete Schwabba (host)

He's the

Mike Merrifield (guest)

guy.

Pete Schwabba (host)

I'm not going to take

Mike Merrifield (guest)

that out.

He's the guy.

Like,

Pete Schwabba (host)

my gosh, what are

Mike Merrifield (guest)

we doing?

I understand, you know, wanting to be sensitive, but yeah, everyone was cool with that one back then.

Pete Schwabba (host)

You know what I'm

Mike Merrifield (guest)

saying?

Like,

Pete Schwabba (host)

yeah, it was

Mike Merrifield (guest)

unbelievable.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Um, do you guys have, uh, all right, you can see these guys if you're in the Marinette area.

Contact me.

I'll try to get you tickets through the head football coach.

It's sold out, is it?

Did you say it will be?

I don't know if it has yet, but and then you cannot see them unfortunately at the Wisconsin Dells for the cheese

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

ball.

Oh, you could see me at the comedy cabin in Jamesville.

Okay with Brad Upton

I didn't I didn't tell him

Mike Merrifield (guest)

I looked at the people they're booking they're booking some pretty big name comics opening

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

I'm opening for Brad Upton

Mike Merrifield (guest)

yeah well there's exceptions to

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

every rule

Pete Schwabba (host)

it's not always great

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

comic

Pete Schwabba (host)

he opens for Johnny Mathis

Brad Upton does, or used to when he used to.

Yeah, I think he still does.

He watched the Super Bowl at my apartment in like 1993.

Yeah.

And then, because we were working together at the Improv, and then I think Paul Gilmartin, another very good friend of mine, at the time invited him over to his house.

I think Brad kind of wishes he wouldn't have said yes to me so quick because Paul was just higher

Mike Merrifield (guest)

on the bank.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

Yeah,

Mike Merrifield (guest)

yeah, yeah.

Can I bring my friend

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

Pete with?

Brad was the first headliner I worked with back in 88.

Back in

Pete Schwabba (host)

New Orleans.

I know,

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

early.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Did your mom approve of your open bar?

Yes, she's

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

very supportive and I'm taking her her

95th birthday is next week and I'm taking her to Florida.

Pete Schwabba (host)

Isn't that a good

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

son?

That's a great son, you're fint.

They're gonna go parasailing.

No, we're going kayaking.

Pete Schwabba (host)

She's

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

95 years old and swear to God, we're going kayaking.

Pete Schwabba (host)

With the alligators and the manatees.

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

She's so sharp, too.

Pete Schwabba (host)

I

Rob Brackenridge (guest)

take her to baseball games, we do all kinds of stuff.

She's like the son I never had.

SPEAKER_??

Really?

Pete Schwabba (host)

Mike Merrifield and Rob Brackenridge, follow them on all the socials, check out their specials on YouTube.

Bridget from the 818 says, we would go to a restaurant for breakfast on snow days when my kids were in school.

That's a good food tradition.

Thank you, Bridget.

Thank you for all your calls and texts tonight, folks.

Thank you to Sherry Stoka.

Thank you to Connie Feldman, Mike Clemens, and these two hilarious guys.

You guys are awesome.

Thanks for coming in.

Thanks for having us.

All right, we'll be back tomorrow night on behalf of the lovable producer Conrad.

I'm Pete Schwabba saying good night, Wisconsin.

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