Wisconsin Forward

In this episode of the Wisconsin Forward Podcast, host Matt Rothschild provides insights from Timothy Snyder and Ruth Ben-Ghiat and then interviews Carlene Bechen and Earl Ingram on why protests are so crucial right now. Wisconsin Forward tells stories from one of the nation’s most closely contested swing state. Host Matt Rothschild looks to explain the background […]

Guests: Carlene Bechen, Earl Ingram

Tue Oct 28, 2025

46:02

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

Fri Oct 10, 2025

43:28

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

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

Mon Sep 29, 2025

38:10

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

Guests: Aissa Olivarez, Darrin Madison, Iuscely Flores

Fri Sep 19, 2025

34:30

On this episode of the Wisconsin Forward podcast, Matt Rothschild talks about the national question of what should be done with redistricting in Texas, California, and other states around the nation with Ruth Conniff, editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Examiner; Iuscely Flores, statewide organizer for the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition; and Sachin Chheda, one of the […]

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

Thu Sep 4, 2025

28:48

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

Guests: Dan Shafer, Matt Rothschild

Mon Aug 25, 2025

38:44

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

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

Fri Aug 15, 2025

40:44

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

Guests: Bill Hogseth, Mike McCabe

Fri Jul 11, 2025

36:59

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

Guest: Kathy Cramer

Fri Jun 20, 2025

39:05

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

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

Sat May 31, 2025

28:14