Joe Zepecki
How Joe Zepecki Wants To Lead WI Democrats (Hour 1)
Today is our first show at our new time of 2-4 pm! Trygve Olson of The Lincoln Project follows us into the mid-afternoon to share his unique perspective on the news of the day. Like Todd, he is a native Wisconsinite and former Republican. Unlike Todd, Trygve has worked in politics at all levels around the world, including presidential campaigns and battling authoritarianism in Eastern Europe. We ask Trygve about the developments of the Trump administration’s complete disregard of due process and rule of law.
At the bottom of the hour, we are visited by Democratic political operative Joe Zepecki of Zepecki Communications. Ben Wikler recently announced that he will not run for reelection as Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Now, Zepecki is running to carry on the torch. He talks with Todd and Trygve about the ways he plans to build on Wikler’s legacy of success in our state.
The Todd Allbaugh Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs live Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow us on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Todd and the show!
A film premiere and the race for DPW Party Chair (Hour 1)
Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. Dan and Angela welcome filmmakers Laura Dyan Kezman and William Howell to discuss their documentary "Cycle". The film is premiering at the Milwaukee Film Festival later this month, and delves into the tragic 2019 police shooting of 18-year-old Tyrese West in Racine, Wisconsin. The film explores systemic injustices and the historical cycle of racial violence, emphasizing the need for understanding and change.
In the second half hour, Joe Zepecki joins Dan and Angela to discuss his candidacy for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair. Joe shares what his vision would be as chair, advocating for bold leadership and urgent reforms, particularly in immigration and communication strategies. Joe also urges Democrats to stand firm on their values.
To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!
I Hereby Declare (Hour 2)
This has been a week of declarations in Wisconsin. There are now multiple candidates running for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District. We’ll talk to Emily Berge of Eau Claire about her decision to become the second Democrat to enter the 2026 race. There are also multiple candidates running to become the next chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Might our regular Thursday guest, political strategist Joe Zepecki, throw his hat in the ring as well? We’ll ask him live.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
Flip-Flops and Freakouts (Hour 1)
If Congress gave out awards for dramatic performances, the representative from Wisconsin’s 3rd District would have to prepare an acceptance speech. Derrick Van Orden’s latest one-act play has it all: Denial. Deflection. Faux outrage. We’ll talk to Joe Zepecki about that as well as President Trump pulling the rug out from under his congressional apologists with yet another flip-flop on tariffs.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
The Trump Tax Takes Effect (Hour 1)
With great fanfare and more than a little misinformation, President Trump unveiled new tariffs that surprised even the most jaded observers. The resulting trade war will result in a “Trump tax” as consumer prices rise—provided the goods consumers are looking for can be found at all. Also: Joe Zepecki’s analysis on what Susan Crawford did right, what Elon Musk did wrong, and what this week’s results tell us about Wisconsin voters in 2025.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
Send Elon A Message (Hour 2)
In the second hour, Political Consultant Joe Zepecki is our guest to talk about the importance of voting and how your vote is your voice. Next, a man in England had one last sweet wish for his funeral and his family obliged! So we ask you; how do you want to be buried? And we're not fooling when it comes to This Shouldn't Be A Thing - Slip Of The Tongue Edition
As always, thank you for listening, texting and calling, we couldn't do this without you! Don't forget to download the free Civic Media app and take us wherever you are in the world! Matenaer On Air is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 10 am - noon across the state. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! You can also rate us on your podcast distribution center of choice, they go a long way!
To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and YouTube to keep up with Jane and the show!
Well, His Initials Are B.S. (Hour 1)
We’ll ask Joe Zepecki the significance of Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel having to dig deep into the right-wing playbook to rehash made-up claims of vote count irregularities in Milwaukee. We’ll also discuss Sen. Ron Johnson’s musings about whether veterans’ health care was bloated and in need of cuts, even as we mark today’s anniversary of the Iraq War that left tens of thousands of our troops in need of lifetime care.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
Elon Schimel (Hour 1)
We’ll recap last night’s state Supreme Court debate, where at one point Judge Susan Crawford referred to the world’s richest man as “Elon Schimel,” as she and Judge Brad Schimel made their case to voters who will decide control of the court on April 1. And we’ll review our own pre-debate live event, a panel discussion with experts and lawmakers about what’s at stake in the Supreme Court election.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
UpNorthNews Presents: Protecting Justice For All
On Wednesday, March 12th, Pat Kreitlow of UpNorthNews hosted Protecting Justice for All: An Evening of Conversations About the Wisconsin Supreme Court Election live at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. Pat was joined by Civic Media Political Editor Dan Shafer and Civic Media Host Todd Allbaugh to moderate discussions about why the upcoming April 1st election matters to all Wisconsinites.
Panel: The Future of Public Education in Wisconsin
This next bench of justices will likely be asked to decide a legal challenge to school vouchers and an action that could end Act 10, along with other cases that could ultimately decide what the future holds for public education in Wisconsin.
- Moderator: Todd Allbaugh
- Julie Mead, retired UW Madison School of Education professor of school law
- Heather DuBois Bourenane, WI Public Education Network
- Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, WEAC
- Rep. Christian Phelps, Eau Claire
Panel: A Wisconsin Economy That Works
This election will have massive implications for the Wisconsin economy. The state Supreme Court will be making decisions that impact job creation, everyday affordability, the effects of a changing climate, and justice for workers and consumers.
- Moderator: Dan Shafer
- Rep. Francesca Hong, Madison
- Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, Milwaukee
- Melissa Baldauff, political strategist, UNN "Climate Check"
- Joe Zepecki, political strategist, former SBA staffer
Panel: Reproductive Rights On The Ballot
This will be a discussion of the ways the state Supreme Court will impact reproductive rights in Wisconsin - affecting women' s health or even their lives, impacting decisions about starting families, and interfering in the relationship between women and their doctors.
- Moderator: Pat Kreitlow
- Michelle Velasquez, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin
- Dr. Eliza Bennett, Ob/Gyn
- Sen. Kelda Roys, Madison
- Heather Martell, Chippewa Falls
To learn more about our special broadcasts and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!
Tanking Your Health Care (Hour 1)
Here’s a useful little tool we never thought we’d need in the United States: a Health Care Sabotage Tracker. It is the growing list of ways that the new administration has already started having negative impacts on health care for every American. Joe Zepecki will tell us how the group Protect Our Care is keeping politicians accountable for sacrificing your health to pay for billionaires’ tax cuts.
UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show!
