Bridge the City

Latest Episodes:

Episode 146: Milwaukee Riverkeeper Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Jennifer Bolger Breceda, Executive Director of Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Deisy and Jennifer talk about the vital work Milwaukee Riverkeeper does to protect, restore, and advocate for the Milwaukee River Basin. They discuss the organization's water quality monitoring program, the four pillars of their work, and the major $450 million federal investment currently underway to clean up decades of legacy pollution from the basin's rivers.

To learn more, visit:

Milwaukee Riverkeeper's Website

Action steps:

Join a guided kayak paddle or attend an upcoming event

Follow Milwaukee Riverkeeper on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

Bridge the City

When you're taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 145: Election Special - April 2026 Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel provides an overview of the upcoming State Supreme Court Election on April 7th, 2026.

To learn more, visit:

myvote.wi.gov for more information about where to vote and check your reigstration status.

Bridge the City’s election guide on our website.

Action Steps:

Vote

Reach out to others and make sure they have a plan to vote!

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 144: Via CDC Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Isabel Castro, Community Outreach Specialist, and Joanna Bautch, Executive Director of Via Community Development Corporation. Deisy, Isa, and Joanna talk about the work Via does throughout Milwaukee. In particular, they discuss how Via works in Silver City, Burnham Park, and Layton Park to promote business, community, and housing.

To learn more, visit:

Via CDC’s Website

Action steps:

Download the Milwaukee Mobile Aciton App (and report lights out)

Follow Via on Socials

Be a good neighbor and learn in what neighborhood you live

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 143: Teach for America Milwaukee Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Michael Nguyen, Executive Director of Teach for America (TFA) Milwaukee. They talk about the origin of TFA in Milwaukee, the work TFA does in the community, and how TFA is supporting educators during a challenging time for educators in the U.S.

To learn more, visit:

Teach for America

Action Steps:

Mike’s action steps include:

Pay attention to your local school board

Volunteer at your local school

Learn more about TFA

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 142: La Revo Books Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode we hear from Barbara Cerda and Valeria Cerda about La Revo Books, but you won’t hear a Bridge the City host. Instead, listen to Barbara and Valeria as they discuss the inception of a community-driven pop-up bookstore, why this work is so important to them and their community, and how you can support their work.

To learn more, visit:

La Revo Books

Action steps:

Support La Revo Books

Support local book stores

Visit and support libraries

Read for 15 minutes

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 141: Immigration in Milwaukee May 26, 2025

Show notes

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Melissa Soberalski, with Soberalski Law, and Fernanda Jimenez, with the Comite sin Fronteras, to discuss how recent immigration policies have impacted the immigrant community in Milwaukee. Ben and Melissa talk about some of the legal advice she’s providing to the immigrant community while his conversation with Fernanda focuses on how local activists are responding to recent policy changes.

To learn more, visit:

Comite sin Fronteras

Voces de la Frontera

Soberalski Law

Action Steps:

Melissa’s Soberalski’s action steps include:

Know your rights (print and distribute red cards)

Have your affairs in order in case someone in the family is detained

Fernanda’s action steps include:

Attend Comite Meetings and other events

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.
Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 140: April 2025 Election Special Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

Host Ben Rangel sits down with both candidates for the third aldermanic district race on April 1st - Alex Brower and Daniel Bauman. Alex and Daniel discuss their plans for housing, public transit, economic investment, and more. In addition, to the full length conversations with Alex and Daniel, Ben details some information about the other items on the ballot.

To learn more, visit:

Bridge the City’s episode on WE Energies as a public utility

Polling locations and what’s on your ballot

WUWM’s Voter Guides

Alex Brower’s Campaign Website

Daniel Bauman’s Campaign Website

Action Steps:

Alex Brower’s action step includes:

Find ways to become a leader in the city

Daniel Bauman’s action step includes:

Get involved in the community in a meaningful way

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 139: February 2025 Election Special Feb 15, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Deisy Espana and Ben Rangel discuss the upcoming February 18th primary. They talk about the State Superintendent Race and the 3rd Aldermanic District Race. If you’re not sure what aldermanic district you are in, you can check here.

To Learn more, visit:

WUWM’s Information about the District 3 Common Council candidates

The Daily Cardinal’s Information about the State Superintendent candidates

Information about where to vote and what’s on your ballot

Actions Step:

Vote on February 18th, 2025.

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 138: Rethink 794 Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Taylor Korslin and John Everitt, volunteers with Rethink 794. They talk about the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-794 Lake Interchange Study and why they believe the best option is to remove the freeway.

To learn more, visit:

Rethink 794’s Website

John Everitt’s Website

Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Website

Action Steps:

Contact your representative about this project

Get involved in the project

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Episode 137: Father Gene's Help Center Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Jessica Luebbering, former Executive Director of Father Gene’s Help Center. They talk about Jessica’s path to her position, the work of Father Gene’s Help Center, and what dignity means.

To learn more, visit:

Father Gene’s Help Center

Ethical practices in buying clothes

Action Steps:

Jessica’s actions include:

Donate clean, quality clothing to Father Gene’s Help Center

Volunteer at Father Gene’s

Reflect and be more intentional about your personal consumption of clothing

Have a clothing swap, fix clothing that is damaged, and pay for higher quality, less disposable items when possible

Bridge the City

When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue.

Music by Casey Masters.

Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

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