Bridge the City

Latest Episodes:

Episode 106: Unionization in Milwaukee Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Sam Harshner, Professor at Marquette University, Hillary Laskonis, Coworker at Colectivo Coffee, and Robert Penner, union organizer and former employee of Colectivo Coffee. They talk about the state of unionization in our city, the efforts of Colectivo employees to form a union, and the story of one former employee who accuses Colectivo of terminating him as retaliation against him.

To learn more, visit:

Colectivo Collective Instagram

Colectivo Coffee

Wisconsin State AFL CIO

Information on the PRO Act

Action steps:

Hilary’s action steps include:

1. Show solidarity and tell your Colectivo barista that you support the union

2. Educate yourself on the PRO Act

Robert’s action steps include:

1. If the union effort is successful, support Colectivo!

2. Start a union at your own workplace

Sam’s action steps include:

1. Start a union at your own workplace

2. Educate yourself on the PRO Act

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters. Episode edited and produced by Benjamin Rangel.

Episode 105: Black Vote Rising Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Hosts Kacee Ochalek and Ashlie Benson sit down with Melody McCurtis, Deputy Director of Priorities/Organizer, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, and Miela Fetaw the Co-director of the short documentary Black Vote Rising. They discuss was inspired the documentary, the importance of voter engagement, and the work of Melcafe Park Community Bridges.

To learn more, visit:

Metcalfe Park Community Bridges

Black Vote Rising Documentary

Action Steps:

Melody’s action steps include:

Vote

Stop Asian Hate

Donate time, energy, or money to Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, or similar organizations

Follow Metcalfe Park on social media

Miela’s action steps include:

Vote and encourage others to vote

Donate to organizations like Metcalfe Park Community Bridges

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 104: Envision South 13th Street Together Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

Hosts Benjamin Rangel and Kacee Ochalek sit down with planning experts Amy Oath and Leif Otteson to talk about the recommendations coming to the South 13th Street and West Oklahoma Avenue corridors. These recommendations come together to inform the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development’s Southwest Side Area Plan, which helps inform policy and development in the neighborhood.

To learn more, visit:

Envision South 13th Street Together Official Website

Actions Steps:

Leif’s action step is to get out into the street and engage with your neighbors

Amy’s action step is to join the City of Milwaukee’s E-notify system and follow along with DCD on their website or social media.

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 103: Election Special - April 6th, 2021 Mar 28, 2021

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with candidates for State Superintendent and Milwaukee Public School Board Districts 4 and 5. The candidates for State Superintendent are Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly. The candidates for MPS Board District 4 are Aisha Carr and Dana Kelley. The candidates for District 5 are Alex Brower and Jilly Gokalgandhi. The candidates answer questions about why they believe they are the best choice for their respective seats.

To learn more, visit:

The candidates’ respective websites:

To learn more about where and how to vote, visit: Myvote.wi.gov

Actions Steps:

Deborah’s action step is to mentor and support young people

Jill’s action steps are to run for your local school board and get involved in your child’s PTA or other grassroots educational organizations

Aisha’s action step is to vote in the upcoming election!

Dana’s action steps are to follow the Northside Rising Facebook page and visit the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Alex’s action steps are to vote and be a leader in your community

Jilly’s action step is to prioritize local elections and request an absentee ballot to make voting easy

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 102: Snow Removal and Accessible Streets Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Host Sam Woods sits down with Brian Peters, Harvey Ross, Jason Ostrowski, and Lauren Grudzinski, to discuss the importance of snow removal for sidewalk and street accessibility. When snow is left in the sidewalk, on curb cuts, or bus stops, it is difficult for people using wheelchairs (or strollers, anything using wheels) or with low vision to get around. While removing your snow may feel like an endless chore, it really is a civic responsibility. So remove your snow, make sure your neighbors remove their snow, and find a way to clear curb cuts.

To learn more, visit:

Independence First

City of Milwaukee snow removal resources

Action Steps

Be proactive about shoveling and making sure your neighbors shovel

Learn more about sidewalk accesibility. Visit Independence First's website for resources and learning opportunities.

Write news stations to remind people to remove snow when snow is on the forecast.

Clear the whole sidewalk when shoveling, not just a narrow pathway.

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. Shout out to our newest patrons Luke, Stephen, and Bryana!

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 101: Milwaukee Talkie w/ Dr. Robert Schneider Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with UW-Milwaukee professor, Dr. Robert Schneider, to discuss how we can redesign our city to address reckless driving. We discuss how roads could be redesigned to slow down traffic, why our current transportation system needs to be reformed, and how the built environment can make us all safer.

To learn more, visit:

Dr. Schneider’s Faculty Profile

The Coalition for Safe Driving

Action Steps

Dr. Schneider’s action steps include:

1. Follow and get involved in the Coalition for Safe Driving

2. Contact your local alderperson and share with them your perspective on creating safer streets

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 100: Election Special - State Superintendent Primary Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with four candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Dr. Shandowlyon (Shawn) Hendricks-Williams, Steve Krull, Deborah Kerr, and Sheila Briggs. We talk about their priorities for the first 100 days in office and why they are the best choice for voters in a crowded primary field.

To learn more, visit:

Full Length Interviews

Myvote.wi.gov

Action Steps:

Dr. Hendricks’ action steps include:

Mentor someone other than your own kids!

Show our young people that you see them

Steve Krull’s action steps include:

Get informed about what is happening in the schools around you and our current funding structure

Volunteer at a local school

Deborah Kerr’s action step includes:

Keep students at the heart of everything - coach, mentor, and advocate for them

Sheila Briggs’ action steps include:

Stay informed and vote, especially at the local level

Look for and lift up talented young people throughout our state

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 99: Election Special - MPS School Board Primary Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

Hosts Kacee Ochalek and Ben Rangel speak with Larry Miller, Outgoing Milwaukee Public School Board President and District 5 Director, about the upcoming Milwaukee School Board Primary Election. Larry explains the ins-and-outs of what it means to be an MPS school board director. After the interview, stick around because Kacee and Ben discuss the various contested races, the candidates, and their platforms!

Learn More about the Candidates

District 4 Candidates

Cheryl Hayes

Dana Kelley

Victor Nwagbaraocha

Aisha Carr

District 5 Candidates

Even More:

Our Election Information hub (survey responses from candidates coming soon!)

MPS: Find Your Board District

Action Steps:

Vote!

Have conversations with the prospective board members!

Volunteer at MPS. Learn more here or call 414-475-8285

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

Episode 98: Opportunity Costs of Healthcare in the US Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

On an episode originally aired on Riverwest Radio, hosts Ashlie Benson and Kacee Ochalek talk to Dr. Vanness and Dr. Lomas about their new paper, “A Health Opportunity Cost Threshold for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in the United States.” They discuss how pharmaceutical products whose prices do not represent good value for money come at a cost: less affordable healthcare, employers pay more to cover employees, employees effectively get paid less, higher taxes and poorly designed incentives for R&D.

Action Steps:

Engage with this issue. People recognize that there is a problem with the affordability of their healthcare and the regulation of drug prices might be one potential solution. Write to your political representatives and let them know how you feel about it.

Question everything. Be skeptical on all sides of the issue and learn for yourself what pharmaceutical drugs really cost and what do they give you in terms of health benefits.

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Episode 97: Educating During a Pandemic Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down again with Anthony McHenry, CEO of Milwaukee Academy of Science, and two of his own students, Rodrigo and Yulian. We talk about how schools have been navigating this challenging time, things to celebrate despite everything, and what you can do to support young people.

To learn more, visit:

Milwaukee Academy of Science

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Milwaukee Public Schools

City Forward Collective

Bridge the City - T-shirt

Action Steps:

Financially support schools and organizations

Speak up about social issues facing our community, get off the sideline!

Check on your family and friends, especially young people in your family

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.

For timely content and interviews focused on what’s happening now in our city, tune in to our show on Riverwest Radio (104.1 FM) at 5:30 every other Wednesday, or listen online.

Music by Casey Masters.

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