The Cripescast Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 176 - Eric Larsen Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Polar explorer and expedition guide Eric Larsen isn’t one to shy away from the cold. Having completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history, it’s safe to say he thrives in below freezing temperatures. From being a park ranger in Alaska to a sled dog herder in Minnesota, Eric’s spent his life in the cold and his story has become the subject to several documentaries. Traveling in such extreme environments comes with no shortage of challenges or close encounters with wildlife. In fact, on this episode of the Cripescast, Eric shares stories of both including being chased by a moose and being stalked by a polar bear. He and Charlie bond over what it was like growing up in Wisconsin, their first jobs as bike mechanics, and their shared passion for preserving the outdoors.

Follow Eric on Instagram at @elexplores and book a trip with him to explore the North Pole at ericlarsenexplore.com.

For donating to humanitarian relief in the Middle East, head to doctorswithoutborders.org and follow them on all platforms @doctorswithoutborders.

Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and Charlie @charlieberens. For live show tickets, merch, comments and more head to cripescast.com.

Episode 175 - RENEW Wisconsin Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to the advancement of clean renewable energy in the dairy state since 1991. On this episode of the Cripescast, Charlie is joined by RENEW’s Communications Manager, Alex Beld, and their Emerging Technology Director, Francisco Sayu, to discuss what RENEW is doing in the state of Wisconsin. Their mission is “seeking to power a strong, healthy and vibrant state by implementing environmentally friendly energy systems,” while simultaneously looking out for the economy and general public health. Francisco and Alex outline their latest ongoing initiative of getting electric school buses in all of Wisconsin’s school districts, while also explaining the health impacts of diesel emissions on students and the economic advantage EV buses could provide to schools.

For more information on their work and how to nominate your school to receive free electric buses in Wisconsin, head to renewwisconsn.org. Find them on all platforms @renew_wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens @manitowocminute.

To donate to Doctors Without Borders, head to doctorswithoutborders.org.

Episode 174 - Jeff Ditzenberger Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Jeff Ditzenberger takes mental health very seriously as a farmer and a veteran, two communities with some of the highest suicide rates in the country. When it comes to asking a friend how they are, he explains that “I’d rather spend an hour listening to all the things that are causing you angst, than sit and listen to your eulogy for five minutes.” He stresses the importance of being vulnerable, regardless of gender, generation or occupation, and encourages people to talk about the uncomfortable parts of life. As a return Cripescast guest, he updates the listeners about his non-profit TUGS, provides resources for those struggling with mental health, and shares a story about how he saved someone’s life with a simple act of kindness. Jeff and Charlie taste test some pickle-flavored ranch and debate whether or not Charlie “stole” or “borrowed” a glazer from Jeff the first time he was on the show.

For more information about TUGS, go to tugsgroup.com or find them on Facebook at @tugsgroup, and you can find Jeff on Instagram at @ditzisms or on Facebook at Jeff Ditzenberger.

For those interested in more information about Doctors Without Borders’ humanitarian relief in the Middle East, check it out here: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast, @charlieberens, @manitowocminute and find tour dates, Patreon, merch and more at cripescast.com.

Episode 173 - Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Grandma's Friend Lois (Part 2) Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

No one is safe from being thrown under the bus on this episode of the Cripescast. Just as unfiltered as the last time they were on the show, Charlie is joined by his Aunt Mary, his Grandma Sue and her best casino friend Lois Bentley, as they make their way to the casino. Whether it’s prying information out of Mary about her new boyfriend, asking Charlie about his love life, or learning what “watching the submarines” meant for Sue and Lois back in the day, everyone has their time in the hot seat. Throughout the road trip they marvel at the fall colors, share Grandpa Bob stories, and by the end of the ride Sue and Lois earn some scandalous nicknames that are inspired by their glory days in the 1950s.

Episode 172 - Xavier Prather Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Though he’s a Detroit Lions fan, Xavier Prather knows what it takes to win. Drawing from his skills as an attorney, he strategically won Big Brother and made history as the first Black winner of a regular season in the show’s entire series. Dubbing the experience as “The Truman Show meets summer camp,” Xavier goes into detail about what it was like being constantly filmed and having no contact with the outside world. While the circumstances were far from ordinary, he looks back fondly on his experience and the friendships he made within The Cookout Alliance and beyond. He and Charlie debate whether Wisconsin or Michigan is the true “mitten state”, if it’s called “soda” or “pop”, and the best way to eat a PB&J. Check out the full episode to find out what Xavier did with his Big Brother prize money.

Follow Xavier on Instagram at @xaviereprather and find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens @manitowocminute. Find us online at cripescast.com or for exclusive content at Patreon.com/charlieberens.

Episode 171 - Kyle Kinane Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Though he was born and raised in Illinois, comedian Kyle Kinane has nothing but admiration for Wisconsin. In fact, he uses this episode of the Cripescast to reminisce about vacationing in the Dells, closing Wolski’s, and Spring breaking in Milwaukee. From starting out in the Chicago open mic scene in the early 2000s, to having multiple stand up specials and touring the country today, Kyle explains that his key to staying grounded has been his Midwest upbringing. He and Charlie bond over their love for watching thunderstorms from the porch, the pains of mountain biking as you get older, and growing up as guilty Catholics.

Follow Kyle on all platforms @kylekinane and get tickets to see him live at kylekinane.com.

Episode 170 - Berens Brothers Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

After great anticipation, Charlie is joined by his brothers Andy, Bill, and John for the final installment of the Berens sibling podcast episodes. In this quasi-family therapy session, the brothers unpack childhood trauma, air out some dirty laundry, and commiserate about growing up with 8 sisters. Coming prepared with heartfelt apologies, each brother says sorry to one another, with some apologies ending in resolution and others reopening some old wounds.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast, for tour dates, merch, and all podcast information at cripescast.com. For behind the scenes footage and exclusive content, go to Patreon.com/charlieberens.

Episode 169 - Joe Gatto Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Comedian Joe Gatto lives to make people laugh. You may recognize him from the hit TV show Impractical Jokers, starring him and his three best friends in a hidden camera comedy series. He shares stories from their humble beginnings in his parents’ basement, his favorite moments from the show, and the best punishment he came up with for his castmate Sal Vulcano. Today he’s touring the country doing stand up, hosting a weekly podcast with Steve Byrne called “Two Cool Moms”, and rescuing animals through his charity Gatto Pups and Friends. Being the youngest child of a big Italian family, Joe knows a thing or two about practical jokes, and he attributes his sense of humor to his parents. Be sure to stick around for the end to hear his recipe for the perfect practical joke.

Follow Joe on all platforms @joe_gatto and @GattoPupsAndFriends. Check out his shows at joegattoofficial.com to see him live in a town near you!

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and for more information about the show, Charlie's tour dates, merch and more, head to cripescast.com.

Episode 168 - Cripescast Live From the Terrace Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Live from the iconic Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, Charlie interviews a panel of environmental experts about the phosphorus levels in our lakes. The panel includes director of UW-Madison’s Center for Limnology, Jake Vander Zanden, professor of Grassland Ecology from the Department of Agronomy, Randy Jackson, and return Cripescast guest and author, Dan Egan. They answer questions from the crowd while having an open discussion about key sources of phosphorus, its implications on everyday life, and what we can do to help clean our lakes.

To get involved, head to cleanwisconsin.org or grasslandag.org and check out the Wisconsin Idea wisc.edu/wisconsin-idea/. Also be sure to pick up a copy of Dan’s latest book “The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World out of Balance” anywhere you get your books.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and at cripescast.com. Check out our behind the scenes footage at Patreon.com/charlieberens.

Episode 167 - Charlie Q&A Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

On a special episode of the Cripescast this week, Charlie answers fan questions about birding, tour, the Midwest and more of his favorite things.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and check us out on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens

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