Civic Media Spotlight

To kick off the first hour of the Civic Media Spotlight, we are introduced to Kristen Crowell, Executive Director of Fair Share America, who joins the Maggie Daun Show. Crowell states that outrage is growing on both sides of the aisle all across the country. There’s no rational justification for this "Big, Beautiful Bill", she says—but there is real people fighting against it.

We move onto the John and Gordy Show where they meet with Brian Belefant, author of the hit novel "The Sultan of Garbage".  Brian describes the importance of keeping our parks clean especially for the 4th of July! He went into depth about his findings he put into his novel and the reasoning behind writing a book about the Island of Garbage!

On Matenaer on Air, Jane and Greg are joined by Alex Bruzan, who is a volunteer for We Got This, a non-profit located in Milwaukee. Their mission is to get kids familiar with gardening and stress the importance of this mundane task. They talk about the history of the organization and how kids go about getting employed for the morning. They are paid for their efforts and it's not just about gardening; they learn about the processes from seed to harvest and get lessons in financial literacy and management (for those who stay over the years).

Guest host Matt Rothschild is joined by friend of the show Jim Santelle on the eve of Independence Day. Our country is facing tough times, but we remain motivated and ready to stand up for our America.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. 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 Maggie and the show!

Guest host Matt Rothschild is joined by special guest Dr. Robert Kraig to discuss two controversial pieces of legislation passed today. In Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has signed a new budget passed by the state's Republican controlled legislature. Meanwhile in Washington D.C., President Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill passes through the House of Representatives. What comes next? What's the future for Democrats in our state and our country? Join Matt as he finds out.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. 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 Maggie and the show!

As we near July 4th, Maggie explores how Americans can transcend political division and strengthen democracy through shared values. In this hour, Maggie is joined political scientist Katherine Cramer, author of The Politics of Resentment, to examine the roots of rural discontent in Wisconsin and its national impact. Cramer sheds light on the sense of neglect felt in rural communities—and how that resentment shapes political behavior.

The conversation also highlights how authentic, grounded leaders like Senator Tammy Baldwin connect across divides. Maggie emphasizes that despite our differences, most Americans want the same things: affordable healthcare, strong public education, and fair wages. She calls on us to engage in meaningful dialogue and vote for policies that reflect a truly free and equitable society.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. 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 Maggie and the show!

Maggie hosts a July 4th special dissecting America's democratic foundations and current challenges. Historian David Voelker explores myths like Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism, emphasizing the complexity and influence of Native cultures in shaping the U.S. He highlights the Declaration of Independence as an 'accountability document' urging citizens to uphold democratic ideals. Political scientist Howard Schweber critiques the erosion of the separation of powers in modern America, warning against the dismantling of New Deal-era regulations that protect public welfare. He argues this shift benefits elites and local authorities, threatening national solutions to national problems.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. 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 Maggie and the show!

In the second hour, Maggie and guest co-host Jim Santelle dive into whether Democrats are constantly playing catch-up—struggling to anticipate the next move from the Trump administration. They argue that it's time to stop reacting and start seeing the bigger picture. It’s not enough to simply decry the courts or the administration—we need to connect the dots and explain how these actions directly impact people’s lives. They also discuss the real point of the so-called "Big Brutal Bill?" Tax breaks for billionaires—at the expense of working Americans. Kristen Crowell, Executive Director of Fair Share America, joins the conversation to sound the alarm: it’s all hands on deck as the bill heads back to the House of Representatives. She stresses that only a handful of Republicans need to step up, protect their constituents, and stand up to the president. Crowell says outrage is growing on both sides of the aisle all across the country. There’s no rational justification for this bill, she says—but there is real, people-powered resistance.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. 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 Maggie and the show!

Maggie is joined by guest co-host Jim Santelle as they kick off the hour with Senator LaTonya Johnson. She breaks down the newly agreed upon Wisconsin budget bill and highlights the compromises struck between Republicans and Democrats—emphasizing that, at times, concessions are necessary to improve the lives of Wisconsinites. Senator Johnson also underscores key wins in the budget, including increased funding for childcare and education across the state. Then, Maggie and Jim turn their attention to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on birthright citizenship. They examine how the Trump administration continues to skirt the law and undermine the Constitution—raising serious concerns that, in less than a month, deporting babies might not be out of the question. Maggie also reminds us: we are the ones who must stand up against injustice.

As Maggie enjoys an extended holiday weekend, Matt Rothschild and Angela Lang step in as today’s guest co-hosts. They kick off the hour with Tanya Atkinson, President of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, to unpack the potential fallout from the so-called “Big Brutal” bill. This legislation aims to eliminate Medicaid funding for services provided by Planned Parenthood—a move that could have devastating consequences for healthcare access statewide. With 60% of Wisconsinites relying on Medicaid and Planned Parenthood offering a broad range of critical services, this bill threatens to drive up medical costs and drastically reduce access to care—particularly for vulnerable and rural communities already facing limited healthcare options. As Tanya makes clear: this is a fight to the end, because lives are on the line. Call your local Wisconsin representatives today and tell them where you stand on Medicaid funding and reproductive healthcare.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Rep. Tom Tiffany

Rep. Tony Wied

While Maggie is away for the long pre–July 4 weekend, today's show is guest-hosted by Matt Rothschild and Angela Lang. They kick off the hour with a timely conversation about what Independence Day means in 2025—especially at a time when many Americans are struggling to celebrate freedoms they feel are under threat. Later in the hour, Iuscely “Cely” Flores from the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition (fairmapswi.com) joins the conversation. Cely shares details about the statewide community hearings on fair maps happening throughout the summer. She also opens up about her journey as a Dreamer during the Trump administration, and why she refuses to live in the shadows. Instead, she’s using her voice to advocate for all Wisconsinites.

On the second hour of the Civic Media Spotlight, we first meet up with Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba. We hear from Singer-songwriter Kaylin Kole, who shares her journey from Midwest hippie to a Nashville artist, and discusses her upcoming album. She even sang two songs live in the studio!

Up next is John and Gordy talking with Marketing Manager Sara from Wings Over. Wings Over has reopened their doors and is now open to the public! The guys talk with Sara on the different routes they had to take to reopen the store! If you are hungry, then you won't want to skip this segment!

On Maino and the Mayor, the guys get to talk with Pam Jahnke, The Fabulous Farm Babe, as she explains the importance of farmers' mental health!   

To end off this week's Civic Media Spotlight, we have Max Ink Radio! In this show, Rökker and Teri talk with Kat and the Hurricanes about all the different songs they made like Caffeine and Alcohol and much much more! Listen to awesome music every Saturday's and Sundays with Max Ink!