Experience Milwaukee

For more years than he can remember, Ryan Laessig has poured his heart and soul into helping small, creative businesses, "makers", by providing a caring space to meet potential customers and sell their work. Many of these small businesses turn into bigger entities, turning their passion into full time work and even opening a storefront. As owner and organizer of Milwaukee Makers Market, a series of 9-10 events that take place around the city each year, Ryan now welcomes 48 makers on the Sundays he holds these amazing experiences. Adam and Steve have a blast with him and fellow entrepreneur, chief yeti wrangler, and longtime Milwaukee Makers Market participant, Katie Daly Weiss, from the Big White Yeti Candle Company. Katie also showed up to the recording with samples of the coming soon Experience Milwaukee candle! So, stop what you're doing, grab your favorite beverage, and sit down and enjoy this humorous and fun conversation. Then head out to see Ryan and Katie at the Milwaukee Makers Market season opener on April 10 at Discovery World (FREE admission). For more info on both of these authentically Milwaukee organizations, jump over to www.milwaukeemakersmarket.com and www.bigwhiteyeti.com.

"If we want to have thriving neighborhoods, we need thriving black-owned businesses." That's the truth coming from MKE Black co-founder, Rick Banks. In this episode, Adam and Steve have an absolute blast talking with him and Ayrton Bryan, who is the director of strategic partnerships and initiatives at MKE Black. So, what exactly is MKE Black? On the surface, it's an app that provides a robust business directory of black-owned businesses. Dig deeper and you'll see it's become a movement to support, connect, educate, and inspire these businesses. Listen in to find out more, including how Rick got started, Adam's obsession with startups (and how he steamrolled himself onto the podcast), and what the future holds for MKE Black. Then hop over to www.MKEBlack.org to learn more about how you can support this amazing initiative.

In this episode, Adam and Steve bring perspective to what it's like to work in Milwaukee for one of its most notable companies, Milwaukee Tool, along with SVP of Talent, Jon Finch. Do the guys chat about what Milwaukee Tool does? Sure. But they also get deep into Jon's path to HR, what it's like to work at Milwaukee Tool, how the organization gives back to the community, and how Jon enjoys the city outside of work. Oh, and the art and pride in telling terrible dad jokes. Listen in, then learn more at www.milwaukeetool.com and www.milwaukeetool.jobs.

Get ready for a fun one with Milwaukee Admirals president, Jon Greenberg. Learn more about the essentials of buying your hockey gear from former Admiral Fred Berry, how Jon got his start as a bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers (and rose to the PR leader), and his shift to the Admirals including how he and his team rebuilt and reinvented hockey in Milwaukee. Admirals games are exciting and entertaining and it doesn't stop there. Adam and Steve get into what the organization does in the community as well. Jump in, take a listen, then grab some tickets at www.milwaukeeadmirals.com!

What we love most about episodes with musicians is how much you (and we) get to know them as genuine human beings. In this one, Adam and Steve talk with Sully (@SulestialMusic on Instagram) and learn all about his bladder limitations, his journey through music lessons, joining a band to make friends, his move to Chicago and back to MKE, and what inspires his music today. Oh, and his top three Tenacious D songs. Grab your favorite local beverage then sit back and enjoy this one. It's full of laughs, learnings, and insider info on a local Sulestial show and a new song release, both on 2/18.

There's a lot of fresh energy at the Iron Horse Hotel. And in this episode, Adam and Steve find out from General Manger, Alan Di Leo, just what he and the team are planning. From outdoor music and ways to keep the patio open all year, to big events in the hotel (including one this Saturday!), you'll want to listen in on how great the Iron Horse experience is. Even if you just want to sneak in and work from the lobby (like Steve). This is a fun and informative episode if you're a huge fan of the hotel or if you've never been. You can get more info on the hotel at TheIronHorseHotel.com.

We put together a few of Adam and Steve's favorite clips from 2021. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening and your continued support!

The Shepherd Express has delivered independent local journalism in Milwaukee for almost 40 years. They also have an award program called Best of Milwaukee, which shines a light on all the people, places, and experiences that make this city amazing. In this episode, Adam and Steve talk with Allen Halas from the Shepherd Express to learn more about all of this. They also touch on the local music scene and the ONE place you need to go to see local bands. Also, surprise, surprise, WE'RE FINALISTS IN THE BEST OF MILWAUKEE AWARDS! Tune in on January 4th to see if we win!! Go to shepherdexpress.com for all of the details.

Let's be real, summer rocks. Literally, with Summerfest. We pulled some unreleased content from the summer for this one. And at exactly the right time because we're missing warm weather and outdoor music. Jump into this episode where Adam and Steve chat with singer and songwriter Glen Phillips from Toad The Wet Sprocket and Jen and Mo, two enthusiastic Summerfest fans. It gets a little wild at the end, so hang on for that!