Keep it Wausome!

In this episode of Keep it Wausome, I sit down with Jerel Austin Ballard. Ballard was the anchor of the morning show on WSAW Channel 7, and now lives in Milwaukee. Ballard started a foundation to provide scholarships to those with the potential to go to college but need some of the boost, because he got that help when he was going to school. He's got a cool story to tell and it was a blast interviewing him!

In this episode of the podcast I bring you Tim Gutknecht, founder of Red Feather Photography. Gutknecht has carved a space out for himself in the photography biz, a crowded market. We talk mastery of one's craft, finding your style and standing out in the crowd. You won't want to miss this one!

When Stephanie Kohli sold her first painting, the person who received it as a gift was so mad she demanded her money back. That might have stopped many people, but Kohli is one incredible person, and not easily dissuaded. Today she's one of central Wisconsin's most sought-after artists and probably the most prolific mural artist in the area. We talk art, how to value yourself and your work and we destroy the myth of the starving artist.

In this video I sit down with Jarrod Crooks and talk about the end of Wausau Center mall, our memories of Wausau's mall and share some listener's memories too! Plus, bonus footage of a scene Jarrod shot at the mall in its heyday, my walkthrough of the mall toward the end of its life and one of the old commercials from the 80s.

Scott Laub is the founder of Skeeter's Woodshop, and before that had a career in music as a hired gun drummer, working for bands that opened for some pretty big acts. Laub talks very candidly with Keep it Wausome about giving up alcohol and turning to woodworking to fill that void.

For our very special 50th episode of Keep it Wausome podcast, we're joined by Nika Danilova, AKA Zola Jesus! Nika and I talk about growing up with classical music and how it can be stifling; the trouble with Spotify; recording her new album; and why she returned to Wisconsin and lovers it here so much. This is now the second time I've had long conversations with Nika and I've really enjoyed talk with her both times. I hope you will enjoy this conversation too!

Justin Evans once moved to LA to pursue - wait for it - country music. Now he is the executive director of the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum. Evans talks to me about acting, singing, LA, running the CWCT during the pandemic and so much more - don't miss it!

Want to help out the CWCT? You can do so right here: https://www.mycwct.org/support-us

Gina Cornell worked in Cancun as a foreign correspondent for the Miami Herald, is a triathlete and is about to launch her new triathlon clothing brand, Ciao Bella. Her journey into the world of health and triathlons is fascinating, as is her journey into entrepreneurship! Find Ciao Bella Athletics on Facebook!

In this episode of the podcast I sit down with Harold Melo, who has played guitar with the likes of Substyle, Billy Bronsted and the Loot, Brad Emanuel and countless others. Harold is one of the best guitar players I know, a guy who lives and breathes music and understands it better than I could ever hope to. Catch a glimpse of his new single It's Not Too Late and then go buy it on Bandcamp, and listen on Spotify!

Jerome Segura III was a top economist at UW-Stevens Point. Today, he's a grower of mushrooms and runs the business Segura and Sons, a growing business in Stevens Point. We talk about how he made that transition and I get his take on a number of economics topics in this episode of Keep it Wausome!

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