La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Seven-time log rolling world champion, Livi Pappadopoulos, stopped in studio to talk about how ending up alone balancing on a log in the water can be an amazing third space.

All week, La Crosse Talk PM has focused on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.

As the director of Coulee Region Log Rolling, Pappadopoulos talked about her start in the sport being far less than phenomenal. She first bugged her dad to let her try it at the YMCA when she was 8 years old, admitting she was "bad" at first and could only stay on for a couple of seconds. She also got a certain radio talk show host to try the sport and, like the world champ, he too was bad at first — but time will tell how much worse he can get.

Pappadopoulos' career, though, proves that with work, it can become a lifelong passion. That passion has been passed down, too. Pappadopoulos has a bit of a protegee, in fellow Holmen native Iny Anderson. While the 22-year-old Pappadopoulos is ranked No. 1 in the world, 17-year-old Anderson is right behind her, ranked second. We talked about their rivalry, plus the only female to ever beat Pappadopoulos in a sanctioned event, Ellie Davenport, back in 2019.

Another big topic was the history of the sport, which Pappadopoulos knew all about. She explained how a dangerous 19th-century job became a modern sport built on core strength and balance. While it originated with lumberjacks risking their lives on "river drives," it has evolved into a safe, accessible community activity at the La Crosse YMCA and at Coulee Region Log Rolling events in the area.

To get involved, new winter sessions at the La Crosse YMCA begin Jan. 18. Pappadopoulos will be there to help and perhaps be ready for the La Crosse Open on June 20 at Pettibone this summer.

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Amanda Worman Holmgaard stopped in studio to talk about how The Good Fight Community Center in La Crosse is a third space for kids.

La Crosse Talk PM has focused this first week of the new year on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that third space where you can be social or feel part of the community.

Worman Holmgaard, the executive director at The Good Fight, tells us how the center isn’t simply boxing. It’s a place for mentoring and education, where they’re holistically supporting kids ages 10-18.

While the "sweet science" is a hook for many, Worman Holmgaard explains that boxing is used as a vessel to teach discipline, resilience and self-control. She said for some of the kids, they may come from at-risk or low-socioeconomic backgrounds, and The Good Fight serves as a "home away from home."

The center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this August, offers much more than a gym. Worman Holmgaard talks about how the 6,800-square-foot space has a game room with foosball and gaming computers, an art area, and a lounge, where meals are served daily. She said they also focus on education as a pillar of the program, including using a "March Madness" academic incentive competition, tutoring, and the "Becoming" program, which helps 8th graders transition into high school.

We also discussed the logistics for parents, including their robust subsidy program that ensures the $25 monthly fee is never a barrier for a child.

Worman Holmgaard noted that while they see more boys than girls, the program is open to everyone — and you don't even need to bring your own gear to get started, or even need to come for boxing at all. 

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Jennifer Hyer, co-owner of Root Down Yoga, joined to talk about her business as a third space.

The first week of the new year, with the weather the way it is and people looking toward their resolutions, La Crosse Talk PM focused on third spaces — so not home, not work, but a place you go for community, to be social. 

So Hyer talks about the different ways Root Down, and yoga in general, can be that third space.

Hyer said Root Down is geared for all skill levels — or people with no yoga experience at all. Plus, there are beginner’s classes, including at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday this weekend (schedule here).

Beyond the classes themselves, though, Hyer talked about the other activities — like book club, or hiking excursions — that help make Root Down a more immersive third space. 

They first class is free and they do offer an introductory membership. Learn more at the Root Down Yoga website.

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Kylie Wiltgen, the senior fitness and wellness director, joined to talk about the the La Crosse Area YMCAs as a third space.

La Crosse Talk PM has focused the first week of the new year on third spaces — so not home, not work, but that place you go for community, to be social. 

Wiltgen notes that the YMCA is for everyone and almost literally has every age covered from infants to a 99-year-old member.

She talks about what the YMCA provides third spaces for youth, adults and seniors, how there are 150 classes each week to members for free.

On the seniors side, Wiltgen discusses their Forever Well Programs, including “Tech Tuesday” and “Wise Wednesday” and how they also do field trips — though they’re not all piling into a Y van for that, yet.

On the youth side, there’s everything from STEM and music classes to log rolling and e-sports to regular sports.

And, for adults, there are open gyms and pickup games for basketball, volleyball and pickleball — plus childcare. 

Wiltgen also notes the La Crosse Area YMCAs do provide financial assistance for those who need it. That program is called Membership for All. 

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Wisconsin governor candidate and state Sen. Kelda Roys stopped in studio, and we got into discussions on minimum wage, the GOP argument over Tony Evers 400-year "property tax increase "vs. public school funding, and what to do with AI data centers.

Before that, however, since we're doing shows all week about third spaces, that's where I began. For those who don't know, a third space would be — not home, not work, but where else you can go to be social, be part of a community.

And, once we brought Roys on, we asked about her third spaces, and if — or how — the state might prioritize making third spaces more available. 

In the last segment, Roys talks about Venezuela, the Trump administration, the "anniversary" of the insurrection and what she would do as governor in dealing with federal government issues. 

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Protein chips, fiber-fortified popcorn, the Midwest "meat and potatoes" trap — those are just some of the topics we discussed with Laura Birkel, a registered dietitian at Emplify Health.

Birkel is also 23 weeks pregnant, so we had to ask her what a dietitian does with those weird food cravings.

Other topics discussed on the show included a rapid-fire segment on how good or bad these items are for you: coffee, milk, wine, soda, probiotics, and cooking oils.

We also dug into the difference between whole foods and ultra-processed items, like why those frozen french fries aren't the same as the potatoes from your garden.

Birkell also shared some strategies — not just with our own diets — but how to help get a loved one to eat better. I shared with her a story on how my dad loves corn, biscuits, and potatoes, thinking these things are healthy since he did grow them in the garden (well, not the biscuits). 

Lastly, we talked AI and meal tracking apps and how those can be utilized to help people with their diets without becoming overly self-critical.

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Third spaces are an ever-growing need for communities, and Jake Erickson leads an organization that’s providing these spaces for kids across La Crosse County.

Erickson, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, stopped in studio to talk about how their facilities serve as these unique social hubs — but also how they prepare youth for their "second spaces," like school and future careers.

With a reach of 5,000 kids a year and 1,000 daily across Holmen, Onalaska, West Salem, and La Crosse, the organization is entering a landmark 60th year.

And the biggest thing to happen during this anniversary is the upcoming opening of the 16,000-square-foot Workforce Readiness Center, which Erickson describes as a transformative space designed to help kids from middle school to their early 20s prepare for life across multiple career fields. The center is set to fully open this spring.

Beyond the new facility, Erickson discussed the structured and extensive programming that defines the B&G Clubs — running from comprehensive sports leagues to creative art and music initiatives.

To learn more or get involved, visit the Boys and Girls Club website at bgclax.org.

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We recap the most popular genres at the La Crosse Library in 2025, the most checked out books, whether paper can keep up with eBooks and more with the library's Lindsay Schmitt and Bill Ives.

While thrillers remain the most popular genre overall because they are "fast and satisfying," Schmitt said, the single most checked-out book — for the second consecutive year — was Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction novel, The Women.

The La Crosse Library's top 5 most popular books of 2025 were:

1. The Women by Kristin Hannah

2. Great, Big, Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

3. Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger

4. Nightshade by Michael Connelly

5. The Tenant by Freida McFadden

The episode also explored the rise of "genre-blending," including the popularity of "cozy fantasy" and the "romantasy" trend — which Bill jokingly referred to as "fairy smut".

Of the surprising things we learned, like how library staff have no required reading list, Schmitt also noted that eBooks are not even close to more popular than print. People are checking out the real thing three to four times more than digital in La Crosse.

Getting into another digital style, Ives settled the debate on whether listening to audiobooks is considered "reading." He noted that while it doesn't utilize the same eye muscles, scientific studies show that listening to a story activates the same parts of the brain as physical reading—particularly the areas responsible for imagination and processing oral storytelling.

Other topics discussed were some of the not-so-traditional things the library does, like checking out chainsaws, and how both kids and adults can utilize the library as a "third space" with all kinds of different programming.

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Small business owner Adam Murphy joins to discuss issues surrounding A.I. that often go overlooked, what to expect from the Wisconsin state legislature in 2026 and how YouTube has replaced traditional mentors.

The conversation began with the rise of A.I. "slop" videos, plus the technology's potential benefits for healthcare — as well as manual labor jobs like plumber or electrician. Murphy also discussed how A.I. may affect tech businesses, like his own company, Big Bang LLC.

Turning to politics, we looked at a long interview with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Murphy shared his perspective on marijuana legalization — which Vos indicated won’t be addressed — along with proposals to end taxes on tips and overtime.

We also deconstructed the GOP argument that “Gov. Tony Evers increased property taxes for 400 years,” contrasting that claim with the reality of state funding for public schools.

Finally, we discussed the shift in how we approach projects around the house. We explored the idea that YouTube has effectively replaced our fathers and mentors when it comes to DIY tasks —a change that brings both good and bad consequences, like trying to fix a leaky sink by going to YouTube rather than calling your dad.

Murphy is the owner of a small business in Wisconsin called Big Bang LLC, he also ran for US Senate for the Democrats in Wisconsin, and holds degrees in economics and political science.

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Mac Kiel is back in studio to preview committee and council week in La Crosse.

The holidays pack all the big meetings into one week, highlighted by discussions on deregulating little free food pantries, asking for new proposals for a downtown bike lane and parking plan, and tackling homelessness as the community marks the two-year anniversary of Pathways Home.

Kiel talks about her experience working with the homeless, as both La Crosse’s city council and county board — and the community — can attend a Pathways Home update at 6 p.m. Monday in the County Administrative Center.

Before that, we discuss how both committees will meet next Tuesday, with Judiciary and Administration starting at 4 p.m. and Finance and Personnel following at 6 p.m., before the full city council will take those recommendations to its 6 p.m. Thursday meeting.

We also talked about how the major zoning code overhaul affects the area, including the La Crosse River Marsh seeking a 500-foot “buffer zone,” plus a proposal to end council invocations, which Kiel explains.

The biggest topic, however, was the little free food pantries and the "Community Fridge" idea — allowing refrigerators as part of that plan.

We end the show with a quick talk on the council asking the Wisconsin DOT to develop alternative plans for 3rd and 4th streets downtown, which could include protected bike lanes or bigger sidewalks.

We note that the DOT has held 19 public meetings since 2024 on the Downtown Corridor Study and presented proposals to the council, which were apparently not good enough. The council postponed voting on those proposals for 90 days, ending next month.

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