Lean Local

This week on Lean Local, Jim Schmitt sits down with Mark Murphy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, for a conversation that bridges football, leadership, and community.

The two share a long history of collaboration, and that connection sets the tone early in the interview. “We got a lot done together,” Jim recalls with a smile.

Murphy reflects on his journey from growing up in Hamilton, to attending Colgate College, and later becoming Athletic Director at Northwestern University. That path would eventually lead him to Green Bay, where he took on one of the most unique roles in professional sports.

He looks back on those early years with the Packers, including the transition from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. One of the most defining moments in modern NFL history. Murphy recalls how quickly the situation developed, how difficult those decisions were, and how aligned he and then-coach Mike McCarthy were on moving forward with Rodgers as the team’s quarterback.

As the conversation unfolds, Murphy offers a perspective on what makes the NFL so demanding. It’s hard to win in this league, he notes, and even harder to win in the playoffs. That perspective makes his favorite career moment — winning the Super Bowl — all the more meaningful.

It’s a conversation that blends sports, strategy, and civic pride. A reminder of how leadership in one arena can influence an entire city.

Jim Schmitt and Mark Murphy

This week on Lean Local with Jim Schmitt, the focus turns to local news in Green Bay — where it’s thriving, where it’s fading, and why it matters.

Jim is joined by Mike Hollihan of the Press Times and Connie Fellman with Civic Media. They discuss how national headlines have replaced community coverage, leaving many local elections and stories unseen.

They unpack the rise of news deserts, the challenges local outlets face, and how rebuilding trust in neighborhood journalism could revive civic engagement in Northeast Wisconsin.

A grounded conversation on why strong local reporting isn’t just good for readers. It’s vital for the health of the community.

Lean Local is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Sunday’s from 1-2 PM on WGBW . Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 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.

Dive into the heart of community issues with ‘Lean Local,’ hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it ‘leans local’ with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities.

This week on Lean Local with Jim Schmitt, Congressman Tony Wied joins the conversation to discuss what’s happening in Washington and how it affects Northeast Wisconsin.

From the ongoing government shutdown to his work on the Agriculture Committee, Wied explains where things stand and what comes next for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.

He shares what he’s hearing directly from farmers, why he believes local voices make the biggest difference, and how he’s balancing national issues like gun safety and the Second Amendment in light of the gun found at Preble.

A grounded look at policy, people, and the conversations shaping Green Bay politics today.

Former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt welcomes a conversations with Students, Parents, Police, and School Board Members to talk School Safety.

In this episode of Lean Local, host and former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt focuses on local issues and initiatives in Greater Green Bay. He discusses past episodes covering the impact of volunteers and addresses local challenges such as improving reading proficiency and mental health awareness. The featured guest, Laurie Radke, outgoing president of the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, discusses her 14-year tenure. The conversation covers the Chamber’s efforts in business support, collaboration, and educational partnerships, highlighting shared services for start-ups, workforce development, and engaging high schools in manufacturing. They also touch on the importance of adapting to modern challenges and fostering broader regional cooperation through initiatives like the New North.

In this episode of Lean Local, hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, the focus is on the importance of volunteerism in building stronger communities. Schmitt introduces Matt Horner, Executive Director of the Green Bay Volunteer Center, who discusses the mission of the center to support local nonprofit partners by coordinating volunteers. The segment highlights various organizations partnered with the Volunteer Center, the process of matching volunteers based on interests and skills, and special events like ‘Rake Up Green Bay’ that assist residents in need. The discussion underscores the personal and community benefits of volunteering and provides information on how individuals can get involved.

Lean Local with Jim Schmitt returns to WGBW!
In this episode, Jim speaks with Sarah Donovan and Jenny Younk from the Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention about their work organizing the “Be the Light” Suicide Walk in Green Bay (with more than 1,500 attendees).

They discuss:

This conversation highlights the power of local action during Suicide Prevention Month and beyond.

Former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, is joined by current Brown County Sheriff, Todd Delain. Jim and Todd talk about the current prison system, homelessness, and Brown County.

Lean Local is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Sunday’s from 1-2 PM on WGBW . Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 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.

Dive into the heart of community issues with ‘Lean Local,’ hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it ‘leans local’ with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities.

In this episode of Lean Local, host Jim Schmitt, former Mayor of Green Bay, discusses local community activities and initiatives. The episode features an interview with Brian Mittag, Vice President of the Bayshore Bicycle Club, which started in 1981 and now has about 125 members. The club promotes social biking, fitness, and other outdoor activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, and hiking. They organize weekly rides and aim to include everyone, regardless of skill level. The discussion includes the club’s history, evolution, and community involvement. The second half of the episode features Andrea Vlach, Mobility Coordinator at Green Bay Transit, discussing the transit system’s current services, technology updates, real-time tracking, and the potential for future expansions and electrification of the bus fleet. The episode emphasizes community engagement, health, and sustainable transport solutions.

Lean Local is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Sunday’s from 1-2 PM on WGBW . Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 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.

Dive into the heart of community issues with ‘Lean Local,’ hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it ‘leans local’ with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities.

This episode of ‘Lean Local,’ hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, features an interview with Brent Roubal, the executive director of College Ready. The discussion focuses on the importance of preparing students for college beginning in sixth grade through to high school graduation. College Ready, a local nonprofit, provides scholarships and support to ensure students, especially those from diverse and lower-income backgrounds, are equipped for higher education. The conversation also highlights the effectiveness of collaboration with local schools to improve student readiness and the significant financial support provided to help students avoid student debt.

Lean Local is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Sunday’s from 1-2 PM on WGBW . Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 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.

Dive into the heart of community issues with ‘Lean Local,’ hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it ‘leans local’ with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities.