This week, Charlie is joined by a few special guests including Midwest cooking duo Mad Dog and Merrill and Wisconsin potato grower Alex Okray. They discuss Wisconsin’s potato industry, the environment and best Midwest recipes.

Episode 73 - Mad Dog & Merrill and Alex Okray

Emmy winning comedian, Charlie Berens interviews musicians, artists, comedians, creators, and more to talk about their story and connections to the midwest.

Comedy

Comedy Interviews

Whether it’s transforming an ordinary fence across from Lambeau Field into the infamous “Packers Fence” or customizing an average sneaker into every sports fan’s dream shoe, Zane Statz has a gift for reinventive art. As a muralist, custom artist, and Packers fan, Zane is living out his dream by having his custom-painted cleats worn by NFL players including Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Kenny Clark, just to name a few. While it’s fun having his shoes worn by Packers, Yung Gravy and even Charlie, Zane explains the most fulfilling work he’s done has been pieces that involve the community like the BayCare Clinic community mural. Zane joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week to talk about his Midwest upbringing, the strange art in men’s bathrooms and Charlie even commissions Zane to paint his tailgating grill. 
Follow Zane @zane_statz and check out more of his work at zasdesigns.com.
Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.
Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

Episode 203 - Zane Statz

Charlie goes down the AI rabbit hole again this week but this time he’s joined by an actual AI expert, UW-Madison Provost Charles Isbell. Provost Isbell has been fascinated with computers since he was 8 years old, and in turn has dedicated his life’s work to them by becoming a researcher, computationalist, and educator in the field of computer science. From studying at Georgia Tech, to earning his PhD at MIT, and eventually becoming the Provost at UW-Madison, it’s safe to say he has rightfully earned the title of “expert” in his field. In this week’s episode Charlie finds answers to all of his burning questions about AI, like how it will affect job security, Wisconsin’s role in AI advancement, and how we can learn to use these new technologies for good. Perhaps most importantly, he finds out whether or not the robots will really take over the world. 
For more information on Provost Isbell and his work, check it out here: https://provost.wisc.edu/meet-the-provost/ 
Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.
Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

Episode 202 - Charles Isbell

Kristopher Pollard eats, sleeps and breathes cinema. As Membership Manager for Milwaukee Film and co-host of the “Cinebuds” podcast, Kristopher is continually working hard to advocate for Milwaukee’s film scene. He explains how Wisconsin is a hidden gem for the film industry and has a vibrant and receptive movie-loving community. He argues that the only difference between Milwaukee and cities with well-known film scenes is that people just aren’t paying attention to Milwaukee yet. This week, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the use of AI in filmmaking, he crushes it in a movie trivia game, and shares what Milwaukee Film is doing to preserve the city’s historic theaters. Kristopher also explains the new state bill that aims to form a Wisconsin Film Office and dives into how it would create jobs, boost the economy, and amplify the local scene. 
Follow @cinebudspodcast and check them out anywhere you get your podcasts! Follow Kristopher @kpollyart. For more information about Milwaukee Film, including screenings and membership, visit mkefilm.org and follow @mkefilm. 
Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 
Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Episode 201 - Kristopher Pollard

This week Charlie celebrates the 200th episode of the Cripescast by answering all of your burning questions. Buckle up for his advice on dating, lawn care and how to craft the perfect junk drawer. He and his producer Colleen go on many tangents spanning from deep philosophical discussions to what cheese is best on a charcuterie board. Full episode out now!
Interested in donating to Doctors Without Borders? Check out doctorswithoutborders.org to see how you can help. 
Find the Cripescast on all socials @cripescast. 

Episode 200 - Charlie Answers Fan Questions

Kristen Kish may be new to hosting “Top Chef” but she’s no stranger to the show. Crowned the Season 10 champion in 2012, she became the second woman ever to claim the title and has since returned to host the show. After her 2012 win, she’s gone on to open her own restaurant in Texas called Arlo Grey, release a cookbook, and host other TV shows like National Geographic’s “Restaurants and the End of the World” and Travel Channel’s “36 Hours”. In this episode, she and Charlie talk about both of their experiences on the show, her as the fresh-faced host and Charlie as an eager diner, with no culinary palette, in the second episode. As a Michigander, Kristen says she felt at home while filming the newest season of “Top Chef”, which was set in Wisconsin, because of the nasally accents and Midwest niceness. The two discuss everything from Wisconsin supper clubs to anxiety, and Charlie even walks away with some tips for cooking as a single guy. 
Follow Kristen on all platforms @kristenlkish and be sure to catch this season of Top Chef!
Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 
Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Episode 73 - Mad Dog & Merrill and Alex Okray

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