Milwaukee Uncut

In this episode, couple Michael Sampson and Kristin Brey join us to talk all things Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Michael is the founder of Swarmm Events, a Milwaukee-based event planning company putting on legendary events like the Shamrock Shuffle and Storm the Bastille. Kristin is the founder of ‘As Goes Wisconsin’ and a content creator shining a (humourous) spotlight on Wisconsin-based politics. We cover their back story, including how they met (Hinge) to where they are now in their careers. We then dive into our Milwaukee/Wisconsin based questions to get their input on best breweries, summer restaurants, Wisconsin getaway spots and more.

This is an entertaining episode full of great recommendations that’ll make the perfect listen as you get ready to start your Memorial Day weekend.

Milwaukee Uncut is produced by Story Mark Studios, in partnership with OnMilwaukee and presented by Nicolet Law and Central Standard Distillery.

From a giant Crayola Crayon box to a scene out of Spongebob, he’s using his passion for woodworking to inspire creativity and a sense of community in his followers. 

In this episode, we dive into his journey that got him to where he is today, including his struggles with mental health and potential brand collaborations on the horizon.

From a young age, Ike had an entrepreneurial spirit. He started a rock band with his friends when he was in high school - even playing at the Rave on school nights. After graduating and realizing college wasn’t what they wanted to pursue, they left to play shows across the country. Nine years later when the band split up, Ike and his brother started their next gig, a junk removal business.

“We started it the day after. I had zero gap between music and our business. It was like a 12 hour period that I slept.”

In the first year, their business exceeded expectations, allowing them to repay the loan lent to them by their parents.

On the side, Ike started building coffee tables out of discarded pallets. After posting them on Facebook, people started reaching out asking him to make tables for them. 

From there, Ike’s passion for woodworking took off, but challenges with his mental health created ebbs and flows in his ability to produce art; “I couldn’t even walk into my studio.”

Around 2021, he completely uprooted his life - leaving his studio and MIlwaukee - to move across the country to California where he would go to work for the Dream Machine Foundation. 

We talk through the last few years of his life and what it means for him to be back in Milwaukee creating art again. The city has embraced him with open arms, and a recent collaboration for 414 Day sparked new recognition for his work in the city he calls home.

In celebration of Mother's Day I got to have my 91 year old grandmother Lainey Burke on this weeks episode. 

In this quick episode we covered the following topics: 

• Growing up in Madison 
• Attending Marquette University as one of twelve women in the business school 
• The beginnings of Trek Bicycle 
• Flower arranging & a show coming to Milwaukee 
• Living a full life 

Milwaukee Uncut is produced by Story Mark Studios, in partnership with OnMilwaukee and presented by Nicolet Law and Central Standard Distillery. 

Devin Wagner (Harp), Kameron Jones (Wicked Hop, formerly RWB) and Gracie Kalichefski (Red Rock) join for our first ever edition of Bartenders Uncut! 

Topics discussed in order: 

• How they got into bartending 
• Weirdest thing ever written on a receipt 
• How do you know if a bartender is showing interest
• What your drink says about you 
• Amazing FaceTime interview with GCTB Owner Daniel Slade (@ai_cowboy_mke)
• Most money the bartenders have made in one tip and in a day 
• Favorite bars 
• Best bars to meet women 

For clips follow Milwaukee Uncut on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeeuncut/

For full length video interviews (and more clips/short interviews) check out Milwaukee Uncut on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MilwaukeeUncut

For guest & topic submissions: https://storymarkstudios.com/milwaukee-uncut-podcast/

If you want to support the show please share, review and subscribe :) 

What happens the night and days after winning an NBA title? 
How do you get the Larry O'Brien trophy through TSA? 
What's it like to party with Bill Clinton at Marc Lasry's place in the Hamptons? 

Those are some of the topics on this episode from the vault with Milwaukee Buck Pat Connaughton and his childhood best friend/business parter at Three Leaf Partners Joe Stanton. 

For clips follow Milwaukee Uncut on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milwaukeeuncut/

For video episode subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCv6uBhWukvWeht75ejjywQ

For the full episodes with Pat and Joe from 2022: 

Part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/milwaukee-uncut/id1167642426?i=1000553667323

Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/milwaukee-uncut/id1167642426?i=1000554323172

JMatt,  a local content creator shining a spotlight on all things Milwaukee. With over 16,000 followers on Instagram and a whopping 180,000 followers on TikTok, he’s become an unofficial icon of the city. He’s partnered with big brands including Red Bull, Culvers, and Subway, but primarily focuses his attention on the small businesses that truly put Milwaukee on the map.

We talked with JMatt, a former radio personality, to talk about his journey from being on-air to on-screen and how being laid off led him to content creation. From the first videos he posted solving puzzles, to the pirate ship video that changed everything, it’s been a continuous learning process that JMatt has fully embraced.

Fast forward to today and he’s now a self-employed creator that doubles as a social media coach for small businesses and nonprofits in Milwaukee.

With over 4 years of local lifestyle content under his belt, he has amassed a huge list of Milwaukee area bars, restaurants, and businesses he has worked with… which means he is a bottomless pit of recommendations on the best spots Milwaukee has to offer. 

We didn’t just want him to rattle off the most popular spots in Milwaukee, though. We wanted to get his insights on the best hidden gems this city has flying under its radar - mostly of the food and drink sort.

From lowkey to high end first date restaurants (Santinos), waterfront patios (Barnacle Buds), and tucked-away taprooms (Edith) to quaint brunch spots (Cafe at the Plaza) and mini donut shops (Happy Dough Lucky), we cover 13 hidden gems in Milwaukee worthy of a little extra love. 

Gearing up for the playoffs, we dive into Zach and Kevin’s first year on the Admirals (including the 19-game win streak), and in Milwaukee! 

Along with their backstories, how they got to the pros and how the team is prepping for a playoff run we cover a wide range of topics and fan submitted questions including: 

• Doorbell camera disaster
• Las Vegas shenanigans
• Biggest transition to pro hockey 
• Where the Ads go on a night out in Milwaukee
• Who would win in a fight - Zach, Kevin,....... or Richie?
• What teammates would you NOT let (and let) date your sister?
• What do they like to do in Milwaukee?
• And more Fan-submitted Q&A’s

You’ve probably seen his drone footage all over social media, but who’s behind the drone that puts Milwaukee on the map? We sat down with “Drone Nate” on the podcast today to learn how he went from engineering major, to pharmacist, to professional drone videographer/photographer. Not only does his Instagram account reach hundreds of thousands of people per month, he’s shot for some of the largest brands in the city and did the drone footage for Top Chef when they were in Milwaukee. We also go in depth of Nate’s favorite shots and go to spots in the city. If you’re looking to get to better know Milwaukee and the man who makes it shine this episode is for you! 

Who's the man behind the 275ish billboards across the state? Join us as we sit down with Russell Nicolet,  from a humble start practicing law out of a small room in the Wisconsin's North Woods to creating a very recognizable and successful law firm spanning multiple states, we cover his early career to where he is now. We also talk through his most rewarding cases and what it’s like hiring, and working, alongside family. After that, we dive into the craziest Wisconsin laws and Russell’s favorite Wisconsin food and drinks. With roots right here in Wisconsin, this is one story you won’t want to miss.

Wonder what it's like to play in the NFL? From being on the 1-16 Jaguars to the #1 seed Packers Tyler Davis has seen it all in his first four years in the National Football League. 

Tyler Davis has an incredible story from growing up on Long Island and going on to play college ball for UConn and Georgia Tech before getting drafted by Jacksonville in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft (yes, the COVID year). 

He then played for the 1-16 Jaguars under Doug Marrone, and then was in camp the next year with Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow (he has some good stories on the pod) before getting cut by Meyer and ending up on the Green Bay Packers catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. 

He was poised for his best year yet in 2023 catching a TD in the first pre-season game against Cincinatti only to tear his ACL and be out for the season minutes later.  He's been working everyday since to comeback strong in 2024. 

If your interested in learning what it's like to play in the NFL and hear a lot of amazing behind the scenes stories about the Green Bay Packers make sure to tune into this episode. 

Milwaukee Uncut is produced by Story Mark Studios 
In partnership with OnMilwaukee 
Sponsored by Central Standard and Nicolet Law