Route 51

Shereen Siewert welcomes Waawaakeyaash Keller Paap, Indigenous knowledge development coordinator at the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute, and Waqnahwew Ben Grignon, Menominee language and culture coordinator with the Menominee Indian School District, for a discussion on initiatives that aim to protect Indigenous languages.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany joins Shereen Siewert for an hour-long conversation about what's happening in Washington, his priorities and the new Congress.

Shereen Siewert welcomes professional ornithologist and educator Steve Betchkal and wildlife biologist Jeanette Kelly for a discussion about the birds of Wisconsin’s winters, how to identify them and strategies to create more bird-friendly communities to encourage their survival.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Paul Thomas, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and Wausau School District Planetarium Director Chris Janssen to discuss the latest in space exploration news and a preview of what to expect in the year ahead.

The very first audiobook was recorded in the 1950s - it was a book of poetry by Dylan Thomas. They took off in the 1980s, thanks to the longer format audio of cassette tapes and the popularity of the Sony Walkman. Today, audiobooks are the fastest growing format in publishing and that growth shows no signs of stopping. Audiobooks are predicted to become a $19 billion dollar industry by 2027. This week on Route 51 we take a behind the scenes look at what it takes to create a successful audiobook with two multi-award-winning voice actors, January LaVoy and Robert Petkoff. Both have extensive experience on stage and screen, but now are highly sought after in the field of audiobooks having each recorded hundreds of them in many genres. Today we’ll concentrate on their work in science fiction, more specifically Star Wars and Star Trek. Here to help us navigate is award-winning writer from Central Wisconsin, John Jackson Miller . Many of his books just happen to have been recorded by LaVoy and Petkoff. It’s our annual trek into the final frontier to galaxies far, far away.

Shereen Siewert welcomes Luke Zahm, host of PBS Wisconsin’s “Wisconsin Foodie” and owner of the Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, for a joyful discussion about the roots of Wisconsin food traditions.

For some, the holidays are a time of joy. For others, it’s a time where mental health is a true challenge. Feeling alone or remembering loved ones who have passed can bring about feelings of helplessness, and even thoughts of self harm. Instances of suicide increase after the holidays, but the season itself can be difficult to manage and filled with challenges. Today on Route 51, we discuss strategies to protect mental health and effectively manage the stress of the season with Sharon Betersfelt, a Marshfield Clinic counselor in Eau Claire, and Jessa Bokhoven, a public health educator in Marathon County who facilitates Marathon County’s Suicide Death Review Team. They’ll share tips and resources for mental health support and where to go for help if you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide. Resources: National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988 Call, Text Or Chat Available 24/7 Text HOME to crises text line 741741

Shereen Siewert welcomes Eau Claire financial advisor Kevin McKinley for a discussion on year-end financial strategies and making your charitable giving go further this year.

Winter weather is upon us! The weather forecasts we see each day are based on an array of meteorological sensing networks and intensive computer modeling. But before the rise of these technologies, forecasts were made by understanding cloud formations and wind directions - something anyone can do in their backyard. “Route 51” host Shereen Siewert welcomes WSAW-TV meteorologist Chad Franzen for a discussion on the physical processes that drive winter weather and the global forces that shape our climate system. Does a “halo around the moon” really foretell a big snowstorm? Listen in and find out.

Rick Reyer welcomes Michael “Laughing Fox” Charette to share his music and the stories in the oral tradition of the Anishinaabe, also known as Ojibwe, that have been passed down for generations.