Scaffidiology

In the final episode of his Faith in Politics series, Steve Scaffidi speaks with Minister Jalal about the Muslim faith, service to humanity, and the importance of building bridges across religious and political divides.

They discuss immigration, religious freedom, justice, political participation, generational differences, and the responsibility to stand up against injustice. Minister Jalal also explains how faith can bring people together during a time of increasing division—and why love, peace and service should transcend politics.

Steve Scaffidi begins a new Scaffidiology series on social media with Mike Zussman , an adolescent and adult therapist. They discuss the benefits and risks of social media for young people, including cyberbullying, mental health, addictive algorithms, screen time, and the challenges parents face.

The conversation also explores whether social media companies and lawmakers should do more to protect children—and why adults may be just as dependent on their phones.

Steve Scaffidi sits down with attorney Edo Walny of Walny Legal Group for a conversation about life, career, communication, and the importance of planning for the future.

Walny shares how beginning his legal career just days before 9/11 shaped his professional journey, the advice that helped guide his career, and why so few Americans have an up-to-date estate plan. He also discusses his work with families, including those caring for children and adults with special needs, and the lessons he has learned from meeting clients during some of life’s most important moments.

Plus, Walny explains how he became a more confident communicator and what inspired him to pursue a career in law.

Steve Scaffidi sits down with author and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson to discuss his new book, "The Green and Gold Standard: A People’s History of the Green Bay Packers." Nelson shares the personal experiences that inspired him to write the book, along with stories from more than a century of Packers history from Curly Lambeau and the team’s early struggles to Brett Favre, Reggie White, the Packers-Bears rivalry, and the generational bond shared by Packers fans.

Steve and Tom Nelson also discuss what makes the Packers unlike any other franchise in professional sports, including the team’s small-town roots, fan ownership, and role as a civic institution in Wisconsin. Nelson explains why the Packers’ future may depend on how the NFL addresses private equity and guaranteed contracts and why preserving the team’s unique identity matters so much.

“Now I know why the Packers are so special. That’s what really drove me to write this book.”

Steve Scaffidi had a chance to sit down with three African journalists through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to discuss their home countries and why journalism matters not only in the United States, but across the globe.

Abubakair Sadiq Sulemana, from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation; Sandrine Butera, from the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency; and Cassandra Zungu from South African Broadcasting Cooperation joined Steve for a fascinating conversation about their home countries and what inspired them to get into journalism.

"I've seen what the media can do. People listen to the radio; they see you, as a voice when you say something; they believe in it. So really, I know the power of the media."

What role should faith play in politics—and what responsibility do people of faith have as American citizens?

Steve Scaffidi sits down with Pastor Tim Peters of Parkway Church in Oak Creek for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, culture, politics and the importance of meaningful dialogue.

Pastor Peters shares his unconventional path into ministry, how his experiences outside the church shaped his approach as a pastor and why listening is often just as important as preaching. He also explains why he believes Christians have a responsibility to vote, how he approaches political disagreements within his own congregation and why he welcomes elected leaders from across the political spectrum into his church.

The conversation also explores the division in American politics, the importance of integrity in public life, how faith can provide stability in a changing culture and why conversations with people who disagree with us still matter.

In the fourth episode of “A Matter of Faith,” a special series from The Scaffidiology Podcast, host Steve Scaffidi sits down with Father Tim Kitzke, a Catholic priest who has served southeastern Wisconsin for more than 37 years.

Father Kitzke shares his perspective on the relationship between faith and politics, explaining why he believes political division can become a barrier to both faith and community. He discusses how he approaches preaching, encourages meaningful dialogue, and challenges people to live out their beliefs beyond the walls of the church.

Together, Scaffidi and Father Kitzke explore fundamental questions facing faith communities today: How much should politics influence faith? And is there a disconnect between what people hear in worship and how they practice those values in everyday life?

Veteran journalist, author, and longtime 620 WTMJ contributor Anne Schwartz joins Steve Scaffidi on the latest episode of The Scaffidiology Podcast.

Best known for breaking the story of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in 1991 and authoring Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders, Schwartz discusses her newest venture: Explain Yourself, her Substack newsletter that goes beyond the headlines to explore the human stories behind crime, law enforcement, and public service.

Drawing on decades of experience in journalism and communications, Schwartz reflects on what she's learned from covering some of Wisconsin's biggest stories, why the truth is often more complicated than the headlines suggest, and how the moments that never make the news can be the most revealing of all.

Why are there so many different versions of the same animal? And how did evolution shape the incredible diversity of life on Earth?

On this week's Scaffidiology Podcast, Steve Scaffidi sits down with Dr. Tony Gamble, professor of biology at Marquette University, for a fascinating conversation about evolutionary biology. From dinosaurs and Darwin to the ongoing pace of evolution, Dr. Gamble explains the science behind how species change over time and what makes Earth's biodiversity so extraordinary.

Drawing from his own research on lizards and snakes, Dr. Gamble offers an accessible look at the evolutionary processes that continue to shape the natural world.

Put on your thinking cap and get ready to see evolution in a whole new way.

This week on The Scaffidiology Podcast, the tables are turned.

For the first time, Steve Scaffidi leaves the interviewer’s chair and becomes the guest as ESPN Wisconsin’s Alex Strouf takes listeners through the remarkable personal and professional journey that shaped one of Wisconsin’s most recognizable voices.

From growing up in southeastern Wisconsin and attending UW-Milwaukee to career stops in San Francisco and Chicago, Steve reflects on the experiences that defined his path. The conversation also explores his return home, his years in public service, and his tenure as Mayor of Oak Creek, including leading the community through the tragic 2012 Sikh Temple shooting.

Steve also shares how he unexpectedly found his way into broadcasting, the lessons he learned along the way, and the importance of family, resilience, and the support of his wife throughout his journey.

From city hall to the radio studio, this special episode offers a rare and candid look at the life behind the microphone.