If you have an accent, it’s likely Daniel Van Kirk has already picked it up. Whether it’s a byproduct of being a comedian or his ability to connect with people, he’s a colloquial chameleon and he just can’t help it. He and Charlie start this episode of the Cripescast off hot by rewatching old, yet seductive, Sybaris Hotel commercials and reminiscing about their Midwest upbringings. Although he’s technically a FIB, Daniel uses today’s episode to reaffirm his love for Wisconsin. From his summers spent growing up at his family’s cabin in the Dells’ to his first stand-up set at Comedy on State in Madison, his ties to the state run deep. The two also debate important topics such as yard sales vs. estate sales, what your sock preference says about you and mini golf vs. real golf. Charlie gives Daniel the basic do’s and don’ts of ice fishing and Daniel shares a recent story of his run in with the local Dells’ police. All that and more on this episode of the Cripescast! 

Follow Daniel @danielvankirk. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

It’s estimated that 8 million tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans every year. But did you know, the plastic we see floating on the oceans’ surface, is only ~1% of those 8 million tons? As for the 99% below the surface? They’re still a mystery to the scientists studying microplastics today. One in particular is Dr. Lawrence Pratt, senior scientist at the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) in Massachusetts, who is working on figuring out where the oceans’ currents carry these mystery plastics. The goal of his research is to locate where plastics and microplastics congregate, so that when filtering technology becomes accessible, we know exactly where to start. In this episode of the Cripescast, Larry defines microplastics, how they pose a threat to humans and animals alike, and what we can do to reduce their existence in the first place. He and Charlie also chat about Wisconsin winters, scuba diving, and sharks. 

For more information on the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute, visithttps://www.whoi.edu/. 

Follow the Cripescast on all platforms at @cripescast and follow Charlie @charlieberens.

This week, Bill Doucette, otherwise known as Billy Deuce, returns for his second solo appearance on the Cripescast. Charlie’s long time friend and frequent collaborator, the two spend this episode cracking jokes and trying out bits. Equipped with an acoustic guitar, Bill reveals a song that he wrote in high school, gives his best musical impressions, and shares a tune from his career as a children’s musician. Ladies: stick around to the end to find out if you’re Bill’s dream woman.

Follow Bill @billydeuce86 on all platforms and follow The Cripescast @cripescast.

For filmmakers Anders and Davin Lindwall, telling a story about farming and the Green Bay Packers was deeply personal. They explain how their new movie, “Green and Gold”, was directly inspired by their childhood growing up on their grandfather’s dairy farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The film stars Craig T. Nelson as Buck, a struggling dairy farmer who wagers everything on the Packers’ 1993 season, while his granddaughter Jenny, played by Madison Lawlor, balances her music dreams with farm life. This week, Anders and Davin join Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the making of the film, their choice to shoot on real Wisconsin farms, and their advice for emerging independent filmmakers. They also reveal the strange story of filming a calf’s birth for one scene in the movie, including how they managed to cheat the moments that couldn’t be captured on camera. 

“Green and Gold” hits theaters January 31st. Follow @greenandgoldmovie and visit greenandgoldmovie.com for tickets.

Follow the Cripescast on all platform @cripescast.

Filmmaker Nathan Deming believes that Wisconsin is full of stories worth telling. That’s exactly what he hopes to accomplish with his 12-part interconnected film series called the “Year Project”. Each film showcases a different month of the year about unrelated subjects and tells unique stories, but what ties them all together is their backdrop: the state of Wisconsin. His most recent installment, “February”, tells the story of a Mexican immigrant, Miguel, who struggles to feel at home in his new town in Western Wisconsin. That is, until he discovers a passion for ice fishing. This week, Nathan joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the project, the film industry at large, and the shortcomings of AI. The two also dive into the nitty gritty of filmmaking in Wisconsin, highlighting the fact that it’s one of few states in the country without a film office or production tax incentives. “February” sets out on a state-wide tour beginning on January 25th. For information on cities and showtimes, visit februaryfilm.com/screenings. 

Follow Nathan on Instagram @nathan.deming. Follow us on all platforms @cripescast.

Trauma surgeon and humanitarian physician Feroze Sidhwa has worked in healthcare systems across the globe. From volunteering in Ukraine to Haiti, from Zimbabwe to Burkina Faso, Feroze has seen it all. However, his extensive time in Gaza is what inspired him to write an open letter to the White House, detailing the humanitarian crisis he had observed there. That letter, signed by dozens of other doctors working in Gaza, was eventually published by the New York Times. This week, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss his open letter, the response to it, and more of what he experienced working as a trauma surgeon and physician abroad.

Keep up with Feroze on X @FerozeSidhwa. Check out GazaHealthcareLetters.org to read Feroze’s letter and to email the White House. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and check out cripescast.com for tour info, merch, and more.

Further information and resources regarding this episode:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmintdev/487/48705.htm

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/19/1206479861/israel-gaza-hamas-children-population-war-palestinians 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip_famine

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2024/11/20/an-a-z-of-the-children-israel-killed-in-gaza

https://www.unescwa.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pdf/war-gaza-dedliest-100-twenty-first-century-policy-brief-english.pdf

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/21/middleeast/gaza-war-israeli-soldiers-ptsd-suicide-intl/index.html

https://gaza-patterns-harm.airwars.org/#demographics

https://truthout.org/articles/israel-has-killed-2100-babies-under-2-years-old-in-gaza-rights-group-says/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422394/palestinian-territories-number-of-internally-displaced-refugees-in-gaza-after-israeli-air-strike/#:~:text=Around%2090%20percent%20of%20Gaza%27s,counterstrikes%20of%20the%20Israeli%20military.

The perfect way to start the new year? A brand new Cripescast episode chock full of inspiration. Supplying the advice is Wayne White, renowned artist and Emmy award-winning designer for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and return Cripescast guest. The two join Charlie to discuss the importance of creativity throughout their careers and the impact of AI on art today. Beyond their mutual concern for AI taking over the world, the three bond over their involvement in and love for Joey’s Song, an annual charity event held in Madison, Wisconsin to raise money and awareness for epilepsy research. While Charlie’s unable to attend in person this year, he’s helping Wayne and Joel with their comedy show on January 10th. 

For tickets to Joey’s Song, including Joel and Wayne’s Cheese-Capades comedy show, visit joeyssong.org. Follow Wayne @waynewhiteart and Mystery Science Theater 3000 at @mst3k. 

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast. For information on merch, Patreon, and tour, visit cripescast.com.

It’s the Cripescast Wrapped episode! This week we’re using our final episode of the year to highlight some of our best moments from 2024. From Grandma Sue getting pulled over, to the weirdest things Christian Yelich has ever autographed, to so much more. Buckle in for an episode full of our guests’ wildest stories, funniest moments, and juiciest bits of gossip. Thanks for listening this year and we’ll see ya in 2025! Until then, watch out for reindeer. 🦌

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast! For behind the scenes and exclusive content, check out patreon.com/charlieberens!

Comment your favorite episode from this year!

Wisconsin environmental conservationist Aldo Leopold never could have imagined the global impact that his 1949 book A Sand County Almanac would have on the world. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, president and executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Buddy Huffaker, joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week. Having worked for the foundation for over 20 years, Buddy is one of millions that have been inspired by A Sand County Almanac. So much so that he’s made conservation and education his life’s work. In this episode, Buddy and Charlie discuss Aldo’s writings, as well as the work that the foundation does, not only to maintain land, but to keep Aldo’s message alive. 

For more information about the Aldo Leopold Foundation, visit their website https://www.aldoleopold.org. Follow them on X @aldoleopoldfdn and on all other platforms at @aldoleopoldfoundation. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

It’s that time again! This week Charlie is back with another Q&A episode of the Cripescast, where he reveals his deepest fears, his favorite conspiracy theories, and his thoughts on the new Wicked movie.

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.