Rachel Harrison, advocacy coordinator for the Milwaukee human trafficking non-profit Fight to End Exploitation (FEE) joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week. The two discuss the baseline definition of human trafficking and its impact in Southeastern Wisconsin. Rachel shares some signs to look for and the role that social media and online porn sites have on sex trafficking. Rachel also explains the difference between sex trafficking and prostitution, what people can do to help victims of sex trafficking, and opportunities in Wisconsin legislation to help stop the exploitation of children.

 

For more information about FEE and the work they’re doing, go to fighttoendexploitation.org. 

 

If you see something, say something.

 

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888.

This week Charlie answers some fan questions. Wanna get a question answered? Email us at [email protected].

This week, Charlie’s high school English teacher, Jim Kearney, joins the Cripescast. They talk about the book “Hero With a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell that Jim taught Charlie about back in the day. Jim reflects on his career as a teacher, the pivotal trips he took his students on, how to reach kids on a deeper level, and what being a teacher meant to him. Jim and Charlie share a beer and Jim recommends his all time favorite books that everyone should read.

This week, Charlie is joined by the hosts of the “And That’s Why We Drink” podcast and authors of the new book “A Haunted Road Atlas: Sinister Stops, Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales” Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer. They discussed their fascination with paranormal and true crime stories. Christine and Em outline their individual careers before ATWWD. Christine worked as a staff writer for Nickelodeon and Em shares some deep dark secrets from their time working on “The Price is Right”. The three talk about their shared experience staying at the notoriously-haunted 5-star hotel in downtown Milwaukee, The Pfister Hotel, and other interactions with ghosts.

Ryan Busse, a former firearms executive for Kimber America and author of “Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America” comes on the Cripescast today to talk about gun control. Having grown up with guns, a love for the outdoors and hunting, and years of experience in the gun industry, Ryan has a unique relationship with guns and offers insight on the gun problem in America and their place in our society. Ryan and Charlie talk about all areas of the gun control conversation including universal background checks, red flag laws, mental health, the NRA, conspiracy theories, and where we can go from here.

Stand-up comedian and actor Jon Reep joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week. You may know him from "Last Comic Standing", from his own podcast "Country-ish" or from his special "Ginger Beard Man" on Amazon Prime. He and Charlie compare their similar career paths and talk about how they both spent time working in the entertainment industry in LA and made their way back to their hometowns to continue creating content. Jon shares about how he finds humor even in dark times, how social media has changed the comedy scene and his approach to it all. Jon shares about his creative process for stand up, his worst experience on stage, and Charlie offers him some travel advice for when he visits Milwaukee.

Stand-up comedian Dan Cummins joins Charlie this week on the Cripescast. You may recognize him from his half-hour special on Comedy Central, his appearances on the Tonight Show or the Late, Late Show, or the host of his own podcasts “Timesuck,” “Scared to Death,” or “Is We Dumb”. Dan dives into his path to comedy and provides some advice to those starting their stand-up careers to be authentic to themselves. He also talks about how social media has changed the comedy game since his start in the early 2000s. He and Charlie talk about creative burnout, where to find inspiration, performing for Midwest crowds. Charlie also addresses America’s latest mass shootings.

Bluegrass legend Vince Herman joins the Cripescast this week. He and Charlie talk about his start in music, how bluegrass has evolved over the years, and his bands Leftover Salmon and the High Hawks.

For the 100th Episode of the Cripescast, Charlie invited on his folks Molly and Dick Berens. They came ready with embarrassing stories of Charlie and much more.

Israel Del Toro Ph.D. and Relena Ribbons Ph.D., faculty for the Lawrence University environmental studies program and leaders for the No Mow May initiative in Appleton, Wisconsin join Charlie this week to talk about how not mowing in May can help the environment and economy.

 

Find out more about No Mow May at byobeez.org 

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