The Recombobulation Area

Dan Shafer sits down with the outgoing party chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler. Dan and Ben discuss the recent news that billionaire Elon Musk is stepping away from politics after the defeat in Wisconsin’s April elections, the upcoming race to fill the role of DPW Chair, and more!

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. In hour number two, Dan and Angela speak with immigration attorney Kevin Layde. The three dive deep into the controversial Kilmar Abrego Garcia case, illustrating its implications for U.S. immigration policy and constitutional law.

In the final half hour of the show, Emily Tseffos joins Dan and Angela to highlight the GOP’s ‘quiet war’ on public education in Wisconsin, critiquing inadequate funding and legislative neglect. On a lighter note to end the show, Dan and Angela hold a spirited debate over the best Girl Scout cookies, revealing stark differences in their cookie preferences.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. Dan and Angela welcome filmmakers Laura Dyan Kezman and William Howell to discuss their documentary “Cycle”. The film is premiering at the Milwaukee Film Festival later this month, and delves into the tragic 2019 police shooting of 18-year-old Tyrese West in Racine, Wisconsin. The film explores systemic injustices and the historical cycle of racial violence, emphasizing the need for understanding and change.

In the second half hour, Joe Zepecki joins Dan and Angela to discuss his candidacy for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair. Joe shares what his vision would be as chair, advocating for bold leadership and urgent reforms, particularly in immigration and communication strategies. Joe also urges Democrats to stand firm on their values.

To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

The Recombobulation Area is a thirteen-time Milwaukee Press Club award–winning weekly opinion column and online publication founded by longtime Milwaukee journalist Dan Shafer. The Recombobulation Area is now part of Civic Media.

There’s been a whole lot happening in recent months as Donald Trump has returned to office as president, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has begun to take a wrecking ball to various federal agencies, making drastic cuts to the federal workforce. 

We’re beginning to see the effects of this at the state level here in Wisconsin, and recent reports have indicated that mass layoffs are happening at agencies within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has a significant presence in the state. 

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is helping tell the stories of real people directly impacted by these layoffs. 

“The moment calls for important conversations with people who’ve been impacted by devastating cuts by the Trump administration, aided by Elon Musk,” said Barnes. “I just wanted you to hear what is going on in the lives of everyday folks who are taking this challenge head on, but are not taking it lying down.”

One of those Wisconsinites impacted by these cuts is Katia Wanish, who until recently was a wetlands engineer at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which is part of the USDA. She shared her story with Barnes in this special edition of The Recombobulation Area podcast.

“I really feel like there’s a lack of dignity,” she said of the experience. “I just felt like I was completely erased from the system one day. I essentially received a blank email — nothing written in the message, nothing saying “Hi Katia” or anything like that — a blank email with an attachment telling me that I was terminated. Just that shock of not even feeling like I was a person in that moment, that they couldn’t take a second to write something in the body of that email really stunk. And I was terminated for performance. Which, I’m still trying to figure out why exactly. I received multiple awards in my time as an engineer; I was nominated for junior engineer of the year. It’s just kind of confusing why I was terminated for performance.”

She was treated, as Barnes put it, as a “pawn in a billionaire’s game.” 

Wanish had been hired to the position at the beginning of 2025, and was part of the round of DOGE firings on “probationary employees,” which included both new hires and people recently promoted — the latter, essentially, in her case.

In her conversation with Barnes, she talked about how this role she was hired for was a “dream job,” and that this experience has made her feel “helpless.”

Barnes said that’s the purpose of the way DOGE and the Trump administration are carrying out these actions, saying he “fundamentally disagrees” that there’s nothing you can do in these moments.

“I know you can feel like you’re powerless, but that’s the purpose of this all,” said Barnes. “It is to make you feel powerless. And if you submit — as many people feel that leaders in Congress are doing right now, submitting to the will — then there’s no hope for anybody. And so I just want you to understand that there is still power that you do have even if it seems like you don’t.”

Watch the full video above, or listen to the episode as a podcast here on Civic Media, or embedded below.

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There’s been a whole lot happening in recent months as Donald Trump has returned to office as president, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has begun to take a wrecking ball to various federal agencies, making drastic cuts to the federal workforce. 

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is helping tell the stories of real people directly impacted by these layoffs. Barnes sat down with Katia Wanish, who until recently was a wetlands engineer at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which is part of the USDA. She shared her story with Barnes in this special edition of The Recombobulation Area podcast.

Listen to the episode as a podcast, or watch the full video of their conversation here.

To learn more about The Recombobulation Area and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Last week, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo essentially freezing payments from the federal government. The memo was rescinded, but perhaps it’s a sign of what’s to come from the Trump administration.

Regular Recombobulation Area contributor and Marquette University professor Phil Rocco, who has written and researched extensively on the relationship between different levels of government, joins the podcast to help make sense of what happened and what might be next.

Let’s recombobulate.

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Donald Trump said immigration was his No. 1 issue. So, let’s talk about it. A big picture podcast discussion with immigration attorneys Gabriela Parra and Kevin Layde, and guest co-host Angela Lang.

Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th president last week, and with that inauguration came a flurry of activity, perhaps most notably on the issue of immigration. One report said Donald Trump characterized immigration as his No. 1 issue in his 2024 campaign, ahead of even the economy. 

So, we want to talk more about immigration. But part of having this conversation means separating some of the rhetoric from the reality, and talking about what is actually happening on this issue. Because on balance, this can all be pretty discombobulating. 

Joining us to help us recombobulate and make sense of the issues are our guests for this episode, Gabriela Parra and Kevin Layde, managing partners at the Layde & Parra immigration law firm. Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, joins as co-host.

Topics discussed include:

Watch the full episode as a video here.

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Dan Shafer hosts Phillip Roccco, the Editor for Marquette University and the author of "Prisoners of the State," in the Recombobulation Area. In their discussion, Phillip and Dan explore proposals designed to provide state counties with a slight increase in funding to sustain programs that are at risk of elimination, which would be financed through a moderate sales tax. Phillip also addresses the perception of state funding to local governments as a progressive compromise in the context of Act 12.

Dan further discusses the role of the Joint Finance Committee in developing a budget for shared revenue, highlighting the financial losses incurred by not implementing Medicaid Expansion for BadgerCare, which would make healthcare more affordable rather than offering less coverage for higher costs.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Dan Shafer returns to the Maggie Daun Show to address the financial requirements of Waukesha County and other regions. In recent developments, Mike Johnson has been reinstated as Speaker of the House. Furthermore, newly elected officials, such as Tammy Baldwin, have taken their oaths in the Senate.

Chris Drosner also participates in the discussion, focusing on the recent closures and consolidations within the beer and brewing sector. The conversation touches on the closure of City Lights and the subsequent seizure of production and distribution by its owners. Additionally, they explore whether individuals are opting for tap, seltzer, or house beers to support local breweries. Briefly, Phillip Rocco joins into to talk whats going on in local government.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Dan Shafer and Angela Lang will host a discussion with Jeff Mandell from LAW FORWARD on the complexities of ACT 10 and its repeal. Enacted in Wisconsin in 2011, ACT 10 severely limited public sector unions' collective bargaining rights, sparking protests and debates over workers' rights.

Jeff Mandell analyzes the distinctions between State Constitutions and Federal Constitutions, highlighting how State Constitutions often provide equal or greater support and protection.He states how Act 10 is Unfair and is not constitutional.

Dan and Angela later return to her article, emphasizing that the repeal of Act 10 represents a significant advancement for Wisconsin in terms of restoring order and progressing towards future goals.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!