This Week in Waukesha

In this second segment of This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne and producer Max Martinson take a wide-ranging look at how national events ripple into local communities. The conversation begins with reflections on the College Football National Championship, Big Ten pride, and the state of local high school athletics in Waukesha. From there, the episode turns more serious, examining recent events in Minneapolis involving ICE, questions of law enforcement accountability, and the impact of political rhetoric on public discourse. Don explores how these issues resonate—or don’t—within Waukesha County, and why civic engagement at the local level matters more than ever. The episode closes on a hopeful note, highlighting the leadership, service, and optimism seen in Waukesha’s young people, and a call for constructive participation in local government, voting, and community life. Part of a special four-part edition recorded during a winter freeze, this episode connects sports, politics, and community responsibility through a distinctly local lens.

In this second segment of This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne and producer Max Martinson take a wide-ranging look at how national events ripple into local communities. The conversation begins with reflections on the College Football National Championship, Big Ten pride, and the state of local high school athletics in Waukesha. From there, the episode turns more serious, examining recent events in Minneapolis involving ICE, questions of law enforcement accountability, and the impact of political rhetoric on public discourse. Don explores how these issues resonate—or don’t—within Waukesha County, and why civic engagement at the local level matters more than ever. The episode closes on a hopeful note, highlighting the leadership, service, and optimism of Waukesha’s young people, and calling for constructive participation in local government, voting, and community life. Part of a special four-part edition recorded during a winter freeze, this episode connects sports, politics, and community responsibility through a distinctly local lens.

In episode one of This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne is joined by producer Max Martinson and special guest Gina Nordrum, family and consumer science teacher at Waukesha South High School and advisor to the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT). Gina takes listeners inside one of the school’s fastest-growing programs, highlighting how student athletes are giving back to the community through service, leadership development, and hands-on volunteer work. From supporting Blessings in a Backpack and the Christmas Clearinghouse to organizing fundraisers, leadership summits, and the annual Boots & Badges game, SALT students are learning what it means to lead on and off the field. The conversation also touches on mentoring younger students, summer service projects, and why empowering young leaders—especially at the high school level—matters now more than ever. Stick around for part two, where the discussion dives even deeper into SALT’s mission and impact in Waukesha.

In episode one of This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne is joined by producer Max Martinson and special guest Gina Nordrum, family and consumer science teacher at Waukesha South High School and advisor to the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT). Gina takes listeners inside one of the school’s fastest-growing programs, highlighting how student athletes are giving back to the community through service, leadership development, and hands-on volunteer work. From supporting Blessings in a Backpack and the Christmas Clearinghouse to organizing fundraisers, leadership summits, and the annual Boots & Badges game, SALT students are learning what it means to lead on and off the field. The conversation also touches on mentoring younger students, summer service projects, and why empowering young leaders—especially at the high school level—matters now more than ever. Stick around for part two, where the discussion dives even deeper into SALT’s mission and impact in Waukesha.

This week on This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne is joined by Bev Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Childcare Centers in Elm Grove, for an in-depth conversation on the state of child care in Wisconsin. With over 40 years of experience in the field, Bev shares insights into the growing challenges facing child care providers, including funding cuts, workforce shortages, and the ripple effects on working families and local businesses. The discussion highlights why child care is a critical community infrastructure, how state and federal policy decisions are shaping the future of care, and what advocacy efforts are underway as Wisconsin approaches a pivotal budget year.

This week on This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne is joined by Bev Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Childcare Centers in Elm Grove, for an in-depth conversation on the state of child care in Wisconsin. With over 40 years of experience in the field, Bev shares insights into the growing challenges facing child care providers, including funding cuts, workforce shortages, and the ripple effects on working families and local businesses. The discussion highlights why child care is a critical community infrastructure, how state and federal policy decisions are shaping the future of care, and what advocacy efforts are underway as Wisconsin approaches a pivotal budget year.

The first episode of This Week in Waukesha for 2026 kicks off with host Don Browne and producer Max Martinson reflecting on the holidays before diving into what the new year holds for Waukesha County. Don shares insights from a recent trip to Springfield, Illinois, for a youth softball tournament, including a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and uses that experience to explore the growing economic power of youth sports complexes. The conversation turns local with a discussion of a proposed multi-sport athletic facility in New Berlin, its potential impact on regional development, and what similar projects could mean for Waukesha County. The episode also takes time to reflect and remember, honoring the legacy of Bob Uecker and sharing personal remembrances of loved ones lost over the past year.

The first episode of This Week in Waukesha for 2026 kicks off with host Don Browne and producer Max Martinson reflecting on the holidays before diving into what the new year holds for Waukesha County. Don shares insights from a recent trip to Springfield, Illinois, for a youth softball tournament, including a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and uses that experience to explore the growing economic power of youth sports complexes. The conversation turns local with a discussion of a proposed multi-sport athletic facility in New Berlin, its potential impact on regional development, and what similar projects could mean for Waukesha County. The episode also takes time to reflect and remember, honoring the legacy of Bob Uecker and sharing personal remembrances of loved ones lost over the past year.

In this bonus episode of This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne sits down with longtime friend Brian Sullivan, CEO and co-founder of Consumer Resources, to trace a journey from Waukesha roots to leading a global energy company based in British Columbia. Broadcasting from the office of former Alderman Don Browne in Banting Park, the conversation explores metallurgical coal and steelmaking, Great Lakes industrial history, global supply chains, and the realities of operating an international business amid political uncertainty. Along the way, Sullivan reflects on rebuilding a struggling mining town, lessons from decades in the energy industry, and how local experiences connect to global impact.

In this bonus episode of This Week in Waukesha, host Don Browne sits down with longtime friend Brian Sullivan, CEO and co-founder of Consumer Resources, to trace a journey from Waukesha roots to leading a global energy company based in British Columbia. Broadcasting from the office of former Alderman Don Browne in Banting Park, the conversation explores metallurgical coal and steelmaking, Great Lakes industrial history, global supply chains, and the realities of operating an international business amid political uncertainty. Along the way, Sullivan reflects on rebuilding a struggling mining town, lessons from decades in the energy industry, and how local experiences connect to global impact.