Raised in the Woods

Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton
  • 5.0 (2)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Born in Waukesha, WI and making his adventuresome life in Wisconsin, Joel Kleefisch is Raised in the Woods!  Join Joel and co-host Ellie Lawton weekly to hear their fresh perspective enjoying the great outdoors in the Midwest --and eating well afterwards. Joel served 14 years in the State Assembly, mingled with presidents,  and has traveled the world on hunting and fishing adventures. Ellie Lawton is a lifelong Midwest farm girl whose love of the outdoors and eating what she harvests led to a career feeding the masses. As a certified award winning French Chef, hunter angler, and forager, Ellie’s grocery store is the waters and woods of the midwest!  Listen Live: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday

  1. FEB 7

    Return of the Raccoon Roasters

    Today on Raised in the Woods we're recapping the fun we had at the 98th Annual Tom McNulty Memorial Coon Feed! How did it go? How record-breaking was the attendance? And most importantly; how did Chef Lawton's raccoon recipe stack up against the pros? Guests Sherri Ritz and Nick Corgiat return to tell us all about the Delafield raccoon festival in the return of the raccoon roasters on Raised in the Wooooooooooooooods! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventurous lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton have truly been Raised in the Woods. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our region. From the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the Mississippi River and Lake of the Woods to Door County, Raised in the Woods has you covered! Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Nick Corgiat, Sherri Ritz

    44 min

  2. JAN 31

    The Delafield Raccoon Festival

    Today on Raised in the Woods we're traveling to the wilds of Wisconsin to investigate a fascinating local tradition. The 98th Annual Tom McNulty Memorial Coon Feed held by the American Legion Post 196 is a charitable fundraiser seeking to raise money for local youth and veteran's programs. How do they do it? You might have guessed it from the name; THEY COOK UP RACCOONS! How do they taste? Chef Ellie Lawton gives it two thumbs up. Guests Sherri Ritz and Nick Corgiat tell us all about the Delafield raccoon festival on this episode of Raised in the Wooooooooooooooods! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventurous lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton have truly been Raised in the Woods. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our region. From the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the Mississippi River and Lake of the Woods to Door County, Raised in the Woods has you covered! Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Nick Corgiat, Sarah Marenes, Sherri Ritz

    43 min

  3. JAN 24

    Go to Canada!

    Today on Raised in the Woods, Joel Kleefisch is joined by his trusty co-hosts Mike Kretschmer and Sarah Marenes to talk about the fun to be had when visiting Canada. Joel recently popped in to the All-Canada Show in Milwaukee and brought back two FANTASTIC interviews with some of the presenters. The team is also joined by technical advisor Noah Morris' lovely lady Lynn to talk about her work coaching color guard here in Wisconsin. If you love the mid-west then we definitely recommend that you go to Canada sometime and check it out! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventurous lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton have truly been Raised in the Woods. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our region. From the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the Mississippi River and Lake of the Woods to Door County, Raised in the Woods has you covered! Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Mike Kretschmer, Sarah Marenes

    44 min

  4. JAN 17

    Game Wardens and Corn Hurlins

    Today on Raised in the Woods hosts Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton are back and ready to talk about all things woods! Former Chief Warden Todd Schaller drops by to talk about how hunters and conservation officers can get along and provides tips on how to have a safe and enjoyable time in the outdoors. New visitor Sarah Marenes joins the show to share fun stories and make Joel howl with laughter. We wrap things up with the ingredients that we can't wait to try out in 2026! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventurous lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton have truly been Raised in the Woods. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our region. From the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the Mississippi River and Lake of the Woods to Door County, Raised in the Woods has you covered! Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guest: Todd Schaller

    44 min

  5. JAN 10

    Introducing Raised in the Woods!

    Welcome back to Raised in Wiscoooooooo- wait, no, that's the old show. We're super excited today because we're introducing Raised in the Woods for the first time! With Civic Media growing across the Mid West, our show is spreading its reach as well! Are we forgetting about Wisconsin? Are we too big for our home state? Heck no! We're taking the love of the outdoors that Wisconsin taught us and sharing it with our friends in Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and more! We share a region, but most importantly we share a love for all things outdoors. So welcome to the first episode of Raised in the Woods! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventurous lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton have truly been Raised in the Woods. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our region. From the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the Mississippi River and Lake of the Woods to Door County, Raised in the Woods has you covered! Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Joel Kleefisch, Mike Kretschmer, Ellie Lawton

    44 min

  6. 12/27/2025

    Fairman’s Farewell

    It's a bittersweet episode of Raised in Wisco today as the shootin-est, huntin-est, fishin-est, kayakin-est, mountain-climbin-est, campin-est co-host Danielle Fairman says farewell to Wisco. Danielle and Joel go together like peas and carrots, and they've been broadcasting together for a long, long time, but all things must come to an end. The Wisco crew is happy to say that Danielle is moving on to bigger and better things, and while we'll miss her just as much as you listeners will, we know that she'll still be kickin' butt at whatever she sets her mind to! Join us for Fairman's farewell on Raised in Wiscoooooo! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventuresome lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Danielle Fairman are Raised in Wisco. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our state. Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Danielle Fairman, Mike Kretschmer

    43 min

  7. 12/20/2025

    Holiday Gift Ideas for the Outdoors

    Many of us are facing the tough decision of what to give our friends and loved ones as gifts during this holiday season. Lucky for us, Raised in Wisco is here to give tips on how to pick great outdoors-related gifts! Whether you're shopping for a seasoned outdoorsman or trying to help a friend take their first steps into Wisconsin's bountiful outdoors, Raised in Wisco has you covered! With the help of Megan Salazar and guest George Ermert, this episode is one you won't want to miss! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventuresome lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Danielle Fairman are Raised in Wisco. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our state. Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Megan Salazar, George Ermert

    43 min

  8. 12/13/2025

    Return of the Deer Dorks

    The Deer Dorks are back and better than ever! When you spot a deer in your favorite wood, who you gonna call? The Deer Dorks! Todd "No Filter" Filter, "Iron" Mike Theiler, and "Mean" Dean Sabel are here to talk all things deer with the Raised in Wisco crew. Hunting is a lot of fun, no doubt, but what about eating? Will there be eating on this episode? You bet your bottom dollar there will! Chef Ellie has a delicious recipe prepared that you're not going to want to miss! So join us for the return of the Deer Dorks on Raised in Wiscooooo! Additional technical support by Morris Original LLC. Born in Wisconsin and making their adventuresome lives here, Joel Kleefisch and Danielle Fairman are Raised in Wisco. Each week, we connect YOU to the incredible natural resources of our state. Whether you’re looking to find new ways to take food from field to table or for new outdoor hobbies, we’ve got you covered! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Guests: Todd Filter, Dean Sabel, Mike Theiler

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Born in Waukesha, WI and making his adventuresome life in Wisconsin, Joel Kleefisch is Raised in the Woods!  Join Joel and co-host Ellie Lawton weekly to hear their fresh perspective enjoying the great outdoors in the Midwest --and eating well afterwards. Joel served 14 years in the State Assembly, mingled with presidents,  and has traveled the world on hunting and fishing adventures. Ellie Lawton is a lifelong Midwest farm girl whose love of the outdoors and eating what she harvests led to a career feeding the masses. As a certified award winning French Chef, hunter angler, and forager, Ellie’s grocery store is the waters and woods of the midwest!  Listen Live: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday

Information

  • Creator
    Joel Kleefisch and Ellie Lawton
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Civic Media
  • Show Website
    Raised in the Woods