The Recombobulation Area

Dan Shafer

The Recombobulation Area podcast is the podcast version of The Recombobulation Area. Keepin' it simple. www.therecombobulationarea.news

  1. 4d ago

    Wisconsin Politics Group Chat: The race for governor, the Dobbs decision anniversary, the Giannis trade, much more

    The Wisconsin Politics Group Chat got together once again to talk about all the latest in the news of the week. The show streamed live on Patrick Kreitlow’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, and now, you can watch the full show here. Among topics discussed: The Democratic primary in the race for governor, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s place in the race, the fourth anniversary of the Dobbs decision and the impact it continues to have, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, and the Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo (and my column about how he saved basketball in Milwaukee). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    51 min
  2. From One Heart to 10,000

    5d ago

    From One Heart to 10,000

    The Blake Matthew Mindful Memorial Foundation was founded in 2021 following the loss of Blake Matthew Fenwick, a beloved son, brother, friend, and young Wisconsin man whose life ended far too soon after a struggle with mental health challenges. What began with a father’s desire to honor his son has grown into a statewide movement focused on making mental health support more accessible, personal, and effective. The Foundation’s first program was a scholarship initiative, funded with Blake’s inheritance. As community support grew, so did the mission. Through annual fundraisers, partnerships, and grassroots community support, the Foundation has now helped more than one hundred individuals access mental health and wellness services through its innovative Tinman Coin Wellness Grant program. Unlike traditional approaches that focus solely on crisis intervention, the Foundation embraces a broader view of mental wellness. Recipients can access a growing network of wellness partners offering services such as counseling, breathwork, yoga, support groups, retreats, mindfulness training, and holistic health coaching. In 2026, the Foundation launched the Tinman Trail, a structured wellness pathway designed to help participants build practical skills for emotional regulation, resilience, self-awareness, and long-term wellbeing. The program combines clinical lab testing, breathwork, community support, education, and healthy lifestyle practices into an accessible, community-based experience. Today, the Foundation serves individuals and families throughout Wisconsin and continues to expand its network of wellness providers and community partners. To support this vision, the Foundation recently launched its most ambitious initiative yet: the 10,000 Hearts Campaign. The idea is simple. What could happen if 10,000 Wisconsinites each contributed just $5 per month? Together, those small monthly gifts could create a sustainable source of funding for wellness grants, educational programming, scholarships, and community-based mental health initiatives across Wisconsin. The campaign is built on a simple belief: meaningful change happens when ordinary people come together to support one another. One heart can make a difference. 10,000 hearts can help transform a state. Learn more at blakestinman.com. The Blake Matthew Mindful Memorial Foundation is an official sponsor of The Recombobulation Area, and this podcast is a sponsored episode. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email: therecombobulationarea@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    23 min

  3. Jun 24

    In conversation with Joel Brennan, Democratic candidate for governor

    Joel Brennan is one of now six candidates running to be the Democratic nominee for governor. He was the secretary of the Department of Administration for much of Tony Evers’ first term as governor, and before that, was the president and CEO of Discovery World for more than a decade in Milwaukee. It was around that time that I met Brennan, when I was a reporter at the Milwaukee Business Journal, and wrote a few stories about developments happening at Discovery World, and talked to him for an interview. I find him to be a compelling individual and an intriguing candidate. Far from the flashiest or most well-known, Brennan could prove to be a dark horse in the race, as his record of experience lends itself well to the ability to take on role of governor. In this conversation, we talked about what he’s learned over the past few months while running for governor (his first time running for elected office since losing a State Senate race in 2003), what he would want to do if elected, how he’d approach working with the state legislature, and much more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    48 min
  4. After the WisDems convention, who is leading the primary for governor?

    Jun 15

    After the WisDems convention, who is leading the primary for governor?

    The Democratic Party of Wisconsin held its annual convention over the weekend in Madison. And as you might expect, the Democratic primary in the race for governor was the big topic at this year’s event, with candidates hosting hospitality suites and delivering speeches and jockeying for position to be The Nominee. Kate Duffy of Motherhood for Good, Pat Kreitlow of UpNorth News and Dr. Kristin Lyerly were all there in Madison on Saturday and Sunday, and shared stories and insights from being in the building for speeches and being there for the festivities of the convention weekend. Dan Shafer also chimed on with his takes on the state of the race, which you can find more of here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    52 min

  5. Jun 4

    The future of the Stadium Freeway, and more Milwaukee stories (with Jeramey Jannene!)

    The future of the Stadium Freeway is something we’ve covered a whole lot here at The Recombobulation Area. Almost exactly five years ago, I wrote a piece as part of our multi-part “Expanding the Divide” series on why we should tear down the Stadium Freeway and convert it to a boulevard, opening up opportunities for housing and development and better connection between neighborhoods. Here’s that column, to refresh your memory: About a year later, change did begin to actually happen. Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley and Craig Thompson, then the secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, stood together at Washington Park to announce they would be initiating a study to reexamine the future of the Stadium Freeway. I wrote about this at the time, too. But that was May 2022, and since, a 1.5 to 2-year study turned into a nearly four-year study, and as Jeramey Jannene at Urban Milwaukee reported in mid-May, the determination of what’s next is that … another study is needed. You can read his piece about this here. Or, you can listen to our conversation in the podcast and video here. While there appears to be broad support for converting this old, hulking freeway spur into a boulevard, any concrete action on the project still seems years and years away. Along with discussing this project, we also talked about Jeramey’s recent reporting on a number of topics, including: * Wisconsin Center District CEO Marty Brooks (who was discussed at length in a recent podcast episode with Gary Witt of the Pabst Theater Group) now cleaning out his office as the board has considered removing him from his position * After Congressman Bryan Steil got in some hot water over celebrating funding for lead pipes that he voted against, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we talked about what is actually happening in the city of Milwaukee when it comes to lead pipe replacement. Milwaukee’s lead pipe replacement has become more efficient and less costly, and they’ve been able to replace more lead pipes because of it, but the program is still at risk. Read more here. * 2026 has been dubbed the “Year of Housing” in Milwaukee by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and we talked about a recently proposed project to use funding from downtown projects to fund housing and infrastructure west of I-43 in the King Park neighborhood. Read more about that here. Urban Milwaukee is a terrific publication and you should really be subscribing. Do that here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    34 min

  6. May 29

    Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition to host "Our Maps, Our Say" rallies across the state on June 4

    In light of the Callais decision, the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition is firing up its demand for an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) that empowers citizens — not political parties. For the past year, they have been building public support for a draft proposal that aims to be transformative in how Wisconsin draws its maps. On Thursday, June 4, they are holding coordinated statewide rallies in Madison, Milwaukee, Appleton, Menomonie, Janesville, Green County (Monroe), Wausau and more. Find out more about the “Our Maps, Our Say” rallies here. Listen to this episode featuring Organizing Director iuscely Flores and Coalition Volunteer & Relational Organizer Nicole Gabriel, where they talk about the work they’ve been doing to build a “Wisconsin model” for redistricting, how the gerrymandering arms race is impacting this debate, and what’s in store for the June 4 rallies. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    29 min

  7. May 28

    Tom Tiffany and the insurrectionist slush fund, the deficit problem in the surplus deal, Sean Duffy's out-of-touch road trip, Milwaukee gets a win, and more (with Angela Lang!)

    Angela Lang and I always have a lot to talk about when we get together, so for these podcast episodes, we each bring three headlines or topics to discuss. This time, my headlines were: * WPR: Failed surplus deal would have sent Wisconsin budget into the red, analysis finds * NPR: Transportation Secretary Duffy filmed a reality show, funded by firms he regulates * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Schlitz beer production ends after 175 years And for Angela, they were: * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tom Tiffany says Jan. 6 defendants ‘possibly’ are owed restitution * Fox 6: Watertown band members play LGBTQ+ history song banned by board * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This report says Milwaukee is the top US city for creatives. Here’s why This episode is sponsored by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, which is hosting “Our Maps, Our Say” rallies in cities across the state on Thursday, June 4. Find out more about the events and register to attend here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    51 min
  8. Data center politics and Kirk Bangstad's attention-seeking run for governor (with Emily Mills!)

    May 19

    Data center politics and Kirk Bangstad's attention-seeking run for governor (with Emily Mills!)

    Emily Mills recently won a Milwaukee Press Club GOLD award for their column, “How AI is harming Wisconsin’s path to renewable energy.” So, they joined the podcast to talk about that prescient piece, how the politics of AI and data centers has taken off as a major issue over the past year, and how this is an issue that does not cut along traditional political lines. We talked about that piece, along with Emily’s latest column, on “habitual drama king” Kirk Bangstad, and his run for governor. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe

    39 min
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About

The Recombobulation Area podcast is the podcast version of The Recombobulation Area. Keepin' it simple. www.therecombobulationarea.news

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Shafer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dan Shafer
  • Show Website
    The Recombobulation Area

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