365 Amplified

Madison365
365 Amplified

From Madison365, weekly discussion of the news for and from Wisconsin's communities of color and allies.

  1. 1D AGO

    "Hands off Black women" with Dana Pellebon

    \🎙️ Episode Title: Hands Off Black Women, with Dana Pellebon 📅 Release Date: April 18, 2025 🕒 Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 🎧 Hosts: Stephanie Díaz de León, Rob Chappell, Omar Waheed, Nicholas Garton 🎙️ Special Guest: Dana Pellebon     Episode Summary: In this week’s deeply personal and unapologetically honest episode, the 365 Amplified team is joined by special guest Dana Pellebon, Board Chair of Urban Triage and former Dane County Supervisor, who offers insight, receipts, and unwavering truth about what she calls years-long campaign against Urban Triage founder Brandi Grayson, the real story behind the organization’s county contracts, and the broader implications for Black-led organizations in Dane County. Key Topics Discussed: 🎂 Clyde Stubblefield Birthday Tribute: Celebrating the legacy of the “Funky Drummer” with insight from mentee Joey Banks. Read the story here. 🏀 Knut Knueppel Declares for the NBA Draft: Why the Wisconsin standout is turning pro and what it means for the future of a basketball legacy. Read the story here. 🔍 Channel 3000 Article & County Scrutiny: Breaking down the problematic coverage, including selective targeting of Brandi Grayson’s LinkedIn and resume. Read our coverage here. 📝 The Bigger Picture: Racism, entitlement, and why Urban Triage is being held to a different standard. 💥 Quote to Remember: “Hands off Brandi Grayson. Hands off the Black women that are doing the work.” – Dana Pellebon 🧟 Zombie Apocalypse Check-In: To lighten the mood, the crew imagines who they’d bring with them in a zombie apocalypse survival team. Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    1h 16m
  2. APR 11

    We can't even do a lunch

    Release Date: April 11, 2025 Duration: 1h 8m Hosts: Stephanie Díaz de León, Rob Chappell, Nicholas Garton, Omar Waheed 🧵 Episode Summary: This week, the crew dives deep into the University of Wisconsin’s decision to abruptly cancel monthly BIPOC employee lunches—an initiative that served as a space for connection, networking, and support for people of color on campus. The hosts unpack what this means for employee retention, equity efforts, and the larger implications of anticipatory compliance in response to federal and state pressures. Read the story here. They also cover: 🪧 The UnityPoint Meriter nurses’ pre-strike rally and what’s at stake as contract negotiations continue. Read the story here. 📚 A major funding loss for the Literacy Network’s citizenship instruction program—and the broader consequences for legal immigrants in Madison. Read the story here. 🧠 A powerful return: Black Oxygen is back! Rob chats with host Angela Russell about the show’s origins, upcoming season focused on Black women, and the unique power of podcasting to create space for authentic Black voices. Listen to classic episodes here. Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    1h 8m
  3. APR 4

    Hoops, hope & heated races

    This week on 365 Amplified, the crew is back and broadcasting from the new Madison365 HQ at Starting Block in the Spark Building to recap a week filled with local political shakeups, Open Cup soccer drama, and some serious inspiration on and off the court. Stephanie, Rob, Omar, and Nick dive into: Madison city council election results—Who held on, who was unseated, and some eyebrow-raising campaign suspensions and controversies. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race—Susan Crawford’s win, Brad Schimel’s loss, and Elon Musk’s unwelcome attempted influence. Read the story here. A heated Open Cup soccer match that ended in a defeat and some extracurriculars. Read the recap here. The surprise celebrity status of Wisconsin's own Jeremy Payne, who is now in a viral US Cellular ad campaign. Read the story here. DeAndre Martin’s appointment as the new CEO of CEOs of Tomorrow, and what the future holds for the youth entrepreneurship org. Read the story here. Basketball phenom Nyajuacni Riak, a freshman at La Follette already turning heads with college offers from UCLA, Alabama, and Minnesota. Read the Q&A here. The Knueppel family dynasty dominating Wisconsin basketball from grade school to Duke University. Cory Booker’s 25-hour Senate filibuster, why performance and politics go hand-in-hand, and why sometimes being dramatic is exactly what’s needed. Read the story here. A round of reflection on the worst advice they’ve ever received. Connect: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    43 min
  4. MAR 28

    Politics, Prom & Plushies

    This week, the team is back from a much-needed break and ready to break down the big news in Madison and across Wisconsin. 🧑‍⚖️ Local Elections Are Here (April 1!) The gang discusses the impact of local elections, including the upcoming Madison Common Council races and the statewide constitutional amendment on voter ID. Confusion around election dates? We break down what’s real and what’s political misdirection. Rob and Stephanie unpack why these “small” elections actually matter—local government = big consequences. Interview: Joanne Pritchett We hear from the challenger for District 9 Alder, on her motivation to run, her advocacy style, and environmental concerns in Madison’s west side. Most Influential Native American List Rob highlights Madison365’s sixth annual list celebrating influential Native American leaders statewide. The team reflects on how the list has grown and the importance of representation across professions—judges, teachers, CDFI leaders, and more. Encore Prom & Wisconsin’s Aging Population Want to relive prom with purpose? Verona’s Encore Prom is back—this year’s event supports older adult programming amid Wisconsin’s aging demographic surge. Read more here. Nerd Bugs Makes the INC. 500 List! Madison’s own Dr. Ronak Mehta lands on Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 for her educational plushie startup, Nerd Bugs. Omar shares how the company began as a children’s book idea and turned into a national health education tool—with cute, anatomically-correct organs. Read the story here. ⚽ Soccer, Shots, and Showdowns Forward Madison advances in the U.S. Open Cup and prepares to host a second-division team for the first time ever. Rob dreams of the ultimate “Jager Henny Derby” and defends his love for Jägermeister. Plus: a surprise sports education moment on “escort parades” for local teams—and what the 365 crew would want to be celebrated for. 🔗 Read More: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. 🔗 Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    56 min
  5. MAR 14

    Protests, Politics, and Prestidigitation

    Release Date: March 15, 2025 Hosts: Stephanie Díaz de León, Rob Chappell, Omar Waheed, Nicholas Garten Guest: Alder Nikki Conklin This week on 365 Amplified, we cover everything from local protests to a Madison magician making waves. The episode features a conversation with Alder Nikki Conklin, who is running for re-election in District 9. She discusses key issues in her district, the importance of the Cares Team, and why local elections directly impact everyday life. We also break down the UW-Madison student walkout in support of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil and the broader implications of the Department of Education's investigation into universities regarding antisemitism allegations. Plus, we discuss the controversy surrounding this year's Arts Business Competition, where, for the first time in its 16-year history, there were no finalists of color. On a lighter note, we highlight the rising career of Matthew Teague, a magician from Madison who is taking his craft to national stages after appearing on Penn & Teller: Fool Us. And finally, we round things out with a discussion on what we're looking forward to this spring—except for Omar, whose allergies have other plans. News Rundown: UW-Madison Walkout & Mahmoud Khalil’s Case Title VI Complaints & Department of Education Investigations Madison’s Arts Business Competition & Lack of Diversity Madison's Magician, Matthew Teague Interview with Alder Nikki Conklin: Local elections, public safety, and housing policy Spring Outlook & Roundtable Question: What we’re looking forward to as the seasons change 🔗 Read More: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. 🔗 Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    53 min
  6. MAR 7

    Justice, Health, and Voter Rights: The Week in Wisconsin

    In this episode of 365 Amplified, hosts Stephanie Díaz de León, Rob Chappell, Omar Waheed, and Dave Dahmer cover a range of critical issues impacting Wisconsin and beyond. Topics Covered: 🕊️ Ten Years Since Tony Robinson – The hosts reflect on the police killing of Tony Robinson a decade ago, how it shaped media coverage of racial justice in Madison, and whether anything has changed in policing and public perception. They discuss ongoing legal efforts from Robinson’s family and the troubling community response online. 🗳️ Wisconsin’s Voter ID Constitutional Amendment – Special guest Jake Spence, Wisconsin State Director of VoteRiders, joins the conversation to discuss the constitutional amendment on the April ballot that would entrench voter ID laws in the state. The discussion covers how voter ID laws disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and Latino voters, young people, and low-income communities. 🦠 Measles Outbreak & Public Health Risks – A measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico raises concerns about Wisconsin’s vaccination rates, which are below the 95% threshold needed to prevent an outbreak. Experts weigh in on how this could impact the state, particularly in communities with historically lower access to healthcare. 🏠 Urban Triage’s Transitional Housing Initiative – A look at Urban Triage’s new program providing transitional housing for young adults aging out of foster care, ensuring stability and support in a crucial phase of their lives. 🏫 Madison College Presidential Search – Updates on the finalists for Madison College’s next president and what their selection could mean for the institution’s future. 💡 Final Question: What Historic Moment Would You Want to Witness? – The team wraps up the episode with a fun and insightful discussion about historical moments they’d love to have experienced—from major political events to the birth of odd food traditions. 🔗 Read More & Support Local Journalism: Full coverage at Madison365.org Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. 🔗 Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    54 min
  7. FEB 28

    WIAA's trans ban, charter school fallout, and a former Neo-Nazi’s journey

    Hosts: Rob Chappell, Nicholas Garton, Omar Waheed, David Dahmer Date: February 28, 2025 Episode Summary: This week on 365 Amplified, the team dives deep into major education and policy developments impacting Wisconsin’s communities of color. From the controversial WIAA decision to ban trans girls from girls' sports to the abrupt withdrawal of the Forward Career and College Academy charter school proposal, we unpack the latest news shaping education and youth opportunities. We also discuss the emotional renaming of South Side Elementary in honor of Laurie Man Cary, a Madison education champion, and explore the powerful return of artist and activist Loletta G to her former elementary school, where her new murals will soon be displayed. In a particularly unexpected interview, Omar reflects on his conversation with Tony McAleer, a former neo-Nazi turned anti-hate activist, who shared insights on how people are radicalized—and how they can leave extremist movements behind. Key Topics: 🏆 WIAA’s Controversial Ban – Why the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association followed a federal directive to bar trans girls from competing in girls' sports, despite there being little to no evidence of an issue. Story here. 🏫 Charter School Controversy – The Forward Career and College Academy’s leadership abruptly pulls the plug on their plan to create a trades-focused high school for students of color. Story here. 🎨 Murals & Memories – Lilada Gee, known for her advocacy and artwork, returns to her childhood school, Lapham Elementary, to unveil a new set of murals. Story here. 🏫 A Name That Matters – South Side Elementary is officially renamed in honor of Lori Mann Carey, a dedicated advocate for educational equity. Story here. ❌ From Hate to Healing – Omar’s conversation with former neo-Nazi Tony McAleer, who now works to help others leave extremist movements. Story here. Plus: Submit your news tips at Madison365.org/tips Nominate influential Native American leaders for Madison365’s annual list! Email names to news@madison365.org or visit https://madison365.com/most-influential-nominations/ Support Local Journalism: If you appreciate our work, consider donating to keep 365 Amplified and Madison365 thriving. Visit madison365.org/donate to contribute. 🔗 Follow Us: Stay connected for real-time news updates and discussions: 📲 BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe & tune in every Friday for the latest insights on local and national news!

    30 min
5
out of 5
111 Ratings

About

From Madison365, weekly discussion of the news for and from Wisconsin's communities of color and allies.

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