Rooted Wisconsin

Brad Zima
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY
Rooted Wisconsin

With the aim of building community and connecting people, Rooted Wisconsin shares the unique stories of the people who drive Wisconsin business, community, and culture.

  1. Rex Meikle - Door Born, Tech Ed, Concussions, and Spearfishing Lake Michigan - Ep. #42

    3D AGO

    Rex Meikle - Door Born, Tech Ed, Concussions, and Spearfishing Lake Michigan - Ep. #42

    Rex Meikle is the Founder of Door Born, a lifestyle and apparel brand built to capture the beauty, sophistication, and charm of the Great Lakes (and, of course, Door County). Attending UW-Stout to be a tech ed teacher (while having a football career cut short by concussions), like many, Rex thought he had his plan written. That was, until life does what it does. After a year of teaching in Kohler, he realized it wasn't his path. Now, Rex has his aim set on sharing his love of Door County, Wisconsin, and the Great Lakes, through Door Born. In this episode, Rex and Brad talk about his journey to entrepreneurship, his path (and the state of) K12 education in Wisconsin, how concussions affected his life and put an end to football for him, fly fishing for Steelhead (or Lake Run Rainbows if you're an internet grammar officer), spearfishing perch in Lake Michigan, and much more! https://www.doorborn.com/ As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them! https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    1h 24m
  2. Brandon Tschacher - Milwaukee Esports Alliance, Absolutes, Leadership, and How Much is Enough? - Ep#41

    APR 7

    Brandon Tschacher - Milwaukee Esports Alliance, Absolutes, Leadership, and How Much is Enough? - Ep#41

    Brandon Tschacher is one of Wisconsin's most visible leaders. He has been recognized as an “Executive to Watch” (2021) by the Milwaukee Business Journal, was named one of the “Philanthropic 5” by the United Way of Greater Milwaukee (2020), received the “National Exceptional Service Award" by the Salvation Army USA (2020), and was named a “40 Under 40” by the Milwaukee Business Journal (2018). A Nintendo 64 dropped off by his Mother-In-Law sparked an interest in collecting vintage video games. Fast forward a few years, and that ballooned into a deep dive into the modern gaming space, and eventually, Esports. Now, as the President of the Milwaukee Esports Alliance, Brandon's daily work consists of bringing vibrancy, clarity, and success to the Esports industry in Wisconsin and beyond. In this episode, Brad and Brandon discuss career goals and "what is enough", the state of the Esports industry and the nuance of it comparative to "regular" gaming, authenticity in community, social media and it's impact on society, the importance of leaders, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and much more. https://www.mkeesports.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandontschacher/ As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them! https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    55 min
  3. Nate Jansky - Passion for Teaching, Alternative Ed, and Coaching Golf - Ep. #40

    MAR 17

    Nate Jansky - Passion for Teaching, Alternative Ed, and Coaching Golf - Ep. #40

    Nate Jansky is an Instructor and Work-Based Learning coordinator with GPS Education Partners, a Wisconsin non-profit organization working in the space of work-based learning. A teacher dunking on the playground lit a spark of interest in education for Nate at a young age. Following that passion, he has built a career supporting students in the alternative education space.In this episode, Brad and Nate discuss his career as an educator and passion for teaching, alternative education, work-based learning, and youth apprentice in Wisconsin, coaching golf, and being friends for nearly 20 years!https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-jansky-21394635/https://gpsed.org/As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them!https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    55 min
  4. Stephanie Grady - Influential Athlete, NIL, NCAA v House, and Collectives - Ep. #39

    MAR 3

    Stephanie Grady - Influential Athlete, NIL, NCAA v House, and Collectives - Ep. #39

    Stephanie Grady is a 2x Emmy-winning journalist, former gold-medal-winning figure skater, and the CEO and co-founder of Influential Athlete. Her experience as a high-profile public figure, combined with her husband and co-founder Joe's decade of experience as an athletic director, uniquely positions them to help elite female student-athletes maximize NIL opportunities and build success beyond their sport.Throughout her career, Stephanie has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the world. From star pro athletes like Hakeem Nicks with the NY Giants and John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers, to celebrated actors like Adam Sandler and Heidi Klum, to influential entertainers like J Lo and Dane Cook, to world leaders like John McCain and others. Stephanie has consistently demonstrated her ability to connect with a diverse range of individuals and extract their unique insights.In this episode, Stephanie and Brad discuss the state of NIL within the NCAA landscape, NCAA vs House, supporting students athletes in preparing to take advantage of their window of opportunity, her figure skating career, leaving careers in traditional broadcasting, and MUCH more. It is a can't miss!https://influentialathlete.com/https://www.instagram.com/stephgradytv/https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephgradytv/As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them!https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    57 min
  5. Jake VandenPlas - Farm for Vets, Local Food, and Veteran's Mental Health - Ep. #38

    FEB 17

    Jake VandenPlas - Farm for Vets, Local Food, and Veteran's Mental Health - Ep. #38

    Jake VandenPlas is the President and Founder of Door County Farm for Vets, a not-for-profit organization passionate about the value of local and sustainable food and farming practices, veteran's mental health, growing while healing, providing education and support to veterans, and the empowerment that comes with producing, growing, and harvesting your own food. In this episode, Brad and Jake talk about "accidentally" becoming a sailor (and a farmer), military service, mental health, local farming and food, his path to DC Farm for Vets, sustainable agriculture, the connection of the food we eat to our overall health, and MUCH more. DC Farm for Vets Links:https://www.dcfarmforvets.org/https://www.facebook.com/dcfarmforvetshttps://www.instagram.com/dcfarmforvets/As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them!https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    1h 10m
  6. Dalton Hessel - The Northern Nerd, Teaching, and the Emotions of Fatherhood - Ep. #37

    FEB 3

    Dalton Hessel - The Northern Nerd, Teaching, and the Emotions of Fatherhood - Ep. #37

    Dalton Hessel's goal being  @thenorthernnerd3325  is to create a platform where stories are shared, art is composed, and community in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is experienced. A second grade teacher in Hayward, Dalton melds his professional and personal life as a Dad, Husband, and just overall good dude, into an online presence that authentically draws folks in. In this episode, Brad and Dalton discuss the evolution of the Northern Nerd, teaching, appreciation of small town Wisconsin life, social media creation and virality, being a Dad and the emotions that come with it, and where creativity comes from. Follow Dalton on all socials and visit his website here:https://www.thenorthernnerd.com/ As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them! https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    1h 3m
  7. The Lindwall Brothers - Green and Gold Movie, Roots, and Selling the Sizzle - Ep. #36

    JAN 27

    The Lindwall Brothers - Green and Gold Movie, Roots, and Selling the Sizzle - Ep. #36

    Being raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan holds a special place in the hearts of Anders and Davin Lindwall. It almost pours out of them in conversation. Following formative years, both have been on a journey of creativity, of which the most recent product, "Green and Gold", tells the story of a farmer (Craig T. Nelson) who bets it ALL on the Packers. The brothers aim to tell the story of the unsung heroes who shape communities, preserve traditions, and steadfastly anchor the world through selfless kindness, unwavering hard work, and a profound appreciation for life’s simplest yet most valuable things. In this episode, Davin and Brad discuss the creative process behind the film and the presence of Craig T. Nelson, the culture of the Upper Midwest and the area being underrepresented in cinema, creative freedom, light at the end of the tunnel, HUGE partners like the Packers and Culver's, empathy in humanity, and the crucial moment of turning down a massive deal to keep the authenticity of the film! Then, Anders and Brad discuss creating the film and working with his brother, the friendship that developed with Craig T. Nelson, striving for truth and authenticity, balancing what's next and what's now and keeping humanity in hectic times, stewarding the seeds of creativity, work-life balance for overachievers, BIG dreams and belief in them, and the value of persistence. Learn more about the film and find showtimes near you here: https://www.greenandgoldmovie.com/info As always a HUGE shoutout to our sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizza. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them! https://riverside-pizzeria.com/ https://www.forwardbev.com/

    1h 16m
  8. Nathan Deming - The Year Project, February, and the State of Filmmaking - Ep. #35

    JAN 20

    Nathan Deming - The Year Project, February, and the State of Filmmaking - Ep. #35

    Nathan Deming is an award winning filmmaker from Wisconsin, based in Los Angeles, who got his Master's in Filmmaking at the London Film School. In addition to his feature work, he is working on a multi-year project called "The Year Project" about life in Wisconsin, based on months of the year. The second of twelve, "February", which recently won the top prize and audience award at the 2024 Wisconsin Film Festival, shares the story of Miguel, a recent immigrant struggling to fit in until he is invited ice fishing by a somewhat strange local man. In this episode, Brad and Nathan discuss the inspiration of The Year Project, February and the story it tells, the state of the filmmaking industry, love of Wisconsin, and MUCH more! February will be screening across Wisconsin for a limited time, you guessed it, mostly in February. Catch it while you can! February Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqB3gyU8j4s February Website and Screenings - https://www.februaryfilm.com/screenings As always, a HUGE shoutout to out sponsors at Forward Beverage and Riverside Pizzeria. They keep these coming. If you dig it, make sure to support them! https://www.forwardbev.com/ https://riverside-pizzeria.com/

    1h 12m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

With the aim of building community and connecting people, Rooted Wisconsin shares the unique stories of the people who drive Wisconsin business, community, and culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Zima
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brad Zima
  • Show Website
    Rooted Wisconsin

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