Rooted Wisconsin

Brad Zima
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Connecting Wisconsinites one guest at a time.

  1. Russ Allen - Stray Voltage, Losing the Farm, EMF, WPS Lawsuit & the NFL - Episode #77

    14H AGO

    Russ Allen - Stray Voltage, Losing the Farm, EMF, WPS Lawsuit & the NFL - Episode #77

    Russ Allen is a lifelong dairy farmer and the author of the memoir, "The Missing Wire". His story is a powerful testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable loss and a David-vs-Goliath legal battle that shook the Wisconsin utility industry. Russ’s life was upended when his cattle began to fall ill and die at an alarming rate (for decades). His search for answers led him to uncover an invisible assailant, stray voltage leaking from the electrical distribution system owned by Wisconsin Public Service. The impact of this "missing wire" extended far beyond his livelihood, manifesting in a series of devastating family tragedies that Russ details in his writing. In this episode, Russ joins us to discuss his years-long fight for justice, "winning" the lawsuit but still losing the farm, the day his lender said "it's over", the landmark jury verdict that finally held the utility company accountable, and his mission to expose the "dirty little secrets" of the industry to protect other farming families. His story is a deeply rooted Wisconsin narrative about the cost of truth and the strength required to stand one’s ground. As a lifelong NFL and Packer fan, Russ also made the connection in the late 2010s between stray current, EMF, and NFL team performance. Maybe there is even more to the "December in Lambeau" advantage that has been talked about for years? A hot button topic at the moment, Russ may have a path to discovery started already. https://www.amazon.com/Missing-Wire-utility-companies-little/dp/1963558154 Big shout out to our sponsors: Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities, and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/

    1h 15m
  2. Cameron Teske - Starting a Foundation, Gifts From Loss & Remembering to Live - Episode #76

    APR 27

    Cameron Teske - Starting a Foundation, Gifts From Loss & Remembering to Live - Episode #76

    Cameron Teske is an author, podcaster, storyteller, and founder of the Remember to Live Foundation. Shortly after relocating to Green Bay in 2015, he and his then wife found out they were going to have a child. Soon after that, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, ultimately passing after a two year battle. Out of this tremendously difficult time of life, he realized the value of family trips they were able to take with their son before her passing. This was the inspiration behind founding the Remember to Live Foundation, to provide others in similar situations with experiences through which memories of family members will be formed through and live on in the minds of loved ones. In this episode, Brad and Cameron talk about that very difficult time of life and the inspiration that came of it, the weight of becoming a single father to a then two-year-old, the power of a story, the process of starting the foundation and where it is at now (recently giving away their first trip), his upcoming century bike ride, tattoos and quotes including one of a Northern Wisconsin lake where his late wife now rests, and his unfortunate situation of being a Bears fan (levity). Also, for the record it was tough to make a thumbnail for the episode because we are both major "squinters" when we laugh, and we did plenty of that. https://www.remembertolivefoundation.org/https://www.cameronteske.com/As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your doorhttps://www.karouser.com/Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownershiphttps://www.yourepiclender.com/Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life!https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 26m
  3. Wes Hodkiewicz - Journalism, Packers, Relationships & Telling the Story - Episode #75

    APR 20

    Wes Hodkiewicz - Journalism, Packers, Relationships & Telling the Story - Episode #75

    Wes Hodkiewicz is a Senior Writer for the Green Bay Packers and a lifelong Wisconsinite who has spent his career documenting the pulse of Titletown. A 2006 graduate of Bay Port High School and an alumnus of UW-Green Bay, Wes worked his way up from taking calls at the high school sports desk for Gannett to becoming one of the most trusted voices in Wisconsin sports journalism. Before joining the Packers organization in 2016, Wes spent nearly a decade as the Packers beat reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Today, he is a primary contributor to Packers.com, known for his insightful game analysis, his popular "Insider Inbox" column, and his ability to "humanize the player behind the facemask" through long-form storytelling. In this episode, Brad and Wes talk about his career, paying dues and the value of hard work, realizing mistakes are inevitable and growing from them, his passion for telling the story, "working in the toy store" covering the Packers, finding points of connection, the value of the human voice in the face of AI, and, Aaron Rodgers (at Brad's request, obviously). https://www.packers.com/author/wes-hodkiewicz As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your door https://www.karouser.com/ Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/ Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life! https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 37m
  4. David Paul Martin - Driftwood, Music, Faith, Gardening & Pearls to Swine - Episode #74

    APR 13

    David Paul Martin - Driftwood, Music, Faith, Gardening & Pearls to Swine - Episode #74

    David Paul Martin is a Neenah-based singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose music captures the quiet introspection and rugged beauty of life. With lush arrangements and evocative storytelling, David’s sound sits at the intersection of folk, indie-pop, and Americana, marked by soaring melodies and honest, relatable lyrics. In this episode, Brad and David talk about the release of his sophomore album, "Soul Geology", his deeply rooted faith, creative inspiration drawn from Northern Wisconsin and Lake Superior, Brad's first time hearing DPM play live, fatherhood and family, gardening & the power of food, and MUCH more. https://davidpaulmartin.com/ As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your door🥂https://www.karouser.com/ Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/ Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life! https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 44m
  5. Lauryn Lavelle - Eating Disorder, Powerlifting, Motherhood & Hard Work - Episode #73

    APR 6

    Lauryn Lavelle - Eating Disorder, Powerlifting, Motherhood & Hard Work - Episode #73

    Lauryn Lavelle is a national champion and 2x American record holding powerlifter and Northeast Wisconsin entrepreneur. In this episode, Brad and Lauryn discuss her journey from having a severe eating disorder to being a national champion powerlifter, moving on from powerlifting when becoming a Mom, pregnancy and Motherhood, transitioning to entrepreneurship, social media and marketing, finding her passion, self discipline and self love, the importance of a story (and a wild one about someone who played a role in her life), generational differences and little old ladies complimenting Brad for taking his son to the grocery store, and much, MUCH more. https://www.instagram.com/lo.lavelle/ As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your door🥂https://www.karouser.com/ Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/ Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life! https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 46m
  6. Mariah Ann Maass - Music, Virality, and Choosin' Wisconsin - Episode #72

    MAR 30

    Mariah Ann Maass - Music, Virality, and Choosin' Wisconsin - Episode #72

    Mariah Ann Maass is a Madison-based, up-and-coming country artist and singer-songwriter known for her high-energy performances, authentic storytelling, and viral lyric switch-up of an Ella Langley tune on social media. In this episode, Brad and Mariah talk about her decision to "go for it" following a trip to Nashville, her musical history, balancing her music goals and "normal" career treating cancer patients, social media and virality, and MUCH more! https://open.spotify.com/artist/2OU4Znxf25YrOhQv2wqTBB?si=CrWHiUX6SLiD40tR-1dMxg As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your door🥂 https://www.karouser.com/ Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/ Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life! https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 28m
  7. Patrick Durkin - Writing Career, Working Hard, Envy & Meat Eater - Episode #71

    MAR 23

    Patrick Durkin - Writing Career, Working Hard, Envy & Meat Eater - Episode #71

    Patrick Durkin of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is an award-winning outdoor writer, newspaper columnist, and general outdoors reporter. He has been MeatEater's wildlife research contributor since June 2018, and writes frequently for national archery and hunting magazines. Durkin also provides editing services for books and magazines, and served as contributing editor/writer for the Archery Trade Association from September 2001 through January 2021. In this episode, we talk about about Pat's time in the Navy, many years in the newspaper biz and editing Deer and Deer Hunting magazine, the power of words, creativity, Pat weaves in some great quotes and stories from life, and MUCH more. https://www.patrickdurkinoutdoors.com/ As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your door https://www.karouser.com/ Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/ Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life! https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 51m
  8. John Plagman - Section Yellow, Sobriety & Support | Rooted Wisconsin | Ep70

    MAR 16

    John Plagman - Section Yellow, Sobriety & Support | Rooted Wisconsin | Ep70

    John Plageman is a community advocate, social worker, and the founder of Sober Green Bay and Section Yellow. After finding his own path to sobriety in 2009, John dedicated himself to changing the narrative around alcohol in a city often cited for its heavy drinking culture. Inspired by the "Phellowship" (sober fans of the band Phish), John launched Section Yellow in 2019 to provide a safe, sober space for Green Bay Packers fans at Lambeau Field. His work has since expanded into the Sober Green Bay campaign, an outreach initiative that partners with local businesses and community agencies to normalize sobriety and provide accessible resources for those in recovery. In this episode, Brad and John discuss Section Yellow and making sober "cool" and supported at Lambeau Field and other live events, John's path to sobriety, Wisconsin's drinking culture, running for Green Bay City Council, and MUCH more. https://sectionyellow.com/ As always, a massive shout out to our sponsors at: Karouser - NA social bevvies delivered to your door https://www.karouser.com/ Epic Mortgage – Your partner in homebuying, empowering communities and supporting home ownership https://www.yourepiclender.com/ Genuine Lynn – Custom apparel, decorative engravings, and one of a kind pieces where Lynn brings your vision to life! https://genuinelynn.com/

    1h 18m
See All (77)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Connecting Wisconsinites one guest at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Zima
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brad Zima
  • Show Website
    Rooted Wisconsin

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