Ope, Hold On!

Isabella Benz + Kelly Gersonde
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Society & Culture

Ope, Hold On! Welcome to a Midwest lifestyle podcast where two friends talk about life, money, relationships, travel, and everything in between. Pour yourself a drink and join us—you've always got a seat at our table.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 10: Ope… Is This Place Haunted?

    This week, Milwaukee paranormal historian, author, and ghost-story expert Allison Jornlin joins Izzy and Kelly for a trip into the city's haunted past! Allison is a Milwaukee paranormal historian, author of In the Shadow of City Hall, and a storyteller with a passion for uncovering the fascinating, mysterious, and sometimes downright bizarre history of Wisconsin. From the legendary ghosts of the Pfister Hotel to the eerie story of Clair Richardson, whose ashes rest beneath the stage of Milwaukee's Skylight Theatre, we're uncovering the spooky stories, local legends, and unexplained happenings hiding right in our own backyard. We talk haunted buildings, Wisconsin history, and the stories that might just make you think twice about visiting some of Milwaukee's most iconic places. Want to explore some haunted history yourself? Check out American Ghost Walks! American Ghost Walks Website: https://www.americanghostwalks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanghostwalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanghostwalks TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanghostwalk Allison's Book In the Shadow of City Hall — Allison Jornlin

  2. Oct 26

    Episode 9: Ope… Something's Not Right

    This week, we're diving into two chilling Midwest mysteries that still have people searching for answers. First, Izzy takes us back to 1912 Iowa for the Villisca Axe Murders, where eight people were brutally killed in their home and the case remains unsolved more than a century later. Then, Kelly brings us back to Wisconsin for the mysterious 1953 disappearance of Evelyn Hartley, a 15-year-old babysitter who vanished from a La Crosse home without a trace. From unsettling evidence and unanswered questions to theories that have persisted for decades, we're exploring two cases that prove sometimes the scariest stories are the ones without an ending. Plus, we're playing Solved, Unsolved, or Supernatural?, introducing our new segment One More Round, and sharing some unbelievable stories in This Week in Midwest History!

  3. Oct 19

    Episode 8: Ope, That’s Criminal!

    Grab a drink, pull up a barstool, and get ready for another spooky edition of Ope, Hold On! This week, we're diving into the darker side of Wisconsin history with two chilling true crime stories. First up, Ed Gein, the infamous Plainfield killer whose disturbing crimes inspired some of Hollywood's most recognizable horror characters. Then we're talking about Walter Ellis, the Milwaukee serial killer whose crimes went unsolved for years before DNA evidence finally helped investigators connect the dots. From shocking discoveries and unsettling investigations to the questions these cases leave behind, we're unpacking some of Wisconsin's most notorious criminal history. So pour yourself something strong, settle in, and prepare for a few stories that prove the Midwest isn't always so nice.

  4. Oct 12

    Episode 7: Ope… Did You Hear That?!

    Grab a drink, pull up a barstool, and get ready for a spooky edition of Ope, Hold On! We’re kicking off our Halloween series with some of Wisconsin’s most haunted places, including Milwaukee’s infamous Pfister Hotel, the eerie legends of Boy Scout Lane, and the mysterious Maribel Caves Hotel (aka Hotel Hell). Plus, we’re putting Wisconsin’s spookiest folklore to the test and sharing a few ghost stories that might just make you sleep with the lights on. So pour yourself something strong, settle in, and remember… if you hear something go bump in the night, maybe just mind your business.

  5. Oct 5

    Episode 6: Ope, It’s Game Day!

    Football season in Wisconsin is basically a personality trait. This week, we’re talking Packers, game-day traditions, Wisconsin football history, and the things that make football season here just a little different. We’re sharing a couple of our favorite football stories, putting our Wisconsin knowledge to the test with Packers True or False, and, as always, getting sidetracked along the way. Grab a drink, throw on your green and gold, and pull up a barstool—it’s game day on Ope, Hold On!

  6. Sep 28

    Episode 5: Ope, Fall Is Different Here

    Fall is here, the Packers are taking over our weekends, and apparently our husbands would like a chance to defend themselves. This week we’re bringing Austin and Justin to the barstool for a football-season interrogation before getting into all things Wisconsin fall -from sweatshirt weather and comfort food to the very important question: does grilled cheese NEED soup? Then we’re putting fall favorites on trial with Keep It or Kill It: Fall Edition. Grab a drink and pull up a barstool.

  7. Sep 21

    Episode 4: Ope… That’s a Red Flag

    We missed a week, and apparently a LOT can happen in that time. Izzy is officially married and back from her mini-moon, Kelly survived a bachelorette party, and football season has already given us plenty to discuss, especially when our husbands suddenly become NFL coaches from the couch. Then we’re getting into red flags: the harmless, the questionable, and the ones that should’ve had us running immediately. Plus, we’re reading your red flag stories and deciding exactly where things went wrong. Grab a drink and pull up a barstool because we have a LOT to catch up on. Follow: @alwaysstickwithme for custom stickers and merch!

  8. Sep 7

    Episode 3: Ope, We Take This Very Seriously

    Why are Midwesterners so passionate about supper clubs, gas stations, cheese curds, and watching severe weather from the front porch? This week, we’re getting into the things we take way too seriously—from the sacred rules of a Wisconsin supper club to Kwik Trip loyalty, Midwest food debates, and what it actually takes for us to admit it’s cold outside. Grab a drink and pull up a barstool; this one might start a few arguments.

  9. Aug 31

    Episode 2: Ope, That’s Different

    This week Kelly and Izzy tackle the many moods of “ope,” decode Midwest-speak (“no, you’re good!” translates to “I am begging you to stop apologizing”), and debate whether the 45-minute goodbye is charming or a cry for help. Grab a drink — you’re gonna relate to way more of this than you’d like to admit.

  10. Aug 28

    Episode 1: Ope, Who Are We?

    Meet Izzy and Kelly—the voices behind Ope, Hold On! In our very first episode, we're pulling up a barstool, pouring a drink, and talking about how we got here, the very different lives we lead, and what you can expect when you join us at the table. Expect tangents, laughs, a little Midwest chaos, and probably a few things we didn't plan on sharing.

    Episode 1: Ope, Who Are We?
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Ope, Hold On! Welcome to a Midwest lifestyle podcast where two friends talk about life, money, relationships, travel, and everything in between. Pour yourself a drink and join us—you've always got a seat at our table.

Information

  • Creator
    Isabella Benz + Kelly Gersonde
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ©️ 2026

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