The Recombobulation Area

Dan Shafer
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The Recombobulation Area an award-winning weekly opinion column, online publication, and podcast founded by longtime Milwaukee journalist Dan Shafer and now part of the Civic Media network.

  1. 05/22/2025

    One-on-one with Ben Wikler

    Dan Shafer sits down with the outgoing party chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler. Dan and Ben discuss the recent news that billionaire Elon Musk is stepping away from politics after the defeat in Wisconsin's April elections, the upcoming race to fill the role of DPW Chair, and more! To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Dan Shafer, Ben Wikler

    47 min

  2. 04/21/2025

    Immigration implications and the ‘quiet war’ on education (Hour 2)

    Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. In hour number two, Dan and Angela speak with immigration attorney Kevin Layde. The three dive deep into the controversial Kilmar Abrego Garcia case, illustrating its implications for U.S. immigration policy and constitutional law. In the final half hour of the show, Emily Tseffos joins Dan and Angela to highlight the GOP's 'quiet war' on public education in Wisconsin, critiquing inadequate funding and legislative neglect. On a lighter note to end the show, Dan and Angela hold a spirited debate over the best Girl Scout cookies, revealing stark differences in their cookie preferences. To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Dan Shafer, Angela Lang, Emily Tseffos, Kevin Layde

    45 min

  3. 04/21/2025

    A film premiere and the race for DPW Party Chair (Hour 1)

    Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. Dan and Angela welcome filmmakers Laura Dyan Kezman and William Howell to discuss their documentary "Cycle". The film is premiering at the Milwaukee Film Festival later this month, and delves into the tragic 2019 police shooting of 18-year-old Tyrese West in Racine, Wisconsin. The film explores systemic injustices and the historical cycle of racial violence, emphasizing the need for understanding and change. In the second half hour, Joe Zepecki joins Dan and Angela to discuss his candidacy for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair. Joe shares what his vision would be as chair, advocating for bold leadership and urgent reforms, particularly in immigration and communication strategies. Joe also urges Democrats to stand firm on their values. To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Joe Zepecki, Dan Shafer, Angela Lang, William Howell, Laura Dyan Kezman

    45 min

  4. 03/10/2025

    “Pawn in a billionaire’s game”: A federal worker shares her story

    There’s been a whole lot happening in recent months as Donald Trump has returned to office as president, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has begun to take a wrecking ball to various federal agencies, making drastic cuts to the federal workforce.  Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is helping tell the stories of real people directly impacted by these layoffs. Barnes sat down with Katia Wanish, who until recently was a wetlands engineer at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which is part of the USDA. She shared her story with Barnes in this special edition of The Recombobulation Area podcast. Listen to the episode as a podcast, or watch the full video of their conversation here. To learn more about The Recombobulation Area and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Dan Shafer, Mandela Barnes, Katia Wanish

    31 min

  5. 02/02/2025

    Making sense of the federal “freeze” (with Phil Rocco)

    Last week, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo essentially freezing payments from the federal government. The memo was rescinded, but perhaps it's a sign of what's to come from the Trump administration. Regular Recombobulation Area contributor and Marquette University professor Phil Rocco, who has written and researched extensively on the relationship between different levels of government, joins the podcast to help make sense of what happened and what might be next. Let's recombobulate. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area.

    41 min

  6. 01/27/2025

    Immigration in the Trump Era: A big picture conversation

    Donald Trump said immigration was his No. 1 issue. So, let's talk about it. A big picture podcast discussion with immigration attorneys Gabriela Parra and Kevin Layde, and guest co-host Angela Lang. Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th president last week, and with that inauguration came a flurry of activity, perhaps most notably on the issue of immigration. One report said Donald Trump characterized immigration as his No. 1 issue in his 2024 campaign, ahead of even the economy.  So, we want to talk more about immigration. But part of having this conversation means separating some of the rhetoric from the reality, and talking about what is actually happening on this issue. Because on balance, this can all be pretty discombobulating.  Joining us to help us recombobulate and make sense of the issues are our guests for this episode, Gabriela Parra and Kevin Layde, managing partners at the Layde & Parra immigration law firm. Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, joins as co-host. Topics discussed include: Changes on immigration policy, from Trump's first term, through the Biden presidency, to now Making sense of Trump's actions on immigration and birthright citizenship Legal immigration: How can people come to America and follow the rules (and why is that more complicated than it seems)? What should people know about ICE in Milwaukee? Watch the full episode as a video here. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area to support our work and get every newsletter delivered to your inbox.

    59 min

  7. 12/14/2024

    Rational Recombobulation

    Dan Shafer, Founder of the Recombobulation Area and Civic Media's Political Member, joins host Mark Becker to answer this: What really happened in Wisconsin in the 2024 Presidential Election? Besides discussing the closeness of the Presidential Election, Mark also asks Dan about the difference between the 3rd Congressional District and the 8th. What's next for Wisconsin in 2026? And how will Tony Evers do if he runs for re-election? Mark muses in the last segment about the CEO Assassin and his thoughts on the situation that is brewing. Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker. Guests: Dan Shafer, Mark Becker

    47 min

  8. 12/11/2024

    PODCAST: Greta Neubauer on the 2024 election and what’s ahead in 2025

    The Assembly Minority Leader reflects on the results of the 2024 election in Wisconsin, the first under new maps, and looks ahead to what's to come in the state legislature in 2025. Greta Neubauer, the state representative from the 66th Assembly District and the Assembly's Democratic Minority Leader, joined The Recombobulation Area podcast for a discussion on the 2024 election and a look ahead to what's to come in state government in 2025. In August, Neubauer predicted that Democrats would win 52 seats. They ended up winning 45.  “We are always going to be ambitious,” said Neubauer. “I think we had a real shot in all of those 52 seats. We had a number of places where we came up just short, really close, in some really close elections — in the Milwaukee suburbs, in Green Bay — and those are places where we’ll be competing in future years. And so, we are really pleased that, in a tough year for Democrats, we were able to pick up 10 seats. We were able to narrow the margins quite a bit. We have five more to go to get that majority.” In our conversation, we also discussed some of the reflecting that Democrats are doing after this election, the issue of messaging on issues and priorities, what she learned in the first election under new and more competitive maps, the power of incumbency in Wisconsin elections, immigration policy, priorities for 2025, what to expect with a legislature with smaller majorities, and more.  Looking ahead to 2025, Neubauer said “there’s going to be a lot more room for bipartisan work” with smaller Republican majorities in 2025. She said she is hopeful for compromise on issues like education funding and tax policy. “Of course, Republicans are out the gate talking about another tax cut,” she said. “We’re open to that, but it has to be focused on helping those people who are having a difficult time make ends meet. It can’t be focused on more giveaways to the rich and to big corporations like we’ve seen from our Republican colleagues in the past.” Listen here, or at The Recombobulation Area.

    28 min
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About

The Recombobulation Area an award-winning weekly opinion column, online publication, and podcast founded by longtime Milwaukee journalist Dan Shafer and now part of the Civic Media network.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Shafer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Civic Media
  • Show Website
    The Recombobulation Area