Advertise on podcast: Bridge the City

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Jennifer Bolger Breceda, Executive Director of Milwaukee Riverkeeper. Deisy and Jennifer talk about the vital work Milwaukee Riverkeeper does to protect, restore, and advocate for the Milwaukee River Basin. They discuss the organization's water quality monitoring program, the four pillars of their work, and the major $450 million federal investment currently underway to clean up decades of legacy pollution from the basin's rivers. To learn more, visit: Milwaukee Riverkeeper's Website Action steps: Sign up for a river cleanup near you Join a guided kayak paddle or attend an upcoming event Follow Milwaukee Riverkeeper on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X Bridge the City When you're taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters. Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Benjamin Rangel provides an overview of the upcoming State Supreme Court Election on April 7th, 2026. To learn more, visit: myvote.wi.gov for more information about where to vote and check your reigstration status. Bridge the City’s election guide on our website. Action Steps: Vote Reach out to others and make sure they have a plan to vote! Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Isabel Castro, Community Outreach Specialist, and Joanna Bautch, Executive Director of Via Community Development Corporation. Deisy, Isa, and Joanna talk about the work Via does throughout Milwaukee. In particular, they discuss how Via works in Silver City, Burnham Park, and Layton Park to promote business, community, and housing. To learn more, visit: Via CDC’s Website Action steps: Download the Milwaukee Mobile Aciton App (and report lights out) Follow Via on Socials Be a good neighbor and learn in what neighborhood you live Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Michael Nguyen, Executive Director of Teach for America (TFA) Milwaukee. They talk about the origin of TFA in Milwaukee, the work TFA does in the community, and how TFA is supporting educators during a challenging time for educators in the U.S. To learn more, visit: Teach for America Action Steps: Mike’s action steps include: Pay attention to your local school board Volunteer at your local school Learn more about TFA Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

In this special episode we hear from Barbara Cerda and Valeria Cerda about La Revo Books, but you won’t hear a Bridge the City host. Instead, listen to Barbara and Valeria as they discuss the inception of a community-driven pop-up bookstore, why this work is so important to them and their community, and how you can support their work. To learn more, visit: La Revo Books Action steps: Support La Revo Books Support local book stores Visit and support libraries Read for 15 minutes Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Ben Rangel sits down with Melissa Soberalski, with Soberalski Law, and Fernanda Jimenez, with the Comite sin Fronteras, to discuss how recent immigration policies have impacted the immigrant community in Milwaukee. Ben and Melissa talk about some of the legal advice she’s providing to the immigrant community while his conversation with Fernanda focuses on how local activists are responding to recent policy changes. To learn more, visit: Comite sin Fronteras Voces de la Frontera Soberalski Law Action Steps: Melissa’s Soberalski’s action steps include: Know your rights (print and distribute red cards) Have your affairs in order in case someone in the family is detained Fernanda’s action steps include: Attend Comite Meetings and other events Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters. Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Ben Rangel sits down with both candidates for the third aldermanic district race on April 1st - Alex Brower and Daniel Bauman. Alex and Daniel discuss their plans for housing, public transit, economic investment, and more. In addition, to the full length conversations with Alex and Daniel, Ben details some information about the other items on the ballot. To learn more, visit: Bridge the City’s episode on WE Energies as a public utility Polling locations and what’s on your ballot WUWM’s Voter Guides Alex Brower’s Campaign Website Daniel Bauman’s Campaign Website Action Steps: Alex Brower’s action step includes: Find ways to become a leader in the city Daniel Bauman’s action step includes: Get involved in the community in a meaningful way Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Hosts Deisy Espana and Ben Rangel discuss the upcoming February 18th primary. They talk about the State Superintendent Race and the 3rd Aldermanic District Race. If you’re not sure what aldermanic district you are in, you can check here. To Learn more, visit: WUWM’s Information about the District 3 Common Council candidates The Daily Cardinal’s Information about the State Superintendent candidates Information about where to vote and what’s on your ballot Actions Step: Vote on February 18th, 2025. Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Taylor Korslin and John Everitt, volunteers with Rethink 794. They talk about the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-794 Lake Interchange Study and why they believe the best option is to remove the freeway. To learn more, visit: Rethink 794’s Website John Everitt’s Website Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Website Action Steps: Contact your representative about this project Get involved in the project Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with Jessica Luebbering, former Executive Director of Father Gene’s Help Center. They talk about Jessica’s path to her position, the work of Father Gene’s Help Center, and what dignity means. To learn more, visit: Father Gene’s Help Center Ethical practices in buying clothes Action Steps: Jessica’s actions include: Donate clean, quality clothing to Father Gene’s Help Center Volunteer at Father Gene’s Reflect and be more intentional about your personal consumption of clothing Have a clothing swap, fix clothing that is damaged, and pay for higher quality, less disposable items when possible Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Benjamin Rangel sits down with former Bridge the City producer and current WUWM Reporter, Sam Woods. Sam Woods is the production assistant for WUWM’s Lake Effect. They talk about Sam’s award-winning podcast with Joy Powers, Swing State of the Union, what he learned making the podcast, and what to look out for in the upcoming presidential election. To learn more, visit: Swing State of the Union Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Budget Analysis Action steps: Sam’s action steps include: Support local journalism. Go to a neighborhood meeting. Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Hosts Ashlie Benson and Benjamin Rangel discuss the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, August 13th with special guest, Sinclair Johnston. They answer Sinclair’s questions about the election and the two referenda (referendums?) that would amend the state Constitution. To learn more, visit: Map of Assembly Districts in MKE Contested Primaries for Democratic Candidates and their Districts: 8 - Enrique Murguia and Sylvia Ortiz-Velez 9 - Deisy Espana and Prisicilla Prado 11 - Amillia Heredia, Sequanna Taylor 12 - Brandon Williford, Decorah Gordon, Katrina Morrison, Russell Goodwin 14 - Angelito Tenorio, Brady Coulthard, Nathan Kieso 18 - Angela Kennedy, Margaret Arney 19 - Jarrod Anderson, Ryan Clancy Contested Primaries for Republican Candidates and their Districts: 13 (Republican) Patricia Granger, Tom Michalsk Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Analysis of Constitutional Amendments Legislative Reference Bureau’s Report of Constitutional Amendments Action steps: Visit myvote.wi.gov to learn more about the election Make a plan to vote on Tuesday, August 13th Bridge the City Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

*Note this is a bilingual episode presented in English and Espanol* Host Deisy España sits down with Elizabeth Ramirez and Alison Hernandez with Muskego Way Forward. They talk about the community organizing and development work of Muskego Way Forward, the importance of grassroots neighborhood social programming, and how you can support their community. To learn more, visit: Muskego Way Forward Action Steps: Say hi to your neighbor Pick up trash and clean up your neighborhood Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren. La presentadora Deisy España se sienta con Elizabeth Ramirez y Alison Hernandez con Muskego Way Forward. Hablan sobre el trabajo de organización y desarrollo comunitario de Muskego Way Forward, la importancia de la programación social de base del vecindario y cómo se puede apoyar a su comunidad. Para obtener más información, visite: Muskego Way Forward Pasos de acción: Saluda a tu vecino Recoge basura y limpia tu vecindario Bridge the City Cuando estés tomando medidas en tu comunidad, ¡compártelo con nosotros! Utilice #bridgethecity o etiquétenos en Facebook, Twitter, Instagram o LinkedIn. Humildemente le pedimos que considere unirse a nuestro Patreon para que podamos continuar creando episodios y eventos que fomenten la participación de la comunidad y el diálogo abierto. Música de Casey Masters. Diseño de logotipo y sitio web por Elizabeth McLaren.

Host Deisy Espana sits down with Ingrid Walker-Henry, the President of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, to discuss the “Say Yes to MPS” campaign. Ingrid and Deisy talk about what the additional funding would mean for MPS and why the District needs additional revenue from taxpayers. To learn more, visit: Say Yes to MPS Website Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Research on the Referendum Action Steps: Vote Bridge the City: When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.

Hosts Deisy Espana and Ben Rangel sit down to talk about and discuss the upcoming election on Tuesday, April 2nd. They discuss the referendums on the ballot, the different aldermanic races, and other local elections. To learn more, visit: Myvote.wi.gov ACLU’s Position on Elections Referendum League of Women Voters’ Position on Election Referendum Wisconsin Policy Forum Research and Forum on MPS Funding and Property Tax Increase Vote 411 Personal Voter Guide Action Steps: Vote! Tell 5 friends to vote! Bridge the City When you’re taking action in your community, share with us! Use #bridgethecity or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We humbly ask you to consider joining our Patreon so we can continue creating episodes and events that encourage community engagement and open dialogue. Music by Casey Masters.  Logo and website design by Elizabeth McLaren.