This is part 1 of 2 conversations with Greg Parmeter and Nic Barilar from the UW-L Theater and Dance department. Their latest production is Dr, Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. This is the original "sell your soul to the devil" story. And jus

Steppin Out In Pink 2023 with Kirsten Bucher

Aug 24th, 2023 20m 56s

Midwest Family is proud to support Steppin Out in Pink, 2023 with the Gundersen Medical Foundation. On this episode of Around River City I had the pleasure to sit down with this years Steppin Out advocate, Kirsten Bucher. Kirsten's story is

All Roads Lead to Paulin's Provisions

May 22nd, 2023 54m 33s

What a tale these two old pals have to share with you. Ben Skinner and Chris Barton were born and raised right here in La Crosse. They fell in love with the restaurant world here in town and as their talents grew they moved to Minneapolis and

Lucas Herro

Mar 29th, 2023 46m 16s

Have you ever talked with someone who's had a near death experience?Meet Lucas Herro. I don't want to give away too much of his story so let's just say every single part of his life changed in a split second. He was 22, now he's 32. He was

Stepping Stones pt 2

Feb 22nd, 2023 42m 55s

We continue our conversation about blended families. I'm talking with two local authors, Kristine Valk and Asha Bianca about their book Stepping Stones; Blended Families and onus Parenting at it's Best. What does "bonus" parent mean to you?

Stepping Stones & Blended Families pt 1

Feb 13th, 2023 33m 3s

Kristine Valk and Asha Bianca are 2 local moms in blended families. As they talked about their shared experience they realized they wished there had been a book to help them navigate through the highs and lows of bringing families together. T

It's a Long Road Back Home Again

Jan 26th, 2023 37m 54s

Patrick Longmire grew up in his dad's grocery store, Red's IGA in Spring Grove, MN. Like a lot of high school guys he decided to pick up a guitar but it turns out it wasn't to look cool it was to fall in love with Texas Barbecue. Several stat

Christmas Stories

Dec 20th, 2022 50m 2s

I started one of those "how was your weekend" conversations with a co-worker the other day. She proceeded to tell me how this may the her best Christmas ever. All thanks a a tree, a dog and a new tradition. I really wanted to share her story

The Creative Grey Area or is it a Gray Area? Hmmm...

Dec 1st, 2022 52m 59s

Luke Erickson, Allison Krzych and Dominique Leuke. Three people who embrace life in the grey area. So much so that Luke helped create the theater group Grey Area Productions. Allison is the interim Executive Director of the Pump House, the h

Rob and Scott: Two Veterans Talk About Their Service

Nov 2nd, 2022 52m 8s

Rob Thoen and Scott Stach both served in the Military. They have very different stories that end up coming to similar conclusions. They're both proud of their service, and glad to have served.We'll talk about life as a veteran, services that

Nicole Milliren: Brave Space and Good Conversation pt. 2

Oct 18th, 2022 24m 50s

I have a new favorite question; tell me about your ten year old self. That's how Nicole and I began part 2 of our conversation here on Around River City. We talked about how and why Nicole decided to become a Clinical Therapist. Where she w

Nicole Milliren: Brave Spaces and Good Conversation

Sep 23rd, 2022 36m 51s

I met Nicole when she came in to Midwest Family to record a commercial for another client. That took about 5 minutes and then we talked for nearly an hour. I knew we needed to get together again for the podcast. When we did, we talked about

Steppin' Out in Pink: Betty Kabara

Sep 8th, 2022 36m 23s

Wow....Betty is AMAZING. I find myself using that word a lot to describe her. Amazing. Betty and her husband created the Kabara Cancer Research Institute at The Gundersen Medical Foundation. She is also a survivor of multiple forms of cance

Steppin' Out in Pink: Dr. Leah Deitrich

Sep 2nd, 2022 29m 57s

At Midwest Family we're very proud to be a part of Steppin Out in Pink with Gundersen Health System. I first brought you this podcast last year and it's such a cool story I wanted to share it again. Dr. Deitrich was a joy to talk with and I'l

Steppin' Out In Pink: Dr. Kenney

Aug 26th, 2022 32m 42s

This year Steppin' Out In Pink is Saturday, September 10th at Riverside Park. Midwest Family is proud to be a sponsor of this great event with Gundersen Health System. Last year I had a chance to sit down and get to know Dr. Paraic Kenney, he

Tiffany Lavender: Whatever I Can Get Away With

Aug 11th, 2022 36m 23s

Whatever I can get away with. That's Tiffany's motto in her life and her art. Tiffany uses her art as therapy and also a way to communicate. I first saw her work at The Winter Roots Festival at The LaCrosse Center and finally had the chance

Leithold Music

Jul 29th, 2022 24m 41s

Abbie and her brother Paul are 4th generation owners of Leithold Music in downtown La Crosse. Inside their newly renovated building on 4th street there's a lot of music, family and joy. I sat down with Abbie and we talked about growing up in

Clearwater Farm

Jul 11th, 2022 30m 1s

We live in an area filled with places, large and small, that let you escape the city without really leaving. Clearwater Farm is one of those places. It's IN Onalaska, close by, easy to find and an actual living, breathing farm. It has all th

Mike Hayes: Local Legend pt. 2

Jun 24th, 2022 22m 8s

Welcome to part 2 of my conversation with Local Legend, Mike Hayes. This conversation begins in 1987, Mike has become the host of La Crosse Talk on WIZM-AM. We'll talk about the evolution of the show and what Mike likes about talking to you e

Mike Hayes: Local Legend pt.1

Jun 17th, 2022 26m 17s

You've likely heard Mike Hayes on the radio and maybe you agree with him, maybe you don't. He's okay either way, he just wants to have the conversation. That's why this host of WIZM's La Crosse Talk is being honored as a Local Legend by the W

Artspire

May 27th, 2022 39m 43s

Artspire has become a major event in the La Crosse area. It's happening June 10th and 11th this year....and you're invited....IN PERSON. How cool is that? On this episode or Around River City I sat down with Allison Krzych from the Pump Hous

Friends remember Steve Hole

May 20th, 2022 35m 28s

In this episode three friends remember a friend they all say made them better people. He came into their lives at different times and in different ways but as you'll find out he impacted them all in a similar way. Terry Erickson, Scott Mihalo

Michael, Todd, Bourbon, Foam & Helping People

May 6th, 2022 44m 15s

Well, this turned out to be one heck of a conversation. Todd Vercruysse and Michael Garcia are 2 very smart, very real and very fun people. We sat down to talk about their business, Land Home Financial, here in La Crosse. And I was honest wi

Linda Jerome...Teen Librarian (cue superhero music)

Apr 19th, 2022 41m 32s

We're busting some serious myths on this episode of Around River City. Is the library just about books? Must we always be so quiet? Are librarians actually stuffy? We'll answer all those questions and more in this episode of the podcast. A

Oh For The Love of Fudge

Apr 7th, 2022 50m 32s

A few years ago, Linda and Steve decided it was time to retire. And so....they started a company, making fudge, every day. Hhhmm, I know what you're saying, this isn't your typical retirement. Well, Linda and Steve are not typical. Ever sin