Brad Kolberg
Brad Kolberg is a radio producer and engineer from Stoughton, WI. He likes to take time for his wife & daughter, The Brewers & Packers, music & beer discovery, and running down a trail somewhere out in the woods of Wisconsin.
Latest Contributed Stories
January 14, 2025
Moms Don’t Cry: The Challenge Of Modeling Emotional Health For Your Kids
Takeyla Benton has always tried to be strong for her kids. But, the Madison storyteller wonders if that has come at a price. (Editor’s note: This story originally aired on ...
May 16, 2024
Remembering when The Fendermen took Stoughton to the top of the charts
What are some of your early rock ‘n’ roll memories? For Stoughton’s Bill Amundson, there’s one that happened REALLY close to home: when The Fendermen went to the top of ...
April 18, 2024
Building community and finding purpose with Yazmin Lopez of Katharisma Cleaning
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR’s “Wisconsin Life” shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. == Having a kid can completely ...
April 11, 2024
‘It happened to me’: Doula Tamara Thompson on losing a child
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR’s “Wisconsin Life” shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. In another story in this series, ...
April 4, 2024
‘All power to the pregnant people’: Waukesha’s Tamara Thompson on life as a doula
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR’s “Wisconsin Life” shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. == When Tamara N. Thompson became ...
March 28, 2024
Madison community organizer Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores on police accountability
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR's "Wisconsin Life" shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. == Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores is involved ...
March 21, 2024
‘Nothing is impossible’: Madison’s Samantha Green driven by change and camping dreams
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR's "Wisconsin Life" shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. == Samantha Green of Madison ...
March 14, 2024
Travel inspires tiny nail art painted by Katalina Sanchez of Graffiti Nail Salon
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR's "Wisconsin Life" shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. == Katalina Sanchez of Madison ...
March 7, 2024
Love of daughters, cooking fuels Angela Morgan of Food Junkies Catering
In a partnership with Midwest Mujeres, WPR's "Wisconsin Life" shares the stories of six women of color working to build community and better themselves in southern Wisconsin. == Angela Morgan of Madison ...
October 11, 2023
‘Dream, Quickie! Dream!’ brings Donald Driver’s children’s books to the stage
Following your dreams. The power of perseverance. Being a good friend. Words to live by for Donald Driver on his journey toward becoming a member of the Green Bay Packers ...
June 22, 2023
Wisconsin’s Ryan Castelaz pushing boundaries of coffee with Milwaukee shop, new book
The culture of coffee can be seen everywhere - from the aisles of your local grocery store, to the wide variety of options on the menus at big box chains ...
April 11, 2023
Everything comedian Jacy Catlin learned when his house burned down
A house fire is a tragic thing to live through, and comedian Jacy Catlin would agree - he's done it. But in his new short film, "Everything I Learned When ...
January 24, 2023
“We just want to be part of the American dream”: Cuban exile talks troubled past and hopeful future
(This story is an excerpt from the podcast, “WPR Reports: Uprooted.”) Osvaldo Durruthy was sitting in a Wisconsin prison in the mid-1990s. He was in his 30s and he was ...
November 22, 2022
Landjaeger: Childhood Love Of Sausage Snack Inspires Book
Jesse Brookstein takes snacking seriously. The New York native has fond memories of his uncle sharing unique, flattened meat snacks with the whole family during the Upstate summer vacations of ...
November 8, 2022
Madison’s Ricardo Gonzalez and the Cuban Salsa Band
(This story is an excerpt from the podcast, “WPR Reports: Uprooted.”) Ricardo Gonzalez was 12 years old the day the Cuban Revolution prevailed and Fidel Castro took power. Gonzalez grew ...
November 1, 2022
Refugee in La Crosse dreams of returning to Cuba
(This story is an excerpt from the podcast, “WPR Reports: Uprooted.”) A group of musicians are jamming in their living room in La Crosse, playing the popular song “Guantanamera.” One ...
October 18, 2022
Cuban exile reflects on time with sponsor family in Sparta
(This story is an excerpt from the podcast, “WPR Reports: Uprooted.”) When Ernesto Rodriguez of La Crosse was 24 years old he was sitting in a prison cell and was ...
October 11, 2022
Cuban in Wisconsin: Introducing ‘WPR Reports: Uprooted’
In 1980, there was a mass exodus of Cubans who left their homes for the United States as part of the Mariel Boatlift. It was a rare opportunity for people ...
March 29, 2022
‘Do your job’: A lesson from the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center
When we're at work, we all have a number of roles — we can take on other jobs, wear many hats. Albert Watson is a Detention Officer at the Dane ...
March 3, 2022
Those traitorous Scandinavian languages: Don’t be suspected!
The United States is a nation of immigrants and the pressure to assimilate can be great. Some people are compelled to speak English and leave other languages behind. Contributor Eric ...
February 15, 2022
Small talk about the weather: A competitive sport in Wisconsin
Comedian Esteban Touma is taking time to reflect on cold weather in Wisconsin. Born and raised in Ecuador, the state's severe winters have tested him. But, an even greater challenge ...
February 8, 2022
Olympic curler Matt Hamilton surprises Sun Prairie boy on backyard rink
There's something kind of magical about watching the Olympics — the competition, the diversity, the sportsmanship and camaraderie. Four years ago, a boy from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, fell in love ...
November 23, 2021
Finding A Shoe In The Wall: Treasures Hiding In Our Homes
Anyone who’s done serious renovation on an older home, ripping down lath and plaster, wrestling with stubborn two by fours and prying up floorboards, has probably harbored the fantasy of ...
November 9, 2021
Army Veteran Turns To Forestry And Writing To Cope With PTSD
Bryan Box served two tours with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Now, he works in forestry in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. In 2019, Box wrote the essay, “Ghosts Of War In A ...
October 14, 2021
The Humble Superstar: New Giannis Antetokounmpo Biography Explores Champion’s Family Life, Legacy
The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA Champions for the first time in 50 years. A huge part of their success is because of forward Giannis Antetokounmpo — a two-time NBA MVP ...
September 10, 2021
Father And Son Cherish Same Church In Two Norways
Sometimes when we’re far from home, it’s nice to have something familiar around to keep us connected. Contributor Eric Dregni has lived in Norway and Wisconsin. And by pure coincidence, ...
September 3, 2021
Watching The Chimney Swifts At Dusk
We all have a lot to cross off our to-do lists. Have you taken the trash out? Are the bills paid? Laundry folded? And if you’re writer Catherine Jagoe, have ...
May 18, 2021
No Man Ever Steps In The Same River Twice: Fishing the Eau Claire
It’s only human to want to relive the past, to recreate the good old days. But, it’s a tough task; we often find it's just not quite the same. As ...
March 9, 2021
Wauwatosa Native Joe Wong On Becoming A Master Of All Musical Trades
Joe Wong was a musical kid growing up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He learned to play a few instruments, but he fell in love with the drums around age 11. Something ...
December 22, 2020
Milwaukee Area Native Named National Geographic’s 2020 Explorer Of The Year
Corey Jaskolski grew up in and around Milwaukee and loved visiting the Milwaukee Public Museum as a child. "My mom took us there a lot as kids, in part, just ...
August 18, 2020
Musicians And Artists Show Unity With ‘Milwaukee Strong’ Project
When the mayor of Milwaukee asks you to write a song that shows love for your city, it's easy to say yes. Kevin Sucher, executive director of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, ...
June 11, 2020
Essential Transit: Buses Adapt During Coronavirus Pandemic
The phrase essential worker has been used a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. It typically describes people who leave their home to do a job, like a health care worker ...
May 28, 2020
The Hill That Goes Up That Goes Down: A Bit Of Family Magic At Devil’s Lake
My family likes to go camping a lot. And when I was a kid back in the 1980s, one of our favorite spots was Devil's Lake State Park. We hiked ...
April 28, 2020
Socialists In Our Midst? Wisconsin’s Dream Of A ‘Cooperative Commonwealth’
Wisconsin has a rich history in politics that has influenced many of the nation’s major political movements. Contributor Eric Dregni takes a look at Wisconsin’s connection to socialism. === I ...
April 2, 2020
Michael Perry’s Dispatches From The Little Writing Room Above The Garage
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we're all being urged to stay "safer at home." So, Wisconsin author Michael Perry is trying to “hunker down” the best he can ...
March 26, 2020
Once Upon A Time … In Waunakee: Actor Mike Moh On His Dream Role
Mike Moh runs Moh's Martial Arts school in Waunakee, Wisconsin and he has a budding acting career, as well. He landed the role of Bruce Lee in Quentin Tarantino’s award-winning ...
February 12, 2020
‘You Are Stardust:’ A Mother’s Lesson From Rib Mountain
Author Jill Sisson Quinn likes spending time at Rib Mountain State Park outside Wausau. She recently took a hike there with her young son for a lesson about our place ...
January 31, 2020
I Just Called To Say I’m Not Coming To Your Super Bowl Party
With the Super Bowl right around the corner, Madison comedian Esteban Touma is struggling with whether or not to attend his friend's party. Wisconsin Life has obtained the transcripts of ...
January 24, 2020
How Did Polka Become A Dance And Tradition? You Betcha We Have An Answer!
Wisconsin seems to have a pretty good sense of humor about its clichés. Beer? Brats? Cheese? And if we’re making a list, let’s add polka! A question came in from Josie, ...
November 13, 2019
Organ Donor Gives Kidney To Total Stranger
One day, Missy Makinia was on Facebook when something caught her attention. There was a little girl in her town of Ladysmith, Wisconsin who needed a kidney. "My daughter look ...
October 16, 2019
Janesville Man Introduces People To Ice Age Trail Through Love Of Running
Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand mile footpath tracing Ice Age formations across the state. People are drawn to the trail for a bunch of reasons, and ...
July 3, 2019
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn Celebrates 25 Years At The Heart Of Milwaukee’s Music Scene
Jim Linneman has a list of over 100 Milwaukee music venues that have come and gone in the 25 years he's been in business. "This is just not an easy ...
June 12, 2019
First Bikes: Quality Time For A Dad And His Daughter
There’s a band that I’ve followed on and off since college called Pedro The Lion, and they released a new song awhile back called Yellow Bike. It’s about getting your ...
June 7, 2019
For The Love Of Military History
When you walk into a classroom at Monona Grove Liberal Arts Charter School, there’s one desk that stands out. It’s lined with vintage military helmets, all purchased by MG21 student ...
June 7, 2019
High School Musicians Talk Differences, Shared Love Of Music
There are two students at Monona Grove Liberal Arts Charter School, or MG21, that are really talented. They’re both seniors and want to pursue a music career after high school. ...
April 26, 2019
Eau Claire Native Turns His Photography Into Book About Local Music
Spencer Wells grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and attended college at UW-Madison. In his free time, he's always enjoyed attending his local musician friends' performances and documenting those moments ...
April 3, 2019
Menominee Tribal Member Started Propane Business To Help Himself, His Neighbors
Arnold Chevalier grew up mainly on the Menominee Reservation in Neopit, WI, about 50 miles northwest of Green Bay. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident at a young age. “My family ...
March 20, 2019
Wisconsin’s Trapper Schoepp Shares Songwriting Credit With Bob Dylan
There aren’t many Midwestern musicians who share a songwriting credit with Bob Dylan. But Milwaukee artist Trapper Schoepp is now one of them. Schoepp recently helped finish the song, "On, ...
January 11, 2019
Musician Adapts To Limb Difference, Works With Kids
Tony Memmel is a Waukesha native who is living his passion: a career in music. He plays guitar and piano, writes and records his original music, tours the country playing ...
December 27, 2018
Madison Comedian’s Cell Phone Breaks Up With Him
I bet SOME of you…are a little addicted to your phones. Keeping up with texts, social media, news updates, & cat videos...some days, you might spend more time with your phones than ...
October 19, 2018
Turnin’ Up The Heat! The History Of A Brewers Anthem
The music world has blessed us with some gems about the Milwaukee Brewers. In light of the team’s success and playoff appearance this season, a few new songs have popped ...
October 17, 2018
Brewers Superfan Excited About The Playoffs
Our Milwaukee Brewers are in the middle of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers right now. That’s one step away from the WORLD SERIES, which is something Brewers ...
August 5, 2016
Appleton’s Punk Heroes Tenement
Tenement is an Appleton band that’s caught national attention. Frontman Amos Pitsch describes his sound, the importance of structure, and his constant search for new music. For Appleton native Amos ...
July 29, 2016
Songwriter Shane Leonard Blends Diverse Musical Styles As Kalispell
Kalispell is the solo project of Shane Leonard, a musician out of Eau Claire. Leonard’s has an eclectic musical background, trained in jazz and classical percussion with later forays across ...
July 15, 2016
Idle Empress Finds Community In Music
Singer Lauren Anderson began performing as a solo act in house shows around the Chippewa Valley. She then teamed up Josh Frederick and Elliot Heinz to form the indie folk-rock band, ...
June 24, 2016
The “Experimental Dream Goth Pop” Of Madison Band Neens
Madison-based band Neens calls their music experimental dream goth pop. Singer Shane Quella formed the band after discovering the songwriting power of looping while in Arizona. "I never was that ...
June 3, 2016
Musician Anna Vogelzang Pushes Herself To New Songwriting Heights
This story is produced in collaboration with Set List, WPR's home for new music. Discover more music from Set List here. Anna Vogelzang is a singer-songwriter with a big ...
July 7, 2012