

City Cast Madison
City Cast
Join the City Cast Madison team every weekday morning for can’t-miss conversations about what’s happening in Madison, with a dose of local news to keep you up to speed. On City Cast Madison, host Bianca Martin collects people wherever she goes, like an endless conga line. She peers into our city’s soul with a journalist’s skepticism and an optimist’s heart. Whether you’re an OG Madisonian or a newcomer, all neighbors are welcome here. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter, Madison Minutes, at madison.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 2, 2025 • 38min
Are Wisconsin Students Safe From Abusive Teachers?
Wisconsin lawmakers are currently reviewing how the Department of Public Instruction handles educator sexual misconduct and grooming of students. This was sparked by an extensive investigation by Cap Times reporter Danielle DuClos. Host Bianca Martin speaks with Danielle about her year-long research into the prevalence of sexual misconduct by educators in Wisconsin, DPI's investigatory capacity, and the potential legislative changes.
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this December 2nd episode:
Madison Community Foundation
Four Seasons Theatre
Root 2 Rise

Dec 1, 2025 • 37min
Your Guide to December 2025 in Madison
We’ve made it to the last month of the year! The City Cast Madison team is here with the final monthly guide of 2025. Host Bianca Martin chats with executive producer Hayley Sperling and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos about holiday markets around town, the hot new sushi and ramen spot in the Town of Oregon, and so much more.
🎉 Plus, we’re throwing a party on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Gamma Ray Bar. RSVP today!
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this December 1st episode:
Madison Community Foundation
Four Seasons Theatre
Goodman Community Center
Henry Vilas Zoo

Nov 26, 2025 • 47min
The Must-Buy Gift From Every City Cast City (Including Madison!)
Join City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling (filling in for host Bianca Martin) alongside fellow alongside fellow hosts from Austin, Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities for a special episode that’ll help you knock out your holiday shopping early and support small businesses around the country. From a handlebar mount (and app!) that’ll turn your phone into a bike cam, to a mustard-of-the-month subscription box, our hosts are here to tell the stories of local businesses in their cities making cool stuff that you can order online right now.
Visit our website to find the full list of recommendations with links for holiday shopping!
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Learn more about the sponsors of this November 26th episode:
Henry Vilas Zoo
Lake City Books
Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.

Nov 25, 2025 • 20min
Madison’s Turkeys Are Living the Sweet Life
Gobble gobble! Wild turkeys are thriving in and around the isthmus and for good reason: the food is abundant and no one is shooting turkeys in Madison. Host Bianca Martin chats with UW-Madison Wildlife Ecology Professor David Drake about why turkeys love Madison and why Madison seems to love them back. Plus, he gives us possible reasons why turkeys sometimes attack mail delivery people.
This show originally aired on Nov. 21, 2023
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 25th episode:
Henry Vilas Zoo
Lake City Books
Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

Nov 24, 2025 • 26min
Why the Dane County Executive Isn’t Excited about the 2026 Budget
When new Dane County Executive Melissa Agard campaigned for office last year, she had big plans for how she’d lead the county. But after winning the election in 2024, Agard was faced with a new reality — Dane County is facing down the cliff of a $30 million budgetary deficit, and her big plans would have to take a backseat. It’s no secret that this was a tough budget season for the county, and at the end of the day, Agard is proud of the work that the county has accomplished. But this isn’t the budget she wanted. Today, executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with Agard about what she’s learned from this process and digs into why no one talked about this massive deficit until now.
For more on the county budget process, listen to our conversation with Dane County Supervisor Yogesh Chawla.
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 24th episode:
Henry Vilas Zoo
Lake City Books
Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric

Nov 21, 2025 • 34min
Amtrak Update, BRT Expansion on the Way, and Archaeologist Discover Ancient Parking Lot
This week dives deep into Madison's transportation plans. The city is eyeing Wilson Street as a potential Amtrak station, weighing benefits against parking concerns. Plus, there's exciting news about a north-south bus rapid transit expansion that may add more stops but raises parking issues. In a fascinating twist, archaeologists have uncovered 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota, suggesting a prehistoric canoe parking lot, highlighting its cultural significance. It's a transportation-heavy discussion filled with community impact and historical intrigue!

Nov 20, 2025 • 28min
Madison Food Halls, Thanksgiving Sides, and Eating Together
With Thanksgiving one week away, we’re bringing you some hot tips to keep everyone happy and fed ahead of the holidays. Executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about Madison’s new downtown food hall, One Social, and how it compares to other local halls like the Global Market and Food Hall. We’ve also got advice on which local spots to go to to pick up Thanksgiving sides, desserts, and beverages, plus dining out options.
P.S. Check out newsletter editor Rob Thomas’s list of 13 spots to get Thanksgiving dinner.
🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 20th episode:
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Goodman Community Center
Madison Magnet

Nov 19, 2025 • 23min
Your Guide To Winter-Proofing Your Home
Winter weather is looming, but is your house or apartment ready for the freezing temperatures and snowfall? If not, don’t fear! Today, host Bianca Martin chats with home maintenance expert and bestselling author Mercury Stardust about how to make sure you’re prepared for whatever the season brings. From how to safely clean your gutters to why you should clean your filters, Mercury has all the tips to help you avoid disaster this winter.
This episode originally aired on Nov. 25th, 2024.
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this November 18th episode:
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Goodman Community Center
Madison Magnet

Nov 18, 2025 • 26min
Madison Burlesque Performers Spice Up the Holidays
What do you do to get through the winter blues? How about burlesque! That’s what the performers at Dance Fabulous are doing with the “HO Ho HO! A Holiday Variety Burlesque Cabaret Spectacular.” City Cast Madison Host Bianca Martin explores the history of burlesque in Madison, empowerment through movement, and the specific merrymaking happening in this holiday show with Dance Fabulous studio owner Lyn Pilch and show host Dana Pellebon, AKA “Ms. Behavin’.”
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this November 18th episode:
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Goodman Community Center
Madison Magnet

Nov 17, 2025 • 28min
Why You Should Care About the County Budget
Last week, Dane County finalized and approved its 2026 budget, which includes $825.6 million in operating funds and $90.5 million in capital investments. The county was looking to cut back on spending as it’s projected to face a $30 million deficit in 2027. But how did we get here? And what does the county fund anyway? City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with Dane County supervisor Yogesh Chawla about the recently passed budget and the contentious items within it.
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 17th episode:
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Goodman Community Center
Madison Magnet


