Milwaukee mom’s grief leads her to meeting the man who killed her son| Wisconsin Life
Taking the kids camping usually sounds like a great idea, until it’s not. Author BJ Hollars brings us a story about the trials and triumphs of the family camping trip. == Finding Stillness In The Storm It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… With those...| Wisconsin Life
Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life” and the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild co-hosted an evening of live storytelling at The Lakely in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Nov. 14, 2024. Longtime “Wisconsin Life” contributors and first-timers from the Chippewa Valley shared personal tales, plus the inspiration behind each piece. WPR’s “Wisconsin Life” host and producer Maureen McCollum and author B.J. Hollars emceed the event.| Wisconsin Life
When radio producer Alexandra Salmon first saw 11-year-old Sedella Yancey rap at a summer night concert in Madison, she was mesmerized by the musician’s stage presence and her talent at such a young age. The 10-year-old was performing the classic Digable Planets’ song “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That)” with...| Wisconsin Life
Have you ever picked up a hobby because a friend or relative was really into it? Did you try to see if they’re truly onto something? Writer Yia Lor of Eau Claire did this with geocaching, an outdoor activity her late sister, Jer Lor, loved to do with her kids. == My sister, Jer, was| Wisconsin Life
When’s the last time you stopped to look at your spare change? For writer Ron Weber, one ordinary find leads him on an unexpected American odyssey.| Wisconsin Life
"The reason I went to college is because I had picked up a camera and started taking pictures of rock 'n' roll bands. I wanted to work in the music industry and I did it," said Marty Sosnowski.| Wisconsin Life
"Wisconsin Life" celebrates what makes Wisconsin unique through the diverse stories of its people. Our award-winning producers travel the state in search of stories that are humorous, surprising, emotional, and/or thought provoking. All of the stories are personal and rich with the personality of the state we call home.| Wisconsin Life
The auto repair industry is dominated by men. But on Madison’s northside, Dutch’s Auto Service veers from that reality. Learn how the women-owned auto repair shop may be unique but it faces universal struggles in a changing industry.| Wisconsin Life
What’s one of the best ways to combat hate? For Jesús Gregorio Smith of Appleton, it’s to push back with love. He shares his story as part of the “Home Is Here” project, which amplifies the voices of the growing number of Black, Asian, Native American and Latinx residents who...| Wisconsin Life
Leslie Schroeder has a dream. That dream is to have a flax-to-linen textile industry in Wisconsin. Inspired by the local food movement, Schroeder wants to create a market for sustainable and quality local clothing. To jumpstart that effort, the Madison resident helped create the Midwest Linen Revival and is organizing events, like Field to Frock.| Wisconsin Life
Learn what inspired polka musician Mike Schneider to pick up the accordion as a kid and to travel the country playing for people. WPR's Nick Rommel recently talked with the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Famer at a gig in Eagle.| Wisconsin Life
Adrian Molitor knows a thing or two about hardwood floors. With his Madison-based business, Molitor Traditional Flooring, he’s restored historic floors in some of southern Wisconsin’s most iconic homes and businesses. Learn why the old, weathered wood speaks to him.| Wisconsin Life
It can be really sweet to look back on art projects you created in kindergarten. For John Klungness of Bayfield, he treasures a wooden corner shelf he made — a work of art he’s had for about 90 years.| Wisconsin Life
One day each spring, volunteers around Wisconsin get up at dawn to participate in the International Crane Foundation's Annual Midwest Crane Count. For some people, it's a chance for some people to connect with friends.| Wisconsin Life
When people feel stuck in life, they may seek out new friends or hobbies. When Jen Rubin of Madison was at that crossroad, she decided to become more spontaneous — in a bold way. The following story was told on April 3, 2017 at The Moth during an open-mic StorySLAM...| Wisconsin Life
Spring has a way of energizing the five senses. And when it comes to the sense of smell, there are a few scents that we only have a brief time to enjoy, like the lilacs. Author Chris Hardie brings us this essay, "Lilacs: The sweet smell of spring." It's featured in his book, “Back Home: Country| Wisconsin Life
As we get older, our relationships with our parents evolve. Poet and Milwaukee native Karl Michael Iglesias knows this and has been reflecting on how he’s grown into a new version of his mother’s son. Iglesias explores this evolution, along with his own gratitude, in the poem, “Satellite.”| Wisconsin Life
Athletes in youth sports are often told things like, "It’s not about winning, it’s about having fun!" Sure, but what if you haven't won a single game all season? That's something Eau Claire Writer in Residence Ken Szymanski dealt with as a soccer coach.| Wisconsin Life
As winter fades and Wisconsin begins to thaw, the changing season brings renewal not only to the land but also to the human spirit. Writer Ron Weber explores how the arrival of spring awakens long-forgotten memories, and invites us to rediscover the sense of wonder that often lies dormant within us.| Wisconsin Life
“Stop Making Sense” has been hailed as one of the greatest concert films of all time. Directed by Jonathan Demme, the 1983 film unfolds as members of Talking Heads take the stage one by one. For one of the band's core members — keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Jerry Harrison — it all started in the Milwaukee area.| Wisconsin Life
Wisconsin’s Justin Vernon is one of the biggest musical artists to come out of the state in the past 20 years. For most of his career, most notably with Bon Iver, he has shied away from the media and chosen to quietly work out of his home studio April Base near Eau Claire. But on his new record, “SABLE, fABLE,” it's clear a lot has changed.| Wisconsin Life
We all have these images, these moments from our childhoods that stick with us forever. Writer Andrew Patrie, he’s been exploring some of these memories that he says have been "cauterized" in his mind, mostly returning to his childhood bedroom.| Wisconsin Life
"American Movie" is a movie about ... making a movie. When the beloved documentary was released in 1999, it quickly became a cult classic. "American Movie" was filmed in the Milwaukee area and its subject, Mark Borchardt, has gone on to inspire many artists and filmmakers. WPR's Evan Casey takes a look at the film's lasting legacy.| Wisconsin Life
Writer McKenna Scherer is a proud Wisconsinite. Sure, that love is tied to cheese and Spotted Cow. But at the root of that love is her family. Scherer shared a story, “The Largest Gathering of Norwegians in Northwestern Wisconsin, Probably: Gierefest,” at a live storytelling event hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life” and the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild. It was held on Nov. 14, 2024 in Eau Claire at The Lakely.| Wisconsin Life
We all grieve differently, often facilitating between these worlds of wanting to talk about our loved ones to wanting to be left alone in silence. Writer Yia Lor of Eau Claire gets this. She tells us about finding her place while grieving the loss of her sister.| Wisconsin Life
There's a shop in Middleton that has rows of bottles, mixes and cans — but none of them contain alcohol. It’s called Sober Social, Wisconsin’s first and only non-alcoholic bottle shop.| Wisconsin Life
A white pine in northern Wisconsin stood for more than 150 years before it met ultimate fate. Writer Ron Weber of Weyerhaeuser reflects on the tree’s resiliency and how its legacy is being preserved for years to come. == About the time the Civil War was ending a white pine...| Wisconsin Life
A lot of things are not allowed through the doors of Wisconsin's prisons. But recently, a group of musicians was allowed to venture inside a Wisconsin lock-up with a piano, violin and cello in tow. WPR's Sarah Lehr brings us this story of "Concerts for Hope," a show that took place inside the walls of Oshkosh Correctional Institution.| Wisconsin Life
Many of us have places that make us feel comfortable, at peace. Perhaps it’s a bookstore or a bar. For author and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire English professor David Shih, it’s a place much bigger: a Costco.| Wisconsin Life
Sending a message in a bottle has been romanticized for centuries. People have even cast bottles for scientific purposes. And as author B.J. Hollars tells us, it helped one Wisconsin veteran connect with humanity on a deeper level. Hollars shared his story “Hope Floats” at a live storytelling event hosted...| Wisconsin Life
The roots of many female friendships are strong and can run deep. They certainly do for writer Jan Mireles Larson of Eau Claire. She shared a story about being in the company of women at a live storytelling event hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life” and the Chippewa Valley...| Wisconsin Life
Fifty years ago, the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was released. Since 1974, the game has been played by an estimated 50 million people worldwide, according to NPR. The game was born in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and is still played throughout the state and the world. In Madison, players...| Wisconsin Life
Milwaukee lives up to its nickname as the City of Festivals as it draws millions of visitors every year. But the annual Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival draws more than 200 artists from around the world for three days of inking and intrigue. WPR’s Corrinne Hess caught up with a number...| Wisconsin Life
