The Recombobulation Area

One-on-one with Ben Wikler

Dan Shafer sits down with the outgoing party chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Ben Wikler. Dan and Ben discuss the recent news that billionaire Elon Musk is stepping away from politics after the defeat in Wisconsin's April elections, the upcoming race to fill the role of DPW Chair, and more! To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows [https://civicmedia.us/shows] to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CivicMediaUS/], BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/civicmedia.us], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Civic-Media-US], X [https://x.com/CivicMediaUS], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/civic_media_us/] to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Dan Shafer [https://civicmedia.us/profile/dan-shafer/], Ben Wikler [https://civicmedia.us/profile/ben-wikler/]

Immigration implications and the ‘quiet war’ on education (Hour 2)

Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. In hour number two, Dan and Angela speak with immigration attorney Kevin Layde. The three dive deep into the controversial Kilmar Abrego Garcia case, illustrating its implications for U.S. immigration policy and constitutional law. In the final half hour of the show, Emily Tseffos joins Dan and Angela to highlight the GOP's 'quiet war' on public education in Wisconsin, critiquing inadequate funding and legislative neglect. On a lighter note to end the show, Dan and Angela hold a spirited debate over the best Girl Scout cookies, revealing stark differences in their cookie preferences. To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows [https://civicmedia.us/shows] to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CivicMediaUS/], BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/civicmedia.us], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Civic-Media-US], X [https://x.com/CivicMediaUS], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/civic_media_us/] to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Dan Shafer [https://civicmedia.us/profile/dan-shafer/], Angela Lang [https://civicmedia.us/profile/angela-lang/], Emily Tseffos [https://civicmedia.us/profile/emily-tseffos/], Kevin Layde [https://civicmedia.us/profile/kevin-layde/]

A film premiere and the race for DPW Party Chair (Hour 1)

Dan Shafer hosts the Civic Media Radio Hour! Dan is joined for the afternoon by guest co-host Angela Lang from BLOC. Dan and Angela welcome filmmakers Laura Dyan Kezman and William Howell to discuss their documentary "Cycle". The film is premiering at the Milwaukee Film Festival later this month, and delves into the tragic 2019 police shooting of 18-year-old Tyrese West in Racine, Wisconsin. The film explores systemic injustices and the historical cycle of racial violence, emphasizing the need for understanding and change. In the second half hour, Joe Zepecki joins Dan and Angela to discuss his candidacy for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair. Joe shares what his vision would be as chair, advocating for bold leadership and urgent reforms, particularly in immigration and communication strategies. Joe also urges Democrats to stand firm on their values. To learn more about this show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows [https://civicmedia.us/shows] to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CivicMediaUS/], BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/civicmedia.us], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Civic-Media-US], X [https://x.com/CivicMediaUS], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/civic_media_us/] to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Joe Zepecki [https://civicmedia.us/profile/joe-zepecki/], Dan Shafer [https://civicmedia.us/profile/dan-shafer/], Angela Lang [https://civicmedia.us/profile/angela-lang/], William Howell [https://civicmedia.us/profile/william-howell/], Laura Dyan Kezman [https://civicmedia.us/profile/laura-dyan-kezman/]

“Pawn in a billionaire’s game”: A federal worker shares her story

There’s been a whole lot happening in recent months as Donald Trump has returned to office as president, and Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has begun to take a wrecking ball to various federal agencies, making drastic cuts to the federal workforce.  Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is helping tell the stories of real people directly impacted by these layoffs. Barnes sat down with Katia Wanish, who until recently was a wetlands engineer at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which is part of the USDA. She shared her story with Barnes in this special edition of The Recombobulation Area podcast. Listen to the episode as a podcast, or watch the full video of their conversation here [https://www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/74b3936f-b980-4c9c-813e-d1cb883eadd0]. To learn more about The Recombobulation Area [https://www.therecombobulationarea.news/] and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows [https://civicmedia.us/shows] to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CivicMediaUS], BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/civicmedia.us], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Civic-Media-US], X [https://x.com/CivicMediaUS], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/civic_media_us/] to keep up with Civic Media! Guests: Dan Shafer [https://civicmedia.us/profile/dan-shafer/], Mandela Barnes [https://civicmedia.us/profile/mandela-barnes/], Katia Wanish [https://civicmedia.us/profile/katia-wanish/]

Making sense of the federal “freeze” (with Phil Rocco)

Last week, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo essentially freezing payments from the federal government. The memo was rescinded, but perhaps it's a sign of what's to come from the Trump administration. Regular Recombobulation Area contributor and Marquette University professor Phil Rocco, who has written and researched extensively on the relationship between different levels of government, joins the podcast to help make sense of what happened and what might be next. Let's recombobulate. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area. [https://www.therecombobulationarea.news/subscribe]