https://wisconsinlife.org/ From PBS Wisconsin and WPR Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:24:56 -0500 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://wisconsinlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/wilife-logo-state-1-45x45.png https://wisconsinlife.org/ 32 32 noFrom PBS Wisconsin and WPR https://wisconsinlife.org/story/my-promise-to-august-reflections-on-living-in-the-moment/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:00:34 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=25471 noWellness books and self-care social media accounts often stress the importance of "living in the moment." But, what if you're just not that into the current moment? How do you approach things more positively? Journalist Olivia Herken has been thinking about this a lot lately, specifically when it comes to her least favorite month: August.Wellness books and self-care social media accounts often stress the importance of "living in the moment." But, what if you're just not that into the current moment? How do you approach things more positively? Journalist Olivia Herken has been thinking about this a lot lately, specifically when it comes to her least favorite month: August.appreciation, autumn, fall, life, living, love, summer https://wisconsinlife.org/story/women-behind-the-bar-a-brief-history-of-wisconsins-bartenders/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:00:04 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=21872 noWisconsin has one of the highest concentrations of bartenders in the country, employing more than 24,000 bartenders. A good percentage of them are women. But as writer Patti See tells us, that hasn’t always been the case.  == Women Behind the Bar Few of us bar lovers realize it took until 1970 for women to legallyWisconsin has one of the highest concentrations of bartenders in the country, employing more than 24,000 bartenders. A good percentage of them are women. But as writer Patti See tells us, that hasn’t always been the case.  == Women Behind the Bar Few of us bar lovers realize it took until 1970 for women to legallyalcohol, bar, bartender, beer, business, Chippewa Falls, female, small business, women https://wisconsinlife.org/story/the-most-secret-home-on-earth-kimberlys-pao-lor-for-home-is-here/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=21852 noHow do you define home if you’ve grown up in multiple places? It’s a question Pao Lor of Kimberly has grappled with for years. So, he went to visit his first home for clarity.  He shares his story as part of the “Home Is Here” project, which amplifies the voices of the growing number of Black,How do you define home if you’ve grown up in multiple places? It’s a question Pao Lor of Kimberly has grappled with for years. So, he went to visit his first home for clarity.  He shares his story as part of the “Home Is Here” project, which amplifies the voices of the growing number of Black,family, Hmong, home, Home Is Here, Kimberly, laos, mother, sister, son, stories, travel https://wisconsinlife.org/story/driving-the-culture-eric-ramos-and-the-lowriders-of-milwaukee/ Thu, 15 Aug 2024 18:00:17 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=25477 noEric Ramos is pointing out a few lowrider favorites at the World of Wheels, Milwaukee’s first car show of the year in early 2024. "'54 Belair. '35 Packard, '60 Impala. A '48 Fleetline German Helmet," he said with a smile. "'66 Caprice. '80 Deville Cadillac — it's the baddest Cadillac in the Southside, right? StreetEric Ramos is pointing out a few lowrider favorites at the World of Wheels, Milwaukee’s first car show of the year in early 2024. "'54 Belair. '35 Packard, '60 Impala. A '48 Fleetline German Helmet," he said with a smile. "'66 Caprice. '80 Deville Cadillac — it's the baddest Cadillac in the Southside, right? Streetcar, cars, culture, driver, family, lowrider, Milwaukee https://wisconsinlife.org/story/wrapping-up-concerts-on-the-square-with-home-to-madison-just-off-highway-51/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:55 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=21700 noPicture this: you're sitting on a blanket on the Capitol Lawn in Madison. It's a warm summer evening, and you're listening to beautiful classical music.  You're feeling very fancy, sipping wine and eating cheese. But at the end of the concert, when you start to pack up your blanket, a song with a very differentPicture this: you're sitting on a blanket on the Capitol Lawn in Madison. It's a warm summer evening, and you're listening to beautiful classical music.  You're feeling very fancy, sipping wine and eating cheese. But at the end of the concert, when you start to pack up your blanket, a song with a very differentcapitol, classical music, composer, concert, Madison, music, music composer, musician, musicians, orchestra, song, songwriter https://wisconsinlife.org/story/how-to-be-beautiful-a-lesson-from-mom/ Fri, 08 May 2026 10:00:39 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=21413 noMany of us are grateful for everything our mothers taught us. For Jana Rose Schleis, she’s thankful that her mom — Betty Schleis of Two Creeks, Wisconsin — taught her how to be beautiful. == I learned how to be a woman from my mom. What I mean is, I learned how to express myMany of us are grateful for everything our mothers taught us. For Jana Rose Schleis, she’s thankful that her mom — Betty Schleis of Two Creeks, Wisconsin — taught her how to be beautiful. == I learned how to be a woman from my mom. What I mean is, I learned how to express mybeauty, daughter, family, growing, love, mom, mother, mother's day https://wisconsinlife.org/story/all-i-have-to-do-is-dream-remembering-iconic-songwriters-felice-and-boudleaux-bryant/ Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:12 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=23095 noWisconsin isn’t typically thought of as being at the heart of country music, but did you know that half of one of country’s greatest songwriting duos is from Milwaukee? As Justin Barney tells us, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and co-wrote “Rocky Top,” the state song ofWisconsin isn’t typically thought of as being at the heart of country music, but did you know that half of one of country’s greatest songwriting duos is from Milwaukee? As Justin Barney tells us, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and co-wrote “Rocky Top,” the state song ofcountry, couple, family, love, marriage, Milwaukee, music, Nashville, song, songs, songwriter, songwriters, team https://wisconsinlife.org/story/the-fastest-girl-drummer-in-the-world-celebrating-wisconsins-viola-smith/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:05 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=22880 noDrummer Viola Smith was a musical trailblazer and innovator. Known as "the fastest girl drummer in the world," her career lasted almost 100 years. Author Dean Robbins took a trip to her hometown in Fond du Lac County to tell us more about this legend. He's also written a children’s picture book about the musician,Drummer Viola Smith was a musical trailblazer and innovator. Known as "the fastest girl drummer in the world," her career lasted almost 100 years. Author Dean Robbins took a trip to her hometown in Fond du Lac County to tell us more about this legend. He's also written a children’s picture book about the musician,children's books, drum, drummer, drums, family, history, Mount Calvary, music, musician, Sisters, women https://wisconsinlife.org/food-traditions/mandaamin-naboob/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:51 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=food_traditions&p=22582 noCorn has been growing for thousands of years across North America, and tribes have been making corn soup for generations. Each tribe has their own method and strain of corn for cooking this traditional dish. Sarah Gordon Altiman, or Niigaanosekwe in Ojibwe, is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She also has ties to the Fond du Lac Band in Minnesota, and she’s making a Potawatomi-style corn soup handed down from her husband Vern’s family.Corn has been growing for thousands of years across North America, and tribes have been making corn soup for generations. Each tribe has their own method and strain of corn for cooking this traditional dish. Sarah Gordon Altiman, or Niigaanosekwe in Ojibwe, is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She also has ties to the Fond du Lac Band in Minnesota, and she’s making a Potawatomi-style corn soup handed down from her husband Vern’s family. https://wisconsinlife.org/story/the-stars-lined-up-reflecting-on-wisconsins-first-high-school-girls-basketball-championship/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:35 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=21978 noPrior to 1972 girls didn't always have the opportunity to play sports at school. But the passage of Title IX changed that. It paved the way for Manitowoc’s Roncalli High School girls basketball team to become the sport's first state champions in 1975. Two former teammates talked with one another about that experience as partPrior to 1972 girls didn't always have the opportunity to play sports at school. But the passage of Title IX changed that. It paved the way for Manitowoc’s Roncalli High School girls basketball team to become the sport's first state champions in 1975. Two former teammates talked with one another about that experience as partbasketball, champion, friends, girls, high school, Manitowoc, sports, StoryCorps, team, teams, title ix, women https://wisconsinlife.org/story/from-cuba-to-la-crosse-ernes-story-from-wpr-reports-uprooted/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:30:05 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=34307 no(Editor's note: This is the script for the "Wisconsin Life" animation "WPR Reports: Uprooted, Erne's story" from PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio.) In the summer of 1980, Ernesto Rodriquez stood on the shores of the Port of Mariel. He was about to board a fishing boat with 80 other people and leave the only(Editor's note: This is the script for the "Wisconsin Life" animation "WPR Reports: Uprooted, Erne's story" from PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio.) In the summer of 1980, Ernesto Rodriquez stood on the shores of the Port of Mariel. He was about to board a fishing boat with 80 other people and leave the onlyCuba, exile, family, food, Fort McCoy, immigration, La Crosse, refugee, Uprooted https://wisconsinlife.org/story/cool-like-that-artist-sedella-yancey-on-her-blossoming-musical-journey/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:00:43 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=31917 noWhen radio producer Alexandra Salmon first saw Sedella Yancey rap at a summer night concert in Madison in 2023, she was mesmerized by the musician's stage presence and her talent at such a young age. She was performing the classic Digable Planets' song "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" with the Adem Tesfaye Band. YanceyWhen radio producer Alexandra Salmon first saw Sedella Yancey rap at a summer night concert in Madison in 2023, she was mesmerized by the musician's stage presence and her talent at such a young age. She was performing the classic Digable Planets' song "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" with the Adem Tesfaye Band. Yanceyart, concert, Madison, music, musician, rap, rapper, youth https://wisconsinlife.org/story/why-an-eau-claire-writer-picked-up-geocaching-to-stay-connected-to-her-sister/ Tue, 22 Jul 2025 17:00:10 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=31884 noHave 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, wasHave 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, wasAdventure, death, Eau Claire, family, geocaching, grief, grieving, hiking, nature, outdoors, sister https://wisconsinlife.org/story/1979-one-quarters-unexpected-odyssey/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:00:32 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=31797 noWhen’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.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.Adventure, coin, imagination, money, odyssey, road trip, writer https://wisconsinlife.org/story/im-rich-in-my-heart-how-a-music-photographer-forged-his-own-educational-path/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:00:56 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=27979 no"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."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.brother, education, music, photography, Rock n Roll, school, siblings, sister, StoryCorps https://wisconsinlife.org/story/dutchs-auto-service-empowers-women-embraces-transparency-car-care/ Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=27816 noThe 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.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.automotive mechanic, automotive repair, business, business owner, car, car mechanic, car repair, cars, Madison, small business, trades https://wisconsinlife.org/story/the-flax-to-linen-dream-weaves-its-way-into-wisconsin/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:00:09 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=27593 noLeslie 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.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.agrculture, art, clothes, clothing, farm, farming, fashion, fiber, linen, local, local food, Madison, sustainable, textile https://www.wpr.org/news/blue-moon-ice-cream-invented-in-wisconsin Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:00:19 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=27626 noBlue moon ice cream is a staple at roadside shops throughout the Upper Midwest. But where did this Smurf-colored treat come from? And what explains its long-standing appeal? WPR's Sarah Lehr brings us the scoop from an ice cream shop in Columbus as part of our Wisconsin Road Trip series .Blue moon ice cream is a staple at roadside shops throughout the Upper Midwest. But where did this Smurf-colored treat come from? And what explains its long-standing appeal? WPR's Sarah Lehr brings us the scoop from an ice cream shop in Columbus as part of our Wisconsin Road Trip series .Columbis, dairy, food, ice cream, road trip, sweets, travel, treat https://wisconsinlife.org/story/from-parish-festivals-to-the-mlb-meet-wisconsin-polka-master-mike-schneider/ Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:30:43 +0000 https://wisconsinlife.org/?post_type=story&p=27532 noLearn 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.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.accordion, Brown Deer, Milwaukee, music, musician, polka