It’s been a big year here at City Cast Madison! I’m wrapping up my first full year as newsletter editor and Jade Iseri-Ramos is finishing her first year as producer. It’s been a momentous year full of fascinating podcasts and fun newsletter articles, and we’re taking a look back as 2025 wraps up.
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, the team remembers some of the biggest stories we covered in 2025, from good news to troubling trends.
Here’s some of my personal favorites of the things I’ve written this year in the Madison Minutes newsletter and the podcast episodes that have stuck with me. Think of it as my own personal City Cast Madison Wrapped!
🎧 Favorite Podcast Episodes!
Madison’s Naughty or Nice List
Just in time for the holidays, host Bianca Martin and WORT host Ali Muldrow got into it about who in Madison deserves presents from Santa and who deserves a lump of coal. Their verdicts may surprise you!
The Best and Worst of Madison’s Dating Scene
Bianca and executive producer Hayley Sperling hit the streets to find out from YOU what the single life in Madison is really all about, and shared some of their own personal war stories.
Your Guide to Fall Birding in Madison
It’s always a delight when we have the “Wisco Birder” Dexter Patterson on the show to talk not just about Wisconsin birds, but how birding could improve your life even if you never see a bird!
Our Interview With Governor Evers
It was a real treat for the team to sit down with Gov. Tony Evers in his office after he announced he would be retiring next year, to both look back on his two terms and look forward to what he’s doing next.
Who’s Got The Best Ice Cream in Madison?
Our jobs are really hard, you guys. Especially when we gathered in-studio to sample over a dozen different kinds of locally-made ice cream and custard and rank our faves. We do it for you.
The Best Restaurants You’ll Never Go To Again
City Cast Madison listeners joined us in waxing nostalgic about the local restaurants, bars and coffee shops that live on only in our memories. Jolly Bob’s, we hardly knew ya.
✍️ Favorite Madison Minutes Articles!
The “I Hate Halloween” Halloween Guide
Once a friend of mine confessed that she hated Halloween, I had to write this guide to things going on during Spooky Season that weren’t in the least bit spooky.
For a UW Professor, Making Maps Was Hobbit Forming
As a lifelong D&D fan, I had a great time visiting this collection of extraordinarily-detailed fantasy maps created by a late UW professor.
The House on the Rock is Even Crazier Than You Think
After 26 years in Madison, I finally visited the bizarre attraction near Spring Green, and tried to describe just how weird and haunting it really is. I still haven’t fully recovered.
What To Do With Your Parents When They Visit Madison
I actually used my own guide when my dad visited last fall, which includes ideas for things to do with your parents whether they’re active, history-minded, or just want to hang loose and party.
The Real Dirt on UW-Madison’s ‘Poet Laureate of Soil Sciences’
I went down a real rabbit “hole” to learn about the late UW professor Francis Hole, who toured Wisconsin using original parody songs and puppets to teach people about the magic of Badger soil.
The Best Events in Madison That Won’t Keep You Out Late
Another guide that I got personal use out of, this was for all the other early-to-bed, early-to-risers out there, whether they wanted to see an early comedy show or enjoy a happy hour.
