Did you know that if you read just 10-15 minutes a day, you can read 10-15 books a year?! A pair of Milwaukee men are making sure access to those books is easier than ever. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh sits down with the co-founders of Helium Books, Ian Buchanan and Jacob Carlson. They launched the book delivery system back in 2019. Helium Books brings your favorite titles right to your doorstep and (for now) it's free of charge. You'll learn why Buchanan and Carlson quit their respective careers to pursue Helium Books. Plus, you'll get a list of recommended reads for all ages and interests.

Deff-initely Milwaukee

Helium Books Co-Founders Ian Buchanan and Jacob Carlson

This couldn't be a podcast in America's Dairyland without some focus on cheese. Many of us eat it and love it, but how much do we actually know about cheese? In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with George Crave. He's the head cheesemaker and one of four brothers behind Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo. George has traveled the world studying the art and science behind the process and now Crave Brothers makes some of the best mozzarella, curds, and more. In this episode, you'll learn some of the secrets behind cheese production, the best and weirdest cheeses Crave has tasted, and how they can power the entire farm and factory with manure. 

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese's George Crave

During the pandemic, non-profits like Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin have provided lifesaving food and resources for more and more people in need. The person coordinating the efforts to tackle hunger is President and CEO Patti Habeck. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh sits down with Patti to talk about the road to solving food insecurity. You'll also learn how an interest in Game Theory helped Patti prepare for the pandemic and the increasing number of people getting help for the first time. Plus, Patti tells us about a magical childhood experience at the MECCA and how she ended up in a car with Johnny Cash.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's Patti Habeck

It certainly was a wild year for the Milwaukee Bucks -- from life in 'The Bubble,' to one of the greatest moments in Bucks history when Giannis Antetokounmpo committed to Milwaukee long-term. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with Bucks sideline reporter, Zora Stephenson. Zora shares why she wasn't surprised the Greek Freak signed that huge contract and her favorite personal story from covering the two-time MVP. She introduces us to some new faces on this year's roster and explains how strange it is to cover games in a mostly-empty Fiserv Forum. Plus, you'll learn about Zora's background as a baller and growing up in a world of DC politics.

Bucks Sideline Reporter Zora Stephenson

Picture this: You're working with tens of thousands of farmers around the world who rely on your company for their livelihoods. Imagine handling all that at the ripe age of 23. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with Josh Shefner, founder and CEO of Agricycle Global, a Milwaukee-based group that helps women in Africa and the Caribbean produce dried fruit that's sold here in the U.S. While you may not recognize the name, Shefner has an incredible story. You'll learn how a college project at MSOE turned into his life's work. 

Agricycle Global's Josh Shefner

It's a problem that's plagued southeast Wisconsin for a while and this year's pandemic has only inflated the number of people in our community who are hungry. Ever since Sherrie Tussler became Executive Director of Hunger Task Force in 1997, she's never experienced a year like this. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh sits down with Tussler to talk about how COVID-19 has affected Hunger Task Force. Tussler explains how her small crew has risen to the challenge and one of the good things she hopes comes out of this pandemic. You'll also learn what hot pepper-loving gorillas have to do with the Hunger Task Force Farm.

Hunger Task Force's Sherrie Tussler

A bright light in the dark. There have been plenty of challenges in 2020, but one dream in particular, became reality for one of Milwaukee's most influential voices. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with Ian Abston. Ian and his partners completed a four-year journey to light the entire Hoan Bridge with thousands of state-of-the-art LEDs that put on a show each and every night. But a beautiful sight isn't all this bridge offers -- Carl and Ian talk about the impact this project could have on attracting people to Milwaukee. You'll also learn about how Ian first got involved in the city and shares a few great stories about a New Year's Eve party that didn't quite go as planned at the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the one time he picked up a hitchhiker in the rain, only to find out if was one of Milwaukee's biggest names. Plus, you'll hear how the pandemic could make Brew City the next 'it' destination.

Light the Hoan's Ian Abston

He's a grad student from India who fell in love with Milwaukee. Sharad Chadha went all in when he bought Sprecher Brewing back in January, becoming the President and CEO. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with Chadha about buying the company from the founder of Milwaukee's first craft brewery. Chadha walks us through the ways COVID-19 changed business almost immediately. Another topic in the episode: hard seltzers. Chadha explains why those hard seltzers are here to stay and the lifeline they've given Sprecher Brewing. You'll also learn about the efforts to make Sprecher a national name.

Sprecher Brewing's Sharad Chadha

In an effort to keep players, staff, and fans safe and healthy as they finish up its interrupted season, the NBA has created the Bubble. While the rest of us watch from hundreds of miles away DJ Shawna is right in the middle of the most fascinating sports experiment of 2020. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with Shawna Nicols. Nicols grew up in Milwaukee and played basketball in high school, at Wisconsin for college, and went on to play professionally overseas. She has also become one of the top entertainers in Brew City, as the Official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Wisconsin Badgers, and more. You'll learn what life is actually like in the Bubble, how it felt to open for Lizzo at Summerfest and the inspiration behind her #DareToBe brand.

Milwaukee Bucks DJ Shawna Nicols

He transitioned from a career in architecture to making things happen with a microphone. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh chats with 88Nine Radio Milwaukee's Tarik Moody. Moody who left Minnesota for Milwaukee, talks about the risk he took on a new station in a new city. The pair talk about how the radio station adapted amid the coronavirus pandemic while still serving the community. Moody also shares his thoughts on the ongoing protests in Milwaukee and cities across the U.S. following the death of George Floyd. You'll also hear some of Moody's favorite foods, video games, best building in Milwaukee, and new music artists you need to know.

88Nine Radio Milwaukee's Tarik Moody

It's time to (finally) talk baseball! Like everyone else in 2020, the Milwaukee Brewers had to press pause when MLB suspended its season in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh checks in with Sophia Minnaert to find out what we should expect from a 60-game slate that comes with plenty of rule changes and new faces on the roster. Minnaert has been part of the broadcast team on Fox Sports Wisconsin since 2013. She also has an interesting background -- growing up as the daughter of a high school football coach in Madison and fluent in Spanish thanks to her Costa Rican mom. She also has plenty of good stories about Christian Yelich, Bob Uecker and more. 

Milwaukee Brewers Reporter Sophia Minnaert

Just three months ago, COVID-19 forced schools across Wisconsin to shut down and shift to distance learning. How do you make the move to online schooling when many of your 78,000 students don't have access to the internet and 80% are economically disadvantaged? That was the challenge facing Milwaukee Public Schools amid the pandemic and it's something Wendell Willis is still focusing on. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with the Executive Director of the MPS Foundation. As the former Chief Operating Officer for the district, Willis explains the way MPS got food, materials, and technology to students most in need. The pair also talk about the #ConnectMilwaukee program that aims to level the playing field by providing high-speed WiFi to students, and training and support to teachers. Plus, in the midst of protests over racial injustice, Willis shares his message for young demonstrators and his own experiences as a black man coaching soccer in the suburbs.

MPS Foundation's Wendell Willis

A symbol of strength and hope roaring through America's skies. Proud Wisconsin native, Maj. Michelle Curran, went into pilot training with no flight experience. Now, she breaks the mold as just the fifth female pilot in the history of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh talks with Maj. Curran from her home base in Las Vegas. Hear how COVID-19 shifted the team's mission, what it's actually like to withstand that wild gravitational force while pulling off harrowing maneuvers, and how she hopes to be an inspiration to the next generation of young pilots. And yes, there's a 'Top Gun' question or two. 

USAF Thunderbirds Pilot Maj. Michelle Curran

Back in March, Alex Lasry found out the COVID-19 pandemic had not only canceled his wedding but also put his team's pursuit of a championship on hold. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Carl Deffenbaugh chats with the Bucks Senior VP about what it will take for the NBA season to resume and how, even if the Democratic National Convention goes virtual, it can still turn Milwaukee into a major player on the national and global stage. You'll also hear about Lasry's time working in the Obama White House and his favorite restaurant takeout during this time of social distancing.

Milwaukee Bucks Senior VP Alex Lasry

When you're a man with big ideas, it helps to have an MVP or two on speed dial. A self-described 'people person,' Omar Shaikh is one of the most connected people in Milwaukee. Partner in SURG Restaurant Group, the new 3rd Street Market Hall, Chairman of the Board for VISIT Milwaukee, and the list goes on and on. In this episode of Deff-initely Milwaukee, Shaikh talks about all those things, plus how amid a pandemic, he reached out to two big Milwaukee sports stars who stepped up in a big way to help front line workers. Shaikh also opens up about the very sobering numbers for not only his restaurant, Carnevor, but the industry as a whole.

SURG Restaurant Group's Omar Shaikh

FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh gets the inside conversations with the movers and shakers that put our slice of Wisconsin on the map in the worlds of entertainment, business, sports and more.

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Deff-initely Milwaukee

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