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Scaffidiology

Steve Scaffidi

WTMJ's Steve Scaffidi digs deep into all things Wisconsin, from politics, to sports, to food, & arts & culture

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Thursday · 23 min
Ep. 93 After the Blue Wave: What Happens to Trumpism?
Steve Scaffidi speaks with conservative writer James Wigderson about the Democrats’ sweeping election-night victories and what the results mean for Donald Trump, the Republican Party and the future of MAGA politics. They discuss Trump’s record, Republican accountability, the next two years of his presidency, Derek Van Orden, the future of Wisconsin conservatism and whether Democrats will use their momentum responsibly. James also shares his outlook for the future of American democracy.
Wednesday · 18 min
Ep. 92 Papua New Guinea, Wisconsin and the Power of People
On this episode of Scaffidiology, Steve Scaffidi talks with James Donald, a member of Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament, and Werner Winter, a parliamentary staff member, about government, politics and daily life in their country. They discuss Papua New Guinea’s diverse population, more than 40 political parties, access to basic services, remote communities, social media and the country’s 800 languages and 1,000-plus tribes. They also compare politics in Papua New Guinea and Wisconsin, talk about rugby and the Brewers, and explore the connections between people and governments around the world.
October 30 · 16 min
Ep. 91 Covering Wisconsin Politics: Inside the Governor’s Race
On this episode of Scaffidiology, Steve Scaffidi talks with WTMJ journalist Neil Doyle about covering Wisconsin elections and the 2026 governor’s race. They discuss the difference between reporting and commentary, getting straight answers from candidates, the role of personality versus policy, media access, debate coverage and the reliability of political polling. Neil also shares what he looks for when covering campaigns and the journalists who have influenced his work.
October 20 · 23 min
Ep. 90 Shipwrecks and Wisconsin’s Maritime History
Steve Scaffidi talks with Kevin Cullen, executive director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, about the state’s connection to the Great Lakes and the stories preserved beneath Wisconsin’s waters. Cullen discusses the USS Cobia, underwater archaeology, historic shipwrecks, artifacts recovered from Lake Michigan and the ongoing search for undiscovered wrecks. He also explains how maritime history, Native American canoes and underwater discoveries offer a deeper look at Wisconsin’s past.
October 17 · 38 min
A Matter of Faith: Faith & Politics
Faith and politics are often treated as separate worlds, but for many people, they are inseparable. In Faith in Politics, 620 WTMJ’s Steve Scaffidi speaks with faith leaders from Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish, Muslim, Pentecostal and Methodist traditions about how belief shapes public life. The series explores voting and civic responsibility, justice, immigration, religious freedom, political disagreement, polarization and the challenge of living out faith beyond a place of worship. Together, these conversations examine whether faith can help restore dignity, dialogue and unity to an increasingly divided country.
October 7 · 24 min
Ep. 89: A Matter of Faith - Murabi Muzzamil Jalaal
In the final episode of his Faith in Politics series, Steve Scaffidi speaks with Minister Jalal about the Muslim faith, service to humanity, and the importance of building bridges across religious and political divides. They discuss immigration, religious freedom, justice, political participation, generational differences, and the responsibility to stand up against injustice. Minister Jalal also explains how faith can bring people together during a time of increasing division—and why love, peace and service should transcend politics.
September 30 · 25 min
Ep. 88: Digital Divide- Psy.D Mike Zussman
Steve Scaffidi begins a new Scaffidiology series on social media with Mike Zussman , an adolescent and adult therapist. They discuss the benefits and risks of social media for young people, including cyberbullying, mental health, addictive algorithms, screen time, and the challenges parents face. The conversation also explores whether social media companies and lawmakers should do more to protect children—and why adults may be just as dependent on their phones.
September 23 · 31 min
Ep. 87: The Power of Communication
Steve Scaffidi sits down with attorney Edo Walny of Walny Legal Group for a conversation about life, career, communication, and the importance of planning for the future. Walny shares how beginning his legal career just days before 9/11 shaped his professional journey, the advice that helped guide his career, and why so few Americans have an up-to-date estate plan. He also discusses his work with families, including those caring for children and adults with special needs, and the lessons he has learned from meeting clients during some of life’s most important moments. Plus, Walny explains how he became a more confident communicator and what inspired him to pursue a career in law.
September 9 · 27 min
Ep. 86: Why the Green Bay Packers Are Unlike Any Team in Sports
Steve Scaffidi sits down with author and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson to discuss his new book, "The Green and Gold Standard: A People’s History of the Green Bay Packers." Nelson shares the personal experiences that inspired him to write the book, along with stories from more than a century of Packers history from Curly Lambeau and the team’s early struggles to Brett Favre, Reggie White, the Packers-Bears rivalry, and the generational bond shared by Packers fans. Steve and Tom Nelson also discuss what makes the Packers unlike any other franchise in professional sports, including the team’s small-town roots, fan ownership, and role as a civic institution in Wisconsin. Nelson explains why the Packers’ future may depend on how the NFL addresses private equity and guaranteed contracts and why preserving the team’s unique identity matters so much. “Now I know why the Packers are so special. That’s what really drove me to write this book.”
August 26 · 16 min
Ep. 85: African Journalists Share Powerful Stories
Steve Scaffidi had a chance to sit down with three African journalists through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to discuss their home countries and why journalism matters not only in the United States, but across the globe. Abubakair Sadiq Sulemana, from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation; Sandrine Butera, from the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency; and Cassandra Zungu from South African Broadcasting Cooperation joined Steve for a fascinating conversation about their home countries and what inspired them to get into journalism. "I've seen what the media can do. People listen to the radio; they see you, as a voice when you say something; they believe in it. So really, I know the power of the media."
August 19 · 29 min
Ep. 84: A Matter of Faith - Pastor Tim Peters
What role should faith play in politics—and what responsibility do people of faith have as American citizens? Steve Scaffidi sits down with Pastor Tim Peters of Parkway Church in Oak Creek for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, culture, politics and the importance of meaningful dialogue. Pastor Peters shares his unconventional path into ministry, how his experiences outside the church shaped his approach as a pastor and why listening is often just as important as preaching. He also explains why he believes Christians have a responsibility to vote, how he approaches political disagreements within his own congregation and why he welcomes elected leaders from across the political spectrum into his church. The conversation also explores the division in American politics, the importance of integrity in public life, how faith can provide stability in a changing culture and why conversations with people who disagree with us still matter.
July 29 · 29 min
Ep. 83: A Matter of Faith - Catholic Fr. Tim Kitzke
In the fourth episode of “A Matter of Faith,” a special series from The Scaffidiology Podcast, host Steve Scaffidi sits down with Father Tim Kitzke, a Catholic priest who has served southeastern Wisconsin for more than 37 years. Father Kitzke shares his perspective on the relationship between faith and politics, explaining why he believes political division can become a barrier to both faith and community. He discusses how he approaches preaching, encourages meaningful dialogue, and challenges people to live out their beliefs beyond the walls of the church. Together, Scaffidi and Father Kitzke explore fundamental questions facing faith communities today: How much should politics influence faith? And is there a disconnect between what people hear in worship and how they practice those values in everyday life?
July 15 · 24 min
Ep. 82: Behind the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders with Anne E. Schwartz
Veteran journalist, author, and longtime 620 WTMJ contributor Anne Schwartz joins Steve Scaffidi on the latest episode of The Scaffidiology Podcast. Best known for breaking the story of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in 1991 and authoring Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders, Schwartz discusses her newest venture: Explain Yourself, her Substack newsletter that goes beyond the headlines to explore the human stories behind crime, law enforcement, and public service. Drawing on decades of experience in journalism and communications, Schwartz reflects on what she's learned from covering some of Wisconsin's biggest stories, why the truth is often more complicated than the headlines suggest, and how the moments that never make the news can be the most revealing of all.
July 1 · 32 min
Ep. 81 - Exploring Life Itself with Evolutionary Biologist Dr. Tony Gamble
Why are there so many different versions of the same animal? And how did evolution shape the incredible diversity of life on Earth? On this week's Scaffidiology Podcast, Steve Scaffidi sits down with Dr. Tony Gamble, professor of biology at Marquette University, for a fascinating conversation about evolutionary biology. From dinosaurs and Darwin to the ongoing pace of evolution, Dr. Gamble explains the science behind how species change over time and what makes Earth's biodiversity so extraordinary. Drawing from his own research on lizards and snakes, Dr. Gamble offers an accessible look at the evolutionary processes that continue to shape the natural world. Put on your thinking cap and get ready to see evolution in a whole new way.
June 17 · 34 min
Ep. 80: From Oak Creek to On-Air - It's Scaffidiology in Reverse
This week on The Scaffidiology Podcast, the tables are turned. For the first time, Steve Scaffidi leaves the interviewer’s chair and becomes the guest as ESPN Wisconsin’s Alex Strouf takes listeners through the remarkable personal and professional journey that shaped one of Wisconsin’s most recognizable voices. From growing up in southeastern Wisconsin and attending UW-Milwaukee to career stops in San Francisco and Chicago, Steve reflects on the experiences that defined his path. The conversation also explores his return home, his years in public service, and his tenure as Mayor of Oak Creek, including leading the community through the tragic 2012 Sikh Temple shooting. Steve also shares how he unexpectedly found his way into broadcasting, the lessons he learned along the way, and the importance of family, resilience, and the support of his wife throughout his journey. From city hall to the radio studio, this special episode offers a rare and candid look at the life behind the microphone.
June 3 · 33 min
Ep. 79: The Freestyle and Creative Life of Greg Marshall
The latest episode of The Scaffidiology Podcast goes full breakbeat and turntablism with Greg Marshall — Emmy-winning storyteller, branding expert, performer, and creative force. Marshall joins Steve Scaffidi for a fast-paced, wide-ranging conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and the unlikely ways hip hop culture has influenced his personal and professional life. A father of four daughters, Marshall shares how storytelling, performance, and innovation have shaped his approach to everything from the arts to the corporate world. From his one-man show, "Greg Marshall Pops Out of the Trees," to helping organizations better understand their people and purpose, Marshall has built a career that defies easy categorization.
May 20 · 38 min
Ep. 78: Two lawyers explain the DOJ's "talent drain"
This week on The Scaffidiology Podcast, Steve Scaffidi goes deep into the legal and political issues shaping the country with two of Milwaukee’s most respected legal minds: former U.S. Attorney James Santelle and attorney Matt O’Neill. From the current state of the U.S. Department of Justice to recent efforts challenging long-standing Supreme Court precedents, the conversation covers some of the most consequential legal debates in America today. Santelle and O’Neill discuss what they describe as a “talent drain” within the DOJ, the evolution of executive power, and the legal theories shaping today’s political landscape. The discussion also examines recent Supreme Court battles over redistricting, voting rights, and election law — including the Louisiana redistricting case and broader national disputes over voting access and constitutional authority. It’s a wide-ranging and thought-provoking legal edition of Scaffidiology.
May 6 · 31 min
Ep. 77: Dr Howard Fuller on the Education Marshall Plan
On this episode of The Scaffidiology Podcast, Steve Scaffidi is joined by Colleston Morgan, Executive Director of City Forward Collective, and Dr. Howard Fuller, Marquette University Professor Emeritus and former Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent, for a critical conversation about the future of education in Milwaukee. Focusing on Milwaukee’s north side and a recent CFC report, the discussion explores how the city — and Wisconsin as a whole — have fallen behind nationally in education outcomes. Dr. Fuller calls for what he describes as an “education Marshall Plan,” emphasizing that solutions must be built for today’s realities, not the past. From rightsizing and reinvestment to accountability across all sectors — including public, charter, and private schools — the conversation highlights the complexity of improving educational outcomes in a diverse urban environment. As Morgan notes, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for Milwaukee’s students.
April 23 · 19 min
Ep. 76: Why Does Q Exist?
Ever wonder where the 26 letters of the alphabet came from — or how English became the world’s lingua franca? Linguist and author Danny Bate joins Steve Scaffidi on The Scaffidiology Podcast for a fascinating, history-filled conversation about language and the building blocks of how we communicate. Bate, author of Why Q Needs U: A History of Our Letters and How We Use Them, explores how the alphabet evolved — and how something so familiar quietly shapes the way we think, read, and interact every day. It’s an engaging and insightful look at one of humanity’s most essential tools.
April 8 · 12 min
Ep. 75: A new host has joined forces with Rose Gray!
Travel expert Rose Gray returns to The Scaffidiology Podcast to talk all things travel with Steve Scaffidi, including an exciting new chapter in the growing partnership between WTMJ and Fox World Travel. The latest announcement? Julia Fello, host of Wisconsin’s Afternoon News, is joining the lineup of WTMJ personalities leading listener trips with the new “British Crown Experience” — a journey exploring the history, culture, and fascination with British royalty. Having traveled to the U.K. many times, Rose shares insight into why Americans remain captivated by British culture — along with practical advice for international travelers, including one key tip: make sure your technology and connectivity are set before you go. Whether you’re dreaming of your next trip or already packing your bags, this episode is full of inspiration and helpful tips.

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