Podcast
365 Amplified
Hosted by Madison365 · EN
From Madison365, weekly discussion of the news for and from Wisconsin's communities of color and allies.
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Did Madison Police cause a man's death? Independent Monitor says yes.
5d ago01:26:58Tap to summarizeToday, we get caught up on a few news items -- including Madison's softball dominance, health advocates heading across the pond, and a young entrepreneur making a difference through totes -- before digging into the Office of the Independent Monitor's bombshell report on the in-custody death of Richard Lee Johnson in 2024. The report says Madison Police are responsible for his death through use of prone restraint, poor communication and negligence. Rob has seen the videos, and gives his assessment of the report and the Madison Police Department's response. Then, Madison Common Council Vice President Carmella Glenn joins us to discuss that case and zoom out to consider the OIM and why she says it must maintain its independence.
Transcribe →Remembering Michael Johnson. Plus: Meet the interns!
2w ago00:32:52Tap to summarizeIt's been a hard week in Madison. Today, Rob remembers Michael Johnson as a mover, and a vocal supporter of Madison365 and its mission to amplify voices and create a more informed community. Then, we meet the Summer 2026 class of Madison365 reporting interns, and hear about the stories they're working on: girls' flag football in Madison schools, the Madison Pubilc Market's soft launch, a youth entrepreneurship event for the Harmony Apartments community and Juneteenth in Sun Prairie. Plus, a big union vote at a Madison hospital. Follow Madison365 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Blue Sky, subscribe to our newsletter and bookmark Madison365.org to keep up with the latest. Links: St. Mary's nurses overwhelmingly vote to unionize Built from the Block brings youth entrepreneur event to Madison's East Side, offering mentorship and community engagement Madison Public Market welcomes shoppers for first "pop up" MSCR kicks off inaugural season of high school girls' flag football "A day of joy and liberation." Sun Prairie Juneteenth celebration set for June 19
Transcribe →Two Wheels, One Big Vote, and a 10.7-Second Freshman
3w ago00:19:20Tap to summarizeIt's a special, abbreviated episode of 365 Amplified as Rob and Omar welcome the first of Madison365's four summer interns to the mic. Abi Maxey makes her podcast debut and breaks down her first Madison365 story: Bikes 4 Kids Wisconsin's new "Meals on Two Wheels," an e-bike grocery delivery service partnering with the River Food Pantry to get groceries to neighbors who need them. Omar reports on Urban Triage's young adult transitional home — now one year old — and what it means for kids aging out of the foster care system, plus an update on the St. Mary's nurses' union vote set for June 11. Then Rob shares the jaw-dropping story of Waunakee freshman Ross Kidau, who may have just run the fastest 100 meters by a Wisconsin freshman ever. Plus: a call for nominations for Wisconsin's Most Influential Asian American Leaders. New episodes every Friday. Nominate someone for the Most Influential Asian American Leaders here. Read Abi's story on Meals on 2 Wheels here.
Transcribe →
Code Words and Common Sense with Rob Dz
4w ago01:02:23Tap to summarizeRob, Stephanie, and Omar are back from a little break, ready to dig into a packed week of news before sitting down with a Madison hip hop legend. The crew breaks down the Office of the Independent Monitor's report on the December arrest of Police Civilian Oversight Board chair Maia Pearson, examining the show of force, the circular logic of being arrested for resisting arrest, and why "doing right and being right are two different things." Plus: the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness is moving to a new home on the south side (targeting July 1, with a community fundraising push underway), a preview of the second Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival in Monona, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra's free centennial festival weekend. Then, Madison hip hop legend Rob Dz joins the show. Fresh off a November heart attack and open-heart surgery, he talks about getting back on stage, his upcoming July 1 performance with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at Concerts on the Square — a collaboration with the Urban Community Arts Network — and a candid conversation about barriers, "handpicked ambassadors," the end of Mad Lit, and why hip hop is so often treated as a code word in a city that calls itself progressive.
Transcribe →
It's time to Rally
May 1500:40:29Tap to summarizeMadison's new women's soccer team is in preparing for their first match next Wednesday, followed by the home opener the following Saturday. This week, Rob talked to head coach Giuliano Oliviero, goalie Malia Zillman and striker Kayla Budish about the preparations, the demands of a busy season and lots more. Plus, Madison schools are reallocating kitchen staff, which could have real implications for student nutrition. St Mary's nurses are looking to unionize, and say they're getting stiff opposition from management. Finally, the school board in Watertown voted not to allow its band to play a piece celebrating LGBTQ+ hero Marsha P. Johnson. And in our roundtable question: what objectively bad opinion could you defend in front of a jury? Bookmark Madison365.com and follow Madison365 on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram to keep up with the latest news.
Transcribe →
"A Great Day to be Black." Center for Black Excellence and Culture is open!
May 800:40:11Tap to summarizediv]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> This week: The Center for Black Excellence and Culture officially opens its doors, the Foundation for Black Women's Wellness calls for funding after proving its "Saving Our Babies" model works, Urban Triage gets into the hemp business, we remember the founder of Shabazz City High School, and Rally Madison puts together an advisory board for its players. Plus, Dr. Alex Gee's full grand opening speech, and we debate how many hats is too many hats. Stories discussed: "A great day to be Black." Center for Black Excellence and Culture celebrates grand opening — The three-story, 37,000-square-foot building on Madison's South Side held its grand opening Wednesday, featuring a theater, podcast studio, art studio, senior center, co-working space, and more. Dr. Alex Gee raised $32 million to open the center debt-free. His full speech is featured in this episode. "Saving Our Babies" initiative highlights its effectiveness in achieving better birth outcomes for Black mothers and babies — The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness held its seventh annual press conference urging the state to fund programs like ConnectRx and doula services that have shown measurable results in addressing Wisconsin's Black maternal and infant health disparities. Urban Triage launches new hemp brand, Less Noise Wellness, powered by local agriculture, sustainability, and community ownership — Urban Triage launched Less Noise Wellness, a full-spectrum organic hemp and CBD brand grown at Farley Center, in partnership with La Crosse-based Stacks Family Farms and Carbon Cannabis. The move aims to reduce the organization's reliance on government funding. Stuart Dymzarov, founder of Malcolm Shabazz City High School, dies at 81 — Dymzarov, a teacher in Madison who secured a Ford Foundation grant to start the alternative high school in 1971, passed away last week. Rally Madison announces advisory board to support player development on and off the field — The pre-professional women's soccer team announced an advisory board featuring Lauren Sesselmann, Mason Crosby, Jay DeMerit and more to provide mentorship and professional development for players. Fun stuff: The hosts riff on Rob's Chromebook going into tablet mode, Stephanie's ongoing war with Rob's 30–40 hats and shoes scattered around the house, and the group's love-hate relationship with podcast advertising.
Transcribe →
Strikes, Stories, and Bookstores with Jeff Oloizia
May 101:06:14Tap to summarizeIt's May Day, and the 365 Amplified crew digs into A Day Without Immigrants, the general strike organized by Voces de la Frontera, and why the day's meaning extends far beyond any single administration. Plus: the Madison school district moves to rename Cesar Chavez Elementary, the Center for Black Excellence and Culture prepares for its grand opening, a Middleton Mandarin teacher earns a 21-state teaching honor, and NFL offensive lineman James Daniels talks about opening a Black-owned bookstore in Sun Prairie. Then, Jeff Oloizia — former New York Times editor and Madison magazine writer — joins to preview his new podcast Writing Forward, celebrating Wisconsin's literary community. And a breaking story on a public health employee charged with drug trafficking raises questions about public trust. Links: "A Day without Immigrants" rallies will take place Friday in Madison, Milwaukee Madison will rename César Chávez Elementary School Middleton High School's Qin Tian honored with 2026 Heartland Chinese Teacher Award A New Chapter: Former Bears, Steelers lineman James Daniels, with wife Erin, opens bookstore in Sun Prairie Appeals Court Judge Pedro Colón announces bid for Wisconsin Supreme Court Takeaways from the Supreme Court's historic Voting Rights Act opinion and what's next for the midterms Public Health Madison Dane County employee arrested, charged with drug trafficking Don't forget to the subscribe to the podcast, bookmark Madison365.com, subscribe to our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Blue Sky, and Instagram for the latest.
Transcribe →
"Now That It Works, They Want to Kill It." Aeiramique Glass on the PCOB controversy
Apr 2401:23:42Tap to summarizeMadison's Common Council has new leadership — and new tensions. Sabrina Madison and Carmella Glenn make history as the first two Black women to serve as council president and vice president. Meanwhile, a proposed ordinance amendment targeting the Police Civilian Oversight Board sparks a firestorm. Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass joins us to break down what's really behind the push to rein in the office she's finally gotten up and running — and why she says the resistance started the moment oversight actually started working. Plus: an update on the CAYA Clinic AI controversy, Barrio Dance heads to America's Got Talent, and Wisconsin's Black-owned bookstores. Links: Madison Common Council delays changes to independent police monitor ordinance Org recommended to run harm reduction center falsely claimed partnerships in proposal Madison dance crew takes the stage on America's Got Talent JustDane's Jazz for Justice returns April 30 at Atwood Music Hall Bookmark Madison365.com and follow Madison365 on Facebook, Blue Sky, LinkedIn and Instagram to keep up with the latest news.
Transcribe →
Who's Building Out the Public Market — And Who's Paying?
Apr 1700:58:28Tap to summarizeThis week on 365 Amplified, Rob takes Stephanie and Omar inside the still-under-construction Madison Public Market. After 20 years, $25 million in investment, and a string of missed opening dates, Rob visited the building and found art on the walls but no vendors ready to serve. The team digs into a key question: if the market calls itself "mission driven," why are small vendors — many of them Black and brown entrepreneurs — being required to pay for their own build-outs, and why can't they choose their own contractors? Rob shares what he learned from vendors, a UW urban development expert, city officials, and Public Market CEO Keisha Harrison. Plus, Omar reports on another round of federal funding cuts hitting the Literacy Network's refugee English program, and the team covers the early start to the 2027 Supreme Court race and a shakeup atop UW Athletics. And stick around for a crossover interview from the 608 Soccer Show with Forward Madison striker Stephen Annor Gyamfi, who talks about his secret soccer stardom in Ghana, his path from UVA to the MLS draft, and why he's saving his backflip celebration for the home opener.
Transcribe →
What does Chris Taylor's win mean for the midterms?
Apr 1000:27:39Tap to summarizeThis week, the team talks through the spring election results, some surprising, some with broader implications. Then, after a few other news updates, Rob sits down with Alejandro Verdin, who ran the State Supreme Court campaign of Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whose 2023 win flipped the court from a conservative to liberal majority. Verdin has some thoughts about what Chris Taylor's win, and the larger-than-expected margin of victory, means for Wisconsin, for the two parties, and the 2026 midterm elections. Finally, the roundtable question: what did you rage quit, then quietly come back to? Learn more about Jackson's Yard Care here. Donate to support their new buiding here. Follow Madison365 on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and watch Madison365.org every day for the latest news.
Transcribe →