Podcast
365 Amplified
Hosted by Madison365 · EN
From Madison365, weekly discussion of the news for and from Wisconsin's communities of color and allies.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Code Words and Common Sense with Rob Dz
5d 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.
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It's time to Rally
3w ago00:40:29Tap 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.
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"A Great Day to be Black." Center for Black Excellence and Culture is open!
4w ago00:40:11Tap 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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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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.
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Four Generations, One Million Dollars
Mar 2000:53:55Tap to summarizeIt's the season finale! (Not really.) Rob and Omar preview the sixth annual Most Influential Native American Leaders list, then discuss Hydrate IV Bar, a new hydration therapy franchise opening in Madison. St. Paul Mayor Mee Moua visits Madison as the Hmong community marks the 50th anniversary of the Hmong American diaspora. The guys dig into a Wisconsin Watch investigation on data center job claims, celebrate Middleton teens behind Meals Matter earning national recognition, and discuss the fallout from Cesar Chavez allegations. Then, Diane Endres-Ballweg joins to talk 100 years of Endres Manufacturing, $1 million in foundation grants, and the upcoming "Year of the Kids." Plus: a rough day for Madison sports.
Transcribe →"Stand up. Be a man." A talk with Congressional candidate Lorenzo Santos
Mar 1300:29:45Tap to summarizeToday, Rob talks through a few news items before welcoming Lorenzo Santos, a Navy vet and Racine County emergency management director running for Congress in Wisconsin's First Congressional District. Links: SEIU press conference Madison Black Chamber Eras Ball preview Forward Madison season preview 608 Soccer podcast with Mark Segbergs
Transcribe →"Some of my best friends are dead"
Mar 600:46:55Tap to summarizeOn this week's 365 Amplified, Omar and Rob talk through the new initiatives of Improve Your Tomorrow, a program targetted at students of color in Madison that we first reported on a few weeks ago which has now expanded into Verona and which will host an information session next week. Then, they go over the latest polling on the race for Wisconsin governor. Next up, Tony Castañeda joins to talk about his run for State Assembly, his long history in leftist politics and social justice, and what he brings to the race as a musician. Finally, a bit about the upcoming Forward Madison season. Read Omar's reporting on Improve Your Tomorrow here and here. Check out the Marquette University polling here. Listen to the latest Black Oxygen here and 608 Soccer here.
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