Podcast
Lean Local
Hosted by Civic Media · EN
Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,' hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it 'leans local' with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities. Listen Live: 7:00 am - 8:00 am Sunday
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Green Bay: Beyond Football and Cheese
3w ago00:44:00Tap to summarizeJim Schmitt talks with longtime local journalist Connie Fellman about how Green Bay has changed over time, including local media, downtown growth, education, culture, regional identity, the NFL Draft, and what a thriving Green Bay could look like over the next decade. Guest: Connie Fellman
Transcribe →Brian Johnson on Downtown Green Bay, Housing, and the Public Market
4w ago00:44:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Lean Local, Jim Schmitt sits down with Brian Johnson, director of On Broadway and former Green Bay City Council president, to examine how Green Bay has changed over the last decade and what still needs to improve. They discuss downtown development, housing demand, brownfields versus greenfields, permitting friction, truck traffic on Broadway, the Green Bay Public Market, and the effect of partisanship on local government. The conversation stays focused on a practical question: what would real progress look like for Green Bay over the next five to ten years.
Transcribe →Jennifer Grant on District 1, Development, and Green Bay Priorities
Apr 2600:43:59Tap to summarizeJennifer Grant joins Jim Schmitt to talk about what residents in Green Bay's District 1 are actually asking for: smarter development, tax restraint, better infrastructure, and more responsive city government. They cover reassessment-driven tax pressure, fire and police facility needs, homelessness and mental health service gaps, affordable housing, the push for more single-family homes, and the Red Smith development debate. Grant also addresses rising partisanship on the council, the lack of communication from the mayor's office, city transparency, Green Bay's parks system, and why she has no political ambitions beyond her current seat. The episode closes with Jim pointing listeners to the Green Bay Way podcast for continued conversation. Guest: Jennifer Grant
Transcribe →A Conversation with Jeff Mirkes
Apr 1200:44:00Tap to summarizeThis week, Jim talks with Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director of Downtown Green Bay. Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,' hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it 'leans local' with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities. Guest: Jeff Mirkes
Transcribe →All About The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
Feb 2300:42:41Tap to summarizeHere on Lean Local, we are always looking for new ways our listeners can get involved with the community. President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation Dennis Buehler joins Jim to talk about how we can all pitch in to make Green Bay a better place. Learn more about the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation at ggbcf.org. Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,' hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it 'leans local' with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities. Guest: Dennis Buehler
Transcribe →Feb 17 Primary Candidate Wrap-Up
Feb 16Tap to summarizeToday is just two days before Green Bay's nonpartisan primary election, so Jim Schmitt brings in a few more candidates to share their stories: Pete Borchardt, candidate for County Supervisor, District 10 Ben DeBaker, candidate for Alderperson, District 9 Sly Chou, candidate for Alderperson, District 9 John Schultz, candidate for County Supervisor, District 10 Head over to myvote.wi.gov for more information on the races in your district and where to vote. As the election results come in, Jim will reach back out to the candidates who advance to the general election to share a more detailed look into their platforms. Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,' hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it 'leans local' with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities. Guests: Pete Borchardt, Ben DeBaker, Sly Chou, John Schultz
Transcribe →Primaries Matter – Go Vote!
Feb 8Tap to summarizeComing up on Tuesday, February 17th is a very important primary election for the city of Green Bay. For information about what's on the ballot and where your polling place is, go to myvote.wi.gov. On this Super Bowl Sunday, former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt interviews several more candidates running in these nonpartisan races: Michael Brezinski, candidate for Alderperson in District 9 Rachael Maes, candidate for County Supervisor in District 2 William Swisher, candidate for County Supervisor in District 2 Tarl Knight, candidate for Alderperson in District 9 Dive into the heart of community issues with 'Lean Local,' hosted by former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. This refreshing political and issues program bypasses traditional left-versus-right rhetoric. Instead, it 'leans local' with insightful discussions and grassroots solutions, focusing on what truly matters in our neighborhoods and communities. Guests: Rachel Maes, Tarl Knight, Michael Brezinski, William Swisher
Transcribe →District 4 Candidates on the Future of Downtown Green Bay
Feb 100:43:59Tap to summarizeThis week on Lean Local, Jim Schmitt hosts a conversation that hits especially close to home. District 4, where Jim lives, sits at the heart of downtown Green Bay—an area where local decisions directly impact small businesses, neighborhood vitality, and the city’s future. With the primary approaching, the show brings together all three candidates running in District 4: Jessica Radunzel, Jon Shelton, and Douglas Cayer. Each candidate joins the program to share their perspective and priorities for the district. To keep things fair and informative, Jim asks each candidate the same core questions: why they’re running for office, what they hope to accomplish if elected, and how they plan to communicate with constituents. It’s a chance for voters to hear directly from the people seeking to represent them. Side by side, in their own words. Guests: Jon Shelton, Jessica Radunzel, Douglas Cayer
Transcribe →Lean Local w/ Jessica Adams
Jan 2500:44:05Tap to summarizeJim Schmitt welcomes Jessica Adams from Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization based here in Wisconsin. Jessica shares how Wisconsin Watch operates differently from traditional newsrooms. Rather than focusing on daily breaking news, the organization works to provide in-depth, missing coverage that often doesn’t find space in larger media networks. Funded through independent investment, their mission centers on strengthening journalism and filling important gaps in public understanding. Jim Schmitt and Jessica Adams The conversation also explores the role of journalism in civic life. Jessica discusses how Wisconsin Watch educates and empowers everyday citizens and why this is important for our community today. Guest: Jessica Adams
Transcribe →A Conversation with Mark Becker
Jan 1800:44:02Tap to summarizeJim Schmitt sits down with Mark Becker for a casual, wide-ranging conversation about work, politics, and the paths people take to create change. The discussion covers what each of them is focused on professionally, the issues they care most about in politics, and how they think progress actually happens—on the ground, over time, and through sustained effort. Rather than diving into policy specifics, the episode centers on motivation, values, and the realities of getting from ideas to action. It’s an informal but thoughtful exchange about where things stand today and where they’re trying to go next. Guest: Mark Becker
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