ALL GUESTS

Episode 213 - Content Machine

The viral comedy account Content Machine goes way back. In fact, the co-creators Mike Mazzitelli and Tyler John Perry met in the third grade in Hopkins, Minnesota. When the pandemic left them with nothing to do, they took a leap of faith and turned their lifelong hobby of making videos together into their full time jobs. From hanging out together as kids, to attending college 10 miles apart, and now to being roommates in Los Angeles, they’ve never left each others’ sides. This week on the Cripescast, Charlie joins them at their home to swap childhood stories, discuss Midwest dads, and compare California to Minnesota. Mike shares what he misses the most about the Midwest and Tyler explains how living in LA has changed his style.

Episode 212 - LeRoy Butler Returns... Again!

LeRoy Butler can’t stay away from the Cripescast for too long. Returning for his fourth podcast appearance, the NFL Hall of Famer and former Green Bay Packer joins Charlie in the studio once again. With football season officially here, the two talk all things Packers. They cover everything from Jordan Love to the season opener in Brazil to the importance of the “Mr. Irrelevant” title in the NFL draft. In true LeRoy fashion, he offers up life advice and explains how he keeps his positive attitude regardless of life circumstances. Beyond that, he and Charlie share behind the scenes stories from shooting LeRoy’s soon to be released cooking show and we even learn LeRoy’s biggest pet peeve (hint: it’s leftovers).

Episode 211 - Husbands of Target

The Husbands of Target are back. This week, Taylor Calmus, Penn Holderness, and Myles Montplaisir join the show for a reunion episode of the Cripescast. The boys get cozy in Charlie’s hotel room to reflect on their 2020 viral sketch and how it led them to shooting national advertisements with Target this year. No topic goes untouched as they debate things like the pros and cons of sheet cake, if AI will destroy the world, and whether babies are color blind. They also share what makes ‘em go “Cripes!” with answers ranging from Chipotle orders to obscene throw pillows.

Episode 210 - Don Davey

Most people know Don Davey as a former defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. But that’s only where his list of accomplishments begins. After earning his Master’s of Engineering at UW Madison and getting drafted by the Packers in 1991, he played for a total of 9 seasons in the NFL. Don’s transition out of pro football felt like losing a sense of his identity, but he explains that it motivated him to find meaning in other areas of life. Since then, he’s explored entrepreneurship and business, owning Firehouse Subs franchises in Wisconsin and Florida, as well as his own financial consulting firm. He’s dabbled in real estate, completed 13 IronMan triathlons, and currently spends his spare time coaching his daughters in flag football and participating in charity bike rides. Don joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week to discuss the changing landscape of college football, the charities he’s passionate about, and his Friday fish fry pet peeves.

Episode 209 - Nate Russ

Comedian Nate Russ’ hard work is paying off. After 10 years of creating content, Nate’s comedy series “Buggin” recently went viral and transformed his career into something he never imagined. With the first video earning over 25 million views on Instagram alone, and its sequels not far behind, he’s taking the opportunity to capitalize on the momentum. Comedy wasn’t always his goal though. Not knowing what he wanted to do with his life after high school Nate joined the Air Force. It was there, he explained, that he began making videos in his barracks and fell in love with sketch comedy. This week, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the cultural differences between the Midwest and the South, the similarities of growing up Catholic vs Baptist, and Nate explains why he absolutely loathes whistling.

Episode 208 - Adam Pawlak

Whether you watched him compete on Hell’s Kitchen or you’ve been to his Milwaukee restaurant Egg & Flour, it’s safe to say that Adam Pawlak knows a thing or two about food. From humble beginnings as a Jimmy John’s cashier, to becoming a sous chef, an executive chef and now the owner of his own restaurant, he made his lifelong dreams of working in the culinary world a reality. Adam joins Charlie in the Cripescast studio this week and brings with him the most adorable entourage, his four month old miniature Dachshund puppy Alfredo. Charlie and Adam discuss the process of applying for reality cooking competitions, the correct way to clean a cast iron pan, and Adam’s newfound pet peeves about other dog owners. Adam’s improv and culinary skills are put to the test in a game called “Will it Pasta?” where Adam has to explain how he’d repurpose classic Midwest foods and drinks into pasta dishes.

Episode 207 - Elena Velez

Fashion Designer Elena Velez finds beauty in unlikely places and attributes her industrial artistic style to her Midwest upbringing. Raised by a single mother who worked as a ship captain on the Great Lakes, Elena spent much of her childhood surrounded by heavy machinery and unique landscapes, and its influence can be seen in her work today. Though she always knew she wanted to be a fashion designer, she felt underrepresented in the industry. However, being an outsider isn’t stopping her from finding success. Velez has gained notoriety through prestigious awards, success at New York Fashion Week, and dressing celebrities like Taylor Swift and Julia Fox. She dreams of building up American fashion by opening a production house in Milwaukee, thus proving that the industry doesn't solely belong in creative capitals like New York or LA. In this episode of the Cripescast, she and Charlie discuss the obstacles of the fashion industry, debate whether staples of Midwestern fashion are runway ready, and even workshop Charlie’s runway walk for his fashion week debut.

Episode 206 - Steven Olikara

With the 2024 election approaching, Steven Olikara returns to discuss the importance of bipartisanship in an increasingly divided political landscape. Early listeners of the Cripescast may remember Steven’s first episode, where he and Charlie dove into the impact that social media and cable news outlets have on our civility. Today they analyze what’s changed since 2020, provide solutions for stopping polarization, and emphasize the importance of a diverse media intake regardless of party lines. Having grown up as a minority in a predominantly white community, Steven still found ways to come together with his peers despite having different backgrounds and worldviews. It’s this upbringing, he explains, that helped prepare him for his work today at Bridge Entertainment Labs, a media company that encourages healthy conversation and disagreement with the goal of healing the divide within our democracy.

Episode 205 - Fishing with Luke Musgrave

Live from Lake Winnebago with Green Bay Packers’ tight end Luke Musgrave, it’s the 4th anniversary episode of the Cripescast. In this special episode, Luke and Charlie get to know each other the best way anyone can: while fishing for walleye… and the occasional sheepshead. They’re also joined by outdoor export, fishing guide, and return Cripescast guest, Larry Smith, who teaches them a thing or two about hearing which fish is on the line. Having grown up in Bend, Oregon with a passion for fishing, Luke fits right in on the water. He and Charlie swap childhood fishing stories, they trade techniques for taking the best fish pictures, and they even enjoy some on-the-boat old fashioneds made with Charlie’s brandy. Luke shares how he made it to the NFL, his love for Green Bay, and some insights from his time working at a Goodwill in high school.

Episode 204 - Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Lois Bentley (Part 3)

Charlie is back again with everyone’s favorite gambling and gossiping gals, Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Lois Bentley. As they road trip for another day at the casino, Aunt Mary gives us an update on her love life and Charlie even chimes in to help her develop a dating profile. No conversation is off the table for the four of them, whether it’s the birds and the bees, Lois’s broken leg, or the story of how Mary accidentally sprayed gasoline in her face. And that’s not all. Stick around to the end of the episode to find out why Grandma Sue gets pulled over and whether or not the officer uses his pink handcuffs on Aunt Mary.

Episode 203 - Zane Statz

Whether it’s transforming an ordinary fence across from Lambeau Field into the infamous “Packers Fence” or customizing an average sneaker into every sports fan’s dream shoe, Zane Statz has a gift for reinventive art. As a muralist, custom artist, and Packers fan, Zane is living out his dream by having his custom-painted cleats worn by NFL players including Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Kenny Clark, just to name a few. While it’s fun having his shoes worn by Packers, Yung Gravy and even Charlie, Zane explains the most fulfilling work he’s done has been pieces that involve the community like the BayCare Clinic community mural. Zane joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week to talk about his Midwest upbringing, the strange art in men’s bathrooms and Charlie even commissions Zane to paint his tailgating grill.

Episode 202 - Charles Isbell

Charlie goes down the AI rabbit hole again this week but this time he’s joined by an actual AI expert, UW-Madison Provost Charles Isbell. Provost Isbell has been fascinated with computers since he was 8 years old, and in turn has dedicated his life’s work to them by becoming a researcher, computationalist, and educator in the field of computer science. From studying at Georgia Tech, to earning his PhD at MIT, and eventually becoming the Provost at UW-Madison, it’s safe to say he has rightfully earned the title of “expert” in his field. In this week’s episode Charlie finds answers to all of his burning questions about AI, like how it will affect job security, Wisconsin’s role in AI advancement, and how we can learn to use these new technologies for good. Perhaps most importantly, he finds out whether or not the robots will really take over the world.

Episode 201 - Kristopher Pollard

Kristopher Pollard eats, sleeps and breathes cinema. As Membership Manager for Milwaukee Film and co-host of the “Cinebuds” podcast, Kristopher is continually working hard to advocate for Milwaukee’s film scene. He explains how Wisconsin is a hidden gem for the film industry and has a vibrant and receptive movie-loving community. He argues that the only difference between Milwaukee and cities with well-known film scenes is that people just aren’t paying attention to Milwaukee yet. This week, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the use of AI in filmmaking, he crushes it in a movie trivia game, and shares what Milwaukee Film is doing to preserve the city’s historic theaters. Kristopher also explains the new state bill that aims to form a Wisconsin Film Office and dives into how it would create jobs, boost the economy, and amplify the local scene.

Episode 200 - Charlie Q&A

This week, Charlie celebrates the 200th episode of the Cripescast by answering all your burning questions. Strap in for his advice on dating, lawn care and how to craft the perfect junk drawer. He and his producer Colleen go on many tangents spanning from deep philosophical discussions to what cheese is best on a charcuterie board.

Episode 199 - Kristen Kish

Kristen Kish may be new to hosting “Top Chef” but she’s no stranger to the show. Crowned the Season 10 champion in 2012, she became the second woman ever to claim the title and has since returned to host the show. After her 2012 win, she’s gone on to open her own restaurant in Texas called Arlo Grey, release a cookbook, and host other TV shows like National Geographic’s “Restaurants and the End of the World” and Travel Channel’s “36 Hours”. In this episode, she and Charlie talk about both of their experiences on the show, her as the fresh-faced host and Charlie as an eager diner, with no culinary palette, in the second episode. As a Michigander, Kristen says she felt at home while filming the newest season of “Top Chef”, which was set in Wisconsin, because of the nasally accents and Midwest niceness. The two discuss everything from Wisconsin supper clubs to anxiety, and Charlie even walks away with some tips for cooking as a single guy.

Episode 198 - Cristela Alonzo

Comedian Cristela Alonzo isn’t afraid to grab life by the horns. Having grown up squatting in an abandoned diner with her mother and three siblings, she knows what it’s like to live like you’ve got nothing to lose. Her lifelong love for comedy had her jumping at the chance to work as an office manager at the Addison Improv in Texas circa 2003, even if it meant fudging some of the details on her resume to land the job. Fast forward to today, she’s headlining the country and has made history as the first Mexican-American woman to create and star in her own US primetime sitcom, “Cristela.” With two Netflix specials under her belt and another on the way, Cristela shares that she’s living comfortably with her bills on autopay and her “therapy money” in hand. This week, she joins Charlie on the Cripescast to chat about everything from professional wrestling, to her love for Wisconsin cheese curds, and of course Packers vs Cowboys.

Episode 197 - Christian Yelich

Christian Yelich has been a pillar for the Milwaukee community since he was first traded to Brewers in 2018. On the field, he’s an MVP, a golden glove winner, and a silver slugger just to name a few. Off the field, he’s a champion for the community by giving back with his annual Home Plate Charity Benefit that raises funds for Milwaukee little league teams. Today, Christian addresses the most common questions he gets about his personal life and confirms that yes, he can hear heckling fans when he’s in left field. Charlie and Christian have been pals since their first video collab in 2022 and use this episode to catch up, discuss regretful tattoos, the weirdest things they’ve autographed, and who they root for in the Brewers sausage races.

Follow Christian on all platforms @christianyelich and for more information about Christian’s Home Plate Charity Concert, head to visitmilwaukee.org/yelich.

Episode 196 - Max Wolter

Nobody knows Wisconsin fish like Max Wolter. Having grown up with a passion for the outdoors, it only makes sense that Max would end up working as a senior fisheries biologist at the Wisconsin DNR. For more than a decade, he’s been working to understand our state’s fish, protecting their habitats, and educating folks about best fishing practices. In this episode of the Cripescast, Charlie asks all of his burning questions about the current state of Wisconsin’s aquatic wildlife and where it’s headed. They discuss the birds and the bees of fish spawning, the impacts of El Nino on this past ice fishing season, and the best way to catch a muskie.

Episode 195 - Anjelah Johnson Reyes

Despite never planning to become a comedian, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes has undeniably made a name for herself in the comedy world. Starting out as an Oakland Raiders’ cheerleader, then as an aspiring actress in Hollywood, she eventually found her home in stand up comedy after taking a joke writing class at her local church. Fast forward to today, Anjelah has put out six comedy specials, with her latest one being her first self-produced and self-financed hour called “Say I Won’t” on YouTube. This week, Anjelah joins the Cripescast fresh off of headlining in Wisconsin, and she and Charlie discuss all things comedy, siblings, and gratitude lists. Anjelah shares her tips for dealing with anxiety, her career dreams, and how the pandemic changed her views of motherhood.

Episode 194 - Best of Grandma Sue

It’s no secret that when Grandma Sue joins the Cripescast, all filters are gone and all rules are broken, and this episode is no exception. Enjoy this compilation of highlights from all three of Grandma Sue’s appearances on the show including her first solo interview and her two road trip episodes to the casino with Charlie and the girls. From talking about necking at Stinky Point, to dishing juicy family stories, and giving unexpected dating advice, this episode is full of everyone’s favorite moments with Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Lois Bently.

Episode 193 - Taylor Calmus

Live from his garage in Colorado, Taylor Calmus, a.k.a. Dude Dad, makes his triumphant return to the Cripescast yet again. He and Charlie get comfortable on a vintage Davenport to shoot the breeze, answer fan questions, and sip on Charlie’s new Brandy. As good friends and frequent collaborators, they spend this episode reminiscing on the sketches they’ve done, including their recent sequel of “Husbands of Target” that they shot for a Super Bowl ad for Target. The two share stories from pheasant hunting at Taylor’s family farm in South Dakota to life on tour, and even debate the proper etiquette for changing sheets when guests come to town. To round it out, they share their favorite and least favorite thing about one another and talk about the time that Taylor’s wife Heidi signed a woman’s breast in Milwaukee.

Episode 192 - Masood Boomgaard

Masood Boomgaard has made a name for himself around the world with his viral (de)motivational character “Self Help Singh.” While struggling with his mental health and searching for a creative outlet during the pandemic, Masood posted his first video as Singh and his life was forever changed. With that first video instantly gaining millions of views, Masood has since adapted the character for live shows and has performed in over 20 different countries. He explains how the relatable and universal topics he covers in the show is what makes it resonate with audiences across the globe. In this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie bond over starting out in broadcast journalism, Midwest goodbyes versus Indian goodbyes, and Masood even shares the craziest thing he ever saw while MC-ing a wedding.

Episode 191 - Nimesh Patel

Nimesh Patel never planned on being a stand up comedian. In fact, he graduated from NYU with a degree in finance and fully planned on pursuing a career in that field. However, a lack of passion for the industry paired with the difficulty of finding a job during the Great Recession led him to take a writing class and, eventually, to stand up comedy. Immediately hooked from his first open mic, Nimesh kept his day job in finance while pursuing comedy at night. His persistence paid off when he was discovered by Chris Rock, who hired him to write for the 2016 Oscars. Today, after three self-produced comedy specials, multiple late night sets, and an Emmy nomination for his work at Saturday Night Live, Nimesh is ready to slow down a bit and do some “actual living”. In this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie reflect on the reality of burnout, life on the road, and having to make the conscious decision to switch off their work brains.

Episode 190 - Joel Hodgson

Everything in Joel Hodgson’s life led him to creating Mystery Science Theater 3000, or MST3K. From performing magic as a kid to doing stand up in college, Joel attributes his comedy chops to his Midwest upbringing. Joel explains that every opportunity in his career has been a stepping stone to MST3K, whether he was performing stand up on Late Night with David Letterman or designing toys for Tonka. However, he says it wasn’t until a conversation he had with Jerry Seinfeld that the seeds for MST3K were planted. Now, 13 seasons later, MST3K has been named one of Time Magazine’s “100 best television shows of all time” and has become a cult classic. In this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie dive into Joel’s career, bond over their shared experience of growing up in Wisconsin, and discuss the weirdest parts of their families’ lineage.

Episode 189 - Mary Mack

Having grown up in a small northwoods town in Wisconsin less than 50 miles away from the Minnesota border, comedian Mary Mack considers herself a “border child.” In the wake of her college polka band breaking up and her roommate signing her up for various open mics, Mary made her way to stand up comedy and has been doing it ever since. It wasn’t long until she found her stride and after only a year of doing open mics, she dove head first into a career in comedy. Since then she’s released multiple comedy albums and appeared on Late Night shows such as Conan, the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Present day she is touring the country doing stand up and co-starring in Hulu’s animated series Solar Opposites. In this episode of the Cripescast, she and Charlie share their thoughts on roundabouts, Taylor Swift, and Boeing’s recent plane mishaps.