Nite Lite with Pete Schwaba

Producer Dom is back with another round of Binge or Cringe. Pete and Greg weigh in on a mix of pop culture, trends, food, entertainment, and everyday habits, deciding what deserves the hype and what belongs in the cringe category. As always, the debates are spirited, the opinions are questionable, and listeners are encouraged to play along.

Veronica Pope of Film Wisconsin joins Pete and Greg to talk about the future of filmmaking in the Badger State. They discuss her vision for Film Wisconsin, efforts to attract more productions, and what it will take to make Wisconsin a bigger player in the film and television industry. From economic impact to creative opportunities, Veronica shares why Wisconsin could be an ideal place for filmmakers to call "action." Scott O'Donnell of the Wisconsin Historical Society joins Pete and Greg to discuss the work being done to preserve and share Wisconsin's rich history. From new initiatives and projects to the stories that continue to shape the state today, Scott highlights why history matters and how the Historical Society is helping connect Wisconsinites with their past.

Guests: Dom Lee, Scott O'Donnell, Veronica Pope

Filmmaker Dan Davies joins Pete and Greg to talk about his remake of the Wisconsin cult favorite The Giant Spider Invasion. Dan discusses taking on a beloved B-movie classic, the challenges of updating it for a new audience, and what fans of the original can expect from the remake. They also dive into independent filmmaking, practical effects, and why giant spiders continue to terrify moviegoers nearly 50 years after the original film crawled onto the screen.

Guest: Dan Davies

Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach cover a wide range of topics in this episode, from technology and local activism to movies and aging. They kick things off with another text-to-win contest before diving into a conversation about the growing number of data centers being proposed around the country. Activist Blaine Halverson joins the show to discuss concerns about their impact on local communities, energy use, and the environment.

Guests: Blaine Halverson, Dan Davies

Filmmaker, artist, and comedian Daniel Wheeler joins Pete and Greg to talk about his upcoming film My Brother & Bigfoot, his award-winning short film Daniel Needs to Leave, and his run in Oshkosh's Funniest Comedian contest. They discuss filmmaking in Wisconsin, finding comedy in everyday life, and how Daniel balances his creative work as both an artist and performer.

Guest: Daniel Wheeler

Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach kick things off by asking listeners a simple question: when money gets tight, what's the first thing you cut from the budget? The answers range from dining out and streaming subscriptions to a few more creative responses from callers and texters. Along the way, the conversation bounces between personal spending habits, everyday expenses, and a few laughs about life's little luxuries. Later, Producer Dom serves up "Hole Truth: The Donut Quiz", a game packed with donut trivia, true-or-false questions, and surprising facts about America's favorite fried pastry. Greg manages to pull off a win, despite a few questionable guesses along the way.

Culture critic Brint Davy joins Pete and Greg to discuss his effort to change the well-known no-phone policy at Alamo Drafthouse theaters. While the policy has long been praised by moviegoers who want a distraction-free experience, Brint argues it may be time for a new approach. He explains why he launched a petition, what changes he'd like to see, and whether there's room for compromise between movie etiquette and modern technology.

Guests: Brint Davy, Norm Kopesky

It’s Movie Club night, and Pete and Greg are taking on Casino Royale. They discuss Daniel Craig’s first outing as James Bond, their favorite scenes, memorable villains, and whether Casino Royale deserves its reputation as one of the best Bond films ever made.

Logan Wroge, Senior Communications Specialist with Travel Wisconsin, joins Pete and Greg to talk about some of the best things to do around the state this June. From festivals and outdoor activities to hidden gems and summer road trip ideas, Logan shares a few great ways to make the most of Wisconsin as summer gets underway.

Guest: Logan Wroge

Writer and humorist Felipe Torres Medina joins Pete and Greg to talk about his work as a writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the art of comedy writing, and his book about navigating immigration in the United States. Felipe shares stories from behind the scenes in late-night television, how humor can help explain complicated issues, and what he's learned from writing about the immigrant experience.

Guest: Felipe Torres Medina

Pete Schwaba and Greg Bach cover a little bit of everything in this one. They talk about why more people seem to be discovering the Midwest as a travel destination, including some of Wisconsin’s more unique attractions—yes, the Mustard Museum makes an appearance. The conversation then shifts to media and politics, with Pete and Greg weighing in on the latest changes at 60 Minutes and the ongoing political battles playing out in Wisconsin.

Guests: Dom Lee, Felipe Torres Medina

Jason Mansmith, Marketing Director of the Thrasher Opera House, joins Pete and Greg to highlight some of the exciting events coming to one of Wisconsin’s most unique entertainment venues. From live music and performances to community gatherings, Jason shares what’s on the calendar and why the historic opera house continues to be a destination for arts and culture in the region.

Guest: Jason Mansmith

Nikolas DeGroot, founder of Ground Floor Democracy, joins Pete and Greg to talk about creating spaces for real political conversations. From his “Politics in the Park” events to the development of a civic engagement game, Nikolas shares what happens when people from different backgrounds sit down together and discuss issues in person.

Guests: Jason Mansmith, Nikolas DeGroot

Milwaukee-based film critic Matt Mueller joins Pete and Greg to break down the newest releases hitting theaters and streaming services. From blockbuster movies to hidden gems, Matt shares what’s worth watching, what to skip, and what’s generating buzz in the film world.

Guest: Matt Mueller

iuscely Flores, Organizing Director for the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, joins Pete and Greg to talk about an upcoming rally focused on Wisconsin’s congressional maps. She discusses why fair maps remain a major issue in the state, what organizers are hoping to accomplish, and how redistricting could impact voters in future elections.

Guests: Dom Lee, Iuscely Flores, Matt Miller

Pete, Greg, and Producer Dom have some Friday fun with a game all about classic restaurant menus, discontinued foods, and forgotten favorites. The question is simple: was it actually on the original menu… or completely made up?

Civic Media Sports Director and pop culture fan Jimmie Kaska joins Pete and Greg to talk about the latest streaming shows everyone seems to be watching—or skipping. From surprise hits to overhyped series, Jimmie shares what’s worth your time and what you can probably leave off the watchlist.

Guests: Dom Lee, Jimmie Kaska

Pete and Greg revisit The Outsiders for this week’s Movie Club. From favorite characters and unforgettable lines to the film’s lasting impact, they dive into the coming-of-age classic based on S.E. Hinton’s novel and ask the important question: are you a Greaser or a Soc?

Sports reporter Mike Clemens joins Pete and Greg to talk all things Wisconsin sports. From the latest with the Packers and Brewers to any Bucks updates and offseason storylines, Mike breaks down what fans should be watching and what’s making headlines around the state.

Guest: Mike Clemens

Martín Alvarado joins Pete and Greg to share some fresh reading recommendations, cultural picks, and what’s happening at the library. Whether you're looking for your next great read or just something interesting to check out, Martín always brings a few great picks to the table.

Guest: Martin Alvarado

Norm Kopesky, co-owner of Appleton Cigar, joins Pete and Greg to talk cigars, the culture around them, and what it’s like running a specialty business. From favorite smokes to how the cigar world has changed over the years, Norm shares stories from behind the counter and what keeps people coming back.

Guest: Norm Kopesky

Door County native and film producer Kurt Krauss joins Pete and Greg to talk about his new play, Moonlight and Magnolia, a behind-the-scenes comedy centered around the chaotic making of Gone with the Wind. Kurt shares what drew him to the story, the connection to independent filmmaking, and how the production is partnering with Third Avenue PlayWorks to help support local film efforts.

Guest: Kurt Krauss

Former U.S. Attorney Jim Santelle joins Pete and Greg to talk about the latest at the intersection of law and politics. From international tensions and the possibility of U.S. involvement in Cuba to whatever legal and political stories are dominating the moment, Jim helps break it all down in a way that actually makes sense.

Guests: Jim Santelle, Kurt Krauss

Producer Dom Lee brings back Binge or Cringe, where Pete and Greg give their takes on pop culture, trends, food, and random everyday things. What deserves the hype—and what absolutely does not? Things may get heated.

Comedian Ka$h Money Karl joins Pete and Greg to talk stand-up, his podcast, and the unexpected world of competitive mini golf. From comedy stories and life behind the mic to balancing laughs with a surprisingly serious mini-golf career, Karl shares what’s been keeping him busy lately.

Guests: Dom Lee, Ka$h Money Karl, Karl Barth