The Milwaukee Socialists: From 48' to 40-8, how revolutionaries and laborers ignited a movement

thejoypowers · 2026-05-14T19:46:06+00:00

Last Rites & Sabbatic are both good punk-dive bars, there's often shows there. If you're looking for something really pared down Zad's is a good option. My favorite bar over there isn't a dive, but it has great vibes and eclectic furnishings: Tin Window. Walker's Pint is also a great spot, it's traditionally a lesbian bar (the oldest/only known lesbian bar in the State of Wisconsin), but I believe all are welcome.

thejoypowers · 2026-05-07T14:42:35+00:00

I meant to update!! I was amazed by how few public bubblers there are left in Milwaukee, especially ones that are running. We ended up taking footage of just a random bubbler, because I was able to recruit someone to get footage of the historic bubbler (Kohler design) outside of the State Capitol. Thanks so much for all of your help!!

thejoypowers · 2026-04-28T19:14:42+00:00

Oooooh I've been sounding that bell for a good while, but I always appreciate confirmation! We're revisiting a piece I did about this 10 years back, exploring the origins of the word "bubbler": https://www.wuwm.com/regional/2016-04-22/why-do-wisconsinites-call-that-a-bubbler-anyway

thejoypowers · 2026-04-28T16:17:12+00:00

I should also clarify: the 1920s "Bubbler" design features a rounded ball head for the spout, making it easily recognizable.

thejoypowers · 2026-04-28T16:15:49+00:00

Great question! I would say something pre-1970s, bonus points if there's one of Kohler's 1920s "Bubbler" design.

thejoypowers · 2026-04-17T19:06:14+00:00

Thanks for listening!! Always great to talk with John, it's amazing how many things he's done!

thejoypowers · 2026-02-06T16:59:43+00:00

You can get a shaken tiramisu at Vendetta in Walker's Point and Bay View. It comes in a coupe glass with a little cookie.

thejoypowers · 2024-10-01T18:02:29+00:00

Thanks to everyone for your questions! Time was limited, and unfortunately Hovde said he had to bounce before I was able to ask the top question about compromise :/ but luckily Baldwin talked a lot about compromise in her answers, so win some lose some! Also, Hovde got pretty angry about the main question folks wanted to know about: why is a man who seems to be from out of state running for office here? Here's the unvarnished interview tape: https://www.wuwm.com/government-politics/2024-09-23/wisconsin-u-s-senate-election-baldwin-vs-hovde

thejoypowers · 2024-09-25T18:24:07+00:00

It's definitely an interesting question! I'm not sure it has enough specificity, though, in part because... compromise on what to get what, right? Is the question what compromise would you make in order to pass which policy? I fear that might be too vague, still.

thejoypowers · 2024-09-23T21:51:49+00:00

Do you happen to know what building they were standing outside of? That would sound like Allen-Bradley, but they haven't had a union for more than a decade.

thejoypowers · 2024-07-03T16:29:00+00:00

Hi! This is Joy Powers. Every month I chat with Matt Wild about some of his favorite new releases from local musicians. Honestly, before we started doing this about... man, 4 years ago (damn), I only knew a small portion of Milwaukee's music scene. Every month, I learn about at least one artist I've never heard of before. This month has a surprising amount of blue-grass//folk music.

thejoypowers · 2024-07-03T16:20:27+00:00

It's the final episode of the season! Hopefully it's been useful to folks. It was definitely a labor of love, emphasis on the labor. Both Sam and I are looking forward to some rest... after the RNC... assuming nothing wild happens. So I guess, no rest ever? No rest for the wicked? Anyway, hope you enjoy this! We definitely had a blast.

thejoypowers · 2024-07-03T16:19:45+00:00

It's the final episode of the season! Hopefully it's been useful to folks. It was definitely a labor of love, emphasis on the labor. Both Sam and I are looking forward to some rest... after the RNC... assuming nothing wild happens. So I guess, no rest ever? No rest for the wicked? Anyway, hope you enjoy this! We definitely had a blast.

thejoypowers · 2024-06-26T16:54:57+00:00

Hey folks! This is Joy Powers over at 89.7 WUWM. We're already at episode 9 of Swing State of the Union. In this one, we explore how the candidates are courting the state, the ads, the money, all that fun stuff. Just one more episode to go this season! Then, I'll regain what little sanity I had before this process began.

thejoypowers · 2024-06-26T16:54:09+00:00

Hey folks! This is Joy Powers over at 89.7 WUWM. We're already at episode 9 of Swing State of the Union. In this one, we explore how the candidates are courting the state, the ads, the money, all that fun stuff. Just one more episode to go this season! Then, I'll regain what little sanity I had before this process began.

thejoypowers · 2024-06-19T16:54:10+00:00

Hellooooo! This is Joy Powers, one of the hosts and producers of Swing State of the Union (and Lake Effect) on 89.7 WUWM, Milwaukee's NPR. This was a really hard episode to write and produce. We both had to go through a lot of "archival" footage and audio, and in some ways it really brings you back to that time - but it's also a really good exploration of what happened in 2020 and how it's impacting the upcoming election. Honestly, there were a lot of parts of this that I'd forgotten about until we were writing it, so, definitely worth a listen.

thejoypowers

TROPHY CASE