Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey open the show with a heated discussion on trust in science after reports of a delayed CDC study on COVID-19 vaccine benefits, questioning what it will take to rebuild public confidence amid growing anti-vaccine sentiment. Later, Waukesha mayor-elect Alicia Halvensleben joins to discuss her upcoming transition into office and priorities for the city. In City Stories, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene breaks down election turnout, transit updates, major infrastructure projects like I-794, and new efforts to improve safety and accessibility across Milwaukee.

Steve and Kristin dive into a surprisingly real question: does how politicians look actually matter? Inspired by a USA Today article pushing for “hotter” candidates, they debate whether appearance, charisma, and “cool factor” play a role in winning elections — or if it’s all superficial compared to policy. It’s part political analysis, part pop culture, and fully Overtime.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey react to Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election results, breaking down what a decisive win means for the state’s political direction and whether voters are moving away from culture war issues. They also discuss local referendum outcomes, rising costs, and what Election Day revealed about voter priorities. Later, the conversation shifts to a ceasefire in the Iran conflict and what it means globally, followed by insights from industry expert Leo Krenz on tariff uncertainty and supply chain concerns. Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki joins to share post-election reactions and discuss the growing impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, the economy, and the need for regulation. The show wraps with Ask Us Anything.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey open the show on Wisconsin Election Day, checking in with listeners about turnout, polling locations, and whether massive campaign spending actually changes outcomes. They also question what civic duty should look like in the U.S. — and whether voting should be required. The conversation then turns sharply to national news, reacting to President Trump’s escalating rhetoric toward Iran and the lack of response from Congress, raising questions about how quickly global events could change everyday life. Later, Tory Lowe joins to promote an upcoming community cleanup event, followed by discussions on AI, media trust, space exploration through the Artemis mission, and how technology continues to shape culture — including the rise of AI-generated music.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by WISN political director Matt Smith to break down Wisconsin’s Supreme Court debate, including what stood out, how both parties are framing the race, and why, as Matt puts it, “Wisconsin voters are not dumb.” They also discuss pending legislation on Governor Tony Evers’ desk and the growing role of outside money in a supposedly nonpartisan election. Later, the conversation turns to political rhetoric, decency in public discourse, and the influence of podcasts and alternative media on trust in institutions. Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano joins for a Monday Market Preview on economic uncertainty tied to the Iran conflict and the job market, while Steve and Kristin wrap with lighter topics including voter turnout predictions, mail-in voting, and the cultural ripple effects of GLP-1 drugs.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki to react to the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, what it signals about the administration, plus the ongoing tensions abroad with Iran. They also discuss the latest Supreme Court developments and break down Wisconsin’s high-stakes judicial race following last night's debate between candidates. In the second hour, the panel examines the detention of a Milwaukee religious leader by federal immigration authorities and questions surrounding the circumstances of the case. The show wraps with Say Something Nice, Grab Bags, reflections on media trust, and the Week-In-Review.

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It's a solo Steve show today! Steve responds to President Trump's primetime address. Then, Alex Strouf joins to talk about the hot start to the Brewers' season. Later, Steve ponders how much of the current state of the country Trump can still blame on Biden. In the second hour, Urban Milwaukee's Jeramey Jannene joins the show to give his take on recent events around town.

Steve and Kristin take some Over Time on this bonus, unfiltered podcast. What is "Looksmaxing" and why are so many young men hitting themselves in the face with hammers? The conversation takes a deep dive into this movement and what it says about gender, beauty standards and self-confidence.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by retired Judge Mary Kuhnmuench to break down a major Supreme Court case involving President Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order and broader questions about executive power, mail-in voting, and the Constitution. Later, Shannon Ross of The Community joins for Second Chance Month to discuss prison rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and how hiring practices and public records impact formerly incarcerated individuals. The show also explores the renewed push toward space exploration with the Artemis mission and wraps with a wide-ranging Ask Us Anything.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey explore the tension between tradition and change and how it shapes modern conservatism and progressivism. They also discuss Wisconsin’s emissions testing law and a proposal to eliminate it, along with new legislation defining antisemitism and the broader implications for free speech. Later, Dr. Michael Siegel joins to talk about efforts to bridge the divide on firearm policy, followed by Forward Thinking with City Forward Collective’s Colleston Morgan on school choice and education policy in Wisconsin, including recent vetoes and what future leadership could mean for the system.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey open the show by confronting the reality of U.S. involvement in a conflict with Iran, debating the administration’s strategy and asking listeners whether they’re concerned about potential troop deployment. They also examine growing scrutiny on social media companies after new legal losses for Meta and discuss the impact of algorithm-driven platforms on younger users. Later, Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano joins for a Monday Market Preview on recession risks, the job market, and how ongoing global tensions could affect the economy. The show also touches on rising travel costs, the shift toward staycations, and a reminder to step away from politics and enjoy sports.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by Todd Allbaugh for a wide-ranging conversation on Congress’s failure to end the partial government shutdown, the impact on unpaid TSA workers, and how immigration politics are complicating a solution. They also examine the Trump administration’s posture toward Iran, debate whether U.S. troops could be sent in, and discuss growing fractures inside the MAGA movement. Later, the show turns to Wisconsin politics with a look at the delayed State Supreme Court debate, fresh polling in the race, and the early contours of the governor’s contest featuring names like Tom Tiffany and Francesca Hong. The hour wraps with a spirited debate over the SAVE Act, voter ID, and voting rights, plus Say Something Nice, Grab Bags, fun questions, and the Week-In-Review.

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Opening Day Hour 3 includes Steve & Kristin talking about the fan interaction so far, Greg Matzek talks about the interactions between Jordan Stolz & Jordan Love, and Steve & Kristin wrap up the show talking all things Brewers!

Opening Day hour 2 includes an insight into the tailgating scene with WTMJ's Neil Doyle, Greg Matzek talks about the big baseball topics of The Miz taking the mound and Jackson Chourio being taken off the roster, Kristin and Steve talk about excitement building among fans despite traffic concerns, interview with Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio, and Kristin and Steve wrap up talking about how Opening Day should be declared a floating Wisconsin holiday.

Opening Day hour one includes some breaking baseball news with Greg Matzek, Steve & Kristin reflecting on their past opening days, an interview with Brewers Relief Pitcher Jared Koenig, an interview with the Co-Directors of "Ueck", and an interview with Brewers Starting Pitcher Brandon Woodruff.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey recap a recent listener fundraiser before diving into a new study suggesting social media platform X may be pushing users toward more extreme views — and what that means for how people consume news. Later, Institute for Reforming Government’s Jake Curtis joins to discuss the leftward shift on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, declining campaign spending, and how it all could affect major cases on the horizon. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Mary Spicuzza also joins to break down a healthcare fraud case in Milwaukee and its broader implications. The show wraps with Ask Us Anything, covering acting, taxes, and more.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey examine ongoing debates over mail-in voting and the SAVE Act, including listener perspectives and concerns about access to the ballot. They also discuss growing scrutiny around historical figures, joined by Forward Latino president Darryl Morin to reflect on the legacy of Cesar Chavez in light of sexual assault allegations and how the community has and should respond. Later, the hosts break down proposed federal action on prediction markets and sports gambling, Wisconsin’s new limits on FoodShare purchases, and potential movement on funding for TSA, DHS, and ICE amid the partial government shutdown.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by WISN political director Matt Smith and for the first time ever his UpFront co-host Gerron Jordan to preview Wisconsin’s upcoming Supreme Court debate, including what voters should watch for and how both candidates are positioning themselves ahead of the race’s only scheduled face-off. The conversation also covers the impact of the partial government shutdown on TSA workers and travelers, along with a Monday Market Preview from Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano on how the war in Iran is affecting markets and gas prices. The show wraps with reflections on the legacy of former FBI Director Robert Mueller (and what Trump said about him after his death), updates on Wisconsin athletics, and a look ahead to future listener trips.