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Hey there! Midwest Legends is not a show about Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox, or Sasquatch, but you will hear lots of great stories from the modern-day doers and dreamers leaving their mark on the Midwest. Each episode, one of these folks shares part of their journey with host Russell Nicolet. If you haven’t heard of them before, Midwest Legends is here to introduce you.
22 Episodes
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Mason Crosby's sixteen-year run with the Green Bay Packers was fueled by his commitment to be present and available to his teammates. Newly retired, he sat down with Russell Nicolet to reflect on the memories that defined his history-making NFL career.As a kicker, Crosby became adept at balancing “hurry up and wait” with the intense, barely-over-a-second window most kickers have to launch the ball. His first year as a Packer was Brett Favre’s last, and he and Russell share stories from that era, with the added perspective of Favre having recently appeared on Midwest Legends.Tune in to hear stories about Aaron Rodgers’s pranks, a meaningful moment with Charles Woodson, and the realities of stepping away from the NFL’s structured schedule and back into everyday life.
Call 866-MW-LEGND for a chance to have your story played on a future dial-in episode!On the second Midwest Legends dial-in episode, Russell Nicolet and Jared Schutz are back, reacting to three more handpicked stories live on the mic. We set up 866-MW-LEGND so that our listeners could tell their stories, and boy have we had fun listening to them. Enjoy stories about someone chewing on a rattlesnake rattler (the full story is somehow less horrifying and also more horrifying than you might expect), a quick errand that turned into a two hour adventure, and an armadillo prank that made the news.Featured callers: Tim from Washington, Colin from Iowa, and Gordon from AlabamaGot a Midwest story you love telling at the dive bar, tailgate, or around the campfire? Dial 866-MW-LEGND and leave us a voicemail!
Chris Kanan probably knows more about lawns than most people do, but he does anything but gatekeep. He sat down with Russell in the Midwest Legends studio to talk about his journey and get into the weeds of keeping a lawn looking tidy.Chris explains how a brief stint studying architecture led to a focus in landscape architecture, with a chief focus on lawns: “Everyone was always looking at the grass.” While Chris acknowledges the “keeping up with the Joneses” aspect of lawn care, he and Russell share stories of neighborly connections kept strong through the shared pursuit of a healthy lawn.Tune it to hear stories about Chris’s legendary grandpa, the finer points of lawn beer etiquette, and how women are showing men up when it comes to cultivating lush landscapes.
Brett Favre is a Mississippi kid who became a larger than life figure in Green Bay and an NFL icon. He sat down with Russell to talk about the moments that came before, during, and after his legendary run.Brett was once told he wouldn’t play more than three years. When he officially retired in 2011, he had a twenty-year legacy behind him. That legacy was fueled by many things, including tough love from his father and a strong steady desire to get on the field and play. He and Russell discuss key Packers players throughout history, and Brett reminisces on the days when he ran the wishbone formation.Tune in to hear stories about how Brett played through a hangover in college, what his jersey retirement was like, and the time his dad fell off a roof.
Jim McMahon is in the Midwest Legends hotseat this week, but it’s nothing he can’t handle.McMahon walks Russell about the highs and lows of his career, which spanned seven NFL teams, two Super Bowl wins, and injuries that could’ve ended most careers. Along the way, McMahon and Russell bond over their love of football and the reverence they hold for some iconic football players.Tune in to listen to the stories about a life-threatening injury with a miraculous recovery, how McMahon used headbands to give back, and how a false report on him led to a hotel bomb threat.
Andrea Boehlke’s love for Wisconsin has stayed strong, even as her career took her to New York and Los Angeles. While she spent plenty of time interviewing celebrities, today she’s the one with the inside scoop.A three-time competitor on Survivor, Boehlke revisits the cover story she and her mom created to comply with the NDA she received after being selected for the show while still in college.She and Russell bond over farm life and talk about the relentless work ethic that guides farmers from sunup until sundown. They also find common ground in approaching touchy conversations, whether Russell is in a deposition or Andrea was on the red carpet.Tune it to hear more stories about the pressures of red-carpet reporting, what it’s really like being on Survivor, and how Wisconsin differs from the East Coast.
Gilbert Brown made a name for himself on the Green Bay Packers defensive line, and he stopped by the studio to talk with Russell about the experiences that defined his career.No matter the story, Brown always brings plenty of humor and heart. He’s happy to revisit everything from his iconic Gravedigger dance to the origins of his famous Gilbert Burger, and he and Russell bond over their shared love for the Packers. They talk about the mystique of Lambeau Field, and Russell fondly recalls sitting on top of the family van, back when the only obstacle to getting a peek at the action was a tarp-covered chain link fence.Tune in to hear how Brown claimed the number 93, what makes his mom legendary, and why filming a pickles commercial went hilariously wrong.
Call 866-MW-LGND for a chance to have your story played on a future dial-in episode!On the first Midwest Legends dial-in episode, Russell Nicolet shares hosting duties with previous guest Jared Schutz.We set up 866-MW-LGND so that our listeners could tell their stories, and boy have we had fun listening to them. For this episode, we handpicked three stories for Russell and Jared to react to, live on the mic.Enjoy stories about midnight bar shenanigans, peak Packer Pride, and a photo with Kid Rock that did not survive the night.Featured Callers:Lenny from MinnesotaJohn from CaliforniaEd from Michigan Got a Midwest story you love telling at the dive bar, tailgate, or around the campfire?Dial 866-MW-LEGND and leave us a voicemail!
Matthew Golden is a first-round draft pick, lightning-fast wide receiver, and now a Midwest Legends guest.At just 22 years old, Matthew has worked hard, gained a lot of perspective, and he's not even as old as the history he is making. It’s been 23 years since Green Bay’s home team chose a wide receiver as their first round pick, and he says that draft night “will stick with me for the rest of my life.” He shares the lessons he’s learned, the advice he'd pass on to younger players, and his love for Packers Nation: “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”Tune in to hear who Matthew considers a true legend, the superpower he’d choose if he had one, and the unexpected moment on Lake Michigan that quickly became a story to remember.
This week’s guest, Billy Doucette, better known as Billy Deuce, admits he’s terrible at ending conversations, so it’s a good thing Midwest Legends actually has a runtime.Billy has grown up all over the country, and that “foot in both worlds” perspective has given him plenty of material and earned him quite a following online and in person. He and Russell bond over their shared love of Kwik Trip and Chris Farley, who Billy selects as his Midwest Legend. You’ll want to hear all the stories Billy has from sharing a car and touring with comedian (and notable Midwest Legends guest) Charlie Berens. Tune into this episode to learn more about unpleasant hotel visits, a basement alligator named Chompers, and more.
Die-hard Packers superfan Matt Ramage sits down with Russell Nicolet to talk about his favorite team and more.Matt fondly remembers growing up in a home where every Packers game was an event that could see uncles placing bets on anything they could think of. He and Russell reminisce on childhoods spent outdoors, and the reverence that the Packers and Lambeau Field have in Green Bay. Learn more about how Matt grew his online following, and his very wholesome answer for who comes to mind when he think of Midwest Legends.
Every dive bar has at least one story to tell, and thanks to Jared Schutz, those stories and the bars themselves are reaching a wider audience.Jared and Russell discuss dive bar charm, quirks, and maybe most importantly: etiquette. He shares the memories he’s made and hidden gems he’s discovered along the way (check out his interactive “bar map” online). Since starting his journey in 2022, Jared has traveled across Wisconsin, built a loyal following, and learned a thing or two about what makes a dive bar great.
Richard Lorbach, the man behind “Drink Wisconsinbly,” joins Russell Nicolet to share stories about growing up in the Midwest and talk about watching his homegrown brand take off.Richard and Russell bond over their shared love for Wisconsin, childhoods spent outdoors, and the communities and friendships that form at local dive bars. Now 13 years strong, the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub is a staple in the Deer District, but its reach extends far beyond that. Even though the brand maintains in-state and out-of-state fame, Richard does his best to keep a low profile on social media, earning a self-aware chuckle from Russell. You’ll want to hear Richard’s story of the rowdy night at the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub before the sixth game of the 2021 NBA Finals.
Richard Lorbach, the man behind “Drink Wisconsinbly,” joins Russell Nicolet to share stories about growing up in the Midwest and talk about watching his homegrown brand take off.Richard and Russell bond over their shared love for Wisconsin, childhoods spent outdoors, and the communities and friendships that form at local dive bars. Now 13 years strong, the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub is a staple in the Deer District, but its reach extends far beyond that. Even though the brand maintains in-state and out-of-state fame, Richard does his best to keep a low profile on social media, earning a self-aware chuckle from Russell. You’ll want to hear Richard’s story of the rowdy night at the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub before the sixth game of the 2021 NBA Finals.Music: “All the Good Stuff” by Charly Twins — Licensed via Artlist (License #ce25me)
You may have seen him win Cutthroat Kitchen, compete on Super Chef Grudge Match, Beat Bobby Flay, and Hell's Kitchen, but today, Adam Pawlak is in front of the camera as a guest, not a chef.Chef Adam discusses how a job at a pizzeria at the early age of 14 led to a career in the restaurant industry that many know him for today. Russell shares his own experience working in the restaurant industry, and the two discuss what makes a restaurant great. Pawlak gives his take on Midwestern dishes, as well as plenty of mouth-watering inspiration for those who are eager to try something new. Food is a universal language, and Pawlak is always ready to teach and inspire.
Alex Wehrley talks with Russell Nicolet about cabin life, Wisconsin accents, and everything in between. Wisconsin will always be home sweet home for Alex. She shares childhood memories from her grandparents’ retirement farm, and Russell notes that for some Midwest folks, “taking it easy” in retirement can mean taking on more work. Alex also sets the record straight on the realities of farm life and how social media sugarcoats the early mornings and long hours. Together, the two trade bar stories, including the time patrons mistook Russell for a preacher. It’s a conversation full of warmth, humor, and Midwest charm that feels like home.
Russell sits down with Myles Montplaisir, better known as the “You Betcha Guy,” for a laugh-filled look at their Midwest experiences. From listening to legendary stories at dive bars to reminiscing on blue-collar workplaces packed with camaraderie, the two revisit fond memories that have plenty of Midwest charm. Though many assume Myles hails from Wisconsin, he’s here to set the record straight by sharing stories about his childhood in Fargo, North Dakota. You’ll hear about “raft burn,” summer trips to Detroit Lakes, and wild tubing rides with his dad at the wheel. Together, Russell and Myles reflect on why Midwesterners take pride in their roots, their work, and their people.
Richie and Bre, from Milwaukee Uncut, dropped by the Midwest Legends studio to chat with Russell about the city they all love and the state they call home.Through their work in Milwaukee Uncut, Richie and Bre make Wisconsin’s landmark city a more exciting place to live, work, and grow up in. On this episode, they get the chance to talk about their own Wisconsin upbringings and joke about the Midwest experiences Richie hasn't tried, or is just avoiding, for as long as he can. You’ll hear stories about interesting characters they've met and standout places they've come across, including businesses with eyebrow-raising names. It's an interview you won't want to miss out on, as they swap stories with Russell along the way.
Ed Bieber (known as “Ed The Diver”) and Christie B dove their way into Midwest fame, but came up to the surface to share their story with Russell Nicolet.In this episode, learn how a mission to clean up the waterways of the Midwest began with Ed retrieving lost fishing lures for his kids. Since then, Ed and Christie B have joined forces, cleaning up trash and returning the treasures they find to their rightful owners. They do it all, and they’re not afraid of the not-so-glamorous work that can come with it. Together, they share their collaborations with local groups, the finds that have mystified them, and the ones that led them to call law enforcement. They’ve been across the Midwest, featured on CBS National News, and now they’re here to give you the inside scoop.
Acclaimed artist Ike Wynter joins the show, telling Russell about all the fascinating places his artwork has taken him. Russell shares how a partnership with the Brewers turned into a once-in-a-lifetime special moment with his dad, while Ike talks about his work with the NFL Draft, Mike Tyson, and the one client that became “the hardest no of my life.” Together they trade hunting stories—including the unforgettable doe that made its way into Wynter family lore. Get ready for easygoing, unfiltered storytelling that feels like you just pulled up a chair at the local bar with your friends. Hey there! Midwest Legends is not a show about Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox, or Sasquatch, but you will hear lots of great stories from the modern-day doers and dreamers leaving their mark on the Midwest. Each episode, one of these folks shares part of their journey with host Russell Nicolet. If you haven’t heard of them before, Midwest Legends is here to introduce you.
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