The Cripescast Podcast (Charlie Berens)

For his triumphant return, stand up comedian Andrew Roffe joins the Cripescast this week to share his best and worst memories from life on the road opening for Charlie. Like an old married couple, the two air their grievances, express their pet peeves, and Andrew suggests they go to couples counseling. They discuss some of their favorite video collabs, the stand up comedy scene today, and Charlie’s environmentalist habits that drive Andrew nuts. Stick around for the end of the episode where they play a “Honeymooners Game for Comedy Partners” where all secrets get revealed. 

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Follow Andrew on all platforms @asap_roffe and get tickets at andrewroffe.com to see him live or at charlieberens.com to see them perform together.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens and @manitowocminute as well as on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens for behind the scenes footage, tour dates, deleted scenes and more!

Live from Comedy on State in Madison, Wisconsin, journalism professor Mike Wagner makes his return to the Cripescast to answer more election questions. With November 5th right around the corner, there’s no better time to discuss pressing topics that Amercians feel are at stake in this presidential election from social to economic issues. While America feels more divided than ever due to misinformation and sensationalized news, Mike reminds us of the importance of seeking out the truth and remaining open minded, regardless of party lines. In this episode, Mike and Charlie discuss topics ranging from AI to national debt to border control. They also take questions from the audience about the environment, third party voting, and where individuals can go to find unbiased information. For more details about voting in Wisconsin, visit myvote.wi.gov and don’t forget to vote on or before November 5th. 

Follow Mike on X @prowag. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. 

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

For filmmakers Anders and Davin Lindwall, telling a story about farming and the Green Bay Packers was deeply personal. They explain how their new movie, “Green and Gold”, was directly inspired by their childhood growing up on their grandfather’s dairy farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The film stars Craig T. Nelson as Buck, a struggling dairy farmer who wagers everything on the Packers’ 1993 season, while his granddaughter Jenny, played by Madison Lawlor, balances her music dreams with farm life. This week, Anders and Davin join Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the making of the film, their choice to shoot on real Wisconsin farms, and their advice for emerging independent filmmakers. They also reveal the strange story of filming a calf’s birth for one scene in the movie, including how they managed to cheat the moments that couldn’t be captured on camera. 

“Green and Gold” hits theaters January 31st. Follow @greenandgoldmovie and visit greenandgoldmovie.com for tickets.

Follow the Cripescast on all platform @cripescast.

Live from Comedy on State in Madison, Wisconsin, professor Mike Wagner explains what you need to know for the upcoming Supreme Court election on April 4. Charlie and Mike outline why it’s important to vote and the key issues that will potentially be impacted by this election. Audience members chimed in with their questions on gerrymandering, reproductive healthcare, marijuana legalization, environmental concerns, the effectiveness of political ads and more.

For more information on registering to vote, go to myvote.wi.gov and vote on April 4 2023.

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and be sure to check us out on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens.

It’s that time again! This week Charlie is back with another Q&A episode of the Cripescast, where he reveals his deepest fears, his favorite conspiracy theories, and his thoughts on the new Wicked movie.

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn is advocating for the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers on this episode of the Cripescast. Cheryl explains how the key issues she deals with day to day in Wisconsin are a microcosm for the rest of the world’s water supply. Charlie, a self-proclaimed environmentalist, picks her brain about clean water issues and the implications on public health, fishing, and more. Stick around for the end of the episode where Cheryl gives tips on how to get involved with both the Milwaukee Riverkeepers and within your own community.

For more information on Cheryl’s work, head to milwaukeeriverkeeper.org or find them on social media @mkeriverkeeper.

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast and find more information about the show cripescast.com and patreon.com/charlieberens. To get your own Midwest and USA proud merch, head to manitowocminute.com.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Jessie Opoien has been covering politics in Wisconsin for over a decade. With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner and with several hot button issues on the ballot, many Americans have questions about what’s really at stake this November. Luckily, Jessie brings her expertise to the Cripescast this week to answer viewer submitted questions. She sheds light on topics such as election integrity, how to register to vote, and whether or not we can put an end to increasing political polarization. In true Charlie fashion, the two go down the rabbit hole of artificial intelligence and its impending implications in the media and in energy policy. Along with giving Charlie the inside scoop on all things politics, Jessie slips into her best Midwest accent to reveal her biggest grammar pet peeve and to have a taste of Berens Old Fashioned Brandy. 

Follow Jessie on Instagram and X at @jessieopie and follow her work at the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. 

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Former offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, Joe Thomas, leaves his mark on the Cripescast this week by being the first guest to sign the studio wall. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, Joe shares stories from his career and explains how Browns and Packers fans are pretty similar. From finding out he was being drafted while fishing with his dad to hearing the news that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame from his son, Joe says his football career wouldn’t be possible without his family. Like true Wisconsinites, Charlie and Joe discuss important Midwest topics including fishing, hunting, and whether or not it’s sacrilegious to poke a brat while grilling.

Find us on all platforms @charlieberens and @cripescast, find tour dates and merch at cripescast.com and charlieberens.com. Check us out on Patreon for exclusive content for our top fans at patreon.com/charlieberens.

Having dated not just one, but two Bucky Badgers during her time at UW-Madison, Hannah Berner begrudgingly identifies herself as a furry chaser on this episode of the Cripescast. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she talks about the culture shock she experienced when coming to Wisconsin, including being introduced to cheese curds and duck hunting. She shares stories from her time as a D1 athlete, how she used to sneak into the KK through the kitchen, and the time she was hit by a car on the way to tennis practice. Going down a rabbit hole of technology conspiracy theories, she explains that while she doesn’t trust AirPods she’s okay with the government watching her through her computer camera. Charlie has Hannah play a game where she compares the Midwest and the East Coast with topics including bagels, beer, manners and men. 

Follow Hannah on all platforms @hannahberner and find her tour dates at hannahberner.com. 

Find us on all platforms @cripescast, @charlieberens, @manitowocminute and for more information about the podcast, head to cripescast.com. For even more fun, find us on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens for behind the scenes, fan Q&A’s and more!

Yia Vang’s new Minneapolis restaurant, Vinai, is a place of restoration. Named after the Hmong refugee camp in Thailand where Yia’s parents met and where he was born, the restaurant serves as a love letter to his family and heritage. Both of his establishments, Vinai and Union Hmong Kitchen, are some of the first ever dedicated Hmong cuisine restaurants in the United States. On top of being a critically-acclaimed chef, he also hosts a cooking show called “Feral” on the Outdoor Channel, and has made appearances on shows like “Iron Chef” and “Good Morning America”. This week on the Cripescast, Charlie steps in as Yia’s sous chef and helps him prepare a dish using Berens Old Fashioned Brandy. While they cook, Yia shares some of the cultural details woven throughout Vinai’s decor, how he learned to cook, and his preferred method of drinking Charlie’s brandy.

Find Yia on Instagram and TikTok @yiavang70 and on Facebook and X @chefyiavang. Visit his restaurants Union Hmong Kitchen and Vinai if you’re in the Minneapolis area!

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast and visit cripescast.com for all show information.

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Live from the green room in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it’s the Cripescast on the Road. Joined by his opener, Bill Deucette, his music partner, Adam Greuel, and his producer, Dante Williams, you get a glimpse of life on the road for Charlie on this episode of the Cripescast. Having performed both comedy and music, Adam, Bill, and Charlie discuss the similarities and differences between the two artforms, while Dante shares some not-so-glamorous stories from life on the road involving food poisoning. In the wake of their latest album Dive Bar Dinner, Adam and Charlie explain their songwriting process and how going with the flow brought them to new creative territories. Adam even gets a little spiritual with it and offers insight about embracing the chaos of life and finding zen in creative moments. Having spent so much time together it’s clear to see the foursome has gotten close, perhaps too close, as their conversations about Catholic school confessions, Billy’s body temperature and urinal preferences can confirm.

Be sure to follow Bill @billydeuce86, Adam @adamgreuel, and Dante @dantesnotimpressed. Check out the new Berens & Greuel album, Dive Bar Dinner, available now at cripescast.com under the merch tab!

Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and check out our show at cripescast.com. Find exclusive content at patreon.com/charlieberens.

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.

For more information about fishing in Wisconsin, head to dnr.wisconsin.gov and be sure to follow them on all platforms. 

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Ryland Brickson Cole Tews knew that he was a part of something special while filming Hundreds of Beavers. The critics agree. The 2022 film has taken off in unimaginable ways by screening in over 70 film festivals since its release, receiving a 97% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and earning a spot as the second-highest rated movie of 2024 on Letterboxd. Filmed in Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula over two winters, Hundreds of Beavers is a black and white, “no-dialogue”, slapstick comedy reminiscent of Buster Keaton films and Saturday morning cartoons. Ryland joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week to talk about the process of making the movie, from start to finish, how his dad became prop master, and using beer as a form of payment. As a true Wisconsinite, Ryland shares that his biggest pet peeve is warm beer. 

Follow Hundreds of Beavers @beaversfilm on X and all other platforms @hundredsofbeavers. Visit hundredsofbeavers.com for tickets to the December 5th screenings.

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to the advancement of clean renewable energy in the dairy state since 1991. On this episode of the Cripescast, Charlie is joined by RENEW’s Communications Manager, Alex Beld, and their Emerging Technology Director, Francisco Sayu, to discuss what RENEW is doing in the state of Wisconsin. Their mission is “seeking to power a strong, healthy and vibrant state by implementing environmentally friendly energy systems,” while simultaneously looking out for the economy and general public health. Francisco and Alex outline their latest ongoing initiative of getting electric school buses in all of Wisconsin’s school districts, while also explaining the health impacts of diesel emissions on students and the economic advantage EV buses could provide to schools. 

For more information on their work and how to nominate your school to receive free electric buses in Wisconsin, head to renewwisconsn.org. Find them on all platforms @renew_wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens @manitowocminute.

To donate to Doctors Without Borders, head to doctorswithoutborders.org.

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.

Follow Masood on all platforms @masood_boomgaard.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

On a special episode of the Cripescast this week, Charlie answers fan questions about birding, tour, the Midwest and more of his favorite things.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and check us out on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens

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. 

Follow Elena on Instagram @elenavelez and check out her work at elenavelez.com.

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

Kathleen Madigan is a Midwest girl through and through. Although she’s spent the last 33 years doing stand up comedy around the world, her Missouri roots still make the Midwest feel like home. Over the course of her career, Kathleen has made over 40 appearances on daytime and late-night talk shows, performed for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has earned over 10 million downloads on her podcast Madigan’s Pubcast. With six comedy specials already under her belt, she’s currently gearing up to film her seventh at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee. Aside from comedy, she and Charlie connect over growing up in large Catholic families, their love for common hobbies like fishing and gambling, and commiserate about the worst parts of golfing. Kathleen also shares her airplane grievances and which Midwest-ish city she thinks is America’s best kept secret. 

Follow Kathleen on Instagram @officialkathleenmadigan or X @KathleenMadigan. Check out her website kathleenmadigan.com for tour dates and tickets, including tickets to her special taping at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee in April!

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

This week, Bill Doucette, otherwise known as Billy Deuce, returns for his second solo appearance on the Cripescast. Charlie’s long time friend and frequent collaborator, the two spend this episode cracking jokes and trying out bits. Equipped with an acoustic guitar, Bill reveals a song that he wrote in high school, gives his best musical impressions, and shares a tune from his career as a children’s musician. Ladies: stick around to the end to find out if you’re Bill’s dream woman.

Follow Bill @billydeuce86 on all platforms and follow The Cripescast @cripescast.

For Chef Luke Zahm, food is more than just fuel. Rather, it’s about community, history, and tradition. As host of PBS’s Emmy award-winning show, Wisconsin Foodie, and owner of The Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Luke is all about celebrating the Midwest through cooking. In this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie discuss their favorite things about Midwestern culture and the easiest way to impress guests with your cooking. They also talk about their humble beginnings as fast food workers, Charlie a pretzel roller at Auntie Anne’s, and Luke as a sandwich artist for Subway Sandwiches. The conversation even takes a saucy turn when they each share some of the wildest DMs they’ve received from fans.

Check out our merch, tour dates, content and more at cripescast.com and find BTS exclusive content at patreon.com/charlieberens. Follow us at @cripescast on all platforms. 

When Matteo Lane started doing stand up comedy in 2011, the world looked very different. In fact, Matteo had never even seen a gay man do stand up until he was 23 years old, and it was then that he realized he could do it too. He says that, despite being gay in a time where it was “just acceptable,” he found a supportive community in the world of comedy, filled with like-minded people who were equally as passionate about the craft and didn’t care where you came from. Now, 16 years later, Matteo describes himself as a stand up comic “through and through.” This week he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss growing up in Chicago, his Midwest family, and his envy for people with great hair.

Follow Matteo everywhere @matteolane and find tickets to his show in Milwaukee and beyond at matteolanecomedy.com

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Becky Robinson loves character work. This is evident through her numerous online personas, including her most viral one, “The Entitled Housewife”. Before the hard seltzer-drinking and golf-loving housewife catapulted her comedy career, Becky spent a decade working hard on her stand up chops as well as picking up random odd jobs to make ends meet. This week, she joins Charlie on the Cripescast and two discuss their parents’ initial reactions to their sketches, the drama-filled reality of country clubs, and both of their career goals. Stick around to the end of the episode to hear Charlie’s Midwest Dad character get into a heated debate with the Entitled Housewife. 

Follow Becky @beckyrobinson4 and @entitledhousewife, and find her tour dates at beckyrobinsonthegreat.com.

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Live from the iconic Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, Charlie interviews a panel of environmental experts about the phosphorus levels in our lakes. The panel includes director of UW-Madison’s Center for Limnology, Jake Vander Zanden, professor of Grassland Ecology from the Department of Agronomy, Randy Jackson, and return Cripescast guest and author, Dan Egan. They answer questions from the crowd while having an open discussion about key sources of phosphorus, its implications on everyday life, and what we can do to help clean our lakes. 

To get involved, head to cleanwisconsin.org or grasslandag.org and check out the Wisconsin Idea wisc.edu/wisconsin-idea/. Also be sure to pick up a copy of Dan’s latest book “The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World out of Balance” anywhere you get your books. 

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and at cripescast.com. Check out our behind the scenes footage at Patreon.com/charlieberens.

Dana Ehrmann didn't tell her first jokes to an audience, she told them to Lake Michigan. West Allis native and Wisconsin State Fair aficionado, Dana has become a staple in the Milwaukee comedy scene and was even Charlie’s very first opener back in 2017. This week, she joins the Cripescast to share her bizarre introduction to comedy, play some Wisconsin trivia, and talk about Wisconsin’s most notorious serial killers. Off stage, she spends her time advocating for Alzheimer’s awareness and research ever since she became a caretaker for her mother, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022. The two also discuss the difficulties of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and Dana provides some helpful advice for caregivers and those around them. 

Follow Dana @danajokes and follow the Cripescast @cripescast.

Steve Treviño’s career isn’t what defines him, being a husband and father does. With six comedy specials under his belt and spending decades as a touring comedian, he explains that despite all his success, he still lives a normal life. Whether it’s taking the stories from growing up, raising his kids, or squabbling with his wife, he strives to relate with his audiences when he’s on stage. This week, Steve joins Charlie on the Cripescast to talk about everything from coaching little league, to developing a strong work ethic, to going viral in the early days of social media.

Follow Steve on Instagram and TikTok @texastrevino, @MrSteveTrevino on X, and on all other platforms @stevetrevino. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. 

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Michelle Miller, aka "The Farm Babe," traded Rodeo Drive for the rodeo and never looked back—except when it comes to shoes. Growing up in the Midwest with 4-H and horses, she now advocates for farmers by educating consumers about food. On this episode of the Cripescast, she debunks farming myths and jokes about the slim dating pool for farm boys. She also shares stories of her adventurous life, from traveling the world and working odd jobs to clubbing with Paris Hilton in LA—all leading her back to Midwest farming. Tune in as she and Charlie test their ‘80s Midwest commercial knowledge, recall her first job at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, and sip Brandy Old Fashioneds made by Charlie with his brandy.

Find Michelle on all platforms @thefarmbabe and on Facebook @iowafarmbabe. Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

Mary Jo Wheeler-Schueller is a trailblazer in the Wisconsin automotive industry. As President of the Wheeler Family Auto Group, she is passionate about making electric vehicles (EV) accessible to everyone in Wisconsin. She outlines the process of building EV chargers into the state's existing infrastructure, as well as the roadblocks she’s faced in trying to do so. Eager to shake things up, she explained how she became GM’s first US dealer to implement EV chargers by saying “nobody remembers who got second in the Super Bowl." She and Charlie talk about EV’s impact on climate change, the common concerns from consumers, and the future of the automotive industry. 

To contact Mary Jo, email her at ⁠maryjo.w@wheelersgm.com⁠ or follow her on socials @maryjowheeler or for more information, head to ⁠https://www.wheelersgm.com/⁠. 

Find us on all social media @cripescast, tour dates at cripescast.com/tour, and our merch at cripescast.com. For behind the scenes, extended cuts and deleted scenes go to patreon.com/charlieberens. 

Despite never planning to become a comedian, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes has undeniably made a name for herself in the world of comedy. 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.

Follow Anjelah on all platforms @anjelahjohnson and check out her specials, show dates, merch and more at anjelah.com.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and for Charlie's show dates, merch, Patreon, and all that, head to cripescast.com

For continued donations and aid to Doctors Without Borders, head to doctorswithoutborders.org.

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.

Follow Cristela on all platforms @cristela9 and be sure to check out her specials on Netflix!

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Trauma surgeon and humanitarian physician Feroze Sidhwa has worked in healthcare systems across the globe. From volunteering in Ukraine to Haiti, from Zimbabwe to Burkina Faso, Feroze has seen it all. However, his extensive time in Gaza is what inspired him to write an open letter to the White House, detailing the humanitarian crisis he had observed there. That letter, signed by dozens of other doctors working in Gaza, was eventually published by the New York Times. This week, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss his open letter, the response to it, and more of what he experienced working as a trauma surgeon and physician abroad.

Keep up with Feroze on X @FerozeSidhwa. Check out GazaHealthcareLetters.org to read Feroze’s letter and to email the White House. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and check out cripescast.com for tour info, merch, and more.

Further information and resources regarding this episode:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmintdev/487/48705.htm

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/19/1206479861/israel-gaza-hamas-children-population-war-palestinians 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip_famine

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2024/11/20/an-a-z-of-the-children-israel-killed-in-gaza

https://www.unescwa.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pdf/war-gaza-dedliest-100-twenty-first-century-policy-brief-english.pdf

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/21/middleeast/gaza-war-israeli-soldiers-ptsd-suicide-intl/index.html

https://gaza-patterns-harm.airwars.org/#demographics

https://truthout.org/articles/israel-has-killed-2100-babies-under-2-years-old-in-gaza-rights-group-says/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422394/palestinian-territories-number-of-internally-displaced-refugees-in-gaza-after-israeli-air-strike/#:~:text=Around%2090%20percent%20of%20Gaza%27s,counterstrikes%20of%20the%20Israeli%20military.

Shortly after being in a hit and run accident, comedian and writer Rosebud Baker hops on a call with Charlie for this week’s episode of the Cripescast. With her first child on the way, Rosebud speculates whether motherhood will change her perspective on life and is excited for all the potential bits it’ll bring to her act. After being encouraged by her friends to try stand up, it only took trying open mic once for her to get hooked on comedy. Since then, she’s written on shows like That Damn Michael Che, put out her comedy special “Whiskey Fits” on Comedy Central, and is currently a writer on Saturday Night Live. She and Charlie share their disdain for crowdwork clips, upsetting their families with their material, and debate whether “Saved by the Bell” or “Full House” was a better show growing up. 

Want to see Rosebud Baker at @improvmilwaukee July 13-15th? Use code CRIPES at improv.com/milwaukee/ for $5 tickets.

Follow Rosebud on all platforms @rosebudbaker and get tickets for her shows at rosebudbaker.com.

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast and cripescast.com - find us on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens

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.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

All bets are off whenever Grandma Sue joins the podcast. In this episode of the Cripescast, we're bringing you highlights from all three of her appearances on the show including her first solo interview and her two road trip episodes to the casino. From talking about "necking" at Stinky Point to giving unexpected dating advice, this episode is full of everyone’s favorite moments with Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary and Lois Bently.

For more information about donating to Doctors Without Borders, go to doctorswithoutborders.org.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and our website at cripescast.com.

This week, guitarist from Portugal. The Man Eric Howk joins Charlie for a conversation from a green room in Portland to talk all things touring. Having grown up in a small town in Alaska, Eric moved to Seattle at 18, diving head first into life as a young and hungry musician. From his early days living out of a van, to adjusting to life on the road after a paralyzing accident at age 26, to joining Portugal. The Man in 2015, Eric’s spent a collective 25 years on the road. Now, at 44 years old, he’s ready to take a step back from touring to enjoy life on his farm. In this episode, Eric shares wild stories about his grandfather’s airplane junkyard, Charlie gives us a taste of his harmonica playing skills, and the two of them joke about starting a blues band. 

Follow Eric @eric_howk and follow Portugal. The Man @portugaltheman. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

From ranking superheroes to debating whether or not they’re going to Heaven, no topic is off limits for Patrick Johnson II and Mike Esibou. As fellow Milwaukeean podcasters, Pat and Mike dive into current events, take calls from fans, and shoot the breeze on their weekly show the Crash Dummies Podcast. This week on the Cripescast however, they go on tangent after tangent with Charlie and discuss everything from train conductors, to email scams, to the legality of marrying cousins in the US. Pat and Mike share the story of how Crash Dummies came to be, their insights on social media clips, and memories from their childhood, including Mike’s 3-year stint in Nigerian boarding school.  

Be sure to check out The Crash Dummies Podcast on all podcasting platforms. Follow @crashdummiespodcast, @pjohnsonjr_ and @mike.esiobu on all platforms. 

Check us out on all platforms as well @cripescast @charlieberens and @manitwoocminute and for all things podcast related head to cripescast.com and go to patreon.com/charlieberens for exclusive content.

Starting out comedy in New York City in the early 2000s, Yannis Pappas has seen how stand up has changed over the last 20 years. You proabbly recognize him from his numerous stand up specials or from his podcasts “The Yannis Pappas Hour” or “History Hyenas” with Chris Distefano. Needless to say, he’s seen it all. In this episode, Charlie has met his match as they go down the existential rabbit hole about social media, climate change, and AI. Beyond the spiral, they talk about Milwaukee hot spots, the ways in which parenting humbles a person, and Yannis’s petition for more daddy-daughter public bathrooms for all the girl dads out there.

Follow Yannis on all platforms @yannispappas and get tickets to his December 6th & 7th shows in Milwaukee at yannispappascomedy.com.

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

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. 

Follow Nate on all platforms @naterusscomedy and check out his upcoming show at ATLcomedytheater.com. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. 

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Whether you’re familiar with Nev Schulman or not, you’ve probably heard of his hit TV show Catfish. For those who aren’t familiar, catfishing is when someone is lured into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona. On this episode of the Cripescast, Nev explains the show’s journey. Starting as a documentary based on his own catfish experience, to then being picked up by MTV for a series, to it being part of the cultural zeitgeist today, Catfish has taken on a life of its own. Beyond that, he and Charlie discuss everything under the sun from their love of minivans to their own personal manscaping preferences. While he may be from New York originally, Nev explains that he wants to settle down in the Midwest, specifically in Michigan. They bond over using cleaning as a form of therapy and Charlie promises to gift Nev a vintage vacuum cleaner next time he’s in town. 

Find Nev on all platforms @nevschulman and check out his show Catfish: The TV Show on MTV. 

Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and check out our show at cripescast.com. Find exclusive content at patreon.com/charlieberens. 

For donations to Doctors Without Borders humanitarian aid to Gaza, head to doctorswithoutborders.org.

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. 

Follow Mary on all platforms @marymackcomedy and visit https://www.marymackcomedy.com/ to find information on her tour and tickets. 

Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and for Charlie’s tour dates, merch, Patreon and more head to cripescast.com. 

For continued support of the work by Doctors Without Borders in the Middle East, find more information and donate at doctorswithoutborders.org. 

Country trio Chapel Hart never envisioned themselves pursuing a career in music, much less earning a Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent. For these Mississippi sisters, Danica and Devynn, and their cousin Trea, family is quite literally everything. With over 100 cousins and nearly 20 aunts and uncles, many of whom are also musically inclined, the girls never saw their talents as anything out of the ordinary. At least not until they started busking on the streets of New Orleans. Their crowds grew, they gained the attention of country music stars like Darius Rucker, and eventually, America’s Got Talent came calling. Having found success on the show with their original song “You Can Have Him Jolene,” Chapel Hart has gone on to tour the country, perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and earn recognition as one of CMT’s “Next Women in Country.” This week, Danica, Devynn, and Trea join Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss family dynamics, learn about ice fishing, and share stories from their blossoming career. They also reveal their hot takes on “cosplay cowboys” and whether or not Nashville can really be considered “the South.”

Follow Chapel Hart on all platforms @chapelhartband. Pre-save their upcoming Christmas album, Hartfelt Family Christmas, here: https://originsrecords.lnk.to/hartfeltfamilychristmas?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaQ18lfVytaS1qZ_mD2qsdf3nqlRJ3WeoG8wrcJr5GbCugc2uOtNw3kA1w_aem_kcyVoQ7PusvJyN3X-5JoaQ

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. 

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Former Green Bay Packers’ nose tackle, Gilbert Brown, toys with the idea of trying stand-up comedy on this episode of the Cripescast. Nicknamed after his infamous tackle celebration “The Gravedigger,” Gilbert shares the dance’s origin, how he got into football, and his favorite Packer memory with Reggie White. As a self-proclaimed “devout momma’s boy,” Gilbert explains how rewarding it was to fulfill the promise he made to his mom by making it into the NFL and buying her a house. He and Charlie talk about their first cars, Marvel and DC comics, fishing, and the work Gilbert gets to do with the Gilbert Brown Foundation. Having endured the trade of Brett Favre to the Jets in 2008, Gilbert offers advice to Packers fans and encourages them to “get on the Jordan Love train and let Rodgers go.”

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast, follow Gilbert @gilbertbrown on Twitter and @gilbertbrownfoundation on Instagram. For more information on the Gilbert Brown Foundation go to gilbertbrownfoundation.org. Check out our Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens for exclusive behind the scenes content for life at Cripes Inc.

For comedian Sam Jay it was love at first open mic. From putting out multiple stand up specials, to having written on Saturday Night Live, to co-creating and starring on Peacock’s Bust Down, her commitment to the art of comedy is steadfast. Sam explains how failing in front of an audience is a necessary growing pain for young comedians and how going through hard life experiences can develop a comedic voice. She and Charlie dive into her comedy goals, the future of network television, and how social media has changed the comedy scene. Like any good Cripescast episode, she and Charlie fall down a rabbit hole about the 1991 film Hook and unpack the true lessons and meaning behind the movie.

Be sure to follow @samjaycomedian on Instagram and check out her new special Salute Me or Shoot Me streaming on HBO. 

Check us out on all platforms, @cripescast @charlieberens and @manitowocminute. For all things podcast related head to cripescast.com and for exclusive content, go to patreon.com/charlieberens.

To donate to humanitarian aid in Gaza, head to doctorswithoutborders.org.

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. 

Follow Kristen on all platforms @kristenlkish and be sure to catch this season of Top Chef!

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

The holidays are here, which means lots of time spent with family. This week on the Cripescast, we’re throwing it back with a compilation of the fan-favorite siblings episodes. From Charlie’s sisters dishing juicy stories, to squashing the beef with his brothers, this episode is full of all the best moments. 

Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and check out our show at cripescast.com. Find exclusive content at patreon.com/charlieberens.

Comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie met in the most hopeless place: the LA open mic scene. As hosts of the  “My Momma Told Me” podcast, a show under Will Ferrell’s and iHeartMedia’s Big Money Players Network, they dive deep into the most exciting, groundbreaking, and sometimes controversial Black conspiracy theories. In this episode they share their individual paths to comedy, break down their favorite conspiracy theories, and follow Charlie down a rabbit hole about ChatGPT.

Check out their podcast “My Momma Told Me” wherever you get your podcasts and follow Langston @langstonkerman and David @coolguyjokes87. 

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and watch our full podcasts on YouTube and Spotify. For even more Cripescast and Charlie content, find us on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens.

Polar explorer and expedition guide Eric Larsen isn’t one to shy away from the cold. Having completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history, it’s safe to say he thrives in below freezing temperatures. From being a park ranger in Alaska to a sled dog herder in Minnesota, Eric’s spent his life in the cold and his story has become the subject to several documentaries. Traveling in such extreme environments comes with no shortage of challenges or close encounters with wildlife. In fact, on this episode of the Cripescast, Eric shares stories of both including being chased by a moose and being stalked by a polar bear. He and Charlie bond over what it was like growing up in Wisconsin, their first jobs as bike mechanics, and their shared passion for preserving the outdoors.

Follow Eric on Instagram at @elexplores and book a trip with him to explore the North Pole at ericlarsenexplore.com.

For donating to humanitarian relief in the Middle East, head to doctorswithoutborders.org and follow them on all platforms @doctorswithoutborders.

Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and Charlie @charlieberens. For live show tickets, merch, comments and more head to cripescast.com.

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. 

Follow Adam on Instagram @adam_pawlak23. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

Kim and Penn Holderness know a thing or two about working in media. Despite their established online presence as The Holderness Family, working in social media was never part of their plan, let alone doing so for 10 years. Like Charlie, Kim and Penn both started out working in news and the three bond over their shared experiences on this episode of the Cripescast. This week they discuss everything from Penn’s new book on ADHD, how they embrace their kids calling them “cringey parents”, and how they won the 33rd season of The Amazing Race. Between a decade of working together and nearly two as a married couple, Kim and Penn have no shortage of stories to tell and marriage advice to offer. They share how they met, Kim’s giddy encounter with George Clooney, and they even play a game of “who’s most likely to” with Charlie. 

Follow the Holderness Family on all platforms @theholdernessfamily and check out their website https://theholdernessfamily.com/. 

You can also find us on all social platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. For all things Cripescast head to cripescast.com and for exclusive content go to patreon.com/charlieberens 

For continued humanitarian relief, donate to Doctors Without Borders for helping in Gaza at doctorswithoutborders.org

Live from a car ride to Ho Chunk Casino, Charlie chats with his Grandma Sue, his Aunt Mary, and Grandma Sue’s friend Lois Bentley. As a returning guest of the Cripescast, Grandma Sue shows the girls how it’s done as they trade funny stories including the time Mary got her bra caught on a ceiling fan at the local bar. Growing up together, Lois and Sue share stories about their late husbands Bob Bentley and Bob Berens, finding their children’s stashes of weed, and Grandpa Bob’s impression of Elvis. Being the first female prison guard at the Waupun prison, Lois recounts the time she found some risque items in the mail that were sent to the inmates. Just as they arrive in Baraboo, everyone offers up a piece of life advice to the audience and wishes each other well at the slot machines.

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. For more bonus content from Charlie's trip to the casino, head to patreon.com/charlieberens.

Wisconsin environmental conservationist Aldo Leopold never could have imagined the global impact that his 1949 book A Sand County Almanac would have on the world. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, president and executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Buddy Huffaker, joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week. Having worked for the foundation for over 20 years, Buddy is one of millions that have been inspired by A Sand County Almanac. So much so that he’s made conservation and education his life’s work. In this episode, Buddy and Charlie discuss Aldo’s writings, as well as the work that the foundation does, not only to maintain land, but to keep Aldo’s message alive. 

For more information about the Aldo Leopold Foundation, visit their website https://www.aldoleopold.org. Follow them on X @aldoleopoldfdn and on all other platforms at @aldoleopoldfoundation. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

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. 

Follow Zane @zane_statz and check out more of his work at zasdesigns.com.

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

Executive Director for the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Tracy Hames, has a wealth of knowledge about Wisconsin’s water supply and ecosystem. On this episode of the Cripescast, he and Charlie discuss wetland preservation from environmental and economic perspectives, and its impact on the average Wisconsinite. “We don’t try to get people to like ducks and frogs and pretty flowers if they don’t already like those things,” Hames explains. “Instead, we get them to care for wetlands because wetlands are important to maintaining the things they already care about.” He explains that hunting, fishing, and clean water are just a few of the many areas of our day to day life that are dependent on wetlands and urges the listeners to get out in the mud and start exploring. 

For more information on what you can do in your community, visit wisconsinwetlands.org and get in the mud.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and for tour dates, new merch, and all the podcast info your heart desires, head to cripescast.com.

Damian Buchman has defied one in a million odds not once but twice in his life. Diagnosed with a rare bone cancer at 13 years old and having endured 28 knee surgeries since, he embodies what it means to have grit and tenacity. Knowing what it feels like to have to sit out because of a disability, Damian’s life work has been dedicated to creating spaces that are accessible to all. He and Charlie talk about his work with the Ability Center in Milwaukee, including the plans for a multi-million dollar Universal Park to be built in Wauwatosa. Damian explains that “people aren’t used to following their dreams, mostly because we’re stomped down by someone who lost theirs,” and encourages everyone to block out the doubters and follow their dreams. 

For more information about Damian’s story, check out his website at damianbuchman.com and follow him on all platforms @damianbspeaks. Check out the Ability Center at tacwi.org. 

Find us on all social media platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens and find us on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens.

It’s time to buckle in for a Cripescast episode all about Birding. UW-Madison Life Science Communications teacher, Dexter Patterson, is a self-proclaimed “Bird Nerd” and as any dedicated listener of the show knows, Charlie is too. Dexter is working to make birdwatching accessible to everyone, whether it’s through sharing his adventures to his followers or by co-founding the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. He’s on a mission to bring diversity to birding and to create a welcoming community for people of color outdoors, a space where they’ve historically been left out. In this episode, Charlie and Dexter nerd out about their “spark birds,” discuss how getting outdoors can improve mental health, and how simply going birding is a form of environmental activism. 

Follow Dexter at @wiscobirder and find out more information about the BIPOC Birding Club at bipocbirdingclub.org. 

Find us on all platforms @cripescast @charliebererns @manitowocminute and for merch, tour dates, show info and more go to cripescast.com. Find exclusive content at patreon.com/charlieberens. 

For donating to humanitarian aid in Gaza, head to doctorswithoutborders.org. 

Comedian Joe Gatto lives to make people laugh. You may recognize him from the hit TV show Impractical Jokers, starring him and his three best friends in a hidden camera comedy series. He shares stories from their humble beginnings in his parents’ basement, his favorite moments from the show, and the best punishment he came up with for his castmate Sal Vulcano. Today he’s touring the country doing stand up, hosting a weekly podcast with Steve Byrne called “Two Cool Moms”, and rescuing animals through his charity Gatto Pups and Friends. Being the youngest child of a big Italian family, Joe knows a thing or two about practical jokes, and he attributes his sense of humor to his parents. Be sure to stick around for the end to hear his recipe for the perfect practical joke.

Follow Joe on all platforms @joe_gatto and @GattoPupsAndFriends. Check out his shows at joegattoofficial.com to see him live in a town near you!

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and for more information about the show, Charlie's tour dates, merch and more, head to cripescast.com.

It’s the Cripescast Wrapped episode! This week we’re using our final episode of the year to highlight some of our best moments from 2024. From Grandma Sue getting pulled over, to the weirdest things Christian Yelich has ever autographed, to so much more. Buckle in for an episode full of our guests’ wildest stories, funniest moments, and juiciest bits of gossip. Thanks for listening this year and we’ll see ya in 2025! Until then, watch out for reindeer. 🦌

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast! For behind the scenes and exclusive content, check out patreon.com/charlieberens!

Comment your favorite episode from this year!

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.

Follow Steven on Instagram and X at @stevenolikara, and keep up with his work at @futurecaucus or @bridgeentlabs. Check out everything else he’s up to at stevenolikara.com. 

Find us on all platforms at @cripescast and for more information on the show, visit us at cripescast.com.

Donate to Doctors without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.com

Ed Bieber, A.K.A. Ed the Diver, is cleaning up bodies of water across the Midwest one dive at a time. You may recognize him from his videos online, where he dives into lakes and rivers and retrieves anything from sunglasses, to car batteries, to engagement rings. He and Charlie bond over their love for fishing and their disdain for losing tackle when it gets caught on something in the water. Ed explains how he started his underwater recovery business, some of the craziest items he’s found along the way, and he shows Charlie his museum of lost items.

Find Ed on all platforms @edthediver and check out his merch and upcycled lures at edthediver.com

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and for tour dates, merch, show updates and all the info head to cripescast.com. For behind the scenes footage, deleted scenes, extended podcasts and exclusive ticket deals head to patreon.com/charlieberens.

Just when Laura Clery thought she was doing it all as a comedian, writer, and content creator, she discovered her potential as an inspirational speaker on this episode of the Cripescast. Moving from Illinois to Los Angeles at 18 years old to now having nearly 30 million followers across the internet, Laura is living the life that many dream of. Nicknamed “Cuffs” as a teen, she talks about being a troublemaker growing up and shares stories from her days as a shoplifter. Now reformed and sober 11 years, she explains how her children changed her outlook on life. She and Charlie share their thoughts on the price of nut butters, social media, and mental health, which leads Laura into playing therapist for Charlie halfway through the episode.

Follow Laura on all platforms @lauraclery, follow us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. For Midwest merch and more info about the show, head to cripescast.com.

Want exclusive and bonus content of the Cripescast and all Charlie's doing? Head to patreon.com/charlieberens and subscribe to our Patreon account.

Jeff Ditzenberger takes mental health very seriously as a farmer and a veteran, two communities with some of the highest suicide rates in the country. When it comes to asking a friend how they are, he explains that “I’d rather spend an hour listening to all the things that are causing you angst, than sit and listen to your eulogy for five minutes.” He stresses the importance of being vulnerable, regardless of gender, generation or occupation, and encourages people to talk about the uncomfortable parts of life. As a return Cripescast guest, he updates the listeners about his non-profit TUGS, provides resources for those struggling with mental health, and shares a story about how he saved someone’s life with a simple act of kindness. Jeff and Charlie taste test some pickle-flavored ranch and debate whether or not Charlie “stole” or “borrowed” a glazer from Jeff the first time he was on the show.

For more information about TUGS, go to tugsgroup.com or find them on Facebook at @tugsgroup, and you can find Jeff on Instagram at @ditzisms or on Facebook at Jeff Ditzenberger. 

For those interested in more information about Doctors Without Borders’ humanitarian relief in the Middle East, check it out here: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/. 

Find us on all platforms @cripescast, @charlieberens, @manitowocminute and find tour dates, Patreon, merch and more at cripescast.com.

Though he’s a Detroit Lions fan, Xavier Prather knows what it takes to win. Drawing from his skills as an attorney, he strategically won Big Brother and made history as the first Black winner of a regular season in the show’s entire series. Dubbing the experience as “The Truman Show meets summer camp,” Xavier goes into detail about what it was like being constantly filmed and having no contact with the outside world. While the circumstances were far from ordinary, he looks back fondly on his experience and the friendships he made within The Cookout Alliance and beyond. He and Charlie debate whether Wisconsin or Michigan is the true “mitten state”, if it’s called “soda” or “pop”, and the best way to eat a PB&J. Check out the full episode to find out what Xavier did with his Big Brother prize money. 

Follow Xavier on Instagram at @xaviereprather and find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens @manitowocminute. Find us online at cripescast.com or for exclusive content at Patreon.com/charlieberens.

This week Charlie celebrates the 200th episode of the Cripescast by answering all of your burning questions. Buckle up 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. Full episode out now!

Interested in donating to Doctors Without Borders? Check out doctorswithoutborders.org to see how you can help. 

Find the Cripescast on all socials @cripescast. 

Ready your pens and grab your notebooks folks, class is now in session. Comedian Nate Bargatze offers a crash course on stand up comedy in this episode of the Cripescast. With his Netflix specials “The Tennessee Kid,” “Greatest Average American,” “The Stand-Ups,” and his latest special “Hello World!” on Amazon Prime, Nate knows a thing or two about producing a stand up special. He and Charlie deep dive into all things comedy including joke writing, their comedic role models, open mic stories, and going through their notes app joke ideas. Nate explains that his slow Southern drawl was an advantage when he was first starting out because it kept him from making the common mistake made by young comics of rushing through their jokes.

Want to see Nate on the road? Check out his tour page at natebargatze.com or on all social media platforms @natebargatze.

Find us on all platforms @charlieberens and @cripescast, find tour dates and merch at cripescast.com and charlieberens.com. Check us out on Patreon for exclusive content for our top fans at patreon.com/charlieberens.

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 expert, 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.

Follow Luke @lukemusgrave_ and Larry @larrysmithoutdoors.

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

The perfect way to start the new year? A brand new Cripescast episode chock full of inspiration. Supplying the advice is Wayne White, renowned artist and Emmy award-winning designer for Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and return Cripescast guest. The two join Charlie to discuss the importance of creativity throughout their careers and the impact of AI on art today. Beyond their mutual concern for AI taking over the world, the three bond over their involvement in and love for Joey’s Song, an annual charity event held in Madison, Wisconsin to raise money and awareness for epilepsy research. While Charlie’s unable to attend in person this year, he’s helping Wayne and Joel with their comedy show on January 10th. 

For tickets to Joey’s Song, including Joel and Wayne’s Cheese-Capades comedy show, visit joeyssong.org. Follow Wayne @waynewhiteart and Mystery Science Theater 3000 at @mst3k. 

Follow us on all platforms @cripescast. For information on merch, Patreon, and tour, visit cripescast.com.

Against better judgment, Charlie plays therapist for comedian Rory Scovel on this episode of the Cripescast. Together they unpack the trauma of being former altar boys, their time in local news, and bombing on stage. From his first try at doing stand up at a poetry open mic in Spartanburg, South Carolina to becoming a regular comic on Conan, Rory’s struck success throughout his comedy career. Rory attributes his ability to endure criticism on stage to him failing the 10th grade and his love for making people laugh, whether it’s with him or at him. 

Find Rory on all platforms @roryscovel and find tickets to his shows near you at roryscovel.com. 

Find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens @manitowocminute and on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens.

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. 

Follow Myles @ohhyoubetcha, Taylor @dudedad, and Penn @theholdernessfamily. 

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Joel Brammeier is passionate about the Great Lakes. Whether it was as a kid exploring their shorelines in the Detroit suburbs, or as the president and CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes today, he's always been drawn to them. With 20% of the Earth’s fresh surface water belonging to the Great Lakes, Joel explains how crucial it is that we start taking microplastics seriously and that “regulation” doesn’t need to be a bad term when it comes to water. Instead, it can be a helpful tool that puts laws into place that keeps not only our drinking water clean, but our beer too. He and Charlie discuss the Great Lakes Compact, why microplastics are bad for us, and what the implications of recent government budget cuts will mean for environmental agencies. Joel also shares what makes him say “cripes!” which is something all parents of teenagers can relate to. All that and more on this episode of the Cripescast.

For more information about Joel’s work and to get involved head to www.greatlakes.org. 

Follow the Alliance for Great Lakes on social: 

Bluesky – @alliancegreatlakes.bsky.social

Instagram – alliance4greatlakes

Facebook – AlliancefortheGreatLakes

Check out his latest Op-ed in the Sun Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/03/20/epa-cuts-great-lakes-states-clean-water-lead-lines-flooding-joel-brammeier 

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. 

Check out MST3K on Netflix or on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFzph9x-n9FR52BI94Zfgww 

Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and for Charlie’s tour dates, merch, Patreon and more head to cripescast.com. 

For continued support of the work by Doctors Without Borders in the Middle East, find more information and donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Surprise! We got a special mini-episode of the Cripescast with LeRoy Butler to be thankful for this week. Leroy and Charlie break down the 2024-2025 Packers’ season thus far, including their reactions to the blocked field goal against the Bears in week 10.

Follow LeRoy @leap3636!

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. Visit patreon.com/charlieberens to get access to bonus content, early ticket information, giveaways, and more!

NFL legends and former Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler and Gilbert Brown make a triumphant return to the Cripescast this week. Having spent 9 years as neighbors the Packers’ locker room, LeRoy and Gilbert share endless stories from back in the day, including one story about a teammate riding a bike into the sauna wearing nothing but cowboy boots and a jockstrap. From being pranked by Brett Favre, to trash talking opponents together, to their shared admiration for Reggie White, they reflect on some of their favorite moments in the NFL. Charlie asks Gilbert and LeRoy some fan questions, they pick their New Year’s resolutions, and they finally set the record straight on the right way to pronounce LeRoy’s name.

Follow Gilbert @gilbertbrownrip93 and Leroy @leap3636.

Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and check out our show at cripescast.com. Find exclusive content at patreon.com/charlieberens.

Milwaukee musician Brett Newski goes way back with Charlie... like, all the way back to the first grade. From their days as elementary school classmates to both being raised by tough Midwestern dads, the two reminisce on their shared childhood experiences in this episode of the Cripescast. In more recent years, Brett can be found touring the world playing music with his band NEWSKI, advocating for mental health awareness, and drinking lots of half-caf coffee. Full of inspiring stories, he discusses everything from his time living in Vietnam making jingles for tampon commercials, to the process of creating his book It’s Hard to Be a Person. The two go down an existential rabbit hole of what it’s like to be a creator in the age of TikTok, and Charlie even shares some tips for how to succeed on the platform. 

Follow Brett on all platforms @newskimusic and online at https://newskimusic.com/ for tour dates and to get his music. 

Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast and for Charlie’s tour dates, merch, Patreon and more head to cripescast.com. 

For continued support of the work by Doctors Without Borders in the Middle East, find more information and donate at doctorswithoutborders.org. 

Filmmaker Nathan Deming believes that Wisconsin is full of stories worth telling. That’s exactly what he hopes to accomplish with his 12-part interconnected film series called the “Year Project”. Each film showcases a different month of the year about unrelated subjects and tells unique stories, but what ties them all together is their backdrop: the state of Wisconsin. His most recent installment, “February”, tells the story of a Mexican immigrant, Miguel, who struggles to feel at home in his new town in Western Wisconsin. That is, until he discovers a passion for ice fishing. This week, Nathan joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the project, the film industry at large, and the shortcomings of AI. The two also dive into the nitty gritty of filmmaking in Wisconsin, highlighting the fact that it’s one of few states in the country without a film office or production tax incentives. “February” sets out on a state-wide tour beginning on January 25th. For information on cities and showtimes, visit februaryfilm.com/screenings. 

Follow Nathan on Instagram @nathan.deming. Follow us on all platforms @cripescast.

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. 

For more information on Provost Isbell and his work, check it out here: https://provost.wisc.edu/meet-the-provost/ 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com.

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. 

Follow Mike and Tyler on Instagram @the_content_machine or on YouTube @content_machine. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast and at cripescast.com for all show information. 

To continue supporting Doctors Without Borders, follow them at @doctorswithoutborders or donate at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Wrapped in a heating pad only a father could own, comedian Dustin Nickerson returns to the Cripescast this week to catch up with Charlie. While the two compare their experiences of self-producing a comedy special, Dustin one-ups Charlie by sharing that his new hour “Runs in the Family” is currently being edited by a man in a van. With no explanation other than “age”, Dustin shares how he threw out his back in an unglamorous way which sent them down a rabbit hole about aging. In true dad fashion, they talk about supportive shoes, lower back pain, classic rock, and they reminisce about touring together in the early days of the pandemic.

Check out his new special "Runs in the Family" that comes out on YouTube on March 28th and be sure to follow him @dustinnickerson. 

Find us on all social platforms @cripescast @charlieberens and check us out on Patreon patreon.com/charlieberens

For having never taken a Chemistry class, comedian Will Burkart flexes his immense knowledge about the periodic table of elements on this week’s episode of the Cripescast. He and Charlie also discuss the rise of pickleball, Will’s burlesque expertise, and they trash talk Microsoft Office’s assistant Clippy. With videos of his stand up and crowd work taking off on social media, Will is now doing his first headlining tour across the country. Be sure to catch Will at the Milwaukee Improv Thursday, April 13th or at the Comedy Cabin in Janesville on April 14-15. For more information for dates near you, check out thewillburkart.com.

Follow Will on all the platforms @willburkart, follow us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. For Midwest merch and more info about the show, head to cripescast.com.

Want exclusive and bonus content of the Cripescast and all Charlie's doing? Head to patreon.com/charlieberens and subscribe to our Patreon account.

Major General Baker signed up for the military at just 17 years old after his father, who also served, recommended that he join. Now, after many years, a variety of positions, and numerous awards and decorations, he joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss the Army Reserve and what they do.  Major General Baker touches on the recruiting issues that the US military is experiencing, and emphasizes the wide range of educational and career based opportunities available within the Army Reserve and National Guard. They also discuss mental health issues that ex-soldiers face and what the military is doing to help lower veteran suicide rates. Since it wouldn’t be an episode of the Cripescast without Charlie mentioning artificial intelligence, the two discuss how the military is using AI to its advantage and how cutting edge technology will change the military jobs of the future.

Visit www.usar.army.mil for more information on the Army Reserve.

Find us on all platforms @cripescast and for tour dates, new merch, and all the podcast info your heart desires, head to cripescast.com.

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.

Follow Taylor on all platforms @dudedad. 

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

If you have an accent, it’s likely Daniel Van Kirk has already picked it up. Whether it’s a byproduct of being a comedian or his ability to connect with people, he’s a colloquial chameleon and he just can’t help it. He and Charlie start this episode of the Cripescast off hot by rewatching old, yet seductive, Sybaris Hotel commercials and reminiscing about their Midwest upbringings. Although he’s technically a FIB, Daniel uses today’s episode to reaffirm his love for Wisconsin. From his summers spent growing up at his family’s cabin in the Dells’ to his first stand-up set at Comedy on State in Madison, his ties to the state run deep. The two also debate important topics such as yard sales vs. estate sales, what your sock preference says about you and mini golf vs. real golf. Charlie gives Daniel the basic do’s and don’ts of ice fishing and Daniel shares a recent story of his run in with the local Dells’ police. All that and more on this episode of the Cripescast! 

Follow Daniel @danielvankirk. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

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. 

Follow Nimesh on all platforms @findingnimesh and get tickets at https://punchup.live/nimeshpatel

Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Find tour dates, merch, our Patreon, video clips and more at cripescast.com. 

Donate to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

In tandem with the Berens Sisters Part 1 episode of the Cripescast, Charlie’s four remaining sisters, Addie, Emily, Nora and Ellie, come on the show this week. Surprising Charlie by showing up dressed as him, complete with wigs and duck jackets, the girls come ready to play. They air out family grievances, take part in some games, and share stories of growing up with 12 siblings. The interview gets intercepted by a FaceTime call from Betsy, the eldest of the Berens Sisters, and her newborn baby. Charlie forgets important names, Nora tells cockroach stories, and Ellie teaches Charlie how to have good communication with their parents.   Follow the Cripescast @cripescast and find us on Patreon patreon.com/charlieberens.

Paralympic silver medalist Ahalya Lettenberger joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week to talk about competing in the Olympics, growing up as an athlete with arthrogryposis, and life in the Midwest.

Scott Evans is not only Charlie's former roommate, he's also the host of World of Dance on NBC, co-host of Access Hollywood and has his own podcast, So Close. He and Charlie discuss the entertainment industry, growing up in the Midwest and of course the dangers of being Charlie's roommate. Before the interview, Charlie also talks about the recent breach of the US Capitol.

Green Bay Packer's Pro Bowl Guard, Elgton Jenkins, joins Charlie to talk about football, fishing, and a heck of a lot of other things.  Charlie also rambles about his New Year's Resolutions and bad back.

Actor and comedian Danny Jolles joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week. You may recognize him from his role in the new Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie movie “Babylon” or from his recurring role as George on The CW’s “Crazy Ex Girlfriend”. He and Charlie discuss touring, social media’s impact on stand up, and Danny’s new interactive comedy special on YouTube called “You Choose”. They bond over their deep love for the 1991 movie “Hook”, trade airport conspiracy theories and Danny even shares a few stories from his time as a floor walker at Blockbuster.   Be sure to check out Danny’s special "You Choose" on YouTube and follow him on all the platforms @dannyjolles or check out his website dannyjolles.com.    Follow the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @charlieberens @cripescast and check out more about the show at cripescast.com.    The music behind the advertisements is “Double Polka” by Kevin McLeod.

Multi-time National Champion Heavyweight Olympic boxer, diversity consultant and motivational speaker Cam F Awesome joins the Cripescast this week to talk about the importance of discussing race and racism in the Midwest.

This week on the CripesCast, Charlie talks to Emily Ford who is currently thru-hiking the Ice Age Trail. She will be the first woman and person of color to do this during the winter. They discuss the 1,200 mile journey with her dog Diggins, the pros of unplugging and how Britney Spears is stuck in her head.

Former owner and editor-in-chief of The Onion, Scott Dikkers, joins Charlie on the Cripescast to discuss how The Onion started, the space for satire and humor in news today and how to craft great jokes.

Professional lumberjack and outdoor educator, Kate Witkowski, joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week to talk about life as a lumberjack, survival skills and teaching in northern Wisconsin.

This week, Charlie is joined by the hosts of the “And That’s Why We Drink” podcast and authors of the new book “A Haunted Road Atlas: Sinister Stops, Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales” Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer. They discussed their fascination with paranormal and true crime stories. Christine and Em outline their individual careers before ATWWD. Christine worked as a staff writer for Nickelodeon and Em shares some deep dark secrets from their time working on “The Price is Right”. The three talk about their shared experience staying at the notoriously-haunted 5-star hotel in downtown Milwaukee, The Pfister Hotel, and other interactions with ghosts.

This week Charlie is joined by his long-time friend and fellow Midwest content creator, Myles Montplaisir, aka the You Betcha guy. They talk golf, Midwest red flags and their new podcast Bellied Up.   Follow Bellied Up on all platforms @bellieduppod  Follow You Betcha on all platforms @ohhyoubetcha  Follow Charlie on all platforms @charlieberens  Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast

This week, Charlie is joined by stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan. She talks about the South, her family, finding her truth in comedy, and getting her start selling jewelry at parties. Leanne and Charlie also compare the way we talk in the North vs. the South.

From racing go-karts in Wisconsin to racing in NASCAR, Natalie Decker has made quite the name for herself in a very short time. At just 23 she is already one of the top young drivers in the game. Charlie talks with Natalie about her racing career, but also water skiing fails, her love of the Midwest and how to handle the ups and downs of social media.

Stand-up comedian Pete Lee joins Charlie on the Cripescast this week and the two get lost on tangents about hotel and public restroom etiquette. He talks about growing up in Wisconsin, coming up in the Twin Cities’ comedy scene, and the time he almost opened for Bobcat Goldthwait. Pete’s dog Diesel makes an appearance as he opens up about his cursed streak of TV shows being cancelled right after he’s made a guest appearance including “The Days of our Lives,” along with many other funny stories.   Find Pete at Petelee.net (http://Petelee.net) and on social @peteleepeteleepetelee  Find the Cripescast and Charlie on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens  Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens    The music behind the advertisement is "Double Polka" by Kevin McLeod.

This week Charlie is joined by content creator TJ Therrien. TJ talks about growing up in Minnesota, his goals to break into different areas of comedy and how birth order and his kids inspire his content. The two discuss how TJ started making online videos, how he made it onto Sports Center’s top 10 plays as a ball boy for the Minnesota Twins and whether Wisconsin or Minnesota has more lakes.   Follow TJ on all platforms @TJ_Therrien  Find us on all platforms @cripescast @charlieberens  Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens    The music behind the advertisements is "Double Polka" by Kevin McLeod

He’s back! Taylor Calmus a.k.a Dude Dad returns to the Cripescast to talk about his new book “A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size“, improv, the best part about home renovations, and of course, bird watching.    Follow Taylor on all platforms @dudedad   Follow Charlie on all platforms @charlieberens   Follow Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast

Butch Vig, best known for producing Nirvana’s diamond record “Nevermind” or as the drummer for Garbage, is one of the biggest names in the music industry to come from Wisconsin. Having worked with popular bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, Killdozer and many more, Butch explains how “happy accidents” during recording sessions have led to some iconic moments in music history. Starting at 15 years old playing in roadside taverns in Viroqua to creating his first record label in Madison, Butch explains how “I can travel around the world but you can’t take me out of Wisconsin”. Butch pulls out his guitar mid-interview and plays the first song he ever wrote called “You’ve Got it Bad” which prompts Charlie to share lyrics from the first song he wrote about his first heartbreak.   Follow Butch on Instagram @butchvigmusic and on Twitter @butchvig. Find us on all platforms @cripescast and @charlieberens. Make sure to check us out on Patreon at patreon.com/charlieberens.

Packers legend LeRoy Butler returns to the Cripescast this week to talk about being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, stories from his childhood and diversity in NFL ownership and coaching staff.

Cripes folks it’s the Cripescast trailer! Join host Charlie Berens as he gives you a preview into his podcast, where he interviews people about their story and their connections to the Midwest.