Conversations
with Rotating Hosts
Thursdays at 9:00AM
Reviving the lost art of dialogue.
Dena Eakles has called the Driftless home for the past 20 years. Founder of Echo Valley Farm and Echo Valley Hope, they are an advocate for sustainable peace. Author of The Peace Warrior, Dena offers up a weekly commentary that can be found at https://letkindnesswin.wordpress.com or you can listen to Consider This every Thursday evening at 5:28 pm here on WDRT.
Ed Holahan was born and raised in New York City, spent his business years inventing toys and games in The Twin Cities and Chicago and moved to Market Farming in the Driftless in 2009. He and Mary Benson have been married for 42 years. They’re getting good at it.
Between “Life: On The Radio” and “Conversations” he has recorded interviews with more than 250 unique guests. He also reads “The View From Here” every Friday morning and hosts “Symphony Sunday” once a month. He lives in Viroqua between church bells and a nursing home.
Steve Brandl and his family moved to to the their small farm in rural La Farge 30 years ago from eastern Wisconsin. He enjoys cattle, gardening , motorcycling and everything it take to keep a homestead running.
Kailean Welsh is a northeast Iowa farm girl transported across the Mississippi River to Viroqua, via detour through Oklahoma. A student of life, she is awed by the world we live in, fascinated by each person’s unique life story, and curious about all the things we don’t yet know. She thinks a lot, likes to watch the stars, and is always learning something.
Mary Christenson and her family moved to their land in rural Readstown in 1993 to raise their daughter away from the bustle and stresses of metropolitan East Bay, CA. We had grown up in rural Minnesota and were ready to roll up our sleeves, to get engaged and be useful to the communities we joined. Mary is interested in community building, organizational development, social and economic development, and education. Her choice of guests often reflects her interest in capturing and sharing the stories of the people in the area who have contributed to making this the thriving and multi-textured community that it is; creating an oral history for those who wonder why this place is so very special.
November 21st, 2024
This week, Host Ed Holahan talks with Musician Dodie Whitaker about her career and the upcoming Holiday Concert by the Ridgetones.
November 14th, 2024
Mary Christenson speaks with Teresa Washburn about the Viroqua Main St. and Revitalization program of the late 1980’s.
November 7th, 2024
Retired Executive Director of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve – Marcy West talks with host Steve Brandl about her new book “Protecting Paradise in the Driftless” which covers how and why the KVR was formed and its evolution over years.
October 24th, 2024
“The Changing of the Gods” is our “Conversation” on WDRT 91.9 fm Driftless Community Radio this week as Kailean Welsh talks with Jenny Cain and Jerome McGeorge about this 10-part docu-series offered monthly in Viroqua. Called “A Revolutionary Series for a Revolutionary Time,” we explore historical cycles, planetary correlations, and the part humanity plays in an integrated universe as we seek the best way through these changing times.
The Changing of the Gods is a 8 week video and discussion group based on the docu-series at the Viroqua Commons, running the last Monday of each month at 6pm. Get more info here
October 17th, 2024
This week, Host Steve Brandl talks with Local Historian Brad Steinmitz about the History of the village of La Farge from the early 1800’s to the present, including stories of the first tribes to inhabit the area, early European settlers and if the town’s first basketball court really did have a wood stove at half court.
October 10th, 2024
Brad Geyer is Dena’s guest this week. Brad is a Veteran For Peace – Madison Chapter. They discuss the costs of militarism, the propaganda that keeps it going, and the need for more voices for peace and justice.
September 26th, 2024
This week, Host Ed Holahan talks with Dr. Paul Bergquist about what brought him to the Driftless and his journey to become a Doctor of Family Medicine in Viroqua.
September 12th, 2024
This week Host Mary Christenson talks with Ada Lenarz about her travels and volunteer teaching work in Guatemala.
More information on this topic:
Taking Flight https://filmfreeway.com/TakingFlight435 — an interesting documentary about Ingrid Aguilar, their founder (English subtitles available)
September 5th, 2024
Kailean Welsh talks with Vernon County Clerk Jerry Pedretti about preparations and requirements for voting this November.
August 29th, 2024
Host Steve Brandl talks with Kevin Larson of the Vernon County Fair Board about its history and upcoming 2024 Fair.
August 15th, 2024
Shawna McDowell is Dena’s guest. She is Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden for Vernon County. It is a wide ranging and informative conversation
August 8th, 2024
Tom Fassbender talks with Organic Valley CEO Jeff Frank about how he landed at Organic Valley and what to look forward to in the future.
July 25th, 2024
Theo Rose Parrish and Ed Holahan talk about art, life and…sprinting, of course.
July 18th, 2024
Host Mary Christensen talks with David Paull of Compost Now about household and municipal composting options.
July 11th, 2024
Dena Eakles talks with Arsenio Sorrell, professional writer and performer from Madison, WI.
July 4th, 2024
Kailean Welsh speaks with Riverlorian Steven Marking about one of America’s great treasures, the Mississippi River.
June 27th, 2024
Host Ed Holahan talks with Tatiana Katara about life, art and downhill skiing.
June 20th, 2024
Host Steve Brandl talks with members of the Cheyenne Settlers Heritage Society about Homesteading life in Cheyenne Valley (Vernon County) in the 1800’s. Guests include Kevin Alderson, Diane Revels and Ronesa Revels.
June 13th, 2024
This week host Tom Fassbender talks with Matthew Canter of Highland Farm about how he became a first generation organic dairy farmer.
June 6th, 2024
Connie Minowa speaks with Sarah & Chris Clemens.
May 30th, 2024
Garvin Mayer and Tracy Budworth of Vernon Communications Co-op talk with host Steve Brandl about the history of telephone service in the Driftless and new technology options in rural America.
May 23rd, 2024
Host Mary Christenson talks with Sue Noble – Executive Director of the Vernon Economic Development Association about its origins and upcoming initiatives.
May 16th, 2024
On this week’s Conversations, Guest Host Sarah Bratnober talks with Scott Lind and John Heasley about the Dark Sky Movement and simple things we can do to protect our nocturnal habitat and enhance the night skies of the Driftless region.
May 9th, 2024
Host Kailean Welsh talks with local historian Bill Burke about the history of the Blackhawk Bridge that connects Lansing, IA to DeSoto , WI.
May 2nd, 2024
Host Connie Minowa talks with Justin Miller about the local music scene for the summer of 2024.
April 25th, 2024
Dena’s guest is Alan Chavoya, a member of Milw. Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Wisconsin Coalition of Justice in Palestine. We talk about humanistic approaches to activism.
April 18th, 2024
This week, host Tom Fassbender talks with Esther Crotser about her activism centered around reproductive healthcare.
April 11th, 2024
Host Steve Brandl talks with Chad Berger of Westby, WI and Earnie Bell of Dakota, MN about their motorcycle adventures to Alaska, Mexico and the Mountain West.
April 4th, 2024
This week host Ed Holahan talks with Marinella Pro about her childhood growing up in Turin, Italy, Puppeteering and her 20 years as a Waldorf teacher in Wisconsin. Marinella also compares the pros and cons of Italian drivers vs U.S. drivers.
March 28th, 2024
Kailean Welsh speaks with Viroqua Library Director Trina Erickson about all-things library and Viroqua!
March 21st, 2024
Dena Eakles and Rachel Ida Buff address anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism and the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
March 14th, 2024
Host Mary Christenson talks with Franica of Bricolage Cirkus about her aerial arts school in Viroqua and Francia’s interesting life’s journey which landed her in the Driftless.
March 7th, 2024
Allison Mendoza of LPL Financial talks with Host Steve Brandl about socially responsible investing and simple ideas on how to start planning for retirement.
February 29th, 2024
Host Tom Fassbender talks with Youth Initiative High School’s Administrator Matt Voz about the latest happenings at YIHS, whales and their favorite necktie knots.
February 15th, 2024
Ed Holahan talks with his lifelong friend Johanna Taylor Katroscik about stories from the past and Johanna’s latest adventure into blueberry farming.
February 8th, 2024
Steve Brandl talks with Ryan Letterly and Ryan Bakkestuen of Extreme Driftless about their Guided Adventure Tours of the Driftless and their upcoming “Green Comet” Fat Tire Bike race.
February 1st, 2024
This week Dena Eakles talks with Akram Abed about his life in the Driftless and his close family that lives in Palestine.
January 25th, 2024
Mary Christenson speaks with David Breitbach.
January 4th, 2024
Emlyn Jones and Jared Torkelson of Tree Loving Care
December 28th, 2023
Ed Holahan speaks with William Neil.
December 21st, 2023
Kailean Welsh speaks with Lesya Ryzhenkova, owner of The Good Life Gallery & Frame Shop in Lansing. They talk about her Ukrainian roots, transitioning to life in the United States, and what it is like to have a homeland and loved ones at war.
December 14th, 2023
Dena Eakles speaks with Janan Najeeb of the Milwaukee Muslim Women Coalition.
November 30th, 2023
Mary Christenson speaks with Bjorn Bergman.
November 23rd, 2023
Dena Eakles hosts Elena Terry discussing Ho Chunk traditional foods
November 16th, 2023
Steve Brandl speaks with Carol Abrahamson and Sarah Bratnober from Mississippi Valley Conservancy.
November 9th, 2023
Ed Holahan speaks with Tom Roepke.
November 2nd, 2023
Kailean Welsh talks with Deb Arndt from Soldiers Grove.
October 26th, 2023
Dena Eakles speaks with Cassandra Dickson.
October 19th, 2023
Brian Wickert speaks with Lorn Goede of the Vernon County Board of Supervisors.
October 12th, 2023
Mary Christenson speaks with Julie Tomaro about the Viroqua Harvest Parade.
September 28th, 2023
Prudence Tippins speaks with Anne O’Connor.
Sept. 14th, 2023
Ed Holahan speaks with Maggie Jones and Dave Krier about Citizen Science and so much more, on this special pledge drive edition of Conversations.
Kailean Welsh & Virginia Cooper.
Kailean Welsh speaks with Virginia Cooper about the Women & Spirituality Conference.
Sept. 7th, 2023
Dena Eakles speaks with Frida Ballard from Worker Justice Wisconsin.
August 24th, 2023
Mary Christenson speaks with Steve Brandl
August 17th, 2023
Joe Orso talks with Mark Sandberg.
August 3rd, 2023
Ed Holahan speaks with Carrie Treviranus
July 27th, 2023
Kailean Welsh hosts teacher and stargazer John Heasley.
July 20th, 2023
Dena Eakles speaks with David Ware.
July 13th, 2023
Brian Wickert speaks with Paula Grenier about vaccine use and regulation.
July 6th, 2023
Mary Christenson speaks with Joen Dealande.
June 29th, 2023
Ed Holahan sits with Jim Hallberg, and shares tributes to Jim from the WDRT community.
Conversations-Thursday June 15, 2023
Joe Orso hosts Franciszka Voeltz, itinerant poet.
Conversations-Thursday June 8, 2023
Kailean Welsh hots Tracy Mangold discussing a wide variety of subjects
Conversations-Thursday June 1, 2023
Dena Eakles Alan Buss Board President of Vernon County Energy District discussing renewable energy
Conversations-Thursday May 25, 2023
Brian Wickert hosts Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson discussing the functions of the department.
Conversations-Thursday May 18, 2023
Mary Christensen hosts Philothea Bezin discussing the mid 1970′ “Back to the Land” settlement in the Driftless Area
Conversations- Thursday May 11, 2023
Lars Begren interviews the interviewer Joe Orso discussing the life transition and end of life farewell ritual surrounding Joe’s departed father, Jim Orso
Conversations-Thursday April 20, 2023
Tatiana Katara host Christine Durocher discussing the diet journey of Macrobiotics
Conversations-Thursday April 13, 2023
Ed Holahan hosts at talk with Randall Olson “Big brain, big heart, good man” as the host describes his guest in his own description of today’s hour.
Conversations-Thursday April 6, 2023
Kailean Welsh hosts Diane Huth on Isla Mujeres Mexico discussing retirement living in other countries.
Conversations-Thursday March 30, 2023
Dena Eakles host Dr. Paula Rogge from Physicians for Social Responsibilty discussing steps towards nuclear disarmament
Conversations-Thursday March 23, 2023
Brian Wickert hosts Peter Allen discuss maintaining a eco balanced family farm
Conversations-Thursday March 16, 2023
Mary Christensen hosts organic farmer Justin Trussoni, discussing the wide variety of food based cooperative businesses in the Driftless Area.
Conversations- Thursday March 2, 2023
Joe Orso hosts KJ Jacobsen discussing food sovereignty.
Conversations- Thursday Feburary 23. 2023
Tatiana hosts her friend Cassandra in a free form session.
Conversations-Thursday February 16, 2023
Ed Holahan hosts Karla Bloem, Executive Director of the International Owl Center in Houston, MN
Conversations-Thursday February 9, 2023
Brian Wickert hosts Luigi Morelli discussing his work with co-housing and intentional community building in Ithaca, New York (This is a re-broadcast from 2019)
Conversations-Thursday February 3, 2023
Dena Eakles hosts Voces de la Frontera Executive Director Christine Neumann-Ortiz and UW Madison Professor Armando Ibarra discussing immigrant rights.
Conversations-Thursday January 26, 2023
Kailean Welsh hosts Ericka Lynn Guthrie discussing Women’s Music in the Driftless
Conversations- Thursday January 5, 2023
Joe Orso hosts Lars Bergen discussing an assortment of viewpoints about farming, ecpnomics and life.
Conversations- Thursday January 19, 2023
Mary Christenson hosts Nan Marshall discussing a wide variety of interests and finding a true home in the Driftless Area
Conversations-Thursday January 12, 2023
Prudence Tippins hosts Sonya Newenhouse discussing the Prairie Wind housing model
Conversations-Thursday December 29. 2022
Tatiana Katara hosts as discussion of “The Kindness Diaries”
Conversations-Thursday December 22, 2022
Ed Holohan host Mark Shepard discussing the importance of Permaculture in modern Agro-Ecology.
Conversations- Thursday December 15, 2022
Kailean Welsh hosts her brother Greg discussing his rich history involving organic agriculture in the Driftless.
Conversations-Thursday December 8, 2022
Dena Eakles hosts John Peck from Family Farm Defenders
Conversations-Thursday November 24, 2022
Mary Chritensen hosts Janelle Thimmesch discussing Zero-point Balancing and other healing modalities.
Conversations-Thursday November 17
Joe Orso hosts Sawyer Paar and Ellena Wolff.discussing the joys of being young organic farmers in the Driftless.
Conversations- Thursday November 10, 2022
Host Ed Holohan chooses a special brodcast from the archives of Life on the Radio which was the predecessor to Conversations. Ed and former co-host Genie Nordskog speak with Prudence Tippins suggesting a strategy for the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration and other holiday family gatherings.
Conversations-Thursday November 3, 2022
Tatiana Katara hosts Toby Grotz and Al Kaspersky discussing alternatives to alternative energy including “Free Energy”.
Conversations-Thursday October 20, 2022
Dena Eakles hosts Ho-chunk advocate Tracy Littlejohn
Conversations-Thursday October 13, 2022
Brian Wickert hosts Parker Forsell editor of The Ocooch Mountain Echo
Conversations-Thursday October 6, 2022
Mary Christensen hosts Gail Frie, Kelly Whited-Ford and Kathy Doerfer discussing green burial and Viroqua’s new green cemetary
Conversations- Thursday September 29, 2022
Joe Orso hosts Susan Cushing discuss a variety of subjects including her role coordinating the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (archived re-broadcast)
Conversations-Thursday September 22, 2022
Tatiana Katara hosts Scott Beutlich discussing Psychotronics
Conversations-Thursday September 8, 2022
Prudence Tippins hosts couples therapist Caroline Bradfield from Great Britain.
Conversations- September 1, 2022
Dena Eakles hosts Candidate for Vernon County Sheriff Janice Turban
August 18th, 2022
Dena Eakles talks with Samantha Laskowski.
Conversations-August 25, 2022
Ed Holohan hosts Maggie Jones and Dr. Stanley Temple discussing the world of birds
August 11th, 2022
Joe Orso talks with Lori Harms.
August 4th, 2022
Tatiana Katara speaks with Lori Stucker.
Conversations-Thursday July 28, 2022
Michelle Thomas hosts Rebecca Ratte discussing acupuncture and eastern medicine.
Conversations-Thursday July 14, 2022
Prudence Tippins hosts David Banner discussing the Ennegram
Conversations-Thursday July 7, 2022
Mary Chritenson hosts Lucien Dante Lazar- Anthroposophist Scholar and Artist-discussing his upcoming exhibit at the Commons Gallery in Viroqua
Conversations-Thursday June 30, 2022
Ed Holohan hosts Deborah Ecklund talking about the “good old days” and growing up in Viroqua
Conversations-June 23, 2022
Mary Christenson hosts Rachel Jepson-Wolf discussing soapmaking, entrepreneurial business and community based volunteer projects
Conversations-Thursday June 16, 2022
Joe Orso hosts KJ Jakobson discussing Community Food Sovereignty
Conversations-Thursday June 9, 2022
Tatiana Katara hosts Matthew Scott discussing current and future trends in finance
Conversations-Thursday June 2, 2022
Michelle Thomas hosts Queer Afro-Indigenous Activist Erin Ford
Conversations-Thursday May 26, 2033
Brian Wickert hosts Parker Forsell editor of the Ocooch Mountain Echo
Conversations-May 19, 2022
Prudence Tippins hosts Gil Hoel discussing disaster and trauma recovery
Conversations-Thursday May 12, 2022
Dena Eakles hosts Rebecca Cooke Democratic Candidate for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District
Conversations-Thursday May 5, 2020
Ed Holohan hosts Alycann Taylor discussing all the in’s and out’s of being on the Vernon County Board of Supervisors
Conversations-Thursday April 28, 2022
Mary Christensen hosts Keith Hess discuss searching for herbs in their natural setting, eurythmy and Waldorf education.
Conversations-Thursday April 21, 2022
Joe Orso hosts Susan Nesbitt discussing end of life practices and death with dignity
Additional resources for this show.
Books and resources:
Doulas:
nedaalliance.org
Contemplative:
Awake at the Bedside- Contemplative Teachings on Palliative and End of Life Care
Die Wise- A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul- Stephen Jenkinson
Who Dies?- Stephen and Ondrea Levine
No Death, No Fear- Thich Nhat Hanh
Final Gifts- Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley
Home Funeral and Green Burial:
Reimagining Death- Lucinda Herring
Redesigningtheend.com
Thresholdcarecircle.org
Greening Death- Suzanne Kelly
Grave Matters- Mark Harris
Greenburialcouncil.org
Grief:
The Wild Edge of Sorrow- Francis Weller
It’s Okay that You’re Not Okay- Megan DeVine
Finding Meaning- David Kessler
Right to die:
finalexitnetwork.org
Stopping Eating and Drinking- A Guide by Boudewijn Chabot
https://compassionandchoices.org
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Conversations-Thursday April 14, 2022
Tatiana Katara hosts Stacy RedStar Miller- discussing engaging Indigenous Culture and Human Design practice
Conversations-Thursday April 7, 2022
Michelle Thomas hosts Kailean Welsh discussing psychotherapy, non traditional counseling, parenting and human experience
Conversations-Thursday March 31, 2022
Brian Wickert hosts Mary Christensen discussing civil discourse in the Covid era.
Conversations-Thursday March 24, 2022
Prudence Tippens hosts Joanna Lawson discussing Internal Family Systems Therapy
Conversations-Thursday March 17, 2022
Deana Eakles hosts Laura Olha Executive Director at CITIZENS FOR SAFE WATER AROUND BADGER
Conversations-Thursday March 10, 2022
Ed Holohan hosts Tiffany Cade and Jimmy Fackert from Deep Rooted in Westby discussing all things tomatoes.
Conversations-Thursday March 3, 2022
Mary Christensen hosts Brett Nadrich from the “Break Free From Plastics Coalition”
Conversations-Thursday February 24, 2022
Joe Orso hosts Paul Linskens covering a wide variety of subjects including the Liberty Poll land fill.
Conversations-Thursday February 17, 2022
Tatiana Katara hosts Gayle O’Meara Nielson Hypnotist, Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner, and martial artist of over 30 years.
Conversations-Thursday February 10, 2022
Michelle Thomas hosts Joanne Tesar and Mary Beth Speck “The Theater Ladies” discussing Community Theater
Conversations-Thursday February 3, 2022
Brian Wickert hosts Dr. Paul Bergquist discussing Integrative Health and a life lived in service to Community.
Conversations-Thursday January 27, 2022
Prudence Tippins hosts licensed social worker Mark Sanford discussing a variety of therapeutic styles
Conversations-Thursday January 20, 2022
Dena Eakles host Mary Kay Baum discussing Wisconsin redistricting and Fair Maps
Conversations-Thursday January 13, 2022
Ed Holohan hosts the inimitable local treasure Jane Schmidt
Conversations-Thursday January 6, 2022
Mary Chrtistensen hosts Kathy Fairchild discussing the origins of the “Back to the Land Movement” in the Driftless Area
Conversations-Thursday December 30, 2021
Joe Orso hosts Rabbi Sal telling stories about telling stories (from 2017)
Conversations-Thursday December 23, 2021
Tatiana Katara hosts Jan Ranck discussing Eurythmy and other Esoterica
Conversations- Thursday December 16, 2021
Michelle Thomas hosts Christie Knapp on “how we arrive to where we are now>”
Conversations-Thursday December 9, 2021
Brian Wickert hosts Vernon County District Attorney Tim Gaskell
Conversations-Thursday December 2, 2021
Prudence Tippins hosts Susan Townsley from Stone House Counseling discussing mental health services in our community
Conversations-Thursday November 25, 2021
Deana Eakles hosts Ho Chunk Chef Elena Terry discussing indigenous foods, food sovereignty, and being a bit more intentional about Thanksgiving.
Conversations-Thursday November 18, 2021
Ed Holohan hosts Emily Rozeske Director Driftless Humane Society
Conversations-Thursday November 11, 2021
Mary Christenson host Chris Clemons from Viroqua Chamber Main Street
Conversations-Thursday November 5, 2021
Joe Orso hosts David Anderson discussing how nurses are being fired for refusing to follow Covid-19 vaccine mandates
Conversations-Thursday October 28, 2021
Tatiana Katara hosts Christine Durocher for Macrobiotics Part 2
Conversations-Thursday October 21, 2021
Michelle Thomas hosts Mandy Herrick discussing dance and movement
Conversations-Thursday October 14, 2021
Brian Wickert hosts Viroqua resident Max Kane discussing direct marketing for farmers and their customers
Conversations-Thursday October 7, 2021
Dan Peak hosts Matt Rothshild Director Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Conversations-Thursday, September 30 2021
Dena Eakles hosts Jane Kavalosky discussing the pursuit of peace and social justice through non violent resistance
Thursday, Sept. 23rd
Mary Christenson speaks with Nancy Rhodes.
Conversations-Pledge Drive-Thursday Sept. 16
Ed Holohan hosts Maggie Jones discussing birds, bats and land conservancy
Conversations- Thursday Sept. 9, 2021
Joe Orso Hosting Brandon Young discussing crypto currency and the “Meta-verse”
Conversations- Thursday September 2, 2021
Tatiana Katara host Christina Derocher discussing Macrobiotics
Conversations- Thursday August 19th, 2021
Brian Wickert hosts Evolutionary Astrologer Ryan Evans