Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders

Host Charlie sits down with Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion for Visit Milwaukee and chair of Milwaukee's Equal Rights Commission.

Tony shares his journey from the Navy towns of his childhood to advocacy, hospitality, and a new life in Milwaukee. He discusses his community work, promoting the city through conventions and sports, and the importance of authentic storytelling.

In the culinary part o...

Join a lively tour of the Milwaukee Public Market with host Charlie and Market Executive Director Paul Schwartz, showcasing the market’s vendors, food highlights, and community role. Discover popular vendors like St. Paul Fish Co., Fultz Family Market, Aladdin Middle Eastern Food, Freese’s Candy Shoppe, and unique spots such as the Wurst Bar and St Paul's Tiki Bar. 

Learn how the Milwaukee Public Market earned national recognition ...

Live from Studio D, Charlie interviews Joe Poeschl, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Tech Hub Coalition. They talk about his Milwaukee roots, dual degrees at Marquette and MIAD, and his work co-founding the Commons and growing the regional tech ecosystem.

They discuss the Coalition’s role in Wisconsin Tech Month, innovation districts, and building inclusive tech-powered economic growth across southeast Wisconsin. The episode hig...

Charlie meets Jen Hentz, Executive Director of the Urban Ecology Center, at the new Washington Park facility to tour the community garden, forage for fresh produce, and prepare BLTs in the community kitchen.

The episode highlights youth canoeing on the lagoon, summer free meals, volunteer-driven gardening, and the Center’s mission to connect Milwaukee residents to nature, education, and community.

You can watch the interview here -...

Charlie sits down with Darnell Hamilton, Executive Director of Future Urban Leaders, to cook a hearty turkey chili while discussing Darnell's Chicago upbringing, his teaching career in Milwaukee, and the work his organization does to support young people through a long-term leadership pipeline.

The episode mixes cooking tips—turkey, sweet potato, black beans, peppers, jalapeño corn muffins, and a Hazy IPA base—with conversations ab...

Join Charlie and Lena DeLaet, director of sales for Summerfest and leader of Summerfest Tech, as they discuss Lena's journey from small-town Wisconsin to shaping Milwaukee's biggest events. Lena shares how Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. operates as a nonprofit, the evolution of Summerfest, and the community impact of Summerfest Tech.

In the cooking segment, they prepare a lighter Big Mac salad, demonstrating a tasty, customizable t...

Nepalese Momo Sauce with Steamed Dumplings and Carlos Mejia Interview. From Puerto Rico to Rockwell: Carlos talks about Service, STEM, and Momos.

Host Charlie chats with Carlos Mejia, a Rockwell Automation engineer named among "30 People Shaping Milwaukee's Future," about his Puerto Rican roots, military service, education, and years of mentoring youth in STEM and technical careers.

The episode closes with a lively cooking segmen...

Host Charlie sits down with Darryl Anderson, Executive Director of the ERAS Senior Network, to discuss his journey from Gary, Indiana, his nonprofit work serving older adults across Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and the services ERAS provides to reduce isolation and support aging in place.

Along the way, they cook New Orleans–inspired catfish po'boys and dirty rice, mixing conversation about family, community programs, and susta...

Host Charlie sits down with Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Harry and Rose Sampson Family JCC, to talk about his upbringing, career path, and the JCC’s work to build a healthier, more inclusive Milwaukee.

Mark then shares his beloved two-egg fried egg sandwich recipe—made on a butter croissant with shredded cheddar (and dairy-free options)—seasoned with Lowry’s and finished with hot sauces like chili crunch and Truff. The ep...

In this episode of Munching Around Milwaukee, Charlie welcomes former chef and current general manager of Mason Street Grill, Barkha Daly. She shares her culinary journey from Nepal to becoming a significant figure in Milwaukee's vibrant food scene.

Barkha highlights her experiences managing renowned restaurants like The Cheel, The Daily Taco, and The Baaree, as well as her new role at the iconic Pfister Hotel.

Despite challenges l...

Join Charlie in this compelling episode of "Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders" as he welcomes Artie Turner, a remarkable behavioral health consultant from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Artie shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in Milwaukee to becoming a celebrated community leader.

Artie opens up about his early life, the crucial role of his adopted parents, Maddie and Jeff, and the pivotal moments ...

In this episode of "Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders," host Charlie welcomes Dr. Tiffany Tardy, the inspiring President and CEO of Pearls for Teen Girls. Tiffany, also celebrated on this year's list of 40 Under 40 emerging leaders, shares her journey from her early years in Milwaukee to her pursuit of higher education and passion for empowering young girls. Former President and CEO of Pearls for Teen Girls, Danae Davis, joi...

In this episode of "Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders," host Charlie welcomes Dr. Nadiyah Johnson, CEO of the Milky Way Tech Hub and Jet Constellations. Video link is here -  https://youtu.be/JpQoNoYkqIU 

Listen as Nadiyah shares her inspiring journey from a curious child passionate about puzzles to a tech visionary driving Milwaukee’s future as a thriving tech hub for black and brown communities.

Nadiyah discusses her early...

In this engaging episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie welcomes Amanda Hernandez, the Vice President, Community Accountability Officer for Associated Bank. With 20 years of experience in community service and philanthropy, Amanda shares her inspiring journey from the south side of Milwaukee to her pivotal role in shaping community relationships through funding.

Dive into a free-flowing discussion about A...

Join Charlie in this captivating episode of "Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders" as Hector Colon, President CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, shares his inspiring journey from boxing champion to respected community leader. Despite facing racial adversity at a young age, Hector found strength in boxing, eventually becoming a seven-time national champion. Discover how the virtues he learned in the...

Our guest on Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders is Samantha “Sam” Maldonado. Sam is a strategy consultant at Spectrum Non-Profit Services. She has received several awards. These include Women of Influence from the MKE Business Journal. She is also on the Milwaukee Business Journal's 40 under 40 list. She is on the list of the Most Influential Latino Leaders 2022.

Peruvian Lomo Saltado is a vibrant dish that blends Asian and L...

In this episode of "Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders," your host, Charlie, is joined by Tom Barrett, former U.S. Congressman, Milwaukee Mayor, and U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Tom shares anecdotes from his formative years in Milwaukee and his remarkable career in politics and diplomacy.

They discuss his journey from growing up on Milwaukee’s west side to his various political roles, culminating in his international experi...

Join host Charlie as he dives into a captivating conversation with Omar Shaikh, a prominent restaurateur and visionary leader in Milwaukee. Discover how Omar's journey from establishing the renowned Carnivore Steakhouse to becoming an influential figure in the revitalization of downtown Milwaukee unfolded over the years.

In this episode, Omar shares fascinating stories about introducing Wagyu beef to Wisconsin and how he navigated ...

Join Charlie in this episode of "Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders" as he welcomes Antoine Carter, the Director of Philanthropy for the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation. Discover Antoine's rich journey from his early years in Milwaukee to becoming an influential community leader, recognized in the Milwaukee Business Journal's 40 under 40. Antoine shares his passion for art, community engagement, and the importance of the ...