Point Taken with Steve Scaffidi & Kristin Brey

Todd Allbaugh fills in for Steve Scaffidi as he and Kristin Brey discuss President Trump’s proposed $5,000 payment, concerns about artificial intelligence, and Jimmy Kimmel moving a James Talarico interview to YouTube amid reported FCC pressure. Jeramey Jannene joins the show to discuss Milwaukee’s pothole problem, lawsuits facing the city, and MCTS plans to expand bus routes and ridership. Catch Point Taken weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon Central on 620 WTMJ or wherever you get your podcasts.

Todd Allbaugh fills in for Steve Scaffidi as he and Kristin Brey discuss the Brewers’ latest win, Tom Tiffany skipping the GOP convention, and where both parties stand in Wisconsin. Business psychologist Dr. Russell J. Barcelona joins the show to explain the roots of political polarization and how people can move beyond tribal thinking. Plus, a debate over whether artificial intelligence could threaten humanity, food recalls, and a reaction to Jon Stewart’s comments about air quality in New York City. Catch Point Taken weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon Central on 620 WTMJ or wherever you get your podcasts.

Todd Allbaugh fills in for Steve Scaffidi as he and Kristin Brey discuss Canada tariffs, Wisconsin exports, rising costs, and the debate over child care funding and stay-at-home parents. Dave Spano explains how tariffs could affect the markets and what investors can do to protect themselves. Plus, a recap of the Badgers’ loss, the incredible punt that reached the 1-yard line, the history of Labor Day, and a look ahead at the week in Wisconsin politics. Catch Point Taken weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon Central on 620 WTMJ or wherever you get your podcasts.

Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki and Republican strategist Bill McCoshen join Point Taken to discuss Donald Trump’s impact on the 2026 midterms, his potential Super PAC involvement, Pete Hegseth’s leadership at the Pentagon, and whether Americans feel safer today. The panel also debates mail-in voting, Wisconsin’s governor and attorney general races, polling, campaign spending, and the future of election strategy. Plus, Say Something Nice, the Grab Bag, and Week in Review. Catch Point Taken weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon Central on 620 WTMJ or wherever you get your podcasts.

School is in session, a building collapses, the I-94 rivalry series continues, and more... It's the Week-In-Review brought to you by Outdoor Living Unlimited.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey discuss the biggest issues facing voters in Wisconsin’s governor’s race, while City Forward Collective highlights the growth of Augustine Preparatory Academy. Jeramey Jannene joins for City Stories to break down Milwaukee’s Flock camera debate, Water Street restaurant closings and new openings, workforce housing, Bay View businesses, changes inside Milwaukee city government, and a New Berlin mayor accused of anti-Muslim racism.

Kristin Brey and Steve Scaffidi dive into a bizarre social media trend involving Gen Z men embracing their “natural musk” in hopes that supposed pheromones will help attract women. The conversation somehow travels from deodorant and dating to ancient hygiene, the Oregon Trail, Steve’s preferred deodorant and the important realization that most of human history probably smelled pretty terrible. Would you date someone who stopped wearing deodorant because they thought their natural scent made them more attractive?

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey discuss warning signs in Florida’s housing market, whether Democrats need more “manly men,” and why voters want hard work to pay off. Waupun Mayor Ron Bishop defends his city’s use of Flock cameras, plus a look at college costs, declining enrollment, Oak Creek’s Lion Fest, Waupun’s sculptures, and the $500 AI toothbrush. Catch Point Taken weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon Central on 620 WTMJ or wherever you get your podcasts.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey discuss the Trump administration’s latest boundary-pushing moves, from renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” to the “Big Beautiful Ballroom,” and ask a bigger question: who actually steps in when the government goes too far? Plus, MapQuest unexpectedly becomes the lone holdout. Later, George Santos gets banned from Kalshi for betting on his own behavior, prompting a conversation about prediction markets, insider trading, and whether easy access to gambling is helping kill the appeal of Las Vegas. The second hour turns to back-to-school season, empty nests, and the legal documents families should consider once their children turn 18.

Broadcasting live from the Salvation Army’s Swing for the Kettle Golf Invitational, Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey discuss rising back-to-school costs and hear from listeners about what families are spending this year. Milwaukee Area Commander Major Beverly Gates and Captain Shannell Johnson join to explain how the Salvation Army supports local families and what donations can do for the community. Plus, Steve and Kristin discuss political campaigns and the U.S. Department of Defense quietly paying online influencers, while Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano breaks down the latest on oil, interest rates, and the economy.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki to discuss President Trump’s latest trade fight with Canada, his continued push against mail-in voting, and how his policies could affect Republicans like Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany heading into November. The conversation also covers Wisconsin’s growing tax surplus, the expanding debate over data centers, and the challenges of regulating emerging technology. Later, Steve and Kristin discuss serious allegations involving Packers running back Josh Jacobs and broader concerns surrounding player safety in the NFL before wrapping up with Say Something Nice, Grab Bags, and the Week-In-Review.

A trade war with Canada, a contentious mayor, Jacobs faces misdemeanor charges, and more... It's the Week-In-Review brought to you by Outdoor Living Unlimited.

Bill Gates is warning about the potential dangers of AI, but how worried should we actually be? Steve and Kristin discuss everything from job losses and corporate responsibility to some of the much scarier possibilities being raised by people inside the technology industry. They also ask whether tech companies can responsibly regulate themselves — and whether the government can possibly keep up. AI is already part of everyday life. The bigger question is where it goes from here.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey look ahead to the new school year as Wisconsin’s classroom phone restrictions take effect, hearing from parents, teachers, and students about how districts are preparing. Later, Teach For America Milwaukee Executive Director Michael Nguyen joins Forward Thinking to discuss why Milwaukee’s educational success matters statewide. In City Stories, Urban Milwaukee’s Jeramey Jannene covers a botched response to a 911 controversy, Milwaukee’s ongoing Flock camera debate, housing concerns, and the latest claims being made in Wisconsin’s governor’s race.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey discuss what makes someone a good communicator before turning to a pair of brands facing backlash over controversial ads and products. They also examine changing attitudes toward the U.S. overseas, President Trump’s continued influence within the Republican Party, and Meta’s multibillion-dollar settlement over harm to younger users. Later, Wisconsin Policy Forum’s Mark Sommerhauser joins to explain Wisconsin’s growing “brain drain” and why college-educated residents are leaving much of the Midwest. Steve and Kristin also remember Dolly Parton and the work that made her a beloved figure across political lines.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey ask a question that’s getting harder to answer: where are teenagers actually supposed to hang out? As more businesses and public spaces restrict teens, they discuss summer jobs, screen time, and whether adults have helped create the online generation they complain about. Later, the hosts react to Islamophobic social media posts from New Berlin’s longtime mayor and hear from a Muslim resident who knows him personally. Motherhood for Good founder Kate Duffy also joins to discuss teens, school-issued technology, life as an influencer, and Wisconsin politics.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by WISN-TV Political Director Matt Smith to discuss Milwaukee’s primary election clerical error and how political polling continues to evolve heading into the Crowley-Tiffany general election. Later, Steve and Kristin examine falling crime rates in Milwaukee and across the country and ask listeners whether they actually feel safer. Annex Wealth Management CEO Dave Spano breaks down the national debt, trade tensions with Canada, and America’s changing economy before ESPN Milwaukee’s Alex Strouf debuts a new weekly Packers segment, The Point After.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey are joined by Joe Zepecki and Bill McCoshen to debate whether data centers have become the defining issue in Wisconsin’s governor’s race — and why neither David Crowley nor Tom Tiffany may have landed on the position voters actually want. The panel also asks what will really decide the race by November and takes a closer look at why political polls should be treated as snapshots rather than predictions. Plus, election controversy, Say Something Nice, Grab Bags, Flock cameras and the Week-In-Review.

A fight at Spin City, the Brewers bring the thunder, record-breaking debt, and more... It's the Week-In-Review brought to you by Outdoor Living Unlimited.

Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey tackle the national debt as it climbs past $40 trillion, asking whether voters or Congress actually care enough to do something about it. They also react to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s concerns about his daughter attending Harvard and debate whether parents should trust how they raised their kids when they head off to college. Later, Steve and Kristin reveal the results of their Extra Points survey on data centers and discuss why tech companies have done such a poor job earning the public’s trust. Plus, another controversial technology enters the conversation: Flock cameras.