Our flagship program finds the stories in Milwaukee that lift your spirits, prompt you to think, make you feel grateful and inspire you to do more. They connect you to our community, shining a spotlight on what is good about the city, what still needs work, and what makes it Uniquely Milwaukee.
Through tech and teaching, My Way Out provides a path forward
"I’m actually changing the oil. Right now, they’re giving us a speech about the PPE."
Terence is one of about a dozen particpants in a virtual-reality class inside Milwaukee County’s Community Reintegration Center. The class is part of a six-week course for men and women residents provided by My Way Out (https://www.mwout.org/), a program that provides reentry services to justice-impacted individuals.
Ruben Gaona is My Way Out's executive director. The navy veteran launched the program after his own incarceration that followed an honorable discharge due to a back injury. He says he started selling drugs in 2007 to provide for himself and his family. In 2010, he was charged in a federal case. Now, his nonprofit hires staff that was formerly imprisoned while helping hundreds of people stay out of the justice system.
“Obviously, when I came home, I didn’t know where technology was,” Gaona recalled. “So I started spending lots of hours with my laptop — learning, watching YouTube videos, learning how to use Excel, Word documents — because I also wanted to go back to school. I knew technology had advanced so much, so that started the passion of saying, ‘OK, there’s something here.’”
To learn more about My Way Out and find all of our recent episodes, visit radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories (https://radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories).
#####
Episode host: Kim Shine
Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members (https://radiomilwaukee.org/donate).
29 Sept 2026
Creativity is sustainable, accessible at 414 Art Revival
When Julianna Jackson and Nate Carpenter moved from St. Louis to Milwaukee, they quickly found a lot to like about their new home.
“What did draw us… is the sense of community that I feel whenever we're in Milwaukee,” Jackson shared. But they also noticed something their new community could use — or reuse.
At the end of July, the pair opened the doors to 414 Art Revival (https://414artrevival.com/), an art-resale shop where people can find pre-loved art supplies at a reasonable price and donate materials they no longer need. But the location on West National Avenue in West Allis is also a community space that features Milwaukee artists and hosts classes.
On this episode, guest host Rachel Tarby goes inside the store to talk with its co-owners and the patrons finding value of all kinds within (and even on) its walls.
#####
Uniquely Milwaukee is made possible by our Radio Milwaukee members (https://radiomilwaukee.org/donate).
24 Sept 2026
Through words and work, Juan Miguel Martinez represents a movement
This Latine Heritage Month, we celebrate the work of Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez.
Martinez was elected in 2022 as County Supervisor of District 12, representing various southside neighborhoods. In this role, he helped secure a $30 million commitment from the county for the Mitchell Park Domes, a prime example of his advocacy for the parks system and securing resources for the neighborhoods he represents.
Along with his work in civic engagement and labor organizing, he writes for publications like the Milwaukee Record and frequently DJs at the Wiggle Room, using that time to unwind and share music from his eclectic collection.
But with everything he does, he always keeps his focus on highlighting stories about people of color in Milwaukee. "The reason these stories are important," he explained, "is because we make up the fabric of this city.”
For the full story, go to radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories (http://radiomilwaukee.org/ourstories).
#####
Episode host: Paula Lovo
Uniquely Milwaukee is supported by our Radio Milwaukee members (https://radiomilwaukee.org/donate).
Who has been a guest on Uniquely Milwaukee
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Ranjit Singh
Brandon Johnston
Sarah Pancheri
Tony Kearney
NICK BERKLEY
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
18 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 64 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
