Midwest Legends

Midwest Legends Episode #16: Chris Kanan -- Family Supper Clubs, Lawn Hacks, and Ope it's Mow Time

Chris Kanan probably knows more about lawns than most people do, but he does anything but gatekeep. He sat down with Russell in the Midwest Legends studio to talk about his journey and get into the weeds of keeping a lawn looking tidy.
Chris explains how a brief stint studying architecture led to a focus in landscape architecture, with a chief focus on lawns: “Everyone was always looking at the grass.” While Chris acknowledges the “keeping up with the Joneses” aspect of lawn care, he and Russell share stories of neighborly connections kept strong through the shared pursuit of a healthy lawn.
Tune it to hear stories about Chris’s legendary grandpa, the finer points of lawn beer etiquette, and how women are showing men up when it comes to cultivating lush landscapes.

Midwest Legends Episode #17: Brett Favre -- Tough Love, Beating the Odds, and Being a Hall of Famer

Brett Favre is a Mississippi kid who became a larger than life figure in Green Bay and an NFL icon. He sat down with Russell to talk about the moments that came before, during, and after his legendary run.
Brett was once told he wouldn’t play more than three years. When he officially retired in 2011, he had a twenty-year legacy behind him. That legacy was fueled by many things, including tough love from his father and a strong steady desire to get on the field and play. He and Russell discuss key Packers players throughout history, and Brett reminisces on the days when he ran the wishbone formation.
Tune in to hear stories about how Brett played through a hangover in college, what his jersey retirement was like, and the time his dad fell off a roof.

Midwest Legends Episode #16: Jim McMahon -- Superbowls, Mike Ditka, and Golfing with Michael Jordan

Jim McMahon is in the Midwest Legends hotseat this week, but it’s nothing he can’t handle.
McMahon walks Russell about the highs and lows of his career, which spanned seven NFL teams, two Super Bowl wins, and injuries that could’ve ended most careers. Along the way, McMahon and Russell bond over their love of football and the reverence they hold for some iconic football players.
Tune in to listen to the stories about a life-threatening injury with a miraculous recovery, how McMahon used headbands to give back, and how a false report on him led to a hotel bomb threat.

Midwest Legends Episode #15: Andrea Boehlke -- Red Carpets, Shaq, and Being on Survivor 3 Times

Andrea Boehlke’s love for Wisconsin has stayed strong, even as her career took her to New York and Los Angeles. While she spent plenty of time interviewing celebrities, today she’s the one with the inside scoop.
A three-time competitor on Survivor, Boehlke revisits the cover story she and her mom created to comply with the NDA she received after being selected for the show while still in college.
She and Russell bond over farm life and talk about the relentless work ethic that guides farmers from sunup until sundown. They also find common ground in approaching touchy conversations, whether Russell is in a deposition or Andrea was on the red carpet.
Tune it to hear more stories about the pressures of red-carpet reporting, what it’s really like being on Survivor, and how Wisconsin differs from the East Coast.

Midwest Legends Episode #14: Gilbert Brown -- The Gravedigger, Lambeau, and Everything But Pickles

Gilbert Brown made a name for himself on the Green Bay Packers defensive line, and he stopped by the studio to talk with Russell about the experiences that defined his career.
No matter the story, Brown always brings plenty of humor and heart. He’s happy to revisit everything from his iconic Gravedigger dance to the origins of his famous Gilbert Burger, and he and Russell bond over their shared love for the Packers. They talk about the mystique of Lambeau Field, and Russell fondly recalls sitting on top of the family van, back when the only obstacle to getting a peek at the action was a tarp-covered chain link fence.
Tune in to hear how Brown claimed the number 93, what makes his mom legendary, and why filming a pickles commercial went hilariously wrong.

Midwest Legends Episode #13: Dial-in Special w/ Jared Schutz--Packer Pride & Water Balloon Bar Fights

Call 866-MW-LGND for a chance to have your story played on a future dial-in episode! On the first Midwest Legends dial-in episode, Russell Nicolet shares hosting duties with previous guest Jared Schutz.
We set up 866-MW-LGND so that our listeners could tell their stories, and boy have we had fun listening to them. For this episode, we handpicked three stories for Russell and Jared to react to, live on the mic. Enjoy stories about midnight bar shenanigans, peak Packer Pride, and a photo with Kid Rock that did not survive the night.
 
Featured Callers:
Lenny from Minnesota
John from California
Ed from Michigan
 
Got a Midwest story you love telling at the dive bar, tailgate, or around the campfire? Dial 866-MW-LEGND and leave us a voicemail!

Midwest Legends Episode #12: Matthew Golden -- Playing For Green Bay, Being The #1 Draft Pick, and Jordan Love

Matthew Golden is a first-round draft pick, lightning-fast wide receiver, and now a Midwest Legends guest. At just 22 years old, Matthew has worked hard, gained a lot of perspective, and he's not even as old as the history he is making.
It’s been 23 years since Green Bay’s home team chose a wide receiver as their first round pick, and he says that draft night “will stick with me for the rest of my life.” He shares the lessons he’s learned, the advice he'd pass on to younger players, and his love for Packers Nation: “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Tune in to hear who Matthew considers a true legend, the superpower he’d choose if he had one, and the unexpected moment on Lake Michigan that quickly became a story to remember.

Midwest Legends Episode #11: Billy Deuce -- Touring W/ Charlie Berens, Chris Farley, & A Basement Alligator

This week’s guest, Billy Doucette, better known as Billy Deuce, admits he’s terrible at ending conversations, so it’s a good thing Midwest Legends actually has a runtime.
Billy has grown up all over the country, and that “foot in both worlds” perspective has given him plenty of material and earned him quite a following online and in person. He and Russell bond over their shared love of Kwik Trip and Chris Farley, who Billy selects as his Midwest Legend. You’ll want to hear all the stories Billy has from sharing a car and touring with comedian (and notable Midwest Legends guest) Charlie Berens. Tune into this episode to learn more about unpleasant hotel visits, a basement alligator named Chompers, and more.

Midwest Legends Episode #10: Packer Pride, Internet Memes & Gym Class Fails

Die-hard Packers superfan Matt Ramage sits down with Russell Nicolet to talk about his favorite team and more.
Matt fondly remembers growing up in a home where every Packers game was an event that could see uncles placing bets on anything they could think of. He and Russell reminisce on childhoods spent outdoors, and the reverence that the Packers and Lambeau Field have in Green Bay. Learn more about how Matt grew his online following, and his very wholesome answer for who comes to mind when he think of Midwest Legends.

Midwest Legends Episode #9: Jared Schutz— Brett Favre, A Bearded Dragon, and Wisco Dive Bar Reviews

Every dive bar has at least one story to tell, and thanks to Jared Schutz, those stories and the bars themselves are reaching a wider audience.Jared and Russell discuss dive bar charm, quirks, and maybe most importantly: etiquette. He shares the memories he’s made and hidden gems he’s discovered along the way (check out his interactive “bar map” online). Since starting his journey in 2022, Jared has traveled across Wisconsin, built a loyal following, and learned a thing or two about what makes a dive bar great.