Midwest Legends

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.

Midwest Legends Episode #8: Richard Lorbach --Tattoos, Chris Farley, and Drink Wisconsinbly

Richard Lorbach, the man behind “Drink Wisconsinbly,” joins Russell Nicolet to share stories about growing up in the Midwest and talk about watching his homegrown brand take off.
Richard and Russell bond over their shared love for Wisconsin, childhoods spent outdoors, and the communities and friendships that form at local dive bars. Now 13 years strong, the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub is a staple in the Deer District, but its reach extends far beyond that. Even though the brand maintains in-state and out-of-state fame, Richard does his best to keep a low profile on social media, earning a self-aware chuckle from Russell. You’ll want to hear Richard’s story of the rowdy night at the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub before the sixth game of the 2021 NBA Finals.

Midwest Legends Episode #7: Chef Adam--Dive Bar Burgers, The Dells, and Gordon Ramsey IRL

You may have seen him win Cutthroat Kitchen, compete on Super Chef Grudge Match, Beat Bobby Flay, and Hell's Kitchen, but today, Adam Pawlak is in front of the camera as a guest, not a chef.
Chef Adam discusses how a job at a pizzeria at the early age of 14 led to a career in the restaurant industry that many know him for today. Russell shares his own experience working in the restaurant industry, and the two discuss what makes a restaurant great. Pawlak gives his take on Midwestern dishes, as well as plenty of mouth-watering inspiration for those who are eager to try something new. Food is a universal language, and Pawlak is always ready to teach and inspire.