This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes back Beth Ridley, CEO of Ridley Consulting Group, for a timely conversation about the evolving workplace and what effective leadership will look like in 2026.

WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman rings in the new year with a special Best of The Upswing, revisiting some of 2025’s most memorable conversations and the biggest storylines shaping greater Milwaukee — while also offering a look ahead to what’s coming in 2026. To open the show, Sherman reflects on a whirlwind year in Milwaukee sports and civic life, from the Brewers’ historic run to continued momentum in downtown development. He also highlights major data center investments, neighborhood upgrades, and new community amenities that helped make the city more connected, bikeable, and walkable. This New Year’s edition features standout segments from across 2025, including a deep dive into donuts with Colton Grebe of Grebe’s Bakery and practical AI insights from Matt Kirchner, host of The TechEd Podcast. Sherman revisits the themes that defined the year in business, innovation, and community, along with additional fan-favorite moments. Looking ahead, Sherman previews next week’s guest, Beth Ridley of Ridley Consulting Group, on workplace culture and feedback, and revisits a recent conversation with Tedd Lookatch of The ERA Group as a timely New Year’s resolution for business owners. The episode wraps with three predictions for 2026, offering insight into where Milwaukee, business, and technology may be headed next. 🎙️ The Upswing is presented by Horicon Bank.

An annual tradition returns to The Upswing as WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomed Rabbi Levi Stein, Father Joseph Simmons, and Marquette University President Dr. Kimo Ah Yun for a thoughtful and uplifting conversation on faith, community, and the holiday season. Each guest reflected on what first inspired their commitment to faith, with Rabbi Stein sharing his work supporting mental health crisis response alongside the Marquette University Police Department. As Christmas and Hanukkah approach, the group explored what these sacred seasons mean in Milwaukee and Wisconsin today—emphasizing compassion, understanding, and meeting people where they are. The conversation also ventured into sports, resilience after tragedy, grief, and the challenge of living faith authentically rather than just following rules. The episode closed with warm reflections on holiday traditions, generosity, and the shared joy of giving to others.

This week on The Upswing, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman continues gearing up for the holidays with a look at some of 2025’s hottest toys and the growing success of Milwaukee’s holiday markets hosted by local bars and restaurants. Jeff first welcomes back Toy Tips founder Marianne Szymanski, a Marquette University graduate who shares how her toy-recommendation business grew from a hotline to a magazine and beyond. She explains why certain classic toys never leave store shelves, how generational differences influence holiday shopping, and why tariffs affect what families buy. She also breaks down how TikTok and YouTube “unboxings” now shape what kids ask for. Next, Jeff sits down with Marla Poytinger, President and CEO of Bars & Recreation, whose first bar, Splash Studio, began as a fusion of her and her husband’s passions for beer and art. She discusses building bars around Wisconsin traditions, the vision behind Newfashioned in the Deer District, insights from a successful holiday market, and the challenges of running multiple local venues. Looking ahead, Bars & Recreation plans to expand its catering operations in 2026. 🎙️ The Upswing is presented by Horicon Bank.

This week on The Upswing, host Jeff Sherman explores Milwaukee’s creative and influencer community. Photographer and entrepreneur Eric “Bert Lauderdale” Halverson shares how he built his visual style, developed his “Bert Alerts” weather persona, and even inspired a new collaboration with Broken Bat Brewing. Jeff also welcomes Martin Moore of Koss Headphones to discuss influencer culture, the rise of micro-influencers in Milwaukee, and why authenticity matters more than ever. In “The Future of Almost Everything,” Jeff and Martin look ahead to holiday shopping trends, AI’s growing role in business, and the tech and TV picks getting them through winter. The Upswing is presented by Horicon Bank.

On this special holiday weekend edition of The Upswing, host Jeff Sherman takes a look back at some of his favorite recent conversations — but not before diving into the numbers and importance behind Small Business Saturday and why shopping local matters more than ever. Then, Jeff revisits standout moments from Milwaukee-area leaders and experts: Flory Jerez-Villasenor of Northwestern Mutual on finding purpose in finance, giving back, and smart budgeting for the holidays. Brian Dranzik, Milwaukee Airport Director, on Spirit Airlines’ exit and the continued benefits of flying local. Emile Williamson, Dietitian at Roundy’s, on the protein craze and what shoppers should know about balancing their diets. John Wise of Marcus Hotels & Resorts on beverage trends shaping Milwaukee’s hospitality scene.

On this episode of The Upswing presented by Horicon Bank, WTMJ’s Jeff Sherman welcomes back Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun and Marilyn Jones, the university’s inaugural director of the Lemonis Center for Student Success. Jones, a first-generation immigrant from Costa Rica and first-generation college student, shares her perspective on building stability and upward mobility for Marquette students. Together, she and President Ah Yun discuss the university’s continued focus on student success retention — and how the Lemonis Center turns those goals into action with tutoring, mentoring, and wellness support under one roof. The conversation also highlights Marquette’s Jesuit mission of inclusion and community, extending beyond campus into Milwaukee. And, as Thanksgiving approaches, the guests share their personal traditions that remind us what connection and gratitude truly mean. PLUS: Quick Two Up business headlines and a price check on The Upswing Coffee Index

As the holiday season takes off, The Upswing, presented by Horicon Bank, sits down with two guests offering distinct perspectives from the runway to the boardroom. Jet Out’s Matt Wild shares insights into the evolving world of private aviation — where accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency are redefining how business leaders and families travel. Wild also offers universal tips to make flying smoother for everyone: avoid connections when possible, sit near the front, and plan ahead to reclaim valuable time on the road (or in the sky). Then, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) Director Brian Dranzik joins host Jeff Sherman to preview the busy holiday travel season from a commercial standpoint. Dranzik discusses MKE’s ongoing improvements — including a new parking guidance system and the soon-to-open Central Standard Craft Distillery Crafthouse & Kitchen — and reminds travelers that choosing their hometown airport saves more than just money: it saves time, builds community, and reduces stress. Tune in for practical advice, hometown pride, and a look at how Milwaukee continues to elevate its travel experience — one flight at a time.

Jeff Sherman explores Milwaukee’s holiday buzz with Marcus Hotels’ John Wise and Roundy’s dietitian Emilie Williamson — from festive dining trends to smarter grocery shopping this season.

Jeff Sherman spotlights Milwaukee changemakers — Running Rebels’ Victor and Dawn Barnett and Mumbies founder Bradley Will — who are transforming lives for local youth and dogs alike.

Marquette University President Dr. Kimo Ah Yun and Dr. Manal Hamdan, director of Marquette’s predoctoral program in oral and maxillofacial radiology, join Jeff Sherman for a conversation on technology, mentorship, and the future of education. Dr. Hamdan spotlights cutting-edge advances in dental care — including how artificial intelligence is transforming both patient outcomes and the training of tomorrow’s dentists at Wisconsin’s only dental school. Dr. Ah Yun shares Marquette’s broader commitment to preparing students across disciplines for an AI-driven future and discusses his Charting Our Course tour, a nationwide rollout of his vision for the university. Plus, Jeff closes the show with the latest on coffee prices in The Upswing Coffee Index and news of a new exclusive coffee brand debuting at the Baird Center.

Doors Open Milwaukee returns September 27–28, giving the public a rare chance to explore some of the city’s most iconic and exclusive spaces. Jeff Sherman is joined by Ray Hill, executive director of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive BID, and Grace Fuhr, events director at Historic Milwaukee, to preview this year’s event. Hill explains how Business Improvement Districts fuel neighborhood growth and shines a light on the development momentum along Historic King Drive. Fuhr highlights standout buildings on this year’s tour — including the Wisconsin Club and the Uplifting Mansion — and shares how Milwaukee takes cues from other cities to keep Doors Open exciting and fresh.

In this episode, Jeff Sherman sits down with Colton Grebe, fourth-generation co-owner and chief strategy officer of Grebe’s Bakery, to talk tradition, innovation, and the launch of Grebe’s “store within a store” concept now open at Metro Market. Colton shares the bakery’s 1937 origin story, lessons from the International Baking Expo in Las Vegas, and how Grebe’s balances Milwaukee favorites like crullers with large-scale icons like Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs. Plus, Martin Moore from Koss joins Jeff to break down post-Apple-event iPhone wishes, Southwest Airlines’ seating shakeup, creative tactics in luxury real estate, smarter inbox habits, and quick-hit ideas to keep Milwaukee moving forward.

From Restaurants to Our Schools, WTMJ's Jeff Sherman talks to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Food Critic Rachel Bernhard and Hunger Task Force's Jonathan Hansen

This week, WTMJ's Jeff Sherman was joined by Tamara Key, an Army veteran, owner of The Herbal Key Apothecary and the Wisconsin ambassador of the CJ3 Foundation, a nonprofit that provides services to wounded and disabled first responders, veterans, and current military service members. In response to increased customer demand for holistic and alternative health solutions, The Herbal Key Apothecary is relocating and expanding its operation and services to 117 N. Thompson St., in Oconomowoc. A grand opening event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jeff Sherman also was joined by Rich Kirchen, senior reporter at the Milwaukee Business Journal. The Upswing is presented by Horicon Bank.