WORT FM

11/14/2025

When I began working at WORT in 2014, a quarter of Americans streamed audio online. Only 1 in 8 listened to podcasts, and the first smart speaker, the Amazon Echo (Alexa, play W-O-R-T) had just debuted.

Since then, we've seen our online listenership triple, our archived show audience grow, and the number of WORT app users steadily increase.

Our Futures Committee meets regularly to plan ways to anticipate your needs. WORT wants to join you on the platforms you use. But all our planning and brainstorming is missing the most critical voice: yours.

The good news is that WORT listeners have been chosen to be part of a national community radio survey at no cost to us!

In the summer of 2024, WORT was part of a similar listener technology survey that included public and community radio listeners. I took that survey and was frustrated by the many public radio questions.

This year, the survey questions are limited to the community radio audience. Although it may take up to 15 minutes to complete, you can stop, save your work, and resume at any time. I prefer plowing through, myself.

Please find time to help us take advantage of this valuable opportunity. The comprehensive report of your responses will be the basis for our future work.

When you're ready to take the survey, please click here:

Media & Technology Survey.

11/13/2025

On November 5th, LOWBOY, a jazz-fusion band from Madison, joined Queery in the studio for some live music and conversation. The trio consists of pianist Malik Staude, bassist Elliot Jewell, and drummer Josh Marineau. Their music includes intricate melodies, improvisational jams and funky grooves. Listen to last week's episode of Queery on our website: https://www.wortfm.org/queery-music-featuring-lowboy/

More great Queery content TONIGHT at 7pm featuring Jeffrey Marsh!

Who is Jeffrey? Jeffrey’s international bestseller, ‘How To Be You,’ was featured by Oprah. Jeffrey’s spiritual teachings on social media currently have over three billion views. Jeffrey was the first out nonbinary person to appear on national television with their viral Newsmax interview in 2016. Jeffrey’s follow-up bestseller, ‘Take Your Own Advice,’ received Apple Books’ coveted Best Book award. Jeffrey has been a teacher and student of Zen for 25 years and has taught at the UN, for the Elizabeth Warren campaign, and in the pages of TIME, the New York Times, and Rolling Stone. Jeffrey has taught on several celeb podcasts, including with Alyssa Milano and LeAnn Rimes.

Graphics by Queery host Vicki Kenyon.

11/12/2025

The hilariously creative Lou and Peter Berryman are kicking off our 50th Birthday Bash with their unique brand of fun and quirky folk tunes. Come celebrate 50 years of WORT at the Atwood Music Hall on Sunday, December 7th from 6 to 10pm. Tickets are $25 and are available here: https://www.theatwoodmusichall.com/shows/2025-12-7 and at the Atwood Music Hall box office. All proceeds benefit WORT Community Radio. We hope to see you there!

Lou and Peter Berryman began their musical partnership in high school in Appleton, Wisconsin, way back in the sixties. By the late seventies, they had established themselves as a prominent feature of the songwriting subculture of Wisconsin's capital, playing their original material every week for almost ten years in the run-down but trendy music room of Madison's Club de Wash.

Gradually expanding their circuit, they began crisscrossing the continent and gaining national attention with appearances on such programs as Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion and NPR's Weekend Edition. Regular appearances at festivals and folk music clubs all across the country now serve as venues for the songs contained in their eighteen recordings and four songbooks, which have been performed by everyone from Garrison Keillor to Peggy Seeger.

The popularity of Lou and Peter Berryman -- whose friendship survived a brief marriage in the seventies -- is a testament to their intelligent and wickedly funny material which is never b***y or risqué but is rich with wordplay and witty images. This duo is not to be missed.

11/07/2025

Optometri is back this Sunday, November 9th, at 5pm at the Harmony Bar & Grill (2201 Atwood Avenue).

Optometri returns to action after long period of dormancy to assist in vanquishing despair and restoring a flagging joyfulness. This long-overdue reunion of the internationally acclaimed premium rock band is a benefit show for WORT Community Radio. The night will feature fan favorites such as Yo Anna Yeah, My Sweet Estonia, and Love Is Not a Potato. This is a 21+ show. The $10 cover supports WORT Community Radio.

11/05/2025

El Salvadoran “juglares” or “troubadour of resistance” Sebastian Torogoz, founder of Los Torogoces de Morazán, along with a pick-up band of Chicago-based percussionists, joined the November 3, 2025 edition of WORT’s Global Revolutions with host Martin Alavarado. After the interview, the band struck up an impromptu concert in the WORT lobby.

https://www.wortfm.org/sebastian-torogoz-band-live-from-the-wort-lobby/

10/31/2025

Our own Linda J. Barry graces the NYT today!

Send a message to learn more

10/31/2025

We’re turning 50!! Now let’s party! We are thrilled to return to the Atwood Music Hall on Sunday, December 7th from 6 to 10 PM for a diverse array of music and community spirit that is so important in these difficult times.

Join us for a special evening to commemorate 50 years of WORT Community Radio sponsored by Ayres Painting and Dane Arts. The scrappy little station that began on Winnebago Street has endured the test of time and has flourished–thanks to the love and devotion of the Madison community and the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers to provide unique and diverse programming to the Madison community and beyond.

The night starts with a short set from Lou and Peter Berryman and their unique brand of fun and quirky folk tunes. The Tony C Latin Jazz Band will heat things up with rhythms to make you get up and dance. Renowned blues guitarist Paul Filipowicz and his band will keep things cookin’ in soulful style. Topping off the night with some great rock is a long-time Madison favorite The German Art Students.

Tickets are $25 and are available on the Atwood Music Hall website (https://www.theatwoodmusichall.com/shows/2025-12-7) and at the Atwood Music Hall box office. All proceeds benefit WORT Community Radio. We hope to see you there!

We’re Turning 50!! Now Let’s Party! Join us for a special evening to commemorate 50 years of WORT Community Radio sponsored by Ayres Painting and Dane Arts. The scrappy little […]

10/27/2025

The WORT News Department has recent stories about a Wisconsin elections update, 50 years of Gender and Women's studies at UW-Madison, and the Mount Horrible Haunted House. You can listen to the full conversations on our website, www.wortfm.org! Check ‘em out:

Today, on the Monday 8 O’Clock Buzz, host Brian Standing spoke with Votebeat reporter Alexander Shur. When we last spoke with Shur, he told us about a Waukesha County Circuit court ruling that ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission to check that all voters are, in fact, U.S. citizens. The ruling threatens to overwhelm municipal clerks, already struggling under a variety of state voting mandates. Shur joined the Monday Buzz again with an update.
Listen here: https://www.wortfm.org/wisconsin-elections-update/

On the October 24th Friday 8 O’Clock Buzz, host Andy Moore spoke with Dr. Kate Phelps, teaching faculty member and alumni liaison for the UW-Madison Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this past weekend with a full slate of lectures, panels, and performances at Monona Terrace. Dr. Phelps describes the milestone as both a celebration and a reflection on how the field has evolved since its founding in the 1970s, when feminist and civil rights movements pushed universities to recognize gender and identity as central areas of academic inquiry. The conversation turns serious when Moore asked about federal scrutiny and defunding of gender studies programs nationwide. Phelps acknowledges the challenges but underscores the department’s resilience and ongoing relevance.
Listen here: https://www.wortfm.org/uw-madisons-gender-and-womens-studies-department-celebrates-50-years/

On the same day during the Friday 8 O’Clock Buzz, host Andy Moore gets into the Halloween spirit with Henry Larson, the creator and operator of the Mount Horrible House of Horror in Mount Horeb. Speaking from what he described as his “mother-in-law’s old to***co barn,” Larson rates his attraction “a solid 8.5 on the scare scale,” warning families to leave anyone under 15 at home. But as he walked Moore through the experience, it became clear that the frights were more whimsical than wicked, maybe even for the faint of heart. When Moore presses for something truly frightening, Larson reveals that the “horror” culminates with his mother-in-law in a skeleton costume handing out Tyrol Basin ski tickets. Henry Larson is portrayed by Portland, Oregon actor, producer, and stand-up comedian Riley McCarthy.
Listen here: https://www.wortfm.org/mount-horrible-house-of-horror/

10/23/2025

On Saturday, October 18th, the “No Kings” demonstration brought thousands of protestors to the streets of downtown Madison. After organizing at McPike Park, attendees began their march up East Washington Street toward the Capitol Building, where they listened to dozens of speakers from diverse backgrounds.

Monday 8 O’Clock Buzz host Brian Standing was on the ground to capture the demonstration and interview attendees. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“I’m here to protect what our country is based off of. Democracy, number one. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to protest without retaliation.”

“I’m here to protect women’s rights. I’m here to protect the right to vote. I’m here to fight for my voice and my daughter’s voice, my grandchildren’s voice… [Events like this accomplish] unity and community, realizing that there’s more of us that stand together than not.”

“[I am here today because] I think people need to understand that there are a lot of us that are very strongly opposed to what the President and his party are doing to the United States. I think [events like this help] by showing numbers. It makes a big difference. It’s very easy for FOX or some podcast to show a clip of a burning building in Portland, or whatever. I think it’s far more impactful to show a big crowd like this with American flags flying to demonstrate that we love this country, but we hate what’s being done to it.”

The “No Kings” protests were organized by a broad coalition of national and local groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Indivisible and MoveOn, along with labor unions, local activists and community leaders. All rallies emphasized nonviolence regardless of provocations. Police reported no arrests or disturbances throughout the demonstration in Madison.

10/23/2025

⭐It's Almost Here! BOWL-A-RAMA • Rocktober 26th That is 🎉🎳 You may have heard WORT's bowling parties referred to as Legendary - but it's an Epic Real Thing!! This SUNDAY FUNDAY @ 3pm 🤩 Walk-in bowlers welcome.
🔸 DJs Bad Sister Heidi & NuFone Rick spinning🎶
• Pizza! • Costume Contest! AND the Prizes - Mind Blowing 🤯 (see comments)
https://facebook.com/events/s/wort-bowl-a-rama/1334723714701747/