Living With A Wild God, Ukraine Crisis, Time Traveling In Wisconsin

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time

Why are we here? Rob Ferrett and Veronica Rueckert speak with renowned thinker Barbara Ehrenreich about how she’s tried to answer that question throughout her life. Then they get an update in the conflict in Ukraine and travel through Wisconsin history with Old World Wisconsin.

Featured in this Show

  • Threats On The Ukraine-Russian Border

    Russian leaders say they don’t want to take over the eastern portion of Ukraine–but say they’ll take military action if Russian intrests are threatened. An expert on Eastern Europe breaks down the latest news in the ongoing crisis.

  • Curious Wisconsin: Time-Traveler Day Camps

    A series of day camps at Old World Wisconsin let kids experience life in different eras of Wisconsin history. A guest from Old World Wisconsin explains what camps are available and how history is recreated.

  • Old World Wisconsin Turns Children Into Time Travelers At Summer Camps

    For children (and adults alike), the idea of time travel can be a pretty cool fantasy. But at Old World Wisconsin, stepping back into the past is easier than one might think.

    Old World Wisconsin is putting on a series of day camps for children this summer called Time Traveler Adventure Camps.

    “They’re a great, rare opportunity for kids to experience life in the time period from the late 1800s to the early 1900s,” said Ann Selkie, day camp coordinator for Old World Wisconsin. “We’re living life just like they did in those days.”

    Selkie said the camps are a great chance to expose young people to activities and ideas that are becoming rarer in modern times. One camp offers children the chance to churn butter and card wool, while another puts them in the literal shoes of Civil War solider, as many of the camps feature authentic costumes. She also said that the camps teach children about the relationship early Wisconsin residents had to land and animals.

    One particularly popular camp, Selkie said, is called Little House Adventures, which focuses on bringing the creation of Wisconsin author Laura Ingalls Wilder to life. She said it’s the perfect camp for those who have read the “Little House on the Prairie” books and want a deeper look at what Laura’s life would have been like.

    Selkie said the children who come through the camps come away with an appreciation for how hard life was around the turn of the 20th Century. And for teenagers participating in “apprentice” camps, she said she’s seen them transform before her eyes.

    “I’ve had apprentices that have changed from awkward teenagers into very poised, grown up people,” Selkie said. “It is very much life-changing them for them.”

    A full list of camps can be found at Old World Wisconsin’s website.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • William Pomeranz Guest
  • Ann Selkie Guest
  • Amanda Magnus Producer
  • Chris Malina Producer