Episode 245 - Derek Hoppe

For Milwaukee sanitation worker Derek Hoppe, the job is more than just a routine; it’s almost meditative. Whether he's soaking up fresh air while collecting garbage cans or finding intense focus behind the wheel of a snowplow, Derek finds a rhythm that makes the hours fly by. Longtime friends, Charlie sits down with Derek this week to dig into the world of municipal sanitation. From the most bizarre discoveries on his route to serious fire hazards caused by household batteries, Derek reveals the highs, the lows, and the deeply rewarding parts of his job. Whether you’re considering a career in public works or simply wondering what really happens to your trash, this episode pulls back the curtain on the essential work that keeps Milwaukee moving.Visit milwaukee.gov/jobs to see available public works jobs in the city of Milwaukee. For more information on what can and cannot be recycled in Milwaukee, head to milwaukeerecycles.com. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast!

Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo is more than just a basketball player. Whether it’s his career on the court, his podcast Thanalysis, or some other entrepreneurial venture, he believes that success is about creating an ecosystem rather than just focusing on one thing. In this week’s episode, he opens up about his late father’s quiet strength, as well as the ways that his Greek and Nigerian roots influence him as an immigrant to the United States. He and Charlie cover everything from American food to parkour, personal growth, and what comes after basketball. And stick around to the end of the episode to watch Thanasis try his very first brat!Follow Thanasis @thanasis_ante43 and follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast!

Artist Ike Wynter has a deep appreciation for what most people throw away. Growing up in his family’s junk removal business, he learned early on how to spot beauty in the discarded. When he started turning salvaged wood from old furniture, picket fences, and abandoned buildings into art, everything fell into place. His distinctive work quickly gained attention online, attracting major clients like the Milwaukee Brewers, the NHL, and Mike Tyson. Fresh off his biggest project yet — reimagining all 32 NFL team logos for this year’s Draft in Green Bay — Ike joins Charlie to talk about his wildest salvage finds, his teenage years playing in bands, and the infamous abandoned boat on Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach.Follow Ike @ike_wynter and follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

For Tellurian Behavioral Health CEO Kevin Florek, helping those in crisis is in his blood. Started by his uncle in the 1970s, Tellurian was a response to the addiction and mental health issues that Vietnam veterans faced after returning home from the war. Since then, Tellurian has expanded across the entire state of Wisconsin to serve over 9,000 people annually – many of whom would otherwise end up in worse conditions. This week, Kevin and Charlie discuss the government red tape and underfunding that Tellurian faces, the growing dangers of unregulated substances like Delta 8, and the sad reality that addiction doesn’t discriminate against anyone. Also stick around until the end to hear about the upcoming Celebrity Golf Outing this May with Brett Favre, Gilbert Brown, and many more. For more information on how you can support, go to www.tellurian.org.Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

You might know him as “Coach” or the voice of “Mr. Incredible,” but Craig T. Nelson takes on a deeply personal and dramatic role in Green and Gold (2025). He portrays Buck, a struggling Wisconsin dairy farmer who bets everything on the Packers’ 1993 season while trying to mend a fragile bond with his granddaughter Jenny, played by Madison Lawlor. This small-budget indie film was a true passion project for Nelson, a lifelong Packers fan with roots in Wisconsin tracing back to Norwegian immigrant relatives. This week on the Cripescast, Craig sits down with Charlie to talk about his experience making the film, diving into Buck’s complex relationship with his family, his land, and his animals. He also shares stories of working as a sewing machine repossessor in Los Angeles and singing the national anthem at Lambeau Field for the Green and Gold premiere.Check out Green and Gold @greenandgoldmovie and find the film available now on streaming services. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

This week on the Cripescast, comedians Daniel Van Kirk and Bill Doucette are back! Though it’s their first time meeting, you'd never know it—their chemistry is instant as they dive into hilarious stories and banter like old friends. Alongside Charlie, they swap some core childhood memories, from the time Charlie was convinced his grandparents were getting divorced, to Bill’s childhood aversion to sleeping in socks. They also give us some of their best bird calls and Daniel reveals the origin of eggs as an Easter tradition.Follow Daniel @danielvankirk and Bill @billydeuce86. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

Everyone’s favorite gambling ladies are back! This week, Charlie makes yet another trip to the casino with Grandma Sue, Aunt Mary, and Lois Bentley. Along the drive Grandma Sue gives us a health update, Lois shares STD gossip from living in The Villages, and Aunt Mary learns about swingers and “sliding in the DMs.” Of course, no episode of the Cripescast with these gals would be complete without a look into Mary’s love life. Stick around to watch Charlie and Grandma Sue hack into Mary’s online dating profile and send messages to some eligible bachelors. Follow the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast!

Michelle Miller, aka "The Farm Babe," traded Rodeo Drive for the rodeo and never looked back—except when it comes to shoes. Growing up in the Midwest with 4-H and horses, she now advocates for farmers by educating consumers about food. On this episode of the Cripescast, she debunks farming myths and jokes about the slim dating pool for farm boys. She also shares stories of her adventurous life, from traveling the world and working odd jobs to clubbing with Paris Hilton in LA—all leading her back to Midwest farming. Tune in as she and Charlie test their ‘80s Midwest commercial knowledge, recall her first job at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, and sip Brandy Old Fashioneds made by Charlie with his brandy. Find Michelle on all platforms @thefarmbabe and on Facebook @iowafarmbabe. Find the Cripescast on all platforms @cripescast.

Joel Brammeier is passionate about the Great Lakes. Whether it was as a kid exploring their shorelines in the Detroit suburbs, or as the president and CEO of Alliance for the Great Lakes today, he's always been drawn to them. With 20% of the Earth’s fresh surface water belonging to the Great Lakes, Joel explains how crucial it is that we start taking microplastics seriously and that “regulation” doesn’t need to be a bad term when it comes to water. Instead, it can be a helpful tool that puts laws into place that keeps not only our drinking water clean, but our beer too. He and Charlie discuss the Great Lakes Compact, why microplastics are bad for us, and what the implications of recent government budget cuts will mean for environmental agencies. Joel also shares what makes him say “cripes!” which is something all parents of teenagers can relate to. All that and more on this episode of the Cripescast. For more information about Joel’s work and to get involved head to www.greatlakes.org. Follow the Alliance for Great Lakes on social: Bluesky – @alliancegreatlakes.bsky.socialInstagram – alliance4greatlakesFacebook – AlliancefortheGreatLakesCheck out his latest Op-ed in the Sun Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/03/20/epa-cuts-great-lakes-states-clean-water-lead-lines-flooding-joel-brammeier 

Dana Ehrmann didn't tell her first jokes to an audience, she told them to Lake Michigan. West Allis native and Wisconsin State Fair aficionado, Dana has become a staple in the Milwaukee comedy scene and was even Charlie’s very first opener back in 2017. This week, she joins the Cripescast to share her bizarre introduction to comedy, play some Wisconsin trivia, and talk about Wisconsin’s most notorious serial killers. Off stage, she spends her time advocating for Alzheimer’s awareness and research ever since she became a caretaker for her mother, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022. The two also discuss the difficulties of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s and Dana provides some helpful advice for caregivers and those around them. Follow Dana @danajokes and follow the Cripescast @cripescast.