From Frank's in Kenosha to Miss Katie's in Milwaukee, Dannelle Gay takes you on a nostalgic road trip through Wisconsin's most beloved diners — where coffee is bottomless, the pie case is always full, and community still gathers around the counter.

• Why diners are the heartbeat of Wisconsin mornings

• Iconic dishes: eggs, hash browns, butter burgers, and Friday fish fries

• Dessert heaven: homemade pies, shakes, and malts

• Spotlight stops: Frank's (Kenosha), Walker's (Beaver Dam), Broadway Diner (Baraboo), Gus's (Sun Prairie), Miss Katie's (Milwaukee)

• Tips for spotting a real diner and eating like a local

Hit the road and build your own "Wisconsin Diner Trail." Start in Milwaukee and wind your way through Kenosha, Baraboo, and Sun Prairie — or pick a new diner each month and taste the comfort of community one plate at a time.

Host & Producer: Dannelle Gay – The Traveling Cheesehead
Production: Andrew Gay

Episode Summary:
From brats and butter burgers to engines and ice-cream scoops, Wisconsin's makers have shaped how America eats, works, and plays. In this episode, Dannelle Gay takes you on a storytelling road trip through the state's most iconic brands — Johnsonville, Sargento, Duluth Trading Company, St. Croix Rods, Milwaukee Tool, and more — revealing the grit, pride, and community that keep "Made in Wisconsin" a badge of honor.

• The Dairy Dynasties: Sargento, Crave Brothers, Cedar Crest

• Comfort Food Classics: Tombstone, Jack's, Johnsonville Sausage

• Culver's & the Custard Culture that Conquered America

• Brew City & Beyond: Miller, Pabst, Leinenkugel's, New Glarus

• Built to Last: Milwaukee Tool, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, St. Croix Rods

• Work & Wear: Duluth Trading Company and LaCrosse Footwear

• Main Street Mornings: Colectivo and Stone Creek Coffee

• Next-Gen Makers: Farm-to-table cheese shops, craft distilleries, eco-friendly breweries

Plan your own "Made in Wisconsin" road trip with stops at brewery tours, cheese factories, outlet stores, and factory tours from Kohler Village to Leinenkugel's Lodge. Each destination tells a story of craftsmanship — and most offer samples.

Host & Producer: Dannelle Gay – The Traveling Cheesehead
Production: Andrew Gay

When most people think of Wisconsin winters, they imagine endless shoveling, frozen eyelashes, and the eternal hunt for the left glove. But locals know something the rest of the world doesn't: when you stop fighting winter and start leaning into it, that's when the magic happens.

In this episode, The Traveling Cheesehead takes you on a heart-warming tour of Wisconsin's coziest escapes — proving that when the snow flies, adventure (and pie) are never far behind. From crackling fireplaces in classic supper clubs to glittering ice castles, this is a love letter to the season that defines the Midwest spirit.

Supper Club Sanctuary:
Step inside legendary spots where fireplaces flicker, the old fashioneds flow, and winter nights stretch long and happy. It's where the art of comfort meets the heart of Wisconsin hospitality.

Outdoor Adventure, Wisconsin-Style:
Trade your slippers for snowshoes and trek through Devil's Lake, Governor Dodge, or Blue Mound State Park. Afterwards, warm up with a latte from Bella Goose Coffee or a steaming bowl of soup in a local café.

Winter Wonders:
Explore the glowing tunnels and crystalline sculptures of Lake Geneva's Ice Castles, where families and photographers alike find their winter fairy tale. End the night at The Baker House, sipping cocktails in a Victorian parlor surrounded by laughter and candlelight.

Cabins, Retreats & Cozy Hideaways:
Discover where to hibernate in style — from the forest-framed luxury of Canoe Bay in Chetek to the Scandinavian-inspired Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield. Or keep it simple with a tiny cabin getaway, a spa weekend at Heidel House Resort, or a family Airbnb in the Northwoods.

Comfort Food & Fireside Flavor:
No Wisconsin winter is complete without a culinary road trip: Green Bay Booyah, Door County fish boils, and cherry pie from The White Gull Inn top the list. Sip a winter cocktail from Driftless Glen Distillery or try a hot buttered rum in Plover — because warmth can come in a glass, too.

Festivals & Winter Traditions:
Celebrate the season at Cedarburg's Winter Festival, the high-energy Apostle Islands Sled Dog Races, or Madison's Frozen Assets fundraiser on Lake Mendota. For a dash of Nordic flair, brave a Door County sauna and cold plunge — you'll feel reborn, I promise.

Wisconsin doesn't wait for spring to have fun. It toasts marshmallows in snowbanks, turns lakes into ice bars, and finds joy in frozen mornings. Whether you're sipping a brandy old-fashioned in a glowing supper club or watching the northern lights dance above the Northwoods, there's always a way to find your cozy.

So grab your mittens, your appetite, and a little wanderlust — because when winter wins, Wisconsin wins right back.

Host & Producer: Dannelle Gay – The Traveling Cheesehead
Production: Andrew Gay
Summary:
From fireside suppers and snowshoe trails to glowing ice castles and luxury cabins, Dannelle Gay explores the best ways to embrace Wisconsin's coldest months in comfort and style. Discover the art of hygge, the joy of frozen festivals, and the flavors that make winter feel like home.

Every traveler has wondered it — "Can I take this from my hotel room?" From those irresistible mini shampoos to the slippers that practically walk into your bag, Dannelle dishes on what's fair game, what's off-limits, and how to take home memories (not evidence). Expect laughter, confessions, and a few surprisingly wholesome travel tips.

You'll Learn:

• What amenities hotels actually want you to take.

• How to turn hotel items into creative souvenirs (legally!).

• Why asking politely can score you surprising freebies.

• The unspoken list of "please don't take this, we'll notice."

• How to keep your memories — and your moral compass — intact.

Favorite Quote:

"If it's plugged in, nailed down, or heavier than your moral compass — leave it."

Perfect For:

• Travelers with a sense of humor

• Anyone who's ever felt tempted by a fluffy robe

• People who appreciate ethical travel with a side of sass

Call to Action:
Subscribe to The Traveling Cheesehead Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Share this episode with your favorite travel buddy (especially the one who pockets hotel pens).
Leave a review — it's the podcast world's version of tipping your housekeeper.

Host & Producer: Dannelle Gay – The Traveling Cheesehead
Production: Andrew Gay

In this week's episode, Dannelle pulls back the curtain on something most travelers overlook until it's too late — travel insurance.

From canceled flights to medical emergencies abroad, travel insurance can save your vacation (and your wallet). Using her husband's real-life experiences — kidney stones in Mexico and France — Dannelle shares exactly how insurance covered hospitals, medications, and even a nurse-escorted first-class flight home.

Learn what travel insurance covers, when to buy it, how much it costs, and why it's one of the smartest investments any traveler can make.

A financial safety net for unexpected travel mishaps — everything from lost luggage to emergency medical evacuation.

Most U.S. health insurance doesn't cover international medical care or evacuation. Travel insurance does — and can save you tens of thousands of dollars if things go wrong.

Buy right after your first trip payment (ideally within 14–21 days) for full coverage and inclusion of pre-existing conditions. Waiting too long limits your benefits.

• Trip protection — cancellations, interruptions, and delays

• Medical & evacuation — hospital stays, ambulances, and airlifts

• Baggage & belongings — lost or delayed luggage

• Disaster evacuation — natural disasters, unrest, or terrorism

• 24/7 travel assistance — real human help anywhere in the world

• Reckless or illegal activities

• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents

• "I changed my mind" — unless you add a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade

Expect to spend 4–10% of your total trip cost — about $150–$300 for a $3,000 vacation.
A small price for coverage that can reach $100,000+ in benefits.

Wisconsin's beauty doesn't stop at the surface — it runs deep. In this episode, Dannelle Gay takes you beneath America's Dairyland to explore the mysterious, magical, and sometimes muddy world of Wisconsin's caves. From the glowing formations of Cave of the Mounds to the icy cathedrals of the Apostle Islands, this episode uncovers the science, history, and adventure behind the state's most fascinating underground wonders.

Whether you're a casual day-tripper or an aspiring spelunker, you'll leave ready to grab a flashlight and see what's hiding just below your feet.

• Karst Topography: Wisconsin's limestone and dolomite dissolve slowly in water, forming tunnels and caverns over millions of years.

• Glacial Influence: Melting Ice Age glaciers carved valleys and exposed cave openings, making them accessible today.

• The Driftless Region: This untouched geologic pocket in southwestern Wisconsin remains rich in caves, springs, and underground streams.

• Dress in layers — underground temps stay around 50°F year-round.

• Wear sturdy shoes with traction.

• Bring a flashlight or headlamp, especially for dimly lit tours.

• Don't touch rock formations; even small oils from skin can stop mineral growth.

• Book ahead during summer or fall weekends — popular tours fill up fast.

• Check accessibility — some caves have stairs or tight passages.

• Dr. Evermor's Forevertron (near Cave of the Mounds) – whimsical metal art park for post-cave inspiration.

• Blue Mound State Park – hike the observation tower for panoramic views.

• Maribel Caves Park Trails – great for fall colors and waterfall photography.

• Apostle Islands Cruises – boat tours of the cliffs and sea caves if kayaking isn't your speed.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
📸 Follow Dannelle on Instagram & Facebook: @TheTravelingCheesehead
🌐 Read more travel stories and show notes at TravelingCheesehead.com
💌 Have a favorite Wisconsin cave or story? Send it in for a future listener episode!

Hollywood may have its stars, but Wisconsin has the heart. In this episode, Dannelle Gay explores more than 20 movies filmed right here in Wisconsin, from cult classics to Oscar-nominated dramas. Discover the small towns that became movie sets, the big names who walked our streets, and the unforgettable scenes that prove the Badger State is more than just dairy and Packers—it's cinematic gold.

• Little Bohemia Lodge (Manitowish Waters) – Real site of Dillinger's 1934 shootout, featured in Public Enemies.

• UW–Madison Campus – Iconic backdrop of Back to School.

• Milwaukee Art Museum – Seen in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

• Baraboo Train Depot – Recognizable from I Love Trouble.

• Downtown Columbus – Transformed into 1930s Chicago for Public Enemies.

• Green Bay's Lambeau Neighborhood – Where The 60 Yard Line filmed tailgating chaos.

Want to walk in the stars' footsteps?
Check out these destinations on your next Wisconsin road trip:

• Plainfield & Merrill – For cult horror fans (The Giant Spider Invasion, The Pit)

• Freedom & Bayfield – For vintage movie buffs (Wildrose, Mrs. Soffel)

• Madison – A film lover's goldmine (Back to School, I Love Trouble, The Boy Who Drank Too Much)

• Milwaukee – Modern film spots (Transformers, Bridesmaids, The Blues Brothers)

• Green Bay & Door County – Up next with Green and Gold!

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
Follow on Instagram & Facebook: @TheTravelingCheesehead
Send your favorite Wisconsin movie memories or photos from filming locations — you might be featured in an upcoming newsletter or episode!

Credits:

• Producer - Dannelle Gay
• Production - Andrew Gay