Experience Milwaukee

Jay’s bio:Jay Kolbe, a Milwaukee area resident, is a 20-year communications pro and co-founder / managing partner of Impact Partners, a New York-based strategic communications and growth advisory firm.He works closely with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, investors, and emerging technology companies.Jay also advises a wide range of technology and media-related brands and is known for helping founders, firms, and leaders create sharper, more ownable narratives around who they are and why they matter.In this episode, Jay offers a sharp outside-insider perspective on Milwaukee and Wisconsin: a place with real substance, pride, and values, but one that too often under-owns its wins, hesitates to tell its story, and leaves too much room for bigger coastal markets to define the conversation instead.Steve and Jay also get into one of the most uncomfortable but important tensions in the region’s tech ecosystem.Sponsored by Concurrency and Secure Compliance Solutions.

This episode explains the evolution of Experience Milwaukee from a culture-focused podcast into a platform centered on business, tech, innovation, and the people shaping Milwaukee’s future, without losing sight of the city’s cultural fabric.Steve shares more of his own story than he usually does, including how growing up with limited access to professional networks shaped his long-term mission: build connections and shorten the curve for others trying to grow their careers or companies in Milwaukee.The conversation gets into why Milwaukee is both well-positioned and behind in tech: strong enterprise talent, strong big-company DNA, but not enough alignment, coordination, or shared direction to fully capitalize on that advantage.Steve also lays out a more specific vision for where this could go next: an enterprise-led, Midwest-wide innovation movement that connects big companies, founders, and outside startups around real problems worth solving here.Most of all, the episode sets up what you should expect from the refreshed Experience Milwaukee: more point of view, more honesty, more access to the leaders behind Milwaukee’s tech evolution, and more clarity on who ambitious people should know and why.

"In this episode, Steve sits down with Mark Fairbanks, Cofounder & Executive Director of Islands of BrillianceTalking points include: Neurodiversity, Special Interest Focusing, Program Growth, and Trains!Special thank you to local Milwaukee band Paper Valley for their track "Breakaway" - check them out at https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lsijeS7nxgLPGdqnsmmz4?si=f25NjrndTsO62Q-SuRYqnAEpisode edited by Stevie Salinas, Social Media & Content Director at Experience Milwaukee"

In this episode, Steve and Adam sit down with Charlie Connelly, Manager of Corporate Partnerships & Fulfillment for your Milwaukee Admirals.Talking points include: Cortados, Collaboration, Coaching Sports, and Crappy Gifts!Special thank you to local Milwaukee band Paper Valley for their track "Breakaway" - check them out at https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lsijeS7nxgLPGdqnsmmz4?si=jYdWejRQTXuosgy2TO9L2gEpisode edited by Stevie Salinas, Social Media & Content Director at Experience Milwaukee

In this episode, Steve sits down with Jockey President and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Fedyk.Recorded live at the brand-new Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood, this episode delivers an inspiring look at how one of Wisconsin’s long standing brands continues to innovate like a startup.Mark breaks down how Jockey defines innovation—not just as a process, but as a mindset woven into its nearly 150-year DNA. From “routine” updates to “disruptive” and even radical innovation, the company keeps close to its customers through data, insights, and an enduring human touch.We also learn that through connection to community, legacy and innovation can coexist. The conversation is both humorous yet insightful, exploring how a heritage brand stays fresh, relevant, and ready for what’s next.Experience Milwaukee is presented by Habush Habush & Rottier, VISIT Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Admirals, nvisia, Summerfest, and Crescent 9 THC Seltzers and our official beer partner is New Barons Brewing Cooperative.Thanks for listening.Love you, Milwaukee.