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FOX6 Investigative reporters Bryan Polcyn, Jenna Sachs and Amanda St. Hilaire break down the big stories and what it took to get them. "Open Record" takes you behind the scenes of the investigative reporting unit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's the details the reporters couldn't tell you on T.V.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes375Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Open Record

Latest Episodes

A man accused of kidnapping a kidnapping a 79-year-old woman finally goes to trial after 4 years of delays. This week on Open Record, FOX6's Carl Deffenbaugh and Bryan Polcyn chronicle Timothy Olson's troubling history of preying on women. They are j... more

The search for senior living often happens during a crisis. A referral agency can help narrow the field, but before hiring one, there are a few things you should know. In this episode of Open Record, Contact 6's Jenna Sachs talks about the push for t... more

Construction has halted on a Milwaukee high-rise touted as the "world's tallest mass timber building." The future of the 31-story apartment building on the bank of the Milwaukee River downtown is in doubt, but it's not the only one. A growing list of... more

For 13 years, Robin Vos has presided over the Wisconsin State Assembly - the longest continuous hold on the Speaker's role in state history. On February 19, he announced he's leaving. In this episode of Open Record, FOX6's Bryan Polcyn and Carl Deffe... more

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Recent Guests

Mike Pachowski
President & CEO, Wisconsin Assisted Living Association
Wisconsin Assisted Living Association
Episode: E404: Search for Senior Living
Dale Kooyenga
President and CEO, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
MMAC
Episode: E403: After the Boom
Chad Venne
Lubar College of Business, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
UWM Lubar College of Business
Episode: E403: After the Boom
Leanne Watson
Former Executive Producer and Podcast Producer
FOX6
Episode: E400: The 400 Club
Scott Mickelson
Director of Client Services at Bell Ambulance
Bell Ambulance
Episode: E397: Feeling Cheated
Tyler Burns
Wisconsin Policy Forum Report
Wisconsin Policy Forum
Episode: E396: Power Surge
Brendan Conway
Represents We Energies
We Energies
Episode: E396: Power Surge
Mordecai Lee
UWM Professor Emeritus specializing in political implications of law enforcement
UWM (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Episode: E395: Benched
Bill Miston
FOX6 reporter who covered the trial
FOX6
Episode: E395: Benched

Hosts

Bryan Polcyn
Host of Open Record
Jenna Sachs
Reporter and Contributor
Sarah Smith
Executive Producer of Open Record

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 39 ratings
  • Excellent

    Have only heard 4 of these episodes so far but I can tell these people are excellent. Super timely topics, great discussion style format, easy-to-understand explanations but not insulting the listener’s intelligence which is all-too-common in local news. Technical/sound quality top notch. Music sparingly used but powerful and appropriate sounds for the stories. As someone that follows current events podcasts, newscasts and newspapers, I was pleasantly surprised that a Milwaukee-based show is so ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kathleen Connell
    United States6 years ago
  • My favorite podcast

    Yours is always the first podcast I listen to every week it’s available. The stories are always so interesting and provocative. You perform a real service for our community with what you do and I’m facilitated with how it happens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    diggshe
    United States6 years ago
  • Great listen

    Perfect podcast to listen to on my commute. We can get headlines anywhere these days, this podcast does a great job of going more in-depth with stories I am interested in. Also great to get to know the personalities behind the reporting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Charles willingham III
    United States7 years ago
  • Right to Know

    Thank you for advocating for all of us! Your viewers (and now listeners!) love the fact that you have a passion for public records and finding the truth. This podcast is a great way to hear more about the process of investigating in journalism. In the age of “fake news”, transparency is so important as your investigative team gathers, obtains, and examines public records.

    Would recommend this podcast to anyone who has an interest in the judicial process and the protection of free speech.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Open Record Advocate
    United States7 years ago
  • Open Record Review

    Very informative. I like the natural conversation and the more in-depth discussion of the topics. Sounds like they love their work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    6164allin
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates transparency and behind-the-scenes insights into investigative work.
Fans note the show's focus on timely, locally relevant topics and accessible explanations.
Listeners praise in-depth, clear storytelling with strong reporting and top-notch production quality.
Feedback highlights the hosts' credibility and commitment to public records and accountability.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E403: After the Boom
Q: You've mentioned this isn't just a Milwaukee problem but a national one. What are the three main drivers behind construction slowdowns?
The three main drivers are interest rates, labor availability, and material costs; all have risen and interact with project finance, causing delays or stall-outs in multiple markets including Milwaukee.
E401: Force of Nature
Q: Do you even really think about being a trailblazer?
At first, I didn't think of myself that way, but after reflecting, especially after working on June Bacon-Bercy's story, I realized the significance of my role in representation.
E397: Feeling Cheated
Q: Can you start by explaining why Bell Ambulance supports this bill?
Bell Ambulance has seen an increasing shift of health care costs on to patients, advocating for legislation to ensure fair reimbursement rates that prevent balance billing for patients.
E394: Tightening the Leash
Q: So, what about us disabled veterans that rely on our dogs for emotional support, especially with PTSD?
If you're diagnosed with PTSD by a healthcare provider, your dog can be an emotional support animal with the appropriate letter, allowing you to live with it without additional fees, but does not allow access to all areas as a service animal would.
E394: Tightening the Leash
Q: Does a service animal need documentation or a certificate?
No, genuine service animals do not need a certificate; they only need to be trained to perform tasks related to a disability.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Record

What is Open Record about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on deep-dive investigative reporting about local and state issues, with a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability. Episodes span from Wisconsin politics and public records battles to consumer protection, healthcare billing, energy policy, and social issues like brain donation and animal welfare. The hosts routinely dissect behind-the-scenes processes, courtroom dynamics, and regulatory debates, often featuring expert guests, advocates, and local officials to illuminate how stories unfold from tip to publication. A standout trait is the balance between hard-hitting investigations and accessible storytelling, making complex policy and legal topics understandable for a broad audience while keeping a distinctly M... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Open Record?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Open Record:

1. 48 Hours
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Stuff You Should Know
4. Chasing Life

How many episodes of Open Record are there?

Open Record launched 7 years ago and published 375 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Open Record?

Recent guests on Open Record include:

1. Mike Pachowski
2. Dale Kooyenga
3. Chad Venne
4. Leanne Watson
5. Scott Mickelson
6. Tyler Burns
7. Brendan Conway
8. Mordecai Lee

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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