Swipe Right For Love … Or A Lost Cause
Although there are plenty of skeptics and still-lonely hearts out there looking for “the one,” studies indicate that online dating is becoming more popular.
Beyond The Surface
Typifying the millennial side-hustle, Madison artist Selia Salzsieder explores body politics in her art while working as a preschool teacher.
So You Want To Be A Writer?
Laurie Scheer, a faculty associate at UW–Madison Continuing Studies and director of the UW Writers’ Institute, mentors non-fiction writers, something she knows well.
Event Planning with Panache
BRAVA talked to a couple of Madison’s event coordinators to find out their best party planning tips and tricks to help make the most of life’s special moments.
You are Not Alone: Pregnancy Loss and Infertility
In Susan Gloss’ new novel, THE CURIOSITIES, one of the main characters struggles with infertility and the devastating loss of a baby born at just 22 weeks gestation.
Meet the Models
Our fabulous February 2019 models dish on all things wedding and fashion (and their sweet tooths)!
Velvet Revolution
Originally loomed from pure silk and renowned as the fabric of the wealthy during Medieval and Renaissance times, velvet remains a staple of classy couture.
Good Food For All
Slow Food UW is a student run organization serving healthy meals for only $5 on Monday evenings during the fall and spring semesters.
S-HERO Shoutouts
As our Women to Watch can attest, being a ‘s-hero’ isn’t always easy but they took a moment to acknowledge the mothers, sisters and friends whom are catalysts for change in the local community too.
Hidden Wonders
We’ve come a long way, baby. Today’s storage spaces are so much more efficient and eye pleasing than they once were.
New Year, New You…or Not So Much?
Although we’re only a few weeks into the new year, you may have already kicked any new year’s resolutions to the curb. And some of our 2019 THRIVE series speakers are no different.
Cannabis Cure-All?
As the push to legalize medical marijuana continues, CBD is taking center stage as a popular new remedy for a wide range of ailments.
Mosaic Box’s Worldly Curation
MOSAIC Box caters specifically to the professional, well-traveled, busy woman on the hunt for premium artisanal products.
Facing Adversity with Aplomb
With everything from the landscape to community dynamic changing, the Center for Resilient Cities has taken on the task of making sure we as a community are creating sustainable and thriving neighborhoods.
Fat Tires, Big Fun
Inspired by mountain biking, fat tire bikes allows the rider to “float” over rocks and roots with ease, enthusiasts say.
Siri-ously Smart
From refrigerators that let you see inside without opening the door to video doorbells that show you who’s on the stoop, these smart home appliances capitalize on energy saving and home security.
No Mountain? No Problem!
For steep slopes and stylish retreats right in your backyard, be sure to check out these Wisconsin ski spots this winter.
Crunchy Marvel
Much like the invention of chocolate chip cookies and popsicles, Nutkrack’s creation was a happy accident.
Laquerus’ Bold Beauty Concept
A little primp and polish never hurt nobody. But Laquerus owners Jennifer Lane and Priyanka Verma are pushing the envelope on nail care.
Dine For Dollars
Foodie brand Epicurean Chronicles is raising funds through its EC Gives Back Program for Little John’s, a new “pay what you can” counter-service bistro piloted by Chef Dave Heide.
Insta-Purge
Instead of making the annual pact to actually make use of your gym membership, why not challenge yourself to something even more difficult this year? Wean yourself from social media.
2019 Women to Watch: Real Women, Real Change
They are BRAVA’s 2019 Women to Watch, and they all have stories to tell. Keep your eyes on these gals, because they’ll be reshaping our communities into a more evolved form for some time to come.
Lannia Stenz: Optimism in the face of adversity
Lannia Stenz has been offering steady and compassionate leadership as the executive director of Gilda’s Club Madison since 2011.
Jenny Czerkas: Tutoring pupils in need—and feeding them
In 2005, Jenny Czerkas, and her husband, Andy, founded The River Food Pantry. The Czerkas’ leadership helped grow the pantry and fill a critical need on Madison’s North Side.
Masaya Xiong: Nurturing students for success
As an adviser, Masaya Xiong’s primary role is working with students who are in designated non-traditional occupation programs.
Alison Helland: Paying it forward
In 2019, Helland is looking to pay it forward with the MarketReady Program, a local initiative focused on supporting entrepreneurs who have faced historic barriers to entry that are interested in becoming vendors at the Madison Public Market.
Laurel Burleson: Foodie on a mission
Ugly Apple Café owner Laurel Burleson is using her mobile catering service to promote waste reduction and local agriculture in Dane County.
Cristen Incitti: Expanding access to Girl Scouts
Cristen Incitti, chief operating officer for Girl Scouts of Wisconsin-Badgerland Council, wants to provide everyone the opportunity to reap the benefits of this empowering program.
Amy Gannon and Heather Wentler: Doyenne founders empower female entrepreneurs
There’s no ‘I’ in team when it comes to Doyenne Group creators Amy Gannon and Heather Wentler.
Chandra Miller Fienen: Boosting Madison’s startup scene
When you think of technology’s leaders, Chandra Miller Fienen, executive director of StartingBlock Madison, would like YouTube’s Susan Wojcicki, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg or Epic CEO Judith Falkner to be top of mind.
Emily Erwin-Frank: Removing the shame from mental illness
Having been stigmatized herself in dealing with a mental illness diagnosis, Emily Erwin-Frank has set out to reduce harmful stigmas about the disease.
Rachel Wilberding: Raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease
In Wisconsin, 15,000 people are living with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. That’s prompting Rachel Wilberding to work to increase community awareness and access to help across the state.
Denise Ney: Research helping real people
Because of Denise Ney’s work as director of the dietetics program at UW-Madison, patients with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) now have tastier options to meet their extremely limiting dietary needs.
Angela Skalitzky: Making a difference, by design
Thanks to the savvy, determination and design skills of Angela Skalitzky, four nonprofit organizations have had massive, free makeovers in recent years.
Jonnah Perkins: Marrying sport, food and the land
Farmer, activist, ultra-distance trail runner, mother. These are just a few of the facets that make up Jonnah Perkins, grower and creative manager at Vermont Valley Community Farm in Blue Mounds.
Doua Kha: Nurturing diverse identities
Doua Kha has long struggled to reconcile being queer with being Hmong. Kha is now working to support other youth who may wrestle with issues of identity.
Ellen Merker: Helping disabled adults have healthy relationships
“People with disabilities are just like the rest of us. They want to be in relationships. They want connections, and sometimes that means they want sex,” says Ellen Merker, owner of Heart Consulting in Madison.
Colleen Johnson: Helping people achieve the college dream
As director of development and community partnerships at the UW Odyssey Project, Colleen Johnson helps adults and children reconnect with their dreams—and that’s vital for Dane County’s economy.
Nicole Meadowcroft: Giving the “exhilaration of independence” to those in need
Nicole Meadowcroft remembers that one of the first times she saw a German shepherd, which she’d always wanted to have as a pet, it was working as a seeing eye dog.
Looking Back—and Racing Forward!
Tomorrow we’ll reveal the 18 female powerhouses who’ve been chosen as the 2019 Women To Watch. Today we reflect on the past honorees and the impact being a W2W had on their lives.
A Walk in the Woods
Snowshoeing keeps you active in winter, gets you outside, and best of all, you can snowshoe just about anywhere you can walk, making the possibilities endless.
In The Hole
‘Tis the season to rack up credit card debt. With a mortgage, car payments and student loans stacking up, extra holiday spending can tip personal debt over the edge of sustainability.
Live Your Values
Honoring our values is crucial in determining what’s good in our lives. They serve as a compass, pointing out what it means to be true to oneself.
The Present Table
For many of us, opportunities for connection and hospitality happen at the dining table. So when the holiday hustle threatens to sweep away joy, it’s best to redirect focus onto what matters most.
The Optimism of Education
The Literacy Network offers classes, and volunteers also work with learners one-on-one. It creates individualized lesson plans for each learner.
The Fire is so Delightful
Say goodbye to your wood burning fireplace and hello to gas-fueled versions.
Figuring Out Fats
There are two main types of fats: saturated and unsaturated. Natural sources of healthy fats include foods like olives, walnuts, flaxseed and grassfed meats.
Give Peace a Chance
Quiet down the holiday roar with simple ornaments that evoke the hush that comes after a snowstorm.
#LMG = Last Minute Gifts
The stockings are hung, the cards are mailed, but there’s likely one name remaining on this year’s list—the perfect present having yet to be found. Avoid another mad dash through the mall by gifting one of these local items available online.
What’s Cookin’?
Hip Foodie Mom Alice Choi has earned an international following by highlighting the Midwest’s edible delights.
Susan Nanning-Sorenson’s First Act Children’s Theatre
For Susan Nanning-Sorenson, founder of First Act Children’s Theatre, the finished play is not the only thing.
Putting a Floor Under the Pelvic Organs
50 percent of women will experience some type of pelvic floor disorder by age 80. We set out to demystify this common, but rarely discussed condition.
Child’s Play at the Black Earth Children’s Museum
Karen Carlock gives back to the community with thriving nonprofit, Black Earth Children’s Museum.
Beauty with a Purpose
These handmade woven baskets add color to any space, and what’s even more beautiful is the story behind them.
Comfort Food Round Two
Use this simple stew recipe for a hearty and satisfying meal comprised of the tasty nibbles remaining on your holiday platters.
Boozy Brunch
Eat, drink and be merry to your heart’s content this holiday season— and preferably start the party before noon.
Breaking New Ground
Overture Center for the Arts’ new CEO Sandra Gajic brings a fresh perspective to Wisconsin’s most influential and largest arts nonprofit.
A Baker’s Craft: The Rise of ORIGIN Breads
After nearly two years in business, Kirk Smock is still reluctant to call himself a professional baker but his ORIGIN Breads would never be considered amateur.
Cheese ‘N Comfort
The Great Dane recently revamped its menu to incorporate more seasonal and shareable offerings, like its cheese-curd laden version of poutine—a classic Canadian dish with a Wisco twist.
D Is for Downsize
Professional organizer Nicole Gruter says that the key to turning your personal space into a positive space is to organize, de-clutter and most importantly, downsize.
