Comedian Charlie Berens lovingly skewers Midwestern life

You don't have to be raised in Minnesota to know the stereotypes. Lots of "oh, fer sure," "doncha know," hot dish and good-byes that have more phases than the moon.

Wisconsin native Charlie Berens is inspired by everything that makes us unique in the Upper Midwest. He’s an Emmy-winning journalist and comedian with millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, where he's known for his viral videos poking fun at Midwestern life.

Berens joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his Midwestern roots, the differences between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and his new book, “The Midwest Survival Guide: How We Talk, Love, Work, Drink, and Eat ... Everything with Ranch.”

Wurzer and Berens also engaged in a heated debate over the correct name for the savory Midwestern delicacy that comes steaming in a baking pan. (Wurzer is firmly on the side of “hotdish,” while Berens is a “casserole” partisan.)

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.