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Clean Wisconsin
Climate Change
PFAS
Wisconsin
Groundwater Contamination
EPA
Neonicotinoids
Leaded Aviation Fuel
Clean Energy
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Inflation Reduction Act
Trump Administration
No Mow May
Human Health Impacts
Clean Air Act
Electric Vehicles (evs)
Paris Climate Agreement
Public Health
Environmental Regulation
Road Salt

Welcome to the Defender, Wisconsin's environmental podcast, where we talk about the most pressing environmental issues facing Wisconsin and how you can plug in to defend our air, water, land and climate. The Defender is hosted by former radio and TV journalist Amy Barrilleaux. She'll help cut through the jargon and all the misinformation that's out there and have real conversations about how to bu... more

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Artwork for The Defender

Latest Episodes

Right now there are three AI data centers under construction in Wisconsin. So how do you minimize the toll they will take on our environment and our energy bills?

On this episode, a deep dive into data center tariffs at the PSC and what they mean ... more

YouTube

The science supporting climate change has long been settled, but progress remains painfully slow. Especially here in Wisconsin, where we have laws on the books that are actively helping to keep fossil fuels burning here.

But maybe not for long. In ... more

YouTube

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid dismantling of environmental protections, and what groups like Clean Wisconsin and so many others are doing to keep people safe.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin Genera... more

YouTube

What makes the food you eat healthy? Turns out it's a pretty complicated question that goes way beyond the four food groups. In this episode, Amy visits Starry Nights Farm in Burlington to learn about some groundbreaking research—involving beef raise... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Madeleine Bohn
Madison high school student and plaintiff
Wisconsin youth climate plaintiffs
Episode: Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
Skylar Harris
Attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates
Midwest Environmental Advocates
Episode: Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
Paul Maggio
Co-owner of Starry Nights Farm
Starry Nights Farm
Episode: The Truth About Grassfed Beef
Marisa Wiewall
Co-owner of Starry Nights Farm
Starry Nights Farm
Episode: The Truth About Grassfed Beef
Jim Payne
Mayor of Superior, Wisconsin
Episode: How Superior WI Defeated a Gas Plant
Katie Nekola
General Counsel for Clean Wisconsin
Clean Wisconsin
Episode: The Nuclear Option
Nick Mayhew
Researcher at UW's Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Episode: What did the EPA just do?
Prescott Balch
A resident of Caledonia instrumental in opposing the AI data center proposal
Episode: How Caledonia WI Defeated a Data Center
Robin Greenfield
Wisconsin native and expert forager
Episode: Goodbye Grocery Store?

Host

Amy Barrilleaux
Host of the Defender, focusing on Wisconsin environmental issues; experienced journalist and communicator.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 32 ratings
  • excellent!!

    Fact based, local environmental analysis- a weekly must listen for me!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chicsweetie88
    United States2 months ago
  • Must listen

    Clean Wisconsin does a great job of breaking down complicated environmental issues in their Defender podcast. Between this and the Defender newsletter from Clean Wisconsin, I feel informed about the most important environmental issues in my state. Thank you Clean Wisconsin!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    j.internet
    United States6 months ago
  • Approachable & important!

    This show makes me interested in topics I didn't even think I cared about. Takes on important environmental issues without being overwhelming.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KT 316
    United Statesa year ago
  • On the Rebranding

    Love the rebranding of this podcast! The down-to-earth interviews help to demystify the opportunities that we all have to protect and restore Mother Earth. Looking forward to learning more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Palmtree78
    United Statesa year ago
  • Approachable, accessible, important

    This podcast is a must-listen for environmentally minded Wisconsinites.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeccaLuke
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show makes complex topics approachable and actionable for residents.
Guests bring credible expertise across science, policy, and activism.
Listeners appreciate clear, evidence-based environmental analysis focused on Wisconsin.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
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What I survived
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Focus: Adults in the Room
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The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & Growth
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This American Life
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
Q: How has public attention affected Madeleine and the team?
Madeleine describes unexpected attention and a sense of responsibility, but also notes strong support from peers and adults, with a hopeful outlook on wider recognition of youth impact on climate policy.
Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
Q: What happens next in the legal process for this case?
The team has briefed motions to dismiss, requested an oral hearing to present the youth in person, and will proceed to factual development and potential trial after addressing standing and other legal steps.
Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
Q: What exactly are the statutes you're challenging and why do they matter for the PSC's ability to regulate energy?
Skylar explains two statutes: one limiting the PSC from considering air pollution when issuing permits for fossil-fuel plants, and another setting a 10% renewable energy floor that the PSC can't mandate above, effectively hindering a shift to cleaner energy.
Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
Q: So Madeleine, when did you first become aware of climate change and start to worry about what it means for your future?
Madeleine describes growing up with climate awareness and notes the pandemic as a moment when she saw tangible impacts, like references to stories of dolphins in rivers, which made the issue feel immediate and personal for her future.
Chaos Theory: Fighting the rapid fire attacks on our environment
Q: Explain to me first what was the endangerment finding and then what's going on with it.
The endangerment finding established that greenhouse gases threaten human health and the environment based on robust science; the episode discusses how the current administration questions that finding and seeks to roll back or reinterpret it, affecting regulatory authority and protections.

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 The Defender

What is The Defender about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Wisconsin-focused environmental podcast that cuts through jargon to discuss air, water, land, and climate issues affecting the state. Across episodes, topics span clean energy transitions, data-center growth and its energy implications, PFAS contamination, groundwater and pesticide regulation, and community activism around local projects. A hallmark is accessible, concrete conversations with scientists, farmers, advocates, policymakers, and everyday residents, highlighting practical solutions, legislative hurdles, and real-world impacts on Wisconsin communities. A notable strength is the breadth of guests—from farmers implementing regenerative practices to legal and policy experts analyzing environmental decisions—delivering timely, actio... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Defender?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Defender:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
3. The Daily
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Radio Atlantic

How many episodes of The Defender are there?

The Defender launched 6 years ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Defender?

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 The Defender?

Recent guests on The Defender include:

1. Madeleine Bohn
2. Skylar Harris
3. Paul Maggio
4. Marisa Wiewall
5. Jim Payne
6. Katie Nekola
7. Nick Mayhew
8. Prescott Balch

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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