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Artwork for The Defender
Wisconsin
Clean Wisconsin
Climate Change
Neonicotinoids
PFAS
Clean Energy
Inflation Reduction Act
AI Data Centers
EPA
Pollinators
Agriculture
Solar Energy
Public Health
Renewable Energy
Pesticides
Bumblebees
Clean Air Act
Groundwater Contamination
Foraging
Sustainable Living

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

Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you're not hearing many tech companies talking about.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Hannah Richerson, Water Policy Manager, Cle... more

Wisconsin was one of the first places where the farm-to-table movement really took root. But now that movement is changing, becoming more urgent in the face of the flooding, droughts, and changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on our food s... more

YouTube

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

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Evan Danells
Cadre chef and owner
Cadre
Episode: How Chefs Can Protect the Planet
Brett Korte
Clean Wisconsin attorney
Clean Wisconsin
Episode: What's a Data Center Tariff and Why Should You Care?
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
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

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 States3 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 States7 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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What's a Data Center Tariff and Why Should You Care?
Q: What would a win look like in these PSC cases for Clean Wisconsin?
A win would involve adopting a tariff with protective provisions and/or requiring Alliant to propose a tariff, ensuring consistency across data centers and avoiding ad hoc contract-by-contract arrangements that obscure public accountability and increase risk for non-data-center customers.
What's a Data Center Tariff and Why Should You Care?
Q: First, why would WeEnergies want to limit the tariff to data centers of 500 megawatts or more?
The guest explains that the initial threshold is a way to limit the number of customers in the tariff while keeping a cap that aligns with the bespoke-generation assets that would serve those large centers; lowering the threshold could bring more data centers into the tariff and spread costs, but the utility argues for scale and manageability.
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.

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 Lincoln Project
2. Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast
3. The Rachel Maddow Show
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The Daily

How many episodes of The Defender are there?

The Defender launched 6 years ago and published 75 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Defender?

Recent guests on The Defender include:

1. Evan Danells
2. Brett Korte
3. Madeleine Bohn
4. Skylar Harris
5. Paul Maggio
6. Marisa Wiewall
7. Jim Payne
8. Nick Mayhew

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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