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

Artwork for The Defender

Latest Episodes

Meet the Wisconsin native who is foraging 100% of his food.

What was the last thing you foraged? Maybe some ramps, or morels? But what about your salt, oil, even toothpaste? On this episode, meet the Wisconsin native who is setting out to prove tha... more

Don't look at the gas plant behind the curtain! If you feel like tech companies and energy utilities are gaslighting you with their assurances that AI data centers won't hurt our environment, you're probably right.

In this episode, how AI is causi... more

YouTube

You may have heard, Wisconsin needs more power and we need it fast. In the next few years, AI data centers will cause an unprecedented surge in energy demand across our state. There are already large expensive new powerplants being built to help meet... more

YouTube

What if you could make a difference in the fight to protect our environment by doing nothing at all? In this episode, why fall is the perfect time to be lazy - for the planet.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Elizabeth Braat, Wisconsin Department of ... more

YouTube

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

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Recent Guests

Tom Content
Advocate for homeowners, renters, and small businesses from the Citizens Utility Board.
Citizens Utility Board
Episode: Who's Really Paying for Data Centers?
Elizabeth Bratz
Member of the Department of Natural Resources Bumblebee Brigade
Department of Natural Resources
Episode: How to protect the planet by doing nothing
Lily Hislop
A representative from the Savanna Institute
Savanna Institute
Episode: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit
Michael Greif
Legal advocate from Midwest Environmental Advocates
Midwest Environmental Advocates
Episode: Data Center Secrets
Heather Allen
Policy Director with the non-profit Elevate
Elevate
Episode: The Climate March is Coming!
Dan Phaneuf
Environmental and Resource Economist
UW Madison
Episode: How much would you pay? Measuring the value of a clean environment
Katie Nekola
Attorney at Clean Wisconsin
Clean Wisconsin
Episode: Nothing to see here! Why the EPA says climate change won't hurt you
Beau Stafford
Sheep farmer and operator embracing sheep grazing on solar farms.
Wiscovery Farm
Episode: Lambscaping! Why WI sheep farmers are excited about solar farms
John Armstrong
Manager of Renewable Engineering at MG&E, overseeing solar projects and their maintenance.
Madison Gas and Electric
Episode: Lambscaping! Why WI sheep farmers are excited about solar farms

Host

Amy Barrilleaux
Host of the Defender, with a background in radio and TV journalism, dedicated to breaking down complex environmental issues and fostering community engagement.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 31 ratings
  • 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 States2 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 States9 months 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 States10 months ago
  • Approachable, accessible, important

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeccaLuke
    United States3 years ago
  • In-depth, informative and objective

    Clean Wisconsin does a fantastic job of examining complex environmental issues affecting the state without resorting to breathless hyperbole or fear mongering. Objective exploration of the facts behind our air quality and drinking water contamination problems presented alongside realistic and reasonable policy solutions. A must-listen podcast if you care about Wisconsin’s air, water and landscapes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fuxtrava
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The content is praised for its informative and optimistic perspective on actions individuals can take for environmental sustainability.
Listeners express appreciation for the podcast's ability to engage them with important environmental topics, making complex issues approachable and relatable.
Many enjoy the focus on local issues and the tangible efforts that can be made within the community, fueling a sense of agency among listeners.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Criminal
CriminalVox Media Podcast Network
I've Had It
I've Had ItJennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit
Q: What makes currants a suitable crop for agroforestry?
Currants are hardy, can grow in shaded areas, and have a favorable market demand, making them a viable option for agroforestry with environmental benefits.
Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit
Q: How did the ban on currants come about in the United States?
The ban was issued after discovering that the white pine blister rust fungus required both pine and ribes plants, leading the government to deem currants an acceptable loss to protect pine investments.
Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit
Q: What is the significance of growing currants among solar panels?
Growing currants among solar panels increases biodiversity in agriculture and utilizes space efficiently, allowing crops to thrive alongside renewable energy sources.
Data Center Secrets
Q: Do you think there's a disconnect between local leaders and community perspectives on data centers?
Yes, local leaders often oversell the economic benefits, while communities are concerned about negative impacts.
Data Center Secrets
Q: Are you surprised that the information isn't typically readily available for communities when there's a project proposed?
Yes, it is surprising because community members expect to receive important information regarding major developments.

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?

This podcast focuses on a variety of pressing environmental issues that impact the state of Wisconsin, exploring topics ranging from climate change and energy efficiency to sustainable farming practices and environmental justice. It features insightful conversations with experts, advocates, and community members, emphasizing actionable steps listeners can take to contribute to environmental protection. The discussions aim to simplify complex topics, making them accessible to a broader audience, and cultivate awareness about local and national environmental challenges. This approach empowers listeners to engage with critical issues affecting their air, water, land, and climate while highlighting the importance of community involvement and ad... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Defender?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Defender. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Defender and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Defender get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Defender?

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How many subscribers and views does The Defender have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Defender has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Defender?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Defender:

1. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
2. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
3. The Daily
4. Letters from an American
5. PBS News Hour - Full Show

How many episodes of The Defender are there?

The Defender launched 6 years ago and published 62 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Defender?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Defender from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Defender?

Recent guests on The Defender include:

1. Tom Content
2. Elizabeth Bratz
3. Lily Hislop
4. Michael Greif
5. Heather Allen
6. Dan Phaneuf
7. Katie Nekola
8. Beau Stafford

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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