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Clean Wisconsin
PFAS
Climate Change
Wisconsin
Groundwater Contamination
EPA
Neonicotinoids
Leaded Aviation Fuel
Clean Energy
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Inflation Reduction Act
Trump Administration
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes69Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The Defender

Latest Episodes

Communities across Wisconsin are starting to push back when energy utilities come to town with big plans for big gas plants. But how do you turn opposition into victory?

In this episode, Amy talks with the mayor of Superior about the city's long jo... more

YouTube

There is a lot of new excitement around nuclear energy these days, and no coincidence, it comes as we face staggering energy demands from AI data centers. Now, the Trump Administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations for new nuclear ... more

YouTube

In the race to transition to clean, safe energy, there are lessons to be learned just about everywhere, including in Texas.

In this episode, what January's major winter storm is teaching us about our power grid—and the painful lesson we are all goi... more

YouTube

On this episode, some real hope that a bipartisan solution for state PFAS funding is at hand -- and the industry that is coming in at the last minute to try to kill it.

Host: Amy Barrilleaux

Guest: Erik Kanter, Government Relations Director, Cle... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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?
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!

Host

Amy Barrilleaux
Former radio and TV journalist, host of an environmental podcast dedicated to addressing critical ecological issues in Wisconsin.

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 States12 days 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 States5 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.

Listeners appreciate the podcast's capacity to break down complex environmental issues in an accessible manner.
Audience members value the expert insights shared, marking the show as a trusted resource for staying informed on urgent matters.
People note the importance of practical advice given for individual actions toward environmental protection.
The discussions are perceived as both informative and engaging, fostering a deeper understanding of local ecological dynamics.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Wisconsin should be more like Texas!
Q: Why does gas get to... we're seeing gas is not ideal, especially when we open our energy bills next month.
Regulators, MISO operators, they view gas as being more reliable, which we're showing is not always the case.
The Nuclear Option
Q: Can nuclear energy be deployed to meet the demands of these AI data centers?
Not anytime soon; there is skepticism about the timeline and viability of nuclear projects in relation to immediate energy needs.
The Nuclear Option
Q: So why aren't environmental groups celebrating?
Experts highlight the dangers of radioactive waste and the high costs associated with nuclear power, questioning its spontaneity and economic viability as a solution for rising energy demands.
Why Help on Forever Chemicals is Taking… Forever
Q: Are there any bills or future things happening at the legislature that could get both parties behind?
Clean Wisconsin is looking to address nitrate contamination in drinking water, which could garner bipartisan support.
Why Help on Forever Chemicals is Taking… Forever
Q: How do you not feel tied up in knots with frustration every day?
Frustration comes from seeing people living with contamination while bills move slowly, but understanding the legislative pace helps.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Defender

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

Focusing on urgent environmental issues within Wisconsin, this podcast features discussions on various topics including climate policy, sustainable living, and community action. The content is enriched by insights from experts such as environmental advocates, economists, and policymakers, presenting both the challenges and innovative solutions related to environmental protection in the region. Unique to the podcast is its emphasis on actionable steps that individuals can take to contribute to a healthier planet, making it a practical resource for anyone invested in environmental matters.

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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?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Defender?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Defender:

1. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

How many episodes of The Defender are there?

The Defender launched 6 years ago and published 69 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. Katie Nekola
2. Nick Mayhew
3. Prescott Balch
4. Robin Greenfield
5. Tom Content
6. Elizabeth Bratz
7. Lily Hislop
8. Michael Greif

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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