The Defender

In this episode, why faith communities went into Midwestern homes to test the air and what they discovered.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Rev. Brian Sauder, President & CEO of Faith in Place Resources for You: Air Aware: The People-Powered Search for Healthy Air Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas  

...but not in a good way. On this episode, a look at the fossil fuel boom caused by AI and the cry for help from state regulators who say they're powerless to stop it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, Energy and Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: Do AI Data Centers Hurt Your Health? (The Defender episode 81) The Truth About AI Data Centers and Water (The Defender episode...

The DNR just revealed a long list of violations at Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline construction site. In this episode, a deep dive into what Enbridge is doing to Wisconsin's Northwoods, and whether the DNR can or will do anything about it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Take Action: Tell the DNR to hold Enbridge accountable for violations at Line 5 Join Clean Wisconsin's...

If you think growing hazelnuts is just for Europe or the West Coast, think again. Turns out, we've got a wild, native variety right here in Wisconsin, and people are getting excited pretty excited about it. In this episode Amy heads out to Sheboygan County to find out why farmers and environmental advocates are so hyped about Wisconsin's hazelnuts.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Aaron Kolste, Wisco...

Our neighbor to the south—Iowa—has a cancer problem. In this episode, we look at a new study that paints an alarming picture of rural America... and cancer rates. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council Resources for You:  Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis Nitrates and Health Impacts in Wisconsin  Ne...

We all know Wisconsin's weather is full of extremes and wild swings, like snow one day, sandals the next, and then back to snow.  But 2026 has been wild even for us. In this episode, Amy talks with Wisconsin's state climatologist about what just happened this year, and what's next. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist Resources for You: Wisconsin Center for Clim...

The largest reported oil and gas pipeline spill in state history is unfolding in Wisconsin's Northwoods. A couple of weeks ago, Canadian oil giant Enbridge spilled more than a million gallons of liquid natural gas after it accidentally broke its own pipeline in Iron County. And right now, we have way more questions than answers.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney...

Wisconsin must be doing something right, because the first bee ever listed as a federally endangered species is starting to reappear--right here.  In this episode, a walk deep into the Wisconsin woods to find out what it will take to bring our bees back and meet the dedicated experts and volunteers who are working hard to save our pollinators.

In this episode, Amy heads to Columbia County to separate fact from fiction about wind energy… and learn a thing or two about cows. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jerry Cigelske, 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer  

Overwhelmed by the environmental problems we face? In this episode, how to use your knowledge and power - to find your happy place. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sasha Stone, Green Life Trading Company, Zero Waste Madison  Resources for You: The Defender Episode 35: Microplastics in Our Bodies - How Much do They Hurt Us? Green Life Trading Co. Find out more about Zero Waste Madison Under the Lens:...

It has never been easy to be a farmer. But these days, in the face of rising costs, tariffs, and consolidation, keeping a small farm in business seems next to impossible. But there is a way to survive, and it might just be the key to protecting our health, cleaning up our water, and saving our soil.   In this episode, Amy talks with Chaz Self from Grassway Organics about the future of farming, and...

The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying u nregulated hyperscale data centers are a threat to public health in our state. In this episode, hear from one of the co-authors of that resolution to find out the health and energy consequences of data centers. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Community Health Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: ...

What does it take to get plastic out of your life? Well, unless you can go back in time 100 years, it's pretty much impossible. But what about *some* plastic? Just a place to start? In this episode, we're talking about plastic waste in the grocery store and how to try to take control of the plastics that wind up in your shopping cart. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest:  Brendon Smith, Marketing and Comm...

While federal money props up old coal power plants in Wisconsin, the EPA is busy relaxing rules meant to keep coal's toxic pollution out of our air and water. In this episode, what our nation's new commitment to old coal means for Wisconsin's water and for the regulations that are supposed to protect us. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Wiscons...

It's happening in every corner of Wisconsin—Cassville, Menomonie, Superior, Madison, La Crosse County, Dane County, Westport, Manitowoc County, Door County. Communities all over the state are passing moratoriums and ordinances aimed at stopping what a year ago seemed unstoppable: the unchecked flood of AI data centers into our state. In this episode, who is pushing this avalanche of local action,...

Have we been sold a bill of goods about ethanol? In this episode, the toll ethanol is taking on our health right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis in Wisconsin Proposal to increase E-15 would cause substantial harms in Wisconsin Common Pestic...

In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant Resources for you: Amara's Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota) Episode 62: What to Know about PFAS i...

A circuit court judge is deciding whether permits issued by the state allowing Enbridge to build its Line 5 pipeline reroute in Wisconsin's Northwoods are legal. But in the meantime, he is allowing work on the new Line 5 to continue -- except in a few key places. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney Resources for You: Wisconsin: One one of the Most Important Places...

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, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Clear As Mud: Hidden Thirst Of D...

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 systems. In this episode, Amy welcomes Madison's 2025 Chef of the Year Evan Danells of Cadre to talk about why these days chefs are adding protecting t...

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 for you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment Related...

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 this episode meet one of 15 kids who is suing our state over climate change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Madeleine Bohn, Wisconsin High School Student...

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 General Counsel Resources For You:  Economic Impacts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Energy Provisions on Wisconsin Clean Wisconsin Sues EPA Over Repeal Of...

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 raised right here in Wisconsin—that's changing the way we look at food and nutrition.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Paul Maggio and Marisa Wiewall, Starry...

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 journey to defeat the Nemadji Trail Energy Center—the ugly gas plant with the pretty name. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Mayor Jim Paine, Superior, Wis. Re...