Leaders and Legends

Fred Glass is one of the most respected civic leaders in Modern Indianapolis. He also served as a Vice President and athletic director at his alma mater, Indiana University. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Fred about his career in politics, what it was like to be a student in Bloomington during some of Coach Bob Knight’s and IU basketball’s glory years, and wha...

Abraham Lincoln’s journey to Washington, D.C. to take the oath of office was the most dangerous in history. In his book “Lincoln on the Verge”, Professor Ted Widmer details Lincoln’s perils and progress (which includes a stop in Indianapolis where he almost lost the text to his first inaugural address). The “Leaders and Legends” podcast is honored to have one of country’s leading historians on to...

Frank Anderson has one of the most impressive careers in public service that I’ve ever encountered. The former Marion County sheriff and United States Marshal joins the “Leaders and Legends” podcast for a fun and somewhat jolting discussion. Want to know what terrorist Timothy McVeigh’s last moments were like before his execution? Sheriff Anderson was there. We are joined by Scecina graduate...

Our friend Michael Huber had me on his “Michael Loves Indy” podcast a little while ago and this week we return the favor; Michael is the president and CEO of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, a fellow Mayor Ballard alum, and one of our state’s most respected leaders. He has an unbelievable love & talent for music and sits down with us for a fun interview on the “Leaders and Legends...

Paul Lushin has had one of the most varied and interesting entrepreneurial careers I’ve ever encountered. As founder and CEO of Lushin, Inc, Paul has helped transform and grow companies all over the United States. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast Paul talks about his success, helping others find this same success, and what it was like to drink beers with the Sex Pistols. Sponsors...

When did Germany lose World War II? According to journalist and historian Andrew Nagorski, Hitler’s fate was sealed near the very beginning of the conflict. Andrew joins us on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his superb book “1941: The Year Germany Lost the War.” If you are a student of history’s most seminal and brutal conflict, you will enjoy hearing Andrew discuss his writings and r...

On Memorial Day weekend, the “Leaders and Legends” podcast features a conversation with Brigadier General Stewart Goodwin. The general spent 37 years in the military, but is probably best known as the smiling face that gives impromptu tours at the Indiana War Memorial. The general discusses his career, the meaning of service, and how no city or state does a better job honoring their veterans. Dani...

Historian Peter Cozzens has written some of the most popular and well-received books on American History—and he’s our guest on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Peter talks about his latest book “Tecumseh and the Prophet” and his brilliant books on the Western Theater during the American Civil War.  Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •  ...

Malcolm Moran is one of the most honored sports journalists in America. He has covered nearly 40 Final Fours, 11 Super Bowls, 16 World Series, and too many other premier sporting events to count. Additionally, Malcolm is the director of the Sports Capital Journalism Program at IUPUI. Malcolm joins the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his career, the joys of mentoring young journalists, and...

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles is one of the most respected, visionary, and brilliant leaders in the Hoosier State and beyond. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Doug about his career, the specialness that is the Month of May, the passing of Bobby Unser, and why it's important for him to wear a tie when he represents the greatest sporting venue in the worl...

Robin Miller is a Hall of Famer in more ways than one—sportswriter, story teller, and champion of the Workingman’s Friend. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, fellow Hall of Fame Bill Benner joins me for a discussion of Robin’s biggest stories, favorite races, and why Indianapolis is one of the greatest sports towns in the world. Robin also answers the question—who has a worse temper: A....

Was Adolf Hitler’s military leadership truly the cause of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with best-selling historian Professor Stephen Fritz about Hitler’s performance as supreme commander during the war, how his military performance was affected by his political insanity, and how hard it is for an author to be complimentary of Hitler’s...

Frank O’Bannon is one of the most successful political figures in Indiana history. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we are joined by Mary Dieter, Robin Winston, and John Gregg to discuss the governor’s legacy, his governing style, and his tragic passing. We are also joined by political reporter emeritus Jim Shella as co-host. Sponsors • Veteran Strategies • Girl Scouts of Central Indi...

Teresa Lubbers is a former state senator and is currently Indiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education. She worked for Senator Richard Lugar and is a proud Eastsider by birth (she graduated from Warren Central). She joins Danielle Shockey and me to talk about her life dedicated to helping Hoosiers receive a stronger education, what it was like to work for Senator Lugar, and some of her favorite mome...

Governor Mitch Daniels’s administration is one of the most consequential in the history of Indiana. We celebrate his 72nd birthday by posting a new interview—this one covers his seminal 2004 campaign and his eight years in office. While we weren’t able to cover everything, we did the best we could. We even got the governor to answer a brand new Five Questions.  Sponsors •   &nb...

It was back in August 2019 that the “Leaders and Legends” podcast posted our conversation with Purdue University President Mitch Daniels; we are reposting it today because on April 7th (Mitch’s 72nd birthday), we will post a new interview with the governor. Today’s conversation covers his career until the events of September 11, 2001.  Sponsors •       Veteran St...

Butler athletic director Barry Collier knows a thing or two about the NCAA tournament and winning basketball games. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Coach Collier about his coaching career, the ‘Butler Way’, and what he was thinking when the ball left Gordon Hayward’s hands. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •    &...

Representative Thaddeus Stevens—famously portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones in the movie “Lincoln”—was one of the first and most fiery Republican abolitionists of the 19th century. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, we interview Professor Bruce Levine who has written the definitive biography of this titan who fought ferociously for equality, justice, and the defeat of the Confederacy.  Spo...

Vic Ryckaert is a former Marine, one of the best journalists with whom I’ve ever worked, and is this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We talk with Vic about what made him join the military, some of the biggest stories he covered while at The Indianapolis Star, and why, when I worked for Mayor Ballard, he found no shame in calling me at 11 o’clock at night for a quote. Sponsors •&...

Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd president of the United States and a proud resident of Indianapolis. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the life and times of this Hoosier president with historian Dan Miller, Ph. D. and Charles Hyde, president and CEO at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. We also play a game called “Six Degrees of Benjamin Harrison” that demonstrates the...

Sarah Taylor is one of the most well-liked and respected public officials in modern Indianapolis history. She is also our guest on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Sarah currently is the executive director of the Hoosier Lottery and also was twice elected as Clerk of the Courts for Marion County. She talks to us about her career, what it was like to work for Mayor Greg Ballard, and if sh...

Today is George Washington’s 289th birthday and the Leaders and Legends podcast is celebrating it by interviewing the Father of Our Country’s latest biographer. David O. Stewart’s account focuses on Washington’s interest in, and talent for, politics. He never lost an election and created the traditions and practice of the American presidency. Washington also walked away from the most powerful posi...

Indiana Fever president and COO Allison Barber is one of our state's most amazing success stories. Her resume is so incredible, I am not even sure we covered all of it in our interview. Allison visited the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to talk about her career including stops at the Pentagon and serving as Chancellor at Western Governors University Indiana. Our friend and incredible supporter, Gir...

Bob Orr was more than a governor. He was a graduate of Yale, a veteran of World War II, and a Hoosier who knew how to lead. Our “Leaders and Legends” podcast this week features a conversation about the life and times of one of our most impactful chief executives. We are joined by former Orr team members Dollyne Sherman, Mark Lubbers, and Bob Grand.  Sponsors  •    &nb...

Marlin Jackson made one of the most famous plays in Indianapolis Colts history when he intercepted Tom Brady in the 2006 AFC Championship Game. He comes on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his football career, how much he loves Indianapolis, and how his Fight for Life Foundation is making a difference in our community.  Sponsors  •       Veteran...