Leaders and Legends

How exactly did the American colonists decide to move beyond protest to a historic bid for separation from Great Britain? On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss this question and more with Tom McMillan, author of “The Year that Made America: From Rebellion to Independence, 1775-1776” About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your...

We bookend the Independence Day holiday with two podcasts about our nation’s victorious struggle against the Mother Country. First up is U.S. Army War College historian Kevin J. Weddle to discuss his landmark book “The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution.” It is the most important land battle in the history of the United States and receives marvelous treatment in Professor Weddl...

Jim Bopp is one of most successful and respected attorneys in the United States. Not only has he argued (and won) several cases before the United States Supreme Court, but he was also recently named by Governor Mike Braun as a trustee of Indiana University. On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Bopp joins us to discuss his career, his roots in Terre Haute, and how much he is lo...

In anticipation of Mayor Greg Ballard’s book release later this year, we are reposting our very first “Leaders and Legends” podcast featuring one of the greatest men I've ever met. From Cathedral to IU and the Marine Corps to the mayor’s office, this Hoosier has always put his fellow citizens first. Be ready for a two-part interview with him after his book is published. Simply put: he changed my l...

The invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 is one of the pivotal events in world history—but how did it happen? Who made it happen? And what did its success mean for the future of the United States? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Michel Paradis, author of “The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower” who answers all these question...

War, religion, and politics make for a toxic brew. During the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln navigated each one separately and all of them together. On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview distinguished Lincoln scholar and Oxford Emeritus Professor Richard Carwardine about his penetrating new book, “Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lin...

She is one of the most respected (and certainly the bravest) public spokespersons in the Hoosier State. Chief Rita Reith is our guest for this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Rita’s career and family history are fascinating, and we are grateful to her for sitting down with us. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business e...

Angela Ganote is one of the most recognized and respected members of the Hoosier news media—she is also our guest on this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss her dominance of social media, her love for the IU Hoosiers, and some of her most favorite stories. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise spe...

Leon Panetta has served as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, secretary of defense and CIA director for President Barack Obama, and he’s this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss his fascinating career, his thoughts on his Hoosier friends in Congress, and the details surrounding the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. He also answers our Five Questions. About Veteran...

United States Senator Jim Banks’ lifetime of public service (and the votes of more than 1.6 million Hoosiers) has taken him to Washington, D.C. On this week's leaders and ”Leaders and Legends” podcast, we have a conversation with Senator Banks about his service to Indiana, service in Afghanistan, and his love for the Counting Crows and other concerts. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’...

Dr. Ken Britt is the Chief Operating Officer and Chancellor of Marian University—he is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Ken’s leadership remains instrumental in Marian’s amazing transformation during the past few decades (under the phenomenal Dan Elsener). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s...

Stephen Goldsmith served as the 46th mayor of Indianapolis and remains a model of leadership for innovative, accountable governance. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jim Shella and I interview the former mayor about his successful and impactful public service career. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business ente...

Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s “March to the Sea” is one of the most famous military campaigns in American history. According to Professor Bennett Parten, however, it’s also a defining moment in the history of African Americans and the Civil War. On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Professor Parten about his enlightening new book “Somewhere Toward Freed...

Is getting our federal fiscal house in order an unattainable dream or a new-found reality? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation is with Mike Murphy, chief of staff for bi-partisan "Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget” (one of the Committee’s co-chairs is our own Mitch Daniels). We discuss the importance of finally attacking our runaway spending so future generation...

We lost Secret Service Agent Clint Hill in February after a lifetime of dedication to his county and its presidents. He was riding on a car just behind President Kennedy on that fateful day in Dallas on November 22, 1963. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we are re-posting our interview with this American hero. May God bless and rest his soul. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Lege...

Winston Churchill’s stand against Hitler and Nazism began long before the start of the Second World War. Sir Winston’s stand began at his home in the English countryside—Chartwell. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, author, scholar, and curator at Charwell, Katherine Carter discusses her widely-acclaimed new book “Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm” About...

Dan Ridenour is one of Indiana’s most thoughtful and innovative public officials. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Muncie’s mayor talks to us about his career, his time in public service, and what lies ahead for his city and the Hoosier State. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in m...

How did their experience at war influence many of our Cold War presidents? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we answer this question by interviewing Dr. Steven M. Gillon about his thought-provoking and delightful book “Presidents At War: How World War II Shaped a Generation of Presidents from Eisenhower and JFK through Reagan and Bush” About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is...

His is the most recognizable voice in the history of Indiana sports. Don Fischer is our guest on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We are joined by Bill Benner as co-host. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photogra...

For the “Leaders and Legends” 300th podcast interview, we are honored to feature an interview with Indiana Governor Mike Braun (who is wearing his “Outstanding Eagle Scout” award). We discuss his roots in Jasper, the influence of Wabash College, how he became involved in politics, his love of The Moody Blues, and his top priorities as the Hoosier State’s chief executive. About Veteran Strategies ‘...

Mike Chappell is such a respected sports journalist the Indianapolis Colts named its media room in his honor. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Hall of Famer Bill Benner and I mark Super Bowl weekend with a wide-ranging conversation with one of our state’s most treasured writers. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran b...

How did England’s Plantagenet kings help form the English state, fight the Black Death, overcome rebellion, and engage in international wars—and how well did they do it? On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Profs. Caroline Burt and Richard Partington join us via Zoom from Britain to answer these very questions and discuss their magnificent book “Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of...

The rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson is one of most celebrated in the history of sports—and Jackie MacMullan was there. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jackie joins us to discuss her enthralling book “When the Game Was Ours” and her multi-decade, award-winning sportswriting career.   Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies • &nbsp...

Joe Donnelly is one of the most respected and well-liked public servants in Indiana history—he is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Jim Shella joins us as co-host. Sponsors • Veteran Strategies • NFP - A leading insurance broker and consultant • Garmong Construction • Crowne Plaza Downtown Indianapolis Historic Union Station About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’...

The journey to the end of World War II in the Pacific was a complicated, bloody, and revolutionary process. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we enjoy an encore conversation with journalist and historian Evan Thomas. His book “Road to Surrender: Three Men and the Countdown to the End of World War II” is a tour de force history of how the war against Japan ended and what it meant f...