Leaders and Legends

A recipient of the Medal of Honor—he also was awarded eight Purple Hearts, a Distinguished Service Cross, and a Silver Star. In all, Colonel Robert Howard earned more than 50 awards for valor and distinctive service in combat. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview author Stephen L. Moore about his new biography, “Beyond the Call of Duty: The Life of Colonel Robert Howard, Amer...

On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we receive a 2024 election recap from our savvy political analysts Kayla Dwyer from The Indianapolis Star and Tom LoBianco, co-founder of 24sight News. They breakdown why the winners won, the losers lost, and what to expect from our most recent political alignment.   Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies • &n...

Tony Kanaan is one of the most successful and beloved drivers in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—he is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Candid as always, TK discusses growing up in Brazil, his road to championship racing, the incredible leadership currently at IMS, and what it’s like to drive on 465 with the rest of us Hoosiers.   Sponsors • &nb...

Few American icons have fallen so far and so fast as our 28th president. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, we discuss all things Woodrow Wilson with former California Congressman Christopher Cox. What are the reasons for Wilson’s fall and are they justified? Cox, a former chair of the Homeland Security Committee in the U.S House of Representatives, has done the research to answer these q...

Carmel, Indiana is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States—and one reason is its incredible leadership. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Mayor Sue Finkam about her campaign in 2023, the challenges that lie ahead, and how she is working to keep Carmel special. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies • ...

Far from a sure thing, the Allied victory in World War II was the result of a multitude of factors—especially leadership. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Ted Aldrich about his compelling new book “The Partnership: George Marshall, Henry Stimson, and the Extraordinary Collaboration that Won World War II.” The relationship between the Army Chief of Staff and...

Chris Bailey is not only an IPS kid and the chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, but he is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Chief Bailey discusses his childhood dream of being a police officer, why Indianapolis is so special, and why his mentors mean so much to him.   Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •&nbs...

On May 16, 1968, Navy Corpsman Donald “Doc” Ballard dove on a grenade thrown by a North Vietnam soldier in an attempt to save five United States Marines from death. Realizing the grenade failed to explode, Ballard quickly threw it out of harm's way just as it exploded thus saving the Marines and himself from harm or death. On May 14, 1970, he received the Medal of Honor from President Richard...

An election is also a time for reflection. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss historian Craig Shirley’s new book “The Search for Reagan: the Appealing Intellectual Conservatism of Ronald Reagan.” Was Reagan’s intellectual prowess underestimated by his opponents? How is Reagan’s outlook on government and his fellow man relevant in 2024? Craig Shirley b...

Fifty years after he resigned the presidency, the complex mystery that is Richard Nixon remains fascinating to historians and history nerds alike. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, renowned journalist and best-selling historian Evan Thomas discusses his biography “Being Nixon: A Man Divided.” Thomas covered politics and our political leaders for more than two decades and brings a uniqu...

Who were the top strategists of World War II and did they all agree on the best, quickest way to win the war? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast (#285), our conversation is with acclaimed historian Phillips Payson O’Brien about his new book “The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler: How War Made Them and How They Made War”   Sponsors   •  &...

On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we sit down with one of our city’s most well-liked, accomplished, and respected leaders. Chris Gahl is the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Visit Indy (and, undoubtedly, one of Butler University’s most enthusiastic alumni). A wonderful person who has had a remarkable career, Chris talks about Indy’s successful tourism industry, ho...

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...

Hailed by some as the “American Led Zeppelin” and the “band that saved heavy metal”, Van Halen has left a unique and uniquely loud mark on the world’s music scene. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with famed rock and roll author Martin Popoff about his new book “Van Halen at 50” and dig deep into why these four icons, who honed their art in countless backyard parties in Southe...

Is John Quincy Adams the most underrated American statesman of the early nineteenth century? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, renowned historian Randall Woods discusses his new book “John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People” and how JQA changed the United States for the better—both at home and around the world. Sponsors •        V...

“The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency” is award-winning author David Rubenstein’s latest triumph. Mr Rubenstein, who is also chairman and CEO of the Baltimore Orioles and chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, discuses his numerous and penetrating interviews with presidents and presidential historians.   Sponsors •    &nbsp...

He was a mass murderer, a dictator, a man in a constant state of paranoia, but Stalin was also one of the most effective leaders during World War II. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, acclaimed author Giles Milton discusses his new book “The Stalin Affair: The Impossible Alliance that Won the War." Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •  &nb...

Is this the wackiest, most disheartening presidential campaign season in American history? The “Leaders and Legends” podcast asked two experts this very question and you’ll have to listen to hear their answer. Kayla Dwyer, state government and politics reporter for The Indianapolis Star, and Tom LoBianco, founder of 24Sightnews. We didn’t solve any problems, but we also had a lot of fun. Hope you...

Mike Pence served as the 48th vice president of the United States—he is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. VP Pence talks about his selection to be President Trump’s running mate, what it was like to write his book “So Help Me God", and his vision for a more Reaganesque Republican Party. He also answers our Five Questions.   Sponsors •     &n...

The killing of four students by members of the Ohio National Guard at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 is a tragedy seared into American history and our collective psyche. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our guest Professor Brian VanDeMark discusses his magnificent new book, “Kent State: An American Tragedy”. His is an unprecedented examination of what happened on the campus that...

It is one of the great “what ifs” of American history—what if President John F. Kennedy had lived and what would have been his policy regarding troop deployments in Vietnam? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast acclaimed historian Marc Selverstone, Ph. D., discusses this topic and his superb book “The Kennedy Withdrawal: Camelot and the American Commitment to Vietnam.” Would JFK have taken...

A new documentary on the career and crises of baseball immortal Pete Rose is currently on HBO. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss all things Pete with Keith O’Brien—author of “Charlie Hustle: the Rise and Fall of Pete Rose and the Last Glory Days of Baseball.” Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame? It’s the first matter we discuss. Sponsors •    &nb...

Mark Patrick is a Hoosier sports journalism legend. A man of many voices and more stories, Mark is our guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast this week. We are joined by two of his former colleagues—Debby Knox and Jim Shella—for a raucous trip down memory lane. It’s honestly once of the best, most fun conversations we’ve ever featured on the podcast. Sponsors •     &nb...

For many of us, Ulysses S. Grant is the most compelling figure of the American Civil War. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we interview John Reeves, author of “Soldier of Destiny: Slavery, Secession, and the Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant” No other consequential figure in the Civil War overcame so much to accomplish so much.   Sponsors •        V...

Professor Jonathan Turley is one of the most popular and respected commentators on legal and constitutional issues working today. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jonathan discusses his new book “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” What are the current threats to free speech and how can we come together to protect this most fundamental right? As always, Professor...