Leaders and Legends

Pacers Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President Danny Lopez is one of the smartest, most thoughtful, and considerate leaders in Indiana today. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation with Danny touches on his run for State Representative, his family’s history before and after they emigrated from Cuba, his responsibilities at the magnificent Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and t...

On the list of most delightful, friendly, and hardworking Hoosiers, Laura Steele’s name should be at the very top. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, the Pike High School Queen of Rock and Roll discusses her career, the famous people with whom she has crossed paths, and her love for all things Indiana. Just like on social media and when you meet her in person, Laura was a funny and fant...

Their names are Jayne, Mark, Ruth, and Danny. They were abducted from the Burger Chef in Speedway on November 17, 1978; their bodies were found two days later in a wooded area of Johnson County. Their killers have never been brought to justice. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, the writers/directors of a brilliant and chilling new documentary “The Speedway Murders”, Australians Luke Ry...

The ranking and reputation of presidents certainly change over time—but there are a core of executive leaders who are consistently hallowed for getting the Big Things right. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview historian Talmage Boston about his splendid and insightful new book “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents.” Mr. Boston examines both the goo...

George C. Marshall is one of the most impactful leaders of the 20th century—he was both a five-star general and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. But what was his path to such astounding success and accomplishments? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Josiah Bunting III about his new book “The Making of a Leader: the Formative Years of George C. Marshall.”   Sponsors...

It was the beep heard ‘round the world. On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union launched an artificial satellite named “Sputnik” and history and mankind have not been the same since. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, historian Paul Dickson discusses his book “Sputnik: the Shock of the Century.” Paul’s book is so terrific that Walter Cronkite called it “a fascinating history of the event that...

Our community lost a true leader and legend earlier this month with the passing of the indomitable Sallie Rowland—appropriately, on Memorial Day, we are re-posting our podcast interview with her conducted in 2019. God Bless You Sallie. When someone starts a sentence with ’the first woman to…”—that sentence usually ends with Sallie Rowland. Pioneer, entrepreneur, a Indiana Historical Society “Livin...

Alex Kershaw is one of the world’s leading historians of World War II. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, Alex joins us to discuss his superb new book “Patton’s Prayer” that details the Battle of the Bulge, the defeat of Nazi Germany, but most important, the courage and the leadership that made a final triumph possible. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategi...

By witnessing the horrors of the Holocaust in person, General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower changed history by insisting we preserve history. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast Butler University History Professor Jason Lantzer joins us to discuss his enlightening and well-researched book “Dwight Eisenhower and the Holocaust.” One thing is clear: Ike was determined to have as many people as...

Professor Allen Guelzo is a best-selling, award-winning historian of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War, and our enduring republic. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Dr Guelzo makes a second appearance to discuss his new and insightful book: “Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment"   Sponsors   •  &...

The transition between the Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman presidencies involved some of the most contentious issues in the history of the United States. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview award-winning historian David L. Roll discusses his brilliant new book "Ascent to Power: How Truman Emerged from Roosevelt’s Shadow and Remade the World”   Sponsors &nb...

Bob Ryan is one of the most famous and respected sportswriters of the past 50 years. You’ve seen him on TV and (if you’re smart) you follow him on X, and this week he is our guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss Larry Bird, “Deflategate”, the impact of Caitlin Clark, and a whole bunch more. It was like having the sports page all to myself…hope you enjoy our conversation.   Sp...

“Historians at the Movies” is a brilliant and popular podcast hosted by Jason Herbert, Ph. D. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Dr Herbert about how movies make history relatable and some of his favorite films.    Sponsors  •        Veteran Strategies •        NFP -&nbs...

Martin Davidson is an award-winning author, producer, director for the BBC, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel. He is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss Mr Davidson’s scholarship, his research about Germany, Germans, and the Holocaust. His is a unique insight which created a fascinating and informative conversation. Sponsors •   &nbsp...

It is an honor to have Deborah Daniels as our “Leaders and Legends” podcast guest for this week. She is one of state’s most successful and impactful leaders. Along with Jim Shella, we discuss a litany of issues related to Indiana, her career, and whether her brother should have run for president in 2012.   Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies • &nb...

The British Monarchy just always seems to be in the news, and we love that here at the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. This week’s interview is with Dr Elizabeth Norton, a scholar of British history and owner of a tremendously popular account on X.    Sponsors •       Veteran Strategies •     &n...

It’s a Grand Rapids Reunion! On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast new Zionsville Mayor and Indiana broadcast Hall of Famer John Stehr joins his fellow Hall of Famer and former Michigan media teammate Jim Shella and me for fun conversation about Indiana, the media, favorite stories, and John’s take on the Five Questions. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategie...

Very few individuals have impacted American politics like our seventh president. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the power of Old Hickory with Professor David Brown, author of “The First Populist: The Defiant Life of Andrew Jackson.” If you want to understand the arc of American politics and how it can lead to a cult of personality, please read Dr. Brown’s book. Sponsors •...

Is Abraham Lincoln a Hoosier? The three-way fight among Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois to claim precedence regarding the Great Emancipator rages on. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we sit down with Evansville attorney and historian Joshua Claybourn as he makes the case for how Lincoln’s experience living and maturing in Indiana made him the leader who saved the Union.   Sponsors...

Harry Gonso is a famous Hoosier athlete, a pioneering attorney, one of the proudest IU alums you’ll ever meet, and a former chief of staff to Governor Mitch Daniels—he is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We are joined by Hall of Famer Jim Shella—and a special guest to read Harry the Five Questions.   Sponsors •        Veteran Stra...

Harold Holzer is one of the world’s foremost scholars on the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln—he served as the historical advisor for the movie “Lincoln”—and he makes his third appearance on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss his latest book “Brought Forth on this Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration.” Like all his other works, Harold digs deep into Lincoln’s though...

Gerald Posner is one of the most acclaimed investigative journalists/historians in the world—he is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss his books on the JFK assassination, the MLKjr. assassination, and the murderous life of Nazi henchman Josef Mengele.   Sponsors   •        Veteran Strategies •    &...

Love him or hate him—we love him—Bob Kravitz is one of the most influential voices in American sports journalism. He is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss “Deflategate”, Bob’s favorite sports memories, and what it was like to cover IU basketball when he was a journalist at the Indiana Daily Student.   Sponsors   •     &nb...

Why did Adolf Hitler declare war on the United States on December 11, 1941? Strategic or just stupid…both? On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, we interview historian and Professor Brendan Simms author of “Hitler’s American Gamble: Pearl Harbor and Germany’s March to Global War”. The book is incredibly fascinating, and Prof. Simms is a first-rate writer and podcast guest. &nb...

In October 2023 State Representative Jerry Torr announced his retirement from the Indiana Legislature. A champion for Hoosiers for more than 30 years, Jerry is our guest on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Jim Shella and I ask him about his career, some of his favorite battles, and how much as changed since he first took his seat in the House and began his political career.   Sponso...