Leaders and Legends

Who was Jack the Ripper? Who were his victims? Why did he go uncaught in the heat of his murder spree and why does his identity remain an unsolved mystery more than one hundred years later? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss history’s most infamous serial killer with author Richard Jones, historian of 19th century England and expert on the Ripper murders.   Sponsors &nbs...

Debby Knox was welcomed into our homes as a trusted and beloved journalist for more than 40 years—and this week she is our first guest for 2024 on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Debby talks about her career, some of the biggest stories in Indy (and beyond), and answers our Five Questions. We are joined by her former colleague and Hall of Famer Jim Shella.   Sponsors   •  &n...

In the opinion of many, Henry Kissinger is the most influential diplomat of the last 60 years. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss Dr Kissinger’s career with our friend Ambassador Kenneth Adelman. What is Kissinger’s legacy? Was detente a success? Why did Vietnam continue into the 1970s? Kissinger, who died in November, was the architect of these policies and many more.  ...

Love to read about secret passageways, lustful intrigue, and ruthless power? This week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast has all this and more. Brilliant historian and author Gareth Russell returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book “The Palace” and it’s simply amazing how much history one can learn from incomparable building—if only the walls could talk.  Sponsors&nb...

Professor James Oakes is an award-winning historian of Abraham Lincoln, his presidency, and the issue of slavery in American history. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the Great Emancipator’s place in American legend, his relationship with titans such as Frederick Douglass, and Lincoln’s leadership during the American Civil War.   Sponsors   •   &nbs...

Rick and Karen Fuson represent the best of involved and authentic community leadership. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the growth of Indianapolis, its wonderful people, and what’s needs to happen next for our city to grow. Rick and Karen share some funny memories and dish on what it’s like to negotiate with each other. We are very honored to have them on the podcast. Rick...

General James Longstreet is remembered by many as a superb Confederate general during the American Civil War. He also was reviled by generations of Southerners as an apostate—both for criticizing the generalship of Robert E. Lee and becoming a Republican after the South was crushed. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Dr Elizabeth Varon about her terrific study, “Longst...

What was Indiana’s role in the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s? And how did a violent loser like D.C. Stephenson attain so much power? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Timothy Egan—author of the superb book “A Fever in the Heartland” which details in splendid prose exactly how Hoosiers made the 20th century version of the Klan a powerful force of political vio...

Mark Lawrence and Mark Updegrove are two of this country’s most preeminent historians of the American Presidency—they also host the superb history podcast “With the Bark Off”. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we have a wide-ranging discussion of the most powerful job in the world and the men who made it so.   Sponsors   •        V...

Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War altered world history like no other European conflict of the 19th century. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Professor Rachel Chrastil discusses her superb new book “Bismarck’s War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe.” She was also a Herman B. Wells scholar at Indiana University, so you know she has to be super smart. &n...

Ryan Walters, Author of “The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Harding”   For the last century, President Warren G. Harding has appeared on the list of worst presidents in American history—but is this ranking valid? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss Harding’s time in office with historian Ryan Walters whose book “The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Ha...

On March 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most compelling speeches in the history of spoken language. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the meaning and impact of the president’s second inaugural address with Ed Achorn, author of “Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln” Sponsors •      &nb...

Joel Richard Paul is a law professor and one of this century’s leading historians. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss his book “Indivisible: Daniel Webster and the Birth of American Nationalism.” It’s a magnificent journey through the Early National Period in American history, and how it was shaped by one of our country’s greatest orators, politicians, and statesmen. Sponsors...

Actress Carolyn McCormick is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet in “Law & Order”, but her career has encompassed many different starring roles on stage and screen. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Ms. McCormick discusses her career, her time as America’s favorite psychiatrist, and what’s next for her award-winning, successful career. Sponsors •  &nbs...

The friendship of Mike O’Brien and Andy Miller is a perfect example of how politics is supposed to work. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jim Shella and I talk to Mike and Andy about working together, the issues they faced at the Statehouse, and how Ed Treacy’s mentorship changed their lives. Sponsors •       Veteran Strategies •    &n...

Known as “LBJ”, Lyndon Baines Johnson is one of our most consequential presidents. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we interview Dr Mark Lawrence—author and director of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. We discuss the president’s contribution to career before the White House, his reaction to the assassination of President Kennedy, his contribution to landmark civil rights and he...

In July 1918, Russian Czar Nicholas II, his wife, their five children, and the few remaining members of his household were slaughtered in a dim and dreary basement by Bolshevik Revolutionaries. Could they all have been saved? And, if so, by which of their royal cousins? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview best-selling historian Dr Helen Rappaport. She discusses this ghastly...

Randall Shepard served as chief justice of Indiana’s Supreme Court for twenty-five years. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview one of our state’s most distinguished jurists and scholars about his career, the law, and his friends at Princeton and Yale Law School.   Sponsors  ·              Veteran...

The movie “Oppenheimer” is in theaters to (deservedly) rave reviews. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation is with historian James Kunetka, author of “The General and the Genius: Groves and Oppenheimer, the Unlikely Partnership that Built the Atom Bomb.” His book is a wonderful and thorough account of the Manhattan Project, its science, and its impact on world history. Spo...

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...

Were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Nazi sympathizers or just embarrassing, inept dupes? How did the wartime performance of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth help save the British monarchy? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation is with Alexander Larman about his superb book “The Windsors at War: The King, His Brother, and a Family Divided”   Sponsors •  &n...

Mel Raines is one of the Hoosier State’s most admired leaders—and legends. On this week’s podcast, we interview a woman on everyone’s wish list when it comes to big projects, impacting our community, and ensuring Indy always shines under the bright lights. Sponsors Veteran Strategies NFP - A leading insurance broker and consultant Garmong Construction Crowne Plaza Downtown Indianapolis Histor...

No mother-daughter pair made more of an impact on British history than that of Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, distinguished historian Dr Tracy Borman makes a return appearance—this time to discuss her new book detailing this relationship and revealing how Anne’s influence lasted long after her beheading in 1536. Sponsors Veteran Strategies NFP - A l...

Professor Michael Burlingame has no peer when it comes to understanding Abraham Lincoln, his philosophy, and his presidency. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss his latest book on the Great Emancipator: “The Black Man’s President: Abraham Lincoln, African Americans, and the Pursuit of Racial Equality" Sponsors: Veteran Strategies NFP - A leading insurance broker and c...

Lesa Dietrick and Diane Masariu are wonderful, delightful, amazing, and have never let politics get in the way of an enduring friendship. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jim Shella and I talk with two of our state’s most respected Hoosiers about their lives in politics and impact at the Statehouse. Sponsors: Veteran Strategies NFP - A leading insurance broker and consultant Garmong C...