The Defender Podcast

Wisconsin must be doing something right, because the first bee ever listed as a federally endangered species is starting to reappear–right here. In the episode, a walk deep into the Wisconsin woods to find out what it will take to bring our bees back and meet the dedicated experts and volunteers who are working hard to save our pollinators.

In this episode, Amy heads to Columbia County to separate fact from fiction about wind energy… and learn a thing or two about cows. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jerry Cigelske, 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer

Overwhelmed by the environmental problems we face? In this episode, how to use your knowledge and power – to find your happy place. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sasha Stone, Green Life Trading Company, Zero Waste Madison Resources for You: The Defender Episode 35: Microplastics in Our Bodies – How Much do They Hurt Us? Green Life Trading Co. Zero Waste Madison Facebook Community Under the Lens: Mi...

It has never been easy to be a farmer. But these days, in the face of rising costs, tariffs, and consolidation, keeping a small farm in business seems next to impossible. But there is a way to survive, and it might just be the key to protecting our health, cleaning up our water, and saving our soil. In this episode, Amy talks with Chaz Self from Grassway Organics about the future of farming, and w...

The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying unregulated hyperscale data centers are a threat to public health in our state. In this episode, hear from one of the co-authors of that resolution to find out the health and energy consequences of data centers. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Community Health Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: P...

What does it take to get plastic our of your life? Well, unless you can go back in time 100 years, it’s pretty much impossible. But what about *some* plastic? Just a place to start? In this episode, we’re talking about plastic waste in the grocery store and how to try to take control of the plastics that wind up in your shopping cart. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Brendon Smith, Marketing and Commu...

While federal money props up old coal power plants in Wisconsin, the EPA is busy relaxing rules meant to keep coal’s toxic pollution out of our air and water. In this episode, what our nation’s new commitment to old coal means for Wisconsin’s water and for the regulations that are supposed to protect us. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Evan Feinauer Resource...

It’s happening in every corner of Wisconsin—Cassville, Menomonie, Superior, Madison, La Crosse County, Dane County, Westport, Manitowoc County, Door County. Communities all over the state are passing moratoriums and ordinances aimed at stopping what a year ago seemed unstoppable: the unchecked flood of AI data centers into our state. In this episode, who is pushing this avalanche of local ac...

In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant Resources for you: Amara’s Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota) Episode 62: What to Know about...

A circuit court judge is deciding whether permits issued by the state allowing Enbridge to build its Line 5 pipeline reroute in Wisconsin’s Northwoods are legal. But in the meantime, he is allowing work on the new Line 5 to continue — except in a few key places. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney Resources for You: Wisconsin: One one of the Most Import...

Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you’re not hearing many tech companies talking about. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Hannah Richersen, Water Policy Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Clear As Mud: Hidden Thirst...

Wisconsin was one of the first places where the farm-to-table movement really took root. But now that movement is changing, becoming more urgent in the face of the flooding, droughts, and changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on our food systems. In this episode, Amy welcome Madison’s 2025 Chef of the Year Evan Danells of Cadre to talk about why these days chefs are adding protect...

Right now there are three AI data centers under construction in Wisconsin. So how do you minimize the toll they will take on our environment and our energy bills? On this episode, a deep dive into data center tariffs at the PSC and what they means for you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment Related...

The science supporting climate change has long been settled, but progress remains painfully slow. Especially here in Wisconsin, where we have laws on the books that are actively helping to keep fossil fuels burning here. But maybe not for long. In this episode meet one of 15 kids who is suing our state over climate change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Madeleine Bohn, Wisconsin High School Student...

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid-fire dismantling of environmental protections, and what groups like Clean Wisconsin and so many others are doing to keep people safe. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Resources For You: Economic Impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Energy Provisions on Wisconsin Clean Wisconsin Sues EPA...

What makes the food you eat healthy? Turns out it’s a pretty complicated question that goes way beyond the four food groups. In this episode, Amy visits Starry Nights Farm in Burlington to learn about some groundbreaking research—involving beef raised right here in Wisconsin—that’s changing the way we look at food and nutrition. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Paul Maggio and Marisa Wiew...

Communities across Wisconsin are starting to push back when energy utilities come to town with big plans for big gas plants. But how do you turn opposition into victory? In this episode, Amy talks with the mayor of Superior about the city’s long journey to defeat the Nemadji Trail Energy Center—the ugly gas plant with the pretty name. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Mayor Jim Payne, Superior, W...

There is a lot of new excitement around nuclear energy these days, and no coincidence, it comes as we face staggering energy demands from AI data centers. Now, the Trump Administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations for new nuclear reactors. In this episode, a look at what would happen to our environment – and our energy bills – if utilities race to meet AI demand by...

In the race to transition to clean, safe energy, there are lessons to be learned just about everywhere, including in Texas. In this episode, what January’s major winter storm is teaching us about our power grid—and the painful lesson we are all going to learn this month about natural gas. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, PhD, Energy and Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin

On this episode, some real hope that a bipartisan solution for state PFAS funding is at hand — and the industry that is coming in at the last minute to try to kill it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Erik Kanter, Government Relations Director, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: Clean Wisconsin Action Network

In this episode, how new action from the EPA is undermining one of the most successful environmental laws in US history. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Resources for You: Join Clean Wisconsin’s Action Network Pollution and Our Health: The Environmental Health Initiative

In this episode, how a small Wisconsin community stood up to one of the most powerful companies in the world… and won. And what we can all learn from their fight. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Prescott Balch, Village of Caledonia resident Resources for You: Stop Unchecked Data Center Development (petition) AI Data Center Energy Demand Analysis AI Data Center Offsite Water Withdrawals

On this episode a look what could be sprayed on food and farm fields all around us – plus a bit of Wisconsin history that offers some hope as we confront a new batch of toxic chemicals. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin Water & Agency Program Director Resources for You: Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin’s Water Nitrate pollution’s i...

Meet the Wisconsin native who is foraging 100% of his food. What was the last thing you foraged? Maybe some ramps, or morels? But what about your salt, oil, even toothpaste? On this episode, meet the Wisconsin native who is setting out to prove that he can not only survive for an entire year eating only food he has foraged, but he can also help show the true connection to nature most of us have be...