Claim OwnershipThe Defender
Subscribed: 12Played: 363
Subscribe
© Clean Wisconsin 2025
Description
Welcome to the Defender, Wisconsin's environmental podcast, where we talk about the most pressing environmental issues facing Wisconsin and how you can plug in to defend our air, water, land and climate. The Defender is hosted by former radio and TV journalist Amy Barrilleaux. She'll help cut through the jargon and all the misinformation that's out there and have real conversations about how to build a healthy, sustainable future. Every week, Amy talks with scientists, advocates, farmers, experts, and just everyday people who are working right here in Wisconsin to make a difference to protect this place we call home.
89 Episodes
Reverse
Our neighbor to the south—Iowa—has a cancer problem. In this episode, we look at a new study that paints an alarming picture of rural America... and cancer rates. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council Resources for You: Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis Nitrates and Health Impacts in Wisconsin Neonicotinoid Pesticides and Health Impacts in Wisconsin PFAS and Health Impacts in Wisconsin Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms
We all know Wisconsin's weather is full of extremes and wild swings, like snow one day, sandals the next, and then back to snow. But 2026 has been wild even for us. In this episode, Amy talks with Wisconsin's state climatologist about what just happened this year, and what's next. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist Resources for You: Wisconsin Center for Climatic Research One Year Later: What the Milwaukee Flood Took and What it Left Behind
The largest reported oil and gas pipeline spill in state history is unfolding in Wisconsin's Northwoods. A couple of weeks ago, Canadian oil giant Enbridge spilled more than a million gallons of liquid natural gas after it accidentally broke its own pipeline in Iron County. And right now, we have way more questions than answers. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney Resources for You: Pipeline Spill Video, Courtesy David Joe Bates (Facebook Post) Clean Wisconsin: Stop the Line 5 Pipeline
Wisconsin must be doing something right, because the first bee ever listed as a federally endangered species is starting to reappear--right here. In this 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
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States