Defending Indiana

Indiana has been home to extraordinary women.  From actors and singers and writers to entrepreneurs and notable women from history, amazing women have been born and raised in Indiana (or if they spent a few years here - we're claiming them too!).One of these amazing Hoosier women, Christina Hale, worked her way through college as a proud single mother and served as a nonprofit executive for Kiwanis International, fulfilling a variety of roles that included chief communications officer and executive director for Kiwanis Youth Programs worldwide. A former state legislator for the Indiana General Assembly and the first Latina to run for statewide office in Indiana, Christina earned a reputation for bipartisanship and resolve. In 2021, Christina was appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration to head communications for the US International Development Finance Corporation. She continues to fight against sexual violence and advocate for youth and democracy.In her book, "Why Not You?", Hale shows why, no matter your age, now is the time to find your platform and pursue the vital causes that inspire you. Christina discusses the importance of positional leadership, how to channel a servant leader’s heart, and why it’s easier than you think to create your own path toward transformative change. With powerful stories of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things, Why Not You? is an interactive guide that points you in the right direction and inspires you to say yes to your calling. Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

In our second episode examining human rights in Indiana, Colleen and Janice discuss the events in the Indiana Statehouse and Supreme Court following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overrule Roe v. Wade.  State senator, J.D. Ford, provides context and detail to help us understand how Indiana became the first state to ban abortion after the fall of Roe v. Wade.   ***TRIGGER WARNING - This episode references sexual assault and may not be suitable for sensitive listeners.***  J.D. Ford - In 2018, the voters of Indiana Senate District 29 elected J.D. Ford to the Indiana Senate   Since then, he was elected as Minority Caucus Chair and appointed to serve as ranking member on a number of important committees, including Education, Veterans Affairs and Family and Children Services.  Senator Ford is the first, and so far only, openly LGBT+ member of the Indiana General Assembly. As one of the youngest members of the Indiana Senate, he is proud to represent Hoosier Millenials.  Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

In the first episode examining the state of  human rights in Indiana, Colleen and Janice discuss the history and politics of LGBTQ+ rights over the past decade with state senator, J.D. Ford.Interview starts: 16:31 J.D. Ford - In 2018, the voters of Indiana Senate District 29 elected J.D. Ford to the Indiana Senate   Since then, he was elected as Minority Caucus Chair and appointed to serve as ranking member on a number of important committees, including Education, Veterans Affairs and Family and Children Services.Senator Ford is the first, and so far only, openly LGBT+ member of the Indiana General Assembly. As one of the youngest members of the Indiana Senate, he is proud to represent Hoosier Millennials.Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Is this "flyover" state worth a second look?  Colleen and Janice hope Hoosier photographer and entrepreneur, Joey Lax-Salinas, can convince them it is.  Lax-Salinas has changed the way Indiana appears on search engines by photographing and cataloging nearly every city and town across the entire State of Indiana (approximately 400 to date!).  With his extensive travel and knowledge of not only Indiana, but cities across the U.S., he seemed to be the most qualified for this task.  Joey Lax-Salinas is a traveling photographer and entrepreneur whose photos and videos have been featured on Good Morning America, World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, The Weather Channel, CNN, Forbes.com, and USAToday.com.  He is a collegiate licensed photographer of Indiana University campus photos and the author of "Good Night, Indiana University", available on bookshelves in 2023.  17:07 Lax-Salinas interview begins Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Defending Indiana cuisine felt like a herculean task for Colleen and Janice.  Thankfully, acclaimed Hoosier chefs, Ambarish Lulay and Chris Pappas, stepped in to provide much needed insight.   Listen and learn all about food and the food scene in Indiana including: the "Indiana Banana" (the pawpaw), duck farms, mushrooms, burrata, lemon rice soup and the pork tenderloin.   Interview starts: 16:17Ambarish Lulay is a Culinary Olympic Silver Medalist Chef who began his career in India with the 5-star Leela Beach, formerly the Four Seasons, in Goa and the 5-star Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay.  Since that time, Chef Lulay's has worked around the world including more recently as Chef de Cusine at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park and Executive Chef at Petco Park in San Diego (home of the San Diego Padres MLB team)He then went on to blend his global exposure to food with traditional French- Mediterranean methods and techniques to reflect current trends in food as the Chef Instructor at the Chicago Tribune 3-star Dining Room at his alma mater Kendall College in Chicago.Lulay went on to serve as the Department Chef at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University where he oversaw foodservice, operationally and academically at the Purdue campus while also serving as the chef for the president of the university.  .  As faculty, he also taught international Cuisine and Culture classes that study abroad each year.In 2018, Chef Lulay switched gears to join Scott Trzaskus as the executive chef at East End Grill in Lafayette, Indiana where he oversaw day-to-day culinary operations and worked with Scott to develop a new concept for Lafayette. Currently, Lulay is the Executive Chef for all dining operations at Cornell University and lives in Ithaca, NY with his wife Kim and child. Chris Pappas attended Purdue University, one of the top restaurant management schools in the country, and partook in some unforgettable internships during his time there. It was during this time that he fell in love with the kitchen and decided to continue his education in culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park New York).While in New York, Chris spent time at two Michelin-rated restaurants, including Per Se in New York City with Chef Thomas Keller, and was there presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the world-renowned Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California with food activist Alice Waters. Chris’ entire outlook on life and food was transformed while working alongside some of the most brilliant minds and passionate individuals in the industry at Chez Panisse. Before leaving California Chris spent time in Napa Valley studying, tasting, and working with wine allowing him to achieve his first certification of The Court of Master Sommeliers.After completing his degree in New York, Chris returned home to Crown Point, IN, to the place where it all began, to relieve his father of his duties at their family-owned restaurant. Shortly after, he decided to open Provecho, a fine dining experience with a unique mixture of exquisite Latin American and Spanish culinary specialties, paired with expertly handcrafted drinks.Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

In this episode, Colleen and Janice want you to imagine watching a stunning sunset over the vast, blue seascape while feeling gentle breezes and sand between your toes.  Would you believe THIS is Indiana?!?!?!  It is and it can be enjoyed regularly at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  Joined by Superintendent for the National Park Service, Paul Labovitz,  and founder of Dig the Dunes, Eve Wierzbicki, Colleen and Janice confirm there is a slice of paradise in Northwest Indiana.  Paul Labovitz started his National Park Service career in the Rivers & Trails Program and would go on to serve in Philadelphia, for the Midwest Regional Office at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, Voyageurs National Park and Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in Minnesota.  Paul has worked on park and protected area projects in over 25 states and in several European countries.  Now 26 years later, Paul serves as Superintendent at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  Prior to working for the NPS, Paul was a Forester, Wildlife Biologist and Manager at a 10,000 private property in Southwestern Pennsylvania after earning a BS in Forest Science from The Pennsylvania State University.  He would later receive his MBA from Frostburg State University.  Paul serves as a strategist on the Urban National Park work group.  Their goal is to reach a new generation of National Park stewards.  He also serves as the Midwest Region's Superintendent Representative to the NPS Tourism Council.  Eve Wierzbicki started Dig the Dunes because of her love for the area. She began taking photos and posting them on Facebook and found that people really enjoyed seeing where she was every day. After watching her page grow, Eve started writing blog posts, created a website and added much more information for people to discover. Now she enjoys planning events and workshops and getting people out and about all year long. She’s excited to watch Dig the Dunes grow and looks forward to seeing what will happen next!15:04 Paul Labovitz interview begins42:10 Eve Wierzbicki interview beginsHosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Colleen and Janice discuss true crime in Indiana with the founder of Cold Case Chronicles, a popular, Indiana-based cold case podcast.  Indiana has had its share of infamous crimes - many that have gone unsolved.  Join us as we learn more about how podcasts and citizen detectives are changing the landscape of crime solving. Cold Case Chronicles is made up of four women from totally different backgrounds brought together for their desire to give exposure to lesser known cold cases.  Started in July 2019, the hosts recorded over 80 episodes dedicated to finding answers for families.Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Colleen and Janice share many laughs discussing sexy beverages, après ski and growing up in families who did and did not drink alcohol (can you guess which host grew up without?) Joining them for an interview and a lesson in Indiana bourbon is the man behind the wildly popular @indianabourbon Instagram page, Dirk Fentz.  Dirk Fentz is a bourbon enthusiast focused on bringing attention to Indiana spirits, Indiana farms, and Indiana families.  Find him on Instagram @indianabourbon and discover the wide variety of high-quality bourbons made in Indiana.Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Colleen and Janice welcome Jesse Kharbanda, the Outgoing Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council.  In this enlightening conversation, Kharbanda explains the challenges of pollution in Indiana (and across the country) and the actions addressing those challenges.Jesse Kharbanda is the  Outgoing Executive Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana’s largest environmental policy organization. Jesse has focused HEC’s initiatives around environmental health & justice, land & water protection, and climate solutions. Jesse has been passionate about expanding the tent of people who care about the environment, and he has been personally involved in forging deeper connections with public health organizations, the business community, and faith-based groups, among other constituencies. Jesse’s leadership honors include being named to the “Forty Under 40″ list by the Indianapolis Business Journal, being recognized as the sole Indianapolis-based community leader in his induction year named to Delta Omega, the national public health honorary, winning the Hulman Health Achievement Award for Public Policy Advocacy, and being awarded with an honorary degree by DePauw University.  Jesse has graduate degrees from Oxford University and undergraduate degrees from the University of Chicago.  On October 7th, 2021, Jesse announced that he will be beginning a new chapter in his career; after seven months helping with his organization's transition, he embarked on that new chapter on May 2, 2022. Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Joined by Jared Thompson, co-creator/co-director of the Limestone Comedy Festival and owner of The Comedy Attic in Bloomington, IN,  Colleen and Janice discuss all things comedy in Indiana (and across the US).Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Nymphs, Egyptian beer and sibling issues - these are just a few of the topics addressed in the season two finale.  Colleen and Janice welcome their #1 Season Two Fan (and Janice's mom!), Carmen Jones, and #1 "Non-Listener", John Brennan, who offer their thoughts on why they listen...and why they don't.   Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Apparently, Indiana is not the only state with bizarre liquor laws.  Colleen and Janice examine liquor laws from across the U.S. to determine whether or not Indiana's are as bad as they thought then chat with Chris Reisetter and Scott Ferguson from Zorn Brew Works to learn all about craft beer in Indiana.Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Pop or soda?  Tennis shoes or sneakers?  People all over the U.S. use different words to talk about the same things and Indiana is no exception.  Colleen and Janice dive deep into regional slang and try to understand the origins of "Region Rat" with the Mayor of Hammond, IN, Tom McDermott.  Stay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

He is loved, feared, hated and revered.  Colleen and Janice discuss college sports and the legendary Bobby Knight with sports journalist, Chris Luchene.Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Auto racing is kind of a big thing around the world.  Colleen and Janice learn all about life in the fast lane from former motorsports professional and Indiana native, Terry Greetham.  Terry's experience with racing teams is so long, we can't fit it all in this space, but we are not above a little name dropping (Mario Andretti, Danica Patrick, Dario Franchitti and more!).  Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

How can we relive our glory days without hometown news?  Colleen and Janice wonder whatever happened to small town news in the Midwest.  Joined by their guest, podcast host and executive director of GreatNews.Life, Jenny Craig-Brown, they learn that hometown news might actually be coming back. Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Curious to find out how Indiana fits into the Great American Melting Pot, Colleen and Janice discuss immigration and refugees with refugee advocate, Sara Hindi.  Turns out, Indiana has a much more diverse population than many people might think!Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Part two of our conversation with NYT Bestselling author of the memoir "Somebody's Daughter" and Fort Wayne native, Ashley C. Ford.    Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

She has been interviewed by Oprah, Trevor Noah, Terry Gross and now...Colleen and Janice!  In the first part of a two-part interview, Colleen and Janice  chat with NYT Bestselling author of the memoir "Somebody's Daughter" and Fort Wayne native, Ashley C. Ford.  Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter

Colleen and Janice explore architecture in Indiana with Anthony 'Tony' Costello, FAIA, a 50+ year educator/practitioner who is recognized as one of the national pioneers in community -based, urban planning and design education.  Winner of countless design and preservation awards, this Hoosier (via New York) explains why Columbus, IN is ranked 6th in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the The American Institute of Architects right behind Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Boston & Washington DC. Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezCo-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. RodriguezTheme Music: Michael MiltenbergerSound Editing: Michael MiltenbergerSeason Two Intern: Kate BeckStay in Touch with Defending Indianadefendingindiana@gmail.comDefending Indiana WebsiteDefending Indiana on FacebookDefending Indiana on InstagramDefending Indiana on Twitter