Advertise on podcast: The Defender

The DNR just revealed a long list of violations at Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline construction site. In this episode, a deep dive into what Enbridge is doing to Wisconsin's Northwoods, and whether the DNR can or will do anything about it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Take Action: Tell the DNR to hold Enbridge accountable for violations at Line 5 Join Clean Wisconsin's Action Network

If you think growing hazelnuts is just for Europe or the West Coast, think again. Turns out, we've got a wild, native variety right here in Wisconsin, and people are getting excited pretty excited about it. In this episode Amy heads out to Sheboygan County to find out why farmers and environmental advocates are so hyped about Wisconsin's hazelnuts.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Aaron Kolste, Wisconsin Hazelnut Farmer Resources for You: Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative  Halelnuts Could Help Reshape Wisconsin's Agriculture (video) Climate Smart Crops

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

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. Find out more about Zero Waste Madison Under the Lens: Microplastics and Our Bodies

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 where we all fit in. Plus, pizza! Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Chaz Self, Grassway Organics Resources for You: Nitrates on Tap: The Cost of Nitrate Contamination in Wisconsin's Drinking Water Grassway Organics Pizza on the Farm

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:  Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development Clean Wisconsin Action Alerts

What does it take to get plastic out 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 Communications Director, Willy St. Co-op Resources for You: Plastic-Free July: 31 days of ideas Microplastics in Our Bodies: Exposure and Potential Health Harms

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 Resources for You: Wisconsinites May Soon Pay Higher Bills to Keep Coal Plants Open in Indiana Wisconsin foots the bill for coal's last hurrah Trump order to keep Michigan coal plant open will mean higher bills for Wisconsinites Speak out against the Red Oak Ridge gas plant proposal

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 action, and will it be enough to stem the environmental harms already unfolding because of AI data centers? Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Blaine Halverson, Community Organizer, Great Lakes Neighbors United Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development  Great Lakes Neighbors United Episode 74: The Truth About AI Data Centers and Our Water Into Thin Air: How AI data center energy use harms our water resources AI Data Centers will use more energy than all the homes in the state combined

Have we been sold a bill of goods about ethanol? In this episode, the toll ethanol is taking on our health right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis in Wisconsin Proposal to increase E-15 would cause substantial harms in Wisconsin Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms Health Brief: Nitrates in Wisconsin's Drinking Water

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 PFAS in Pesticides PFAS Contamination in Public and Private Wells in Wisconsin (Health Research Brief)