Advertise on podcast: The Defender

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 welcomes Madison's 2025 Chef of the Year Evan Danells of Cadre to talk about why these days chefs are adding protecting the planet to the menu. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Chef Evan Danells, Cadre Resources for You: 2026 Epicurean Evening Menu & Tickets      

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 mean for you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment Related Episodes: Episode 56: Data Center Secrets  Episode 59: Who's Paying for Data Centers? Episode 60: Hey tech companies, your gas is showing! Episode 63: How Caledonia, WI Defeated a Date Center Episode 67: The Nuclear Option  

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 Skylar Harris, Attorney, Midwest Environmental Advocates

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid 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 Over Repeal Of Climate Protections    

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 Wiewall, Starry Nights Farm Resources for You: Nutritional Comparisons Between Grass-Fed Beef and Conventional Grain-Fed Beef  Defining Nutrient Density in Beef Starry Nights Farm Defender Episode 57: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit Defender Episode 45: Cows, Tall Grass and Wind Turbines      

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 Paine, Superior, Wis. Resources for You: Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas  

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 building more nuclear reactors. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, General Counsel, Clean Wisconsin  

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: Nick Mailloux, PhD Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies 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 impact on Wisconsn's health and economy Neonicotinoid pesticides and their impact Episode 43: The pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Episode 29: Trump's Threat to Safe Water (and how WI can fight back!)

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 been missing.   Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Robin Greenfield, Sustainability Advocate, Ashland Wis. native Resources for You: robingreenfield.org Food Freedom: A Year of Growing and Foraging 100% of My Food Robin Greenfield YouTube Channel Defender Episode 57: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit        

Don't look at the gas plant behind the curtain! If you feel like tech companies and energy utilities are gaslighting you with their assurances that AI data centers won't hurt our environment, you're probably right.  In this episode, how AI is causing a fossil fuel boom in Wisconsin and the lawsuit just filed to try and stop it.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests:  Katie Nekola, General Cousnel, Clean Wisconsin Ciaran Gallagher, Climate & Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: Petition: Take A Stand Against Unchecked Data Center Development New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Analysis: Two approved AI data centers in Wisconsin will use more energy than all homes in state combined PSC approves plan to power AI data center with gas plants  

You may have heard, Wisconsin needs more power and we need it fast. In the next few years, AI data centers will cause an unprecedented surge in energy demand across our state. There are already large expensive new powerplants being built to help meet that demand with more to come. But the big question is, will Wisconsinites be left shouldering the cost? In this episode, the shocking energy needs of AI, why our power companies are rolling out the red carpet, and the lasting environmental and economic harms that could be left in the wake. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Tom Content, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Resources for You: Citizens Utility Board Data Centers Page Petition: Take A Stand Against Unchecked Data Center Development New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Analysis: Two approved AI data centers in Wisconsin will use more energy than all homes in state combined PSC approves plan to power AI data center with gas plants