From Grain to Glass: Why you should be drinking beer brewed with Kernza® grain
Release Date: 03/17/2025
The Climate March is Coming!
The Defender
There is no question we are living through a stressful, often overhwelming time. So if you’re feeling hopeless, especially in the face of the climate crisis, no one could blame you. But there is no better place to find hope – than in other people. How you can joing people from all walks of life in Sunday, Sept 28 to take a stand for our climate right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Heather Allen, Policy Director, Elevate Resources for You: Sunday Sept. 28, Madison, Wisconsin
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150 Million Reasons to Listen to This Episode
The Defender
Yes, there are 150-million reasons to listen to this episode. Because Wisconsin has $150 million dollars in federal funding to help make our homes warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, healthier, more efficient. All the things. A look at two little-known programs that survived the big Federal cuts and are ready to be used by you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Dylan Crye, Home Energy Rebates Program Manager, Focus on Energy Joe Pater, Dir. Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Resources for You: - Focus on Energy podcast
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The Defender
How much would you pay to swim in a clean lake? How much to take a breath of fresh, clean air? To fish in a pristine stream? You may not ever think about that, but there is somebody who does -- a lot. On this episode, meet the professor who’s working to understand the economic value of a clean environment. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dan Phaneuf, Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Unversity of Wisconsin Resources for You:
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Nothing to see here! Why the EPA says climate change won't hurt you
The Defender
The Environmental Protection Agency is quickly getting out of the protection business. And no where is that more clear than its new plan to get rid of the Endangerment Finding, the landmark legal and science determination that climate change hurts people and that the EPA has the responsibility to do something about it. On this episode a look at why the EPA is now insisting climate pollution won’t hurt you, and what walking back the endangerment finding could mean for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Katie Nekola Resources for You:
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Lambscaping! Why WI sheep farmers are excited about solar farms
The Defender
Livestock farmers in Wisconsin are getting excited about solar! MG&E’s Tyto solar project is home to about 13,000 solar panels, 30 acres of thriving plants, and a flock of happy sheep. Amy takes a behind-the-scenes look at the solar energy project where 145 hungry sheep are hard at work this summer. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: John Armstrong, manager of renewable engineering, Madison Gas and Electric Beau Stafford, Wiscovery Farms Resources for You: Surprising Environmental Impacts of Solar in Wisconsin
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Move People, Not Oil
The Defender
In the long, never-ending struggle to protect our environment, it can be easy to feel helpless, powerless. Maybe nothing underscores that feeling more than trying to stop a big foreign oil interest from building a pipeline across your state. But there is something you can do to speak out against the Line 5 oil pipeline. And it's fun! Amy looks at the Move People Not Oil campaign. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jacob Ahrens-Balwit, Strategic Communications Manager, Clean Wisconsin More Resources for You: (Instagram) - Take the pledge and more information
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WI Supreme Court delivers victory for science
The Defender
If you are feeling afraid to click on news stories every time a decision gets handed down by the US Supreme Court, you're not alone. But some recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions are bringing much-needed good news in the fight to protect our environment. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney Resources for You:
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Latest on Line 5: The crude oil project that threatens northern Wisconsin
The Defender
Northern Wisconsin is home to Lake Superior, to beautiful streams and wetlands, to thousands of acres of mesic forests--and to a 72-year-old oil pipeline called Line 5. Now the foreign oil company, Enbridge, that owns and operates the line is pushing to blast and trench its way across northern Wisconsin to build a reroute. Amy gets the latest on legal action to stop it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Clean Wisconsin attorneys Brett Korte and Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Sign up for Line 5 updates and more
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Where Art Meets Environmental Justice: Inspiring a Movement in Milwaukee
The Defender
Milwaukee is at the center of what the federal government calls an "Area of Concern." A place where so much toxic water pollution and environmental degradation have happened over the course of more than a century, that it needs special attention and funding to get cleaned up. But how do you confront and begin to heal the collective harms of legacy pollution? Of decades of injustice that is still happening? Amy talks with Shalina S. Ali about how that process can start with art, with creativity, with channeling the mixture of emotions—the joy and pain—that comes with working toward...
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Ready for a REAL Energy Crisis?
The Defender
The Big Beautiful Budget will have some ugly consequences. In this episode, why the fallout from Trump's budget will include bigger bills, toxic emissions, and yep - more risk of blackouts. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, PhD, Energy & Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:
info_outlineWhat if I told you there was a grain that doesn’t have to be replanted every spring, that has roots growing 10-feet deep, taking in carbon and holding it deep in the soil, that helps prevent soil erosion and excess fertilizer from washing into our lakes--AND it makes a tasty beer.
In this episode, a look at the work behind an experimental batch of Kernza® beer at Karben4 Brewing in Madison that has the farming research world taking notice.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Joe Walts, Karben4 Brewing
Resources for You:
Taste the Change: Wisconsin Kenrnza®
Natural Climate Solutions: A path forward for Wisconsin's agricultural sector
Three cheers for climate beer!
Kernza® Crunch: The race to develop the world's first perennial grain crop