The hidden pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden
Release Date: 06/09/2025
What’s a Data Center Tariff and Why Should You Care?
The Defender
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: 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
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Meet The Teen Who Is Suing Wisconsin Over Climate Change
The Defender
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
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Chaos Theory: Fighting the rapid fire attacks on our environment
The Defender
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:
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The Truth About Grassfed Beef
The Defender
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:
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How Superior WI Defeated a Gas Plant
The Defender
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:
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The Nuclear Option
The Defender
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
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Why Wisconsin should be more like Texas!
The Defender
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
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Why Help on Forever Chemicals is Taking… Forever
The Defender
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:
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What did the EPA just do?
The Defender
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:
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How Caledonia WI Defeated a Data Center
The Defender
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:
info_outlineYou never know when a life-changing moment is going to come. For Sarah Savage, owner of Tend Native Plants, it came when she picked up a book about pollinators. Amy meets Sarah at her small plant nursery in Blue Mounds, Wis., to talk about the hidden pesticides that could be lurking in our gardens and how to make sure the flowers we buy are truly pollinator-friendly.
Host: Amy Barrilleaux
Guest: Sarah Savage, Tend Native Plants
Resources for You:
Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why.
Neonicotinoids and their Impact
Episode 23 Neurotixins on Our Plates
Neonicotinoids and Human Health
Expert Speakers Series: Wisconsin Neonic Forum