Defending Indiana
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsDo you think Indiana is a flyover state in the middle of the U.S. with just corn and basketball? Are you wrong or are you right? Find out by listening to Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez, stand-up comedians who were born and raised in Indiana, as they discuss the stereotypes, jokes and myths about Indiana with special guests who help them try to defend the Hoosier state.
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Episodes
Stranger Things in Indiana
February 07, 2024 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBColleen, Janice and fellow co-producer, Michael Miltenberger, discuss some of their favorite unusual stories coming out of the Hoosier state. Both current events and past mysteries are shared such as zebras and camels on the interstate, the Kokomo Hum and Pukwudgies. Seriously, we are not making this stuff up. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Hoosier Writers, Oh Hell Yes!
January 24, 2024 10:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBSo it turns out many people really do write books in Indiana. Bronwen Carlisle from Indiana Humanities joins Colleen and Janice to discuss the books and authors that everyone should have on their reading lists. This is a great conversation that highlights another overlooked but significant fact about the Hoosier State...and it's damn entertaining too. Bronwen Carlisle, programs and special projects manager, manages a variety of Indiana Humanities’ literary programs, including the Indiana ...
Hoosier Santa?
December 13, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBBefore you fly over Indiana for the holidays, just listen to this episode. Maybe you're missing something...? Colleen and Janice reminisce about their past Hoosier holidays with nods to live nativity scenes, unstable ice skating rinks and time and a half. Fortunately, Kathleen Crews, Director of the Santa Claus Museum & Village and Melissa Arnold, Executive Director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau, save the episode by explaining the true magic of Santa Claus, IN. This episode is...
It's Been A While - Season 3 Finale
October 25, 2023 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBWe know, it's been a while! Colleen and Janice wrap up season three with their customary witty banter while offering very little useful information. Join us as we defend our delayed season finale and provide updates from the past year. Season 4 coming soon! Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected]...
Amazing Hoosier Women: Leaders Throughout History and Today
January 25, 2023 10:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBIndiana 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 ...
Reproductive Rights in Indiana - What Happened
January 05, 2023 18:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBIn 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 - ...
LGBTQ+ Rights in Indiana
September 14, 2022 09:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBIn 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 Fa...
Photoworthy...Indiana?
July 27, 2022 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBIs 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-S...
Indiana...Cuisine?
June 15, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBDefending 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: 16:17 Ambarish Lulay is a Culinary Olympic Silver Medalist Chef who began his career in India with ...
The Indiana Dunes - Sandy Happiness
June 01, 2022 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBIn 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 L...
True Crime in Indiana
May 18, 2022 09:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBColleen 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...
Bourbon, It's Not Just From Kentucky Any More
May 04, 2022 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBColleen 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 discov...
What's That Smell?
April 20, 2022 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBColleen 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,...
What's That Smell?
April 20, 2022 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBColleen 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,...
Is Indiana Funny...In A Good Way?
April 06, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MBJoined 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Fa...
Defending Indiana Trailer
February 16, 2022 10:00 - 1 minute - 943 KBStay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Still Not Experts - Season Two Finale
January 19, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBNymphs, 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern...
It's 5:00 Somewhere - Weird Liquor Laws and Craft Brewing in Indiana
December 29, 2021 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.9 MBApparently, 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern...
Love It Or Hate It - Region Rats and Northwest Indiana
December 15, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBPop 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 Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
The Bobby Knight Episode
December 01, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBHe 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern: Kate Beck Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on ...
Indy Car Racing - Need We Say More?
November 17, 2021 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MBAuto 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Mich...
Whatever Happened to Hometown News?
November 03, 2021 06:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBHow 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern: Kate Beck...
Indiana - Unexpected Melting Pot
October 20, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBCurious 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern: Kate Beck Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana defendingin...
Part Two - Dreams Do Come True with Ashley C. Ford
October 06, 2021 04:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBPart 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern: Kate Beck Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defendi...
Dreams Do Come True with Ashley C. Ford - Part One
September 22, 2021 05:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBShe 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. Rodriguez Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Season Two Intern: Kate Beck Stay in Touch with Defending I...
Architectural Innovation...In Indiana?
September 07, 2021 23:00 - 53 minutes - 36.8 MBColleen 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, Bo...
Did We Mention We Are Not Experts? - Season One Finale
May 12, 2021 00:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBWhy does a smoking monkey law exist? Is there really a monument made of teeth? Does Clint Eastwood have sheep? In the season one finale, Colleen and Janice welcome Defending Indiana sound editor, Michael Miltenberger, and stand-up comedian and Defending Indiana's biggest fan, Sonal Aggarwal, for a deep dive into some of the interesting tidbits they discovered in the first season. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indian...
True Confession: We Never Listened to Country Music
April 27, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBColleen and Janice did not listen to Country radio while growing up in Indiana and they know almost nothing about it. Thank God for their special guest, former Michiana B100 radio host, Lisa Kosty, who shares stories about her years as a radio personality in Indiana. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Baby Please Don't Go: Stopping Brain Drain
April 14, 2021 02:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBIs Indianapolis the #siliconvalleyofthemidwest? Colleen and Janice discuss keeping talent in Indiana with Key Club International Director at Kiwanis International and Indianapolis native Greg Stowers. Together they examine Indiana's #braindrain and his hopes for the future for Indiana communities. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
The KKK In Indiana: Our Questions Answered
March 31, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBColleen and Janice discuss the important issues of racism and the history of the KKK in Indiana. Our guest is Dr. James Madison, Professor Emeritus of History at Indiana University and the author of "Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland." Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Romance, Bromance and the Amazing Erica Ridley
March 17, 2021 00:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBIs Indiana romantic? Colleen and Janice uncover evidence to suggest, well, maybe? New York Times & USA Today Best Selling Author of regency romance novels and fellow Hoosier, Erica Ridley, joins Colleen and Janice to discuss her new series The Wild Wynchesters, growing up in Indiana and everything in between. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Indiana Culture - An Oxymoron?
March 03, 2021 02:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBJoined by Craig Prater, president of the Heartland Film Festival, Colleen and Janice share their experiences with culture in the Hoosier State - proving that there really IS more than corn in Indiana. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
More Of "Hoosiers" Makes My Husband Cry - Part Two
February 24, 2021 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBOur interview with Angelo Pizzo continues! Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
"Hoosiers" Makes My Husband Cry - Part One
February 17, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 42 MBPart one of a two-part series features filmmaker Angelo Pizzo (“Hoosiers” and “Rudy”). In these revealing episodes, Pizzo speaks extensively about how his Indiana upbringing has influenced his approach to filmmaking and storytelling. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Wait, THAT'S a Law?
January 27, 2021 00:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBYou probably broke the law in Indiana and didn't even know it! Colleen and Janice discuss their favorite weird state laws with special guest, former Indiana State Representative, Christina Hale, then defend the Hoosier state by examining some very strange laws from other states. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter
Hoosier What?
January 21, 2021 21:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBColleen and Janice discuss what "Hoosier" means and try to figure out its origins. Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana [email protected] Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter