Wisconsin must be doing something right, because the first bee ever listed as a federally endangered species is starting to reappear–right here.

In the 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.

Zero Waste Madison Facebook Community

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 our 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. Coop

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

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

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)