Leaders and Legends

Medal of Honor Recipient Donald “Doc” Ballard

November 11, 2024

On May 16, 1968, Navy Corpsman Donald “Doc” Ballard dove on a grenade thrown by a North Vietnam soldier in an attempt to save five United States Marines from death. Realizing...

Craig Shirley, Author of “The Search for Reagan: the Appealing Intellectual Conservatism of Ronald Reagan”

November 04, 2024

An election is also a time for reflection. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss historian Craig Shirley’s new book “The Search for Reagan: the Appealing Intellectual Conservatism of Ronald...

Evan Thomas, Author of “Being Nixon: A Man Divided.”

October 28, 2024

Fifty years after he resigned the presidency, the complex mystery that is Richard Nixon remains fascinating to historians and history nerds alike. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, renowned...

Phillips Payson O’Brien, Author of “The Strategists: Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler: How War Made Them and How They Made War”

October 21, 2024

Who were the top strategists of World War II and did they all agree on the best, quickest way to win the war? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast...

Chris Gahl of Visit Indy on The Importance of Tourism to Indianapolis

October 14, 2024

On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we sit down with one of our city’s most well-liked, accomplished, and respected leaders. Chris Gahl is the executive vice president and chief...

Michel Paradis, Author of “The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower”

October 07, 2024

The invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 is one of the pivotal events in world history—but how did it happen? Who made it happen? And what did its success...

Martin Popoff on His Book “Van Halen at 50”

September 30, 2024

Hailed by some as the “American Led Zeppelin” and the “band that saved heavy metal”, Van Halen has left a unique and uniquely loud mark on the world’s music scene....

Historian Randall Woods, Author of “John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People”

September 23, 2024

Is John Quincy Adams the most underrated American statesman of the early nineteenth century? On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, renowned historian Randall Woods discusses his new book “John Quincy Adams: A...

David Rubenstein, Author of “The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency”

September 16, 2024

“The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency” is award-winning author David Rubenstein’s latest triumph. Mr Rubenstein, who is also chairman and CEO of the Baltimore Orioles and chairman of...

Author Giles Milton, “The Stalin Affair: The Impossible Alliance that Won the War”

September 09, 2024

He was a mass murderer, a dictator, a man in a constant state of paranoia, but Stalin was also one of the most effective leaders during World War II. On...

Journalists Kayla Dwyer and Tom LoBianco on the 2024 Election Cycle

September 02, 2024

Is this the wackiest, most disheartening presidential campaign season in American history? The “Leaders and Legends” podcast asked two experts this very question and you’ll have to listen to hear...

Mike Pence, Former Vice President of the United States and 50th Governor of Indiana

August 26, 2024

Mike Pence served as the 48th vice president of the United States—he is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. VP Pence talks about his selection to...

Brian VanDeMark, Author of “Kent State: An American Tragedy”

August 19, 2024

The killing of four students by members of the Ohio National Guard at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 is a tragedy seared into American history and our collective...

Marc Selverstone, “The Kennedy Withdrawal: Camelot and the American Commitment to Vietnam”

August 12, 2024

It is one of the great “what ifs” of American history—what if President John F. Kennedy had lived and what would have been his policy regarding troop deployments in Vietnam?...

Keith O’Brien, Author of Charlie Hustle: the Rise and Fall of Pete Rose and the Last Glory Days of Baseball

August 05, 2024

A new documentary on the career and crises of baseball immortal Pete Rose is currently on HBO. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss all things Pete with...

Mark Patrick, Former Radio Show Host and Sportscaster

July 29, 2024

Mark Patrick is a Hoosier sports journalism legend. A man of many voices and more stories, Mark is our guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast this week. We are...

John Reeves, Author of “Soldier of Destiny: Slavery, Secession, and the Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant”

July 22, 2024

For many of us, Ulysses S. Grant is the most compelling figure of the American Civil War. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we interview John Reeves, author of...

Jonathan Turley, Author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage”

July 15, 2024

Professor Jonathan Turley is one of the most popular and respected commentators on legal and constitutional issues working today. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jonathan discusses his new...

Pacers Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President Danny Lopez

July 08, 2024

Pacers Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President Danny Lopez is one of the smartest, most thoughtful, and considerate leaders in Indiana today. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our...

Radio Legend Laura Steele

July 01, 2024

On the list of most delightful, friendly, and hardworking Hoosiers, Laura Steele’s name should be at the very top. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, the Pike High School...

Documentarians Luke Rynderman and Adam Kamien on “The Speedway Murders”

June 24, 2024

Their names are Jayne, Mark, Ruth, and Danny. They were abducted from the Burger Chef in Speedway on November 17, 1978; their bodies were found two days later in a...

Talmage Boston, Author of “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons from Our Top Presidents”

June 17, 2024

The ranking and reputation of presidents certainly change over time—but there are a core of executive leaders who are consistently hallowed for getting the Big Things right. On this week’s...

Josiah Bunting III, Author of “The Making of a Leader: the Formative Years of George C. Marshall”

June 10, 2024

George C. Marshall is one of the most impactful leaders of the 20th century—he was both a five-star general and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. But what was his...

Paul Dickson Author of “Sputnik: the Shock of the Century”

June 03, 2024

It was the beep heard ‘round the world. On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union launched an artificial satellite named “Sputnik” and history and mankind have not been the same...

Sallie Rowland, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

May 27, 2024

Our community lost a true leader and legend earlier this month with the passing of the indomitable Sallie Rowland—appropriately, on Memorial Day, we are re-posting our podcast interview with her...

Alex Kershaw, Historian and Author of “Patton’s Prayer”

May 20, 2024

Alex Kershaw is one of the world’s leading historians of World War II. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, Alex joins us to discuss his superb new book “Patton’s...

Jason Lantzer, Butler University History Professor and Author of “Dwight Eisenhower and the Holocaust.”

May 13, 2024

By witnessing the horrors of the Holocaust in person, General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower changed history by insisting we preserve history. On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast Butler...

Allen Guelzo, Author of “Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment”

May 06, 2024

Professor Allen Guelzo is a best-selling, award-winning historian of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War, and our enduring republic. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Dr Guelzo makes a second appearance...

Historian David L. Roll, Author of “Ascent to Power: How Truman Emerged from Roosevelt’s Shadow and Remade the World”

April 29, 2024

The transition between the Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman presidencies involved some of the most contentious issues in the history of the United States. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends”...

Bob Ryan, Sports Columnist Emeritus for the Boston Globe

April 22, 2024

Bob Ryan is one of the most famous and respected sportswriters of the past 50 years. You’ve seen him on TV and (if you’re smart) you follow him on X,...

Jason Herbert, Host of “Historians at the Movies”

April 15, 2024

“Historians at the Movies” is a brilliant and popular podcast hosted by Jason Herbert, Ph.D. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Dr Herbert about how movies make history relatable and...

Martin Davidson, Author of Mobilising Hate: The Story of Hitler’s Final Solution

April 08, 2024

Martin Davidson is an award-winning author, producer, director for the BBC, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel. He is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast....

Deborah Daniels, Former U.S. Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney General

April 01, 2024

It is an honor to have Deborah Daniels as our “Leaders and Legends” podcast guest for this week. She is one of state’s most successful and impactful leaders. Along with Jim...

Dr Elizabeth Norton, Historian of British history

March 25, 2024

The British Monarchy just always seems to be in the news, and we love that here at the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. This week’s interview is with Dr Elizabeth Norton, a scholar of British history and...

John Stehr, Broadcaster and Mayor of Zionsville

March 18, 2024

It’s a Grand Rapids Reunion! On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast new Zionsville Mayor and Indiana broadcast Hall of Famer John Stehr joins his fellow Hall of Famer and...

David Brown, Author of “The First Populist: The Defiant Life of Andrew Jackson.”

March 11, 2024

Very few individuals have impacted American politics like our seventh president. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the power of Old Hickory with Professor David Brown, author...

Joshua Claybourn, Lincoln Scholar and Co-Host of the Lincoln Log Podcast

March 04, 2024

Is Abraham Lincoln a Hoosier? The three-way fight among Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois to claim precedence regarding the Great Emancipator rages on. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we...

Harry Gonso, Former IU Trustee and Daniels Chief of Staff

February 26, 2024

Harry Gonso is a famous Hoosier athlete, a pioneering attorney, one of the proudest IU alums you’ll ever meet, and a former chief of staff to Governor Mitch Daniels—he is...

Harold Holzer, “Brought Forth on this Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration”

February 19, 2024

Harold Holzer is one of the world’s foremost scholars on the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln—he served as the historical advisor for the movie “Lincoln”—and he makes his third...

Gerald Posner, Author of “Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK”

February 12, 2024

Gerald Posner is one of the most acclaimed investigative journalists/historians in the world—he is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss his books on the...

Bob Kravitz, Sports Writer

February 05, 2024

Love him or hate him—we love him—Bob Kravitz is one of the most influential voices in American sports journalism. He is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast....

Professor Brendan Simms, Author of “Hitler’s American Gamble: Pearl Harbor and Germany’s March to Global War”

January 29, 2024

Why did Adolf Hitler declare war on the United States on December 11, 1941? Strategic or just stupid…both? On this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast, we interview historian and Professor Brendan Simms...

State Representative Jerry Torr

January 22, 2024

In October 2023 State Representative Jerry Torr announced his retirement from the Indiana Legislature. A champion for Hoosiers for more than 30 years, Jerry is our guest on this week’s...

Who was Jack the Ripper? With Richard Jones

January 15, 2024

Who was Jack the Ripper? Who were his victims? Why did he go uncaught in the heat of his murder spree and why does his identity remain an unsolved mystery...

Debby Knox

January 08, 2024

Debby Knox was welcomed into our homes as a trusted and beloved journalist for more than 40 years—and this week she is our first guest for 2024 on the “Leaders...

Ambassador Kenneth Adelman Remembers Henry Kissinger

December 18, 2023

In the opinion of many, Henry Kissinger is the most influential diplomat of the last 60 years. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss Dr Kissinger’s career with...

Gareth Russell on His Book “The Palace”

December 11, 2023

Love to read about secret passageways, lustful intrigue, and ruthless power? This week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast has all this and more. Brilliant historian and author Gareth Russell returns to the podcast...

James Oakes, Author of “The Crooked Path to Abolition”

December 04, 2023

Professor James Oakes is an award-winning historian of Abraham Lincoln, his presidency, and the issue of slavery in American history. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the...

Rick and Karen Fuson

November 27, 2023

Rick and Karen Fuson represent the best of involved and authentic community leadership. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the growth of Indianapolis, its wonderful people, and...

Dr Elizabeth Varon, Author of “Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South”

November 20, 2023

General James Longstreet is remembered by many as a superb Confederate general during the American Civil War. He also was reviled by generations of Southerners as an apostate—both for criticizing...

Timothy Egan, Author of “A Fever in the Heartland”

November 13, 2023

What was Indiana’s role in the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s? And how did a violent loser like D.C. Stephenson attain so much power? On this...

Mark Lawrence and Mark Updegrove, Hosts of the “With the Bark Off” Podcast

November 06, 2023

Mark Lawrence and Mark Updegrove are two of this country’s most preeminent historians of the American Presidency—they also host the superb history podcast “With the Bark Off”. On this week’s “Leaders and...

Professor Rachel Chrastil, Author of “Bismarck’s War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe”

October 30, 2023

Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War altered world history like no other European conflict of the 19th century. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Professor Rachel Chrastil discusses her...

Ryan Walters, Author of “The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Harding”

October 23, 2023

Ryan Walters, Author of “The Jazz Age President: Defending Warren G. Harding” For the last century, President Warren G. Harding has appeared on the list of worst presidents in American history—but...

Ed Achorn, Author of “Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln”

October 16, 2023

On March 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln delivered one of the most compelling speeches in the history of spoken language. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the...

Joel Richard Paul , Author of “Indivisible: Daniel Webster and the Birth of American Nationalism”

October 09, 2023

Joel Richard Paul is a law professor and one of this century’s leading historians. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss his book “Indivisible: Daniel Webster and the...

Actress Carolyn McCormick From “Law & Order”

October 02, 2023

Actress Carolyn McCormick is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Olivet in “Law & Order”, but her career has encompassed many different starring roles on stage and...

Mike O’Brien and Andy Miller

September 25, 2023

The friendship of Mike O’Brien and Andy Miller is a perfect example of how politics is supposed to work. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jim Shella and I...

Dr Mark Lawrence, Director of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum

September 18, 2023

Known as “LBJ”, Lyndon Baines Johnson is one of our most consequential presidents. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we interview Dr Mark Lawrence—author and director of the LBJ...

Dr Helen Rappaport on The Romanovs

September 11, 2023

In July 1918, Russian Czar Nicholas II, his wife, their five children, and the few remaining members of his household were slaughtered in a dim and dreary basement by Bolshevik...

Randall Shepard, Former Chief Justice of Indiana’s Supreme Court

August 28, 2023

Randall Shepard served as chief justice of Indiana’s Supreme Court for twenty-five years. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview one of our state’s most distinguished jurists and...

James Kunetka, Author of “The General and the Genius: Groves and Oppenheimer, the Unlikely Partnership that Built the Atom Bomb”

August 21, 2023

The movie “Oppenheimer” is in theaters to (deservedly) rave reviews. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation is with historian James Kunetka, author of “The General and the...

Medal of Honor Recipient Donald “Doc” Ballard

August 14, 2023

On May 16, 1968, Navy Corpsman Donald “Doc” Ballard dove on a grenade thrown by a North Vietnam soldier in an attempt to save five United States Marines from death. Realizing...

Alexander Larman , Author of “The Windsors at War: The King, His Brother, and a Family Divided”

August 07, 2023

Were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Nazi sympathizers or just embarrassing, inept dupes? How did the wartime performance of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth help save the British...

Mel Raines, President & COO, Pacers Sports & Entertainment

July 31, 2023

Mel Raines is one of the Hoosier State’s most admired leaders—and legends. On this week’s podcast, we interview a woman on everyone’s wish list when it comes to big projects,...

Dr Tracy Borman, Author of “Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Forever Changed British History”

July 24, 2023

No mother-daughter pair made more of an impact on British history than that of Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, distinguished historian Dr Tracy...

Michael Burlingame, Author of “The Black Man’s President: Abraham Lincoln, African Americans, and the Pursuit of Racial Equality"

July 17, 2023

Professor Michael Burlingame has no peer when it comes to understanding Abraham Lincoln, hisphilosophy, and his presidency. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss his latestbook on the...