Defending Indiana

Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez

Do 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.

  1. 1d ago

    From State Senator to Congress: Our 2023 Interview with J.D. Ford [Post-Election Encore]

    Colleen and Janice examine the 2026 Midterm Elections and Indiana's role in the national conversation.   Following their conversation is a re-air of their first episode examining the history and politics of LGBTQ+ rights over the past decade with the newly elected U.S. Congressman for Indiana's Fifth District, (and outgoing Indiana state senator), J.D. Ford.   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 Family and Children Services. Senator Ford is the first, and so far only, openly LGBT+ member of the Indiana General Assembly. As one of the youngest members of the Indiana Senate, he is proud to represent Hoosier Millennials. 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 defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  2. 12/31/2025

    Indiana: The Center of the Universe in 2025!

    In our Season Four Finale, we break down the surprising, inspiring and unexpected  delights that came out of Indiana in 2025 proving, once again, that you should never dismiss the Hoosier State.  We touch upon Indiana University Football, the Heisman Trophy Winner, and Democracy!  Joined by our guest and sound editor, Michael Miltenberger, we share our favorite things that impacted not only Indiana but, just maybe, the entire nation.   Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  3. 06/04/2025

    Having The Sex Talk with Dr. Justin Garcia of the Kinsey Institute

    There simply was not enough time for Colleen and Janice to ask Dr. Justin Garcia everything they wanted to know about sex!  But this conversation was a good start.  We cover the history and impact of the Kinsey Institute, sex research, sex in relationships, dating apps, sex education and a whole lot more.   ****This episode contains content that may not be suitable for all listeners.  Parental discretion is advised.**** Dr. Justin R. Garcia Dr. Justin R. Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationship. He is Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the KinseyInstitute, and Ruth Halls Professor of Gender Studies at Indiana University, where he is also Founding Co-Director of Human Sexuality and Health at the IU School of Medicine. Dr. Garcia is the Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com, where he provides expertise to the annual Singles in America study. Dr. Garcia has consulted with a variety of industry partners and his research has been featured widely in the press. His research focuses on people’s romantic and sexual lives throughout the life course, especially on integrative biopsychosocial models of variation in courtship, intimacy, and sexual behavior. His forthcoming book is The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live for Love. 13:28 Dr. Garcia Introduction14:40 History and Mission21:00 Sex in Politics and Pop Culture28:30 Sex in Relationships33:09 Dating Apps43:34 Dick Picks50:15 Sex EducationFor more information about the Kinsey Institute:https://kinseyinstitute.org/   Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  4. 04/17/2024

    Kurt Vonnegut - Hoosier Icon

    Kurt Vonnegut, one of the greatest American writers of all time, was a Hoosier!  Colleen and Janice go deep into discussing the life and work of Vonnegut with special guest, Chris Lafave, curator for the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library.   Guest: Chris Lafave is the curator for the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.   Chris has been studying and speaking about Kurt Vonnegut for over a decade, and has spoken at book festivals, schools and prisons about Kurt's life story and his influence on American culture and our world.  Mr. Lafave has always been proud to represent an organization dedicated to maintaining the ideals and memory of a man novelist Jay McInerney once described as "a satirist with a heart, a moralist with a whoopee cushion."   14:09 Interview starts 15:15 Vonnegut history in Indiana 20:20 Education and early career 28:40 Vonnegut and social media 30:00 Vonnegut Museum and Library 39:22 First Amendment Advocacy  Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez  Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan, Janice V. Rodriguez, Michael Miltenberger  Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger  Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  5. 02/07/2024

    Stranger Things in Indiana

    Colleen, 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 defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  6. 01/24/2024

    Hoosier Writers, Oh Hell Yes!

    So 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 Authors Awards and its affiliated events. She also supports the organization with grant reporting, copy writing and project management. Bronwen holds master’s degrees in English literature and library science from IU Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree with majors in writing and literature from Huntington University (in her hometown of Huntington, Ind.). Her literary criticism has been published in several academic books and journals. She teaches adjunct literature courses for the HU English department and serves on the board of the Imagination Library of Johnson County. Additionally, Bronwen holds a certification in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and has taught English in China, Thailand and the states.  Hosts: Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez  Co-Producers: Colleen Brennan, Janice V. Rodriguez, Michael Miltenberger  Theme Music: Michael Miltenberger  Sound Editing: Michael Miltenberger Stay in Touch with Defending Indiana defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  7. 12/13/2023

    Hoosier Santa?

    Before 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 filled with delightful surprises about the  remarkable town featured on the Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning , CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, BBC and many news outlets across the country.  Who knows, you might even decide to be less naughty and more nice this holiday season?    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 defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

  8. 10/25/2023

    It's Been A While - Season 3 Finale

    We 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 defendingindiana@gmail.com Defending Indiana Website Defending Indiana on Facebook Defending Indiana on Instagram Defending Indiana on Twitter

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About

Do 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Colleen Brennan and Janice V. Rodriguez
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Defending Indiana
  • Show Website
    Defending Indiana