Robert Vane
Co-Host of Leaders and Legends
Robert, who has been hailed as “the great communicator” by influential and award-winning Indianapolis Star columnist Matt Tully, is the principal of Veteran Strategies. He served his country in the United States Army as a public affairs specialist and broadcast journalist and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
As deputy chief of staff and communications director for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard (2008 to 2010), Robert coordinated messaging, briefed the media and led community outreach for numerous high-profile projects, issues and events. Among these was the successful $2 billion initiative by the mayor’s office to transfer the water and wastewater utilities to Citizens Energy Group. The plan and its execution earned endorsements from The Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Business Journal and Engineering News Record.
In 2014, Robert planned and executed a successful media strategy for the $160 million partnership between the city of Indianapolis, the Capital Improvement Board, and Pacers Sports & Entertainment. In 2018, Veteran Strategies directed the $272 million referenda effort on behalf of Indianapolis Public Schools. Voters passed each referendum with more than 70 percent of the vote.
Current and past clients of Veteran Strategies include Greg Ballard, LLC, Anthem, Ricker’s, The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indy Eleven NASL soccer, Develop Indy, Mike Pence for Indiana, Marian University, the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, Charter Schools USA, Denison Parking, the Capital Improvement Board, Flaherty and Collins, Shiel Sexton Co., Stand for Children, and Indianapolis Public Schools.
Robert’s columns and opinion pieces have appeared in both The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis Business Journal. Additionally, Robert has provided on-air commentary for radio stations such as WIBC and the local ABC, CBS, PBS, and FOX television affiliates.
Robert Vane has hosted 97 Episodes.
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97: Indiana University Professor James H. Madison on his book “The Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland”
Episode | December 14th, 2020 | 1 hr 12 mins
Indiana University Professor James H. Madison is one of our state’s preeminent historians. Designated a “Living Legend” by the Indiana Historical Society, Jim’s latest book “The Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland” is available in stores and on Amazon. Jim joins us on the podcast to talk about his love of history, Indiana University, and what drove him to pen his latest tome. Our friend Chris Spangle joins in the interview as well.
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96: Jim Brainard, Mayor of Carmel
Episode | December 7th, 2020 | 1 hr 10 mins
Jim Brainard’s leadership has transformed Carmel into a city known around the world for its arts, culture, and livability. Mayor Brainard joins us on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss this career, his love of Butler University, and what’s it like to be mayor of one of America’s premier urban settings.
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95: Angela Braly, Co-Founder of The Policy Circle and Former Anthem CEO
Episode | November 30th, 2020 | 1 hr 1 min
Angela Braly served as president and chief executive officer of WellPoint (now Anthem). She comes on the 'Leaders and Legends' podcast to discuss her career, growing up in Texas, and the importance of female executives in the corporate and non-profit world. Our co-host for the podcast is Danielle Shockey, CEO, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.
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94: Chris Zorich, All-American Football Player at Notre Dame
Episode | November 23rd, 2020 | 1 hr 37 mins
Chris Zorich was an All-American at Notre Dame, a member of its 1988 National Championship team, and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007. He joins us on the "Leaders and Legends" podcast to discuss his life growing up in Chicago, his amazing career at Notre Dame, and what's keeping him busy these days. If you love that era of Irish football, you will definitely enjoy our conversation.
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93: Historian Harold Holzer on Abraham Lincoln
Episode | November 16th, 2020 | 1 hr 1 min
November 19th is the 157th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s delivery of the Gettysburg Address; on this week’s Leaders and Legends podcast we talk with preeminent Lincoln historian Harold Holzer about the president's life, his career in politics, and what makes the Great Emancipator so unique in world history. You can find Mr. Holzer’s best-selling works on the 16th president at www.haroldholzer.com.
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92: Veterans Day - The Marion County Veterans Court
Episode | November 9th, 2020 | 49 mins 20 secs
Veterans Day is one of the most special holidays of the year. On this week's Leaders and Legends podcast, we are joined by Judge David Certo, Afghanistan combat veteran Brian Alvey, and our new friend and Navy veteran Rebecca Mills. Judge Certo runs the Marion County Veterans Court which does amazing work finding new hope and solutions for our veterans. We have a great discussion about how the military changes lives for the better and the services out there to help the men and women who served their country.
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91: Pete Ward, Chief Operating Officer for the Indianapolis Colts
Episode | November 2nd, 2020 | 1 hr 5 mins
Pete Ward began his front office football career as an intern with the Baltimore Colts in the early 1980s. He is now the Chief Operating Officer for the Indianapolis Colts and is one of the most well-liked, well-respected leaders in our city and the entire sports world. Pete joins the Leaders and Legends podcast to talk about his career, his love of Indy, and some of his favorite Colts memories.
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90: Edward Larson, Author of Summer for the Gods
Episode | October 26th, 2020 | 1 hr 25 mins
Professor Edward Larson is a best-selling historian who received the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History for his book on the Scopes Monkey Trial. Dr. Larson also has written about George Washington, Ben Franklin, and the Election of 1800 (among other works). Respected by his peers and enjoyed by history buffs, Dr. Larson joins the "Leaders and Legends" podcast to discuss his career and selected writings.
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89: Jim Voyles
Episode | October 19th, 2020 | 1 hr 13 mins
Jim Voyles is simply one of the most respected, most successful attorneys in the United States. He comes on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to talk about his love for the Indianapolis 500 (and cars in general), his friendship with Mike Tyson, and what it was like to be in Chicago for the 1968 Democratic Convention. Jim has some wonderful stories, and we hope you enjoy listening to them. We are honored to have Jim as a guest on the podcast.
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88: Harold Holzer, Historian and Author of “The Presidents vs. The Press
Episode | October 12th, 2020 | 1 hr 8 mins
Harold Holzer is one of the foremost Lincoln scholars in the world—so much so that he served as the historical advisor to the movie “Lincoln.” Harold is also a best-selling author and joined us on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his new, best-selling book “The Presidents vs. The Press.” Harold has appeared on some of the most popular interview shows in the United States, and we are deeply honored for the time gave us. Thank you for listening.
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87: Craig Fehrman on “Authors in Chief: the Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote”
Episode | October 5th, 2020 | 1 hr 19 mins
Author and historian and Hoosier Craig Fehrman is this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. His book, “Authors in Chief: the Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote” is what we bibliophiles call a page turner. Mr Fehrman was born in Dillsboro, Indiana and currently lives in Bloomington with his family. His writings have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. Craig is a brilliant historian and a terrific interview. Thank you very much for listening.
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86: Republican Lou Gerig and Democrat Bill Moreau on “One More Voice”
Episode | September 28th, 2020 | 1 hr 9 mins
Republican Lou Gerig and Democrat Bill Moreau are long-time friend whose paths have crossed many times during the years. They visited us on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss their careers, how politics has changed, and their new, shared project called “One More Voice” that encourages voter registration and civic engagement. Our friend Jim Shella joins us as co-host.
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85: David and Jeanne Heidler, Authors of The Rise of Andrew Jackson: Myth, Manipulation, and the Making of Modern Politics
Episode | September 21st, 2020 | 1 hr 19 mins
Historians (and husband and wife) David and Jeanne Heidler have written terrific books on George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and other topics of American history. They join the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss their favorite people in history, what it’s like to teach at university, and answer our celebrated Five Questions. If you enjoy our country’s early history, you will enjoy listening to the Heidlers.
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84: Reggie Brooks, Notre Dame Football Great
Episode | September 14th, 2020 | 1 hr 24 mins
Reggie Brooks is one of the greatest players in the history of Notre Dame football. He was an All-American and made critical, game-changing plays in some of the Irish’s most memorable games. He joins the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to talk about his career, what it’s like being recruited by Lou Holtz, and how the world’s greatest Catholic university changed his life.
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83: A Look Into Eric Holcomb’s 106-day Campaign for Governor in 2016
Episode | September 7th, 2020 | 1 hr 22 mins
Eric Holcomb’s victorious 106-day campaign for governor in 2016 is without precedent in Indiana history. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the campaign with three people who were with the candidate every day: Kyle Hupfer; Michael O’Brien; and Pete Seat. They give you the inside story of how the campaign was won and detail all the challenges and opportunities they experienced.
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82: Julie Goodman, Arts Council of Indianapolis CEO
Episode | August 31st, 2020 | 56 mins 53 secs
Julie Goodman is the president and CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis. Julie joins the podcast to talk about her career, her love of Indy, and how the Arts community is crucial to so many of the stresses and challenges we are facing today. Girl Scouts of Central Indiana President and CEO Danielle Shockey is our co-host for a fun and informative discussion.