About the show
Leaders and Legends features some of Indiana’s most fascinating men and women whose impact has shaped our state, our communities, and us. Join us as we discuss their imprint on our history. The program is hosted by Robert Vane, principal of Veteran Strategies.
Leaders and Legends is brought to you by Veteran Strategies, Inc. your local veteran business enterprise specializing in public relations, media relations, public outreach, crisis communications, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com
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Episodes and Blog Entries
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81: Johnny Rutherford, Three-Time Winner of the Indianapolis 500
Episode | August 26th, 2020 | 1 hr 26 mins
Johnny Rutherford is one of the most successful and popular drivers in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A champion of the Indianapolis 500 in 1974, 1976, and 1980, Rutherford captured the poll three times as well. “Lone Star JR” graciously agreed to appear on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast and the result is one of the most interesting and intriguing conversations we’ve had so far.
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80: Author Greg Renoff on Ted Templeman, Music Producer to Van Halen and the Doobie Brothers
Episode | August 17th, 2020 | 1 hr 38 mins
Best-selling music author Dr Greg Renoff returns to the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his biography of famed music producer Ted Templeman (Van Halen, Van Morrison, and the Doobie Brothers among many others). We are joined by rock critic, good friend, and former L & L guest Marc Allan as co-host.
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79: Kate Andersen Brower on her book “Team of Five: the Presidents Club in the Age of Trump”
Episode | August 10th, 2020 | 1 hr 12 mins
Kate Andersen Brower is a journalist, an author, and now a guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Her books include the #1 New York Times bestseller The Residence (about the White House) while her latest book is: “Team of Five: the Presidents Club in the Age of Trump”. Our friend Pete Seat, former White House staffer under President George W. Bush and now a vice president at Bose Public Affairs Group, joins us for a fun and informative discussion. You can learn more about Kate by visiting http://www.katebrower.com.
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78: Remembering Former Governor Joe Kernan
Episode | August 3rd, 2020 | 1 hr 21 mins
Joe Kernan was Irish before he was a naval officer, a prisoner of war before he was mayor, humble before he was governor, and beloved eternally by those who knew him. We lost the governor last week and extend our condolences to his wife Maggie and all who knew and loved him. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Tina Noel, Kip Tew, and Jim Shella about Governor Kernan’s career, character, and why many of us seemingly had our first meeting with him in a bar. Very few people personify the word ‘hero' like Joe Kernan did and we hope you enjoy this tribute to his life of service.
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77: Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic on the USS Indianapolis Disaster
Episode | July 27th, 2020 | 1 hr 31 mins
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was sunk in what remains the biggest sea disaster in U.S. naval history. The “Leaders and Legends” podcast this week features an interview with Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic; they are the authors of “Indianapolis” which is the definitive account of our namesake ship and the men who sailed on her. While both the ship’s mission and her fate was made famous by the movie “Jaws”, Lynn and Sara let us know there is much more to the legend.
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76: Mark Boyle, Radio Voice of the Indiana Pacers
Episode | July 20th, 2020 | 1 hr 29 mins
Mark Boyle is the brilliant and beloved radio voice of our Indiana Pacers. He joins us on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to talk about his career, his chess exploits, his love of Indianapolis, and some of his most memorable Pacers moments.
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75: Ted Boehm, Former Justice on the Indiana Supreme Court
Episode | July 13th, 2020 | 1 hr 19 mins
When it comes to having a varied and impactful career, there are few people in Ted Boehm’s league. He clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren, helped develop Penrod into a premier arts festival, was chairman of the 1987 Pan Am Games, and served on the Indiana Supreme Court. He is also a member of the IPS Hall of Fame. When I started the “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Ted’s name was one of the first guest recommendations I received. Ted is what being a Hoosier is all about.
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74: Brooks Simpson, Historian and Author of Ulysses S. Grant: Triumph over Adversity
Episode | July 5th, 2020 | 1 hr 55 mins
Brooks Simpson is one of the world’s leading authorities on the life, times, and career of Ulysses S. Grant. Professor Simpson was kind enough to come on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss a man whom I consider the most compelling figure of the American Civil War—yes, even more than Abraham Lincoln. We also discuss the recent History.com series on Grant and why the general’s memoirs are considered a masterpiece of American literature.
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73: Jake Query of the IMS Radio Network
Episode | June 29th, 2020 | 1 hr 24 mins
Jake Query is our guest on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. He’s been a fixture on the Indianapolis media and sports scene for years, and he may just be the Hoosier King of Twitter (follow him @jakequery). Jake is also an Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network announcer. We also talk with Jake about his opportunity to be a pallbearer for Mickey Rooney’s funeral and what it’s like to exchange letters with Charles Manson.
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72: Seth Morales, President of the Morales Group
Episode | June 22nd, 2020 | 1 hr 8 mins
Our “Leaders and Legends” podcast this week features Seth Morales—who probably knows more people than anyone I’ve ever met. He played in the Rose Bowl while at Purdue, earned his MBA from Notre Dame, and is President of the Morales Group. Seth discusses his work in our community, the realities of being a CEO/dad, and what it’s like to catch passes from Drew Brees.
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71: Mike Lopresti, Hall of Fame Sports Journalist
Episode | June 15th, 2020 | 1 hr 20 mins
Journalist and Hall of Famer Mike Lopresti is one of the most-honored sportswriters in the United States. Mike’s career has had him cover 32 World Series, 31 Super Bowls, 34 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Fours, as well as 16 Olympics. Mike appears on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his most memorable columns and how being a Hoosier has helped shape his life and writings.
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70: Tony Mason, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League
Episode | June 10th, 2020 | 1 hr 5 mins
Tony Mason is the president and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League. Tony’s resume includes stints at the Super Bowl Committee, the Circle City Classic, and the NCAA. He joins the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss his career and how the Urban League is both leading and participating in the critical conversations we are having today. My co-host for this podcast is Brian Payne, president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation.
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69: Ray Tolbert, A Captain on IU Basketball's 1981 National Championship Team
Episode | June 1st, 2020 | 1 hr 21 mins
Ray Tolbert was a captain on IU’s 1981 national championship team. He was also Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1977, a gold medal winner in the 1979 Pan-Am games, and a first-round draft choice in the NBA. Ray joins us on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to talk about his career, playing for Coach Knight, and what he is doing now to help his fellow Hoosiers.
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68: Donald Davidson, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian
Episode | May 25th, 2020 | 1 hr 15 mins
We all are missing the Indianapolis 500 this weekend, but the ‘Leaders and Legends’ podcast is bringing you the next best thing—a conversation with beloved IMS historian Donald Davidson. He talks with us about coming over here from England in 1964, his astounding memory, his favorite races, and why he believes ‘Hoosier Hospitality’ is more than just a slogan.
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67: Fahad Nazer, Spokesperson for the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Episode | May 21st, 2020 | 44 mins 5 secs
When you get a chance to chat with the spokesperson for the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, D.C., you take it. Fahad Nazer joined the ‘Leaders and Legends’ podcast to talk about his background, the importance of the Saudi-American relationship, and the significant reforms underway in this pivotal Middle East country. This podcast is a bit shorter than usual, but if you can stand to listen to two political science majors talk about modernization and culture, please do.
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66: Dr. David Edmonds, author of Bobby Fischer Goes to War
Episode | May 18th, 2020 | 57 mins 41 secs
Okay, so this podcast is really just for me and other chess nerds—but I hope you like it. In 1972, Bobby Fischer wrested the world chess championship from the Commie Soviet Union. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Dr. David Edmonds, author of "Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How A Lone American Star Defeated the Soviet Chess Machine" (co-authored by John Eidinow), a book on this watershed match, and discuss how a not-so-simple game fit into the larger context of the Cold War.