As secretary of defense during the Vietnam War, Robert McNamara presided over one of the most haunting chapters in American military history. His legacy remains, in 2025, as polarizing and controversial as it was nearly 60 years ago. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation is with Philip and William Taubman, authors of “McNamara At War: A New History" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

November 1963 was a month of two watershed assassinations: President John F. Kennedy and Ngo Dihn Diem, president of South Vietnam. The murder of these two men dramatically altered the hsitory of the 1960s in the United States and Southeast Asia. On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we bring back the world’s pre-emient historian of the Vietnam War, Professor Brian VanDeMark, to discuss how America got more deeply involved in the conflict and why we weren’t able to get out until more than 50,000 Americans were killed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Perhaps the greatest intellectual contest in our country’s history pitted Alexander Hamilton against Thomas Jefferson—with the winner still yet to be decided. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, and author of “The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greg Ballard is one of the most successful and consequential leaders in this history of Indianapolis. He is also the author of a new book “Urban Republican Mayor: My Story” which details not only his eight years as Indy’s mayor, but also his 23-year service in the United States Marine Corps. From the Super Bowl to leading the fight against RFRA, no elected official in modern Indiana history outlasted and outperformed his critics as did Mayor Ballard. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Mannweiller served as speaker of the Indiana House on two occasions while spending more than twenty years as a member of the legislature. Paul is this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast—and we are joined by our friend Jim Shella. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Penny and Jock Fortune Institute for Civic Leadership and Capitalism at Marian University recently debuted its “Richard G. Lugar Speaker Series” with guests Governor Eric Holcomb and Senator (and Ambassador to the Holy See) Joe Donnelly. It was my great honor to be chosen as facilitator for the discussion & the audio from the event is this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So much of our country’s history turns on making the correct decision—we canonize the ones who do and criticize those who don’t. On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Hoosier politico and historian Bob Blaemire about his new compelling and thoughtful book “Unforced Errors: 15 Decisions that Changed American History.” You may find his book here. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Battle of Midway is one of the most impactful naval engagements in world history, but how did the American Navy win such a crushing victory? On this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends, we interview best-selling historian Martin Dugard about his insightful new book, “Taking Midway” About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When did the American Civil War end? The surrender at Appomattox? A proclamation from President Andrew Johnson? Professor Michael Vorenberg is this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast and challenges the accepted narrative in his magnificent book “Lincoln’s Peace: The Struggle to End the American Civil War” About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rod Bray is part of a new generation of Hoosier leadership in Indiana, and he is this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We are joined by Jim Shella. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was 80 years ago today, on V-J Day aboard the USS Missouri, that the government of Japan surrendered to the United States and other Allied countries. But why on this day? Why not sooner? Or Later? On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Richard Frank, the preeminent historian on the end of the Asian Pacific War, and he answers these questions, details the decision behind using the atomic bombs, and more. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish kick off their 2025 football season on August 31st against the U. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Pete Sampson, ND beat writer for The Athletic. We discuss the upcoming season, former Coach Brian Kelly’s controversial tenure, and a little bit of Notre Dame history. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most respected and fun members of the Hoosier world of media is our guest on this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Lesley Weidenbener is editor and assistant publisher for the Indianapolis Business Journal and the Indiana Lawyer. Jim Shella joins us for the conversation & a fun “Five Questions." About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a special “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview New York Times best-selling author and sports journalism titan Christine Brennan about her phenomenal new book “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On August 4, 1914, Great Britain declared war on Imperial Germany thus changing the dynamics of modern history. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the western front during World War I with historian Nick Lloyd. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On July 28, 1914, the Great War began when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand a month earlier. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the beginning of the war and the march of folly in Russia, the Balkans, and beyond with Professor Nick Lloyd, author of “The Eastern Front: A History of the Great War, 1914-1918" About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For decades Indiana has been at the center of the education reform movement—and two of the main reasons are this week’s guests on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Claire Fiddian-Green is president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, and Maureen Weber is the president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana. Want to know what’s next for Hoosier education and students? Claire and Maureen take us there. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the wonderful things about Indianapolis is our ability to attract world-class experts and executives from all over the world. For example, on this week's leaders and “Leaders and Legends” podcast, our conversation is with Dr. Rob Shumaker, president and CEO of The Indianapolis Zoo. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How exactly did the American colonists decide to move beyond protest to a historic bid for separation from Great Britain? On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss this question and more with Tom McMillan, author of “The Year that Made America: From Rebellion to Independence, 1775-1776” About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We bookend the Independence Day holiday with two podcasts about our nation’s victorious struggle against the Mother Country. First up is U.S. Army War College historian Kevin J. Weddle to discuss his landmark book “The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution.” It is the most important land battle in the history of the United States and receives marvelous treatment in Professor Weddle’s effort. How did the colonists win the American Revolutionary War? It’s starts right here. About Veteran Strategies ‘Leaders and Legends’ is brought to you by Veteran Strategies—your local veteran business enterprise specializing in media relations, crisis communications, public outreach, and digital photography. Learn more at www.veteranstrategies.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.