MichaelLeppert.com
  • Books
  • About Michael
  • His Work
  • Podcast
  • Contact
Select Page
While celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, learn about Irish history and acceptance of others

While celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, learn about Irish history and acceptance of others

by Michael Leppert | Mar 22, 2023 | Pop/Life

I’ve always been fascinated with St. Patrick’s Day, and there is no question that my fascination comes from the fascination others have for it.  Being of Irish descent used to make me feel like the holiday belonged to me more than others. In Ireland, it has been a...
The valuable truth is that Fox News is no longer the press

The valuable truth is that Fox News is no longer the press

by Michael Leppert | Mar 15, 2023 | Politics/Government, Pop/Life

The competition for trust and credibility in the press is far from new. This struggle dates back to at least the late 1800’s when the “yellow journalism” battle between moguls Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst dominated the New York media market. Both were...
During Oscar season, Pence and Fox News act afraid of the same truth

During Oscar season, Pence and Fox News act afraid of the same truth

by Michael Leppert | Feb 22, 2023 | Politics/Government, Pop/Life

“You can’t handle the truth!” That’s the famous line spoken from the witness stand by Jack Nicholson in his portrayal of Colonel Nathan Jessup in the 1992 hit movie, “A Few Good Men.”  That was thirty years ago, in a make-believe story of a governmental cover up, and...
On Martin Luther King day, lets reflect on how we have changed

On Martin Luther King day, lets reflect on how we have changed

by Michael Leppert | Jan 18, 2023 | Politics/Government, Pop/Life

Legislation creating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national holiday was passed forty years ago and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. It was 1983.  The late Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dominated the music, video and dance world. The Washington Redskins,...
2023: Eight predictions that could, should or will happen in a wild year

2023: Eight predictions that could, should or will happen in a wild year

by Michael Leppert | Jan 4, 2023 | Politics/Government, Pop/Life

Every new year brings with it new hope, new goals and new fears. Resolutions and predictions fly like birds and then fall like snow, and by the time February arrives, the new year isn’t new anymore. As a result, all of that nonsense from the month prior is treated...
Questioning traditions can help us enjoy something new

Questioning traditions can help us enjoy something new

by Michael Leppert | Dec 29, 2022 | Pop/Life

To me, holidays are merely exercises in tradition, or traditions. Sometime in my forties, I began to question all of them, reliving the “why” phase of my childhood for some unknown, yet admittedly irritating reason. Why do we eat turkey on Christmas? Why is everything...
« Older Entries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
© 2021 - Michael Leppert
×

Indiana Radio

Leppert Discusses New Book with Will Murphy
×

Indiana Television

Pence and Trump Take Their Oaths
Holcomb Federal Health Care Bill
Indiana Anti-Abortion Law is Halted
×

Keeping the Big Ten Network on the Air

One of Mr. Leppert’s successful projects was his media campaign on behalf of the Big Ten Network in its dispute with cable formats for broad distribution of the network during its start-up years. He wrote and distributed press releases, organized supporters to attend press conferences and traveled the state for media events with both Mark Silverman, the original president of the network and Jim Delany, the long-time commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. Silverman has since moved into an executive position at Fox Sports, and Delany has announced his retirement in June of this year. The media output and related responses to it were vital in moving the stalled discussions to a mutually beneficial resolution between the network and cable formats. The Big Ten Network is distributed widely today and is a model for college sports networks. The three of us were only flagged for speeding one time during the campaign, fittingly on State Road 37, while racing between press conferences at IU and downtown Indianapolis.
×

Moving Indiana Forward with Bias Crimes Legislation

Mr. Leppert was engaged by the United Way of Central Indiana to design and implement the campaign in 2018-19 for the passage of new hate/bias crime legislation in Indiana. The foundation of this coalition was built by joining two organizations, the Indiana Alliance Against Hate, and Indiana Competes. After several years of resistance in the Indiana General Assembly, specifically since the RFRA session of 2015, this campaign was the catalyst to passage of the new law and removing Indiana from the list of only five states without hate crimes legislation. More than 800 members of the smaller merged entities were mobilized. Press events were held throughout the state. Editorial boards were visited. Letter writing and phone banking strategies were implemented. The management of this large group, and the short timeframe available to make our impact was an experience. While the law enacted by the legislature did not include all of the protected classes our coalition sought for inclusion, the establishment of hate or bias as statutory consideration in sentencing was established for many classes. Our campaign proved successful.
×

Adjunct Professor

×

Master of Science in Communications (MSC)

Artifacts

Bibliography (Citations Only)
Bibliography (Annotated)