He was working the overnight shift at a train depot in Mendota, Illinois when an ad in Sport magazine caught Don Fischer’s eye. “How would you like to be a sports broadcaster?” It was a moment that would change his life and lead to a Hall of Fame career. In this episode, the legendary voice of IU athletics talks about his “absolutely horrible” first play-by-play experience, his introduction to Bob Knight and much more.
Jun 17, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 117
As we wrap up season three of the podcast, we are taking a pause to gear up for a fantastic season four. You can look forward to a big name headlining our season-opener next week. In the meantime, enjoy this revisit with Pacers Sports and Entertainment CEO Rick Fuson, who is retiring this month after more than four decades with the organization.
Jun 10, 2024•32 min•Ep. 116
As we wrap up season three of the podcast, we are taking a pause to gear up for a fantastic season four. You can look forward to a big name headlining our season-opener in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, enjoy this revisit with outgoing University of Southern Indiana President Ron Rochon, the dynamic educator who recently announced his departure to lead Cal State Fullerton.
Jun 03, 2024•33 min•Ep. 115
He’s bullish on Indiana’s future, but Bret Swanson says the state needs to think big to create the workforce and economy it wants. The president of Zionsville-based Entropy Economics talks AI disruption, a manufacturing renaissance and why he believes entrepreneurship can be Indiana’s ticket to success.
May 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 114
She grew up in Fort Wayne and dreamed of one day breaking barriers and leading her hometown. And while it didn’t happen in the way in which she would have liked, Sharon Tucker is relishing her new role. The city’s first Black female mayor talks about her inspiration to lead, the importance of neighborhoods and what’s next for Indiana’s second-largest city.
May 20, 2024•28 min•Ep. 113
Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce is leading an economic development strategy that represents a sea change for the state. Aggressively going after the investment and jobs the state wants rather than waiting for the phone to ring. It is an approach that is yielding record results. In this episode, David Rosenberg talks opportunities and critical challenges for the state and how his Hoosier roots serve as motivation to make things happen.
May 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 112
From her days as an All-America student-athlete to leading enforcement at the NCAA to now leading a Division I athletic conference, Julie Roe Lach has never shied away from a challenge. In this episode, the commissioner of the Horizon League talks about challenges and opportunities for mid-major conferences, the chaotic landscape of collegiate sports, and playing pick-up basketball in Pinckneyville, Illinois.
May 06, 2024•38 min•Ep. 111
He didn’t grow up on a farm, but his small-town upbringing has helped shape his leadership style and vision for Indiana’s agbioscience sector. Meet Agrinovus Indiana CEO Mitch Frazier: military veteran, tech entrepreneur and a firm believer in what could be Indiana’s next big thing.
Apr 29, 2024•33 min•Ep. 110
As a child growing up in Evansville, Stephanie Terry dreamed of one day being a doctor. But instead of serving patients, she is now serving the residents of Evansville as the city’s first woman and first African American mayor. In this episode, she talks about priorities, her call to service and what makes Evansville and southwest Indiana special.
Apr 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 109
She began her career as a management consultant in Boston, but a summer internship would launch a difference-making career in Indianapolis. Fairbanks Foundation CEO Claire Fiddian-Green has led the Indianapolis-based organization since 2015 and is embarking on ambitious initiative to help redefine the workforce in Indiana. In this episode, she talks about the potential of apprenticeships and how they could be game changers for the Hoosier economy.
Apr 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 108
The Mira Awards, the annual celebration of technology and innovation in Indiana, is turning 25 this year and marking the occasion with some big changes. Techpoint’s “Oscars of Tech” is moving to Old National Centre in downtown Indy. CEO Ting Gootee explains the reasons for the move, the importance of the event and offers her take on Indiana’s tech community.
Apr 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 107
“We are very, very clear about it. We are going to be the best urban public research university in the country. Bar none.” Indiana University President Pam Whitten does not hold back when asked about expectations for the new IU Indianapolis. In this episode, she talks about the idea behind the breakup of IUPUI, the important role of the business community and the ambitious vision for IU 2030.
Apr 01, 2024•29 min•Ep. 106
Paul Okeson grew up around the construction business, but never thought he’d make a career of it. But today, the Fort Wayne native is leading Garmong Construction, a 100-year-old Indiana firm with an expanding footprint. In this episode, he talks construction, politics and why community service is part of his DNA. And
Mar 25, 2024•34 min•Ep. 105
Don Lamb is winding up his first year as director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture with a renewed optimism about the state’s role in the global ag space. The second-generation Boone County farmer talks about his passion for the family farm, the critical role of precision agriculture and an eye-opening trip to Cuba.
Mar 18, 2024•32 min•Ep. 104
He spent more than three decades as an executive at Eli Lilly and Company and served as Indiana’s secretary of commerce. Now Dan Hasler is taking on another big job: playing a key role in the launch of Purdue University in Indianapolis. He talks about the vision for the Indy campus, the critical role of the business community and why it is being called one of the most important moves in the university’s 154-year history.
Mar 11, 2024•31 min•Ep. 103
He has grown a startup into a national consulting firm and in the process helped to write the workforce and economic development playbook for states and regions around the country. As Indianapolis-based TPMA marks 35 years, its founder offers perspective on challenges and opportunities facing Indiana and communities statewide.
Mar 04, 2024•32 min•Ep. 102
It started on a tiny Hamilton County farm 87 years ago. From seeds planted on that 80-acre piece of ground, Beck’s has grown into the third-largest seed brand in the United States and is continuing to grow at a double-digit pace. CEO Sonny Beck talks about the vision, culture and servant leadership that have created a driving force in American agriculture.
Feb 26, 2024•37 min•Ep. 101
He spent 15 years building a case to shape U.S. monetary policy. Now Jim Bullard is building again, this time creating a “new and distinctive brand” for the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business at Purdue University. The former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis talks about the critical role technology will play in the process and gives his take on the state and national economies.
Feb 19, 2024•33 min•Ep. 100
It was built on the idea of using art and culture to bring people together at a time when the world seemed so far apart. Indianapolis natives Alan and Mali Bacon launched GANGGANG in 2020 when the city and nation were reeling from the pandemic and social unrest. In this episode, Alan talks about the power of creatives, how it’s changing the Indy narrative and GANGGANG’s prime time role in the NBA’s All-Star weekend.
Feb 12, 2024•31 min•Ep. 99
For John Pistole, leading Anderson University as its tenth president is truly a homecoming. He played basketball and graduated from AU, as did his parents and siblings. He met his wife there. But it’s his path to the presidency that might surprise you. Pistole rose through the ranks to become the number two man at the FBI and later led the Transportation Security Administration in the wake of 9-11. In fact, you may want to thank him the next time you go through TSA PreCheck.
Feb 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 98
What began in a tiny upstairs room of a downtown Nashville, Indiana pizza joint has blossomed into one of the state’s hottest destinations. Hard Truth Distilling Company’s rustic, 325-acre distilling campus now attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually to Brown County and growth is far from over. Co-founder Jeff McCabe talks spirits, craft brews, a growing restaurant empire and the influence of Walt Disney.
Jan 29, 2024•32 min•Ep. 97
“I’m looking at these beautiful flags…we have students and faculty from about 80 countries.” In episode 151, University of Indianapolis President Tanuja Singh talks about the school’s diverse student body, the importance of making education relevant and the power of “just in time” learning.
Jan 22, 2024•34 min•Ep. 96
He’s a Buckeye by birth, but a Hoosier by choice. As a youngster, Dan Starr lived all over the country, arriving in Indiana to attend Anderson University. Today he leads Indiana’s largest private business, Fort Wayne-based hardware, lumber and building materials cooperative Do It Best. Starr talks about his path to the corner office, commitment to community and what led to a new global headquarters.
Jan 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 95
“My version of the American Dream is public service.” He may be 27 years-old and a political novice, but Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun is not shy about promoting his hometown and a new path for its future. The Army Ranger and son of immigrants talks about the life experiences that have shaped him, the national attention he’s generating and the thing Terre Haute has that other Hoosier cities don’t.
Jan 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 94
She has succeeded in the male-dominated logistics industry with grit, determination and the belief that she can outwork anybody. Langham CEO Cathy Langham talks business, community and why she is decidedly bullish on Indiana.
Dec 18, 2023•34 min•Ep. 93
It is Indiana’s first university. In Indiana’s first city. And its leader grew up just 20 miles from campus. But Vincennes University and President Chuck Johnson are making an impact far from southwest Indiana. In this episode, the Washington, Indiana native talks robots, Red Skelton and readying Indiana’s workforce of the future.
Dec 11, 2023•32 min•Ep. 92
“I really thought, what can I do to help my town?” Veteran broadcast journalist John Stehr has always been up for a challenge, from his collegiate days playing soccer to an award-winning broadcast news career. In episode 146, he talks about his next challenge as mayor of Zionsville, why he’s doing it and what he wants to accomplish.
Dec 04, 2023•37 min•Ep. 91
From the day she started a news club in eighth grade, Debby Knox knew what she wanted to do with her life. Now, after more than 40 years in television, one of Indiana’s most recognized news anchors is retiring and admits it won’t be easy. “I’m going to miss the people, the buzz we all get.” In episode 145, the Michigan native-turned-Hoosier talks about stepping away from an award-wining career, the high-profile interviews and why she’s excited about what’s next.
Nov 27, 2023•35 min•Ep. 90
She served 17 years as an Indiana State Senator. 13 years as Commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. And Sagamore Institute President Teresa Lubbers isn’t finished yet. In episode 144, this servant leader talks about Indiana’s challenges and opportunities and why she is bullish on the future.
Nov 20, 2023•36 min•Ep. 89
“If you’re not scared by it, it doesn’t seem like it’s an aspiration that you should go after.” On November 18, the docuseries “Kennedy” premiers on the History Channel. It is the third documentary from 23-year-old Carmel, Indiana filmmaker Ashton Gleckman. That’s right, he’s just 23. In this episode, he opens up about his passion for filmmaking, overcoming fears, and his next big project.
Nov 13, 2023•40 min•Ep. 88
