From the Kitchen Table

🎙️ Today’s Conversation Today I’m joined by FTKT Morning Show correspondent Michael “Jerry” Zarick for a first-person follow-up on the final Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) meeting and its controversial recommendations for the future of public education in Indianapolis. We unpack what happened inside the room, how public comment was handled, what the proposed governance changes could...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation A sleeping toddler means a whispering podcaster (aka sorry for whispering lol). I drop some more thoughts on the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s (ILEA) ahead of their final vote and what its recommendations could mean for the future of Indianapolis Public Schools as they head to the Statehouse (spoiler alert: they voted 8-1 in favor against among other things, a dem...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation Today is all about one thing: the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) and its final meeting taking place tonight . I break down what the ILEA is, why it was created, and how its recommendations could fundamentally reshape public education in Indianapolis—and across Indiana—for years to come. 📍 What’s Happening Tonight (December 17) * Location: City-County Building...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation I spend this morning reflecting on why this week’s episode ( 007 with Stretch Thalley !) felt like the kind of conversation I’m always chasing and what it means when dialogue feels honest instead of performative. I also discuss what our collective reactions to Indiana’s redistricting fight and the recent spate of gun violence reveal about power, responsibility, and who we’r...

🕯️ This Week’s Conversation: What makes someone a "good friend?" I sit down with Stretch Thalley for an honest (and often hilarious) conversation about friendship, authenticity, and what it really means to show up for people. Starting with everyday rituals and winding through community, growth, legacy, and listening, the episode centers on one core question: What actually makes someone a good frie...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation HEY D.C., TAKE A HIKE! It’s a glorious Friday and this morning I’m breaking down my state’s STUNNING mid-cycle redistricting defeat in the Senate — a 31–19 vote rejecting the proposed maps . I get into a few different things: the emotional release of the decision, some key moments from the testimony I saw, the online reaction from Hoosiers on Threads, and what this means he...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation I break down a disturbing Indianapolis story: nearly 40 immigrants were denied the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony —despite completing every step of the process—reflecting a broader pattern of federal immigration intimidation and policy shifts targeting specific countries. I talk about what this means for immigrant communities here in Indiana, the risks faci...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation Today I dig deeper into two ongoing political stories in Indiana: the mid-cycle effort by Indiana Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional maps in a way that would dismantle the two remaining Democratic-held districts, and the quiet settlement of a lawsuit brought by Indiana officials seeking to verify the citizenship status of more than 600,000 Hoosier voters. I wal...

🎙️ Today’s Conversation I kick off the first full week of daily episodes with two big Indiana stories: IU’s historic Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State and the ongoing effort by Indiana Republicans to redraw congressional maps mid-cycle. I reflect on the stakes of IU winning a football national championship before Purdue wins one in basketball, as well as the political stakes of redistrictin...

Patrick sits down with Baby Ebony for a conversation that moves from coconut water and hydration to vulnerability, creativity, healing, and the evolution of Indianapolis music. They talk about artistic process, rebuilding after an Achilles injury, and what it means to create a community built on honesty, care, and raw expression. Check out Baby Ebony 🌸 Mentioned in this Episode Jean Dawson - Glim...

🕯️ This Week’s Conversation: Mid-Cycle Map Rigging with Sen. Andrea Hunley In this urgent conversation, Indiana State Senator Andrea Hunley breaks down the push to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps mid-cycle . We unpack what triggered this attempt, why it has more to do with DC politics than Hoosier interests, how gerrymandering works in practice, and what constituents can do right now to protec...

🕯️ This Week’s Conversation: Mid-Cycle Map Rigging with Sen. Andrea Hunley In this urgent conversation, Indiana State Senator Andrea Hunley breaks down the push to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps mid-cycle . We unpack what triggered this attempt, why it has more to do with DC politics than Hoosier interests, how gerrymandering works in practice, and what constituents can do right now to protec...

Out of the many revelations in the recently released report on Human Rights Violations in International Adoption from the Republic of Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there’s been one I’ve allotted multiple sessions of reflection. Specifically this passage: Last week’s question of the week was: what is something you’ve lost through adoption ? One of the things I talked about in this ep...

On this episode of The Open Door,  Amber Gyselinck-Snyder , founder of Lapis Lily Market and Trinket Club Indy , stops by the studio to talk about trinkets, creativity, community building, and the joy of tiny cute things. Amber shares her journey from vintage seller and wholesaler to opening her first storefront and cultivating a growing community of makers, collectors, and curious creatives. Lear...

Recorded August 2025 -- For the third installment of In Conversation With, Patrick sits down with Chreece Festival Director and multidisciplinary creative Jane Sun Kim for a vulnerable, energizing conversation about community, creativity, curation, identity, and the decade-long evolution of Indianapolis’ premier independent hip-hop festival. Together they explore affirmation, failure, representati...

In this episode, I sit down with community advocate and cyclist Jake Budler to dig into the growing pedestrian safety crisis in Indianapolis—starting with the fatality at College & Mass and expanding to the larger systemic issues impacting walkers, bikers, and neighbors across the city. We talk about the city’s limited response, why a grassroots coalition is organizing a Safe Streets protest on No...

Dr. Austin Dean Ashford , a brand-new Indianapolis transplant, multi-disciplinary creative, and performer at this year’s Chreece festival, talks about hip hop as community practice, why festivals matter to the city, how creativity builds connection, and why you shouldn’t forget the doctor . Tap in with the Dr.: https://www.austindeanashford.com/bio Artists on Chreece is a series of conversations w...

On this episode of The Open Door, self-advocacy strategist Nora Elder stops by the studio to explore what self-advocacy truly means, how core values shape our decisions, and how Nora’s “Choose the Marble” practice helped her leave corporate life and build a purpose-driven business. Learn more about Nora's work: https://choosethemarble.com/ The Open Door is a series where once a month we literally...

On this episode of Conversation Piece, designer, creator, and business strategist Navi Kaur stops by the studio to talk about her journey from watching Dragon Ball Z as a kid in India to helping build The Normies — an Indianapolis-based creative community and reaction channel with nearly 1 million subscribers. She dives into her path from immigrant student to financial officer, how The Normies gre...

Patrick sits down in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with Alexandra Mann , founder of the Adoptee Film Festival , to talk about her journey from Hong Kong to Vancouver to New York—and how a letter from her birth mother inspired her to create a space for adoptees to see themselves represented on screen. Together, they discuss identity, ambition, community, and how turning pain into purpose can light the way f...

T.G.I.FREE , an Indianapolis hip-hop artist and Chreece veteran, reflects on what performing at the festival means for the local scene, why it’s a marker of validation for artists, and how his signature songs “Set You Free” and “Big Free” capture his energy, conviction, and pride in his craft. Connect with T.G.I.FREE : https://linktr.ee/Iamtgifree/ Artists on Chreece is a series of conversations w...

In this episode of The Open Door , Kia Wright , founder of Voices Corporation , stops by the studio to talk about healing-centered engagement, empowering youth, and building community through art, trust, and care. Learn more about VOICES Corp: https://voicescorp.org/ The Open Door is a series where once a month we literally open the studio door and invite folks from the community to sit down with...

Lillian Barkes, co-founder and CEO of Listen to Our Future , joins Patrick to talk about community, creativity, and connection in Indianapolis — from the need for more third spaces to why downtown’s corners deserve a friendly competition. Learn more about Listen to Our Future: https://listentoourfuture.com Learn more about La Parada Restaurant: https://www.laparadaindy.com/ Learn more about the In...

Hip hop artist Joosi Got Bars reflects on her journey performing at Chreece—from early features to headlining her own set—sharing gratitude, growth, and her drive to keep “pushing limits until something happens.” Connect with Joosi: https://instagram.com/joosi_got_bars/ Check out DRAMATIC (The Mixtape): https://joosigotbars.bandcamp.com/album/dramatic Artists on Chreece is a series of conversation...

In this episode of the People's Perspectives on Indy, local podcaster Michael Zarick shares his love for Indy’s community spirit, a vision for walkable, transit-first growth, and a tagline for downtown: “massive potential, incredible opportunity.” Connect with Michael + Third Space Indy: https://thirdspaceindy.com/ The People's Perspectives on Indy is a series of short interviews with people aroun...