Behind the Region

Send us Fan Mail Kate tells us about the important work being done in conjunction with our schools, trying to help prepare our students for What's Next?  We chat about the career center and how we can connect with employers to ensure their workforce needs are met.  

Send us Fan Mail Christina will tell us about the great work her team is doing to combat teen homelessness, She also chats about how she runs the agency like a business, even though it is a non-profit organization. The fundraising challenges she faces in this sea of so many worthwhile non-profits, and the future of YSB, including their brand new building going up on the South Bend/Mishawaka border...

Send us Fan Mail This week we chat with Bob Hayden, our Distinguished Business Leader of the Year Award Winner, at this year's Salute to Business Luncheon. Bob just "retired" after 50 years in the car business,  spending most of those years with the Jordan Automotive Group. We talked to Bob about the key to spending 50 years in the automotive industry. How has the car business chang...

Send us Fan Mail Tracy will explain what the House of Health is and why we are lucky to have such a unique business, originally dedicated to helping professional athletes, right here in Michiana. Tracy talks about what went into the decision of opening a clinic like this in South Bend, and how she deals with a work life balance, having 2 young children. .    

Send us Fan Mail Debie will dive into all of the amazing work that Goodwill does, and yes they are more than just thrift stores. Debie will tell us how Goodwill's mission is always changing to meet the growing needs in the community. She will talk about the expansion project they are preparing to embark on, and her journey from being an employee at a Goodwill Store, to becoming the President...

Send us Fan Mail This week we pull back the curtain on the Chamber's Economic Development arm, and flip the script where our President/CEO, Jeff Rea is not the interviewer, but the interviewee. Jeff is joined by the Director of Economic Development at the Chamber, Alyson Herzig. They will chat about all things E.D. happening in the county, big and small. How big projects come to be, start to...

Send us Fan Mail Eric will take us on an audio tour of the gardens, telling us all that they have to offer year-round. Eric will talk about how the gardens got started, and about the major expansion currently underway.    

Send us Fan Mail Theresa, a doctor by trade, has a great story about why she chose to leave a very successful career in the medical field and open up a family fun center, and why she chose to do it here in Michiana. We will learn how she overcame struggles while taking a dream and making it into a reality. How Generations AdventurePlex is continuing to grow and what day to day challenges she faces...

Send us Fan Mail Seth will tell us exactly what Five Star Life is and how it is impacting the youth of today. We will also discuss what challenges Seth faces, leading a business that relies heavily on outside funding.

Send us Fan Mail  Juan talks about his journey from immigrating here with his family in 1998, to leading one of the fastest growing non profits in the area.  How La Casa de Amistad has grown into what it is today, and what does the future hold.

Send us Fan Mail Amanda was the keynote speaker at our Salute to Business Luncheon this year. We chat with Amanda about her time visiting South Bend. How our area compares to other areas she has researched and visited, what should we be most proud of and what areas need some improvement.    

Send us Fan Mail Rich went from being a successful Estate Planning Attorney, to purchasing not one but two different franchises. What went into the decision to give up a good paying job to "put your name on the sign?" What are the challenges of being a small business owner in the current climate, and what are the pros and cons of buying into a franchise?

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Jerry will give us a "State of the School District" overview, discussing things like how they are able to attract and retain world class teachers. What the day to day challenges of the school district are and what the future looks like.

Send us Fan Mail John and Jon unravel the confusing world of health insurance, especially if you are a small business in need of adding benefits for your employees. They will also tell you what you need to know about insurance, as you are trying to attract and retain top talent.

Send us Fan Mail Edward talks with us about what goes into the decision of giving up a job with a steady paycheck to open your own business. What are the key components of operating a successful business in the current landscape, and as a business owner, what keeps him up at night.

Send us Fan Mail Drew is a dynamic speaker and author who will talk about leadership and leadership potential, but probably not like you've ever heard before. His goal is to redefine leadership for as many people as possible.

Send us Fan Mail Mike will talk to us about the many different layers of being a unionized electrician. What the current job market for electricians looks like, both with projects they are currently working on and future ones, like the new GM Battery Plant. Mike will also discuss, in depth, the IBEW Apprenticeship Program, what it takes to get involved, and what you can expect after you complete t...

Send us Fan Mail Chief talks to us about the business of policing. How policing has changed over the years, and how you can keep yourself, your family and your business safe.

Send us Fan Mail Jake is also the Director of Business Development at Majority Builders. Jake will tell us what the construction climate is like in St. Joseph County and what does the future look like moving forward. We talk about what is on the docket when the new session starts at the Statehouse, and what does Jake's home/work life balance look like, being the father of young children, whil...

Send us Fan Mail We chat with Andy about the great things he and the other commissioners accomplished during his time in office, and how what they did planted the seeds for the progress we are seeing now in the county. We will also find out what Andy is up to these days, and what he sees for the future of St. Joseph County. 

Send us Fan Mail Larry will tell us how a kid from Ohio made his way to South Bend Indiana to head up the largest employer in the region, it's quite a story.  Larry also talks about the pressure of being responsible for 7,000 employees and their families….  The exciting changes and growth not only coming to the downtown South Bend Campus, but also Beacon Health Services overall.  

Send us Fan Mail  Welcome to the Behind The Region Podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, being powered by Tech Tyler PC, bringing cost effective I.T. solutions to fit any budget. This week we chat with Steve Smith and Vanessa Cooreman Smith, from Irish Realty, Irish Custom Homes and Flourish Interiors Steve and Vanessa will talk about everything housing. Is there a housing shortage? How ca...

Send us Fan Mail TJ will tell us about leaving a high paying job to start his own business while his wife was pregnant. How he grew his business to what it is today, why he is so dedicated to charity work, and what was the motivation to move his offices and studios into downtown South Bend.  

Send us Fan Mail Ismail gives us a look into the long history of the newspaper. He discusses how newspapers and print media in general has changed, and how the South Bend Tribune is adapting to that, and what does the future of print media look like.

Send us Fan Mail Math, History, Philosophy, Ocean Science, Chief of Staff...Who has interest in all of these? It's James Mueller, Mayor of South Bend! He talks about his background, housing, zoning, new and upcoming projects & a whole lot more is this installment of Behind the Region.