North Indy Podcast

World Food Championships CEO Mike McCloud is a marketing entrepreneur focused on making food competitions a long-term, fun-filled legacy for the culinary industry. In this episode, we talk to Mike about the upcoming World Food Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.

In this episode, we sit with Jessica and Lyle of Ra Opticians inside their beautiful eyewear store in the Factory Arts District on Indy’s Near Eastside. We learn about their extensive optical careers and what led them to put down roots in the city.

John interviews Michael & Stretch from the Follow D$ Podcast for Life In Indy’s “I’m Not Done Yet” campaign. Learn more about their Indy origin stories and how they’ve made Indianapolis home.

Michael & John sit down with fellow Indy-based podcaster Patrick Armstrong at 8th Day Distillery and talk all things podcasting. Learn more about Patrick’s journey and current ventures, and make sure to check him out on the May cover of North Indy Magazine!

Carrie Black is the Chief Public Affairs Officer for IndyGo. You might recognize her. She's also a four-time Emmy award-winning TV reporter. At IndyGo, she leads the agency’s strategic communications, including a focus on education, awareness, and advocacy surrounding the agency’s main initiatives. It was fascinating to sit down for this interview in her office and learn more about how IndyGo...

Rocky Walls is an Indiana-based filmmaker and Cofounder of 12 Stars Media, as well as Hoodox, which we deep dive into in this episode. We also learn more about the impact Rocky hopes to have in the community during this stage of his career. Special thanks to Heartland Film for hosting us in their space!

Cindy Hawkins sits with us at The Amp at 16 Tech, home of her pastry business Circle City Sweets. We talk about how she turned baking into a career and her recent success as 2025 World Dessert Champion.

Eddie Sahm is an Indianapolis restaurateur making an impact in the local community under the umbrella of his family's Sahms Hospitality Group. In this episode, we learn about his time in the family business and what fuels him to create new ventures.

Meet Indy Food King Shaun Hughes. On this episode, Shaun joins us on Michael’s porch to talk all things North Indy. We also each enjoy a delicious bowl of Circles Ice Cream. Cheers!

Jenny Boyts is the CEO of Forty5, a locally owned live music production company based in Indianapolis and dedicated to creating unforgettable live entertainment experiences in the city’s most beautiful and unique spaces. Their venues include The Vogue, Turntable, Rock the Ruins, and more.

Greg Sorvig is the Artistic Director for Heartland Film and its Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival and Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) events in Indianapolis. He also serves as the organization’s liaison with major studios, industry, and filmmakers. In addition to his lead role at Heartland, Greg is also Senior Associate Programmer on the Tribeca Festival...

Owner Michael and General Manager Stockton of The Toy Pit join us on this episode to talk about their new location just north of downtown. We learn about the beginnings of their working relationship, the evolution of the business, and what they hope to add to the community around them.

Joanna Taft is a cultural entrepreneur and a leader in the field of creative placemaking. She is the founder of the Harrison Center for the Arts, Herron High School, and PreEnactment Theater. In Indianapolis philanthropy, she is President of the Katharine B. Sutphin Foundation and Treasurer of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.

With over a decade of destination marketing, attraction leadership, and government relations experience, Jake Oakman is a respected leader in Indiana’s tourism industry. Jake currently serves as executive director of White River State Park. The only urban state park in the country, White River State Park is one most visited cultural attractions in Indiana, welcoming nearly 4 million visitors annua...

We are joined on this episode by Sam Woodworth, Owner & Trainer at The Fitness Clinic, and Thomas Hilbert, Co-Founder & CEO of Premier Weight Loss. These two have teamed up to offer their clients an incredible approach to health and wellness. We hear about how they met, their respective businesses, and what they hope to achieve for their clients.

In this episode, we talk to Adam & Pablo, owners of Gather 22. Gather 22 is one of Indy's newest restaurants offering delicious food and innovative cocktails. We recorded this episode on location inside the Rhino Bar Bus! We discuss how Adam & Pablo met and what led them to open this beautiful space in the heart of Indianapolis.

In this episode, we're excited to feature Jeanette Footman and Alice Matsuo, co-owners of Perk Up Café & Brotgarten in Broad Ripple. They each have fascinating stories, and we dive into their diverse backgrounds, business partnership, and what's on the horizon at Perk Up.

The founders of Guggman Haus Brewing Co. join us on this month's episode. We talk about their early days of basement brewing and highlight some of the amazing features and rich history of the brewery today.

Dan "Handskillz" Thompson is a local artist and muralist. His work can be found throughout the city of Indianapolis and beyond. In this episode, we touch on his beginnings as an artist, the local art scene, and how his journey as an artist has been a catalyst for personal growth.

Neale Johantgen is the Theatre Manager of the IMAX Theatre at the Indiana State Museum. In this episode, we talk about the upcoming movie releases this summer as well as the significance of having an IMAX theatre in the city.

Dwight Simmons is a standup comedian and Co-Director of the Limestone Comedy Festival. He joins us on this episode to talk Indy's comedy scene, his personal evolution as a comic, and how the content era has changed the art form.

Douglas Morris aka Sir Doug is the 40 W Digital Program Director at the MLK Center in Indianapolis as well as the Founder of Old SOUL Entertainment. Doug joins us to discuss growing up in the community, the significance and impact of the MLK Center, and the legacy of Old SOUL Entertainment.

Travis Carpenter is the Team Captain of the Indianapolis AlleyCats, the city's professional Ultimate (frisbee) team. In this episode, we dive into the sport of Ultimate and cover gameplay, league structure, and how to see a game for yourself this coming season.

Alison Keefer, owner of Gallery Pastry, joins us as our first guest. We talk about her journey, the restaurant business, and get details on their new location.

Host Michael Durr and producer John Overton introduce themselves and discuss the mission of the podcast.