Behind the Region

Send us Fan Mail  Today we’re joined by Michelle Bryant from Premier Planning Partners. Michelle brings a wealth of experience in financial planning, leadership, and helping individuals and businesses prepare for long-term success. In this episode, we’ll talk about financial confidence, planning for the future, and the important role strong businesses and smart leadership play in building a thrivi...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, where we explore the leaders, ideas, and innovations shaping our region’s future. Today, we’re joined by Brian Pappas, Chancellor of Indiana University South Bend. Chancellor Pappas has been a strong advocate for higher education, workforce development, and community partnerships across No...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we explore the leaders, ideas, and institutions shaping the future of our region. Today we’re joined by Dee McDonald, president of Bethel University. In this conversation, we’ll talk about the evolving role of higher education in regional growth, how Bethel is preparing students for today’s workf...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode features a special guest with deep ties to both our region and the national stage—Ian Book. Many know Ian for his standout career at the University of Notre Dame, where he became one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history. But his story doesn’t stop on the field. We’ll dive into Ian’s journey from college football to the professional level, and ho...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we explore the people, stories, and ideas shaping our local economy and community. Today we’re joined by a guest who’s bringing a unique flavor—and a lot of passion—to the region’s food scene. Jesse Onate, owner of JC’s Coal Oven Pizza Co., has carved out a niche with his commitment to authentic...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we go beyond the headlines to explore the people, businesses, and ideas shaping our community. Today we’re joined by Jon Backstrom of Backstrom Insurance Group. Jon brings deep experience in the insurance industry and a strong commitment to serving businesses and families across our region. In t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we go beyond the headlines to explore the people, ideas, and businesses shaping our region’s future. In this episode, we’re joined by Vahid Sadrzadeh, co-founder of VSR Media. Vahid shares his journey into media, storytelling, and entrepreneurship—along with insights on how video and digital con...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we explore the people, partnerships, and ideas shaping our community’s future. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Lauryn Brown and Jamie Brown of the National Youth Advocate Program—an organization dedicated to strengthening families, supporting youth, and building healthier communities through...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we spotlight the people, places, and ideas shaping our community. Today, we’re excited to bring you a conversation that blends local entrepreneurship, hospitality, and the unique charm that makes our region feel like home. Joining us are Safe and Amanda Brewer, the faces behind Brickhaven Inn, r...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we take you inside the stories, strategies, and people shaping our local business community. Today’s episode features a conversation with Amy Bateson, the driving force behind Magnify Custom Apparel and Design. Amy has built her company around creativity, community connection, and helping organi...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we go beyond the headlines to explore the people, partnerships, and ideas shaping the future of our region. Each week, we sit down with leaders from across business, education, government, and the nonprofit community to talk about the work they’re doing and the impact it’s having throughout the S...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we go beyond the headlines to share the stories, people, and leadership that shape our community and our region. Today’s episode brings together two names that mean a lot to fans of University of Notre Dame football and to the broader South Bend community. We’re joined by former Notre Dame stando...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we spotlight the leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping our business community and driving our region forward. In each episode, we go beyond the headlines to hear the real stories behind the work — the challenges, the pivots, and the purpose that fuel success across Northern Indiana. Toda...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Behind the Region Podcast , brought to you by the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we spotlight the leaders, innovators, and visionaries shaping our community and economy. Today, we’re excited to welcome Dave Doetsch , President and General Manager of Mid-West Family Marketing and Media. With years of experience in marketing and media, Dave is at the forefront of...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we go beyond the headlines and meet the people driving growth, leadership, and opportunity across our region. Today’s episode is all about sales — not just as a job, but as a craft. Our guest is Nick Milovich of Adams Remco, but this conversation goes far beyond any one company. Nick is a seasone...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we take a closer look at the people, companies, and ideas shaping our regional economy. We are excited about today’s conversation because we’re joined by Brian Witkowski from the AME Group . AME Group is a leader in IT consulting, cybersecurity, and managed services, helping organizations navigat...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we highlight the people and initiatives shaping the future of our community. Today, we’re joined by Ryan Boeskool , the Chamber’s Director of Strategic Partnerships . Ryan plays a key role in building connections that strengthen our regional workforce, support local employers, and drive collabora...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber where we highlight the leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping our community. Today, we’re joined by someone whose fingerprints are on a wide range of exciting ventures across the region — Hugh Johnson . Hugh is the co-founder of J2 Marketing , a creative agency known for bringing bold storytell...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the official podcast of the South Bend Regional Chamber. Today, we’re excited to bring you an insider’s look at what’s happening in tourism across St. Joseph County. Joining us is Jeff Jarnecke , Executive Director of Visit South Bend/Mishawaka , who will share the latest updates, trends, and opportunities shaping our region’s visitor economy. From m...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we go beyond the headlines to explore the people, ideas, and businesses shaping our regional economy. Today’s episode features Doug Elder, founder of DOJO Creative—a Mishawaka–based branding and marketing agency known for helping organizations tell clearer, more compelling stories. Doug has work...

Send us Fan Mail  Welcome to Behind the Region , the podcast from the South Bend Regional Chamber, where we spotlight the people, places, and ideas shaping our regional economy and community. Today, we’re excited to be joined by Irish Saunders from Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana. Swan Lake is a standout destination for tourism, hospitality, and events in our region, and Irish plays a key ro...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the forces driving growth, innovation, and opportunity across Northern Indiana. We’re joined by two exceptional leaders whose work impacts communities across the state and the nation. First, Shannon Kellogg , Vice President of  Public Policy for AWS for the  Americas at Amazon. Shannon brings a national perspective on technology, public p...

Send us Fan Mail Today on Behind the Region , we’re excited to welcome Jonathon McKinnies , Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer with CrossCountry Mortgage . Jonathon is widely recognized for his client-focused approach to home financing and his commitment to helping individuals and families across our region navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. With years of experienc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we sit down with Mathew Welsch , local franchise owner of GigWorx , We’ll explore how flexible, gig-style employment is reshaping the modern workforce across Michiana. Mathew discusses the origins of GigWorx, why employers are turning to on-demand staffing models, and how workers of all ages are leveraging gig opportunities for supplemental income, career transitio...

Send us Fan Mail  Today, we’re stepping inside one of Mishawaka’s most historic and elegant landmarks—the Beiger Mansion. Joining us are Ron Montandon and Dennis Slade, the owners and caretakers of this iconic 1900s Neoclassical home turned boutique inn and event venue. Dennis and Ron have spent years restoring the Beiger Mansion to its timeless grandeur, preserving its history while opening its d...