Big Hearted Indy - The Citizen 7 Podcast

Todd Maurer, interim CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis and founder of a commercial real estate firm, and David Morgan, founder and CEO of Senior Home Companions and Story Cottage memory care, join hosts Don Palmer, Greg Enas, and Chris Spangle for a conversation that covers tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the world, and how that principle connects to Christian ideal...

Author Jeremy Pryor and local leader Guy East challenge the modern assumption that work defines a man's identity, making the case that fatherhood is the most important team a man will ever lead. Pryor, founder of Family Teams, draws on years of research, time living in Jerusalem, and first-principles thinking rooted in Genesis 1 to reframe what it means to be a father, a builder, and a man on miss...

Greg Ballard built one of Indiana's most unlikely political careers, winning the Indianapolis mayor's race as a near-total unknown against a heavily favored incumbent. Now he's running for Indiana Secretary of State as an independent, and the coalition that helped him govern is rallying behind him again. Ballard, a 23-year Marine Corps veteran and author of "The Last Urban Republican Mayor," joins...

Peter Greer, president of HOPE International, and financial advisor Scott Pothoven join the Big Hearted Indy hosts to discuss what it takes to stay on mission, personally and organizationally, in a world designed for distraction and comfort. Greer traces his path from studying in Moscow to leading one of the world's leading Christ-centered microfinance organizations, now serving more than 3.8 mill...

Human connection is eroding quietly, and the tools promising to replace it cannot deliver what people actually need. Chris Henry, senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, makes the case that presence, usefulness, and committed community are not optional features of a well-lived life but its essential structure. Henry draws on thinkers including Wendell Berry, theologian David Bentley Hart, soc...

Two Indianapolis entrepreneurs share what surrendering business outcomes to God actually looks like, including the failures they didn't see coming and the peace they found afterward. Phil Daniels, a founder, investor, and co-author of "Spiritugraphics" and Darrian Mikell, co-founder of Qualify, an HR tech startup he recently sold, join host Drew Kelley for a candid panel conversation on identity,...

Two brothers building workforce housing across Indiana share how faith, family, and friendship shape every aspect of their work and lives. Mark Muselman, president and CEO of M2 Investments, and David Muselman, president of DJM Investments, grew up in Bern, Indiana, attended Taylor University, and have both planted roots in Indianapolis with a clear mission: provide attainable, quality housing in...

Glenn McDonald and Andrew Hart discuss how their unlikely friendship has shaped their leadership across Indianapolis's nonprofit, business and faith communities. McDonald, who founded Zionsville Presbyterian Church and served there for 28 years, and Hart, who leads Oaks Academy after starting at Eli Lilly and Company, explore how relationships between clergy and lay leaders can enhance both person...

Jayson Manship, founder of Generation Moonshot and host of the Authentic and Agentic podcast on the IBJ Media Podcast Network, leads a hands-on workshop for Indianapolis-area business leaders on using artificial intelligence practically and responsibly. Manship draws on his background in national politics, digital marketing and entrepreneurship to walk attendees through real-world AI tools includi...

Ben Lacher, founder of Ben's Garage in Brownsburg, Indiana, joins Drew Kelley and Jackson Troxel on the Honor God in the Grind podcast. Lacher shares how he went from fixing junk dirt bikes as a homeschooled kid to working on a top fuel NHRA race team, flipping houses, going broke after a failed online business and driving a semi-truck on the midnight shift while his wife had their first child. He...

In this ACT (Advancing the Community Together) Series panel on fatherhood, Darren Ho of Restored Leader moderates a conversation on how faith, community and mentorship can help dads navigate the joys and pressures of parenting. Panelists Larry Smith of Fathers and Families Center, Mitch Davis of Mission Uprising and Micah Davis of Avevo Rx share practical perspectives on presence, vulnerability, p...

Dr. D. Michael Lindsay, president of Taylor University, shares a faith-rooted approach to servant leadership built around the KNEEL framework. He contrasts resume virtues with eulogy virtues, points to Christlike self-emptying humility, and explains how leaders can build unity of purpose, treat work as worship, extend loving kindness, and offer life-giving encouragement. Lindsay brings these ideas...

Citizen 7 launches the Honor God In The Grind series with a panel discussion on how everyday work becomes a place of spiritual formation, faithfulness and encounter with God. Hosted by Drew Kelley, the conversation focuses on building and creating without letting performance or productivity define identity. Panelists Troy Williard, Dante Cook and Jackson Troxel share personal stories from engineer...

Big Hearted Indy hosts Greg Enas and Chris Spangle talk with Indianapolis native Robert Vane about the story behind his Leaders and Legends podcast, his path from Irvington and the Army to politics and communications, and the mentors and civic leaders who shaped his work. Vane shares memories of his first episode with former Mayor Greg Ballard, stories about P.E. McAllister and bipartisan relation...

Citizen 7 Indy hosts Don Palmer and Chris Spangle talk with lifelong friends John Isch and Jim Fountain about discipleship, humility, and building real brotherhood. Isch shares his path from northeast Indiana to a career in heart surgery at St. Vincent, and how spiritual mentors shaped his faith. Fountain recounts a hard reset after getting kicked out of college, his years in Young Life, and the c...

On Big Hearted Indy, hosts Greg Enas, Chris Spangle and Don Palmer talk with Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili and Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height about friendship, faith in action and building a more connected city. Osili shares how his grandparents’ example of dignity and his father’s integrity in public service shaped his leadership, along with how arc...

On this episode of Big Hearted Indy, hosts Greg Enas, Don Palmer, and Chris Spangle sit down with CoinCoffee co-founders Andre Ramsey and Ken Julian to explore how a simple cup of coffee turned into a purpose-driven partnership. Andre shares his journey from East St. Louis to Indianapolis, while Ken reflects on his west side Indy roots, founding Julian Coffee Roasters, and discovering his passion...

Former Indiana Governor and Purdue University President Mitch Daniels joins Citizen 7’s Coffee & Connection for a candid fireside chat on leadership, humility, and civic renewal. Daniels reflects on lessons from history, mentors such as Calvin Coolidge, and his experiences leading Eli Lilly, Purdue, and the state of Indiana. He shares personal stories about culture, friendship, and the importance...

Four years ago, a bold idea took root: what if philanthropy could break down barriers rather than create dependency? That idea sparked a powerful partnership between Edna Martin Christian Center and Shepherd Community Center, helping Eastside Indy neighbors move from just any job to better jobs — and into lasting careers. In this special live episode of Big Hearted Indy, hosts Greg Enas, Don Palme...

At this Citizen 7 After-Hours Fireside Chat, civic leaders Sam Odle and Mike Smith share powerful stories of leadership, faith, and friendship that have shaped Indianapolis for decades. Odle, former COO of IU Health and IPS board member, reflects on his 76 years in the city—from growing up in segregated Indianapolis to helping build one of the nation’s leading health systems. Joined by longtime fr...

Aaron Brockett, lead pastor of Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, shares a message on biblical masculinity, strength under control, and the cultural challenges men face today at our most recent Coffee & Connections. Drawing on Scripture, real-life examples, and personal stories, he contrasts harmful, diluted masculinity with redemptive, directed masculinity. Brockett unpacks the call...

Hosts Greg Enas and Chris Spangle sit down with Kristian Andersen, co-founder of High Alpha, and Nashville singer-songwriter Thad Cockrell for a raw, live conversation about friendship, courage, and community in Indianapolis. Andersen shares how decades-long bonds—born at a Christian sports camp—shaped his life and leadership, while Cockrell explains why he made The Kid and sells it directly for $...

Hosts Aaron Story and Greg Enas sit down at COhatch Polk Stables in Indianapolis with community leader Gina Fears, Peer Innovation Manager at Mental Health America Indiana’s ICAADA, MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute. Fears shares her roots near 36th and Ralston, reflects on Martindale and Brightwood history, and explains how faith, active listening and resident engagement drive the 2025–...

On this episode of Big Hearted Indy, hosts Greg Enas, Chris Spangle, and Don Palmer talk with Bob Grand and Mandy Pietrykowski, CEO of Little Red Door Cancer Agency, about the nonprofit’s mission to serve medically underserved Hoosiers with cancer. They discuss the impact of programs like transportation assistance, nutrition support, and Camp Little Red Door, as well as the personal stories that f...

In this special episode of Big Hearted Indy, hosts Don Palmer, Chris Spangle, and Greg Enas welcome executive coaches Darren Ho and Wes Cate for a deep conversation on how men can grow into lives of meaning, purpose, and impact. They discuss how personal character shapes leadership, marriage, and community life—and why coaching, mentorship, and friendship are essential for flourishing in today’s w...