Business & Beyond with Gerry Dick

Thirty years ago, many questioned whether the WNBA would survive. Today, it's one of the hottest properties in sports. In this special edition, Gerry Dick sits down with Val Ackerman, the league's founding president, and Kelly Krauskopf, who helped launch the Indiana Fever and now oversees one of the league's most valuable franchises. They explore the league’s 30-year journey—from financial uncert...

As many colleges struggle with enrollment and financial challenges, in the shadow of the Golden Dome Saint Mary's College is charting a different course.  President Katie Conboy joins Gerry to discuss the college's record fundraising success, growing enrollment and academic offerings.  She also shares her perspective on the future of higher education, the value of a women's college and the importa...

Five years after opening its doors, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has become one of the region's biggest success stories. On this episode of Business & Beyond, Gerry Dick sits down with President Matt Schuffert to discuss how the casino has carved out a winning formula in one of the nation's most competitive gaming markets.  A Northwest Indiana native, Schuffert also reflects on the personal p...

Former Vice President Mike Pence joins the podcast to discuss his new book, What Conservatives Believe, and why he sees an inflection point for the Republican Party. In a wide-ranging conversation, Pence argues that the GOP must return to core conservative principles—limited government, fiscal discipline, and constitutional governance. He also reflects on his time in the Trump White House, offerin...

From the backseat of a Volkswagen van to a billion-dollar business, Chuck Surack’s path to success continues to serve as an inspiration in Indiana and beyond. In this episode, Gerry Dick sits down with the founder and chairman of Sweetwater Sound as he shares the ups and downs of transforming a one man music business into the nation’s largest online music instrument retailer, all while keeping the...

Northwest Indiana is rewriting its story—and people are taking notice. From the generational expansion and double tracking of the South Shore Line to quality-of-life projects reshaping communities across the region, northwest Indiana is attracting new residents, new business interest, and a new sense of confidence. In this episode, Northwest Indiana Forum CEO Heather Ennis shares why she believes...

Three Indianapolis 500 winners and the voice behind "Back Home Again in Indiana" share what makes the race unlike anything else in sports. This episode brings together highlights from conversations with 1969 champion Mario Andretti, 2008 winner Scott Dixon, 2013 champion Tony Kanaan, and national anthem singer Jim Cornelison. Andretti reflects on learning about Indianapolis as an 11-year-old in It...

What does the future of education look like in an era defined by Artificial Intelligence, workplace disruption and changing attitudes about the value of a college degree? On this episode, Gerry Dick sits down with Lumina Foundation CEO Jamie Merisotis to explore the seismic shifts reshaping higher education, workforce development and the global economy. Merisotis offers a wide-ranging perspective...

The Month of May in Indianapolis is about more than the race. In this episode, Gerry Dick sits down with 500 Festival CEO Dave Neff to talk about the festival’s evolving role as an economic, cultural, and charitable force for Indianapolis and Indiana. The conversation explores the relationship between the festival, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the community and the challenges and opportunit...

At a time when many small colleges are facing enrollment declines and financial pressure, Taylor University is charting a different course.  In this episode, Taylor’s 18th president, Dr. Michael Lindsay, joins us to talk about the remarkable momentum behind the Upland, Indiana-based Christian liberal arts university. Over the past five years, Taylor has grown enrollment by 45%, while attracting an...

Pediatrician-turned-entrepreneur Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is reshaping the way kids eat—literally. Dr. Mantravadi’s colorful line of stainless-steel tableware is designed as a safer alternative to widely used plastic products. Inspired in part by her upbringing in India where stainless-steel dinnerware is a household staple, Dr. Mantravadi has grown Ahimsa into a fast-scaling consumer brand now carri...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Mittman, the CEO of Bosma Enterprises— one of the largest nonprofit organizations providing employment, training, and rehabilitation services for people who are blind or visually impaired in the Midwest. Mittman shares his deeply personal journey, including losing his vision while serving on active duty in Iraq, and how that life-altering moment shaped his le...

For nearly 60 years, Damar Services has been a lifeline for families navigating complex developmental and behavioral challenges. In this episode, CEO Jim Dalton shares a candid look at the realities facing families of children with severe autism, the emotional and financial toll, and the critical role Damar plays in providing stability, treatment, and dignity. He also discusses a groundbreaking, A...

Indiana basketball history takes center stage in this special edition of Business & Beyond, featuring conversations with some of the most influential names in Hoosier hoops. Indiana Pacers co-owner Steve Simon reflects on growing up in Indianapolis, helping keep the franchise from leaving in the early 1980s, and how his bond with the Midwest has only grown after years on the West Coast. Purdue coa...

Marion County's 2025 Community Health Assessment is out, and it reveals some troubling trends. Like one in four residents reporting depression and nearly one in five experiencing anxiety, while suicide rates have climbed 10 percent since 2018. The report also highlights a surprising but critical factor affecting community well-being: housing stability. In this episode, Dr. Virginia Caine, the dire...

The big business of college sports is getting bigger than ever, and one economist is putting real numbers on the table. Ryan Brewer, an associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus, joins the podcast to talk about his groundbreaking work valuing college football and basketball programs. His research is gaining national attention in places like The Wall Street Journal as the financ...

In this episode, Dr. Rob Pepper talks about the state of higher education and why he believes small, faith-based schools like Huntington University still play an important role. We also explore the school’s bold move into areas like agriculture and digital media and yes, we talk about having some fun with the name Dr. Pepper! It’s a conversation about leadership and the future of a small universit...

For nearly four decades, Cindy Hoye has been a driving force behind one of Indiana’s most beloved institutions: the Indiana State Fair and the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Hoye joined the Fairgrounds staff in 1988 as marketing director and became executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission in 2002. During her tenure, she led unprecedented growth and transformation, including more than $2...

For episode 100, we begin a two-part Business & Beyond podcast with the one and only Dan Dakich. From his first recruiting trip to IU to playing for Bob Knight to his career as a firebrand media personality, this Gary native has lots of stories to tell. And he tells them with the passion, and humor, you’ve come to expect from the guy who shut down Michael Jordan.

From Feb. 22, 2022: From an Italian refugee camp to the pinnacle of motorsports, Mario Andretti has led a life of excitement and accomplishment.  And his need for speed started at a very young age. In this episode, the only man to win the Indy 500, Daytona 500 and Formula One World Championship opens up about immigrating to the United States, his love for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a movi...

In this episode, Gerry sits down with John Fernandez, the CEO of Amplify Bloomington—a bold new public-private partnership designed to transform the region’s economic future. The former Bloomington Mayor shares the vision behind the initiative and why this moment is different from past efforts. It’s a conversation about place, purpose, and what it takes to reimagine a community’s future.

In this episode, longtime Sporting News columnist and Big Ten Network analyst Mike DeCourcy joins Gerry to break down how IU pulled off one of the most unlikely title runs in modern college football history. He also weighs in on the seismic shifts reshaping college athletics and if this new business model is sustainable. With decades of national perspective, DeCourcy offers insight, context, and c...

From opera houses to roaring arenas, Jim Cornelison’s voice has become part of the soundtrack of American sports. “The Anthem Singer” first captured hearts with his powerful rendition of the National Anthem at Chicago Blackhawks games, but his powerful baritone can also be heard in some of the world’s most iconic venues, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In this episode, Jim sits down wit...

Eric Tobias has built companies, backed founders, and helped shape one of the Midwest’s most influential startup ecosystems—but his latest venture hits much closer to the heart. In this episode, the Indianapolis serial entrepreneur takes us through his remarkable innovation journey in a conversation that goes far beyond spreadsheets and software. Eric opens up about his lifelong love of music—and...

Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard joins Gerry Dick for a candid and wide-ranging conversation centered on his new book, Urban Republican Mayor: My Story. The two-term Republican reflects on the defining moments of his tenure—from major infrastructure investments and a Super Bowl to reshaping the city’s quality of life through projects like the Cultural Trail. He also speaks openly about the p...