Indiana Podcasts - Leaders, Legends, and Nonprofits from the Hoosier State

If you've been a longtime listener to this show, you know there are several things that we've emphasized over the years like the importance of friendship, healthy masculinity, and growing civil society within our local communities. For the last year, I have been hosting a podcast for Citizen 7, a local group dedicated to building deep friendships between men with the hope that it will spark redemp...

Debby Knox was welcomed into our homes as a trusted and beloved journalist for more than 40 years—and this week she is our first guest for 2024 on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Debby talks about her career, some of the biggest stories in Indy (and beyond), and answers our Five Questions. We are joined by her former colleague and Hall of Famer Jim Shella. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •...

In October 2023 State Representative Jerry Torr announced his retirement from the Indiana Legislature. A champion for Hoosiers for more than 30 years, Jerry is our guest on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Jim Shella and I ask him about his career, some of his favorite battles, and how much as changed since he first took his seat in the House and began his political career. Sponsors •   ...

Love him or hate him—we love him—Bob Kravitz is one of the most influential voices in American sports journalism. He is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss “Deflategate”, Bob’s favorite sports memories, and what it was like to cover IU basketball when he was a journalist at the Indiana Daily Student. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •        NFP - A leading...

Is Abraham Lincoln a Hoosier? The three-way fight among Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois to claim precedence regarding the Great Emancipator rages on. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast we sit down with Evansville attorney and historian Joshua Claybourn as he makes the case for how Lincoln’s experience living and maturing in Indiana made him the leader who saved the Union. Get full access...

Harry Gonso is a famous Hoosier athlete, a pioneering attorney, one of the proudest IU alums you’ll ever meet, and a former chief of staff to Governor Mitch Daniels—he is also this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We are joined by Hall of Famer Jim Shella—and a special guest to read Harry the Five Questions. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •        NFP - A leading insurance...

It’s a Grand Rapids Reunion! On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast new Zionsville Mayor and Indiana broadcast Hall of Famer John Stehr joins his fellow Hall of Famer and former Michigan media teammate Jim Shella and me for fun conversation about Indiana, the media, favorite stories, and John’s take on the Five Questions. Sponsors •        Veteran Strategies •        NFP - A leading insuranc...

Rick and Karen Fuson represent the best of involved and authentic community leadership. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we discuss the growth of Indianapolis, its wonderful people, and what’s needs to happen next for our city to grow. Rick and Karen share some funny memories and dish on what it’s like to negotiate with each other. We are very honored to have them on the podcast. Rick...

Purdue Polytechnic High School is a revolutionary model of learning that promotes student interest-guided, project-based education. I am joined by Drew Gooden, a coach from the school, and Mark Boykin, a sophomore student. They provide insights into the school's operations, teaching methods, and successful outcomes of the school launched by the famed University. We dive into how this model empower...

For years on this program, we've said that the best way to make change in our area isn't through government action or even through starting a business... It is through a voluntary organization like a nonprofit. After a friend was killed in his neighborhood, Joe Garrison and a few other neighbors formed the North Shadeland Alliance to find ways to quell crime. In the process, they also built commun...

During the pandemic, Dave Haughs wanted to find a way to give kids a technology break, and he began creating woodworking projects for the neighborhood. Now that has expanded to a large program that creates tens of thousands of kits for kids around Indiana. Learn more at: https://deeplyingrained.org/ Transcript - https://share.descript.com/view/6m04GerLFgZ Get full access to Indiana Podcasts - Hoos...

Randall Shepard served as chief justice of Indiana’s Supreme Court for twenty-five years. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview one of our state’s most distinguished jurists and scholars about his career, the law, and his friends at Princeton and Yale Law School. Get full access to Indiana Podcasts - Hoosier Leaders, Legends and Nonprofits at www.indianapodcasts.com/subscribe

Consuelo Lockhart of the Latinas Welding Guild joins me to discuss her 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers welding training and job placement for marginalized groups and partners with local community organizations. She joins me to discuss the origins and importance of her organization. Learn more here: https://weldingguild.com . Get full access to Indiana Podcasts - Hoosier Leaders, Legen...

Mel Raines is one of the Hoosier State’s most admired leaders—and legends. On this week’s podcast, we interview a woman on everyone’s wish list when it comes to big projects, impacting our community, and ensuring Indy always shines under the bright lights. Sponsors * Veteran Strategies * NFP -  A leading insurance broker and consultant * Garmong Construction * Crowne Plaza Downtown Indianapolis Hi...

Lesa Dietrick and Diane Masariu are wonderful, delightful, amazing, and have never let politics get in the way of an enduring friendship. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Jim Shella and I talk with two of our state’s most respected Hoosiers about their lives in politics and their impact at the Statehouse. Get full access to Indiana Podcasts - Hoosier Leaders, Legends and Nonprofits at...

Ray Boomhower is one of the Hoosier State’s most talented historians. He is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Ray serves as the senior editor of the Indiana Historical Society Press and is in demand as an unsurpassed storyteller. His books include biographies of Ernie Pyle, Gus Grissom, and President Benjamin Harrison. Ray was very generous with his time, and we hope you...

The friendship of Patty Spitler and Ken Owen stretches back to the last century and Indianapolis is the better for it. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we feature a delightful conversation with two cherished members of our media landscape. Get full access to Indiana Podcasts - Hoosier Leaders, Legends and Nonprofits at www.indianapodcasts.com/subscribe

Bob Grand is one of the most influential and generous Hoosiers I’ve ever met. He remains a mentor to many, a supporter of charities and candidates, and Bob is this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast—and we are joined by Indiana Journalism Hall of Famer Jim Shella. Sponsors * Veteran Strategies * NFP -  A leading insurance broker and consultant * Garmong Construction * Crowne Plaza D...

Ted Green is a director, producer, and writer who fell in love with the art of storytelling through film and has made several documentaries, many of them about sports, but also focusing on people and events that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit. His newest film, "The Best We've Got: The Carl Erskine Story," is about Carl Erskine, a baseball player who played a seminal role in two of the g...

Jake Oakman is the executive director of the beautiful White River State Park and one of the most respected communications gurus in the world. We have a fun and funny conversation with Jake on this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast and he gives some unique answers to the podcast’s Five Questions. Sponsors * Veteran Strategies * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana * NFP -  A leading insurance broker...

Melissa Echerd is the Prevention and Education Officer for Sheltering Wings, a shelter for domestic violence victims in Hendricks County. We discuss the signs of an abusive relationship and resources on how to leave. We also discuss their Men In Action initiative, which recruits hundreds of men from their county to lead and mentor to curb violence, including a reading event that places men in ever...

For our 200th podcast interview, “Leaders and Legends” presents a conversation with businessman and entrepreneur Al Hubbard. A philanthropist who served in both Bush Administrations, Al is also one of Indiana’s leading education experts. We talk with all about his career, his friendship with President George W. Bush, and the state of politics in our state and country in 2023. Sponsors * Veteran St...

Scott Sander is one of the most respected & genuine of all Hoosier journalists, and he is also this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. We discuss his career, his most memorable stories, who has the best hair in Indy, and what time in the morning he has to wake up to host WISH-TV’s “Daybreak.” Sponsors * Veteran Strategies * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana * NFP -  A leading insuranc...

Don Wettrick was an inspired teacher giving his students entrepreneurship when the Indiana Economic Development Commission asked him to start a "Shark Tank for Students." He decided to tweak the idea, leading to the STARTedUP Foundation. The CEO & Co-Founder joins me to talk about the power of entrepreneurship and innovation in a high school student's life and their programs Innovate WithIN and In...

Representative Todd Huston is the Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives and this week’s guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Co-host Jim Shella and I talk with Todd about his family’s political history, what made him run for office, and the responsibilities of being Speaker.  * Veteran Strategies   * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana   * NFP - A leading insurance broker and consultan...