Leaders and Legends

In 2003, Kathy Davis became the first female Lieutenant Governor in Indiana history. On this week’ ‘Leaders and Legends’ podcast, which was recorded at the Golden Ace, we talk with Kathy about her terrific career in public service, the fun she is having as an entrepreneur, and exactly how much brainpower it takes to get degrees both from Harvard and M.I.T. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://v...

Van Halen’s eruption onto the national music scene began 42 years ago today—on February 10, 1978. Historian and author Greg Renoff penned a history of the band’s early years titled “Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal.” If you are a fan of the band, the time period, or music in general, please listen to Professor Renoff give us the inside story of how...

This week’s ‘Leaders and Legends’ podcast gives you the inside story about how Indianapolis won the right to host a Super Bowl and how things like the Super Bowl Village and the Zip Line became a reality. Our guests are Mark Miles, chairman of the Super Bowl Committee; Mel Raines, VP of Event Operations for the Committee, and the official Mayor of the podcast, Greg Ballard, USMC. Sponsors: * Veter...

Eddie White is one of the most recognizable names and personalities in our Hoosier sports and entertainment culture. He joins the “Leaders and Legends” podcast again to discuss his attendance at 26 Super Bowls, tells us stories about the games, and how he developed friendships with celebrities like Whitney Houston. We are very grateful to Eddie for his time and friendship. Sponsors: * Veteran Stra...

Angela Brown is one of our state’s greatest treasures. A graduate of Crispus Attucks, Angela is an opera singer who has performed all around the globe. She talks with us about her childhood in Indianapolis, her career and travels, and why it is critical to make the arts a part of a person’s education. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana...

Mike Riley was the campaign director for Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s campaign in Indiana in 1968. He sits down with the “Leaders and Legends” podcast to discuss that campaign and the experience of working with the Kennedys Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (https://www.girlscoutsindiana.org/) * MacAllister Machinery (https://www.macall...

Robin Winston and Mike McDaniel were friends while serving as chairmen of their respective political parties and remain friends today. On today’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast Robin and Mike talk about their lives in politics and share some funny stories and great memories. We are very grateful to Jim Shella for serving as co-host. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) *...

We learned a lot about people, places, and events during our “Leaders and Legends” podcasts in 2019. On today’s episode, Chris Spangle talks with your usual host about the podcast, his background, and what we are going to hear about in 2020. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (https://www.girlscoutsindiana.org/) * MacAllister Machinery...

Congressman Andy Jacobs fought for his country and he fought for his city. He remains one of the shining examples of true public service. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we sit down with three people who knew Andy well—Kim Hood Jacobs, Louis Mahern, and Bill Blomquist—to talk about his career, his military service, and his impact on Indianapolis. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https...

Paul Okeson and Mike O’Connor served as chief of staff to Mayors Ballard and Peterson respectively. They were known both for their political savvy and also for their willingness to put politics aside to get things done. In this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk to them about the unique challenges they faced and how their time on the 25th floor affected their lives. I love them both. Sp...

Brian Payne’s impact on our city and its connectivity includes the Cultural Trail, but also includes so much more than that. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Brian about his love for our city, his championing of the arts, and what’s next for the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scouts of Central I...

The Mind Trust is one of the most impactful organizations in our city’s history. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we are joined by two of its top leaders—Brandon Brown and Shannon Williams. We discuss the state of education in Indiana and what needs to be done to ensure that everyone has access to a quality education. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * G...

Kelly Mitchell is not only Indiana’s elected State Treasurer, she is also one of the most-grounded and well-liked people I’ve ever met. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Kelly about her background, her time as an elected official, and why she decided to run for Congress in Indiana’s Fifth Congressional District. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com...

Indy sports icon Eddie White has worked for both Lou Holtz and Don Shula. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we talk with Eddie about his incredible career, hear a few stories, and get completely surprised when he talks about one of his absolute best friends. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (https://www.girlscoutsindiana.o...

In 1999, Bart Peterson’s victorious campaign ended 32 consecutive years of Republicans holding the Indianapolis mayor’s office. We sat down with him on the 20th anniversary of his win to talk about how got there, his work while he was mayor, and what’s it is like to run a city of a million people. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (htt...

When someone starts a sentence with ’the first woman to…”—that sentence usually ends with Sallie Rowland. Pioneer, entrepreneur, a Indiana Historical Society “Living Legend”, and former Girl Scout, Sallie is one of the most beloved and respected figures of our time. She sits down with Danielle Shockey and me for an absolutely delightful “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies...

David Harris’s work has changed not only Indianapolis as a whole, but the lives of thousands of young men and women in our city and beyond. In this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we sit down with David to talk about the birth of charter schools, his work at the Mindtrust, and what it was like to work for Bart Peterson. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl S...

City-County Councillor Maggie Lewis is one of the most upbeat, energetic, positive, and collaborative leaders I’ve ever met. On this week’s “Leaders and Legends” podcast, Maggie talks with Danielle and me about her journey, becoming an elected official, and her current post as CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. Sponsors: * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Scou...

Craig Prater is the president of Heartland Film and has a long and distinguished career in the film festival industry. He sits down with us to talk about his career, the importance of art to a community, and how the Heartland Film Festival has endured and blossomed over the years. Sponsors: LL-Sponsors https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/43f8ab4b-615b-4fa3-83f7-01fc9ec2f2bc/v9...

Dave Neff of Edge Mentoring is changing lives by putting people together to make themselves both better leaders and better people. Dave is a huge supporter of the “Leaders and Legends” podcast, and we are deeply grateful that he gave us some of his time right before his wildly successful Edge X event this week. Learn more at https://www.edgementoring.org/ (https://www.edgementoring.org/). Sponsors...

Congresswoman Susan Brooks is exactly what you want in a public servant—genuine, honest, kind, and someone not afraid to speak her mind. We are fortunate to have this former deputy mayor and United States Attorney on the podcast. Sponsors: LL-Sponsors https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/43f8ab4b-615b-4fa3-83f7-01fc9ec2f2bc/v9hs5prS.jpg * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstra...

Jim Morris’ impact on Indianapolis is simply immeasurable. From chief of staff to Mayor Richard Lugar to vice chairman of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, Jim’s been involved in so many of the wonderful events of the last fifty years. Please listen as Jim talks about Indy and also his philanthropic work helping feed kids from around the world. Sponsors: sponsors https://files.fireside.fm/file/fire...

On February 8, 1977, Tony Kiritsis took Richard Hall hostage. In a multi-day drama, Hall was threatened and paraded in front of a captivated and horrified Indianapolis—all captured on live television. Our “Leaders and Legends” podcast this week is with Dick Hall and it's a riveting conversation. Sponsors: sponsors https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/43f8ab4b-615b-4fa3-83f7-01f...

Eric Holcomb is rightly regarded as one of the most genuine people in politics. He loves being a Hoosier and it shows every day as he compiles a phenomenal record of success as governor. We talk about his career up to being elected in 2018. Nobody knows more about Indiana diners and Indiana’s future than Eric. Sponsors: sponsors https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/43f8ab4b-615...

The life of SFC Sammy Davis is one without equal in Hoosier history. On the “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we are honored to present the story of this incomparably selfless patriot and Medal of Honor recipient. Sponsors: sponsors https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/43f8ab4b-615b-4fa3-83f7-01fc9ec2f2bc/mCf0_E0g.jpg * Veteran Strategies (https://veteranstrategies.com/) * Girl Sc...