The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis

"The world doesn't need more compliant workers; it needs more innovative thinkers." For the latest episode of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis, we are honored to sit down with a true trailblazer in the world of education: Don Wettrick. Don is the founder of the STARTed UP Foundation and a world-renowned advocate for student-led innovation. In this episode, we dive deep into the philosophy t...

"You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable." In this episode of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis , our student hosts Annie and Nat sit down with a powerhouse of the next generation: Ava Wettrick . At just 24 years old, Ava has already built a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of growth. Ava’s journey started with a shift in mindset. Through the Innovat...

How do we truly prepare students for a future that is constantly evolving? In this episode of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis , our host (and PPHS AV teacher) Jeff Edge sits down with Ryan Murray , Project Specialist at the Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC) , to discuss a groundbreaking initiative: the TIE-IN program (Teacher Industry Experiences in Indiana) . A partnershi...

How do you build a career when the world shuts down? We kick off Season 3 of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis with filmmaker and entrepreneur Deonna Weatherly . After graduating into the uncertainty of the 2020 pandemic, Deonna didn't wait for a job offer; she created her own. In this episode, our first-year Principles of Broadcasting students sit down with the founder of The Weatherhouse C...

In our latest episode of Voices of Indianapolis, we venture to the vibrant Re:Public, the museum pop-up for the 10 East Indy Arts Hub, where we sat down with its dynamic curator, Primrose Paul. Fresh out of college herself, Prim offers a refreshing and relatable perspective as she guides us through her vital work in the Indianapolis arts scene. Prim's passion lies in ensuring artists have space to...

In this thought-provoking episode of Voices of Indianapolis, our student host Luke (fueled by what Sam calls "four cups of coffee energy") leads a deep conversation with esteemed writer, educator, and businessman, Sam Chaltain. Sam takes us back to his early days teaching in China, sharing vivid experiences of living in a foreign country at a young age. Sam, the national director of the Forum for...

In this episode of Voices of Indianapolis, our student hosts Annie and Phoenix sit down with Logan Davis, the Vicar of Cornerstone Lutheran Church – the very place our school calls home. Logan, who works closely with our students on outreach and community initiatives, shares invaluable insights from his mentorship under Pastor Jason Taber. He dives into the essential skills for effective pastoral...

In this student-led episode of Voices of Indianapolis, Gabe, A'marion, and Luke from Purdue Polytechnic High School take the reins, interviewing their mentor, David Greene. As the Region President of Indianapolis for First Merchants Bank, David oversees market operations and champions a community-focused approach to banking. Listeners will discover David's extensive career in financial leadership,...

In this captivating episode of Voices of Indianapolis, students Jayden and Jacob introduce us to the remarkable Rachel Armstrong, a local wrestler and Wrestlearts' rising star. Rachel's story is one of exceptional drive, blending academic excellence with athletic prowess and a passion for finance. Listeners will discover Rachel's journey from valedictorian of River Forest High School, where she ex...

In this special episode of Voices of Indianapolis, hosted by our very own student, Nat, we delve into the fascinating world of medical genetics with Dr. Erin E. Conboy. Dr. Conboy, a specialist in Medical Genetics at Riley Medical & Molecular Genetics and Co-director of the Undiagnosed Rare Disease Clinic (URDC), is making a profound impact on the Indianapolis health scene. Nat's research and...

In this episode of Voices of Indianapolis, we dive deep into the world of project-based learning with Shane Krukowski, Co-founder and COO of Headrush. Headrush empowers educators with a powerful platform that supports project-based learning from start to finish, fostering student agency, and deeper learning experiences. Shane shares his insights on how to create more engaging and meaningful learni...

It's a new school year. In this episode of Voices of Indianapolis, we sit down with State Representative Blake Johnson. Blake shares his vision for Indianapolis and discusses the issues that matter most to our community. We delve into his work on the City-County Council, his legislative priorities, and his plans for the future. Blake also talks about his experience engaging with students and how h...

In the exciting season finale of Voices of Indianapolis , we bring you a special episode featuring one of our very own students, Nat Neri Toledo from Purdue Polytechnic, alongside her mentor, Pastor Jason Taber from Cornerstone Lutheran Church. This episode marks a significant milestone as it’s the first time we have a student guest who is being asked the questions rather than asking them. Nat has...

In this week’s episode of Voices of Indianapolis, we have the honor of welcoming Dr. Keeanna Warren, CEO of all Purdue Polytechnic High Schools, including our very own microschool. Dr. Warren sits down with our high school students to share her wealth of knowledge and experience, offering invaluable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of education in Indianapolis. As a transformative leader...

Join us for a special on-site episode of Voices of Indianapolis, recorded at the inaugural Purdue Polytechnic Lab's Community Fair. In this dynamic episode, we immerse ourselves in the bustling atmosphere as businesses from across Indianapolis engage with students, offering invaluable opportunities for internships, shadow days, and future careers. Listen in as students receive personalized feedbac...

"Hunger doesn't take a day off." Join us in this episode of Voices of Indianapolis as we delve into the heartwarming story of Second Helpings, a beacon of hope in Central Indiana's fight against hunger and poverty. Our guest, Emily Martin, from Second Helpings, takes us on a journey through their remarkable 25-year legacy. Each day, their dedicated volunteers and staff undertake a noble mission: r...

Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis values diversity and inclusion in all of its forms and the rich dynamics that make all of us unique, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, culture, socioeconomic status, disability status, national origin, family structure, religion, age, educational background, cognitive abilities, and organizational position...

Rebuilding Stronger's mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need. Approximately 400 volunteers are needed to successfully complete repairs on 15+ homes each year. Kyle Hickman with Rebuilding Together was able to give insight into civics, his work restoring houses in Indianapolis, the choices that brought him to his position, career...

What are those necessary skills that students need, employees need, and employers are looking for? This week, the students are joined by Trenae Thomas, the Manager of Workforce Equity with the Markle Foundation. Trenae is a servant leader devoted to the growth and development of all humans . For the past 19 years she has served in the Indianapolis area to improve outcomes through access to mental...

Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the fascinating history of one of Indianapolis's most cherished neighborhoods. In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Anne Hardwick, a dedicated member of the Irvington Historical Society, as she unveils the rich tapestry of Irvington's past. Named after the renowned author Washington Irving, Irvington is a neighborhood steeped in h...

The Mind Trust invests in public education to transform lives in neighborhoods across Indianapolis. They work with our community toward a day when race and income are no longer predictors of life outcomes. In 2006, former Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson and David Harris founded The Mind Trust to help Indianapolis think bigger about education. Since then, The Mind Trust has: Supported the launch o...

Our school is joined by the esteemed Ecolab panel, a group of educators whose ultimate goal is to overhaul the ecosystem of education in America. Our guests for panel 1: - Kelly Young, founder and president of Education ReImagined, a nonprofit in Washington DC focused on transforming K-12 Education - Emily Bader, Chief Communications Officer for Education Reimagined - Alin Bennett, Vice President...

Jordan Bartlett works as a certified life coach in Indianapolis. Follow him at Iam_JordanBartlett.

This week, we interviewed Pastor Jason Taber from Cornerstone Community Center & Church. There's a lot of good work happening at Cornerstone @ 2837 New York St. Here's how to help / get help: 1. The Little Timmy Project can use donations for mothers & babies. 2. There is fresh produce distributed on Thursdays. 3. There is a donation bin that serves unhoused individuals. 4. Cornerstone has...

Welcome to Voices of Indianapolis, the podcast where we bring you the stories, insights, and inspirations of the remarkable individuals shaping the heart and soul of our city. I'm your host Jeff Edge, and I am thrilled to embark on this journey of discovery with you. In this podcast, we'll be diving deep into the minds of innovators, collaborators, and communicators who are driving positive change...