The Lively Death Lady, Kel McBride, counsels people who otherwise wouldn’t think about their inevitable demises to plan their exits from this life. McBride has made a name for herself in this town as a founder of the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls, the driving force behind ten years of Eroticon events, and as the head wrangler of Bloomington’s celebrated Krampus performances every Christmas season. Part 1 of the conversation between McBride and host Michael Glab aired Thursday, February 25, 2021.

Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin chat with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.

Sex educator and advocate, roller derby queen, and certified death planner, Kel McBride has made an indelible mark on Bloomington. She and Pizza X’s Jeff Mease have conjured a fun weekend for COVID-19 shut-ins beginning tomorrow. Their X-Hunt, “Bloomington’s quirky scavenger hunt” to benefit the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, kicks off Friday, February 26th, at 10am and runs clear through Sunday, February 28th, at 10pm.

Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin go one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.

Since first meeting Josh Johnson when the two worked at Farm Bloomington restaurant, Alex Ashkin has watched him become one of the city’s premier events and entertainment coordinators. Johnson struck out on his own to produce punk rock shows in Bloomington and has branched out to conceive and produce all kinds of nightlife events. Like many people around town, Johnson has had to adapt to the new world of the pandemic. He continues to produce ongoing events even as we remain mostly shut in during the COVID crisis.

[This edition of Big Talk aired Thursday, February 18, 2021.]

Hosts Michael Glab and Alex Ashkin go one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.

Pronounced Chahng Ho, she was born and raised in a small village north of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and came the the United States for college. After working around the country in human resources, she moved with her fiancé to Bloomington to live with his family during the lockdowns. When she wanted a wedding dress, her mother recommended she have a tailor from the old village custom-make it. She was so happy with the result that now she’s starting a business that will connect American consumers with Vietnamese tailors for made-to-order, high-quality, sustainable clothing.

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.

Alex Ashkin’s conversation with the author of “Forging Freedom: Black Women and thePursuit of Liberty in Antebellum Charleston,” continues. Part 1 aired Thursday, February 4, 2021 on WFHB, 91.3 FM.

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.

The author of the book, “Forging Freedom: Black Women and the Pursuit of Liberty in Antebellum Charleston,” IU associate professor Myers has focused on the stories of black women who fought — and often gained — their freedom in the years prior to the US Civil War. She hopes to explode the myth that freedom and civil rights come about because kindly white people grant them. Myers argues people of color work long and hard in the battle for advancement in a racist society. Part 2 of the conversation airs tomorrow, Friday, February 5, 2021, at 11:30am

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.

Jeff and his long-time business partner and ex-wife, Helen “Lennie” Busch,” have run a Bloomington food empire for nearly four decades. When the pandemic and ensuing shutdown hit almost a year ago, their businesses, like so many others in this town, suffered. Still they survive, mainly because the pizza delivery business is running as strong-or stronger-than ever. Jeff talks about the challenges he and Lennie face in the Age of COVID. Part 1 of this conversation aired Thursday, January 28, 2021.

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.

With his long-time business partner and ex-wife, Helen “Lennie” Busch, Mease runs a food empire in Bloomington. Their One World Enterprises parent company operates Pizza X, Lennie’s, Bloomington Brewing Co., Hive, a catering service, an industrial kitchen open to other food entrepreneurs, and a Euro-style community garden on their 96-acre farm west of the city. Part 1 of the conversation aired Thursday, January 28, 2021; Part 2 airs Friday, January 29, at 11:30am.

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.

With temperatures falling below freezing as we approach mid-winter, the city has opted to evict the tent residents at Seminary Square. Almost simultaneously, Beacon, Inc. (formerly the Shalom Community Center) announced the opening of a new low-barrier shelter in a large commercial gym facility near Switchyard Park. Beacon’s executive director appeared on Big Talk in October; let’s listen to the conversation again.

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.

Through the years many musicians have appeared on Big Talk. Back in December, we began to celebrate those musical guests by presenting their songs and work in a show dedicated to them. Now, a month later, we wrap up our celebration with music created and/or performed by the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, Travis Puntarelli, Jason Fickel, Jason & Ginger, Krista Detor, and Kacie Swierk. Go to the Big Talk archive for Part 1 of our musical celebration.

Host Michael Glab goes one-on-one with Bloomington’s most fascinating people every Thursday at 5:30pm.