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 Italy, watching a film called "To Please a Lady," and racing at the Speedway 29 times before calling his lone 1969 victory one of many "shiny moments." Dixon, who grew up racing go-karts in New Zealand and won his first IndyCar race at 20, describes how winning the 2008 race felt like a dream he still couldn't process days later. Kanaan traces his journey from watching the race as an eight-year-old in Brazil, through his father's death at 13 and a promise made the night before, to finally taking the checkered flag in 2013 on what was meant to be his last attempt. Cornelison discusses the weight of following Jim Nabors as the voice of the pre-race tradition and the preparation required to honor it.

Business and Beyond is hosted by Gerry Dick and presented by PNC Bank.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

0:58 Mario Andretti: Discovering Indianapolis

4:55 The Andretti Curse and Family Legacy

8:05 Andretti on A.J. Foyt and IndyCar Today

10:10 Scott Dixon: Winning the 2008 Indy 500

13:45 Dixon on the Month of May and Team Ganassi

19:55 Dixon on New Zealand and Roger Penske

22:20 Tony Kanaan: A Promise to His Father

27:45 Kanaan's 2013 Championship Run

31:05 Jim Cornelison: Singing at the Speedway

36:45 Cornelison on Pressure and Performance

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 on how universities, employers and states must adapt to a rapidly evolving future, diving into the growing influence of AI, the changing definition of workforce readiness, and the debate over the value of a four-year degree. He also shares insight into how traditional manufacturing states like Indiana are positioning themselves for the new economy and what business and education leaders must do now to remain competitive in a technology-driven world.

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 opportunities facing large-scale events in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape. He also shares insights from his previous role leading NIL initiatives at Purdue University, offering a candid look at the evolving business of college athletics. From racing tradition to the transformation of college athletics, this episode examines two uniquely American institutions navigating change while trying to preserve what makes them special.

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 incoming class with an average GPA of 3.9. What’s behind the momentum? Lindsay points to a clear mission, strong culture, and distinctive traditions. But the story goes beyond campus. We explore Taylor’s ambitious $500 million fundraising campaign and “Main Street Mile,” a $100 million initiative designed to transform Upland with new housing, mixed-use development, and a boutique hotel. It’s a conversation about leadership, strategy, and how one small university may be offering a big lesson for the future of higher education.

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 carried by major retailers like Target. Her products are also making their way into school districts across the country. In this conversation, she shares the story behind her entrepreneurial leap, the realities of startup life—the setbacks, the momentum swings, and the discipline required to scale—and offers insight into where she sees the company heading next.

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 leadership and purpose. Today, he’s leading an organization that reaches all 92 counties in Indiana, providing critical services ranging from job training and employment to rehabilitation and independence support. It’s an inspiring and insightful discussion about overcoming challenges, building opportunity, and seeing potential in a whole new way.

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, AI-assisted technology developed and patented by Damar that could reshape the future of caregiving—particularly in addressing one of the industry’s biggest challenges: workforce. It’s a powerful conversation about compassion, innovation, and what it takes to meet some of society’s most urgent needs.

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 coach Matt Painter shares the blunt recruiting pitch from Gene Keady that shaped his philosophy, and explains why honesty still defines how he leads players. WNBA legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana women’s basketball coach Lin Dunn discuss the rapid rise of the women’s game, from record Final Four audiences to the Caitlin Clark effect and the WNBA’s ambitions for major expansion. Don Fischer, the longtime voice of Indiana Hoosiers football and basketball, recounts memorable stories from his years alongside Bob Knight, including a live radio show disrupted by a shotgun barrel hitting the floor. Retired NCAA official Bo Boroski reflects on the emotion of earning a Final Four assignment and what it was like officiating inside the NBA bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department, weighs in on the findings and explains why these issues extend far beyond healthcare, influencing workforce, economic growth, and the long-term vitality of the region.

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 financial stakes in college athletics surge. Brewer also weighs in on the new economic realities of the WNBA. It’s a fascinating conversation about the business of sports—and the numbers behind dramatic transformation.