On today's show I sat down with Michael Green, founder of Flags For Good, a purpose-driven flag company that donates proceeds to social causes.

Green shares how his background in branding and a 2019 TEDx talk led him to start the business as a side hustle, which grew through SEO and viral TikTok content and eventually prompted him to leave his Texas A&M athletics "dream job" after nine moFnths.

We discuss vexillology, why flag design is objective, what makes good and bad state flags (including Indiana), and how symbols build belonging.

Green recounts moving to Indiana, finding community, and explains Flags For Good's new partnership as the official flag provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including using more sustainable biodegradable polyester and launching limited collectible IMS flags.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - How Flags For Good Went from a Side Hustle to Full-Time Business - The Keys to Good and Bag Flags - Flags For Good's Partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Thank you to our partners: Duke Homes Pence Media Group Greek's Pizzeria Kirklin

Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Why Flags Matter 02:03 Guest Introduction: Michael Green, Flags For Good 02:57 Ireland Flag Swap 04:23 Texas A&M Origins 07:53 Starting Flags For Good 13:45 Quitting the Dream Job 17:14 Growth via SEO TikTok 22:06 Vexillology Design Rules 28:43 State Flag Rankings 31:59 City Flags Identity 33:27 Logo Pride Backlash 33:54 IMS Logo Flip Debate 35:38 Why Flags Matter 37:49 Worst State Flags 38:36 Utah Flag Redesign 41:20 Moving To Indiana 43:04 Finding Community Indy 45:52 Building Relationships 47:55 Constraints Spark Creativity 51:18 IMS Partnership Unboxing 54:47 Snake Pit Flag Hustle 58:43 Sustainable Speedway Flags 01:03:42 New Facility Growth Plans 01:06:41 Activism Flags Dilemma 01:07:54 Growing Without Greed 01:09:05 Who Decides What's Good 01:09:43 Why Stay In Indiana 01:15:00 Rights And Reputation 01:16:33 Listening Beyond Echoes 01:21:19 IMS Collectible Drop 01:24:46 Why Indiana Home 01:26:49 Biggest Flags Physics 01:29:05 Corn Sweat And Bike Party 01:32:04 Hoosier Spotlight Roads

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Dave Neff, the new president and CEO of the 500 Festival, a community and civic organization that produces events to enrich the lives of Hoosiers, drive community impact, and celebrate the spirit of the Indy 500.

Neff dives into the organization's 70-year history, its origin inspired by the Kentucky Derby Festival, and his career path through Pacers Sports & Entertainment, ExactTarget, EDGE Mentoring, Prolific, and Purdue's NIL collective Boilermaker Alliance.

Neff explains the 500 Festival's role in community engagement around the Indy 500, including the 50th running of the Indy Mini, the third-largest parade in the U.S. that draws up to 300,000 attendees, the Princess Program, Breakfast at the Brickyard, Kids Day on Monument Circle, and the Memorial Service honoring Gold Star families.

He details year-round work such as a STEM-based fourth-grade education curriculum and Kids Fit, collaboration with IMS and the IMS Museum, and ways Hoosiers can volunteer or intern.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - The Origins and Community Impact of 500 Festival - 500 Festival Events - How Hoosiers Can Volunteer or Intern with 500 Festival

Thank you to our partners: Elements Financial Berne Apparel

Check out these great clips from the show: 02:08 Guest Introduction: Dave Neff, 500 Festival 03:24 Dave's Career Path 05:40 How 500 Festival Began 07:56 Why Dave Took the Job 10:55 Festival vs IMS Explained 13:41 Year-Round Programs 15:46 Growing Statewide Fandom 18:28 Parade Breakdown 21:18 May Saturdays Lineup 23:49 Indy Mini 50th Year 27:20 Kickoff to May Event 29:06 Surprises as CEO 30:14 Legacy Volunteers Spotlight 31:03 Volunteer Army Behind Events 32:28 Memorial Service and Gold Mile 34:02 Mini Race Motivation Stories 36:25 How to Get Involved 37:26 Internships and Networking 38:35 Why Volunteer When Young 40:39 Purdue NIL and Final Four Run 43:06 NIL Money and NCAA Rules 49:18 Portal Fundraising Wild Story 51:24 May Events and Registration Push 52:02 Indiana Home and Traditions 54:32 Race Day Suite and Favorite Drivers 55:51 Hidden Gems and Guest Picks

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

Chirp chirp! On today's show I sat down with Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns to learn why he chose Ball State and Muncie, emphasizing education's transformational power, Ball State's residential campus, and the university's responsibility to support community growth.

President Mearns explains Ball State's origins from the Ball Brothers' 1917 gift, its continuing strength in teacher education, and high Indiana retention among graduates. He dives into Ball State's nationally recognized media and Sports Link programs and alumni engagement, including David Letterman bringing Netflix and ESPN productions to campus and the Letterman Speaker Series.

President Mearns also shares Hugh Jackman's visits and positive view of Muncie as a resilient post-industrial community.

Our conversation covers Ball State's partnership with Muncie Community Schools, progress in student outcomes, and a major Village revitalization plan featuring a performing arts center, hotel, innovation hub, housing and green space. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Ball State University's Origins from the Ball Brothers - Ball State's Media Program and David Letterman Speaker Series - Muncie's Village Revitalization Plan

Thank you to our partners: Berne Apparel Hope Plumbing

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:19 Guest Introduction: President Mearns, Ball State University 02:18 Why Ball State and Muncie 05:36 First Impressions of Muncie 06:40 Ball Family and Founding Story 08:46 Teacher College Impact 09:50 Keeping Talent in Indiana 12:30 Media Program Powerhouse 15:51 David Letterman and Caitlin Clark 17:03 How the Netflix Episode Happened 19:49 Letterman's Humble Character 23:17 Hugh Jackman Visits Ball State 27:38 Letterman Speaker Series Tease 27:50 Celebrity Workshops Fund 28:57 Muncie Schools Partnership 31:36 Progress and Outcomes 33:35 Emens Giving Story 37:00 Village Revitalization Plan 40:39 Running and Trails 43:30 Why Indiana Feels Like Home 46:40 Arts Culture and Downtown 48:48 Indiana Favorites and Hoosier Spotlight

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with retired USA Rugby center Bryce Campbell, who earned 48 caps, played over 100 pro matches, and most recently suited up for the Chicago Hounds before retiring in 2025 and returning to Indianapolis to help revive Kuntz Stadium.

Campbell remembers discovering rugby at Broad Ripple Park with the Royal Irish, winning a national title, and playing club rugby at Indiana University. Study abroad in Sydney then led to USA Selects, a call from Irish rugby legend Declan Kidney, his first cap against Romania, and a career that included driving Uber early on, signing with London Irish, and competing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

After returning to the U.S. due to COVID, he played in Austin and Chicago, then helped form Riverside Sports Properties to manage and restore city-owned Kuntz Stadium, host college rugby nationals, support the Indy AlleyCats, and pursue future rugby events and a potential Indy pro rugby team. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Bryce Campbell's Rugby Journey - Riverside Sports Properties' Efforts to Restore Kuntz Stadium - The Past, Present and Future of Rugby in Indiana

Thank you to our partners: Pence Media Group Barkeep Vodka

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:19 Guest Introduction: Bryce Campbell, USA Rugby 02:28 Finding Rugby Indiana 04:02 Royal Irish Rise 04:54 Choosing IU Rugby 06:42 Club Life At IU 07:28 Big Ten Rugby Explained 08:15 Why Not NCAA 09:34 USA Pathway Begins 10:06 Australia To Uruguay Breakout 12:40 First Eagles Cap 14:36 Turning Pro In Denver 16:12 MLR Launch And Glendale 18:51 Overseas Dream 20:04 Signed By London Irish 22:01 Life In English Rugby 26:13 World Cup Japan 28:54 COVID Ends Europe Stint 29:53 Back To MLR Austin 31:30 Career Timeline Check 31:58 Finding The Next Team 33:31 Balancing USA Rugby Life 36:01 Becoming A Chicago Hound 37:51 Building A New Club 38:43 Retirement And Indy Pivot 39:29 Reviving Kuntz Stadium 43:19 Landing Major Events Fast 45:38 Bigger Vision For Rugby 48:48 Rugby Origins And Growth 50:30 Indiana Questions

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Tom Hanley, a Marian University alum and four-time track cycling national champion who founded Indianapolis nonprofit Nine13sports to get kids active and teach life skills through cycling.

Hanley shares how he got into cycling as a kid, Marian's prominence in collegiate cycling, and his elite racing path before a tragic party-bus crash on his wedding day killed his best man and left Hanley with crushed vertebrae and a brain injury, ending his cycling career.

He explains channeling grief into launching Nine13sports in 2012, including the Kids Riding Bikes in-school simulator program and a Kids Building Bikes workforce program, reaching 50,000 students in 2025. During the pandemic, Nine13 created Nine13 Logistics to move and deliver millions of pounds of food, emphasizing collaboration to scale nonprofit impact. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - The Launch and Mission of Nine13sports - Kids Riding Bikes and Kids Building Bikes Initiatives - The Creation of Nine13 Logistics to Combat Food Insecurities

Thank you to our partners: Elements Financial

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:39 Guest Introduction: Tom Hanley, Nine13sports 02:54 How He Found Cycling 04:35 Racing Before Lance Armstrong Boom 06:25 Marian and Velodrome 09:04 College Titles and Pro Dreams 12:34 2010 Party Bus Crash 16:04 Turning Trauma Into Purpose 19:53 Launching Kids Riding Bikes 21:24 Bike Freedom and Opportunity 24:55 Scaling and Building Bikes 28:46 Kids Riding Bikes 28:55 Scaling to 50k Students 29:28 New HQ Before COVID Hits 31:32 Pivot to Food Delivery 33:06 Building Last Mile Logistics 34:14 How Food Distribution Works 37:04 Running Two Divisions 38:45 Impact Footprint and Growth 39:31 Nonprofit Leadership Advice 41:10 Why It's Called Nine13 41:48 Future Plans and Food Hub 43:30 Solving Food Insecurity 46:52 How Hoosiers Can Help 47:54 Why Indiana Feels Like Home 48:48 Rapid Fire Bike Wisdom 50:59 Velodrome Racing Explained 54:03 Final Indiana Questions 55:43 Guest Recommendations

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with my colleague Cheyne Reiter to share a behind-the-scenes deep dive into Get Indiana's rapid growth, from its origins as a Powderkeg business podcast launched in March 2023 to a broader statewide media brand with a website, newsletters and socials launched in 2025.

We outline the company's ecosystem, with almost 300,000 combined social followers across 10 social accounts, a statewide newsletter and multiple localized newsletters reaching over 25,000 Hoosiers, daily blog posts from a team of writers, and an advertiser-supported model.

We announce the Get Indiana Podcast Network, adding Allison Martin's "IN the Parks" and two new shows coming later this summer, while discussing expansion to more Indiana cities and eventually the Midwest.

The episode also features Hoosier author Craig Fehrman (from Dillsboro) on his new book, "This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark," a multi-perspective, heavily sourced history of Lewis and Clark (1804–1806), including Native viewpoints and figures like York, plus details on the April 21 release and Wild Geese Bookshop event hosted at the Johnson County Museum in Franklin. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference or discuss trending topics in Indiana, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - How Get Indiana was Founded - The Expansion of Get Indiana from Podcast to Socials, Newsletters and a Website - The Get Indiana Podcast Network - Craig Fehrman's New Book "This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark"

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:06 Origin Story of Get Indiana 02:40 Audience Growth and Platforms 03:41 Newsletters and Podcast Network 05:29 Team and Revenue Model 07:47 Local News Mission and Expansion 14:06 Future Vision and Indy 500 Plans 16:23 Partner Call and Listener Support 17:53 Meet Author Craig Fehrman 19:14 From Presidents to Lewis and Clark 20:33 York and Untold Perspectives 23:08 Game of Thrones Style History 24:30 Jefferson and Clark Family Ties 26:31 Modern Archives and Writing Process 30:23 Research with Native Descendants 31:13 Down the Ohio River 31:34 Sandbars and River Life 32:14 Journals and Giant Trees 33:31 Jefferson's Real Mission 34:27 Lakota Power Politics 36:16 Native Records and Winter Counts 37:22 From Yale to Publishing 40:25 Audiobook and Release Plans 42:47 Why This Book Matters 49:45 Final Questions and Indiana Love 52:56 Hoosiers Everywhere Outro

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Zionsville mayor John Stehr, who has prioritized the city's small-town identity despite its population more than doubling since 2010.

A former TV journalist of 42 years and longtime WTHR anchor, Stehr was elected as the mayor of Zionsville in 2023 after running on better communication, civility, and responsible growth. He recalls his broadcasting path from Pittsburgh through multiple markets, his view of news, and why he left as media economics and opinion pressures increased.

John explains how serving on the parks board revealed communication gaps that motivated his campaign, including knocking on over 5,000 doors and focusing on listening.

As mayor, his priorities include improving traffic and emergency access near the Brick Street area with a planned double-roundabout realignment, managing rapid population growth while preserving Zionsville's charming character, supporting housing needs, and backing community projects like parks improvements, a youth advisory council, and a Watch Us Farm initiative for adults with developmental disabilities. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Door-to-Door Campaigning - Responsibilities of Being a Mayor - The Watch Us Farm Initiative

Thank you to our partner: NCW

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:19 Guest Introduction: John Stehr, Zionsville Mayor 02:42 Broadcasting Roots and Career Path 03:51 Night Beat and Garfield Story 05:26 CBS to WTHR and Leaving News 07:52 Journalism as Public Service 12:40 Why He Ran for Mayor 15:16 Campaign Trail Door Knocking 17:19 Listening and Being Heard 22:03 First Priorities Traffic Fixes 23:56 Growth and Brick Street Identity 25:44 Downtown Zoning No Chains 28:24 New Developments The Farm and 106th 32:57 My Sugar Pie Surprise 34:06 Favorite Zionsville Eats 35:05 Food Spots and Vibes 36:04 Big Dave's Deli Discovery 37:22 Festivals and Lincoln History 40:27 Mayor Advice on Growth 44:01 Schools and Future Vision 46:09 Responsible Development Plans 47:42 Mayor Life and Public Service 50:43 Road Project and Brick Streets 52:53 Youth Council and Civic Pride 55:37 Floodplain Park Legends 56:43 Why Indiana Feels Like Home 59:09 Traditions and Therapy Dog 01:03:30 Hidden Gems

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Casey Crouse, founder and executive director of New Shoe Day, about ending shoe insecurity for Hoosier youth so kids can move, participate, and thrive with dignity.

Casey traces his life of service to the 2005 death of his sister Ashley, an IU Dance Marathon leader, and how launching Carmel High School Dance Marathon in her honor led him to IU and eventually becoming IUDM president in 2009.

In 2020, Casey and Trevor Dewitt created "1001 City," running 10 miles a day for 100 days across Indianapolis, meeting residents and sparking the "New Shoe Day" idea through small acts of kindness that grew into a GoFundMe.

New Shoe Day became a 501(c)(3) in 2021, expanded demand in 2023, distributed about 3,500 pairs in 2024 and 5,500 in 2025, and now operates shoe pantries and partner projects statewide. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - The Creation of "1001 City" and Run Club - How New Shoe Day Grew from Acts of Kindness to a GoFundMe and 501(c)(3) - Indiana Shoe Banks

Thank you to our partners: Elements Financial

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:36 Guest Introduction: Casey Crouse, New Shoe Day 03:59 Sister Ashley Legacy 07:30 Carmel Dance Marathon 11:20 Choosing IU and IUDM 17:22 Endurance to Fundraise 20:15 1001 City Challenge 25:58 Stories From the Streets 29:01 New Shoe Day Begins 38:36 From Project to Nonprofit 39:39 Run Club Origins 40:36 Launching New Shoe Day 42:52 Sourcing Shoes Early 44:39 Demand Surge Indicators 45:32 Big 1200 Pair Project 47:11 Defining Shoe Insecurity 51:51 Scaling Beyond Events 54:29 Indiana Shoe Bank Model 55:51 Going Full Time Leap 59:43 Building Operations Roadmap 01:02:28 Corporate Partners Support 01:03:54 How To Get Involved 01:06:30 Indiana Quickfire Questions

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Chelsea Linder, VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TechPoint, to preview the 27th annual Mira Awards (April 24 at the Palladium in Carmel), which spotlights Indiana's digital economy across innovation, talent, and community.

Chelsea discusses TechPoint's mission, talent programs like the externship, and how the Mira Awards evolved into a larger gala as the ecosystem grew, including the long-running Trailblazer Award and past standouts like Republic Airways and SEP.

She outlines new 2026 awards with CICP partners, including an Innovation with AI award and cross-industry innovation categories culminating in an overall Innovation of the Year.

She also highlights diverse finalists statewide, discusses founders' challenges amid rapid AI-driven shifts in building, fundraising, and go-to-market strategy, and shares TechPoint resources like the Indiana Founders Network and the AI Innovation Network. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - The Mira Awards - TechPoint's Mission and Externship Program - Mira Awards Finalists and Challenges They Face Because of AI

Thank you to our partners: Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Fire and Ice Café

Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 AI Funding Snapshot 01:40 Mira Awards Preview 03:31 Origins of Mira Awards 04:16 TechPoint Mission Pillars 04:53 Extern Program and AI Shift 06:45 Early Winners and Big Institutions 08:30 Trailblazer Award Legacy 11:10 Standout Past Winners 15:16 Mira Night Experience 17:06 New Awards and CICP Partners 21:00 2026 AI Award Nominees 26:09 Founder Questions in AI Era 30:33 Founder and AI Networks 35:32 Tickets and Event Details 35:58 Favorite Award Category 36:21 Startup Nominees Rundown 37:34 AI and Sports Tech Picks 40:51 Rising Entrepreneur Spotlight 43:32 Tech Company of Year 47:39 Innovation Beyond Indy 49:40 Why Community Matters 51:30 Deal of the Year and VC Trends 56:04 Data as the New Moat 59:27 Indiana Q&A and Hidden Gems 01:03:49 How to Join

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Steve Berube of Citizens Energy Group and Dr. Bob Holden of Wessler Engineering about water infrastructure needed for Lebanon's LEAP District.

Citizens was asked in late 2024 to supply up to 25 million gallons per day to Lebanon, which currently uses under 5 million, with delivery planned at 2 MGD by 2027, 10 MGD by 2028, and 25 MGD by 2031.

They explain Lebanon's long-standing "water desert" challenges, how Citizens' 10 treatment plants and expansions at T.W. Moses Water Treatment Plant near Eagle Creek and White River North will support demand, and why Eagle Creek levels are expected to remain consistent.

They also address misconceptions about costs (LEAP users fund infrastructure), data centers (Meta up to 8 MGD with recycling), wastewater treatment using bacteria, industrial permits, and returning some treated water to the White River watershed. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Water Needs for Lebanon's LEAP District - How Eagle Creek's Water Levels Will Remain Consistent Despite Growing Water Demands - Misconceptions About Costs and Data Centers

Thank you to our partners: Indy Grills Cowpokes

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:31 Meet the Water Experts 02:38 LEAP Water Demand Scale 04:29 Lebanon Water Desert Explained 05:50 How Citizens Energy Group Supplies Water 07:12 Bills and Who Pays 08:26 Buildout Timeline and Growth 09:30 Water Cycle and Recycling 13:27 Wholesale Infrastructure Needed 15:12 Eagle Creek Misconceptions 17:40 Dam Operations and Releases 21:27 Data Centers Water Truth 23:49 Who Owns The Water 24:44 Eagle Creek Vs. Wabash 26:14 Lebanon Protecting Residents 27:11 Data Center Wastewater Reality 28:36 How Sewage Gets Treated 32:43 Permits Testing And Compliance 35:40 Water Taste And Carbon 38:54 Returning Water To Watershed 42:37 Project Benefits

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.