Hoosier History Live

Originally aired 12/13/2025. An all call-in program was aired with co-host and prolific author Ray Boomhower of the Indiana Historical Society. Listeners are invited to call WICR-FM with any questions or comments about our Indiana heritage throughout the show. In between phone calls from listeners, Nelson and Ray interview each other about topics related to the holiday season and "America 250".

Originally aired 12/06/2025. Nelson and his guests explore the histories of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood on the eastside of Indy as well as Polk's Dairy, the state's largest milk distributor during the early 1900s. The only remaining structure of the dairy complex is its stable for delivery horses, which today houses the Polklore Micro-Museum that highlights neighborhood history. Nelson's guests Joanna Taft, founder of the Harrison Center, Immanuel Ivey, who grew up in Martindale-Brightwood and works for the Edna Christian Center, and Kipp Normand, an artist and historian.

Originally aired 11/15/2025. An outstanding rower from Bloomington became the only organ donor to win an Olympic medal. A runner from Westfield was struck by a car, but recovered to become an All-American athlete. And an Indianapolis native who lost both of her twin sons, then took a long break from running, returned to set an Indiana record in the marathon. These women and others are featured in a book called "Inspiring Women of Indiana Sports." The author, acclaimed sportswriter David Woods, is Nelson's guest on this episode. Please note that the audio got cut off during recording and the episode abruptly ends. We apologize for this mistake!

Originally aired 10/25/2025. There have been six official, state-owned houses since 1816, but also long stretches when Governors and First Ladies lived in private residences for various reasons. In Indianapolis, the first governor's mansion constructed on the eventual site of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was never occupied. A subsequent Governor's mansion was blamed for making family members sick. Nelson's guest is Libby Cierzniak, a retired lawyer and lobbyist who writes a blog about Indy city history.

Originally aired 10/18/2025. Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp , the Hoosier Gardener, is Nelson's guest. She is well-known garden writer and coach who recently was inducted into the Garden Communicators Hall of Fame. During this episode she shares insights about the spotted lantern fly and other invasive insects as well as the plants and trees that host them. Jo Ellen also discusses a crusade to replace the peony as the official state flower by a native flower. During the show, listeners were welcome to call WICR-FM to ask any gardening - related questions.

Originally aired 10/11/2025. Hoosier History Live spotlights the colorful return to the country of Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette after more than 40 years. Gen. Lafayette traveled thousands of miles and visited all of the 24 states in the nation in 1824-25, including Indiana. The tour, which was both triumphant and rugged, is described in "The Last Adieu", a book by Bloomington based author Ryan Cole, who is Nelson's guest. The journey included the sinking of a steamboat carrying Lafayette and his son on the Ohio River, forcing the distinguished visitors from France to spend a wet, cold night on Hoosier soil. Despite such mishaps, Americans came together as "Lafayette mania" swept the country.

Originally aired 09/20/2025. ​ Ashley Petry, the author of , "Amazing Indianapolis", that describes some creepy events that have occured in Indianapolis.

Originally aired 08/30/2025. ​Ever heard the saying, "There's nothing like a good Indiana tomato, and nothing worse than a bad tomato?" Following up the previous show about Hoosier food, Hoosier History Live has another serving for our listeners. Elwood-based Red Gold is the largest privately owned tomato processor in the country. Nelson's guest, Bradley Hohulin, the dining reporter at the Indianapolis Star, shares knowledge about the Indiana State Fair. The pair also discuss some Indiana restaurants and a bakery with a long standing history in the Hoosier state.

Originally aired 8/23/2025. How many 100-year-old people (or older) have you met? Gerry Justice, a veteran journalist based in Indianapolis, has been interviewing centenarians. Gerry discusses insights connected with his new book, "My 100-Year-Old Friends :In Their Words", an anthology that includes four Hoosiers. Gerry shares their stories, which he sets in historic context with details about everything from rural life in Indiana during the 1920s to D-Day during World War II, when one of the Hoosiers landed on Omaha Beach.