In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, host Denny Spinner travels to Vincennes, Indiana, to speak with Eunice Trotter, director of the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program, and local historian Tom Bartholomew. Together, they explore the deep and often overlooked history of Black communities in Knox County and across Indiana.

They discuss the origins and evolution of the Black Heritage Preservation Program, the power of oral histories, and the grassroots efforts to digitize and share long-buried records. From freedom suits filed decades before the Civil War to the first Black woman to vote in Indiana, this episode reveals how local stories shape our collective past.

Tune in to hear how communities are reclaiming their history, why preserving uncomfortable truths is essential for healing, and how this work is inspiring a new generation of historians and changemakers.

In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, host Denny Spinner sits down with Jodi Routson, director of Deaconess Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center; Jon Agley, associate professor at the IU School of Public Health; and Amy Todd, registered nurse and program management specialist at IU, to explore a groundbreaking partnership addressing mental health needs in rural Indiana.
They discuss how telehealth innovations are breaking down access barriers, reducing wait times, and offering immediate support to underserved populations. The episode also touches on reducing stigma, provider support, and scaling successful models to reach more rural Hoosiers.
Tune in to learn about innovative mental health care approaches, the impact of telehealth, and future expansion of these services to rural communities. Discover how collaboration is making a difference in the lives of rural Hoosiers.

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In this episode of "Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers," we sit down with Colleen Rose, the director of student engagement at the IU Center for Rural Engagement, and two Indiana University Bloomington students, Dayanara Alvarado and Noah Bootcheck. Join us as we explore their journeys from small-town Indiana to the bustling campus of IU Bloomington.

Dayanara and Noah share their experiences transitioning from rural high schools to a large university, discussing the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. They reflect on the community they found at IU, the importance of stepping out of their comfort zones, and the support systems that helped them thrive. Colleen provides insights into the resources available to students and the university's commitment to engaging with rural communities.

Whether you're a prospective student, an educator, or simply interested in the stories of rural Hoosiers, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the transformative power of education and community. Tune in to hear how these students are making the most of their college experience and how they plan to give back to their hometowns.

Visitgo.iu.edu/ourindiana for a transcript of the episode.

In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, host Denny Spinner sits down with Jessica Potts, executive director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth; Jon Racek, program director and teaching professor for comprehensive design at the IU Eskenazi School for Art, Architecture + Design; and Nicole Vasconi, quality of place liaison for the IU Center for Rural Engagement to discuss the transformative impact of the Rural Placemaking Studio on Martin County, Indiana.

Jessica Potts shares insights into the economic development initiatives and quality-of-life projects spearheaded by the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth in partnership with the Rural Placemaking Studio. Jon Racek and Nicole Vasconi explain how the Rural Placemaking Studio connects IU students with rural communities to create vibrant public spaces and foster community pride. Together, they highlight the unique assets of Martin County, the collaborative process of engaging students in real-world projects, and the positive changes brought about by creative placemaking efforts.

Tune in to hear inspiring stories of community engagement, the importance of outside perspectives, and the tangible benefits of placemaking in rural Indiana.

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Brandy Terrell and John Keesler join host Denny Spinner to discuss the evolution of developing trauma-informed care programming in Orange County, Indiana.

Brandy is the chair of Thrive Orange County under the enabling services program at Southern Indiana Community Health Care, and John is an associate professor with the IU School of Social Work.

In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, Jacob Balash, Judi Epp, and Elisabeth Solchik of Spencer Pride join host Denny Spinner to discuss how the LGBTQ+ not-for-profit supports rural quality of place through its annual Spencer Pride Festival, commUnity center, cultural programming, and local beautification efforts in Spencer, Indiana.

Jacob Balash serves as the community center director, Judi Epp is the financial director, and Elisabeth Solchik directs programming and fundraising.

Read a transcript of the episode ⁠here⁠.

In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, Jimmy Hay and Priscilla Barnes join host Denny Spinner for a hopeful conversation on the community impact of the Daviess Advances Recovery Access Consortium partnership with the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement.

Hay is the president of REAL Recovery in Washington, Indiana. Priscilla Barnes is an associate professor of applied health science at the IU School of Public Health. Together, they have worked with organizations throughout Daviess County, Indiana, to unite on providing resources and services to residents seeking recovery from substance use disorder.

Read a transcript of the episode here.

In our debut episode, Rossina Sandoval and Christian Blome join host Denny Spinner for a lively conversation on the community impact of Dubois County's two-year partnership with the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement's Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative.

Sandoval is the director of community engagement for Southwest Dubois County School Corporation. Christian Blome is the assistant vice president and dean of the Vincennes University Jasper Campus.

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