On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Copywriter and Brand Strategist Brice Vance welcome Get Indiana founder Nate Spangle!

Nate Spangle is a lifelong Indiana resident who has been captivated by the stories woven into the fabric of our communities. As Indiana's hype man, he discusses some of the great stories he's heard over the last year on the Get IN podcast. He believes the rhetoric about Indiana needs to change, and it's up to all Hoosiers to speak positively about the state.

Nominate for the 2026 Pioneer Awards: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

To learn more about Get Indiana, https://getindiana.com/

To nominate for the 2026 Pioneer Awards or to be a guest on the show, contact Vice President of Marketing and Communication Jonathan Sackett at [email protected].

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #culture #indiana #forrestgump

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Copywriter and Brand Strategist Brice Vance welcomes Do it Best CEO Dan Starr! Dan makes his appearance on the podcast four months after being named the 2025 Pioneer of the Year! Dan shares his story of climbing up the ranks at Do it Best, the merger with True Value, and the culture of the business.

Nominate for the 2026 Pioneer Awards: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

Watch Dan's Pioneer Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKbwl6wVjGM

Relive the 2025 Pioneer Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGDawDKFfKs

To learn more about Do it Best, visit: https://www.doitbest.com/

To nominate for the 2026 Pioneer Awards or to be a guest on the show, contact Vice President of Marketing and Communication Jonathan Sackett at [email protected].

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast!

Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/

X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/

Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana.com

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #culture #workculture #hardware #doitbest #truevalue #merger #community #lawyer #ceo

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett welcomes Michelle Kimpel and Reggie Beer from Turnstone to the show!

Turnstone is hosting the 2025 WPV Sitting Volleyball World Cup from October 12–18, 2025 in Fort Wayne. This event is being hosted for the first time in the United States and will bring nearly 500 athletes, delegates, and officials from 25 countries. Michelle and Reggie talk about what Turnstone does, the sports programs they offer, and the preparations for the World Cup.

To receive updates or volunteer for the World Cup, visit:https://turnstone.org/about/events/2025-world-paravolley-sitting-paravolley-world-cup

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/

X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/

Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana.com

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #turnstone #accessibility #disability #advocacy #inclusionmatters #inclusion #sitting #sittingvolleyball #paralympics #paravolley #worldcup

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett welcomes Ryan Twiss, Chief Strategy Officer of Mission B.U.I.L.D., back to the show! Ryan held numerous titles with NEI over the course of 15 years. He has played a critical role in shaping Northeast Indiana’s regional identity and advancing key community, workforce, and economic development initiatives.

Ryan discusses the history of NEI, the region's growth, and his transition to Mission B.U.I.L.D., which is dedicated to addressing the housing crisis in rural and middle American communities.

To receive updates about Mission B.U.I.L.D., visit: https://missionbuild.co/

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett welcomes Kelly Lynch, the Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society!

Kelly has been involved with the organization in some capacity for 20 years and has seen the organization grow significantly. He discusses how his love for trains got started, the different types of train rides they offer, including cigar and whiskey rides to Christmas rides, and how he began consulting for movies, including A Man Called Otto and Sinners.

To learn more about Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, visit: https://fortwaynerailroad.org/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Marketing Content Producer Callie Herring welcome the founder of Sammie's Buddy Bench Project and our 2025 Junior Pioneer Award Winner, Sammie Vance!

Sammie discusses starting her Buddy Bench project at the age of eight. Her project started in Fort Wayne and is now global, with buddy benches as far as Ghana. Buddy Benches were just the start of her never-ending journey toward filling the world with good. Sammie talks about how she is surrounded by a fantastic support system, including her family, her classmates, and teachers, and how the project has allowed her to spread kindness farther than she ever thought she would.

To watch Sammie's Pioneer video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGo8In-X36U

To learn more about Sammie's Buddy Bench Project, visit: https://sammiesbuddybenchproject.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/

X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/

Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana.com

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Marketing Content Producer Callie Herring welcomes local artist and entrepreneur Andi Sherman! Andi discusses her transition from a bridal beauty stylist to running The Kingsbury in Howe and the nonprofit, The Howe Historical Society. She talks about the businesses in The Kingsbury and how it's a space for people from many different walks of life to gather.

To learn more about the Kingsbury, visit: https://thekingsburyinhowe.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerstartshere/

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▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast ##northeastindiana #historicalpreservation #localhistory #smalltownlove #smalltownstories #thekingsbury #indiana #history #historicbuildings

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Copywriter Brice Vance welcome Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana CEO Josette Rider. Josette discusses her background before outlining the various programs offered, the process for getting involved, and the future of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and how to become a Big, visit: https://bbbsnei.org/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerstartshere/ X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN | https://twitter.com/psh_nei Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/ | https://www.instagram.com/pioneerstartshere/ Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana | https://www.facebook.com/PioneerStartsHere

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible. Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/ Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #bigbrother #bigsister #northeastindiana #bigbrothersbigsisters #mentor #mentorship #bbbsnei #bebig #biggertogether

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett and Copywriter Brice Vance welcome National Soccer Hall of Famer DaMarcus Beasley and Chief Operations Officer Scott Sproat from Fort Wayne FC.

DaMarcus and Scott discuss the beginnings of Fort Wayne FC, the club's progression up the professional ranks, and the new stadium set to open in May 2026. Additionally, DaMarcus talks about his playing career, from the early days at South Side all the way to the English Premier League.

To learn more about Fort Wayne FC and buy tickets to an upcoming match, visit: https://www.fortwaynefc.com/

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

🎙 Listen to the podcast here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/podcast/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerstartshere/

X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN | https://twitter.com/psh_nei

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/ | https://www.instagram.com/pioneerstartshere/

Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana | https://www.facebook.com/PioneerStartsHere

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #soccer #damarcusbeasley #americanfootball #futbol #usl #mls #majorleaguesocccer #football #soccerplayer #fortwaynefc #ruoff #epl #englishpremierleague

On this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, it's the whole MarCom team! Head of MarCom Jonathan Sackett, Digital Content Producer Callie Herring, Videographer Hannah Hanagan, and Copywriter Brice Vance come together to discuss the 2025 Pioneer Event before the event gets underway!

The NEI Pioneer Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast powered by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Pioneer Starts Here platform. The podcast showcases and shares the stories of resilience and perseverance from Northeast Indiana.

Do you know someone in Northeast Indiana with a story to tell? Nominate them to be a guest on the NEI Pioneer Podcast! Nominate here: https://pioneerstartshere.com/nominate/

▶︎ Follow Us on Social

LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/neindiana/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/pioneerstartshere/

X https://twitter.com/NortheastIN | https://twitter.com/psh_nei

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northeast_in/ | https://www.instagram.com/pioneerstartshere/

Facebook https://facebook.com/neindiana | https://www.facebook.com/PioneerStartsHere

▶︎ Thanks to our sponsors for making this podcast possible.

Barrett McNagny: https://www.barrettlaw.com/

Sweetwater: https://www.sweetwater.com/

▶︎ Visit https://neindiana.com/ to learn more about NEI.

#nei #mynei #pioneerstartshere #fortwayne #podcast #pioneerevent #awards #finale