What started as a fun way of celebrating a 50th birthday amongst friends has grown into one of Wabash County's signature annual events.

In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County, hosts Adam Stakeman and Christine Flohr welcome two men who were there from the very beginning—Bill Rauh and Mike Paul.

Sixteen years ago, a small group of cyclists set out to celebrate Bill's 50th birthday with a 100-mile ride along the country roads of Wabash County. They had no idea the event would eventually attract riders from across the country and become a major annual attraction for Wabash County.

Bill and Mike reflect on those early days, share stories from the first ride, and discuss what it feels like to watch Dam to Dam grow into an event that brings hundreds of visitors to the county each September. The conversation explores the power of grassroots ideas, the friendships forged on two wheels, and the lasting impact a single community event can have on local tourism, recreation, and community pride.

Whether you're a cyclist, a community builder, or simply someone who appreciates a great hometown success story, this episode offers a fascinating look at how one ride became a lasting legacy.

RESOURCES

Dam to Dam Bike Ride: https://visitwabashcounty.com/dam-to-dam/

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

What happens when two college students spend their summer living, working, and investing in a community they barely knew?

In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County, Christine sits down with Rosalyn Knauer (Manchester University) and Amelia Glosson (Grace College), two college students serving as Visit Wabash County interns through the Wabash County Fellowship Program.

Together, they reflect on a summer filled with new experiences, professional growth, and meaningful connections. From creating destination marketing content and supporting community events to discovering the people and places that make Wabash County unique, Rosalyn and Amelia share what surprised them most and why this experience has been so impactful.

Whether you're a student looking for hands-on experience, a business interested in hosting future fellows, or simply someone who loves hearing stories about community impact, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the next generation of leaders making a difference in Wabash County.

Learn more about the Wabash County Fellowship Program and Visit Wabash County by visiting visitwabashcounty.com.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

Ever wonder what happens after the hosts stop talking and the microphones are turned off?

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Alex, Adam, and Christine turn the tables and sit down with ThriveIN Podcast Producer, Kim Morrow. Kim shares how she found her way into the world of podcast production and editing, what she enjoys most about helping tell local stories, and what it's really like working with the ThriveIN crew.

From memorable guest moments to the little habits and quirks the hosts don't realize they have, Kim offers a candid look at what listeners never get to hear. She also discusses the art of editing conversations, building engaging episodes, and the work that goes into transforming a raw recording into a polished podcast.

Along the way, the team shares plenty of laughs, reflects on favorite episodes, and gains a new appreciation for the person who works behind the scenes to bring each conversation to life.

Whether you're curious about podcasting, enjoy a good behind-the-curtain story, or simply want to get to know the fourth member of the ThriveIN team, this episode is for you.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

On this episode of ThriveIN, Alex sits down with fellow podcaster Nate Spangle, host of the Get IN podcast, for a conversation about Indiana, small-town life, and the stories that make communities thrive.

Nate shares what first inspired his passion for exploring Indiana's cities, towns, and hidden treasures, and how that passion eventually led to the creation of Get IN. Along the way, he reflects on the people, places, and experiences that have shaped his understanding of what makes Indiana special.

The conversation also dives into Nate's recent visit to Wabash County, where he discusses his impressions of the community, the assets that stood out most, and why places like Wabash continue to capture the attention of visitors from across the state.

From revitalized downtowns and local entrepreneurship to community pride and authentic hospitality, Nate shares the common threads he's discovered while visiting small towns throughout Indiana. Listeners will gain insight into what successful communities have in common, the challenges they face, and the opportunities that exist for the future.

Whether you're a lifelong Hoosier, a community champion, or someone who simply enjoys discovering great stories, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the power of place and the people working every day to make Indiana stronger.

RESOURCES: 

Get Indiana Website: https://getindiana.com/natespangle

Get Indiana Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-in-with-nate-spangle/id1677396097

Get Indiana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natespangle/

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

For more than 50 years, Dave Phillips has been a trusted pastor, mentor, chaplain, coach, and friend to countless people throughout Wabash County.

Dave served as Senior Pastor of Wabash Friends Church from 1975 to 2010 and continued serving part-time through 2023. During his ministry, he helped launch community-impacting programs, including the Access Youth Center, Life Center, 85 HOPE, and Friends Counseling Center.

In this episode, Dave reflects on his decades of ministry, the changes he's witnessed in Wabash County, and the importance of faith, servant leadership, and investing in others. He also shares about caring for his wife, Debbie, during her three-year hospice journey before her passing in November 2025.

A 2004 Distinguished Citizen and 2024 Founders Festival Parade Grand Marshal, Dave's influence extends far beyond the church. He continues to preach, teach, mentor, and serve families during some of life's most meaningful moments.

Join us for a conversation with a man whose legacy can be found in the countless lives he has touched throughout Wabash County.

If today’s episode inspired you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and download future episodes of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming stories.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

What happens when young adults choose a path that doesn’t come with a roadmap?

In this episode of the ThriveIN Podcast, Adam sits down with Erin McGouldrick and Owen Stakeman — two young adults who graduated from local high schools and chose unconventional journeys in search of purpose, growth, and perspective.

Erin shares her experience thru-hiking the entire Appalachian Trail and the lessons learned living simply, embracing uncertainty, and pushing through physical and mental challenges. She also reflects on her work helping clean rivers and waterways in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene and how that experience reshaped her understanding of service and community.

Owen discusses spending nearly three years walking across the United States — covering roughly 5,000 miles before ending his journey near Manhattan Beach, California. Along the way, he encountered countless strangers, big cities, small towns, hardships, generosity, and moments that changed how he views both America and himself.

Together, the conversation explores:

1. Why some young adults feel drawn to a different path

2. What solitude and movement can teach us

3. The kindness of strangers and the importance of community

4. What it means to feel “lost” versus truly exploring

5. How these experiences changed their definition of success

6. Advice for young adults still trying to figure out what comes next

This episode is about more than hiking or walking long distances — it's a thoughtful conversation about adventure, resilience, purpose, and the courage to take the long way forward. It’s about searching for meaning, embracing uncertainty, and discovering who you become when you step outside your comfort zone.

If today’s episode inspired you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and download future episodes of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming stories.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

What does it look like when healthcare goes beyond treating illness and begins investing in the well-being of an entire community?

In this episode of ThriveIN, Christine sits down with Lori Augustus, Executive Director of Southeast Operations, and Kari Adams, Practice Administrator of Bowen Health, to explore the organization's remarkable journey—from its beginnings in the 1960s to its bold vision for the future.

The conversation highlights how Bowen Health has evolved into a truly integrated healthcare provider, bringing together mental, emotional, physical, and dental health services under one mission of caring for the whole person. But their impact doesn't stop inside the clinic walls. From cultivating fresh produce in community gardens to creating innovative partnerships that 

strengthen neighborhoods, Bowen Health is redefining what community health can look like.

Join us for a conversation filled with inspiration, innovation, and optimism as Lori and Kari share how Bowen Health is wrapping itself around the communities it serves—one person, one family, and one partnership at a time.

This episode is bright, bold, and full of hope, offering an inspiring look at what's possible when healthcare becomes a catalyst for healthier, stronger communities.

RESOURCES:

Website: https://www.bowenhealth.org/

Careers: https://www.careers.bowenhealth.org/

24 Crisis Line: https://www.bowenhealth.org/24-hour-crisis-line

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—Bowen Health, The City of Wabash, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

In this special hosts-only episode, Alex Downard, Adam Stakeman, and Christine Flohr take a break from interviewing guests and spend time catching up with each other—and with you.

The trio shares some BIG personal and professional updates, reflects on lessons learned from the incredible guests they've welcomed to the podcast, and discusses how those conversations have challenged, inspired, and shaped their own perspectives. From leadership and entrepreneurship to community-building and personal growth, the hosts reveal some of the moments that have stuck with them most.

They also pull back the curtain on what's happening in their day jobs, celebrate exciting wins happening across Wabash County, and preview some upcoming ThriveIN episodes they can't wait to share with listeners.

Filled with laughter, reflection, and the authentic chemistry listeners have come to expect, this episode feels less like a podcast and more like sitting down with friends for a conversation around the table.

RESOURCES:

https://getindiana.com/podcast - Alex appears on GetIN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvp4DjN3FjM - Alex appears on Lundquist Real Estate Pod

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

On this episode of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast, Alex sits down with Adam Penrod, the Town Manager of North Manchester. Adam’s heart for his town and the people who call it home shines through in the way he leads and serves each day.

Rooted in a strong work ethic that began on his family’s dairy farm — which is still in operation today — Adam shares how hands-on learning, faith in community, and dedication to service have shaped his leadership journey. A devoted family man known for his integrity and vision, Adam discusses the challenges and opportunities of guiding North Manchester forward while preserving the values that make the town special.

Tune in to hear a conversation about leadership, small-town pride, community growth, and the importance of investing in the place you love.

If today’s episode inspired you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and download future episodes of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming stories.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.

ThriveIN Host Christine sits down with Judge Benjamin Vanderpool, Judge Robert McCallen, and Probation Officer Abby Schuler for a meaningful conversation about the purpose and positive impact of Problem Solving Court within our local judicial system.

Together, they discuss how the program first began, the vision behind it, and how it works to support individuals who are seeking a second chance and a better path forward. Through accountability, structure, and support, Problem Solving Court has helped many participants rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families and community.

Listeners will also hear inspiring stories of individuals who chose brighter paths, as well as the dedication and heart of the people leading the charge behind the program.

RESOURCES: 

https://www.in.gov/courts/local/wabash-county/

https://www.in.gov/courts/committees/

This episode offers a powerful look at how compassion, accountability, and community partnerships can work together to create real and lasting change.

If today’s episode inspired you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and download future episodes of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming stories.

A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM.