Golf courses are about more than scorecards — they’re about community and for Etna Acres, FAMILY.

In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County, Adam Stakeman sits down with Devin and JoDee Dale, the owners of Etna Acres Golf Course, to talk about family, entrepreneurship, and the legacy of a small-town golf course.

The Dales share the story behind Etna Acres, what it takes to operate a seasonal business in Northeast Indiana, and how their course has become a gathering place for leagues, tournaments, youth golfers, and longtime friends.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

The history and evolution of Etna Acres

What it’s like running a family-owned golf course

The challenges and rewards of small-town entrepreneurship

How golf continues to connect generations

Their vision for the future of the course

Whether you’re an avid golfer, a weekend duffer, or someone who simply values strong local businesses, this episode highlights how places like Etna Acres quietly strengthen the fabric of Wabash County.

Support local. Book a tee time. Build community — one round at a time.

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 or email us at [email protected]

On this episode of the ThriveIN Podcast, Alex sits down with Wabash High School’s 2026 Valedictorian, Victoria Koselke, and Salutatorian, Andrea Stout, to talk about what it’s like growing up and graduating in a small community like Wabash.

Victoria and Andrea reflect on the relationships, opportunities, and experiences that shaped their high school journey while sharing gratitude for the teachers, mentors, friends, and community members who supported them along the way. They also discuss their future plans, personal goals, and what the next chapter of life holds after graduation.

This inspiring conversation highlights leadership, perseverance, and the impact of community as two outstanding students prepare to take their next steps beyond Wabash High School.

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 Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, 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 Teresa Galley, Executive Director of the Wabash County Museum, to explore a journey that turned into a calling.

From her early days on the Southwood High School Speech Team, serving as an educational outreach program director, to leading the way in museum operations, Teresa’s heart for Wabash County shines brilliantly. She shares how she stepped into the museum world and never looked back. What began as an opportunity quickly became a passion rooted in storytelling, preservation, and community connection.

Under her leadership, the museum continues to honor the vision set forth by Wabash County’s legacy builders while boldly evolving into a dynamic, interactive space. This conversation dives into how the museum is more than a place to reflect on the past; it’s an experience designed to engage visitors of all ages, spark curiosity, and inspire stewardship for the future.

Teresa highlights how history isn’t just something we look back on, it’s something we actively shape together.

Listen in to discover how preserving the past can powerfully shape what comes next.

Resources:

Wabash County Museum: https://www.wabashmuseum.org/

Research: https://www.wabashmuseum.org/collections

Teresa Galley: [email protected]

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, 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 started with a plane ticket to Missouri turned into a life built on partnership, purpose, and entrepreneurship for Kyle and Aubrey Williams.

In this episode of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast, Christine sits down with the duo to explore their journey—from their early days together to the many ventures they’ve built along the way. From a glass bottle business to real estate, construction, demolition, and even birthing babies, Kyle and Aubrey have embraced a diversified approach to entrepreneurship while raising their daughter and investing in their community.

The conversation winds its way down memory lane before landing on their newest and most exciting venture: Fore Seasons Social Club—a space designed to bring people together and create new experiences in Wabash County.

This episode is all about taking chances, building boldly, and growing something meaningful—together.

Resources:

Fore Seasons Social Club: https://www.foreseasonswabash.com/

https://www.facebook.com/foreseasonswabash

KWA Holdings: 

https://kwarentals.holidayfuture.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kwaholdingsrentals/

Your Hometown Handyman:

https://www.facebook.com/yourhometownhandyman85

Aubrey the Doula:

www.aubreythedoula.com

https://www.facebook.com/aubreythedoula

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, 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 role do parks play in building a thriving community?

In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County, Adam Stakeman sits down with Adam Hall, Superintendent of Wabash City Parks, to discuss the vision and work behind Wabash’s green spaces.

They cover the impact of local parks on quality of life, economic development, and public health, along with current improvements and future plans for the parks system. Adam also shares what it takes to manage and maintain public spaces that serve residents year-round.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the community, this conversation highlights how thoughtful investment in green space helps shape a stronger, more connected Wabash.

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 or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of ThriveIN, Alex and Adam take calls from rural sociologists Tim Slack and Shannon Monnat to discuss their recent article, “Six Myths About Rural America.”

For years, rural communities have been shaped by simplified — and often inaccurate — narratives about politics, poverty, opportunity, and decline. Dr. Slack and Dr. Monnat break down six of the most common myths and explain what the data actually reveals about rural life in America today.

The conversation explores how these misconceptions influence media coverage, public policy, and even how rural residents see themselves. It also challenges listeners to rethink what they assume they know about small towns and the people who call them home.

At ThriveIN, we care deeply about what it means to build strong communities in places like Wabash County. This episode invites you to look beyond the headlines and engage with a more accurate, more nuanced understanding of rural America.

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.

Alex and guest co-host Conner Hindman sit down with James Davis, owner of Creedence Contracting, LLC, for a conversation about business, craftsmanship, faith, and family.

Based in Northern Indiana, Creedence Contracting is built on the belief that quality work and strong relationships go hand in hand. From custom homes and barndominiums to post-frame buildings, additions, garages, concrete work, remodeling, roofing, and outdoor structures, James and his team are committed to excellence on every project.

But this episode goes beyond construction. James shares how he has intentionally centered his business operations around his faith and a deep commitment to his family. He talks about leading with integrity, building trust with clients, and creating a company culture rooted in reliability and strong values.

Reference links:

Website https://creedencecontracting.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreedenceContractingLLC

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.

Hosts Adam and Christine are joined by Cathy Gatchel, Chief Development Officer of Honeywell Arts & Entertainment, along with Ranaan Meyer, Artistic Director of Honeywell Arts Academy, and Emily Meyer, Director of Honeywell Arts Academy, for an episode dedicated to shining a light on the Honeywell Arts Academy. Discover the origins of the Academy, hear about its unique approach to mentorship and collaboration, and explore the vision that’s shaping its future.

Led by Artistic Director Ranaan Meyer of the GRAMMY and Emmy award-winning group Time for Three and world-renowned faculty, the summer program takes place in Wabash, Indiana, and culminates in live performances. Founded in 2020, the Academy is an expansion of Wabass, a music program established in 2008 for double bassists, and will return in June of 2026 for its 19th year of tuition-free summer programs, bringing together emerging musicians from around the world for collaboration, mentorship, and performance.

The Academy features three summer programs:

Wabass: double bassists.

Wabass Live – Thurs., June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Honeywell Center

Soundboard: pianists.

Soundboard Live – Fri., June 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Honeywell Center

Resonance: multi-faceted musicians of any instrument.

Resonance Live – Sat., June 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Theatre 

To learn more about this year's performance schedule and its impact, visit www.honeywellartsacademy.org.

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

It’s Christine’s turn to take the HOT SEAT as hosts Alex and Adam flip the script and put her under fire with questions.

In this episode, Christine shares why she fell in love with the world of tourism and marketing, the passion she has for telling the stories of her community, and why she proudly chooses Wabash County as the place she calls home.

From her belief in the power of small communities to the work being done to create experiences that bring people together, listeners will hear what drives Christine both professionally and personally.

A wife, a mother, and sometimes jokingly referred to as the “Leslie Knope of Wabash County,” this conversation offers a candid and fun look at who Christine is beyond the mic.

Tune in for stories, laughs, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heart behind the work.

Resources: www.visitwabashcounty.com

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

What does it truly mean to go the extra mile—for your family, your workplace, and your community?

In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County, all three hosts sit down with Tyler Niccum, a lifelong Wabash County resident and current County Commissioner, to explore a life built on service, commitment, and stepping into leadership when it matters most.

From growing up in Wabash County to now helping lead it at the county level, Tyler shares how his deep roots have shaped his perspective and fueled his passion for giving back. Whether it’s supporting his family, showing up for his employer, or making decisions that impact the future of the community, Tyler lives out a mindset of going above and beyond.

Resources: 

Wabash County Government: https://www.in.gov/counties/wabash/

Center Court Cares: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579967895432

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.