Special Olympian John Wheeler, champion in soft ball, track and field, and especially basketball, tells us how to overcome obstacles and to reach personal goals.  John is an author, student of basketball, and a motivational presence.  His two books are availabe on Amazon.  Two days prior to this interview, he started writing his third book.  

Lynne Sladky is a photo journalist with the world's largest supplier of news content, The Associated Press.  She lives and works in Miami, covering everything from Mar a Lago Club to Lionel Messi.

This conversation considers modern digital photography compared to portable laboratories of the past, the changing businesses of newspapers, instantly transmitting photographs to AP clients, as well as the history of Lynne's 1992 Pulitzer Prize.  

In Indianapolis, our guest, Jill Santoriello, produced a preliminary version of her musical "A Tale of Two Cities."  In 2008, the show opened on Broadway.  Jill's most recent effort is "It Happened in Key West," which will open in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in January, having already opened in London.  

This conversation describes the 25-year labor to compose her first show, and how she moved forward from high school as a largely self-educated musician.  

Note:  John Guy has the first autograph Jill ever signed.  

This conversation is a wonderful survey of local musicians, national stars, and, in general, the life of an accomplished musician, cellist Marjorie Hanna.  Elton John and Michael Jackson, plus Indiana musicians such as Al Cobine and Dick Dennis, to name just a few, all have important cameos in this delightful exchange.  

Indianapolis-based Sagamore Institute, sometimes described as a "think tank," includes Alan Dowd as head of its Center for America's Purpose.  Many of Alan's clear and effective writings can be found at http://alanwdowd.com/Articles.aspx.    One theme of our conversation asks "Is America the greatest country in the world?"

Rachel Blakeman, director of a Purdue-based community research institute in Ft. Wayne, IN.  talks about the economy, public health, and infrastruture of Indiana's second city.  Home ownership and transportation are among the many topics discussed.  

Jerry King is chair of "Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence," which works to reduce gun violence.  Reducing ability to acquire guns, and to reduce access to guns inside homes, are among the activities of this organization.  

Broadway Across America, a national, privately-owned company, manages broadway touring shows in 48 American cities.  For Indianapolis, and Salt Lake, the group sales manager is Chris Schneider, who describes differences between cities both in culture and marketing.  An example of differences is Book of Mormon, which performs five to ten minutes longer in Salt Lake than elsewhere because "laugh times" are longer there.  Some towns support lesser-known plays and shows, while others require well-known traditional presentations.  

We came across The Rhythm Discover Center just a few years ago.  It was located in a lower level location near the corner of Illinois and Washington Streets.  Our guest, Joshua Simonds, is executive director of the sponsoring organization, The Percussive Arts Society, with more than 5000 members world wide.

This conversation considers the nature of percussion, names of outstanding contemporary players, hearing protection, and the annual convention in Indianapolis.   

John Shertzer leads The Medal of Honor Foundation which is closely associated with The Congressal Medal of Honor Society.  Since The Civil War 3,530 medals have been awarded.  Sixty five holders survive and provide personalized educational opportunities throughout the country, including at the Medal of Honor Museum on The Yorktown in Charleston, S.C.  An important topic discussed here is patriotism.  Our guest also has been active in Kiwanis, Key Clubs, and The Society of Professional Journalists.