Who Gets What?

Who predicted--accurately--the results of elections in November, 2022?  Believe it:  movie maker Michael Moore.  He also did it correctly in 2016.  And no one knows why or how, but everyone knows now that formal polls failed miserably.  Want to learn more.  Listen to our interview with retired pollster Jeff Lewis.  

Eclectic writer, philospher and podcaster, Anne Laker, talks about her work with The Indiana Forest Alliance, restoring a fire house, and watching movies.  (Here is a bonus:  you can read her personal diary on the web.)

Jake Oakman, Executive Director, White River State Park Development Commission, describes workings of the park, its past, its future, and even his personal experiences as Indiana University Student Body President.

Mike Schmuhl, chair of the Indiana Democrat Party, talks about paying for electricity, recruiting candidates, cooperating to manage polling locations, the unfortunate demise of local news, and his experiences with Tim Russert as an intern on Meet The Press.

Jason Hamman, Technical Production Manager of Newfields (The Indianapolis Museum of Art) talks about installing "The Lume," lighting the two annual ourdoor displays (Harvest Nights and Winter Lights), and working with live productions.  

The Hechinger Report presents detailed journalism at no cost through its non-profit model.  Nicole Dobo is a senior editor who describes challenges in rural education, such as attracting teachers and sharing teachers across districts.   The Report is available at no cost at www.hechingerreport.org.

Filming in Brown County, Indiana, Producer Lisa Hall demonstrates the depth of addiction in her 2021 film, The Addict's Wake, which is becoming instructional for many viewers, such as persons in law enforcement, health insurance, and treatments towards recovery.   The film won prizes in the 2021 Heartland International Film Festival, including audience choice.  

Many programs designed to supply housing are administered by The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, headed by our guest, J. Jacob Sipe, Executive Director.  The agency is both an administrator and a finance source for programs to directly help low-income persons and to subsidize financing of housing projects.   Considering the complexity, listeners are encouraged to Google the agency.  

In a return engagement, broadcaster, columnist, political observor Jim Shella talks about the emerging organization, Indiana Town Halls, which strives to connect leading political figures in Congress directly with voters.   Town Halls are video programs, often using Zoom, in which voters ask questions directly with office holders such as Congressman Andre Carson and Senator Mike Braun.   Looking years into the future, we imagine using the platform more widely, even down to township officers.     

Over close to four decades, Steve Gerardi has brought entertainment to Indianapolis, most recently to the annual Symphony on the Prairie series at Conner Prairie. He mentions dozens of names, and describes the personal joy of dealing with them.    

The history and dynamics of opera are discussed here with David Craig Starkey, General Director of the Indianapolis Opera and CEO of The Basile Opera Center. Among many elements is the concept of performer athleticism and the cruicial role of tapping into the full resonance of a body.  Adapting to modern audiences, of course, is discussed, as well as amplification which first appeared in theatre and opera in 1968 with the musical Hair.

Curtis McManus and Guenet Williams discuss Rophe Free Clinic located on 52d Street West of Michigan Road in Indianapolis.

John and Morton employ an exercise to learn the nature of improvisation under the guidance of Will Pfaffenberger, comedian, radio broadcaster (The Smiley Morning Show on 99.5; the Bob and Tom Show), entrepreneur (Red Curb Improv Comedy Club in Avon), and former administrator of a soccer league.  This is fun.  

Manufacturers Representative Larry Wallman asks why Indiana has not attracted electronics businesses, having lost more than 120,000 jobs since the days of Western Electric, RCA, Regency, Mallory, and more.  One answer:  "we have told them we do not want them."

Jeffrey McDermott leads what well may be the Indiana performance venue with the highest number of diverse shows every year.   Here we learn how it is done, all from a man whose "previous life" was practicing law.  

While considering the nature of an "educated person," we talk with Sheila Kennedy about the voucher system, its limitation to urban areas, and how it potentially reduces quality education. Sheila is an educator with extensive experience in government, political science, civil rights, and education.  

Adam Goldstein, Director of Engineering of STAG USA, who founded and developed a 12-bay repair facility on Indianapolis' northeast side, talks about his present business:  refitting fleets with propane and natural gas. Adam says that innovation in autombile technology and style takes place in the aftermarket, and success of anything new is affirmed when included in the assembly line.  This means that a service provider and repair business must provide today while always looking ahead to tomorrow.  

Jordan Flores Schwartz, co-founder and Producing Director, describes the unique position, both culturally and geographically, of The Fonseca Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.  One unique position is that it is led by and serves Black Indigenous People of Color.  

Having traded futures contracts and other instruments since the 1970s, Gary Housman talks about portfolio insurance, hedging, crypto currencies, and the many factors affecting relative values including the recent rise of the dollar with respect to the euro. Note:  this session includes professional terms and language.

Michael Leppert's eclectic career includes opinion columnist, author, corrections department officer, utility regulator, and lobbyist to The Indiana General Assembly.   Lessons?  Many.  Here is one.  Understand time to get things done.  It will be months, and years. (Look for Michael in The State House File.Com)