Who Gets What?

Terry Marsh wrote and directed "Rosie's Rescue," an official selection of the Heartland International Shorts Film Festival.  It is a poignant story of crisis and redemption. Among many subjects is a comparison between television production and filmmaking.

Clayton Taylor served decades as Vice President of Production at WFYI Public Media where more than 50 local productions garnered national distribution. He was a reporter, news editor, television news producer, creator of new investigative reporting shows, and he coordinated creation of a wide variety of public television documentaries.  

Recent census estimates state that Indiana is growing more slowly than the nation, and that Marion County, Indiana, is growing substantially faster than the rest of the state.  Therefore, what does it mean that the central part of the state is thriving, while other parts are failing?

The Rules:   Expand by fifty percent; begin on the third day; stage out; the sacrifices; arrive and depart with no plan in between.

With years of experience studying theories of economic growth, wealth distribution, and urban life, Elias Crim talks comprehensively about his adopted home, South Bend, Indiana.  He considers localism, distributism, and other concepts which are prominent in his writing for Solidarity Hall, which he founded in 2013.

Since the late 19th century, Arabs from dozens of countries and various religious backgrounds have emigrated to Indiana, starting on Willard Street, now the location of Lucas Oil Stadium. Our guest, Edward Curtis, is a publicly-engaged scholar of Muslim American, African American, and Arab American history and life, serving as a teacher and scholar at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. A valuable source is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmYxlrdr5j4.

Both Morton Marcus and our guest, Dean Whittaker, are classic communicators, theorists and teachers about economic development. Dean is president of Whittaker Associates Inc., a data analytic company advising governments and business groups on development opportunities, such as quantum computing.    

Zachary Fawbush leads The Crooked Creek Food Pantry in Indianapolis, following on educational and social services experiences at St. Joseph College and in Ketchikan, Alaska. Zach speaks effectively about volunteerism, food insecurity, the infrastructure of food distribution, as well as his personal goal to become a father.   Listeners also will appreciate a previous podcast, June 17, 2020, with John Elliott, head of Gleaners Food Bank.  

Dave Riggs, Director of Corporate, Community, and Alumni Engagement of The Indianapolis Children's Choir, shares about his decades working for scouts, a cancer group, and the choir.   Most compelling are his comments about the joy of this work, raising funds comfortably, and campaigning to restrict smoking in public.  

Historian James Madison speaks about the pain of writing, the absence of teaching economic history, and more, as he reveals thoughts about Wendell Wilkie, Evan Bayh, Donald Trump, Eli Lilly, and how history affects modern attitudes.  

In another wide-ranging discussion, we converse with Kevin Brinegar, president of The Indiana Chamber of Commerce.  With eight years staffing The Indiana Senate Finance Committee, more than two decades with The Chamber, and side experiences as a school board member, Kevin has lots to say, about taxes, amicus briefs in important legal proceedings, whether school boards should be appointed, and more.  

The question is not whether student loans should be forgiven.  The question is how parents and students handle this in the future.  Five years for a four-year degree?  Eight years to enter a low-paying profession?  First-class meals and living facilities with jacuzzis?   Bill Wozniak, Vice President of InVestEd, Indiana's student loan provider and consultant, tells it all.  

Robin Winston, the first African American to lead an Indiana political party, talks about practical politics, how to prioritize, as well as African American historical sites in Indiana, and the underground railway up the eastern side of the state.    

The Economic Development Commission Coalition of Southwest Indiana, headed by our guest, Greg Walthen, and about to merge with other organizations, is a powerhouse in a region which includes the sixth largest inland waterway port, some of the most digitally well-connected communities in the state, a superb airport, and, of course, the city of Evansville.   While Greg attracts new businesses, he also collects movies and vinyl records, and a few bottles of fine whiskey.    

As this is published, the General Assembly of Indiana is processing its budget for two years.  Having passed The House, it is ready for consideration by The Senate, to be followed by a conference between the two houses to arrive at a conclusion. Many stories here by legislative expert Jerry Williams, including the unique story about how The Indiana History Museum came to be.

The minimum wage, repairing roofs, wage disparity, literacy and education, all are part of this statistical presentation about poverty in both The United States and Indiana. John and Morton discuss these topics while also learning what Morton would do if he were in The Oval Office, or The Square Office, when he runs in 202?.  

This conversation with Joe Gomeztable provides a fine history of the property tax system in Indiana.  Towards the end, we also learn about We The People, living near a bar, walking from St. John to Indianapolis, and spending four years learning Latin. Joe is an original plaintiff in Town of St. John vs State Board of Tax Commissioners, the 1991 case which led to the Indiana system

What do stopping fires, supporting organizations, traveling on the edge, writing and public speaking have in common?  The answer is Frank Basile of Indianapolis. This is a fine commentary on the value of supporting the arts, seeking appropriate and exciting occupations, and getting along with people.  

Long-time civic activist Barbara Keck, who moved back to her Indiana hometown where no Democrat has filed to run for local office since 2011, is working to establish political balance in Nappanee and the southwest corner of Elkhart County.  At some point in the future, she even might try to make her points by using puppets.  

Television's "Invisible Sports Producers" Terry Lingner and Conrad Piccirillo describe life inside "the truck" during a 500 mile race, Olympic rowing competition, golf, basketball, and baseball, saying that "it is so much fun, so exciting, so spontaneous." Replays, story telling, relationships with announcers, and sound are discussed.  (Did you know that sound quality changes half a dozen times between leaving the truck, traveling over cable, and arriving at your home?)