Who Gets What?

The fine art of estate planning is thoroughly considered in this lively interview with attorney Diane Kennedy. The interview includes comments on civility among lawyers, wills having tragic consequences, and how to pass on net worths of hundreds of millions of dollars.  And, yes, the basics of wills, trusts, guardianships, and taxation.   

Some consider Sheila Kennedy the premier Indiana authority on The Constitution, law and government.  Not only has she achieved academic excellence.  She has practical experience as a lawyer, Indianapolis' Corporation Counsel, candidate for Congress, executive director of The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, and author of nine books and numerous essays.   Teaching and writing, declining local news coverage, the power of social media, all are part of this conversation.  

On his retirement in 2016, Jim Shella was Indiana's longest serving television reporter.  Since then, he has been contributing to an oral history of The Indiana General Assembly, the Indianapolis government channel, a series of non partisan "town halls," and various blogs such as a monthly for The Indianapolis Business Journal.   Here, Jim comments about other effective Indiana journalists, the decline of state house news coverage, and his weekly program, Indiana Week in Review.  

Clark Kahlo comments on the tension between development and protecting sensitive lands, especially along White River, in Indianapolis.    

With an extensive background in volunteer work, chamber of commerce management, and graduate-level studies, Wendy Mis was elected Clerk-Treasurer of Munster, taking office in January. The situation of this attractive small town is discussed, especially the prospects for a new rail connection to Chicago, and meaningful cooperation with surrounding communities.

Annette Johnson is the (relatively) new township trustee with a broad view of her task which includes not only poor relief but fire and emergency services, promotion of businesses and schools in the area, expanding public transportation, and even viewing her area as a tourist destination.  

Although Line Worker Chris Anderson has a regular line job in Indiana, he also goes from state to state, pole to pole, working to recover massive systems after catastrophic events.  

Dr. Kurt Gossweiller, both dentist and medical doctor, describes business and personal elements of a dental practice.  

Rick Witsken,* long-term tennis player, coach, and entrepreneur, now a national professional pickleball champion, talks about the sport, its future, and the many business and recreational opportunities it affords.   *Rick is brother of Todd Witsken, deceased, the best professional tennis player to emerge from Indianapolis.  

With initial help from actor/poet Michael Flanders (1950s) ("The umpire, upon whom, the sun never sets."), we hear from a man who spends 70 days a year calling tennis matches, including, until recently, the U.S. Open. In addition, Jim VanSlambrook plays six musical instruments.  His band is Slammer Jazz.

Sones de Mexico, Chicago's most popular Mexican band, was founded by our guest, Juan Dies, who learned his profession at Earlham College and Indiana University, as well as in Kenya and Malaga. Juan is an ethnomusicologist who performs and teaches the amazing variety of music emanating from Mexico.    

Artistic director Greg Sorvig returns to tell us about this year's festival.

Kevin Weaver, who has submitted films to The Heartland International Film Festival, describes his Bloomington-based production company which creates documentaries as well as business and nonprofit oriented films.   He and Morton discuss the value of films centered on individuals compared to potential films that could or should highlight institutions. As a result of personal challenges, Kevin imagines presenting songs and stories about invitro fertilization.  

Archivist Stephen Lane shares the significance of his sixth floor special collection that emphasizes the history of Indianapolis. Along the way, we discover that Stephen was a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay at the end of the last decade, while John was a PCV in neighboring Bolivia 1966-1968.  Then, a flood opened of references to Indiana-international connections.

DO   INDIANA  OFFROAD ("D.IN.O) is the management company behind almost a score of off road races each year, each attracting as many as 200 competitors.   Brian Holzheusen is the leader of D.IN.O.  His company plans, obtains permits, registers competitors, and keeps timing records.  

Will Higgins, columnist, tennis star, and historian, talks about Indiana's "squeamish" approach to history, a deceased pimp, walking tours, and journalism in general, in this wide-ranging conversation. Unfortunately, he did not have time to talk about his other project, The Society of Presidential Urine Collectors.  

Diversion lanes, sub contractors, planning,, pavements and lane marks all are part of this conversation with Scott Manning, Deputy Chief of Staff, Indiana Department of Transportation. You can connect too:  try www.INDOT4U.com.  (24-7, answering any questions, but not how to get along with your passengers.)

Becky and Cory Fisher produce films, including corporate messages, documentaries, and even complete sound and videos for the annual Haunted House of The Indianapolis Children's Museum. In this conversation, they describe filming, the wide availability of professional production talent in Indianapolis, and their joy of this work.  

Long-time, now-retired, strategic planner and economic development expert Thayr Richey talks about planning. John suggests strategic plans are ineffective.  Morton says some are effective.  Thayr says "it depends," but many bite off more than they can chew.  

Morton and John converse with Tia Link, star of the Heartland International Film Festival short, "Rosie's Rescue." Tia was a practicing lawyer before attending acting school in New York City.  Here she considers the casting process, differences between film and stage, and a new project just starting in development.  Like many emerging actors, she has another job, which will be to teach law at the McKinney school of law in Indianapolis.