Get IN. with Nate Spangle

On today's show I sat down with Deana Potterf, CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, about Girl Scouts' impact across 45 counties and key findings from the 2026 Indiana Girl Report created with the Indiana Youth Institute through a $15M Lilly Endowment-supported Girl Scout Coalition initiative. Potterf discusses misconceptions that Girl Scouts is mainly about cookies, highlighting high-adventure camps, STEM badges, life skills, and the Gold Award of community service leadership. She emphasizes troubling trends in girls' mental health, including higher bullying and cyberbullying rates, body image pressures, loneliness, and alarming depression and suicidal ideation statistics, plus challenges like homelessness and adverse childhood experiences. She describes efforts to meet girls where they are, recruit volunteers, provide $400K annually in financial assistance, partner with the Indianapolis Colts' Kicking the Stigma on camp wellness stations, and address Indiana's shortage of school mental health professionals. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - The Impact of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana - What Young Girls Struggle With Right Now - How Volunteers and Financial Assistance Help GSCI's Mission Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Serving Girls Where They Are 00:29 Guest Introduction: Deana Potterf, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana 02:10 Dena's Girl Scouts Journey 03:53 Indiana Council Consolidation 06:05 Gold Award Turning Point 08:30 Beyond Cookies Misconceptions 14:02 Girl Report Partnership 14:54 Mental Health Alarms 18:28 Role Models and Access 26:39 Evolving Troops and Volunteers 33:18 Mental Wellness at Camp 37:10 From Data to Real Stories 37:43 Finding Belonging 39:59 Ages and Badges 41:45 From Daisies to Cruises 43:15 Lifelong Friendships 44:34 Indiana Mental Health Gaps 47:27 Advice for Parents 51:47 How Hoosiers Can Help 54:14 Dashboard Stats Reality Check 58:27 Why Indiana Home 59:44 Hidden Gem Yellowwood State Forest 01:02:37 Hoosier to Watch 01:03:31 Hoosier Hospitality and 2029 01:05:30 Cookie Baker Secrets 01:06:43 How to Join Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Conner Barnette, vice chairman of Brownstown Ewing Main Street and chairman of Rock the Rind, the country music festival that revived momentum around the Jackson County Watermelon Festival tradition in Brownstown after the original festival was shut down in 2016. Barnette explains how Brownstown Ewing Main Street, operating on about $3,000 a year, pursued revenue generation and community revitalization by launching a music festival, relying on local sponsorships, volunteers, and guidance from promoter Drew Eads. He discusses early challenges like booking major acts, hospitality requirements, power and water infrastructure, layout, and long beer lines, plus learning from year-one chaos. The festival grew from about 800–1,500 attendees in year one to 4,000+ by year three, drew ticket buyers from 38 states, featured headliners like Sarah Evans, Travis Tritt, and Stephen Wilson Jr., and aims to fund future town projects. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How Rock the Rind Originated - Challenges of Hosting a Music Festival - The Purpose of Rock the Rind and Its Future Thank you to our partners: Jackson County Greek's Pizzeria Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Shoestring Festival Dream 00:29 Indiana Day Trip 01:19 Rock the Rind Origin Story 03:41 From Concert Series to Big Acts 04:58 Finding Help and Funding 06:14 Selling Sponsors on a Vision 09:37 Headliners and Booking Credibility 12:30 Year One Chaos and Hard Lessons 13:50 Designing the Venue and Fixing Lines 14:33 Handling Criticism and Growing Fast 15:41 Year Two Lineup Tease 15:48 Headliner Cancels Fast 17:16 Crowd Size And Reach 18:10 Sponsors And Volunteers 19:08 Booking Stephen Wilson Jr 21:45 Festival Funds Town Projects 23:31 Comprehensive Plan Reality 24:45 Year Four And Future 25:58 Advice For Community Builders 26:48 Indiana Home And Purpose 28:08 Hidden Gems And Hoosiers 29:51 Favorite Indiana Memory 31:26 Wrap Up And Where To Find Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's special two-part show recorded from Jackson County, Indiana during the Rock the Rind music festival, I first sat down with Luke Nolting (President of Brownstown Ewing Main Street) and Darren Cain (Executive Director of Seymour Main Street). They discuss revitalizing downtowns through design improvements, events, business support, and Seymour's grant program that awarded $237,000 for projects like facades, roofs, and signage, while Brownstown uses festivals to fund Main Street work amid limited resources. They also share community pride, small-town misconceptions, and outdoor recreation such as the Jackson-Washington State Forest. The second segment is a conversation with Arann Banks (Executive Director of the Jackson County Visitor Center) and Dan Robison (Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber), who highlight Jackson County's history, festival-driven tourism, agriculture and manufacturing economy, collaborative civic culture, and entrepreneurship efforts including SPARK Shop and a $300,000 venture capital fund. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How Seymour and Brownstown Are Improving Their Main Streets - Jackson County Outdoor Recreation - The History of Jackson County - Festivals in Jackson County - SPARK Shop in Seymour Thank you to our partners: Pence Media Group Keller & Keller Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Small Town Doers 01:39 Jackson County Special Setup 02:12 Rock the Rind Surprise 02:53 Local Roots and Legacy 04:09 Seymour Main Street Work 05:31 Brownstown Revival and Festivals 07:25 Watermelon Festival Returns 08:25 Why They Came Back 12:19 Main Street Funding Levels 13:50 How Main Street Shows Up 16:05 Seymour Events and Grants 21:41 Growth Opportunities Ahead 25:49 Small Town Myths and Pride 32:50 Three Questions Segment 33:10 Hidden Gems Outdoors 34:56 Hoosier to Watch 35:34 Favorite Indiana Memory 36:21 Lake Life Memories 36:47 Diner Coffee Nostalgia 38:23 Main Street Ways In 40:33 Roots in Jackson 42:44 County History Highlights 43:55 Ag and Industry Pillars 45:11 Tourism and Business Wins 47:47 What a Chamber Does 49:33 SPARK Shop Origin Story 52:52 Building Startup Community 56:27 Beyond the I-65 Exit 58:57 Farm Fresh Visitor Feedback 01:00:25 Reno Gang Train Robbers 01:02:51 Freeman Field Legacy 01:04:32 Fort Vallonia Frontier 01:07:39 Downtown Beautification Push 01:10:07 Partnerships Over Competition 01:11:33 Oddfellows Venue Spotlight 01:12:33 Community Of Doers 01:14:08 Small Town Festivals 01:16:06 Legacy And Youth Leadership 01:20:21 Why Indiana Is Home 01:22:22 Mellencamp And Music Roots 01:25:05 Hidden Gems Food And Outdoors 01:27:14 Hoosiers To Watch 01:30:01 Favorite Indiana Memories 01:31:52 Where To Connect Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Krissi Edgington, co-founder of Project 44, to discuss honoring late Butler basketball player Andrew Smith and expanding the NMDP bone marrow and blood stem cell registry through storytelling, sports partnerships, and a simple cheek swab. Edgington looks back on Smith's leukemia diagnosis after he played professionally overseas, the reality that 70% of patients need an unrelated donor match tied to ethnic diversity, and how advocacy grew after Smith's passing in January 2016, especially when teammate Chase Stigall matched and donated marrow to a 2-year-old boy. Edgington explains Project 44's mission to inspire a "culture of yes," shares 10-year anniversary milestones including Project 44 Way/Andrew Smith Way near Hinkle Fieldhouse and an Indianapolis proclamation naming April 4 as Project 44 Day, and highlights the "Finding 44" podcast hosted by Larra Overton, executive producer, host & reporter for the Indianapolis Colts. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - Former Butler Basketball Player Andrew Smith's Leukemia Diagnosis - How Project 44 Honors Smith - Project 44 Milestones and the Finding 44 Podcast Thank you to our partners: ClusterTruck (Use code GETIN at checkout for $5 off orders of $25 or more)  Bloomrank Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Power of Yes 01:20 Guest Introduction: Krissi Edgington, Project 44 02:26 Andrew Smith Story 04:03 Registry Match Reality 06:07 From Loss to Movement 07:37 Chase Match Breakthrough 09:51 Remembering Andrew 11:10 Butler Legacy Today 18:27 Why Culture Shift 21:32 Krissi Why She Stays 24:12 10-Year Activations 24:30 Andrew Smith Way 27:22 City Partnership Wins 28:03 Project 44 Day Proclamation 29:19 Generosity Over Ego 30:57 Cause Marketing In Sports 33:07 Finding 44 Podcast 36:21 Why Indiana Is Home 39:42 Hidden Gem Ivy Beach 41:36 Hoosiers To Watch 43:13 Favorite Indiana Memories 47:23 Get Involved With Project 44 48:41 Closing Thanks Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down for another edition of Hoosier Headlines with Lindsey Erdody of Free Press Indiana News, to discuss the upcoming Election Day, focusing on FPIN's first independent poll of 800+ likely voters. Key findings include government corruption as the top concern (24%) ahead of cost of living/inflation (20%), and underwater approval for President Trump (44% approve, 54% disapprove) and Gov. Braun. We also break down the Secretary of State race polling, name recognition, and national attention including endorsements of Max Engling. Our conversation then shifts to Indiana's new law allowing school board candidates to list party affiliation, Flock camera surveillance disputes, rural volunteer firefighter shortages, gaps in transitional housing for women, programs addressing the skilled trades gender gap, and efforts to encourage Amish voters in Elkhart and LaGrange counties. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - Indiana's First Independent Poll Findings Ahead of General Election Day - Indiana's New Law Allowing School Board Candidates to List Party Affiliation - Indiana Issues with Flock Cameras - The Need for Volunteer Firefights in Rural Communities - Transitional Housing and Skilled Trades Gender Gaps - Why the Amish Are Being Encouraged to Vote in Elkhart and LaGrange Counties Thank you to our partners: IU Indy Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Welcome Back Hoosier Headlines 01:22 Election Week Stakes 03:06 Why Polling Matters 05:31 How The Poll Worked 06:42 Top Issues Revealed 09:27 Approval Ratings Shift 12:31 Candidate Favorability Breakdown 16:12 National Endorsements Surge 22:15 Voting Prep And Referendums 26:01 Parties On School Board Ballots 27:27 Goshen Race Case Study 30:55 What School Boards Control 32:08 Books vs. TikTok Access 33:23 Why Goshen Candidates Declared 35:09 Flock Cameras Explained 38:22 Greene County Flock Fight 39:43 Marshall County Legal Clash 43:03 Volunteer Firefighter Shortage 48:22 Women and Girls Beat Launch 50:52 Housing and Trades Gaps 56:13 Amish Voting Could Swing 01:02:53 Vote Prep and Wait Times 01:05:13 Where to Follow and Wrap Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

Because I'm always looking for the next thing to do, today I sat down with Indianapolis author and historian Ashley Petry, who explains how she moved from freelance journalism into writing Indianapolis-focused books, including 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die, Secret Indianapolis, Indianapolis: An Illustrated Timeline, Amazing Indianapolis, and Remarkable Women of Indianapolis. She discusses how she builds categories, balances landmarks with hidden gems, and updates content after closures. We then dive into Indianapolis history, from the capital's move from Corydon and the failed White River/canal bets to the railroad, Union Station, the Speedway's origins, the 1913 flood, Madam C.J. Walker, and the Colts' move from Baltimore. Petry also shares lesser-known attractions, museums, and restaurants, and why Indiana isn't boring if people plan deliberately. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die - Indianapolis History - Indy's Best-Kept Secrets Thank you to our partners: IU Indy Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Indy Has Plenty To Do 00:40 IU Indy Arena Invite 01:40 Guest Introduction: Ashley Petry, Author 02:51 Becoming An Indy Author 04:20 Building The 100 List 06:28 Hidden Gems And Sports Picks 08:42 Updating Editions Post COVID 09:36 Remarkable Women Of Indy 11:38 How Indy Became The Capital 14:51 Canals Fail Railroads Rise 18:01 Speedway Auto Boom And Flood 25:46 Favorite Indy Stories And Colts 28:12 Offbeat Things To Do Next 28:53 Crystal DeHaan Backstory 30:14 Monastery Turned RH 31:22 Immigrant Roots Indy 33:15 Paddling the White River 35:23 Garfield Park Art Boom 36:20 Secret Indy Museums 37:57 World's Largest Ball of Paint 39:18 Oldest Indy Eateries 40:22 Random Page Challenge 43:08 Plaque Reader Mindset 45:27 Interurban Lost Transit 47:15 Rapid Fire Favorites 51:46 Final Three Questions 53:43 Hoosier Memory Wrap Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Lisa Rollings, executive director of the Central Indiana Police Foundation, a nonprofit supporting approximately 5,000 officers across eight counties when fully staffed. Rollings explains CIPF's three pillars: Code One (aid for officers and families facing line-of-duty injury/death or catastrophic events like flooding, house fires, or family crises), Invest in Blue (equipment and training not covered by budgets, including trauma kits for every officer, bulletproof vests, drones, and support for K9 and mounted patrol), and Behind the Line (community engagement to build positive police-citizen interactions). Rollings shares how a 2018 accident inspired her to join CIPF, describes support for families of fallen officers through fundraising, referrals, and youth camps, highlights a scholarship honoring FedEx shooting victim Samaria Blackwell, and discusses wellness initiatives and misconceptions about the emotional toll of policing. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How the Central Indiana Police Foundation Supports Officers and Their Families - What Inspired Lisa Rollings to Join CIPF - Wellness Initiatives for Police Officers Thank you to our partners: ClusterTruck (use code GETIN at checkout for $5 off orders of $25 or more) J.C. Hart Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Officer Stress Reality 01:17 Guest Introduction: Lisa Rollings, Central Indiana Police Foundation 02:05 Mission And Programs 03:19 Origin Trauma Kits 05:15 Growth Vests Wellness 06:30 Personal Journey 07:57 Supporting Fallen Families 10:45 Code One Invest Blue 12:10 Funding Community Support 13:31 Families Kids Emotions 15:43 Public Perception Recruitment 19:33 Impact Stories Families 23:42 Misconceptions Mental Toll 24:58 Peer Support Systems 25:51 Serving 5,000 Officers 25:57 Staffing Needs Snapshot 26:21 Direct Aid For Officers 28:56 Donor Options And Earmarks 29:53 Mounted Patrol New Barn 31:31 Scholarship In Samaria Blackwell's Honor 33:07 Rotary Grant Gaming Trailer 35:16 Community Trust And Events 38:07 K9 Unit Support 41:45 Indiana Home And Hidden Gems 45:23 How To Help Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's live show recorded at the West Side Nut Club Festival in Evansville, I sat down with Nut Club members Brandon McClish, Jon Yeager (treasurer), and Dennis Nettles (vice president), who explain how the 105-year tradition is built by 300 active Nut Club members and thousands of volunteers staffing more than 120 nonprofit-run food booths. McClish details membership requirements, the festival's reach of roughly 270,000–295,000 unique visitors, and an estimated $8.1 million economic impact returning to the community, including major Founders' Day grants. Yeager then spotlights the Half Pot raffle, started in 2019, which grew from $1.2 million in year one to nearly $2.7 million in 2026, with online ticket sales available statewide. Nettles closes by sharing Evansville's west side pride and history as we sample signature foods like the brain sandwich, walk-off chop, donut tenderloin, and chicken-and-waffle sandwich. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - The History of the West Side Nut Club and the Nut Club Festival - How the Nut Club Festival Generates Revenue - Signature Foods Available at the Nut Club Festival Thank you to our partners: MyRacehorse Donut Bank Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Festival Life Teaser 01:31 What Is the Nut Club 02:59 Origins Under the Oak 04:59 Joining and Volunteering 06:15 Crowds and Festival Schedule 09:10 Booths Setup and Logistics 10:53 Economic Impact and Grants 14:55 Volunteer Culture Spotlight 19:44 Must-Eat Booth Picks 22:36 Half Pot Basics and Origins 25:08 Half Pot Growth and Operations 28:59 Online Sales and Future Plans 33:18 Half Pot App Buzz 34:08 Volunteer Pride Week 35:29 Meet West Side Legend 36:51 Childhood Festival Memories 38:01 How Fall Fest Evolved 39:28 Why Outsiders Get Hooked 41:56 105 Years Of Nut Club 44:58 Food Tasting Tour 47:33 Reitz-Mater Dei Rivalry 49:03 More Must-Try Foods 52:16 Evansville Beyond Fall Fest 55:28 Volunteers Needed Now 59:26 Wrap Up Pride And Hat Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Rachel Whiteaker, founder of The Simple Life, a professional organizing firm she started in 2011. Whiteaker shares how a lifelong obsession with organization evolved from childhood cleaning jobs into a business offering in-home organizing, relocation and move management, seasonal services, and ongoing maintenance, plus coaching other organizers on scalable systems. She describes early growth tactics like flyers and a LivingSocial deal that brought strangers as clients, the lessons learned about pricing, safety, and why three-hour sessions don't work, and how the company now uses six-hour, team-based sessions with consultations, decluttering decisions, cleaning, product systems, and labeling. Whiteaker explains building a team to increase impact, generating referrals through networking with real estate and design partners, and using consistent Instagram content. She also shares how a personal loss shifted The Simple Life's mission toward valuing time and people over possessions. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How a Side Hustle Turned Into The Simple Life - How The Simple Life Scaled - The Simple Life's Mission and Meaning Thank you to our partners: MyRacehorse Rohrman Automotive Group Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Simple Life Philosophy 01:30 Guest Introduction: Rachel Whiteaker, The Simple Life 02:33 Born To Organize 05:28 Early Business Breakthrough 06:47 From Accounting To Side Hustle 08:03 First Clients And Marketing 10:10 LivingSocial Lessons 13:08 How Pro Organizing Works 14:40 Consultations And Pricing Fit 17:02 Systems And Maintenance 19:40 Building A Team 20:34 Advice For Solopreneurs 24:06 Concierge Collective Partners 25:44 Less Is More Mindset 26:22 A Loss That Changed Everything 29:03 Finding Calm In Clutter 30:59 Sentimental Clutter Limits 32:32 Repurpose Keepsakes Digitally 33:45 Decision Piles and Deadlines 34:36 Wardrobe Purge Rules 35:49 DIY Organizing Momentum 39:15 Why You Need Help 41:52 Behind the Scenes Content 43:30 Moving for Pro Athletes 46:19 Find Them Online 46:35 Entrepreneur Growth Advice 49:46 Organizer Tools and Rooms 51:52 Hidden Gems and Hoosiers 54:03 Favorite Indiana Memory 56:42 Wrap Up and Credits Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

On today's show I sat down with Lauri Shillings, Libertarian nominee for Indiana Secretary of State, about her unconventional path into politics, Libertarian values, and why the SOS race matters. Shillings discusses her background in media and leadership, her entry into the party through local involvement, and Libertarian principles like limited government and the non-aggression pledge. She explains Indiana ballot access rules tied to the Secretary of State race, including the 2% threshold to maintain access and 10% for major-party benefits like primaries and election board seats. Shillings describes campaigning statewide on a grassroots budget, debate experiences, concerns about voter fraud claims, and the administrative nature of the office, including fixing broken state election systems. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How Lauri Shillings Got Into Politics - The Libertarian Party, Its Principles, and the Need for 2%  - Voter Fraud Claims and State Election Systems Thank you to our partners: Jackson County Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Campaign Focus Over Attacks 01:20 Guest Introduction: Lauri Shillings 03:14 Small Town Roots and Service 05:06 Finding Libertarian Values 07:31 What Libertarians Believe 09:55 Joining the Party Leadership 12:03 Ballot Access Explained 16:26 Why Secretary of State Matters 21:34 Debates and Pay to Play Rules 24:57 Voter Fraud Claims and Reality 26:36 How Indiana Elections Run 28:59 Policy vs. Role Limits 29:48 Ethics Scandals Spotlight 32:53 Dirty Local Politics 35:32 Libertarian Vote Thresholds 39:39 Campaigning and Voter Mood 43:07 Indiana Road Trip Stories 47:07 Why This Race Matters 49:54 Hidden Gems and Hoosiers 53:20 Vote and Final Thanks Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.