GNP Morgan County Podcast

He flew Harriers off ships, commanded an air-to-ground range, built a business, raised four kids, and still insists the most important leadership move is simple: tell the truth when you mess up. Tim Surber sits down with Craig Haggard, Indiana state representative and candidate for Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, for a grounded conversation about service, character, and what representation should look like for Morgan County and the wider district.Craig walks through his path from Waverly and Mooresville to the Marine Corps and naval aviation, then back home to continue serving with the Air National Guard flying F-16s. Along the way, he shares a story from the runway that became a defining lesson in accountability and trust, plus why those habits matter in government just as much as they matter in the cockpit. We also talk about the sacrifices campaigns demand from spouses and families, and why Craig refuses to run a negative campaign even when politics gets ugly.From visiting small town councils across rural Indiana to arguing that “flyover country” deserves more attention, Craig lays out what he thinks is worth fighting for. He also names the issue he would “plant his flag” on in Washington: federal spending and the national debt, along with a push for smaller, more disciplined government and a return to bipartisan governing when possible. If you care about Indiana politics, conservative leadership, rural communities, and practical constituent service, this one is for you.Subscribe, share this conversation with a neighbor, and leave a review so more people in Morgan County and beyond can find the show. What do you want your next member of Congress to prioritize first?

You’ve seen saunas tucked in the corner of a gym, but what happens when the sauna becomes the main event? We’re talking with Brandon Taylor, who along with his wife owns Sauna Suites in Martinsville, Indiana, about bringing a private, traditional sauna experience to Morgan County and why he believes rural communities deserve wellness options that feel clean, calm, and genuinely accessible.Brandon shares the origin story behind Sauna Suites, from moving to Martinsville and falling in love with small town charm to spending months renovating a space designed around privacy. Each suite pairs a traditional heat sauna with a private shower and thoughtful amenities, so you can actually relax without worrying who’s walking in next. We also get into the educational side of sauna bathing: how long to stay in, what the heat feels like at first, and why many first timers hit a brief “I need to get out” moment before the calm kicks in.Then we dig into the big reasons people book again and again: stress relief, heart health, muscle recovery, and skin health. Brandon explains the heat therapy science in plain language, including the body’s cortisol and endorphin response, the circulation and cardiovascular effects that can feel like mild cardio, and why heavy sweating is central to detox and skin support. If you’ve been curious about sauna benefits, traditional sauna vs infrared, or you want a simple wellness routine that fits real life, this conversation will give you a clear starting point. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review telling us: what would you want to feel after your first sauna session?

A single tick bite can flip your life upside down, making a normal meal feel risky and unpredictable. That’s why we invited Malisha D. Crane, a naturopathic doctor and integrative health practitioner at Clear Pathway To Health, to talk with us about what “integrative” really means in day-to-day care, and why she sees her work as complementary to your MD rather than a replacement.We walk through the practical difference between chasing symptoms and chasing root causes, including why real healing often takes time, discipline, and the right support systems. Malisha explains how she collaborates with local physicians, nurse practitioners, and even out-of-state specialists who want a wider toolkit for patients dealing with chronic stress patterns, stubborn digestive issues, inflammation, and hard-to-pin-down triggers. We also talk about her faith-centered approach, how listening changes outcomes, and why she frames healing as a partnership with God as the ultimate authority.Then we get into the issue showing up more and more in Morgan County and surrounding areas: Alpha-Gal syndrome, commonly linked to the Lone Star tick and allergic reactions to mammal products like red meat and sometimes dairy. Malisha breaks down what symptoms can look like, why it can go undiagnosed for years, and how she uses nervous system-focused support like auriculotherapy, along with other strategies, to help people move toward relief.If you know someone dealing with unexplained reactions, brain fog, digestive chaos, or sudden food fear, share this conversation with them. Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your biggest question about integrative health so we can keep bringing you local stories that help you live better.

Leaving town is supposed to feel exciting, but if you’ve ever packed a bag while worrying about your dog’s meds or your cat’s stress levels, you know how fast that excitement turns into doubt. We’re talking with Dustin and Samantha “Sam” Sanders, the new owners of Spruce Hill Kennels in Martinsville, Indiana, about what pet boarding really demands when you take it seriously and why “peace of mind” is a service all by itself.They share how their roots in Little Russell’s Pet Rescue and the Morgan County 4-H dog club led them to take over a kennel that’s been part of the community for nearly 60 years. We get practical about the daily work: watching the weather to keep animals comfortable, building feeding schedules that actually match what pets do at home, and managing medication routines that don’t stop at bedtime. If you’re searching for dog boarding in Morgan County, cat boarding near Martinsville IN, or a pet kennel you can trust, this conversation lays out what to ask and what to look for.We also dig into what makes Spruce Hill unique, including indoor-outdoor kennel runs that keep dogs secure while giving them choice, plus grooming on site. Dustin and Sam explain how they’re improving cleanliness and routines while keeping the legacy standards that longtime clients expect, and we touch on local partnerships like St. Francis Pet Hospital and low-cost vaccine clinic resources they share with the community.To book a stay, call 765-342930 or message Spruce Hill Kennels on Facebook. If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with a pet owner who travels, and leave a review so more Morgan County neighbors can find trusted pet care.

A pricey trip can still feel chaotic if you’re the one juggling delays, transfers, and reservations from your phone while you’re supposed to be relaxing. We sit down with Ariel Martinez, a U.S. military veteran and the founder of Delightful Horizons, a Morgan County Indiana travel agency built for people who want stress-free travel without the constant decision fatigue. Ariel brings military-grade planning and logistics into the world of luxury travel, not to make things flashy, but to make them effortless.Ariel shares the phrase that defines his work: the “currency of presence.” We talk about why true luxury isn’t just first class seats or five-star hotels, and how friction-free concierge travel planning gives you something more valuable than upgrades: time, calm, and real connection with the people you’re traveling with. He also breaks down what it looks like to have a “quiet architect” running the behind-the-scenes details, including contingencies for storms, cancellations, and the inevitable surprises that can derail a trip.We also get into a high-stakes niche where details matter even more: weddings. Ariel explains how Delightful Horizons partners with wedding planners to coordinate VIP guest travel, room bookings, and honeymoon planning so the celebration doesn’t end with a disappointing, stressful getaway. If you’ve ever assumed a travel advisor is just a booking engine, Ariel clears up the biggest misconceptions, including how travel advisors often get paid by vendors and how that can translate into a better experience for travelers.If you’re craving a truly restorative vacation, listen now, then subscribe, share this conversation with a friend who needs a break, and leave a review so more people can reclaim their time.

Court isn’t abstract when you’re the one waiting years for a hearing. We talk with Jerry E. Smith, a Morgan County attorney running for Superior Court One judge, about why delays hit families and small businesses so hard and what a judge can do to move cases forward without sacrificing fairness. With a law degree and an accounting degree, plus experience in corporate finance, private practice, and public service, Jerry makes the case that tighter calendars and clearer expectations can reduce backlog and stress for everyone involved.We get practical about court management: setting early case management orders, asking attorneys how much time they truly need to present evidence, and demanding real reasons for continuances instead of rubber-stamping resets. Jerry explains his guiding belief that justice delayed is justice denied, and he connects that principle to the daily reality of civil cases, family disputes, and the emotional toll of uncertainty.We also dig into judicial philosophy and originalism, including a local example of how laws can be stretched far beyond their original intent through shifting interpretations. Whether you agree or disagree, the conversation makes one thing clear: how a judge reads statutes and constitutional text can shape outcomes in everyday Morgan County cases.If you care about the Morgan County judge election, Superior Court operations, court delays, or what “fair and efficient” really looks like from the bench, this is a grounded place to start. Subscribe for more local conversations, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review with the biggest change you want to see in the court system.

A lot of people say they want to write a book. Jessica Mangus actually bet on herself and did it, taking a severance package as the push to turn years of story ideas into a published novel. Jessica is an Indiana indie author writing Christian fiction with real mystery and suspense, and she joins me to share what it looks like to build a writing life from the ground up in Morgan County, one page at a time.We get into her debut, Scott Killian And The Letter, a dystopian end-times thriller set during the tribulation where an 18-year-old from Franklin, Indiana finds a letter tied to his mother’s disappearance. Jessica talks about weaving faith into a gripping plot without turning the story into a sermon, using themes like forgiveness, redemption, and Christ’s love while still delivering twists, danger, and momentum. She also touches on how modern fears around AI and technology can shape believable suspense.Then we go practical: self-publishing versus traditional publishing, why so much advice online conflicts, and what she learned after her first launch led to a redesigned cover and a stronger second edition. Jessica also shares her simple three-step writing framework (create it, make it make sense, make it good) and what writer’s block really looks like when the problem is transitions, not imagination. We wrap with a tease of her next release, The Rebellion Of The Watcher, a biblical fantasy with dragons, giants, and world-building influenced by scripture and the Book of Enoch, plus where to find her books on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com, and more.If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a writer friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

We sit down with Morgan County deputy sheriff Brighton Sichting to hear how he turned a high school idea into Yard Patrol Lawn Care in Martinsville and why his goal is service, not just speed. We also dig into what he offers across Morgan County, how he treats seniors, veterans, and first responders, and the simple mowing mistake that ruins a lot of lawns. • the origin story behind Yard Patrol Lawn Care and the fast first-week growth • balancing 12-hour deputy shifts with a weekly mowing schedule • building a team with fellow deputies and experienced help • services offered including mowing, weed eating, mulch, stone, yard cleanup, and small pressure washing jobs • coverage plan across Morgan County with set days for Martinsville, Mooresville, and more • what sets the business apart: professionalism, communication, and taking time with customers • discounts for seniors, support for deployed active-duty families, and 20% off for first responders • the biggest homeowner mistake: scalping lawns and the fix with a higher mower deck Nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show. Go to gnpmorgancounty.com. That's gnpmorgancounty.com or call 317 743 2058.