Pop of Culture

This week, we join a Fencing Club class at Cornerstone Center for the Arts in Muncie! Instructor Christian Achgill (and his intermediate-level students) take Michelle and Jen through the basics—culminating in a back-and-forth bout!Also in the show: we talk to metal artist Tracy Davidson, who's made sculptures as big as trees and as small as earrings; she explains how she started jewelry-making as a form of pain management. We'll hear three local musicians (Laura Switzer, Cari Cambridge, and Foxxy) go Behind the Song. And, "WAYWO" takes us onto the stage with Zeus Currie!

The Pop team has the week off to nurse our spring allergies, but we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews: James Edwards (Director of Horticulture at Minnetrista) and Erica Oliver (Environmental Education and Greenhouse Coordinator at the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse) Chris Barnes of gospel soul duo The Sensational Barnes Brothers Indy 500 wreath-maker Julie Harman Vance

This week, we sit down for a conversation with educator, writer, and editor Jill Christman. Jill's most recent memoir "The Heart Folds Early" took her almost 20 years to write—emerging after multiple different iterations, pushback from publishing houses, and being shelved by the writer herself. Jill tells us why she ignored the advice she gives her writing students, and why now was the right time to finish the book.Also: we'll speak with Alex Chadsey, bandleader of jazz trio Duende Libre, who will bring their international influences to Pruis Hall on April 23. He explains how the band came to be and what audience members should look forward to. And we once again extend our Arts Calendar to discuss "Art for the People," a weekend-long celebration of public art in Muncie!

This week, we talk to two sets of artists that have teamed up! Jenni and John Marsh just finished directing "The West Wind" at Muncie Civic Theatre. It's the third play they've written together, and they'll take us into their collaborative creative process. And: Ruthie Berkey and Randy Eyestone are both musicians in their own right, but they've teamed up for performances across East Central Indiana—including the Pop studios.Also in this show, we get driven straight to summer with Candace Angelica Walsh's Beautiful Thing "Playing Hooky," and we'll talk with respected glass artist Brent Cole!

This week, we get a taste of culinary offerings in ECI: Prabhu Krishnan welcomes us into Bayleaf Indian restaurant in Muncie; Jeff Clark and chef Jason Reynolds from the video series "A Taste for Whiskey" banter ahead of their educational appearance at Public Media Pours; and Cheryl Crowder (Muncie Downtown Development) and Lindsay Montgomery (Aerial Annex) preview a different beverage-themed event.We'll also take a detour Up North to hear about "Trout Lilies" with writer Ginny MacDonald.

This week... we're still recovering from celebrating our 100th episode! So we're listening back to some of favorite trips in past seasons: we find local artists on the floor of the 2025 Indiana Artisan Marketplace, we look to the skies with members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and The Ball State Studio Band brings us into their rehearsal. We'll also have a brand new arts calendar!

This week, we're celebrating our 100th episode by doing the show live! We'll be joined by NPR's Stephen Thompson for a national perspective on pop culture right now. We'll chat with filmmaker and local history expert Chris Flook about the history of arts and culture in East Central Indiana. We'll also check in with some of our favorite "WAYWO" guests, do our Arts Calendar live, and laugh at some of the audio that didn't make it into our previous 99 episodes. Join us!

The Pop of Culture podcast is going to be a little late this week... because we're doing the show live to celebrate our 100th episode! Join us Friday, March 20th at 12:00 p.m. on IPR's airwaves, via the Ball State Public Media App, or on indianapublicradio.org.If you can't listen live, we'll have the show up as soon as possible—and we still like you just as much!

We first heard from Indiana's Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler after he had been selected for the role in 2024. This week, he joins us in-studio to share how he's moving now that he's been selected for a second term. We'll learn about the "Chitlin Circuit," how Motown influences his work, and the new poetry form he's pioneering.Also in this show: Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance is bringing the classic musical "Cats" to Emens Auditorium for one weekend only March 20 - 22; we cat-ch up with Avery Nienhuis (Rum Tum Tugger) and Vivian VerHulst (Grizabella) to learn about the show! We'll also discover our latest Story Behind the Song with Annette Miller.

This week, we meet writer and poet Mark B. Hamilton. He has a new book of poems inspired by Captain William Clark's (of Lewis & Clark) journal entries as they voyaged west. He also took the 8,000-mile journey himself, so we have to ask him about that incredible experience.We also immerse ourselves in the the David Owsley Museum of Art's visiting exhibition of "Nora Krug: Belonging," which details the author and illustrator's work on their memoir grappling with their German heritage, and their illustrations for Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century." Nora Krug will give a talk on Ball State's campus Wednesday, March 11. We'll bring in film and television awards expert (and professor) Monica Sandler for a preview of the Academy Awards. And finally, we'll sit down with Stephanie Michaels (Cornerstone Center for the Arts) and Karen Fisher (Muncie Artists Guild) to learn about two exhibitions for young artists.

This week, award-winning playwright Alice Tuan steps into our studios to have a Conversation Between the Coasts. She was on Ball State's campus after being commissioned to write a play and workshop that play with students; she tells us about that experience, why sitting in discomfort is important, and creating art in the age of constant feedback.Also on the show: Melody A. Lynch is the COO of a not-for-profit utility co-op—a job that brings a lot of stress. She picked up painting during the COVID-19 pandemic and shares how it's a source of calm away from her day job. And speaking of painters, we've been doing Paint Month for "What Are You Working On?" in February, and today is our last exhibit!

This week, Sara McKinley (Carnegie Library Manager and Archivist) and Melissa Gentry (Supervisor of the Map Collection at Ball State University Libraries) give us a sneak peek of their panel event "Women of Whitely: At the Heart of Muncie’s Black History" happening Thursday, February 26 at the historic Shaffer Chapel Museum in Muncie. They'll use archival material and "story maps" to tell the stories of significant women in Muncie's history!We'll also take a journey... right back to East Central Indiana! Members of The Barricade Boys join us from Florida and the U.K. before their "Broadway party" bursts into Emens Auditorium. And we'll visit florist Sharon Grubbs at Foister's Flowers & Gifts to learn how they prep for major holidays (hint: Valentine's Day).

The Pop Team is off this week, so enjoy some relevant favorites:- Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler- Fort Wayne band SUN.DYLE- "Beautiful Things" writer Robert Earle- Fine artist Anne Maddox ...and we'll pop up with a new episode next week!

This week on Pop of Culture, we meet Heather Taylor and Casey Morgan of Cocoa & Cream Collective—a new bakery opening in Yorktown... soon! They take us through the process of opening a new small business and why their team is truly a collective.We'll also catch up with musician Nick Kendall of Time for Three, a genre-bending trio with a new album based on the works of Emily Dickinson. The tile game Mahjong is having a moment, so we asked local expert Raquel Santoni to give us the basics. And Maya Doss kicks off our first-ever themed month of "WAYWO!"

This week, we're immersed in the visiting exhibition "Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See." Minnetrista Director of Curation & Exhibition Sebastián Encina explains how their team chooses exhibitions, and why this one was so important to bring to East Central Indiana.Also in this show: we chat with 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Contest judges Anamaria Sayre and Robin Hilton, "Arts Alive" artist Jeffrey Gibson talks about the changing art world, and we interview Samantha Rowe—a balloon artist!

This week, we learn about two singer-songwriters—one real, one fictional. Author Lori Rader-Day returns to the show with her new murder mystery "Wreck Your Heart," set in the country music scene of Chicago (yes, really). Later, we hear a performance from multi-genre musician Katie Jo Robinson, recorded live for Pop of Culture.Also in this episode: A Beautiful Thing set "In the Delivery Room," and sculptor Chet Geiselman shares what he's working on!

This week we're rocking with local band Pothole, who identify their sound as "765 PUNK." Bandmates Carter Minton and Lawson Sanchez take us through the process of their soon-to-be-released "sister" EPs. Also in this episode: artist Tashema Davis takes us into a new exhibition centering women of color in the community at Kennedy Art Center, and we'll get a taste of "Destination: Munchie" from Destination: Muncie.

Welcome to Season 3! Lots to get to...We'll start with two different takes on the medium of glass: documentarian Chris Flook tells us what surprised him during his new documentary about collecting Ball jars ("The Hobby"); artist Jessica Calderwood takes us through the process for her new metal and glass series honoring textile patterns from diverse communities across East Central Indiana ("Threads of Home).Also in this episode: a Beautiful Thing from Diane Gottlieb ("Mondegreen") and Maya Doss asks Olivia Willard, "What Are You Working On?"

The Pop of Culture team is readying Season 3!As we celebrate the new year, we picked some of our favorite segments from last season, like our visit to the Ball State Studio Band, our delightful chat with comedian and cartoonist Dan Wright, the times we've ended up recording in the dark (which has somehow happened twice), and many more!

Surprise! It's our last episode of the year, so we're gifting it to you a little early!This week, we're speaking with Meg Crane, the inventor of the home pregnancy test. Playwright (and Pop of Culture cohost) Jennifer Blackmer wrote a play about her story that's been produced across the nation—and now it's headed Off-Broadway. Also in this episode, NPR's Andrew Limbong joins us to break down the annual "Books We Love" list for 2025, and Maya Doss brings us a "WAYWO" with contemporary artist Audrey Barcio.

This week, we sit down with the multi-multi-talented Anwar Frazier. He recently won the 2025 Muncie Mayor's Arts Awards People's Choice, and he'll tell us how he's made a living drawing, painting, tattooing, candle-making, designing custom clothes... the list goes on. Then, we'll visit the Ball State Opera Theatre program as they prepare to present "The Elixir of Love" November 22 - 23. We talk to cast and crew about why opera is accessible—even in Italian! There's more: musician India Potter and baker Alexis Cooper of "Coops Creations" round out this rather full episode.

This week, we have an extended conversation with Kyren Monteiro. Kyren is an audio engineer and hip-hop artist with an audio production company in Marion. Before the release of his new album "Visionary," he joins us to talk about his creative process, the (accidentally) illicit record label he started at 16, and why he chooses to stay in East Central Indiana. We'll also hear "Reason Enough," our Beautiful Thing for National Adoption Month. And Maya Doss brings us her latest "WAYWO" with Laith Hicks!

This week, we speak to artists with work that reflect their communities: Henrik Söderström is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University who has an exhibit at the Kennedy Art Center in Marion that required "a game of telephone" across the community. Aaron McDermott is an artist and the Vice President of the Pendleton Artists Society; he tell us about his new mural in downtown Pendleton and why having a group for local artists is so important. Also in this episode: how funding cuts continue to affect arts organizations across Indiana, and the return of Season 1 "WAYWO" guest Leonski Crosby!

The Pop of Culture team is off this week—and it's Halloween! So, we're listening back to some of our favorite spooky interviews, including: Brian Blair of Pumpkin Pulp (a masks and prop business in Muncie), Tommy Miller and Jason Kindred of the band Void King (purveyors of doom metal), and Riley McDermott (a young farmer). Join us... if you dare!

Where do electronic music artists go in Muncie? IPR's Ransom True takes us to a studio where the mixing decks are open for experimentation and collaboration. Also in this episode: Christina Diaz Gonzalez pivoted from a career as an attorney to write middle grade fiction and graphic novels. We'll speak with her and Ball State professor Jill Christman ahead of the 2025 Writer-in-Residence (events open to the public the week of November 3). And, Julie Lyn Barber sneaks us behind the scenes of the Actors Theatre of Indiana's production of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein." Blücher!

This week, we continue our Beautiful Things series with Joseph Gross's "Jumping in Leaves," a short essay about the author and his son in autumn. Then, we'll visit with Robin Phelps-Ward and Kat Stephens-Peace about their artistic careers—and about Hue House, their art studio and community space for local creatives in the Murray building in Muncie. Also packed into this episode: all the details about Ball State PBS's Happy Little Fest, our arts calendar, and local artist (and recent college graduate) Mars Presswood answers our question "What Are You Working On?"

This week: how two fine arts organizations in East Central Indiana are adapting to attract audiences. We'll speak to Daniel Wiley with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra and Debra Lynn from "Opera Today!" in Fort Wayne. Also in the show: an audio postcard from muralists who gathered in Muncie to paint a bus (yes, really), and the return of "WAYWO" artist Maya Doss as a host!

Inside this episode: The Indiana Clay Conference is held every two years, and this year it's in Muncie! Organizer (and Ball State professor) Ted Neal talks about what goes into planning the event. We continue our Conversations Between the Coast with Christopher and Justin Swader, professional set designers who work across the country. And, we ask teacher and artist Sun-Young Gullery about "Indy In Inches, her exhibition of 56 Indianapolis small businesses and landmarks.

This week, during IPR's fall pledge drive, we're listening back to some of our favorite recent pieces, including: a trip into the faux woodlands created for "Good Night Forest" at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, an extended conversation with longtime local potter John Peterson, and glimpse into the constantly creative world of Stephen M Millben II.

This week, we're all over the map! Our first stop is Michael Greer, President and CEO of ArtsFund in Seattle. He'll explain how arts are essential for communities—and democracy—ahead of his presentation on Ball State's campus. Then, we'll talk fall book releases in our semi-regular Book Club with Jay County Public Library librarian Hannah Elliott. And, a new romantic comedy was shot on location in Muncie; writer and director Thomas Peek gives us a sneak peek. Finally, multi-talented artist Cara Jean Wahlers takes us on a journey through her memories for "What Are You Working On?"

This week, we sit down with Nicole Etcheson, a Civil War and Reconstruction Era scholar, ahead of her public lecture for Constitution Week—where she'll speak on the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) and their relevance to the present day. Also in this episode: board members from the MuncieArts & Culture Council, we hear a collegiate Beautiful Thing, and "What Are You Working On?" artist River Feeney wouldn't define themselves as an artist—he'll explain!

This week, Jenni Werner joins us for Conversations Between the Coasts. Jenni is Executive Artistic Director of The New Harmony Project, an arts organization that has been fostering new works for stage and screen in Indiana for nearly 40 years. In May of this year, the organization had a $40,000 grant terminated by the National Endowment for the Arts. We'll talk with Jenni about what the Project does, what a dramaturg is, and how their organization is moving forward.Also in this episode: Diane Huston—owner of Gallery 112 in Farmland—tells us about their upcoming juried show "Dumpster Visions: the art of discard."

The Pop Team is off this week, so we're listening back to some of our favorite parts from Season 2, including: Stevie Hahn (AKA "Ray Toffer") on how he creates his viral videos exploring "Beautiful, Luxurious Muncie™." Tracy Burns is a rug hooker; she fills our studio with her artwork to help explain her craft. Jarrod Case and Jason Cooper from local band White Lies & The Half Truth share tracks from their new album "The Ghosts We Carry." Photographer and artist Rebekah Gaillard joined us for "What Are You Working On?" before Butter Art Fair last year ("Butter" 2025 is this weekend, August 28 - 31).

This week is all about live music: Muncie Civic Theatre is in the middle of its run of "Hairspray," director Terry Whitt Bailey and Muncie Civic Artistic & Executive Director (and cast member) Laura Williamson crash through our doors to tell us about the musical! Local musician Dave Carter talks about the long journey to his new album (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE: Dave performs two original songs live), and singer/songwriter Jennie DeVoe shares what it feels like to be on stage in front of an audience before she takes the stage at the Muncie Three Trails Series!

This week, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews from Season 2 (so far): longtime Muncie artist and businesswoman Ann Johnson tells us about how she created  F.B. Fogg—and what she thinks is the future of the arts business in Muncie; librarian and Pop of Culture book club president Hannah Elliott runs down her top picks for summer reading; and artist Sara Collas tells us what she's working on.

This week, we take a trip to the forest... indoors! We get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Minnetrista Museum and Gardens' latest exhibit "Good Night Forest." We'll also speak to PBS host Steven Raichlen ahead of a special event in Fort Wayne, hear about an award-winning stop-motion video, and listen to a Beautiful Thing with imaginary animals ("Things Not Always Seen").

Pop of Culture is back for the second half of Season 2!This week, we chat with Jarrod Case and Jason Cooper of local band White Lies & The Half Truth. They'll share tracks from their album "The Ghosts We Carry" and explain why now was the right time to form a band. We'll also hear our latest Beautiful Thing from writer Jill Currie ("He Comes Back for the Curtains"), catch up with Pop favorite Aimee Maychack (who 'blew up' their life to pursue a full-time career in the arts), and ask young farmer Riley McDermott what she's working on!

It's Pop of Culture's 70th episode! To celebrate, we're listening back to some of our favorite answers to our favorite question: "What Are You Working On?"We first asked Levi Rinker in February 2024... he talks about his work to bring more art into the community of Anderson. We'll also hear from Aimee Maychack (linocuts), Rose & Kate Elliott (sewing very special pillows), and Lynette Whitesell (getting back into art after a pandemic era hiatus). And, we'll ask our hosts the same question. Join us!This is also our last episode before our regular summer break. We'll be back with new episodes starting Friday, August 1.

This week, we discuss upcoming outdoor events in ECI... from the climate-controlled safety of the Pop of Culture Studios.Tracy Manning (Executive and Artistic Director of the Hoosier Shakespeare Festival)—and actors Grace Bogue and Selah Grannis—discuss the Festival's tenth year and what it’s like to perform Shakespeare in the open air.Shaun Dingwerth (Executive Director of the Richmond Art Museum), and Sylvia Finney with Sarah Kreps (Delaware County Master Gardeners Association) talk about their respective garden tours!Kirsten Novotny (Theatre & Events Manager at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens) gives us a peek into the world of "Faeries, Sprites, & Lights."And the answer to “What Are You Working On?” is fireworks!

This week: comedian, cartoonist, writer, musician... the list goes on! Dan Wright entertains us with the stories behind his multifaceted career—including how his syndicated cartoon started with rejection from all four major syndicates. Also in this episode: writer H.K. Hummel shares her Beautiful Things essay "It Seemed Like Everything Was Still Before Us."

This week, we sit down with local pottery legend John Peterson. In a podcast-exclusive extended conversation, he tells us how he came to Muncie, how he started Bethel Pike Pottery studios, and what's still inspiring him today as he looks back on his career in the arts.Also in this show: we preview The Harlem Gospel Travelers' Muncie Three Trails Music Series performance with trio member Ifedayo Gatling, we listen back to the Ball State Studio Band in rehearsal before their performance at We Fly Fest (June 7, 2025), and Stephen M Millben II answers our favorite question.

Pop of Culture is off this week, so we're listening back to some of our favorite summer adventures: Charles W. Brown Planetarium Director Dayna Thompson takes us on a tour of the night sky (kind of), writer Lindsey Pharr takes us to an alligator-teeming river in Mississippi, and art quilter Daren Redman takes us through her creative process.

This week, we speak with Barrett Smith from Steep Canyon Rangers ahead of their performance at the Muncie Three Trails Music Series. He tells us what it's like as a touring musician, and why the band decided to release a live album. Also in this episode: local musician Jess Jones talks about his songwriting career and performs a set in the IPR studios; and we have the next meeting of our Book Club with librarian Hannah Elliott.

This week, we take you behind the scenes of the David Owsley Museum of Art's annual Art in Bloom event. We'll talk to three of the florists interpreting artwork for this year's event: Sharon Grubbs (Foister's Flowers & Gifts), Marnie Tupling (Wasson Nursery), and Julie Harman Vance (Buck Creek in Bloom). We'll also get the full lineup of this year's Muncie Three Trails Music Series from series founder Rick Zeigler, hear details on the loss of arts funding in Indiana, and ask our favorite question.

This week, a bouquet of artistic options: we talk to Kelly McVey, cofounder and Executive Director of the Indiana Peony Festival—coming up Saturday 5/17; we have an extended conversation with Jason Kindred and Tommy Miller from Void King about their new concept album; and we'll ask retired educator Vernon Bedel, "What Are You Working On?"

This week we learn about stained glass (artist and business owner Erica Markley), we hear a new single (returning musician Dana Powell), and we ask multimedia artist Lynette Whitesell about what she’s working on!

This week we talk to the creator of the viral series "Beautiful Luxurious Muncie™." The delightful Stevie Hahn tells us how his character Ray Toffer came to be, what his creative process is like, and how he feels about his portrayal of Muncie. Also in this episode: Nancy Carlson reflects on a documentary she executive produced 25 years ago, we listen to a "Beautiful Thing," and assemblage artist Sara Collas talks about what she's working on.

This week, we spring back into our archives with some of our favorite plant-themed interviews! We visit Cat Dyeak at her greenhouse to learn about the art of Bonsai, PBS creator and host of "Life in Bloom" tell us about his life in the flower trade, and Anne Maddox gives us the details on her incredibly detailed ecosystem paintings.

This week, we talk Tiny Desk: Fort Wayne band SUN.DYLE shares the song they entered into the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest, and NPR's Anamaria Sayre gives us details on the new Tiny Desk Radio! We'll also ask furniture artist Connie Beaty to take us through her process, and we'll listen back to our interview with Indy 500 winner's wreath florist Julie Harman Vance.

This week, we sit down with visiting artist Justin Favela, who tells us about why he started covering cars and buildings like piñatas. Also in this show: we take you to the floor of the Indiana Artisan Marketplace to check in with the artists representing East Central Indiana, Thomas Ouellette reports on a new exhibit put together by—and celebrating—women, and we get up-to-date with all the events happening in our listening area!