'The Hub' with Michael Allen sponsored by Manpower Eastern Indiana

Ep. 35 | The Business of Local Radio with Rick Duncan of Duncan Media on The Hub with Michael Allen

What does it actually take to keep local radio alive in 2026? This episode of The Hub with Michael Allen is brought to you by Manpower Eastern Indiana, connecting people with opportunities across Richmond, New Castle, Portland, and surrounding communities. Rick Duncan, President and General Manager of Duncan Media and longtime G101.3 morning show host, sits down with Michael Allen for a candid conversation about the real business of local radio in Eastern Indiana. Rick traces his path from a small-town upbringing in Daleville to broadcasting school, then from on-air talent to programming leadership across multiple stations. He opens up about the unexpected turn that led him to ownership, a journey shaped by a long relationship with the late Dave Rogers and grounded by his wife Heather's leadership on the financial and operational side of the business. They dig into how local stations stay relevant and accessible through streaming and apps while still delivering the hyper-local value people count on: severe weather alerts, road and traffic info, community events, and nonprofit support. Rick also pulls back the curtain on how music programming really works, from chart categories and rotations to the listener misconceptions about what DJs can "just play." You'll also hear some unforgettable stories from the radio world, plus practical insight for any business owner weighing radio advertising as part of their marketing mix. If you care about community media, small business marketing, and what keeps hometown stations alive, this one is for you. Listen to G101.3 and explore all of Duncan Media's Eastern Indiana stations at g1013.com. Find a job or hire local talent at mpeasternindiana.com. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your favorite local radio memory. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2211044/support]

Ep. 34 | From GED to CEO with Jon York on The Hub with Michael Allen

Not every success story starts with a straight path. New Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County Jon York never earned a single credit at Richmond High School, but today he’s leading one of the most important youth organizations in Eastern Indiana. On this episode of The Hub with Michael Allen, Jon opens up about the road from Richmond Adult Education and a GED to college, leadership, and now helping shape the next generation right here in Wayne County. Michael Allen and Jon dig into the real impact of mentorship, early work experience, and creating spaces where kids feel seen and supported. Jon shares how getting his first job at the Club at 14 changed the direction of his life, how entrepreneurship and e-commerce built his business mindset, and what he learned from launching a new facility in Bloomington and taking on leadership challenges in Rush County. The conversation also tackles the realities facing youth programs today. They discuss post-pandemic attendance shifts, the push for “more kids, more often,” expanding programs for younger students, keeping teens engaged, and preparing students for the workforce through budgeting, career exploration, and skilled trade pathways. Jon also breaks down what it really takes to serve more than 3,000 kids annually across multiple locations and why long-term fundraising and endowment growth are critical for sustainability. If you care about Richmond, Wayne County, youth development, workforce readiness, and the future of Eastern Indiana, this is an episode worth hearing. The Hub is sponsored by Manpower Eastern Indiana. Learn more at manpowereasternindiana.com Follow @thehub_pod on YouTube and Instagram! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2211044/support]

Ep. 33 | Inside Autocar with Cory Roberson on Building Trucks That Keep America Moving on The Hub with Michael Allen

Most people see the trucks. They don’t see the people, process, or precision behind them. On this episode of The Hub with Michael Allen, we sit down with Cory Roberson, General Manager at Autocar in Hagerstown, Indiana, to break down what really goes into building the work trucks that keep distribution centers moving and refuse routes running across the country. Cory takes us inside Autocar’s vocational lineup, from the ACTT terminal tractor, the yard dog moving trailers nonstop, to the ACMD cab-over platform built for refuse and specialized applications. We get into what’s produced in Hagerstown versus Alabama, and why Autocar has built its reputation on listening to customers and delivering true customization instead of cookie-cutter builds. We also dive into how the industry has evolved. More technology, more options, and more pressure to keep trucks running at all times. From telematics and safety systems like collision mitigation to the realities of sourcing and rising costs after COVID, Cory explains how the operation adapts while still building a hands-on product where no two trucks are the same. If you’re considering a career in manufacturing, this episode gets real about what Autocar looks for in new hires, how training works on the floor, and why mindset and reliability matter just as much as experience. This episode of The Hub with Michael Allen is brought to you by Manpower Eastern Indiana, connecting people with opportunities across Richmond, New Castle, Portland, and surrounding communities. (Manpower Richmond [https://mprichmond.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]) Watch and listen now at mpeasternindiana.com and follow @thehub_pod on YouTube and Instagram for more conversations with the people driving growth across eastern Indiana. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2211044/support]

Ep. 32 | Darin Dubbs Talks Workforce Strategy and Stability at Primex Plastics on The Hub with Michael Allen

A company can say it values people, but what does that actually look like on a random Tuesday when production shifts, retirements hit, or a team needs talent right now? On this episode of The Hub, host Michael Allen sits down with Darin Dubbs, Director of Human Resources at Primex Plastics, to break down how a large-scale manufacturing company builds real culture, stability, and opportunity across multiple locations from Richmond, Indiana to facilities across the country and even the UK. Sponsored by Manpower Eastern Indiana, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what workforce strategy really looks like in today’s manufacturing world. Darin shares his path from communications and television production into manufacturing HR, starting with creating training content inside a plant and learning firsthand how every department operates. That hands-on experience now shapes how he leads at the executive level, supporting HR teams across locations while keeping hiring, leadership development, and employee benefits aligned company-wide. We also get into what sets Primex apart in the Richmond and Eastern Indiana market. From long employee tenure and internal promotions to strong benefits and a second-chance mindset, Darin explains how companies can create environments where people actually grow. He also dives into how business diversity supports long-term stability and how recycling and material buy-back programs play a role in modern manufacturing. Learn more about Manpower Eastern Indiana at mprichmond.com. Follow The Hub on YouTube and Instagram @thehub_pod for more conversations with the leaders building stronger companies and communities, and share this episode with someone who cares about business, leadership, and growth. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2211044/support]

Ep. 31 | Mayor Ron Oler, Ph.D. Discusses Development, Housing, and Quality of Place on The Hub with Michael Allen

Big plans only matter when they change how people live, and that perspective frames this episode of The Hub with host Michael Allen and guest Mayor Ron Oler, Ph.D. The conversation takes a grounded look at Richmond’s most visible shifts, starting with a refreshed city brand that gives developers something solid to build against, a comprehensive plan that actually guides where housing, commercial space, and industry belong, and a downtown strategy that balances historic preservation with modern, amenity driven living. Michael and Mayor Oler dig into the five building restoration effort and the fast moving 6th & Main project that is redefining what apartments mean in Richmond. Gyms, pet amenities, community rooms, pools, and lockers are becoming the standard. The target residents may surprise some listeners, with strong interest not only from emerging professionals but also from empty nesters looking for weekday convenience and weekend freedom. The discussion also highlights the Wayne County Foundation’s land trust model for smaller downtown buildings, keeping properties occupied, maintained, and taxable while avoiding the absentee owner cycle that often stalls momentum. The conversation expands beyond the downtown core into housing efforts in the Starr District and the Vaile, where owner occupied rehabs and new infill aim to stabilize neighborhoods and address a well documented shortage of quality housing. Parks and quality of place take center stage as well, with a dedicated 1% food and beverage tax funding trail upgrades, gorge activation, and long needed reinvestment at Glen Miller Park. The focus is on turning everyday spaces into places people want to stay, gather, and move. Michael and Mayor Oler also tackle questions shaping the next decade, including how I 70 tolling could prioritize out of state freight over local commuters, what a resort style casino would look like under Indiana’s rules with hotels, meetings, and entertainment, and why a new airport terminal matters for regional business access. Throughout the episode, transparency outweighs noise. Social media may amplify the loudest voices, but permits, bids, and cranes tell the real story. If you care about urban revitalization, housing strategy, civic finance, and placemaking, this episode offers grounded insight and realistic timelines. Learn more about The Hub and explore all episodes at  https://www.mprichmond.com/the-hub-podcast [https://www.mprichmond.com/the-hub-podcast] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2211044/support]