Pop of Culture

S03 E24 - We Have High-Octane Research Data

This week, we start with Jill Blocker and Keith Roysdon, two Hoosier journalists turned authors who are traveling back to Muncie for the release of their new novels. We'll dive into the Dance Data Project with Elizabeth “Liza” Yntema and Nancy Dobbs Owen—and ask how they're using numbers to effect change in that industry. We'll also hear from Hall-of-Fame fiddler Michael Cleveland ahead of his group's performance at the Muncie Three Trails Music Series (July 11), and we'll go Behind the Song with local musicians Spenser and Kat Nightingale!

S03 E23 - We Welcome Back Long Haul Paul

This week, singer-songwriter and long-haul trucker "Long Haul" Paul returns to the show with his signature storytelling and songwriting—accompanied by banjoist Ric Dwenger! Paul talks about why he has to be disgruntled to write, how Ric gave him the courage to perform, and where he hopes the next years will take his career. In a PODCAST EXCLUSIVE, he performs three songs (and a little jingle about cheese). Also returning this week: the Pop of Culture Book Club! President Hannah Bradshaw takes us through the titles flying off the shelves and into tote bags for summer. And Muncie Civic Theatre's Laura Williamson jumps in answer "WAYWO?"

S03 E22 - We Cover Mountains, Memoirs, and Microloans

This week, we're all over the map! We start with Graham Watson, founder and President of the Vore Arts Fund, an organization distributing "unconditionally forgivable" microloans to get local art projects off the ground. He tells us why he thinks this should be the model for communities moving forward. We'll also speak with Braiden Robinson, who used a loan to further his lapidary business. Then, we head to Seattle (and even then, to Vietnam) to hear Mary Lane Potter's Beautiful Thing "On Sam Mountain [https://riverteethjournal.com/beautiful-things/on-sam-mountain/]." And Ann Johnson returns to Pop to tell us about her new memoir "Finding Fogg." All that, and more!

S03 E21 - We Come from the Ground Up

We're extending the holiday weekend! This week, we're listening back to some of our favorite pieces, including: our visit to the powerful illustrative work in "Nora Krug: Belonging" at the David Owsley Museum of Art, our sit-down with local potter John Peterson, live music from Jess Jones, and canning family recipes with farmer Riley McDermott.

S03 E20 - We're in Cowboy Couture

This week, Indianapolis-based fashion designer Jerry Lee Atwood tells us how he went from embroidering behind the bar at a coffee shop to seeing his looks on the red carpet. He has a new exhibition at the Eiteljorg Museum titled "Cowboy Couture: The Fashion of Jerry Lee Atwood." Also: we get tips from 2025 "DWNTWN Idol" winner (and returning guest) India Potter ahead of this years competition, and LaShanta Vaughn (President and CEO of Horizon Convention Center) and Carl Schafer (co-owner of Gordy Fine Art and Framing) talk about their project to fill Muncie's convention center with art. And after all that, we say goodbye to a member of the Pop team.