Leading Forward: A Conversation with Jacob Meshke, Indianola's New City Manager

A Year of Growth: Indianola Main Street's 2025 Achievements, Opportunities & Future Plans

Season 1, Episode 18: In this episode of Indy Unplugged, Indianola Main Street Executive Director Erica Roberts joins us and discusses a variety of exciting topics, such as:   Previewing Downtown Dough Day on August 7 – an innovative incentive where up to $60,000 will be spent at local businesses in the downtown district. Looking ahead to Indianola Main Street's annual fundraiser, dinner and celebration on August 21. Highlighting the community events happening later this year that it organizes including Wine, Witches and Brew as well as Home for the Holidays. Providing updates and developments from the organization as it completes its first year as a Main Street community.   Fast-forward to a specific topic covered: * 00:00: Intro * 00:42: Welcome * 01:47: On Looking Back to Early Beginning * 02:43: Downtown Dough Initiative * 10:00: On Upcoming Annual Dinner & Celebration * 12:23: On Other Upcoming Events * 15:00: On Downtown Facade Improvements * 17:36: Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks   To learn more about Indianola Main Street, its upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, please visit: https://indianolamainstreet.com/ [https://indianolamainstreet.com/]   To view an interactive map of the revitalization efforts of the Indianola Downtown Square, please visit: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1c182100d2b840589078ecd8cde28a14 [https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1c182100d2b840589078ecd8cde28a14]

Pickard Park's Disc Golf Evolution & The Road to the 2025 Discmania Challenge

Season 1, Episode 17: Ty Tannatt of the Disc Golf Pro Tour and the City of Indianola’s Chief of Culture and Recreation, Doug Bylund, join Indy Unplugged to explore the evolution of the Pickard Park Disc Golf Course into one of the premier disc golf destinations in the world. The pair also preview this year’s Discmania Challenge, presented by Trubank, which is slated for June 27-29. Grab a disc, step up to the tee and listen!   Fast-forward to a specific topic covered: * 00:00: Intro * 00:42: Welcome * 01:50: On Early Disc Golf Beginnings * 10:52: On Volunteer Impact * 13:58: On Evolution of Pickard Park & Disc Golf Course * 20:53: On Connection of Event to Community Draw & Collaboration * 26:28: On Previewing 2025 Discmania Challenge * 35:40: On This Year’s Competitors * 38:36: On Ultimate Goals for Discmania Challenge & Pickard Park Course * 43:20: On How to Get Involved * 49:05: On How to Stay Connected * 50:01: Final Thoughts & Closing To learn more about the Discmania Challenge, please visit: https://www.dgpt.com/event/2025-discmania-challenge/ [https://www.dgpt.com/event/2025-discmania-challenge/] To learn more about the Pickard Park Disc Golf Course, please visit: https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/facilities/facility/details/Disc-Golf-28 [https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/facilities/facility/details/Disc-Golf-28]

Leading Forward: A Conversation with Jacob Meshke, Indianola's New City Manager

Season 1, Episode 16: In this special episode of Indy Unplugged, we welcome new city manager Jacob Meshke, who joined the City of Indianola on Wednesday, May 28. In this episode, Jacob shares his professional journey from his early beginnings in city government. He also discusses what drew him to Indianola, what excites him about being part of the team and his approach for guiding Indianola into its next chapter. Find more information online: https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/1195/Indy-Unplugged-Podcast

Experiences That Elevate: How The Indianola Chamber Strengthens Business & Community

Season 1, Episode 15: Amanda Zwanziger and Haley Swanson with the Indianola Chamber of Commerce join Indy Unplugged for a dynamic conversation about how strategic community experiences fuel local growth and vibrancy.   With the Dad’s Rock Festival debuting on Saturday, June 14, a new twist to the Chamber’s Summer Nights Live concert series, Amanda and Haley share how this exciting, action-packed event will support local businesses and showcase Indianola as a go-to destination. The episode also highlights the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to promote Indianola through the Experience Indianola tourism initiative, regional co-op marketing campaigns and digital passports, among other tactics, designed to attract visitors, elevate local experiences and create increased visibility throughout the city, across Warren County and beyond.   Additionally, listeners will gain insight insight into how the Chamber advocates for local businesses, cultivates a strong sense of place and builds lasting connections between commerce, tourism and community pride.   Fast-forward to a specific topic covered: * 00:00: Intro * 00:42: Welcome * 01:40: On Dad’s Rock Festival * 11:45: On Experience Indianola & Tourism Initiatives * 17:00: On Impact of Tourism for Communities * 20:09: On New Digital Passport Program * 23:58: On Joys of the Job * 29:50: On Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making * 31:53: On Power of Community Partner Collaboration * 33:03: On Flurry of Upcoming Indianola Summer Events * 34:07: Final Thoughts & Closing To learn more about Dad’s Rock Festival, please visit: https://experienceindianola.com/dads-rock/ [https://experienceindianola.com/dads-rock/].   To volunteer for the event, please email haley@indianolachamber.com [haley@indianolachamber.com].   To learn more about Experience Indianola, please visit: https://experienceindianola.com/ [https://experienceindianola.com/]   To learn more about Iowa Getaway, please visit: https://iowagetaway.com/ [https://iowagetaway.com/]   To learn more about the Indianola Chamber of Commerce, please visit: https://www.indianolachamber.com/ [https://www.indianolachamber.com/]

Indianola Council Member Mellisa Sones Reflects on Warren County Leadership Institute

Season 1, Episode 14: Indianola City Council Member Mellisa Sones joins "Indy Unplugged" for an insightful discussion on leadership, community engagement and her experience with the Warren County Leadership Institute. In this episode, Council Member Sones reflects on how WCLI influenced her approach to public service and has helped shape her role on the Council. She highlights key takeaways from the program, including building connections through networking and fostering civic involvement throughout Warren County. The conversation also touches on upcoming community initiatives and ways residents can get involved in shaping local policy. Plus, Council Member Sones shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time in the Leadership Institute and how those lessons continue to guide her work today. Fast-forward to a specific topic covered: * 00:00: Intro * 00:42: Welcome * 01:24: What is Warren County Leadership Institute?  * 02:28: This Year's WCLI Class Project * 03:08: Why Enroll to WCLI? * 04:15: Key Advantages & Challenges from WCLI Experience * 07:58: How WCLI Elevates Leadership Skills * 10:30: Eye-Opening Bus Tour Throughout Warren County * 13:45: Elevator Pitch For WCLI Involvement * 14:28: Applying Knowledge From WCLI Today * 17:48: Serving on City Boards & Commissions * 18:57: Final Thoughts & Closing To learn more about the Warren County Leadership institute, please visit: https://www.wcedc.com/leadership [https://www.wcedc.com/leadership] To learn more about the City of Indianola's boards and commissions, please visit: https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/164/Boards-Commissions [https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/164/Boards-Commissions]