Third Space Indy

Fostering Black Joy with Nigel Long

Nigel Long is a DJ, community organizer, and lifetime Indianapolis native known as DJ Grapevine. Michael sits down with Nigel at the Cloud Underground studio inside Morning Star a part of Flanner House in Northwest Side of Indy. Michael and Nigel talk about Black joy in Indianapolis, the origins of Grapevine, and why community is always work worth doing. Sponsors: City Rising (cityrising.org) Proformus Urban Planning & Design Intro music: Scared Rabbit by Jennasen Timestamps 0:44 — Intro 1:56 — Who is DJ Grapevine? 3:03 — Growing up in Devington 5:28 — Flanner House and historically Black neighborhoods 7:17 — The origins of Grapevine 13:42 — Community investment without government support 14:06 — Music and his grandfather's influence 23:32 — Gang Gang and his role in Indianapolis 24:32 — Black: A Festival of Joy 30:22 — The Brick by Brick Campaign 36:36 — Canned questions

Staying On Message with Andrea Watts

Third Space Indy Live Show on May 23rd, 2026: oneyear.thirdspaceindy.com Andrea Watts is an advocate, consultant, and former city government bureaucrat working to improve Indianapolis's built environment through her work at Health By Design. Michael sits down with Andrea at Canal Bistro in Broad Ripple to talk about walkable cities, the politics of infrastructure, Arab American identity, and what it means to fight for the city you're stuck loving. Sponsors: City Rising (cityrising.org) Proformus Urban Planning & Design Intro music: Scared Rabbit by Jennasen Timestamps 1:07 — Intro 3:51 — How Michael and Andrea met 5:52 — Health By Design and the built environment 6:29 — How Indianapolis has changed 10:14 — From city bureaucrat to advocate 13:19 — The Walton family model and attracting talent through livability 16:16 — Building connections through shared passion 19:22 — Why Andrea never moved to New York City 21:44 — Drive Less April challenge 25:01 — Why it's hard not to drive in Indianapolis 28:09 — IndyGo, transit frequency, and the privilege of flexibility 33:23 — Arab American Heritage Month and Lebanese identity 35:41 — Canned questions 38:47 — 16th & Monon street mural 42:21 — Lost third spaces 49:15 — Carmel's walkable infrastructure 52:56 — Friday Field Trips series 55:15 — The Walk and Bike Summit 57:41 — Question for the next guest: What's on your rider?

Learning Jewish Geography with Ethan Rosuck

Ethan Rosuck is a meteorologist at Fox 59 and CBS4 in Indianapolis. Michael sits down with Ethan at Chicago Beef and Dog Company in Irvington to talk about building friendships in a new city, Jewish identity and culture, Indianapolis's local food scene, and what it's like to love your niche career. Sponsors: City Rising (cityrising.org) Proformus Urban Planning & Design Intro music: Scared Rabbit by Jennasen Timestamps 0:43 — Intro 1:46 — Ethan's career as a meteorologist and moving to Indianapolis 5:22 — Being the instigator of friendship and community 11:43 — Turning 30, relationships, and slowing down 20:41 — Jewish geography, cultural identity, and bagel snobbery 34:10 — Indianapolis's local food scene: Side Door Bagels, Bohdi, and supporting local 44:49 — Canned questions 45:17 — What is a third space? 49:03 — A third space that no longer exists 54:26 — Question from previous guest Jay Grillo 1:00:41 — Question for the next guest 1:01:23 — Where to find Ethan

De Aquí y De Allá with Jay Grillo

Jay Grillo is a multimedia artist, documentarian, and organizer at the Indianapolis Liberation Center. Michael sits down with Jay inside the Liberation Center in Fountain Square to talk about art as solidarity, cultural identity, and building community through showing up. Sponsors: City Rising (cityrising.org) Proformus Urban Planning & Design Intro music: Scared Rabbit by Jennasen Timestamps * 0:51 — Intro * 5:52 — Design work, Folklórico dancing, and the Latino arts community * 7:25 — Documentary work and storytelling in solidarity * 14:00 — De Aquí y De Allá and third-generation immigrant identity * 26:02 — The Indianapolis Liberation Center * 33:41 — Getting involved and the power of showing up * 39:24 — Touch Grass Indy * 41:34 — Canned questions

Rebuilding a Sustainable Democracy with Karla López Owens

Karla López Owens is the deputy prosecuting attorney, community outreach director at the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, and president of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus. This week, she joins Michael at Ellenberger Park in Irvington to talk local democracy, her run for Marion County Clerk, and what it looks like to take government services directly to the people. Links & Resources * Karla's Instagram: @K_LopezOW * Karla's Website: https://klo4change.com/ * IndyVotes.org — early voting info Third Space Indy is supported by: * City Rising: cityrising.org * Proformus: proformus.com/ Music: "Scared Rabbit" by Jennasen Timestamps [0:00] — YDSA protest announcement [0:27] — Spoken word intro [2:16] — Guest introduction [3:23] — What is the county clerk? [5:18] — The 2020 Ellenberger Park caucus [12:43] — From 2020 to now [13:45] — Party challenges & voter suppression [18:40] — Ron Gibson & local accountability [20:48] — Rank choice voting [24:08] — Immigrant voting rights, clarified [25:48] — Top priorities for Indy [30:12] — Vision for the clerk's office [33:09] — DSA & people-first politics [35:29] — "I'm not a politician" [37:36] — What is a Third Space? [38:50] — Why Irvington? [41:06] — A lost Third Space [42:56] — Biggest hurdle for small businesses? [45:10] — How & when to vote [45:59] — Uncle Mark walks by