Shows
The 812222 [S4E16]: About the New City Transportation Commission: Shefar Rafiul Turns the Tables on Steve VolanThere's been a precedent for table-turning on this show, in which the guest interviews the host. (As a former city councilmember, Steve has been interviewed on this very program by the rizz-tastic current at-large councilmember Isak Asare.) Last year the Bloomington city administration and council saw fit to merge the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety, Traffic, and Parking Commissions into a single Transportation Commission, which started meeting this past June. Your host was named to the new Commission; by July, they had elected him chair (mostly because he was the only fool willing to do it).To interview...
2025-10-2339 minThe 812204 [S3E51]: Steve "Roc" Bonchek, Founder and Principal of Harmony SchoolSteve Bonchek, whom everyone just calls "Roc", is founder and principal of Harmony School, the independent, non-religious school not funded by the state, which is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary, 40 of which have been in Bloomington's old Elm Heights School, which itself is turning 100 next year. Bonchek talks about how the school came to be, how it works, and why he doesn't call it a "private" school even though it's neither a public nor a charter school. He also talks about the founding of the youth organization called Rhino's, which, with the cooperation and sponsorship of the city...
2025-06-0338 minThe 812184 [S3E31]: "Big Mike" Glab Makes Big Talk about Bloomington (and Chicagoland)Today is a Work Session, an interview with a member of local media where we talk about the city and local issues of the day. Michael "Big Mike" Glab is a former reporter for the Chicago Reader who's covered every kind of news, hard and soft. After 50 years in the Windy City, he eventually found himself in Limestone Country, where he became the host of Big Talk, a half-hour interview show not unlike this one. Where this show's theme is local government, Big Talk focus more on creative Bloomington. Glab is a creative himself, who continues writing on his...
2025-04-0739 minThe 812157 [S3E04]: Conventions and Buses and Pedestrian Streets: Christopher Emge of the Chamber of CommerceWe welcome back to the show one of our favorite raconteurs, Christopher Emge from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, who appeared a year ago when the show was first starting. We discuss current issues on the Chamber's agenda, including Bloomington's convention center expansion, public transit going outside the city for the first time, and the question of whether and how to dedicate certain streets downtown for exclusive bus or pedestrian use. (He also tells us about his new title, which Steve just can't get quite right.)Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024...
2025-01-2737 minThe 812150 [S2E53]: Paying Tribute to Cheryl Munson, a Pillar of the CommunityToday we're remembering Monroe County Councilmember Cheryl Munson. A professor emerita in the IU Dept of Anthropology, she volunteered throughout the community, and also served in local politics, first on the township level, then as an at large member of the County Council. In the interview we recorded with her in June, she describes herself and the Council, and we talk about the issues of the day: the question of the county jail, county employee salaries, and how she was looking forward to a fourth term to address issues like these. And we get a look into h...
2024-12-1333 minThe 812141 [S2E44]: Where should ballots be cast? Inside the Vote Center Study CommitteeMonroe County still has precinct voting. On Election Day, you go to a particular polling place based on what precinct you live in. But there's a new idea out there: voting centers, which allow you to vote at any polling place regardless of where you live.In mid-2023, Monroe County's Election Board created a nine-member committee to study whether it would be a good idea for its residents to vote at vote centers, rather than at assigned precinct polling places. The committee began meeting at the beginning of this year and will wrap up its work in...
2024-11-1534 minThe 812131 [S2E34]: In Extra Innings: A Sampler of Bonus Interviews with Guests of The 812Today we're releasing portions of never-before-aired overtime interviews with recent guests. Anything we've recorded after the main interview for that episode we've been setting aside as "Extra Innings" segments, which can run anywhere from 7 minutes to as long as half an hour. Here now are a few samples.Extra Innings with Haskell Smith and George Hegeman of the Tree Commission (original episode), talking about the emerald ash borer in BloomingtonA portion of the Extra Innings with Lesley Davis, chair of the city's Council for Community Accessibility (original episode), about her new job as the VP for North American...
2024-10-2339 minThe 812130 [S2E33]: The Skeptical Township: Rita Barrow, Van Buren TrusteeVan Buren Township, to the city's west-southwest, is the fourth most populous township in Monroe County (about 12,000 people as of the last census). In the first half of our interview, Township Trustee Rita Barrow (pronounced "borrow") lays out how she handles the role of trustee in Van Buren, including building new headquarters and dealing with disputes over weeds and fence lines.In the second half, the episode really gets into the weeds: host Steve Volan asks her about fire department mergers, the still-cooking county development ordinance, and, the elephant in the room, Bloomington's notorious attempt at annexation...
2024-10-2137 minThe 812128 [S2E31]: Rooting out Invasive Species with Ellen Jacquart of MC-IRISEllen Jacquart is the president of Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species, or MC-IRIS for short. She leads a surprisingly large group of volunteers who have made it their mission to help pull plants that shouldn't be here because they're not native to the area, and in many cases, crowd out plants that are. Whether it's the Callery pear, the asian bush honeysuckle, or the so-called tree of heaven -- don't cut that one, friend, it could give you a heart attack -- they've got to go, but they're hard to get rid once they've literally taken root...
2024-10-1636 minThe 812127 [S2E30]: An Exchange of Ideas with the Civic Leaders Living-Learning Center at IULiving-learning centers at IU allow students to take classes in a specialty of their choice in the dorm where they live on-campus. The Civic Leaders Living-Learning Center takes up three floors in one tower of Briscoe Quad. Former Bloomington city councilmember Steve Volan was invited out for an exchange of ideas with former Fort Wayne mayor Paul Helmke, now the faculty director of the CLLLC, and Colby Wicker, the center's Cox Scholar. This episode was recorded live at Briscoe Quad in front of 80 students participating in the LLC. We talk about how politics works at the local l...
2024-10-1438 minThe 812123 [S2E26]: David Hittle on Planning the City's Built EnvironmentDavid Hittle, the city's new director of the Planning and Transportation Department, talks with Steve Volan about the documents that rule the planning process in this city: the Comprehensive Plan and the Unified Development Ordinance. We discuss how the department he runs works in practice, and the boards and commissions that collectively oversee the city's entire built environment. This episode is the first for which we're also publishing an Extra Innings segment, where we talk about "car sewers", complete streets, and building new urban cores in the city. You can find it only from the webpage for...
2024-10-0239 minThe 812115 [S2E18]: NPR's Eric Deggans on the Media, Journalism, and Bloomington (2 of 2)This is the second of two episodes released today (note: we strongly recommend listening to the previous episode first), part of our conversation with NPR's Eric Deggans, an alum of the IU School of Journalism, back in Bloomington to speak at its successor, the Media School. Among other topics, Eric Deggans talks about the reasons he went from music to television criticism; Bloomington's neighborhoods -- and its vibrant music scene -- in the eighties; and the racial dynamics of being a mostly-Black band while playing throughout Indiana back then. (Host Steve Volan even asks for pointers on i...
2024-09-1333 minThe 812099 [S2E02]: Sheriff Ruben Marté and Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons, on New Jail CapacityIn their respective offices since the beginning of 2023, Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marté and his deputy, Monroe County Jail Commander Kyle Gibbons, argue that no matter what else happens, any new jail needs to be larger than the old one. Meanwhile, in today's Last Pitch segment, host Steve Volan exhorts you to sign up for a Residents Academy course.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-08-0737 minThe 812093: It's Elected Officials All the Way Down: The812 Digest for the Week of June 11Our first two excerpts are from interviews with members of the Monroe County Council. We get thoughts about the problems with the county jail and developing a new so-called justice system in the county from at-large member Cheryl Munson and District 4 member Jennifer Crossley. In the second half, we welcomed back at-large Bloomington city councilmember Matt Flaherty to discuss the need for a version 2.0 of the city's Climate Action Plan. Then at-large member Isak Asare, who agreed to come back on to the show only if he could usurp the...
2024-06-1734 minThe 812091: We Pass The Gavel...to Councilmember Isak AsareSteve Volan passes the gavel and his hosting duties to at large councilmember Isak Asare, who was not satisfied with his first appearance on this show, and insisted -- insisted! -- on grilling your humble interlocutor about his time on city council. If you heard that original interview, or you've met the man in person, the force of his charm and irrepressible wit rendered Steve helpless to object. And so, we're trying a new segment called Pass the Gavel, where the guest becomes the host and gets to ask the questions. So be it! (Hint: there's talk of...
2024-06-1335 minThe 812088: The Ball Is in His Court, and Her Court, and Your Host's Court: The812 Digest for the Week of June 4On today’s digest, a current-events discussion, the county judicial system, and more about the campus in our city’s midst:Lucas Gonzalez, on the big issues he’s been covering for WFIU News; Judge Catherine Stafford on how the county’s circuit court works;Judge Stafford from another episode, on how the Eviction Protection Project has improved outcomes in the county; and another excerpt from Steve Volan's Doppelganger Cities, the public talk from last fall, on campuses and their relationship to so-called "third places.”Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserve
2024-06-1034 minThe 812087: Judge Catherine Stafford, Part II: On Evictions, and Their Impact on the CommunityToday we explore why evictions are the whole community’s problem (hint: guess how many people currently experiencing homelessness lost their rented apartments?). We talk about it with Judge Catherine Stafford, one of two judges who handle evictions cases locally, and who was on the show yesterday to talk about the county judicial system in general. She talks with Steve Volan about the degree to which those evicted are students in a college town, how the eviction moratorium affected the county during the pandemic, and the local Eviction Prevention Project. Support the showA...
2024-06-0733 minThe 812085: The 812 Work Session with Lucas Gonzalez, City Government Reporter, WFIU NewsInterviews on this show are typically with decision and policy makers in Bloomington and Monroe County. But some people know a lot about the city and can explain the issues well, who may never have been elected or appointed officials. This is the latest entry in our occasional series that we call The 812 Work Session.Today's Work Session guest is Lucas Gonzalez, the city government reporter for WFIU News. He talks with host Steve Volan about many current local issues, including the convention center, the Dunn Meadow protests and the city's Gaza ceasefire resolution, the Summit District...
2024-06-0533 minThe 812084: Doppelgänger City, Part 2: How Campuses Infantilize StudentsThis episode is the second excerpt from a public talk Steve Volan gave last fall at the Collins Living-Learning Center in Bloomington, called "Doppelgänger Cities: A History of Campuses." The first excerpt was Episode 29 of The 812, posted February 23.As you may know, Steve was a member of the city council here for the last 20 years, in a district that was almost entirely students at IU. After redistricting, more students than ever were drawn into District 6, and the district is now represented by a recent IU graduate of typical undergraduate age. (We recommend you go back and l...
2024-06-0436 minThe 812083: How to Run Things: The812 Digest for the Week of May 28Excerpts from recent interviews include county council at-large member and president Trent Deckard talks about leadership; county councilmember (D-2) Kate Wiltz talks about budgeting and the depth of county services; and Drew Bratton and Steve Versaw, board president and executive director (respectively) of BCT Management, Inc., the non-profit that runs the Buskirk-Chumley, the city's premier theatre.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-06-0331 minThe 812080: How the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre Survives As the City's Premier Performing Arts VenueShakespeare needed his Globe Theatre; Bloomington needs its Buskirk-Chumley. The former Indiana Theatre is more than a century old, has been a publicly-owned 600-seat venue since the 1990s, and is still an eye-catching downtown landmark. How it got to be that way -- and how it survives -- are our topics today. Our guests are Steve Versaw and Drew Bratton, the executive director and the president of the board of directors, respectively, of BCT Management, Inc., the umbrella organization which runs the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5...
2024-05-2935 minThe 812077: Dave Rollo, City Councilmember (D-4)The 812 has finally landed its interview with the elusive Dave Rollo, the senior member of the Bloomington city council. In this wide-ranging interview we discuss the carrying capacity of the city in light of the approval of the enormous new Summit District, as well as greenways, urban deer, and more.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-05-2333 minThe 812076: Michael Hunt, Monroe County’s Chief Public DefenderWe're starting to invite guests beyond the humble municipality of Bloomington; we're expanding to the humble county of Monroe, to meet some of the people who make the county tick. The Sixth and 14th Amendments to the Constitution guarantee the fundamental right of the accused to counsel regardless of their ability to pay. Today we meet the embodiment of that right in Monroe County. Our guest, Michael Hunt, has been for the past 50 years the county's first and only chief public defender. We learn all about how the Public Defender's Office came to exist, how it wo...
2024-05-2236 minThe 812075: Geoff McKim, on How Monroe County Government WorksThe 812 is slowly expanding its horizons to include governments beyond the city of Bloomington. There are many people whom we’ve interviewed on this program for their knowledge and experience, yet no one is in a better situation to explain Monroe County than our guest today, Geoff McKim, who’s been a member of the county council since 2009 and is in his last year as a councilmember before retiring. (You may also recognize Geoff as one of the co-hosts of Plateia Media’s first experimental podcast, What’s the 311, a show about local government across America generally. ) He explains and demy...
2024-05-2137 minThe 812074: Different Ways That Money Flows through Local Government: Digest for the Week of May 14We look back at recent interviews, whose unifying theme seems to be money and how it flows throughout government. Excerpts from last week include:The mechanics of how the legislative process in the Statehouse works, with Indiana’s Own Dana Black, host of the Turn Left podcastthe advent of a new organization that tries to pair up worthy projects with mission-based lenders, with the leader of that organization, John Zody, executive director of CDFI-Friendly Bloomington;new City Controller Jessica McClellan on the city budget process and how radically different it is from the county budget process; and Senior Tra...
2024-05-2036 minThe 812073: Understanding the MPO with Pat Martin, Senior Transportation PlannerHow do city road projects get funded? Oftentimes, they're a mix of local, state and (a lot of) federal dollars/ If you've ever wondered why road projects take a long time to come to fruition, today we explore the filter through which those federal dollars flow. Bloomington is the center of a metropolitan area. Metropolitan areas, especially ones that cross state lines, get special consideration from the federal government for highway, road, public transit and other federal transportation money. A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is an interjurisdictional body created by federal mandate to oversee the spending of f...
2024-05-1731 minThe 812072: Indiana's Own Dana Black, Explaining the Statehouse' Impact on CitiesOn this show about local government, we're thinking today about the state, and how it affects local government. Dana Black is host of the Turn Left podcast and an inveterate watcher of the Indiana General Assembly. We discuss topics like home rule, annexation, the regulation of rentals, and other legislation that has impacted cities like Bloomington. Dissecting bills and engaging directly with representatives and their aides, particularly during the summer sessions when legislators are more available, is more easily done when people group together. Black also tells us about the mechanisms by which local citizens can influence s...
2024-05-1635 minThe 812071: Jessica McClellan, City Controller, Follows the MoneyJessica McClellan recently left her job as the elected Monroe County Treasurer to join the new Thomson administration as the City of Bloomington's new Controller. In short, no one has followed more money than her. She explains the byzantine process of municipal budgeting and compares it with her previous experience.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-05-1533 minThe 812070: John Zody, on Housing and Community Investing [CORRECTED][EPISODE CORRECTED. Enjoy this episode as it was meant to sound!]Our guest today is John Zody. He's the executive director of CDFI-Friendly Bloomington. Community deveopment financial institutions, or CDFIs, are lenders with missions. CFB connects the dots between mission-based lenders and projects that need special kinds of non-standard funding, that may not be able to get funding through regular commercial banks. We also talk with him about his role as the most recent director of the City of Bloomington's HAND department, where he oversaw the city's rental-inspection program, its relationships with neighborhoods, and its h...
2024-05-1435 minThe 812069: Historic Preservation, A Safe and Civil City, and How to Start a Festival -- The812 DigestThe812 is back from its hiatus! To get you reacclimated, it's a Monday-digest addition of the week of interviews from before our mid-April hiatus. We'll hear excerpts from interviews with:Noah Sandweiss, the city's Historic Preservation Program ManagerShatoyia Moss, the city's Safe and Civil City Director and Mat Alano-Martin, stand-up comedian and co-founder of the Limestone Comedy Festival, about how it started and how the city helpedImprovements coming to the show, starting tomorrow...be sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts!Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights re...
2024-05-1332 minThe 812068: Noah Sandweiss, the City's Historic Preservation Program ManagerHow does a building get declared "historic"? Who decides what should be saved or not? We find out some of the answers today, from the guy who sets up the questions. Noah Sandweiss is the new program manager for historic preservation for the city. In our interview, he unpacks the portfolio he's charged with, which includes working with federal and stage agencies, reviewing and preparing for presentation cases to be considered by the local Historic Preservation Commission, and his background that led him to the job.With this episode, the show goes on hiatus. We return with n...
2024-04-1936 minThe 812067: Shatoyia Moss, Bloomington's Safe and Civil City DirectorHow does a community deal with issues that aren't obviously the business of a city government? Cultural issues can overwhelm even the most well-intentioned administration. What does it take to keep a city peaceful beyond law or code enforcement?Our guest is Shatoyia Moss, the Safe and Civil City Director for the City of Bloomington, who works in the Community and Family Resources Department. She talks today about her job helping the city and its residents navigate issues that don't have ready solutions available, that can't be solved bt patching a pothole, issues that can result in...
2024-04-1833 minThe 812066: Mat Alano-Martin, Co-Founder of the Limestone Comedy FestivalMat Alano-Martin is a professional stand-up comedian who got his start at the city's first comedy club, the Comedy Attic. In 2013, he and the owner of the club, Jared Thompson, created the Limestone Comedy Festival, which is now entering its eleventh year. We learn from Mat what it takes to launch a comedy festival, and how Bloomington helped nurture it through advice from the city and the convention and visitors' bureau. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-1735 minThe 812065: The Lineup for Tuesday, April 16Our planned guest fell through for today (it wasn't Dave Rollo...but it could've been you, Dave). We're presenting the Lineup of public meetings happening in City Hall today on its own. Full episodes coming the rest of this week.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-1603 minThe 812064: The Digest for the Week of April 9: Children and Homelessness; Sustainability and Economic Development; Greenways and Protected Bike LanesAfter the eclipse hubbub died down, we interviewed several interesting people. On today's highlights from last week's interviews, clips from:Emily Pike, director of New Hope, the only shelter in the county for families experiencing homelessness; lex Crowley, the city's former director of ESD; and Hank Duncan, the city's bike and ped coordinator.(Dave Rollo Watch: 64 Days and Counting)Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-1530 minThe 812063: The 812 Overtime -- More about Public Buses and Public BankingToday's episode is not just one, but two doses of The 812 Overtime, extra segments recorded for us by recent guests who just had too many interesting insights for us to fit into our regular half-hour interviews. It's a couple of good, deep dives into local government.Our first Overtime interview we made back in March with John Connell about Bloomington Transit, where he's the general manager. In this segment, he tells us about the Bus Rapid Transit line coming to Bloomington and how it'll be different from a similar service in Indianapolis. He also talks about the...
2024-04-1236 minThe 812062: Hank Duncan, City Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, on People Who Walk and RollHank Duncan, who works in the city's Planning and Transportation Department, is the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. He explains his role in how pedestrians, cyclists, scooter users, wheelchair users, stroller-pushers and more get around town. We discuss protected bike lanes, sidepaths, sidewalks, greenways, curb cuts and more.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-1134 minThe 812061: Alex Crowley of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund: On Economic and Sustainable DevelopmentFrom 2016 to 2023, Alex Crowley served in the Hamilton administration as Bloomington's director of Economic and Sustainable Development. Since last summer, his new role is as executive director of the new Indiana Energy Independence Fund. In the second half of the show, he'll explain what a "green bank" is and his new job running one. In the first half, though, he talks about his time with the city.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-1037 minThe 812060: Emily Pike, Director of New Hope for Families, on Children Who Are HomelessHow much do you really know about the typical homeless person? Are you sure, or are you just making assumptions? Homelessness among children, for example, is a significant thing. Our guest today is Emily Pike, the executive director of New Hope for Families, the only shelter in Monroe County dedicated to helping children under the age of 18 experiencing homelessness, and the parents or guardians who come with them. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-0933 minThe 812059: Eclipse Clips -- How Bloomington's Preparing and Celebrating the Big EventTo everyone visiting Bloomington, and about to make Monday the largest tourism event in the city's history, this episode is for you. The 812 podcast is all about explaining how the city of Bloomington works. In the first half of today's episode, we talk with Michael Large from the Public Works DepartmentJohn Connell, general manager of Bloomington Transit, and Tim Street, the city's new Parks and Recreation Director. Each of them shares what they and their departments are doing about, or for, the eclipse. In the second half, we highlight excerpts from our interview with...
2024-04-0532 minThe 812058: Michael Large, Public Works, on Trash and InfrastructureWhen you hear the words "public" and "works"... what do you think of first? Potholes, maybe? Street paving? Yeah, that's not uncommon. But it definitely depends on the city you're in. In Bloomington, Public Works does everything from animal control to sanitation. Michael Large, the Operations Manager for the city's Public Works department, lays it all out for us, and surprises host Steve Volan more than once along the way.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-0436 minThe 812057: Catie Pilachowski, Chair of the IU Astronomy DepartmentProfessor Pilachowski, Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, and the Daniel Kirkwood Chair of the Astronomy Department at Indiana University, has been planning for Bloomington's April 8 eclipse for many years. She talks about its significance astronomically, its impact on people locally, her career in astronomy, and shares the plethora of activities her department and IU generally have in store from Saturday through Monday. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-0333 minThe 812056: Tim Street, Director of Parks & RecreationOur guest today is new director of Bloomington Parks & Recreation, Tim Street -- and not once...not ONCE was the word "pickleball" mentioned. But he talks with host Steve Volan about the breadth of city parks issues, including the remediation of invasive trees, the state of the Farmers' Market, programs they're sponsoring for the coming eclipse, and how he feels about the Amy Poehler sitcom "Parks & Rec".Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-0232 minThe 812055: The Digest for March 26: On Water, Public Transit, and Food TrucksA look back at interviews The 812 has conducted with:Communications Director Holly McLauchlin of City of Bloomington Utilities, about how the local water works works:General Manager John Connell of Bloomington Transit, about how the local system of busses is so bussin'and Jordan Davis, host of the No Dishes podcast about the local restaurant scene, and Operations Manager for the Chocolate Moose local ice cream shops chain.(PS: No, this is not Radiolab. But Jad Abumrad is in town this week!)Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-04-0135 minThe 812054: John Connell, General Manager of Bloomington TransitBT General Manager John Connell gives The 812 an overview of the state's busiest bus system per capita, its scope, how it works, and what's next for public transit in Bloomington, including an update on the Green Line, soon to be the city's first bus rapid transit line. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-2931 minThe 812053 (006): Encore Presentation -- Matt Flaherty, Councilmember At LargeAfter the Lineup for Thursday, March 28, we revisit our interview with At-Large Councilmember Matt Flaherty, recorded in January. He discusses how the city can take significant climate action and decarbonization by rethinking policies on development, utilities and parking.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-2834 minThe 812052: Jordan Davis, Host of the No Dishes podcast, on the City's Restaurant SceneOur guest today is Jordan Davis, director of operations at the Chocolate Moose. He's also host of the No Dishes podcast which is all about the local restaurant scene, and a board member for Visit Bloomington, the local convention and visitors' bureau. Among other things, we talk about his career in food service, the Chocolate Moose's history, the growth of food trucks in Bloomington, and the logistics of putting on the popular local event known as Food Truck Friday. (As part of the cultural exchange, The 812 will come to No Dishes in May.)Support the show
2024-03-2734 minThe 812051: Holly McLauchlin, Communications Director for City of Bloomington Utilities, on How Our Water is ManagedWater, water everywhere, but every drop you drink, dear city dweller, is cleaned somehow. Who delivers -- and takes away -- your water? We talk with Holly McLauchlin, the communications director for City of Bloomington Utilities. She'll explain the ginormous operation that provides us drinking water, carries off and cleans our wastewater, and disperses our stormwater. Topics include the prospect of a new headquarters facility at Winston-Thomas, what "MS4" is, and the downtown "Hidden River" project.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-2632 minThe 812050: On the Mindset of Candidates, and the Local Media Landscape: The 812 Digest for the Week of March 19On this Digest episode we look back at people whom we've interviewed to explore how they became candidates. We'll hear segments from former fire chief Jason Moore and now-city councilmember Courtney Daily about their origin stories, and a longer look at how Jonas Schrodt, who ran last year for an at-large seat and whom we interviewed last week, found his hat thrown into the ring.In the second half, we'll hear an excerpt from our interview with Mike Leonard, the city's last preeminent opinion columnist, and his assessment of the decline of his former employer, the Herald-Times...
2024-03-2533 minThe 812049: No Show TodaySorry, Bloomington! No public meetings to promote and all our guest prospects fell through. We'll be back with a full schedule next week.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-2200 minThe 812048: Jonas Schrodt: The Candidate's TaleWhat it's like to run for local political office for the first time? What motivates people to run, and how does a campaign make affect a candidate's self-esteem? Our guest today is Jonas Schrodt, the local stand-up comedian and winemaker who ran among six other candidates for one of three at-large seats on the city council last year. We do a post-mortem on his candidacy, exploring his experience as someone running for office for the first time, as a voice for a new generation of local voters, and the highest vote-getter of any openly gay candidate to date in...
2024-03-2134 minThe 812047: The 812 Work Session with Mike Leonard, former columnist for the Herald-TimesSo far on this show, our interviews have been with decision and policy makers in the city of Bloomington. But there are some people who know a lot about the city, and can explain the issues well, who may never have been elected or appointed officials. Today we debut a new occasional feature: The 812 Work Session.Mike Leonard was the primary columnist at the Herald-Times newspaper from 1985-2013, when he retired; before that, he was a beat reporter for the paper starting in 1979. He's also a 20-year board member and former president of the National Society of...
2024-03-2032 minThe 812046 (002): Encore Presentation: Nicole Bolden, City ClerkThe 812 is still re-tooling post-spring break. Today's Lineup of public meetings is fresh for March 19, but please enjoy this encore presentation of our interview with City Clerk Nicole Bolden, originally recorded in January.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1933 minThe 812045: Digest for the Week of March 5: The Economic Development EpisodeOn this digest episode, we hear excerpts from interviews all about the local economy, including:Jane Kupersmith, director of the city's Economic and Sustainable Development department;Jennifer Pearl, president of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation;Mike McAfee, director of Visit Bloomington, the Monroe County Convention and Visitors' Bureau; andIsak Asare, the newest at-large city councilmember.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1834 minThe 812044: The 812 Overtime: Isak Asare on Rules of OrderThis bonus mini-episode is our first extended interview, in a week when we otherwise have no programming planned. In this inaugural version of The 812 Overtime, Isak Asare, the raconteur city councilmember who stole the show last week, stuck with us for another round of conversation. In this surprisingly serious segment, we talk about the rules of order for meetings, how they came to be, how they can and have been used as tools of exclusion, and how the city might rethink its processes. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1517 minThe 812043: The Lineup for Thursday, March 14 (Happy Pi Day!)We're mostly off this week for Bloomington's spring break. Public meetings, however, are not off, so we're still filling out the Lineup to keep you up to date. Also: Happy Pi Day! Celebrate with a local pizza (preferably a round one).Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1402 minThe 812042: The Lineup for Wednesday, March 13We're mostly off this week for Bloomington's spring break. Public meetings, however, are not off, so we're still filling out the Lineup to keep you up to date. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1302 minThe 812041: The Lineup for Tuesday, March 12We're mostly off this week for Bloomington's spring break. Public meetings, however, are not off, so we're still filling out the Lineup to keep you up to date. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1202 minThe 812040: The Lineup for Monday, March 11We're mostly off this week for Bloomington's spring break. Public meetings, however, are not off, so we're still filling out the Lineup to keep you up to date. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-1102 minThe 812039: Mike McAfee, Director of VisitBloomington, on Eclipses, Conventions, and TourismOur guest today is Mike McAfee, the director of VisitBloomington, otherwise known as the Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau. He'll talk about the CVB, how it's organized and funded, and how it promotes tourism and helps organize events.He talks with Steve Volan about the importance of the Convention Center as a greeting card for the community and the potential economic benefits of attracting more visitors and events to the area on at off-peak weekday times if it were expanded to accommodate larger groups and events. They also talk about the April 8 eclipse, which will bring...
2024-03-0836 minThe 812038: Isak Asare, Councilmember (At Large)This one's a doozy. In our game of Pokemon Go City COuncilmember edition, we've landed one of the two most elusive creatures in the Bloomington legislature. But one of his powers is to turn the tables. Today, the newest at-large member of the city council, Isak Asare, all but takes over the show, and the putative interviewer finds himself as often as not the interviewee. The conversation went so long The 812 has recorded its first Overtime segment. It'll be uploaded as a separate bonus episode.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5...
2024-03-0734 minThe 812037: Jennifer Pearl, President, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, on Generating Jobs in an Era of Climate ChangeEconomic development seems to be an emerging theme on this week's shows. Yesterday was about small business; today we'll talk about, well, bigger business. Our guest is Jennifer Pearl, the president of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. She'll explain what that is and how it fits into the overall landscape of local economic development, especially in the era of climate change and action to mitigate it.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-0634 minThe 812036: Jane Kupersmith, Director of Economic and Sustainable Development"Economic development." What does that phrase mean, anyway? Is that, like, bringing factories to town? Don't we already have enough of an economy here? Today, you'll learn the spin that our fair city puts on this generic, if not clichéd, phrase. Our guest is Jane Kupersmith, the director of the city's Economic and Sustainable Development department. She'll walk us through the goals ESD has, how her department is structured, and a thing or two about the initiatives they're working on. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-03-0534 minThe 812035: The812 Digest for the Week of February 27: A Snapshot of City GovernmentIn the first half of today's show, we look back at recent conversations we had with former corporation counsel Beth Cate and former director of planning & transportation Scott Robinson, both of whose tenures ended with Mayor Hamilton's administration on January 1, but whose perspectives are fresh enough for early 2024. In the second half, Gloria Howell, talks about being chair of the Dr. MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission, and re-elected councilmember Kate Rosenbarger of the newly-redrawn district 2, covering roughly the northwest quadrant of the city, talks about her plans for the new term.Support the showA...
2024-03-0432 minThe 812034: Scott Robinson, Former Director of Planning & TransportationHow did the place where you are right now get built? Who built your home? When was it built, and why was it built in the size and shape that it is? Every place in Bloomington was developed...even that park you may be standing in the middle of, if that's where you happen to be listening to this. People can't just build willy-nilly any more...they have to follow certain rules the community has set up. Our guest today is Scott Robinson. Today he begins a new job as the Community Development Director for the town o...
2024-03-0135 minThe 812033: Kate Rosenbarger, Councilmember (D2) -- Plus, Eclipse Day PrepOur guest is Kate Rosenbarger, the reelected member now serving the newly-redrawn District 2, which represents the northwest portion of the city including much of the downtown. She talks about her priorities for the term, her biggest focus being on transportation. Happy Leap Day! The Lineup today (in the absence of meetings scheduled for City Hall) is a preview of Eclipse Day, April 8, and the facts reported about the many preparations being made for it by the Thomson administration. A synopsis of a report given at last night's Council meeting by Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp and Public Works D...
2024-02-2934 minThe 812032: Dr. Gloria Howell, Chair, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration CommissionThe city has dozens of boards and commissions, to contemplate big local issues and recommend or take action on them. What's it like to be on one...what's it like to chair one? Our guest is Dr. Gloria Howell. We learn about what the Dr. Martin Luthe King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission does -- and it's more than just hosting the annual event in its name -- and what a city commission chair does. amd deals with.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-2833 minThe 812031: Beth Cate, Former Corporation Counsel, on Defending a CityOur guest today is Beth Cate. She was the Corporation Counsel for the City of Bloomington for the last two years of the Hamilton administration. She'll describe the nature of the job as the city's lead lawyer and, yes, counselor to the administration, and anticipate some issues that might face cities like ours in the near future. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-2733 minThe 812030: The812 Digest for the Week of February 20 -- Austin, Bruce, RuffIn this week's digest episode, we look back at talks with Andy Ruff, the at large CM starting his sixth term on Council, amd Doug Bruce of the newly-formed CIB about the Convention Center. To start, though, we'll hear back from our interview with Matt Austin of the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability, about what the word "sustainability" means in theory and in practice.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-2634 minThe 812029: Steve Volan, on the Doppelgänger City that is an American University CampusThe show's host becomes the guest today. This episode is an excerpt from a public talk Steve Volan gave last October at the Collins Living-Learning Center in Bloomington. It was based on his Geography master's thesis called Gownsburg: The Campus as a Municipal Phenomenon. His theory in Gownsburg is that university campuses have all the traits of towns, yet are more like spooky replicas of towns. Hence the talk's title: "Doppelgänger Cities: A History of Campuses."For a podcast all about city government policy, it was a matter of time before we had to address the s...
2024-02-2334 minThe 812028: Doug Bruce, Architect and Member of the Capital Improvements Board, on the Convention Center's FutureOur guest today is Doug Bruce. He's the owner of Tabor/Bruce Architects. He's also a member of the newly-formed Capital Improvements Board, the joint city-county entity created to take responsibility for the County Convention Center and its management. The CIB's first meeting was Oct. 4. Steve Volan asks Bruce to comment on the present and speculate on the future of the Convention Center.Bruce has a history of serving on local boards. He also discuss being the former vice-chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, where he was a member for 20 years. He also is a former member...
2024-02-2233 minThe 812027: Matt Austin, Commission on Sustainability: On Chickens and Compost and What Sustainability IsOur guest is Matt Austin, a member of the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability ("BCOS", pronounced "bee-koss"). We talk about BCOS, compare it to the Environmental Commission, and talk about what BCOS is working on, including a composting program in the wake of the closing of EarthKeepers' composting program, and rethinking the chicken ordinance to allow people to keep even more hens. He also talks about urban and vertical farming, and his role as chair of the Citizens' Advisory Committee of the newly-renamed Waste Reduction District of Monroe County. Support the showA production of Plateia M...
2024-02-2134 minThe 812026: Andy Ruff, Councilmember (At-Large), on Bloomington Then and NowOn today's show, we catch up with Andy Ruff, one of three at-large members of the city council and, even though he was off last term, is the Council's most senior member, first elected in 1999. In our interview he looks both forward to his return to Council and the goals he has for it, as well as backward to his first term, and to life as a townie. Ruff is also a country musician in the tradition of the Bakersfield Sound and artists like Buck Owens. He's played for years with the local honky-tonk band the Dew D...
2024-02-2037 minThe 812025: The 812 Digest for the Week of February 13 -- Krebbs & Whitmill, Wisler, HenryOn this edition of The 812 Digest, we revisit conversations with:Andrew Krebbs and Martha Whitmill of the Monroe County Humane Association, about it and other nonprofits help care for the local animal population;Brad Wisler, president of the city Plan Commission, talking about the Commission's work and the advent of the Summit District project, the largest proposal in the city's history; andDavid Henry, chair of the county Democratic Party, on the statutory process of replacing elected officials who leave office early through partisan caucuses.We're now on Instagram! Follow us: @the812showSupport the show
2024-02-1934 minThe 812024: David Henry, Democratic Party Chair, on How Caucuses WorkWhat happens when an elected official leaves office early? In many states, they hold a special election a few months later. Not in Indiana, though. In Indiana, the party whose candidate won the seat in an election holds a partisan caucus to elect someone new. Our guest, David Henry, the chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, has had to call for no fewer than four caucuses in the past year to replace elected officials or ballot candidates. Most recently, he had the responsibility to fix the date for the caucus that will elect the replacement for C...
2024-02-1634 minThe 812023: Brad Wisler, President, Plan Commission: How Buildings Get Built in TownBrad Wisler is the president of the Bloomington Plan Commission, now in his tenth year serving on that body. He also served as a member of the City Council for then-district 2, from 2005 through 2011. In today's show, Steve Volan (his former City Council colleague) asks him to unpack the complex process that anyone who wants to build a building in Bloomington must navigate. They also spell out the alphabet soup of planning-related acronyms like ADUs (accessory dwelling units), PUDs (planned unit developments, and the city code that rules it all, the UDO (a.k.a., the Unified Development Ordinance).
2024-02-1530 minThe 812022: The 812 Primer, Lesson 2: The City's DepartmentsThe 812 Primer is designed to give you the background you need to fully enjoy the show. In Primer Lesson 1, we described Bloomington's "second-class" city status. In today's Lesson 2, we enumerate the various departments of the city overseen by its chief executive, the Mayor, and briefly describe what they do. The Lineup segment is pretty substantive today, because on this Valentine's Day, dear listener, we want you to know that you are loved.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-1412 minThe 812021: The Monroe County Humane Association's Role in Animal Welfare in BloomingtonWe talk with Andrew Krebbs, the executive director, and Martha Whitmill, the development director, of the Monroe County Humane Association. We'll learn a little about MCHA's long history, and more about what they, the city of Bloomington, and other organizations do and don't do for the sake of animal welfare in the Bloomington area. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-1331 minThe 812020: The 812 Digest for the Week of February 6In this episode of The 812 Digest, we'll hear:new councilmember Hopi Stosberg address an issue in her newly-drawn District 3: the ongoing assessment of the design College Avenue and Walnut Street called for in the city's Comprehensive Plan;Gabe Gloden talk about forming a super-organization to save not only the missions of three performing-arts organizations, but the city-owned venue they all rely on that has proven difficult to maintain over the decades;Beverly Calender-Anderson talk about the city department she runs, Community and Family Resources, and some of the many initiatives it oversees;and Courtney Daily, a first-time candidate...
2024-02-1235 minThe 812019: Courtney Daily, Candidate (2 of 3) for the Council District 5 VacancyCourtney Daily is the state co-lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and chaired the Bloomington chapter for 3 years before that. She's also the second of three candidates for the District 5 seat who we've interviewed, along with Jason Moore. We've also invited Jenny Stevens to interview. Daily talks about her work with Moms Demand Action, her motives for running for City Council, and her thoughts on governing.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-0931 minThe 812018: Gabe Gloden of Constellation Stage and Screen, on Rescuing a Public VenueOur guest today is Gabe Gloden, the managing director of Constellation Stage and Screen, the performing-arts superpower formed in 2022 out of three well-regarded organizations: Cardinal Stage, the Bloomington Playwrights' Project, and the Pigasus Institute which hosted the Bloomington Academy of Film and Theatre. A major reason for their Wonder-Triplet-power team-up was to take over ownership of the 1915 building that was the former City Hall, but since 1991 has been the John Waldron Arts Center, one of the primary performance venues in the city. The building was given back to the city twice in ten years by two different organizations who...
2024-02-0833 minThe 812017: Hopi Stosberg, Councilmember (D3), on the Importance of Cities for SchoolsOur guest today is Hopi Stosberg, the latest in our series of interviews with members of the new city council. She represents the newly-drawn District 3, the northeast quadrant of the city. She talks about her priorities for the coming term, and explains why in her campaign last year she emphasized her experience with and the importance of local schools, even though they're overseen by a different elected body. She also talks about her new roles as council parliamentarian and as their representative to the City Plan Commission..Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024...
2024-02-0733 minThe 812016: Beverly Calender-Anderson, the City's Chief Kindness OfficerKindness in the public realm, as it turns out, takes a lot of work to nurture. Today, we interview what you could call the city's chief kindness officer: Beverly Calender-Anderson, director of the city of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department. She's held the job for nine years and was the city's Safe and Civil City Director for nine years before that. She'll explain some of the myriad programs she oversees that help people get by, whether it's appealing to the city's human rights code when there's a violation, helping people in need downtown, or offering opportunities for people...
2024-02-0632 minThe 812015: Gilmore, Brown, Zulich: A Digest of the Week of Jan. 29We revisit interviews with the Rev. Forrest Gilmore, executive director of Beacon, Inc., about the challenge of fighting misconceptions and bias against people in extreme poverty; Laurence "Buff" Brown, who influenced changes in city transportation policy by bringing in the experts; and the new District 6 city councilmember Sydney Zulich, who talks about what her newly-drawn constituency, the vast majority of whom are students, want from the city.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-02-0530 minThe 812014: Sydney Zulich, Councilmember (D6), on Youth and PoliticsOur guest is Sydney Zulich. She got her bachelor's degree after only three years at IU. At 21, she became the youngest-ever member of the Bloomington City Council last month, and (at least through next week when Councilmember Shruti Rana steps down after a very short tenure to take a job in another state) is a member of the first majority-female council in city history. Zulich replaced Steve Volan, who interviews her today, in the District 6 seat on City Council. She shares her thoughts about how she handles being young in politics -- and people who have trouble wi...
2024-02-0231 minThe 812013: Introducing The Primer...Lesson One: Bloomington as a Second-Class CityWe're taking a break today to retool. Instead of our usual full-length interview, we're starting an occasional segment called The Primer. We don't want to assume that you have all the background you need to fully enjoy the show. The Primer is designed to give you that background.In Primer lesson one, you'll get background on what exactly it means for Bloomington to be a "second-class" city in the state of Indiana, including how its executive and legislative branches work. We also explore the city's population figure and the role its biggest neighborhood plays in that figure.
2024-02-0109 minThe 812012: Buff Brown, Transportation Activist, in the Long Fight to Wean Bloomington from CarsOur guest, Lawrence "Buff" Brown, has been a transportation planner for 20 years, working with INDOT, IDEM, the Columbus, Indiana, MPO, and cities on the west coast. Buff's childhood experiences in Bloomington included being able to bike freely around town, which instilled in him a profound appreciation for accessible urban spaces. In the nineties this led him to involvement in transportation policy starting with the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Bloomington MPO, and then the Traffic Commission. In 2004, he founded Bloomington Transportation Options for People, or B-TOP, to champion sustainable transportation solutions for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users, including by i...
2024-01-3135 minThe 812011: Rev. Forrest Gilmore, Executive Director, Beacon Inc.Rev. Forest Gilmore, an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, is the Executive Director of Beacon Inc. He discusses the evolution of the organization from its origins as the Shalom Center, established in 1999 as a response to the lack of daytime resources for people experiencing homelessness, as it gradually expanded its services over the years, including hunger relief, case management support, an overnight shelter, permanent housing, and street outreach. Gilmore dispels common misconceptions about homelessness, emphasizing that it primarily stems from housing issues rather than personal choice or lack of employment, and that housing is the fundamental solution to h...
2024-01-3034 minThe 812010: The812's Digest for the Week of January 22Selected clips of last week's conversations with: City Councilmember Matt Flaherty, City Human Rights Director Michael Shermis, former Fire Chief and now candidate for the open District 5 Council seat Jason Moore, and Charlotte Zietlow, who was the city's first-ever female council president in 1972.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-2932 minThe 812009: Charlotte Zietlow: The City's First Female Council PresidentCharlotte Zietlow is well-known in Bloomington and Monroe County for many reasons. This episode focuses her time on the Bloomington City Council in the early 1970s -- the subject of her second book, "1971: How We Won". She talks about how the previous council was unresponsive to public input and concerns, motivating her to run for office. She campaigned on issues like zoning changes and lack of transparency. By 1972, she was one of ten newly elected city officials who had swept all but one incumbent out of office.As the new council president, she led reforms to open...
2024-01-2634 minThe 812008: Jason Moore, Candidate (1 of 3) for the Council District 5 VacancyShruti Rana recently resigned as the District 5 representative on the Bloomington City Council. barely two weeks after being sworn in, to take a job out of state. This episode is the first of three to meet the candidates running to replace her: Courtney Daily, Jason Moore, and Jenny Stevens. (Invitations have been extended to Daily, Stevens and Rana; we hope to have them on the show as soon as possible.)Citing his background as Bloomington's most recent fire chief, Jason Moore discusses his motivation for running, his experience with city budgets and public safety issues and weighs i...
2024-01-2536 minThe 812007: Michael Shermis, City Human Rights Director (Just One of Many Hats He Wears)This episode features an interview with Michael Shermis, the city's Human Rights Director. It's probably good that he likes wearing hats: he's also the the Special Projects Coordinator for the city's Community and Family Resources Department, which earned him titles like the city's ADA Coordinator and liaison to the Council for Community Accessibility, the South Central Community Action Project, and the Nonprofit Alliance. He investigates claims of discrimination, ensures compliance with accessibility laws, and acts as a liaison to various groups focused on issues like disability rights, transportation, economic stability, and digital accessibility. Support the show
2024-01-2431 minThe 812006: Matt Flaherty, Councilmember (At-Large), on Climate-Smart Policies and Planning for the FutureCouncilmember Flaherty discusses climate action for the city through such projects as decarbonization through reduction of gas infrastructire, strategic use of the Redevelopment Commission, and encouragement of all-electric and sustainable construction of the city's built environment. He also takes on topics like planned unit developments, the Unified Development Ordinance, the Hopewell development project and his new roles on the Utilities Service Board and the Parking Commission this term.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-2333 minThe 812005: Highlights of the Week's Interviews (aka The812 Digest)This episode provides an overview of The812, and its mission of explaining local government in Bloomington. We hear highlights of interviews with city council president Isabel Piedmont-Smith, city clerk Nicole Bolden, and council attorney/administrator Stephen Lucas; we also hear from Christopher Emge, from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-2231 minThe 812004: Stephen Lucas, Attorney/Administrator of the City CouncilOur guest is Stephen Lucas, the attorney for and administrator of the Bloomington City Council. He'll talk about what it takes to organize and advise the city's primary legislative body, what it's like to have nine bosses, the life cycle of an ordinance, and how he herds the cats. Plus...it's time for FreezeFest!Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-1933 min
Big Talk – WFHBFormer City Council Member Steve VolanFor twenty years, Steve Volan represented the downtown district in Bloomington’s city council. His 6th district map was redrawn, largely due to his own efforts, and he was forced to run for reelection as an at-large candidate last year. He lost but swiftly shifted gears and now is running for Monroe County Commissioner in this year’s election. Volan talks about his years on the council and his wish that Indiana University students gain more representation in local government.
Host Michael Glab chats with Bloomington’s most fascinating people.
2024-01-1928 minThe 812003: Christopher Emge, Greater Bloomington Chamber of CommerceOur guest today is Christopher Emge. He works for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce as its director of advocacy and public policy. He'll talk about what it's like to advocate for local businesses in a blue town in a red state. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-1832 minThe 812002: Nicole Bolden, City ClerkWe'll talk with Nicole Bolden about the Clerk's duties -- from tracking the legislative work of the city council, to adjudicating parking tickets, to marrying people. And we'll talk about the number of firsts she set, like being the city's first elected woman of color. Also on the show: a preview of the city council's first regular session tonight.Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-1734 minThe 812001: Isabel Piedmont-Smith, Councilmember (D-1)The inaugural episode introduces your humble host and lays out the case for The 812. Our first interview is with Isabel Piedmont-Smith, the newly-elected president of the Bloomington City Council. Support the showA production of Plateia Media ©2024-5. All rights reserved.
2024-01-1636 min
The 'Cast and the CuriousThe Iron Giant w/ Steve VolanOn this episode we use Steve Volan’s Internet™️ to watch and discuss the unexpected cult hit The Iron Giant. We are joined by man-about-town Steve Volan to discuss life when you’re 6’8” and whether or not Ted Hughes was a dick. We also bring up Vin Diesel here and there.
2021-02-091h 06