Advertise on podcast: Business & Beyond with Gerry Dick

On this episode, Indiana High School Athletic Association Commissioner Paul Neidig joins Gerry to talk about the forces transforming high school athletics—from NIL and the transfer portal to travel sports---and how the IHSAA is responding. The long-time educator also shares his perspective as a former Indiana high school athlete and why that personal connection gives him a special appreciation for what high school sports mean to Hoosier communities.

His first radio studio was his childhood bedroom, where he laid down his own broadcasts on a cassette recorder. Today, that bedroom broadcaster from central Ohio remains a mainstay on one of America’s most iconic radio shows. On this episode, Chick McGee takes us on a candid and entertaining journey through his 50 years in radio, including how he first connected with the legendary BOB & TOM Show and the secret sauce behind its enduring popularity. “Mr. Obvious” also shares the stories behind some of his most popular bits and offers an inside look at the personalities, relationships and creative energy that have made BOB & TOM a radio institution.

In this episode, Gerry sits down with Indiana Destination Development Corporation CEO Amy Howell to talk about the surprising economic power of tourism and how billions of dollars in visitor spending are helping drive Indiana’s economy. We explore what’s behind the state’s continued tourism growth, from sports tourism and major events to agritourism and Indiana’s unique destinations and experiences. Howell also explains why tourism is increasingly becoming part of Indiana’s population-growth strategy, helping attract visitors who may ultimately decide Indiana is a great place to live, work and build a business.

In this episode, Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock joins Gerry to talk about surging growth across Indiana's three ports, the critical role they play in the state's economy and why Indiana's location gives it a bigger role in global commerce than many Hoosiers realize. Peacock takes us inside the strategy and investments transforming Indiana's port system, the opportunities ahead and why embracing new forms of shipping—including containerized cargo—could be a game changer for Indiana businesses and the broader state economy.

Purdue University in Indianapolis is charting a new course—and creating a new model for how a university can connect with a city and its businesses community. In this episode, Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer David Umulis talks about what it means for the university, the city and the state. But Umulis’ own story may be the most remarkable part of the conversation. A first-generation college student, he was just 14 years old when his father lost his business after suffering an injury, forcing David to take on the responsibility of supporting his family. He shares how that experience shaped his life and ultimately his path to higher education. It’s a conversation about Purdue’s future—and the power of education to change a life.

For more than 40 years, Jean Wojtowicz has built Cambridge Capital Management into a uniquely Indiana success story. The company has carved out a niche, helping businesses access funding when traditional bank financing may not be the right fit. Cambridge Capital launched in 1983 and has now surpassed $1 billion in funding to more than 2,000 Indiana companies. In this episode, Wojtowicz talks about her entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Cambridge Capital, and why helping entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed has been so rewarding.

In this episode, the creator and host of the popular Get IN podcast provides perspective on his travels crisscrossing the state to tell the stories of interesting, innovative and inspiring Hoosiers. The native of small town Indiana also shares his passion for the state, what’s next for Get IN and his growing platform and why Indiana needs to do a better job of telling its own story.

As the Indianapolis Colts prepare for another NFL season, we’re going back into the archives for a memorable conversation with legendary Colts beat writer Mike Chappell. He reflects on more than four decades chronicling the Colts—from the franchise’s arrival in Indianapolis and the team’s early struggles to the Peyton Manning era, Super Bowl glory and the generations of players and personalities who helped shape the franchise.  This encore episode is a chance to hear one of Indiana’s most respected sportswriters tell the story of the Colts—and the city that grew up alongside them.

As USA Gymnastics prepares for LA 2028, it is planting deep roots in Indiana with a new headquarters and wellness center in Noblesville, and CEO Kyle Albrecht says it's about much more than bricks and mortar. On this episode, Albrecht explains why USA Gymnastics chose central Indiana, how Indianapolis' reputation as a sports capital helped seal the deal, and what the state-of-the-art campus will mean for athletes, coaches, and the future of one of the nation's most recognizable Olympic sports.

Purdue University in Indianapolis could reshape Indiana’s tech economy by placing more engineering, computer science and STEM students closer to employers. Mitch Daniels, interim president of Purdue University, tells Gerry Dick that the university has focused first on supporting current students, aligning faculty and academic standards with West Lafayette, and establishing the Indianapolis campus as a fully integrated part of Purdue. He says the next opportunity is faster enrollment growth and stronger connections with central Indiana businesses through internships, work experience and first jobs that could help more graduates remain in the state. Daniels also discusses Purdue’s role in strengthening Indianapolis as a high-tech center, including research in information sciences, life sciences and biomedical engineering, along with the university’s semiconductor programs, the SK hynix investment near West Lafayette and Purdue’s artificial intelligence competency requirement. Looking ahead, he defines success as several thousand students studying in Indianapolis, working with local companies and helping expand Indiana’s talent base, research capacity and long-term economic competitiveness.

The Indiana State Fair is more than an annual summer tradition—it's a major economic engine. In this episode, Gerry talks with Indiana State Fair Commission Executive Director Ray Allison as the fair prepares to open its gates for the 174th time!  Allison shares what fairgoers can expect this year, a new year-round business model for the fairgrounds and why the fair remains an important part of Indiana's identity. He also talks about an emotional connection to the fairgrounds that for him began more than three decades ago.

When Latha Ramchand accepted the job as the inaugural chancellor of IU Indianapolis, she inherited one of the biggest transformations in the history of higher education in Indiana. Following the separation of IUPUI into independent campuses, Ramchand is helping define a new identity for the state's largest research university.  On this episode, she discusses her vision for IU Indianapolis and how the downtown campus is uniquely positioned to strengthen partnerships with business, healthcare and community. She also shares her personal journey—from growing up in India to becoming a nationally recognized academic leader—and how those experiences have shaped her leadership philosophy. It's a conversation about leadership, transformation, and the future of one of Indiana's most important institutions.

From the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Fours to Taylor Swift and the WWE, few venues in America host a more diverse lineup of marquee events than Lucas Oil Stadium. On this episode, General Manager Eric Neuburger takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the busiest stadiums in the country, detailing its enormous economic impact and role in reinforcing Indianapolis' reputation as one of the nation's premier sports and convention destinations. He also reflects on his career path and the influence of his father, Dale Neuburger, whose decades of leadership helped establish Indy as a sports capital. Whether you're into sports, business, tourism or economic development, this episode offers an inside look at how a world-class venue delivers experiences that extend far beyond game day.

After four decades in the fire service, Ernest Malone has witnessed dramatic change—from fighting fires with traditional tactics to leading one of the nation's busiest urban departments in an era of advanced technology, emergency medicine and complex public safety challenges. On this episode, Chief Malone reflects on his career, the evolution of the Indianapolis Fire Department and what it takes to lead a modern fire service. Chief Malone also discusses one of the profession's biggest challenges: building the next generation of firefighters. It's a conversation about leadership, service, resilience and the changing face of public safety.

Thirty years ago, many questioned whether the WNBA would survive. Today, it's one of the hottest properties in sports. In this special edition, Gerry Dick sits down with Val Ackerman, the league's founding president, and Kelly Krauskopf, who helped launch the Indiana Fever and now oversees one of the league's most valuable franchises. They explore the league’s 30-year journey—from financial uncertainty and skepticism to record television audiences, sold-out arenas and unprecedented corporate interest. Ackerman and Krauskopf also discuss whether they believed this moment would eventually arrive—and why their answer is an emphatic "yes."  It's an insider's look at one of the great growth stories in professional sports—and where the WNBA goes from here.