Get IN. with Nate Spangle

Get Indiana.
  • 4.9 (61)
  • Business News
  • Updated Weekly

Get IN. is the podcast focused on Indiana, and the stories of inspiring Hoosiers. Follow along as host Nate Spangle dives into all the things that make Indiana great.

  1. 1d ago

    He Bought a Boat Dealership Doing $375K… Now It Does $23M | J Hurless, Reeder Trausch Marine

    On today's show I sat down with J Hurless, co-owner of Indiana boating dealership and service company Reeder Trausch Marine. Hurless shares how he dropped out of high school, built a sales and leadership career at Ray Skillman until age 28, then bought Reeder Trausch in 2018 with little marine experience. The dealership had been a steady family business selling eight boats a year ($375K in 2017), and Hurless faced immediate challenges including a drained lake, limited working capital, and no floor-plan credit. By cleaning up the business, launching a website, hustling on Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace, engaging the Rockville community, and securing manufacturer-backed lending, the company grew rapidly to $1.2M in 2018 and $23M by 2023, later acquiring Denny's Marina in 2024. Hurless also emphasizes building teams, training talent, embracing change, and resilience through setbacks. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How a High School Dropout Acquired a Boat Business - Leading More Experienced/Older Coworkers - Tips to Scaling a Business Quickly Thank you to our partners: Keller & Keller J.C. Hart Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Lake Drained Shock 00:24 Guest Introduction: J Hurless, Reeder Trausch Marine 03:46 Dropping Out Hustle 05:24 Car Sales Rise 07:17 Leadership Lessons 10:15 Boat Buying Pain 14:28 Buying The Marina 21:25 Closing Day Surprise 24:40 Cleaning And Community 27:56 First Sales And Credit 37:19 Pre-Selling Boats 38:00 Building The Team 39:19 Nationwide Boat Demand 41:23 Growth Pains And Hiring 42:45 Revenue Explosion Numbers 43:38 Why Acquire Denny's Marina 44:31 Acquisition Secrets And Risks 45:58 Integrating The New Staff 48:53 Indy vs Rockville Performance 51:29 Future Expansion Ideas 53:59 Talent Development Playbook 56:50 Leading Without Micromanaging 59:59 Advice For Scaling Fast 01:01:53 Worst Day As Owner 01:05:09 Redefining Success Through People 01:07:22 Why Indiana Home 01:08:43 Indiana Favorites And Hidden Gems 01:10:43 Hoosier To Watch And Farewell Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    1h 14m

  2. 3d ago

    He Quit Comedy for 20 Years… Then Came Back at 48 | Chris Ryan, Comedian

    On today's show I shared some laughs with Westfield-based comedian Chris Ryan, who returned to stand-up after a 20-year break. Ryan got his start in IU's Full Frontal Comedy in the mid-'90s alongside Straight No Chaser, training in Chicago improv at ImprovOlympic, and moving to Los Angeles in 1998 with $2,000 from a near-fatal car accident. In LA he worked at Paramount while pursuing stand-up, auditioned for MadTV, and waited alongside Seth Meyers, who was offered SNL the same week. The setback helped prompt Ryan's exit, grad school in journalism at Illinois, and a move to Indianapolis. After 15+ years in healthcare marketing, therapy and a company sale pushed him to write and perform hour-long shows, including Thermometer and Nothing Means Anything, centered on parenting twins, adolescence, and midlife reinvention. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - Ryan's Journey in Comedy From IU to Chicago to LA - Why Ryan Stepped Away from Comedy - Scripting, Speeches, and Improv Thank you to our partners: Bloomrank Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Am I Crazy Cold Open 01:16 Guest Introduction: Chris Ryan, Comedian 02:09 Bloomington Improv Origins 02:57 Auditions And Campus Fame 06:03 Chicago Improv And The Harold 08:57 Yes And Gifts Onstage 11:50 Finding A Creative Path 14:12 Detroit, Chicago, LA 16:54 Car Crash Sign To Move 19:38 Paramount Day Job 23:31 MadTV Audition Near Miss 25:42 Grad School And Midwest Reset 27:10 Indy Roots And 30 Under 30 29:40 Returning To Comedy At 48 30:37 Career Shakeup Catalyst 32:09 Therapy And Reaching Out 33:05 Theater Deal Home Base 34:23 Writing A Full Hour 36:22 Script Versus Riffing 38:38 Old Jokes New Opener 40:49 Alanis Opener OCD Stories 43:34 Speechwriting Performance Tips 49:04 Embrace Fear Of Bombing 53:15 Rapid Fire Indiana Round 58:16 Hidden Gems And BBQ 01:00:37 Letterman Story And Wrap Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    1h 5m

  3. 5d ago

    How a Tech Entrepreneur Reshaped Indianapolis' Live Music Scene | Scott Kraege, Forty5, The Vogue, and Rock the Ruins

    On today's show I sat down with Indianapolis entrepreneur and entertainment operator Scott Kraege, who shares his 18-year "overnight success" journey and today is a managing partner at Ivy Ventures, Forty5 partner, and co-owner of The Vogue Theatre, a concert venue in Broad Ripple. Kraege's journey started with him selling cell phones out of his car in 1999 to founding the enterprise device-management software company MOBI (later Tangoe), growing it to 350 employees, and selling in 2018. He explains his approach to investing and mentorship, emphasizing that founders and people matter most and that startups often evolve far from their original idea. He describes post-exit life, joining The Heritage Group's venture program, and later buying The Vogue in 2019 with partners, then navigating COVID shutdowns, staffing losses, and creative pivots. He also details how Forty5 expanded into multiple venues and outdoor series like Rock the Ruins, plus launching Opendate software, and discusses sponsorships, public-private partnerships, and future concert infrastructure needs in Indianapolis. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - Scott Kraege's Journey from Cell Phones to Indianapolis' Live Entertainment Scene - The Origin of Rock the Ruins and How Park Concerts Work - Indy's Future with Live Music Thank you to our partners: Keller & Keller Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Ten-Year Success Myth 01:30 Guest Introduction: Scott Kraege, Forty5, The Vogue, and Rock the Ruins 02:56 First Startup Cell Phones 04:45 Inc 500 Growth Lessons 05:18 Building MOBI To Exit 07:17 Ten-Year Founder Mindset 09:20 Mentors Indy Culture 14:20 Post-Exit Identity Reset 17:10 Venture Investing 19:30 How VCs Pick Founders 21:45 Buying The Vogue 23:03 Vogue History Legends 26:48 COVID Shutdown Survival 30:34 Forty5 Opendate Launch 33:15 Rock The Ruins Origin 37:19 Turntable Venue Pipeline 38:45 Making Park Concerts Work 40:39 Rock the Ruins Vibe 41:20 Big Venues vs Easy Shows 42:05 Final Four Mall Concerts 43:28 How ALM Happened 44:37 Beach Festival Inspiration 45:21 Sponsor Village Strategy 47:04 Why Sponsors Matter 49:44 Broad Ripple Park Shows 52:20 Future of Indy Live Music 54:08 Dream Venues and Infrastructure 57:03 Why Indiana Home 58:39 Concert Memories and Dream Acts 01:05:12 Hidden Gems and Hoosiers Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    1h 11m

  4. Jun 19

    Can Bloomington Become the Midwest's Next Startup Hub? | John Fernandez, Amplify Bloomington

    On today's show I sat down with John Fernandez, CEO of Amplify Bloomington and former Bloomington mayor and Obama administration economic development leader. Fernandez explains how the former Showers Brothers Furniture Factory site became an innovation hub through public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, and entrepreneur-driven community building, expanding from The Mill to The Forge and nearby private initiatives like The Kiln. We discuss why homegrown companies like Cook Group matter, the need for economic diversification, and Bloomington's challenges and strengths in talent retention and storytelling. He highlights founder support, peer groups, local "sleeper" companies, and the Flywheel Fund's early-stage investing. Amplify's goals include scaling 10 firms from $1M to $10M revenue by 2031 and retaining more IU graduates in Bloomington. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How a Furniture Factory Site Evolved to a Community Hub - Amplify Bloomington's Five-Year Vision - Bloomington's "Sleeper" Companies Thank you to our partners: Kelley School of Business Berne Apparel Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Indiana Startup Vibe 01:40 Guest Introduction: John Fernandez, Amplify Bloomington 02:27 Inside The Mill District 05:10 From Warehouses to Hub 07:09 Revitalization Playbook 08:41 Cook Group Impact 11:07 Why Entrepreneurs Matter 12:37 Selling Bloomington Life 14:20 John's Kokomo Origins 18:24 Politics and Public Service 19:46 Keeping Talent Local 24:31 Midwest Culture and Grit 27:31 Bloomington Startup Stars 31:04 Founder Challenges Today 31:35 Founder Talent And Integration 31:52 Peer Groups And Community 32:35 No Net Founder Stories 33:57 Why Innovation Helps Workers 36:53 Spillover Economics And Events 39:10 Building An Ecosystem 42:09 Five-Year Vision And Goals 44:46 Pride And IU Alumni Network 47:39 Keeping Graduates In Indiana 49:53 Why Indiana Home 50:26 Obama Call And Clearance 53:42 Bloomington First Impression 54:16 Local Government Advice 55:54 Indiana Lightning Round 57:51 IU Championship Memories 59:01 Wrap Up Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    1 hr

  5. Jun 17

    "Dabblers Die." The Advice That Built Her Business | Jenn Schimmelpfennig, Pivot Brands

    On today's show I sat down with Jenn Schimmelpfennig, founder and president of Indianapolis agency Pivot Brands. Pivot Brands launched in 2006 after Jenn built a brand-strategy segment inside Print Resources and spun it off with support from its owners. She describes learning business early from her father, starting her career post-9/11, and developing a strategy-first approach that uses research to define a brand's core idea and tone, with examples like GreenCycle's "GreenCycle equals mulch" focus and dog-loving Metazoa Brewing's "drink beer, help animals" positioning. She discusses earning credibility as a young woman by relying on customer and employee insights, insisting on a leadership-table posture, and staying focused on branding rather than taking every project. Our conversation also covers place branding through No Mean City in 2013 and the rapid-response Indy Welcomes All campaign in response to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2015. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How Pivot Brands was Founded - The Process of Defining a Brand Identity - Place Branding Concepts Thank you to our partners: Visit Wabash County Bloomrank Check out these great clips from the show: 01:23 Guest Introduction: Jenn Schimmelpfennig, Pivot Brands 03:18 Early Business Spark 05:06 First Jobs And Learning 07:16 From Printing To Strategy 10:02 First Big Win GreenCycle 12:53 Finding Brand Voice 14:47 Launching Pivot In 2006 21:57 Building Credibility Young 22:50 Leading As A Young Woman 26:23 Growing Pivot With Purpose 27:53 Narrowing To Branding Lane 29:06 Saying No And Referrals 32:17 Starting Later And Niche 33:58 Quit Dabbling Commit Fully 35:48 Branding Places In Indiana 36:37 Authentic Place Branding 37:56 Measuring Place ROI 38:42 No Mean City Origins 41:03 Telling Hard Truths 42:41 80 Creators Collective 44:02 Name Meaning Layers 46:40 From No Mean City Forward 49:51 Indy Welcomes All Crisis 54:43 Branding Indiana Strategy 56:31 Word Association Game 01:01:50 Why Indiana Home Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    1h 7m

  6. Jun 15

    The Chocolate Maker Who Built a $20 Million Dinosaur Museum | Mark Tarner, South Bend Chocolate Company & Indiana Dinosaur Museum

    On today's show I sat down with Mark Tarner, founder of the South Bend Chocolate Company and the Indiana Dinosaur Museum in South Bend. Tarner grew up in Leesburg, moved to South Bend at 13, and learned candy-making from his father before leaving his dad's business at 28 to build a branded, higher-quality chocolate company. The South Bend Chocolate Company got its start in 1991 beginning with three Notre Dame licensed chocolates called the Domer, the Rockne and Nuts for ND. Three years later it became incorporated and today has 16 company-owned stores in northern Indiana, franchise locations in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, and produces over 500 different chocolates and sweets that are available in stores nationwide. Tarner also explains how his dinosaur passion began with his daughter, leading to 13 years of fossil work out West and ultimately a museum complex built on 11 land parcels over 10–15 years, including a COVID-era crisis where city support helped keep the vision alive. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - The Founding and Growth of the South Bend Chocolate Company - How Fossil Work out West Led to the Indiana Dinosaur Museum in South Bend - How Discipline, Character, Community and Leaps of Faith Intertwine Thank you to our partners: NCW J.C. Hart Company Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Visionary Cold Open 01:16 Guest Introduction: Mark Tarner, South Bend Chocolate Company & Indiana Dinosaur Museum 02:17 Small Town Roots 03:04 Basketball College Path 03:41 Learning Candy Trade 04:46 Notre Dame Licensed Chocolates 06:23 Leaving Dad Starting Brand 09:30 Early Grind No Paycheck 10:53 Entrepreneur Mindset Failure 11:55 First Customers Night Factory 13:11 Never Satisfied Work Life 17:51 First Factory Mall Boom 19:20 Reinvesting In South Bend 20:50 Adapting To Retail Shifts 22:39 Branding Lessons Private Label 23:57 Dinosaur Obsession Begins 25:43 Camp Possible Commitment 27:17 Explorers Club Community 27:29 Midwest Obsession Ethic 28:11 Vision For The Campus 30:41 Risk And Modest Living 31:47 Marriage And Mission 34:00 COVID Crisis City Support 36:32 Reinventing The Museum 38:07 Conviction Over Passion 39:51 Digging Out West 42:13 Discipline And Character 43:41 Legacy And Indiana Pride 45:12 Leap Of Faith Advice 45:51 State Fair Branding Stories 47:02 Chocolate Cherry Taste Test 48:44 Willy Wonka Morality 53:30 Indiana Hidden Gems Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    59 min

  7. Jun 12

    He Made a List of Things That Rule… And It Went Viral | Evan Ochs, Stuff That Rules

    On today's show I sat down with Indiana-based creator Evan Ochs, founder of "Stuff That Rules," a short-form series of daily videos sharing five overlooked joys as a practical gratitude habit. Ochs explains how the idea began with journaling after a weeknight beer, then evolved from early TikTok experiments into a reposted list video that unexpectedly went viral, leading him to double down on the consistent format filmed from his bedroom closet for audio and visual consistency. We discuss men's mental health, audience DMs about tough times and sobriety, the challenge of monetizing authentically, and Ochs' first brand deal with Mugsy Jeans. He also shares plans for "jobs that rule" and "places that rule," reflects on living in LA and Chicago, highlights Indiana's southern hills and Ferdinand's St. Benedict's Brew Works, and closes with advice to start posting and building your own list. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - The Idea Behind Stuff That Rules - Challenges of Monetizing for Creators - Future Plans for Jobs That Rule and Places That Rule Thank you to our partners: Duke Homes Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Check out these great clips from the show: 01:34 Guest Introduction: Evan Ochs, Stuff That Rules 02:36 How Stuff That Rules Started 03:55 First Viral Breakthrough 07:01 The Closet Setup 08:55 Hopeful Internet and Community 11:30 Creative Process and Day Job 13:02 Monetizing Without Selling Out 16:07 Lessons for New Creators 17:56 Indiana Roots and Local Love 21:23 Impact on Viewers 22:49 New Series Ideas Ahead 27:31 Riffing on Things That Rule 30:05 Hidden Gems and Monastery Brewery 31:41 Monastery Road Trip 32:23 Shrine Awe Moment 32:59 Art Museum Wonder 33:38 Road Trip Snacks 34:33 School Lunch Classics 35:39 Recess Glory Days 36:07 Fictional Bars Talk 36:35 Satisfying Sounds 37:25 Santa Letters Magic 39:55 Viral Topics Breakdown 41:14 Gratitude Mindset Shift 43:10 Bracket Winner Debate 44:19 Books And Phone Balance 46:02 Doing Things Solo 48:08 Collabs And Celeb DMs 50:38 Why Indiana Home 53:06 Hidden Gem Brewery 53:45 Final Shoutouts Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    56 min

  8. Jun 10

    Why Dads Need to Show Up for More Than Games | Kelin Mark Sr. and Brother Thomas X-Williams, The Dad Difference

    On today's show I sat down with Indiana educators and fathers Kelin Mark Sr. and Brother Thomas X-Williams about engaging dads in schools through their DADS Program (Dedication, Academics, Athletics, Discipline, Sacrifice) and "The Dad Difference." They describe how Mark's experience of not being contacted after his son was injured sparked a focus on making schools more welcoming to fathers beyond athletics, and how they began with workshops on changing school culture by increasing father involvement. They share personal reflections on their own fathers, discuss practical strategies like emailing teachers, learning school policies, knowing key staff, and balancing hands-on support with student independence.  They also cite statistics linking active fathers to higher rates of wealth and confidence in children and explain how schools can book their 90-minute workshops. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - The DADS Program and "The Dad Difference" - Workshops to Help Schools Become More Welcoming to Fathers - Strategies for Fathers to Be Involved Thank you to our partners: Cowpokes Work & Western Barkeep Vodka Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 What Education Really Means 01:32 Meet the DADS Founders 02:31 How The Dad Difference Started 04:53 Workshops and School Culture 07:22 Lessons From Their Fathers 13:21 Why Schools Miss Dads 15:56 Meeting Dads Where They Are 17:32 DADS Philosophy and Outcomes 22:13 Building the DADS Curriculum 25:12 Simple Habits That Show You Care 33:24 Implementing DADS in Schools 35:41 Questions Every Dad Should Ask 43:33 Avoiding Helicopter Parenting 44:09 Coaching From Stands 44:43 Hands On To Hands Off 46:03 Accountability Questions 48:11 Skills Beyond School 48:54 Dads In The Building 49:53 Confidence With Teachers 52:51 Dad Difference Vision 56:50 Indiana Rapid Fire 01:00:05 Fictional Dad Role Models 01:02:11 Being A Village Dad 01:05:44 Indiana Memories And Gems Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.

    1h 14m
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4.9
out of 5
61 Ratings

About

Get IN. is the podcast focused on Indiana, and the stories of inspiring Hoosiers. Follow along as host Nate Spangle dives into all the things that make Indiana great.

Information

  • Creator
    Get Indiana.
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Get IN. with Nate Spangle

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