Meeting Muncie

Jonathan Balmer
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Places & Travel

Muncie, Indiana, has been called "the most studied city of its size in America." It has long served as a bellwether: a quintessential American small city. The history is important, and well-documented. But what's it like to move here in the 21st century? Join Jonathan Balmer, a new Munsonian, as he interviews the people around town who make Muncie truly unique.

Episodes

  1. 10/03/2025

    Isaac Rogers (Irog Media / Ball State University Student)

    It's Charlie town Community Day at Ball State University this weekend, so we caught up with a Ball State University Student and founder of a small media company, Isaac Rogers! See more about his work at: irogmedia.com "Meeting Muncie's" web home is on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify for Podcasters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Meeting Muncie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Meeting_Muncie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: Keyword ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Meeting Muncie"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the show on major podcast platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube Music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stitcher⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds. Duck Sound Effect by ⁠Eduardo Rodrigues⁠ from ⁠Pixabay

  2. 12/27/2023

    Dr. Andy Shears (Muncie Map Company)

    Dr. Andy Shears it the owner of Muncie Map Company, Muncie's own custom cartography studio. From local history, plenty of observational humor, to custom maps and international clientele, Andy shares his thoughts. We talk about how space and place matter, how Muncie is the sort of town that can take a beating and be at work the next day, and why living in other towns without the ever-present sound of trains isn't all it's cracked up to be. Links of interest: ⁠Muncie Map Company Website ⁠Muncie Map Company Facebook Page "Meeting Muncie's" web home is on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify for Podcasters⁠⁠⁠⁠. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Meeting Muncie⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Meeting_Muncie⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: Keyword ⁠⁠⁠⁠"Meeting Muncie"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the show on major podcast platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ (soon to migrate to YouTube Music - 4/2024) ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Stitcher⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds. Duck Sound Effect by Eduardo Rodrigues from Pixabay

    Dr. Andy Shears (Muncie Map Company)

  3. 10/31/2023

    Sasha Donati (Legacy Village West African Cuisine)

    Sasha Donati is the chef and owner of Legacy Village West African Cuisine located at 3124 N Granville Ave, Muncie, IN 47303. She came to Muncie after marrying her husband, a native Munsonian. Originally from Liberia, Sasha and I talk about the unique features of African Cuisine, her philosophy on life, and her hopes that food not only makes for a good meal but meaningful community connections. Links of interest: Legacy West African Cuisine Facebook Page Meeting Muncie Instagram Post with Pictures of food from the restaurant. "Meeting Muncie's" web home is on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify for Podcasters⁠⁠⁠. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@Meeting Muncie⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@Meeting_Muncie⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: Keyword ⁠⁠⁠"Meeting Muncie"⁠⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠⁠https://jonathanbalmer.substack.com/s/meeting-muncie⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the show on major podcast platforms: ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Stitcher⁠⁠⁠ Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds.

    Sasha Donati (Legacy Village West African Cuisine)

  4. 05/12/2023

    Bibi Bahrami (AWAKEN INC)

    Bibi Bahrami is the founder of AWAKEN Inc (Afghan Women And Kid's Education & Necessities); an American citizen originally from Afghanistan, Bibi met her husband Dr. Saber Bahrami in a refugee camp in Pakistan in the 1980s. She came to Muncie during her husband's residency at Ball Memorial hospital, not knowing English she went from learning the English Alphabet to earning a degree from Ball State all right here in Muncie. We spoke on a variety of topics from refugee resettlement in Muncie to Mrs. Bahrami's involvement with a recent 2023 Oscar-nominated short documentary: "Stranger at the Gate," to the assumptions and adventures that come with being "visibly religious." Links of interest: "Bahrami: Thank you, fellow Americans, for warm welcome to Afghan refugees" - The Star Press, October 23rd, 2022. AWAKEN's web home "Stranger At The Gate" documentary. "Meeting Muncie's" web home is on ⁠⁠Spotify for Podcasters⁠⁠. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: ⁠⁠@Meeting Muncie⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@Meeting_Muncie⁠⁠ Facebook: Keyword ⁠⁠"Meeting Muncie"⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠https://jonathanbalmer.substack.com/s/meeting-muncie⁠⁠ Subscribe to the show on major podcast platforms: ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Stitcher⁠⁠ Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds. Picture of Bibi Bahrami on episode cover photo is altered from the original, which was taken by Karl Shroder on flickr. The photo is used in compliance with a Creative Commons license for non-profit purposes. The original photograph can be found here.

    Bibi Bahrami (AWAKEN INC)

  5. 04/25/2023

    Jeff Robinson (City Council President)

    Jeff Robinson is the current City Council President (2023). We discuss his years growing up in Muncie, his love for classic cars and the Mustang he and his father refurbished when he was 13, about bipartisanship and being the Democratic President of a majority Republican city council, and even what job he would love to have other than the one he currently does (it involves the open road!). This is part of a two part series. Last week, a conversation with the current Mayor, Dan Ridenour, was published. Both public officials are running for Mayor this year. "Meeting Muncie's" web home is on ⁠Spotify for Podcasters⁠. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: ⁠@Meeting Muncie⁠ Twitter: ⁠@Meeting_Muncie⁠ Facebook: Keyword ⁠"Meeting Muncie"⁠ Substack: ⁠https://jonathanbalmer.substack.com/s/meeting-muncie⁠ Subscribe to the show on major podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠Google Podcasts⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Amazon Music⁠ ⁠Overcast⁠ ⁠Castbox⁠ ⁠Stitcher⁠ Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds.

    Jeff Robinson (City Council President)

  6. 04/14/2023

    Dan Ridenour (Mayor)

    Dan Ridenour is the current Mayor of Muncie Indiana (2023). We discuss how he became a Munsonian, why he runs not only for office but for recreation and relaxation, about Southside development, and even what he finds to be the most obnoxious sound in the world! This is part of a two part series. A week after this episode is published, a conversation with the current President of City Council, Jeff Robinson, will be online. Both public officials are running for Mayor this year. "Meeting Muncie's" web home is on Spotify for Podcasters. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: @Meeting Muncie Twitter: @Meeting_Muncie Facebook: Keyword "Meeting Muncie" Substack: https://jonathanbalmer.substack.com/s/meeting-muncie Subscribe to the show on major podcast platforms: Spotify Google Podcasts Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Overcast Castbox Stitcher Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds.

    Dan Ridenour (Mayor)

  7. 03/22/2023

    Dr. Christina Blanch (Aw Yeah Comics)

    Dr. Christina Blanch is owner of Aw, Yeah Comics in addition to being a published author of comics herself. Learn what led her to stay in Muncie after her time at Ball State University, and how she transformed her business to stay afloat during Covid-19 shutdowns. We talk about everything from Colombo to a Comic Con event right here in Muncie, to what makes downtown special. It was a fun conversation. I hope you enjoy it! See Aw, Yeah Comics Aw Yeah Comics Muncie "Meeting Muncie's" web home is at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: @Meeting Muncie Twitter: @Meeting_Muncie Facebook: Keyword "Meeting Muncie" Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds.

  8. 03/06/2023

    Mitch Isaacs (Shafer Leadership)

    If you have questions on your mind like: - What's the most unexpected scenic spot near Muncie? - What if sports fans were given the microphone instead of the professional sports commentators? - What in the world is a leadership academy? Then THIS episode is for you.  Mitch Isaacs is the Executive Director of Shafer Leadership academy. He's one of the people you might meet, if you decide to Meet Muncie. See Shafer online at: https://www.shaferleadership.com/ If you know of someone who should be interviewed on Meeting Muncie e-mail meetingmuncie@gmail.com with who they are and why they should be interviewed. I can't guarantee to interview any particular person but I always love listener suggestions! Please subscribe, share with a friend, and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app of choice (if it has ratings). It helps others find the show!

  9. 01/13/2023

    Mike Martin (Common Market)

    Much thanks to our very FIRST guest: Mike Martin. You can find more about Common Market here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/munciecommonmarket Support Mike Martin & The Beautiful Mess here: https://show.co/JBrgQUw Their single previewed at the end of the episode is called "Barefoot Child" (2022).  And check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mikemartinmess "Meeting Muncie's" web home is at anchor.fm/meeting-muncie. Leave a voice message there. Send a letter with thoughts, or suggestions for other Munsonians I should interview at meetingmuncie@gmail.com. Thank you! Follow the show on Social Media: Instagram: @Meeting Muncie Twitter: @Meeting_Muncie Facebook: Keyword "Meeting Muncie" Please share this episode with a friend, subscribe, and rate us 5 stars: it helps us reach more people. Bumper music from Pixabay - "Upbeat Funky Retro" by QubeSounds.

  10. Trailer

    Introduction

    Welcome to Meeting Muncie! This preview is very short and explains the concept of the show. Submit voice messages at: http://anchor.fm/meeting-muncie Follow on: facebook: Meeting Muncie twitter: @Meeting_Muncie instagram: @Meeting_Muncie or Email at MeetingMuncie@gmail.com

  • 1 Trailer
    9 Episodes

Trailer

About

Muncie, Indiana, has been called "the most studied city of its size in America." It has long served as a bellwether: a quintessential American small city. The history is important, and well-documented. But what's it like to move here in the 21st century? Join Jonathan Balmer, a new Munsonian, as he interviews the people around town who make Muncie truly unique.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Balmer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Balmer
  • Show Website
    Meeting Muncie