On this episode of The Open Door, creative and pop culture critic Chris Aragon drops by the studio to explore how film, TV, and music offer both an escape and a mirror to our reality, while diving into the year’s standout media and the growing indie film scene in Indianapolis.Connect with Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_chrisaragonConnect with Chris on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/zUun0:00 – Welcome & The Open Door Series1:01 – Meet Chris Aragon2:24 – Pop Culture as Escapism3:07 – Best TV of the Year4:05 – Best Films of the Year5:18 – Why Escapism Matters7:34 – Mixing Politics & Pop Culture8:55 – Early Pop Culture Influences10:04 – The Film That Changed Everything12:04 – Pop Culture Preparing Us for Reality12:29 – Building a Film Scene in Indy14:37 – How to Support ChrisThe Open Door is a series where once a month we literally open the studio door and invite folks from the community to sit down with us and talk about whatever is on their hearts. To learn more go to https://bit.ly/opendoor2024.Shout out to Life in Indy for sponsoring this initiative! Life in Indy is your comprehensive guide to the Indianapolis region. This site gives you a full virtual tour experience, so you can explore our community and discover where in Indy is the best place for your new home. Learn more at https://www.lifeinindy.com/Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

On this episode of The Open Door, Emily Mellentine shares how building spaces like Writings From Her Corner and (the exclusively announced on this show!) The Haute Spot helps cultivate connection, vulnerability, and joy within Indianapolis’ queer and creative communities.Connect with Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/em.mellentine/Check out Writings From Her Corner: https://www.writingsfromhercorner.org/Reach out to The Haute Spot to learn more: hello.thehautespot@gmail.com0:00 – Meet Emily Melentine1:40 – The Power of Writings From Her Corner4:10 – Introducing The Haute Spot with Michaela Emanual7:50 – Why Creating Safe Space Matters11:30 – Building Community Without Perfection14:10 – What Indianapolis Means to Emily17:00 – How to Support Emily & The Haute SpotSupport the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

In this deeply personal episode, guest-host Madeline Mackinnon turns the mic toward regular host Patrick Armstrong to explore his identity journey as a Korean American adoptee, his reflections on community, parenthood, and healing through storytelling. With rare vulnerability, Patrick opens up about burnout, transformation, and his vision for a more collaborative, accountable, and whole world.Connect with Patrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickintheworld/Subscribe to the Substack: https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickintheworld0:00 – Intro by Madeline3:12 – Who is Patrick Armstrong?6:20 – “How are you really?”11:45 – Tired and inspired15:30 – Six-year-old Patrick18:50 – 80-year-old Patrick22:00 – Entering adoptee consciousness30:10 – Rejection, race, and rediscovery35:20 – What do I love about Korea?38:10 – Healing vs. context42:00 – Basketball and therapy45:30 – Embodiment and blood pressure50:40 – Parenting, presence, and Van58:20 – Internal worlds and imagination1:03:00 – Letting go of shame1:06:10 – Patrick’s theme song1:07:40 – Give Em Their Flowers1:10:00 – How to support PatrickCheck out Hip Hop Medley by BEATPELLA HOUSE: https://youtu.be/IPKmlZPjZ-0?si=d5UwE16bGqTkCB1eShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: MADELINE HERSELF!Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

On this week's episode, Lionel Hardin and Eli Fooliano of True Dirtbag stop by to share the raw, resilient journey behind their lifestyle and fashion brand, born from music, friendship, and creative hustle. From makeshift studios to community building in Indianapolis, the heads of TDB open up about brotherhood, grief, gatekeeping, and staying authentic in the face of it all.Check out True Def Brand: https://truedirtbag.com/Follow Lionel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truedirtbag_tdb/Follow Eli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tdb6ix/0:00 – Welcome to 2025 & Intro to TDB1:03 – Meet Lionel & Eli2:33 – Art, Imagination & Origins3:32 – How Music Bonded Them8:08 – Creating True Dirt Bag10:03 – Grief, Growth & Tears of Joy15:21 – From Brand Joke to Movement20:10 – Moving to Indy & Rebuilding25:56 – Paying It Forward & Supporting Creatives31:17 – First Pop-Up & Wave One Realizations38:41 – Fashion, Frequency & Believing in Each Other43:05 – Building a Creative Community45:14 – Gatekeeping, Ego, and Staying Authentic47:36 – Accessibility, Aura, and Taking the Leap52:07 – Real Community vs Just Sharing SpaceShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: T2 Performance (https://www.instagram.com/t2sportsperformance/)Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

On this week's episode, Amiah Mims, designer, muralist, and founder of Works by Mimsy, stops by the show to talk about her art, which is featured across Indianapolis and now center stage for WNBA All-Star 2025. From "The Gymnast' to graphic designer to full-time creative, Amiah shares how she blends art and design, navigates identity and intention, and creates meaningful work that honors her community. She also teases what we can expect to see this year at the Indianapolis Arts Garden celebrating women's basketball, in partnership with the Indy Arts Council.Learn more about Works by Mimsy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worksbymimsy/This episode is brought to you by the Indy Arts Council. Indy Arts Council is central Indiana’s leading arts advocacy and services agency. They believe every resident of Indianapolis should experience arts and culture in a way that nourishes and inspires them. This vision is central to the work they do to support artists, arts organizations and the community. Learn more about their work, including what they have going on during AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025, here: https://indyarts.org/all-star-2025/0:00 - Intro & WNBA All-Star Weekend  1:30 - Meet Amiah Mims  4:30 - From gymnast to artist  7:00 - Early artistic influences  10:00 - Graphic design vs. art  14:00 - Navigating creativity with intention  20:00 - Saying yes to the right projects  23:30 - Murals and meaning: BLM and Recorder projects  31:00 - Generational impact & family collaborations  36:00 - Amiah and sports fandom  39:00 - WNBA All-Star art: "For You"  45:00 - Give Em Their Flowers segment  50:00 - Local artists to follow  53:00 - Ways to support Amiah  56:00 - Closing remarksShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: Madeline!!!Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Riley Van BuskirkEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog