Dr. Austin Dean Ashford, a brand-new Indianapolis transplant, multi-disciplinary creative, and performer at this year’s Chreece festival, talks about hip hop as community practice, why festivals matter to the city, how creativity builds connection, and why you shouldn’t forget the doctor.Tap in with the Dr.: https://www.austindeanashford.com/bioArtists on Chreece is a series of conversations with artists about their experience with the festival, their musical stylings, and more, from Chreece Media Day. Shout out to the Chreece team for having us.Subscribe to the newsletter (out Mondays): https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Full archives: https://conversationpiecepod.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/conversationpiecepod/Produced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee Productions + Apicem Studios

On this episode of The Open Door, self-advocacy strategist Nora Elder stops by the studio to explore what self-advocacy truly means, how core values shape our decisions, and how Nora’s “Choose the Marble” practice helped her leave corporate life and build a purpose-driven business.Learn more about Nora's work: https://choosethemarble.com/The 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/Subscribe to the newsletter (out Mondays): https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Full archives: https://conversationpiecepod.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/conversationpiecepod/Produced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

On this episode of Conversation Piece, designer, creator, and business strategist Navi Kaur stops by the studio to talk about her journey from watching Dragon Ball Z as a kid in India to helping build The Normies — an Indianapolis-based creative community and reaction channel with nearly 1 million subscribers. She dives into her path from immigrant student to financial officer, how The Normies grew from friends watching Game of Thrones to a full-scale business, and what it takes to sustain creativity, community, and leadership in digital media.Connect with Navi: https://instagram.com/nerdy_nav/Check out The Normies: https://thenormies.com/Shout 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: Markéta, Rana, Blake Roebuck, and The Normies’ editing team for their creativity, care, and community spirit.Subscribe to the newsletter (out Mondays): https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Full archives: https://conversationpiecepod.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/conversationpiecepod/Produced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

T.G.I.FREE, an Indianapolis hip-hop artist and Chreece veteran, reflects on what performing at the festival means for the local scene, why it’s a marker of validation for artists, and how his signature songs “Set You Free” and “Big Free” capture his energy, conviction, and pride in his craft.Connect with T.G.I.FREE: https://linktr.ee/Iamtgifree/Artists on Chreece is a series of conversations with artists about their experience with the festival, their musical stylings, and more, from Chreece Media Day. Shout out to the Chreece team for having us.Subscribe to the newsletter (out Mondays): https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Full archives: https://conversationpiecepod.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/conversationpiecepod/Produced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee Productions + Apicem Studios

In this episode of The Open Door, Kia Wright, founder of Voices Corporation, stops by the studio to talk about healing-centered engagement, empowering youth, and building community through art, trust, and care. Learn more about VOICES Corp: https://voicescorp.org/The 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/Subscribe to the newsletter (out Mondays): https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Full archives: https://conversationpiecepod.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/conversationpiecepod/Produced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog