All Episodes

On this episode of In Conversation With, Chef Tyler Shortt, Executive Chef of Tinker Street, takes the mic and explores how food becomes a vehicle for memory, culture, and community. From family chicken fries and New York kitchens to sourcing locally and leading collaboratively, Chef Tyler reflects on putting “himself on the plate” and building something intentional—both inside the kitchen and beyond it.Learn more about Tinker Street Restaurant: https://tinkerstreetrestaurant.com/🍽️ Featured Dish Chef Tyler’s Signature Fried Chicken A deeply personal dish rooted in family recipes, Southern soul food traditions, and years of refinement—served alongside collard greens, mashed potatoes, and gravy.🌸 Give Them Their FlowersChef Tyler gives flowers to Chef Youssef Boudarine for his commitment to uplifting diverse cuisines, supporting small businesses, and expanding the culinary imagination of Indianapolis through Epicurean Indy.🪴 Mentioned in This EpisodeEleven Madison Park (NYC): https://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/Epicurean Indy: https://www.epicureanindy.com/Junior Chef Academy Indianapolis: https://www.jcaindy.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 RaptureFilmed at: draft creative spaceMusic by: Mandog

🕯️ This Week’s Conversation: Mid-Cycle Map Rigging with Sen. Andrea HunleyIn this urgent conversation, Indiana State Senator Andrea Hunley breaks down the push to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps mid-cycle. We unpack what triggered this attempt, why it has more to do with DC politics than Hoosier interests, how gerrymandering works in practice, and what constituents can do right now to protect fair representation.A clear, accessible, and empowering explainer for anyone trying to understand the stakes of Indiana’s redistricting fight.Learn more about Andrea’s work here.🌸 Mentioned in this EpisodeIndiana General Assembly (IGA) websiteIndiana Voters websiteLearn more about redistricting💭 Question of the WeekWhat musician/musical act do people NEED to hear before they leave this mortal plane?My next guest is real cool. Stay tuned 👀*This is a special presentation of episode 005 of From the Kitchen Table, host Patrick Armstrong's audio-only, Substack exclusive show. Listen and subscribe for free.*

On this episode of The Open Door, Amber Gyselinck-Snyder, founder of Lapis Lily Market and Trinket Club Indy, stops by the studio to talk about trinkets, creativity, community building, and the joy of tiny cute things. Amber shares her journey from vintage seller and wholesaler to opening her first storefront and cultivating a growing community of makers, collectors, and curious creatives.Learn more about Lapis Lily Market: https://lapislilymarket.com/Connect with Trinket Club Indy: https://www.instagram.com/trinketclubindy/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

Recorded August 2025 -- For the third installment of In Conversation With, Patrick sits down with Chreece Festival Director and multidisciplinary creative Jane Sun Kim for a vulnerable, energizing conversation about community, creativity, curation, identity, and the decade-long evolution of Indianapolis’ premier independent hip-hop festival. Together they explore affirmation, failure, representation, and what it truly takes to build spaces where artists can grow and thrive.Connect with Jane: https://www.instagram.com/vulturesonly/Learn more about Chreece: https://www.chreeceaf.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: Apicem StudiosEngineered by: Popular Rapture

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

Lillian Barkes, co-founder and CEO of Listen to Our Future, joins Patrick to talk about community, creativity, and connection in Indianapolis — from the need for more third spaces to why downtown’s corners deserve a friendly competition.Learn more about Listen to Our Future: https://listentoourfuture.com Learn more about La Parada Restaurant: https://www.laparadaindy.com/ Learn more about the Indy Cultural Trail: https://indyculturaltrail.orgThe People's Perspectives on Indy is a series of short interviews with people around the city about their perspectives on Indianapolis.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 by: Mike Lee Productions + Apicem Studios

Hip hop artist Joosi Got Bars reflects on her journey performing at Chreece—from early features to headlining her own set—sharing gratitude, growth, and her drive to keep “pushing limits until something happens.”Connect with Joosi: https://instagram.com/joosi_got_bars/ Check out DRAMATIC (The Mixtape): https://joosigotbars.bandcamp.com/album/dramaticArtists 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 People's Perspectives on Indy, local podcaster Michael Zarick shares his love for Indy’s community spirit, a vision for walkable, transit-first growth, and a tagline for downtown: “massive potential, incredible opportunity.” Connect with Michael + Third Space Indy: https://thirdspaceindy.com/The People's Perspectives on Indy is a series of short interviews with people around the city about their perspectives on Indianapolis.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 by: Mike Lee Productions + Apicem Studios

On this episode of Artists On Chreece, Rhetoryk reflects on performing at Chreece, the importance of platforms that uplift local hip-hop in Indianapolis, and the community that inspires his artistry. Check out Rhetoryk's latest work! 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.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 Productions + Apicem Studios

In this episode of the People's Perspectives on Indy, Zina Kumok—an Indy-based financial advisor—shares her pride in neighborhood identity, love for Irvington’s historic charm, and her hopes for better parks and more locally inviting downtown spaces in Indianapolis.Connect with Zina: https://www.instagram.com/advisorzina/The People's Perspectives on Indy is a series of short interviews with people around the city about their perspectives on Indianapolis.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 by: Mike Lee Productions + Apicem Studios

In this bonus “after hours” episode, Patrick and John reflect on running, community, and the evolving energy of The Podcast Lab—where creative conversations have spawned some really cool opportunities. Connect with Patrick: https://instagram.com/patrickintheworld/Connect with John: https://instagram.com/johnoverton/Shout out to the Indy Arts Council for sponsoring this episode. Did you know October is National Arts and Humanities Month? Well Indy Arts Council and Indiana Humanities are coming together to celebrate and raise awareness of their collective impact on the region’s culture, economy, and quality of life. They're shining a spotlight on the meaningful arts and humanities programming that happens across the Indianapolis region and in Indiana’s 92 counties — not just this month, but all year long. Learn more at indyarts.org.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: Francis Nwosu / Prxper StandardsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

On this episode of Artists On Chreece, DisTinct drops by to share his pride in Indy’s music scene, his passion for discovery through Chreece, and invites fans to catch his high-energy set packed with surprises and signature sounds.Connect with DisTinct: https://www.instagram.com/distinct3rd/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.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 Productions + Apicem Studios

In this episode of The Open Door, Jacob Chaves stops by to talk about creativity, food, and how Indianapolis helped him find both his artistic voice and his community.Learn more about Jake's work with Pattern Indy: https://patternindy.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/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: Ziad Hefni / Apicem StudiosEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog

Duane "Stretch" Thalley reflects on the spirit of Indianapolis, urging deeper collaboration between creatives and city leaders while reminding us that true community means always doing more than what’s expected.Connect with Follow D$ Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/followdmoneypod/The People's Perspectives on Indy is a series of short interviews with people around the city about their perspectives on Indianapolis.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 by: Mike Lee Productions + Apicem Studios

“If you’re a fan of really quality music with jazz, R&B, soul, and hip hop—pull up.”On this episode of Artists on Chreece, Casper Merci shares his journey from attending Chreece as a teenager to performing with a full band, celebrating community, collaboration, and the creative force of The Sutherland Collective that helped shape his sound.Connect with Casper Merci: https://www.instagram.com/caspermerci/Connect with The Sutherland Collective: https://www.instagram.com/thesutherlandcollective/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.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 Productions + Apicem Studios

In this episode, Ash & Elm Cider founder Andréa Homoya stops by the studio to explore identity, risk-taking, leadership, and self-care—uncovering how community, courage, and creativity fuel her life and business.Learn more about Ash & Elm Cider: https://ashandelmcider.com/Follow Amanda in Indy: https://www.instagram.com/amandainindy/This episode is sponsored by Tomorrow Bookstore. Do you like good books? How about good people? Or both? If that’s you, then make sure you check out Tomorrow Bookstore, a general interest shop in the heart of downtown Indy, focused on global and immigrant stories, independent publishers, and works in translation. Tomorrow hosts book clubs, author events, small business pop ups, and more. Go see for yourself at 882 Mass Ave, or follow along on social media at @tomorrowbookstore. 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: Amanda Gibson!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: Francis Nwosu / Prxper StandardsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog