Épisodes

  • What It Takes to Lead a Major Sports Franchise: A Conversation with Mel Raines

    What It Takes to Lead a Major Sports Franchise: A Conversation with Mel Raines
    Feb 15 2025
    Mel Raines, President and CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, returns for part two of our conversation, diving into her role in transforming Indianapolis into a hub for major sports and entertainment. She shares how she made the leap from political consulting to part of the team orchestrating the 2012 Super Bowl and how that experience led her to oversee Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the business side of the Pacers and Fever. Raines discusses the explosive growth of women’s sports, Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA, and the upcoming 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indy. She also opens up about leadership, the lessons she’s learned from working with some of the most powerful figures in politics and sports, and why she hopes being a woman in an executive role soon becomes just a footnote. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, major event management, and the evolution of professional sports.
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    47 min
  • Mel Raines' Career Path From The Vice President of the United State's Office To Pacers Sports & Entertainment

    Mel Raines' Career Path From The Vice President of the United State's Office To Pacers Sports & Entertainment
    Feb 1 2025
    Mel Raines, President and CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, joins the podcast to share her remarkable journey from Capitol Hill to the front office of Indiana’s top sports franchises. In this episode, she reveals how a chance internship led to a career in politics, working for Sen. Dan Coats, running major Republican conventions, and ultimately serving as Assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for Political Affairs.. She shares behind-the-scenes stories of high-stakes moments in Washington, the intensity of presidential transitions, and what it was like inside the White House. Raines also opens up about why she left politics, the challenges of running large-scale events, and how those skills led her to the sports industry. Packed with insight, humor, and a few surprising moments—like when she accidentally hung up on Cheney—this episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by politics, leadership, and career pivots.
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    35 min
  • New Year's Resolutions, Fitness, and Nutrition with Mina and Steve Hawk

    New Year's Resolutions, Fitness, and Nutrition with Mina and Steve Hawk
    Jan 15 2025
    In this episode, Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker dive into an engaging conversation with fitness expert Steve Hawk and his favorite client Mina Hawk. They discuss the ins and outs of starting a fitness journey, particularly during New Year's resolution season. Steve shares his personal story of launching HawkFit, a comprehensive online fitness and nutrition program. The discussion covers the importance of weightlifting for longevity, the common pitfalls in the fitness journey, and busting myths around fitness and nutrition. There's a focus on personalized coaching, the value of consistency over perfection, and navigating diet and fitness during the holidays.
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    48 min
  • Catching Up with Mina and Steve Hawk: Life After Good Bones

    Catching Up with Mina and Steve Hawk: Life After Good Bones
    Jan 1 2025
    Kristi and Dr. Rob sits down with special guests Mina and Steve Hawk. Mina, known for her role on HGTV's Good Bones, discusses her life after the show, balancing family duties, and her evolving career. The couple shares personal anecdotes, the challenges of fame, the dynamics of reality TV, and their experiences with social media. Steve, a well-known personal trainer, joins the conversation about their family's future plans, managing public attention, and the impact of their work on their personal lives. Tune in for a heartfelt and engaging discussion about life, work, and family.
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    26 min
  • Behind the Curtains of Venardos Circus

    Behind the Curtains of Venardos Circus
    Dec 15 2024
    Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker talk with Kevin Venardos, founder and ringmaster of Venardos Circus, and his colleague Manny Acosta. Kevin shares his incredible journey from his childhood fascination with Broadway musicals to becoming a young ringmaster for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and eventually founding his own circus. Kevin describes the ups and downs of circus life, including working through personal struggles and creating a successful touring company. Manny also shares his background as an immigrant from Cuba and his integral role in the circus. The discussion delves into teamwork, the magic of live performance, and the future of the American circus.
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    45 min
  • Exploring THE LUME: An Immersive Art Experience at Newfields with VP Jonathan Berger

    Exploring THE LUME: An Immersive Art Experience at Newfields with VP Jonathan Berger
    Dec 1 2024
    Kristi Lee and Dr. Rob Shumaker sit down with Jonathan Berger, Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs at Newfields, an art museum in Indianapolis, Indiana. The discussion delves into 'THE LUME,' a fully immersive multi-sensory art exhibit featuring works by Salvador Dali, Van Gogh, and Monet. Jonathan shares insights about the exhibit's concept, including its 30,000 square feet of projection space and associated café. He also discusses the museum's efforts to make art more accessible and engaging through innovative programs and events like the magical Winter Lights and the spectacular Eclipse party. Whether you've visited Newfields before or are looking to explore it, this episode thoroughly examines its unique offerings and how it strives to demystify art for everyone.
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    33 min
  • The Well-Connected Animal: A Deep Dive into Social Networks in Animal Societies with Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin, Part 2

    The Well-Connected Animal: A Deep Dive into Social Networks in Animal Societies with Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin, Part 2
    Nov 15 2024
    Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Louisville, joins us to discuss his new book 'The Well Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies.' We begin with the social networks of macaques in Puerto Rico and the impact of Hurricane Maria on their social behavior. Dr. Dugatkin also shares intriguing insights into vampire bats' social structures, blood-sharing practices, and social networks. Additionally, he delves into the cooperative behaviors between dolphins and Brazilian fishermen and the cultural transmission among chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest. The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies - https://amzn.to/3C3iFXB
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    39 min
  • Exploring Animal Societies with Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin: From Guppies to Macaques, Part 1

    Exploring Animal Societies with Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin: From Guppies to Macaques, Part 1
    Nov 1 2024
    Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of animal behavior with Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin, author of 'The Well Connected Animal'. Dr. Dugatkin shares insights from his extensive research, starting with his groundbreaking studies on social learning in guppies. Discover how female guppies copy the mate choices of others and how genetic and cultural factors interplay in mate selection. We then transition to swordtail fish and the intricate dynamics of spying and social networks. Finally, we delve into the remarkable social networks of macaques on Cayo Santiago Island, where female grooming networks significantly impact survival and reproduction after Hurricane Maria. This conversation reveals the unexpected complexities of animal societies and the innovative methods used to study them. The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies - https://amzn.to/3C3iFXB
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    28 min