Best WFYI Public Media Podcasts (2025)

1
Indiana Fever Kicks Off Preseason, Clergy Denounce Micah Beckwith’s Comments on Three-Fifths Compromise, Public Media Stations Face Major Funding Cuts, Haitian Leaders Gather in Indy 6:23

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27d ago6:23

6:23

The Indiana Fever kicked off its 2025 preseason with two wins over the weekend. Indiana clergy continue to denounce Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith’s statements about the Three-Fifths Compromise and call on the governor to take a stronger stand. Public media stations across Indiana confront major funding cuts at both the state and federal levels…

1
Indiana Pacers Make NBA Finals, Parents Say Indiana FSSA Changes are Hurting Families, Purdue Closing DEI Office, New Recycling Method Could Reduce Reliance on Foreign Materials

9h ago

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The Indiana Pacers are going to the NBA Finals. Parents of medically complex children say the changes made by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration following the 2023 Medicaid forecasting error left families without critical services. Purdue University is closing its Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. The U.S. Department …

1
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life 33:34

3d ago33:34

33:34

That's a film title, not a Matthew Socey opinion. He'll review the film, regardless. Plus, some films recently released on DVD and Blu-Ray.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

1
Trump Approves the Sale of U.S. Steel 26:46

3d ago26:46

26:46

President Trump approves the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel for $14.9 billion. Secretary of State Diego Morales investigated over footage used in a campaign launch video. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins defended the Trump administration’s planned 15% cut to the VA during a visit to Indianapolis’ Roudebush Vete…

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Pacers Lose Away Game, Downtown Transforms for SPARK on the Circle, 'Intellectual Diversity' Complaints on Campus, Hogsett Admin 'Legally Compliant' in Sexual Harassment Response

3d ago

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The Indiana Pacers will be returning to Indianapolis after losing to the New York Knicks 94 to 111. A section of Monument Circle in Indianapolis will transform into a pedestrian-only space designed to feel like a public park. Dozens of complaints around the state involve 'intellectual diversity' on college campuses. Last summer women who worked in …

1
IU Indy Removes "Black Lives Matter" Banner, Highest Paid Education Leaders, How Immigrants Can Assert Their Constitutional Rights, Hamilton County's Effort to Help Residents in Need 4:55

4d ago4:55

4:55

IU Indianapolis recently removed two signs that read “Black Lives Matter” and “Discrimination has no place here” from its downtown campus. The highest-paid public school employee in Indiana made more than three hundred and fifty-thousand dollars last year. The Trump administration is ramping up immigration enforcement – one small red card can help …

1
Indy Parks Meals Program, Pacers are One Win Away from NBA Finals, Alliance Could Change How IPS and Charter Schools Work Together, Indiana Utility Chairman Retires 4:41

5d ago4:41

4:41

Children 18 and under can get free meals at locations across the city through the Indy Parks Meals Program. The Indiana Pacers are one win away from making it to the NBA finals. A new board is expected to shape how Indianapolis Public Schools and charter schools collaborate. The chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Jim Houston, an…

1
The Gary, Indiana composer Jlin is revolutionizing electronic music 35:10

6d ago35:10

35:10

Listen to an interview with the acclaimed Gary, Indiana composer and electronic music producer Jlin. Her music has been praised by Pitchfork, NPR, Vogue, Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and she’s collaborated with artists including Björk and Philip Glass. Born Jerrilynn Patton in 1987, Jlin’s bold, genre-defying work has reshaped the landscap…

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Alex Palou Wins 2025 Indianapolis 500, Pacers Vs Knicks Game 4 Preview, State Election Official Under Investigation, Medicaid Coverage at Risk for Over One Million Across Midwest 4:59

6d ago4:59

4:59

When the checkered flag dropped, Alex Palou won the day in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi car with speeds topping 220 mph. After a disappointing loss at the end of Sunday night's playoff game, the Indiana Pacers face the New York Knicks for game four of the Eastern Conference finals. The Marion County Election Board is investigating whether the state’s to…

1
Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Passes in the House 26:46

10d ago26:46

26:46

The U.S. House approves major cuts to SNAP that may leave over half a million Hoosiers without access to some or all of their current benefits. House-approved federal Medicaid work reporting requirements may render Indiana’s new reporting requirements redundant. Advocates split on a proposal to close down a Duke Energy coal plant and replace it wit…

1
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay Dies at 65, Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Commitment to DEI, Why International Student Cases Remain Open, Improvements for Maternal Mental Health 5:00

10d ago5:00

5:00

Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts’ owner who leveraged the popularity of Peyton Manning into a new stadium and a Super Bowl title, died Wednesday at age 65. The Indy 500 has only had two Black drivers in its history — Willy T. Ribbs and George Mack. Nine international students in Indiana are no longer subject to immediate deportation. States across…

1
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning 51:25

10d ago51:25

51:25

Matthew Socey reviews the latest Tom Cruise Stunt Show.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

1
Grandstands Sell Out at Indianapolis 500, Roger Penske Fires Leaders in Wake of Cheating Scandal, Improvements at Indy's Grassy Creek Park, Indiana's New Rules Around Sex Education 4:11

11d ago4:11

4:11

Grandstands at Indianapolis 500 are sold out for the first time in nearly a decade. Roger Penske has fired his team president, IndyCar managing director and IndyCar general manager in the wake of an Indianapolis 500 cheating scandal. Indianapolis community leaders gathered to celebrate new improvements at Grassy Creek Park, on the city's far east s…

1
Another Cheating Scandal for Team Penske, Home Energy Rebate Program, Indiana Collects $51 Million Less than Projected, Indiana Fails to Act After Loss of Federal Food Program 5:07

12d ago5:07

5:07

Team Penske has been rocked by a second cheating scandal in just over a year. Indiana residents can apply for money from the state to help make their home more energy efficient. Indiana collected about $51 million less in taxes last month than even the recent, very pessimistic revenue forecast projected it would. Indiana families who received credi…

1
Taylor Hall / Jenny Boyts 49:50

13d ago49:50

49:50

Listen to an interview with the musician and activist Taylor Hall. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so Hall chose the month of May to release her latest collection of songs, Cheaper Than Therapy. During her recent conversation with WFYI’s Kyle Long, Hall said she hopes the project will help to destigmatize mental health and provide her fans wi…

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IPS Launches Survey for Families, Ruling Issued in Legal Battle Between IPS and Indiana, Indiana Fever Kicks Off Regular Season with a Win, Experts React to Trumps Order on Drug Prices 5:40

13d ago5:40

5:40

Indianapolis Public Schools wants to hear from families about how students get to and from school. The Indiana Court of Appeals has issued a ruling in a years-long legal battle between Indianapolis Public Schools and the state. The Indiana Fever kicked off its 2025 regular season with a win against the Chicago Sky. President Donald Trump signed an …

1
IndyGo Proposes Bus Fare Increase, Indy Art Center Exhibit on Cultural Identity, Economic Impact of Unaffordable Basic Needs, Talking to Fran Quigley about His New Book on Eviction Court

14d ago

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IndyGo is proposing a dollar increase to bus fares. An exhibit at the Indy Art Center explores cultural identity when faced with resistance. Twenty-nine percent of Hoosiers working the state’s most common jobs struggled to afford basic necessities in 2023. A new book from a local lawyer, author and professor explores his work on eviction court in I…

1
Todd Rokita Threatens to Sue Notre Dame 26:46

17d ago26:46

26:46

The IEDC sells off two properties purchased for the controversial LEAP district at a loss. Indiana AG Todd Rokita threatens to sue the University of Notre Dame over DEI efforts he says violate a 2023 Supreme Court ruling. Two voter and civic advocacy groups join with an Indiana University student to sue the state over the recently-passed ban on stu…

1
New Housing Task Force Meets in Lawrence, Indy Council Considers $27 million Spending Package, Clergy Gather to Denounce Beckwith's Comments, ICE Detains Indianapolis Woman 4:52

17d ago4:52

4:52

A new housing task force in Lawrence held its first meeting on Thursday. City money for roads, home repairs, parks and crime prevention is part of a $27 million spending package. Black and white clergy gathered to denounce Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith’s recent inflammatory comments about the Three-Fifths Compromise. Immigration and Customs En…

1
Graduation and Blaxploitation 44:23

17d ago44:23

44:23

Matthew Socey discusses his film traditions on graduation weekend plus a new Blaxploitation boxset.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

1
Indiana Historical Society to Keep its Building, Communities Push Back Against New Data Centers, Renovations for Indy Park, Lawmakers Push to Improve School Attendance 5:13

18d ago5:13

5:13

The Indiana Historical Society will keep its building and take ownership of the land it sits on. Experts say Indiana’s location, major tax breaks and relatively cheap land make it attractive for tech hubs – but some communities are pushing back. Indianapolis is renovating a city park, and part of the work includes a green makeover. Schools will soo…

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Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with Indiana musicians 17:51

19d ago17:51

17:51

Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music from musicians and composers connected to Indiana. Listen to pop, folk, electronic, classical, hip-hop, and psychedelic rock music featuring Indiana musicians representing Afghanistan, Vietnam, China, India, Myanmar and more.…

1
Potential Remains Found of Slain Indy Humanitarian Worker, Roche Plans $550 Investment, Indianapolis Housing Agency Unveils 12-Month Plan, Pollution from BP’s Whiting Refinery 6:07

19d ago6:07

6:07

A recent operation in the Middle East may have uncovered the remains of a slain humanitarian worker from Indianapolis. The Swiss biotech company Roche announced plans for a $550 million expansion of its Indianapolis diagnostics and manufacturing hub. The Indianapolis Housing Agency presented its new 12-month plan. Activists and northwest Indiana re…

1
Pacers One Game Away from Eastern Conference Finals, Eli Lilly and Purdue Expand Partnership, An IPS School Converts to a Charter, Federal Funding Supporting Indiana Artist Terminated 5:27

20d ago5:27

5:27

The Indiana Pacers are one game away from advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Eli Lilly and Company announce an expanded partnership with Purdue University. An Indianapolis Public Schools district school will convert to a charter school. The Trump Administration terminates federal funding that supports artists across Indiana. Want to go…

1
Indy Infrastructure Projects get Federal Funds, IU Sues over Student ID Voting Ban, 18 Regional EPA Employees get Layoff Notices, Union School Corporation Closure Blindsides Community 10:05

21d ago10:05

10:05

City officials announce that Indianapolis infrastructure projects will receive more than 35 million dollars in federal funds. Indiana University joins two advocacy groups in suing the state over a new law that bans the use of student IDs for voting. All 18 environmental justice employees at the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional office rece…

1
A Bill Targeting Non-profit Hospital Systems 26:46

24d ago26:46

26:46

A bill threatening the non-profit status of several hospital systems over the cost of care, though the impact on healthcare costs is unclear. Governor Braun signs an anti-DEI bill into law that critics say twists the meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion into something they are not. Lawmakers revive the A-to-F school ranking system with rollo…

1
Asian Fest Returns this Weekend, Perry Township Schools lose Federal Grant Funding, Increase in Babies Admitted to NICUs, ACLU of Indiana Sues Braun over IU Board of Trustees Changes 6:00

24d ago6:00

6:00

An event for Hoosiers to learn and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures returns this weekend. The Trump administration terminates a federal grant funding teacher bonuses and literacy coaches in Perry Township Schools. More babies are being admitted to neonatal intensive care units across the country. The ACLU of Indiana is suing G…

1
Juliet & Romeo & Simon 1:00:53

24d ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Matthew Socey reviews the new film musical Juliet & Romeo and has a chat with Food Network's Simon Majumdar about the new season of his podcast Eat My Globe.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

1
Family Sues Indianapolis Public Schools Over Alleged Bullying, Energy Assistance Program, State Support for Hard-of-Hearing Children, Worry Over Unsafe Water in Rural Communities 5:56

25d ago5:56

5:56

A family is suing Indianapolis Public Schools, alleging a first grader at George Washington Carver Montessori School 87 was seriously injured after repeated bullying. Nonprofits in Indianapolis can now apply for energy assistance from the Office of Sustainability. Lawmakers made several changes this session to how the state delivers services to dea…

1
Eli Lilly Breaks Ground on $4.5 Billion Lebanon Facility, Real ID Requirement Takes Effect, New Board to Guide Resource Allocation Between IPS and Charters, Dangerous Levels of Air Pollution 6:01

26d ago6:01

6:01

Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly broke ground Tuesday on its $4.5 billion facility in Lebanon. It may become more difficult to board commercial flights or enter some federal buildings beginning Wednesday without what’s called a Real ID. If you're a parent in the city, your voice could help shape the future of Indianapolis Public …

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Historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand on the lost history of Indianapolis’ El Barrio 48:13

27d ago48:13

48:13

Listen to an interview with historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, director of a new documentary titled Beyond el Barrio. The film focuses on the history of El Barrio, a small community of Mexican immigrants living on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis during the mid-20th Century. Also, hear an interview with musician Rick Espinoza. He grew up in El Bar…

1
Ivy Tech Names Next President, 13th Check for Retired Public Employees, New High School Could Open Downtown, Gov. Braun Reflects on Legislative Session and His First 100 Days 5:12

28d ago5:12

5:12

Ivy Tech Community College has named Marty Pollio as its next president. More than 100 thousand retired public employees in Indiana will receive an additional benefit this year known as the 13th check – but lawmakers reduced the amount of that extra benefit by about five percent. Two charter schools in Indianapolis are poised to expand on the city’…

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Session Wrap-Up 28:46

1M ago28:46

28:46

Barely a week to go in the four-month legislative session, a projected budget shortfall of over 2 billion dollars upended deals hammered out during the preceding 15 weeks. On Indiana Lawmakers, caucus leaders discuss what happened. Guests include House Speaker Todd Huston, House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, …

1
Governor Braun Reflects on the 2025 Session 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

Governor Mike Braun reflects on the 2025 legislative session and calls his first 100 days in office a “wonderful opening act”. Micah Beckwith praises the Three-Fifths Compromise as a “great move”, drawing backlash from various groups as well as the Governor himself. A last-minute addition to the budget bill gives Braun full control of the Indiana U…

1
Happy Birthday, Chuck Leavell! 1:09:42

1M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Matthew Socey replays his chat with musician Chuck Leavell (subject of the documentary Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man) because it was his birthday this week.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

1
Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO Resigns, Ivy Tech to Lose Five Percent of State Funding, Indiana Humanities to Get $250,000 in Emergency Funds, Experts Worry about Indiana's Coal Ash Ponds 5:42

1M ago5:42

5:42

The CEO of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt resigned from her role. Ivy Tech Community College will lose about five percent of its state funding under the latest budget. Indiana Humanities will receive more than $200,000 in emergency funds as part of a national response to the recent loss of federal support. Many of Indiana's coal ash ponds are in the f…

1
Pacers Advance to Second Round of Playoffs, Tactical Urbanism Project, Eiffel Tower Replica Finds New Home at International School, Using Virtual Reality to Teach Opioid Overdose Reversal 8:34

1M ago8:34

8:34

The Indiana Pacers are moving on to the second round of playoffs. A new tactical urbanism project is set up along a busy cross-section of Indianapolis neighborhoods. A massive art installation has a new permanent home at the International School of Indiana. A group of researchers are hoping to incorporate virtual reality gaming technology to teach …

1
Indy Juneteenth Parade On Hold, Former Superintendent Used Public Money for Personal Expenses, Fatal Case of Tick Disease, Systemic Issues Amplified by Indy Housing Agency 8:35

1M ago8:35

8:35

The Indy Juneteenth parade is on hold for 2025. The former Center Grove Superintendent used public money for personal expenses, according to a state investigation. The state is investigating a fatal case of ehrlichiosis, a tick disease, in Floyd County. For years Indianapolis’s housing agency has struggled to serve the thousands of local, low-incom…

1
Gary Bartz on Andy Bey, jamming with Wes Montgomery and Malcolm X 17:44

1M ago17:44

17:44

Listen to an interview with legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz. Bartz has performed with Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and McCoy Tyner. In 1970, Bartz joined Miles Davis' band, contributing to the seminal Live-Evil sessions. But its Bartz work as a bandleader during the 1970s that cemented his reputation as a jazz icon, fro…

1
Deantoni Parks discusses Technoself, Andre 3000 and his early years as a drumming prodigy 35:29

1M ago35:29

35:29

Listen to an interview with the percussionist, composer and technologist Deantoni Parks, known for his genre-blending approach and boundary-pushing performances. Parks has collaborated with an extraordinary group of musicians, including Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Andre 3000, Mars Volta, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Cale, Sade and more. He’s also an acc…

1
Pacers Win Game Four, Annual Indy Peace Walk, Resource Fair for Formerly Incarcerated People, Indiana School District to Be Dissolved Under New Property Tax Plan 5:07

1M ago5:07

5:07

The Indiana Pacers return to the Circle City one win away from advancing to the next round of playoffs. Young people in Indianapolis came together for the annual Peace Walk to raise awareness about the impact of gun violence on youth. Martin University hosted its annual reentry resource fair on Friday. A rural school district in Randolph County tha…

1
New Marion County Initiative Supports Disabled Community, Second Annual Melanin Table Talk, Purdue’s Boilermaker Special Involved in Fatal Crash, IN 2025 General Assembly Session Wrap-up 8:33

1M ago8:33

8:33

A new initiative in Marion County will support people with disabilities during interactions with law enforcement. The state of the black community was discussed at the second annual Melanin Table Talk last week in Indianapolis. Purdue University’s Boilermaker Special was involved in a fatal crash last week. How two top priority bills defined the 20…

1
Taxes and Cuts in the Indiana State Budget 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

A $2 cigarette tax and cuts to both public health and higher education in the Indiana state budget. Governor Braun launches a forensic audit of the IEDC after allegations of ethics violations and self-dealing by staffers. An energy bill offering tax incentives to coal plants and small nuclear reactors heads to Braun’s desk amid questions over the b…

1
Property Tax Reform 28:46

1M ago28:46

28:46

Leaders of Indiana’s GOP touted Senate Bill 1, the property-tax overhaul recently signed by Governor Mike Braun, as quote “historic tax relief” that will benefit most homeowners, farmers and small businesses. Democrats, however, denounced the measure as a “lose-lose” proposition that will result in higher local taxes and cuts in vital government se…