Best WFYI Public Media Podcasts (2024)

Democratic gubernatorial candidate- and former State Superintendent of Public Instruction- Jennifer McCormick unveils her education plan. Local governments face nearly $2 billion annually in road maintenance costs over the next 10 years. Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel pleads guilty to 27 felonies related to his time as sheriff and in runnin…

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Too Black - Laundering Black Rage 46:51

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8h ago46:51

46:51

Listen to an interview with the Indianapolis-based poet and filmmaker Too Black. He’ll discuss his new book, “Laundering Black Rage: The Washing of Black Death, People, Property, and Profits”, co-written with Dr. Rasul Mowatt. The book explores how the rage directed at the police murder of George Floyd was re-channeled away from the Black Lives Mat…

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An Improvement in 3rd Grade Reading Scores 26:46

7d ago26:46

26:46

IREAD-3 scores show some improvement, but still fall well below pre-pandemic levels. A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit to Senate Enrolled Act 202, which requires university faculty to teach opposing political viewpoints or risk losing tenure. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce calls for a new water planning team amid continued uncertainty over the L…

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Alain and Elvis 2:28:13

7d ago2:28:13

2:28:13

Host Matthew Socey and Usual Suspect Taffeta V pay tribute to actor Alain Delon. Matthew also replays his epic chat with John Krull (plus Makenna Mays!), breaking down every Elvis Presley film.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Chreece 2024 preview 47:47

7d ago47:47

47:47

Listen to a preview of this year’s edition of Chreece, an all-day hip-hop festival happening in the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis. Hear a conversation with Chreece organizers Oreo Jones, Jane Kim, and Jay Brookinz; along with interviews and music from Chreece performers 4200Kory, and Joosi Got Bars. Plus a conversation with Yung Rev,…

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Chreece 2024 unedited 51:44

8d ago51:44

51:44

Listen to a special podcast edition of Cultural Manifesto, featuring an unedited conversation with Oreo Jones, Jay Brookinz, and Jane Kim — the organizers of Chreece, an all-day hip-hop festival happening in the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Gena and Caligula (not together) 1:14:21

14d ago1:14:21

1:14:21

Host Matthew Socey and guest Taffeta V discuss the films of Gena Rowlands. Plus, Matthew has a carefully worded review of "Caligula-The Ultimate Cut," just released in cinemas and on video.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Jennifer McCormick’s Tax Relief Proposal 26:46

14d ago26:46

26:46

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick unveils her tax relief proposal. The Indiana Department of Education releases a new draft of its high school diploma overhaul. Lieutenant Governor candidates Republican Micah Beckwith, Democrat Terry Goodin, and Libertarian Tonya Hudson debate at the Indiana State Fair. Host Brandon Smith is joi…

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Omar Apollo discusses "God Said No" and growing up in Indiana 38:27

15d ago38:27

38:27

Listen to an interview with the Hobart, Indiana pop star Omar Apollo. He will discuss his new album “God Said No”, his memories of growing up in northwest Indiana, and his upcoming concert in Indianapolis.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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It Ends With Us 28:54

22d ago28:54

28:54

Matthew Socey reviews the Blake Lively drama It Ends with Us and some video releases.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Harris Picks Tim Walz as her Running Mate 26:46

21d ago26:46

26:46

Kamala Harris names Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Calls for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to resign in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against top aid Thomas Cook going back to 2017. Indiana’s new All-Payer Claims Database lets Hoosiers see how much individual medical procedures cost in the state. Indiana Public Broadc…

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Monika Herzig's Sheroes - "All In Good Time" 31:37

24d ago31:37

31:37

Listen to an interview with the Bloomington-based jazz keyboardist, bandleader, and author Monika Herzig. She’ll discuss the latest album from her band Sheroes, titled “All In Good Time”. Monika Herzig’s Sheroes is an all-star group, featuring prominent women in jazz music. Sheroes is one of many projects Herzig has created to support women in jazz…

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Mike Braun’s Property Tax Proposal 26:46

28d ago26:46

26:46

Mike Braun makes changes to his newly released property tax proposal amid criticism over uneven impact. University leaders from across the state express concern over Indiana’s new high school diploma standards, with Purdue University saying such diplomas will not meet admissions requirements.The Indiana University Board of Trustees unveils a new po…

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Trap 45:03

29d ago45:03

45:03

Matthew Socey reviews the new film Trap plus a family story related to that film.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Airport People 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

Listen to an interview with the composer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Todd Johnson. He creates classically inspired ambient music under the name Airport People. Johnson will discuss the new Airport People release “Midwest Dispossessed”, a collaboration with photographer Michael Ginda. The album includes a 136-page book of photography by Ginda, al…

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Kamala Harris Comes to Indianapolis 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

Vice President Kamala Harris makes Indiana one of her first presidential campaign stops, speaking at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s national Boule. An Indianapolis lawyer files a professional conduct complaint against Attorney General Todd Rokita. Indiana reached the end of its fiscal year with a $421 million surplus, the lowest margin in the post-pandem…

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No Deadpool, no Wolverine 38:17

1M ago38:17

38:17

Matthew Socey gives you cinema recommendations that are alternatives to Deadpool & Wolverine.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Vocalion Records' Historic 1928 Indianapolis Recordings 20:32

1M ago20:32

20:32

In the summer of 1928, the Vocalion Record Company visited Indianapolis in search of the city’s best musical talent. The label’s trip to Indianapolis was a success, Vocalion discovered and recorded several early stars of Indianapolis country, blues, jazz, and pop music — including blues legends Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, Black country music…

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Leaders React to Trump Assassination Attempt 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

Indiana’s political leaders react to the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Democrats formally choose Terry Goodin and Destiny Wells as their lieutenant governor and attorney general nominees. I-LEARN scores show some improvement in reading levels, but increased struggles with mathematics. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLan…

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Bob & Shelley & The Blues Under the Skin 41:22

1M ago41:22

41:22

Matthew Socey reviews the documentary The Blues Under the Skin and pays tribute to Bob Newhart and Shelley Duvall.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Jazz bassist & educator Bethany Robinson / Notable new Indiana music 31:25

2M ago31:25

31:25

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to an interview with jazz bassist and educator Bethany Robinson. Robinson earned national recognition as a music teacher at Noblesville High School and was recently appointed as leader of the Purdue jazz program. Also hear a selection of notable new Hoosier music releases from artists including Airport People…

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Chief Justice Loretta Rush Seeks Third Term 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

Loretta Rush seeks a third term as Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Fewer Indiana high school students enroll in FAFSA, with at least some blame placed on glitches in the rollout of a new version of the application. The Gary Community School Corporation officially shifts back to local control seven years after a state takeover. Host Bran…

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The Last IV 20:13

2M ago20:13

20:13

Hear an interview with the Indianapolis rock band The Last IV. The group features a quartet of local music luminaries who’ve made significant contributions to punk, hip-hop, and indie rock music in Indiana.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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The HawtPlates 16:51

2M ago16:51

16:51

Last month, the legendary bassist and singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello recorded a session for NPR’s Tiny Desk. The vocals for that performance were handled by The HawtPlates, a musical ensemble co-founded by the Lafayette, Indiana siblings Justin and Jade Hicks. The HawtPlates have worked extensively with Ndegeocello and contributed to her Gra…

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Sing Sing, Maxxxine and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid 1:18:12

2M ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Matthew Socey reviews Sing Sing and Maxxxine, the Criterion release of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid plus a dip into the radio archives.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Supreme Court Gives Trump Near-Total Immunity 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

The U.S. Supreme Court grants presidents near-total immunity and sets a high bar for prosecution. A judge invalidates Indiana’s 2020 Medicaid expansion waiver, ending Healthy Indiana Plan Plus payments for the foreseeable future. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Donald Rainwater proposes changing the state constitution to cap property taxes. Hos…

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The Beach Boys’ Mike Love 36:04

2M ago36:04

36:04

It’s been 50 years since The Beach Boys released their chart-topping compilation album Endless Summer in 1974. The band’s 2024 tour Endless Summer Gold celebrates the legendary Beach Boys hits featured on that album. This week on Cultural Manifesto, Beach Boys vocalist and co-founder Mike Love will share his thoughts on the band’s legacy, and discu…

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Kinds of Kindness and Horizon 41:54

2M ago41:54

41:54

Matthew Socey reviews the anthology film Kinds of Kindness and Kevin Costner's epic western Horizon: An American Saga.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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J.D. Ford Passes on Lieutenant Governor Bid 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

Senator J.D. Ford announces that he will not run for lieutenant governor against conservative Democrat Terry Goodin. Former state legislator Randy Head is elected unanimously as chair of the Indiana Republican Party. Governor Eric Holcomb and A.G. Todd Rokita announce the state will seek to resume executions after a 15 year pause. Host Brandon Smit…

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Pride 2024 ft. Software / Bruz Fletcher 43:50

2M ago43:50

43:50

Celebrate Pride month by exploring the work of historically significant Indiana LGBTQ+ musicians. Listen to interviews with Lē Weaver of Software, and writer Tyler Alpern, author of the 2010 book “Camped, Tramped and A Riotous Vamp” a biography of the Indiana songwriter Bruz Fletcher. Software was an Indianapolis synth-rock band that played a cruci…

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Donald Sutherland 44:42

2M ago44:42

44:42

Matthew Socey pays tribute to actor Donald Sutherland and discusses a number of films from his youth recently released on home video.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Micah Beckwith Named Braun’s Running Mate 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

Christian nationalist Micah Beckwith chosen as Mike Braun’s gubernatorial running mate over Braun’s hand-picked candidate Julie McGuire. Jennifer McCormick names conservative Democrat Terry Goodin as her pick for lieutenant governor. The state makes further changes that will impact how families of medically complex children receive Medicaid benefit…

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Bayem / Hiatus Kaiyote 39:59

2M ago39:59

39:59

Listen to interviews with the Indianapolis vocalist Bayem, and keyboardist Simon Marvin of Hiatus Kaiyote. Bayem’s music blends elements of R&B, with ’80s pop, and electronic music. His 2022 EP “Afterglow” accrued millions of streams online. Bayme’s most recent EP “OASIS” is inspired by the futurism of internet vaporwave music. Simon Marvin is keyb…

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Treasure and Mary Wickes 1:10:04

3M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Matthew Socey reviews the film Treasure and replays his chat with author Steve Taravella (author of the biography Mary Wickes: I Know I've Seen That Face Before) to celebrate Wickes' birthday.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Nearly $100M for LEAP District Expansion 26:48

3M ago26:48

26:48

The state approves nearly $100M to expand the controversial LEAP district. An anti-abortion group sues the state health department to regain access to terminated pregnancy reports. Indiana Republicans gather for the state party convention.By viewerswfyi@wfyi.org (WFYI Public Media)

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Battle Ground Indiana’s country music historian Dave Samuelson 45:01

3M ago45:01

45:01

This week on Cultural Manifesto, listen to a conversation with Dave Samuelson, a record producer, writer, radio host, and country music historian based in Battle Ground, Indiana. Samuelson has contributed to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, and written liner notes for albums by Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. During the 1970s, Samuelson founded …

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