Circle City Conversations

About Circle City Conversations

This is the Circle City Conversations, where the heart of Indianapolis comes alive through the stories of its people. Join us as we explore our city, one insightful conversation at a time.

Publisher

Alexander Limontes

Category

society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Oct 2023

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

77 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026

   Planning for Generations: Cara Chittenden on Estate Planning, Family, and Finding Her Path in Law

   In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes welcomes longtime friend Cara Chittenden for a conversation at French Lick Resort during the Bench Bar Conference. Now an estate planning attorney in Carmel, Indiana, Cara reflects on a legal career that has taken her from a federal clerkship to insurance defense, family law, and ultimately estate planning, guardianships, and elder law. In this episode… Cara shares her experience clerking for Judge William T. Lawrence, where she conducted legal research and helped refine judicial opinions in a collaborative and intellectually rewarding environment. She discusses her early work in insurance defense and family law, explaining why the emotional conflict involved in family disputes ultimately led her to seek a practice where she could help families navigate difficult decisions without adding to their disagreements. The conversation explores Cara's work in estate planning and elder law, including why personalized legal guidance matters when preparing documents that may affect families for generations. She explains the limitations of relying exclusively on do-it-yourself online services, highlighting how Indiana's legal requirements and the details of an individual's circumstances can make working with an attorney valuable. Cara also discusses the importance of helping clients understand their documents, communicate their intentions clearly, and create plans that continue to serve them as life changes. Cara reflects on what makes estate planning especially rewarding: building lasting relationships with clients and sometimes working with multiple generations of the same family. She also addresses a common misconception about legal documents, that simply putting something in writing guarantees everyone will understand it. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful conversations, clear communication, and planning ahead rather than assuming a document will answer every question on its own. In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Cara Chittenden shares a thoughtful perspective on estate planning, professional growth, and the importance of relationships in both law and life. From helping families prepare for the future to building meaningful connections with colleagues and clients, Cara's story highlights the value of clear communication, personalized guidance, and finding a legal practice that aligns with your values.

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   From Dallas to Indy: Anthony Benitez on Criminal Defense, Community, and Finding His Calling

   In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes sits down with Anthony Benitez of the Marc Lopez Law Firm to discuss his unexpected path into criminal defense, his connection to the Hispanic community, and the experiences that shaped him as an advocate. Raised in Dallas, Texas, Anthony ultimately chose Wabash College in Indiana, where an unexpected change in academic direction helped set him on the path toward a career in law. In this episode… Anthony reflects on his time at Wabash, his initial plans to pursue pre-med, and the realization that medicine was not the right fit for him. After discovering a stronger interest in psychology, history, political science, and Spanish, Anthony began exploring a career in law. He shares how a brief experience in immigration law in Houston eventually brought him back to Indiana and how a recommendation through a Facebook group led him to an interview with Marc Lopez. Since joining the Marc Lopez Law Firm, Benitez helped foster a firm culture built around hard work, camaraderie, and enjoying the work. He discusses why criminal defense and trial work became such a natural fit, particularly the opportunity to tell a client's story through cross-examination and closing arguments. Benitez also talks about the importance of serving the Hispanic community and how being bilingual allows him to communicate with clients directly and build relationships across cultural and language barriers. He explains why creating a sense of trust and comfort can be especially important when clients are facing serious criminal charges and difficult moments in their lives. Outside of law, Anthony shares his passion for sports, including his lifelong support of the Dallas Cowboys and his enthusiasm for soccer. He also talks about following his children's athletic pursuits as they compete at collegiate and professional levels around the country, highlighting the importance of family alongside his demanding career. In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Anthony Benitez offers a personal look at the journey that brought him from Dallas to Indiana. His story reflects a commitment to advocacy, community, family, and the belief that authentic relationships can make a meaningful difference in the practice of law.

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Inside the Courtroom With Matt Kroes: Trial Strategy, Relationships, and Life as a Criminal Defense Lawyer

   In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes sits down with attorney Matt Kroes for a wide-ranging conversation that blends personal stories, courtroom experiences, and lessons from a career in criminal defense. The two reflect on the early days of the show at the Marc Lopez Law Firm, the evolution of legal media and YouTube, and the challenges of balancing a demanding legal career with life outside the courtroom. In this episode… Matt shares his journey from growing up in Chicago's Wrigleyville and Vernon Hills to attending Purdue University and eventually pursuing his law degree at the University of Dayton. He reflects on his athletic upbringing, his family's move to Indiana, his strong Purdue loyalty, and the unexpected series of events, including meeting his future wife while studying for the bar, that shaped his personal and professional life. The conversation turns to Matt's legal career, he discusses his desire to fight for people facing powerful institutions, his years of trial experience, and his remarkable streak of consecutive not guilty verdicts. Matt also walks through memorable courtroom moments, including a case involving pepper spray at a custody exchange, explaining how he manages client expectations and approaches cross-examination as one of the most engaging parts of trial work. Matt describes his approach to closing arguments, comparing the experience to performing a comedic monologue and explaining how he enters a unique state of focus when presenting a case to a jury. He also emphasizes that successful litigation is about much more than legal strategy. Building genuine relationships with prosecutors, court staff, opposing attorneys, and fellow lawyers can play an important role in navigating cases and building a lasting career. The discussion also covers the changing nature of professional networking after COVID-19. Matt encourages young lawyers to get out from behind their screens, attend events, reach out to other attorneys, and become active members of their legal communities. He explains why criminal defense in particular is a relationship-driven practice, where reputation, trust, and genuine connections can lead to opportunities and referrals. In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Matt Kroes offers an entertaining and candid look at criminal defense, trial strategy, relationships, and the unpredictable experiences that come with practicing law. His advice for young lawyers is straightforward: work hard, stay persistent, build real relationships, and get involved in the legal community.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

4.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

85

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.