- 19
- Episodes
- 20
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Playmakers with Dave Calabro
IBJ Media's Playmakers With Dave Calabro features behind-the-scenes conversations with athletes, coaches, executives and leaders connected to Indiana sports. Host Dave Calabro spent 32 years in local TV sports and continues as a track announcer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each episode digs into the turning points, pressure and decisions behind the wins, plus what these playmakers do beyond the spotlight. New episodes publish twice a month. Presented by Indiana Members Credit Union.
- Publisher
- IBJ Media
- Category
- sports
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 13 Feb 2026
- Latest episode
- 2 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
2 Oct 2026
Gregg Doyel on Sportswriting, Faith and the Colts
Gregg Doyel has built a career by seeing sports differently, and the IndyStar sports columnist explains how that instinct shaped decades of reporting and commentary. Doyel tells Playmakers host Dave Calabro how reading the Sunday sports page with his father led to a ninth-grade teacher suggesting sportswriting as a career. He recalls answering phones at a newspaper in Macon, freelancing while attending the University of Florida, covering the Florida Marlins for the Miami Herald, and eventually becoming a national columnist before coming to Indianapolis. The conversation turns to what it means to write opinions people disagree with. Doyel rejects the idea that columnists manufacture outrage for clicks and explains why credibility depends on believing what you publish. He also describes how he searches for stories away from the biggest media crowds, including a recent idea connecting Colts receiver Alec Pierce with another downfield target. Doyel reflects on memorable assignments, including writing about Tyler Trent, a Father's Day story inspired by a basketball goal he repeatedly passed along Interstate 74, and an early UFC assignment that led him to try boxing himself. He also talks about his Christian faith and recent baptism, then closes with his outlook on the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers as both teams try to rebound with key players returning. Playmakers is brought to you by IBJ Media and presented by Indiana Members Credit Union.
18 Sept 2026
Reggie Wayne on the Colts, Hall of Fame and His Coaching Future
Reggie Wayne never planned to coach. Calling preseason plays for the Colts gave him butterflies he had not felt since retiring. The Indianapolis Colts wide receivers coach sits down with Playmakers host Dave Calabro to discuss teaching young players, Daniel Jones' leadership and whether a head coaching job could be next. Wayne explains why former Colts coach Frank Reich finally persuaded him to return and how Chris Ballard helped him understand that not every receiver can do what he did. He also looks back on losing his brother, Rashad, months before winning the Super Bowl, and the humility that came with that loss. Wayne says being available for his teammates matters more to him than touchdowns, catches or receiving yards. He discusses his Hall of Fame wait without bitterness and why the respect of his teammates means more than a gold jacket. The conversation covers raising four sons without pushing them into sports, the work ethic he learned from his parents, his loyalty to Miami and what NIL would have meant for his college teammates. Wayne also assesses the Colts' experienced receiving group and the urgency of reaching the playoffs while veteran players still have a chance to win. Playmakers is from IBJ Media and brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. https://www.imcu.com/
4 Sept 2026
Colts 2026 Outlook With Radio Analyst Charles Arbuckle
Indianapolis Colts 2026 expectations take center stage as Charles Arbuckle sizes up the quarterback room, new weapons and a defense that must improve on third down. The former Colts tight end and new Colts radio analyst tells Playmakers host Dave Calabro why Indianapolis still feels like a second home, from his arrival in the early 1990s to the locker room personalities that shaped his playing career. Arbuckle recalls the pain of being released during the 1995 season, the identity shift that followed retirement and how broadcasting and a long career in the pharmaceutical industry gave him a new direction after football. He also breaks down the roster he will cover alongside Matt Taylor. Arbuckle discusses Daniel Jones' return, Anthony Richardson Sr.'s progress, Jonathan Taylor and the running game, the impact of Keenan Allen, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren, and the need for more consistent pressure and third-down defense. He shares what he has seen from DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., Justin Walley and Cam Bynum, and explains why reaching the playoffs is the standard for success. The conversation closes with Arbuckle's view of Carlie Irsay-Gordon's hands-on leadership and the community culture carried forward by the Colts organization, plus how his years in college football broadcasting prepared him for a full season back in the Indianapolis booth. Playmakers is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union - www.imcu.com
21 Aug 2026
Chris Ballard on the Colts' 2026 Season and Books for Youth
Chris Ballard puts the Indianapolis Colts' Books for Youth work alongside a candid look at adoption, Daniel Jones' recovery and a pivotal 2026 season. The Colts general manager talks with Playmakers host Dave Calabro at Grand Park about why foster youth have become a lasting focus for his family. Ballard and his wife, Kristin, describe how becoming foster certified and adopting two daughters reshaped their family, and why books can give children both ownership and a new window into what is possible. Steve Fugate of Cargo Services explains how the Books for Youth effort grew from the experience of a foster child who received a box of books. He says the program has reached 11,580 children and now extends to graduation celebrations for young people aging out of foster care. The conversation then turns to football. Ballard says quarterback Daniel Jones has looked strong after surgery and credits the quarterback's work during recovery. He also discusses owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon's hands-on approach to learning football, the pressure surrounding the franchise, the goal of winning the division and making a long playoff run, and a younger defense that he expects to play more aggressively. Ballard says community events help keep the pressure of the NFL in perspective. For him, the work with foster families and the push to build a winner in Indianapolis are both part of giving everything he has to the job. Playmakers with Dave Calabro is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union and is part of IBJ Media. - https://www.imcu.com/
7 Aug 2026
Matt Taylor, the voice of the Indianapolis Colts, on the 2026 Colts: Playoff Urgency, Daniel Jones and Chris Ballard
Indianapolis Colts training camp arrives with playoff pressure, Daniel Jones returning from an Achilles injury and a roster facing urgent questions on both sides of the ball. Matt Taylor, the voice of the Indianapolis Colts, gives Dave Calabro his assessment of the 2026 team after an 8-2 start ended in seven straight losses and another missed postseason. Taylor explains why the organization believes the early-season offense can return, what Jones showed during spring work, how Anthony Richardson Sr. has handled his trade request, and where the receiving corps must replace Michael Pittman Jr. The conversation also focuses on a defense entering camp with new leaders and uncertainty along the defensive line. Taylor discusses the pressure on Chris Ballard, the need to finish one-score games, and whether Sauce Gardner and the secondary can buy time for a young pass rush. Before the season preview, Taylor traces his path from answering phones for high school score reports to becoming the Colts' radio play-by-play voice. He recalls taking over on short notice for his first NFL broadcast, learning from Indiana broadcasting legends, and managing the preparation required for Sundays while raising a young family. He also explains how team-employed media can remain objective by grounding criticism in reporting and facts. Playmakers with Dave Calabro is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union - https://www.imcu.com/
17 Jul 2026
"Let 'Em Hear Ya": Joey Mulinaro on Sports Impressions and an Indie Comedy Career
Joey Mulinaro turned sports impressions into a national comedy career, beginning with an Andrew Luck voice that made him recognizable around Indianapolis Colts practices. The Indianapolis comedian and creator tells Dave Calabro how a childhood love of making family members laugh led from Roncalli High School to Ball State University, then home to the University of Indianapolis. A television writing class redirected him from play-by-play broadcasting toward characters, sketches and comedy, followed by an internship at The BOB & TOM Show and long shifts in local radio while he searched for a break. Mulinaro explains how teaming with Benedict Polizzi produced early online sketches, why Andrew Luck's retirement forced him to find a new signature impression, and how a Thanksgiving video featuring Nick Saban reached a national audience. He also demonstrates the voices of Saban, Coach O and Patrick Mahomes while explaining his three-part creative formula: a topical subject, a distinctive voice or mannerism, and a clear comedic hook. The conversation covers the business behind digital comedy, including brand partnerships, contract approvals and the uneven rhythm of creator income. Mulinaro also discusses the challenge of stand-up comedy, his need to prove he can hold a live audience, the THESE GUYS! podcast, and the new material he finds in raising two children. Playmakers with Dave Calabro is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union.
3 Jul 2026
Pat Boylan on Caitlin Clark, the Fever's Title Odds, and the Pacers
Pat Boylan, the play-by-play voice of the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, makes the case for why this Fever team can win a WNBA championship and breaks down what makes Caitlin Clark unlike any athlete he has covered in 12 seasons. Boylan details Clark's on-court competitiveness and self-awareness, compares her media presence to Peyton Manning, and explains why Stephanie White's coaching history gives him confidence in the Fever's second-half potential. He also addresses the Alyssa Thomas incident from the Phoenix Mercury game, the dynamic between Clark and White, and which Fever player has surprised him most this season. On the Pacers, Boylan discusses Tyrese Haliburton's road back from an Achilles injury, the Ivica Zubac acquisition, and what Braden Smith can learn from Haliburton and T.J. McConnell. He also shares the story of the wildest day of his career: waking up in sweatpants at a Saturday morning radio show, then calling a Pacers game at Madison Square Garden that same night after Chris Denari was hospitalized. Boylan grew up in Carmel, Indiana, listening to Mark Boyle and Chris Denari on the radio, interned at local TV stations, attended Ball State University, and paid his dues doing play-by-play in Bismarck, North Dakota before landing with Pacers Sports and Entertainment at age 24. Playmakers is hosted by Dave Calabro and brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. - www.imcu.com
19 Jun 2026
Amp Harris on Indiana Black Expo, Michael Jordan and Resilience
Amp Harris has spent decades at the intersection of Indianapolis community life and celebrity culture, and his story is far more complex than his famous connections suggest. The promoter, DJ, radio host and founder of the Amp Harris Foundation traces a path from witnessing family tragedy at age 13 to giving toys and resources to more than 18,000 children through his annual holiday drive. Harris discusses his role behind the scenes at the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, scheduled for July 16 through 19 at IU Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis. This year's outdoor concert lineup includes Indiana native October London, Southern Soul artist King George, and funk group Midnight Star, marking the group's 50th anniversary. Additional programming includes a health fair with more than $4,000 in free screenings, a youth basketball showcase, an education conference featuring Hill Harper, and a corporate luncheon with Oscar-winning actor Delroy Lindo. Tickets and information are available at summercelebration.net. Harris also reflects on growing up in Indianapolis, being bused to Decatur Central High School in the mid-1980s, his early activism alongside mentor attorney Inyufu Bert Elmore, and the faith his mother modeled through unimaginable loss. He shares a candid account of Michael Jordan's relentless competitiveness at a pool table and card game decades ago, and explains why mutual respect, not proximity to fame, has defined his relationships with athletes including Reggie Miller, Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne. Playmakers is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. - https://www.imcu.com/business
5 Jun 2026
Colts Great Gary Brackett on the Super Bowl, Loss, and Life After the NFL
Gary Brackett walked onto the Rutgers football team, went undrafted, and became a Super Bowl champion and captain of the Indianapolis Colts. His path there cost him more than most people know. Brackett lost his mother, father, and brother within 17 months while fighting to establish himself in the NFL. In this conversation with host Dave Calabro, he talks about how grief nearly led him to quit football, what kept him going, and what he took away from the Colts' Super Bowl XLI victory over the Chicago Bears, including Devin Hester's opening kickoff return and what it felt like the morning after winning it all. Brackett also opens up about life after football: earning his MBA, building a restaurant group that reached 10 locations, and watching COVID-19 force him to close it down in 2020. He reframes that experience not as losing millions of dollars, but as gaining millions in experience, and makes a direct case for why failure is a prerequisite for growth. Now focused on co-parenting his three children and coaching his 14-year-old son in football, Brackett reflects on what it means to lead off the field after a career defined by leadership on it. Gary Brackett played linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts from 2003 to 2011, serving as team captain and setting a Super Bowl record with 12 solo tackles in Super Bowl XLI. Playmakers is hosted by Dave Calabro and produced by IBJ Media. Subscribe on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. Send episode ideas to dcalabro1981@gmail.com. The podcast is sponsored by Indiana Members Credit Union. Learn more at https://www.imcu.com/
22 May 2026
Mark Jaynes, Voice of the 500, on 30 Years Calling the Indy 500
Mark Jaynes has called the Indianapolis 500 for more than 30 years, and he still cannot sleep the night before the race. The "Voice of the 500" sits down with host Dave Calabro at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of the 110th running to discuss what it took to reach the most iconic seat in motorsports broadcasting. Jaynes traces his path from a small-town kid in Monrovia, Indiana, playing make-believe play-by-play in his living room to working alongside legends like Bob Jenkins, Paul Page, and Gary Lee on the IndyCar Radio Network. He explains how he manages a live broadcast heard on hundreds of stations and across satellite and streaming platforms worldwide, from directing turn announcers to coordinating pit reporters without a single cue light. He also shares what his wife asked him after his very first race in 1996, why he still cannot put a price on the job, and which drivers he was watching heading into race day, including Alex Palou, Helio Castroneves, Pato O'Ward, and a dark-horse pick that could make for one of the race's best stories. Jaynes was inducted into the IndyCar Hall of Fame in 2024. He also teaches at Midlothian High School and has used his broadcasting career to open doors for his students. Playmakers is hosted by Dave Calabro and brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. - https://www.imcu.com/business
15 May 2026
Helio Castroneves on the Drive for a Historic Fifth Indy 500 Win
Helio Castroneves, the four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, explains why he believes he can become the first five-time winner in the race's 110-year history. Sitting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway days before the 110th running, Castroneves lays out what separates this year's attempt from previous ones and what keeps him competitive at 51. Castroneves reflects on the federal tax evasion case that put him in a courtroom in handcuffs one month before the 2009 race, only to return and win the pole and the race. He also discusses muscle memory, daily training, the mental focus required to compete at the Speedway, and his future as a co-owner of Meyer Shank Racing. Host Dave Calabro also gets Castroneves to share the behind-the-scenes story of his first fence climb in 2001, a fun fact about grabbing the wrong cable that he says almost nobody knows, and a candid conversation about fatherhood, his 16-year-old daughter Michaela, and the nephew he hopes will carry on the Castroneves racing legacy. Playmakers is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. Learn more at https://www.imcu.com/personal/auto-loans-leases.
8 May 2026
Conor Daly on the Indy 500, Leading Laps and Chasing the Milk
Conor Daly has led laps, finished top 10 five times and come agonizingly close to winning the Indianapolis 500. Now he returns to Dreyer and Reinbold Racing for another shot at the biggest prize in motorsport.The IndyCar driver breaks down what it takes to succeed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a one-off entry, why qualifying weekend is the most nerve-wracking part of the month and how the final third of the race becomes a simpler equation than most fans realize. He also reflects on growing up at the track as the son of Derek Daly, his early karting days alongside Joseph Newgarden, and what winning the 500 would mean for an Indiana kid who has spent his entire life chasing it.Daly also addresses the state of IndyCar's growth, the importance of bump day, Fox Sports' impact on viewership, and why he believes drivers need to open their lives to cameras the way Formula 1 stars have embraced Drive to Survive. Plus, he talks about his podcast, Speed Street, produced under Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Dirty Mo Media banner.Playmakers is presented by IBJ Media and brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. Learn more at https://www.imcu.com.
1 May 2026
Alex Palou on Winning the Indy 500 and Chasing More
Alex Palou, the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion, reflects on what it felt like to finally win the world's greatest race and why that victory only made him hungrier. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver discusses the emotions of crossing the start-finish line, the moment his mechanics broke down in tears, and what it was like to stand on top of the pace truck with his family as 250,000 fans cheered from the grandstands. Palou also opens up about life off the track: fatherhood, why Indianapolis has become home despite the weather, and how his daughter has a way of putting a bad race finish in perspective. With three wins in the first five races of the 2026 season, the Spanish driver explains why pressure never goes away and what it would take for him to feel like he has truly made it in motorsport. Dave Calabro sits down with Palou inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where the championship-winning car and Palou's likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy are on permanent display during May. Playmakers is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union. - https://www.imcu.com/
17 Apr 2026
Kyle Hupfer on ScatterGun Lodge, Indiana Politics, and Hard Work
Kyle Hupfer built a career spanning law, Republican politics, and business before purchasing ScatterGun Lodge, a 2,200-acre pheasant hunting operation in South Dakota, in 2025. He talks with host Dave Calabro about what drew him to the property, his plans to grow the lodge, and why he believes land is one of the most reliable long-term investments a person can make. Hupfer traces his path from working on Mitch Daniels' gubernatorial campaign to running the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, serving seven years as Indiana Republican State Chairman, and taking on the role of General Counsel for the Republican National Committee. Along the way, he reflects on what Daniels and former Gov. Eric Holcomb taught him about leadership, and why he describes hard work, not ingenuity, as the defining factor behind most people's success. Hupfer also discusses his playing days at Pendleton Heights, his time at Manchester University under coach Steve Alford, and the lessons from competitive athletics that still shape how he thinks about business and parenting. He talks candidly about running for the Indiana State House and losing, and why he treats setbacks as data points rather than defining moments. ScatterGun Lodge hosts corporate and private groups for full-service pheasant hunts on property that includes nearly a million planted trees. Hupfer says bookings for the season fill quickly. More information is available at scattergunlodge.com. Learn more about Indiana Members Credit Union at https://www.imcu.com/business
3 Apr 2026
Adam Vinatieri on the Hall of Fame, Super Bowls and IndyCar
Adam Vinatieri reflects on his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, the kicks that defined an era, and his new venture as an IndyCar team owner. The greatest kicker in NFL history sat down with host Dave Calabro at a race shop in Carmel, Indiana, to discuss a career that spanned 24 seasons, four Super Bowl championships, and some of the most pressure-filled moments in football history. Vinatieri revisits the 2001 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Raiders, known as the Tuck Rule Game, where he drilled a field goal through heavy snow to keep the Patriots alive. He also recalls winning Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts, beating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game along the way, and what that victory meant to the city of Indianapolis. Off the field, Vinatieri opens up about co-owning an IndyCar team with the goal of winning the Indianapolis 500, coaching his sons at Zionsville High School, and the preparation habits that made him one of the most clutch performers in NFL history. He also shares what it was like to get that Hall of Fame knock on the door after falling short in his first year of eligibility. Playmakers is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union: https://www.imcu.com/personal/auto-loans-leases
27 Mar 2026
Don Fischer on 53 Years as the Voice of the Indiana Hoosiers
Don Fischer has called Indiana Hoosiers games for 53 years, from a chaotic first broadcast to a football national championship. The longtime play-by-play announcer reflects on the moments that defined his career and the program's transformation. Fischer traces his unlikely path to the broadcast booth, from factory work and railroad night shifts to a correspondence course ad in the back of a sports magazine that changed his life. He recalls his first game calling Indiana football under Lee Corso, his famously awkward first meeting with Bob Knight, and what made the 1976 undefeated national championship team so remarkable. He also addresses Indiana basketball's current rebuild under Darian DeVries, explaining why the roster's mid-major backgrounds make the Big Ten grind especially difficult this season. On football, Fischer is direct: Curt Cignetti is the best coach in the country, and he knew it after watching one spring practice. Fischer credits the NIL era and transfer portal for making the program's rapid rise possible, and he sees no reason to stop calling games. This podcast is brought to you by Indiana Members Credit Union - https://www.imcu.com/personal/mortgage 0:00 Introduction 0:45 Calling Indiana University of Indiana 2:10 How Fischer Got Into Broadcasting 4:00 Railroad Night Shifts to Radio Career 5:45 Landing the IU Play-by-Play Job 7:00 Lee Corso's First Game at Indiana 8:30 The 1976 Undefeated Championship Run 9:45 First Meeting With Bob Knight 12:00 Fischer's Impact on Hoosier Fans 13:30 Indiana Basketball's Current Rebuild 15:45 The Football Championship Run 17:30 Recognizing Curt Cignetti's Potential Early 19:00 Fondest Memory After 53 Years
18 Mar 2026
Tamika Catchings on the 2012 WNBA Title, Caitlin Clark, Kobe Bryant and Life After Basketball
WNBA legend Tamika Catchings joins host Dave Calabro for the first episode of IBJ Media's Playmakers at Tea's Me tea shop in Indianapolis to reflect on her decorated career, including the Indiana Fever's 2012 WNBA championship, four Olympic gold medals and her time as Players Association president. Catchings discusses her friendship with Kobe Bryant, her hearing impairment and how Coach Pat Summitt helped her embrace it, and her thoughts on the current Fever roster and Caitlin Clark. She also talks about owning Tea's Me, hiring more than 200 young people since 2018, and her work with the Catch the Stars Foundation. Presented by Indiana Members Credit Union. Learn more at https://www.imcu.com/business/
20 Feb 2026
Dave Calabro joins IBJ Media with new podcast, Playmakers
IBJ Media owner and CEO Nate Feltman is joined by Dave Calabro to announce a new podcast hosted by the longtime Indiana sports broadcaster. Calabro joins IBJ Media to tell the stories behind the stories, featuring in-depth conversations with sports icons, business leaders and recognizable names in Indiana sports. Episodes will focus on pivotal career moments, life beyond the game and the people behind the headlines. New episodes will be published twice a month.
13 Feb 2026
Introducing IBJ Media's Playmakers with Dave Calabro
IBJ Media's Playmakers With Dave Calabro features behind-the-scenes conversations with athletes, coaches, executives and leaders connected to Indiana sports. Host Dave Calabro spent 32 years in local TV sports and continues as a track announcer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each episode digs into the turning points, pressure and decisions behind the wins, plus what these playmakers do beyond the spotlight. New episodes publish twice a month.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 9 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 11 ratings
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