"Voices of Indianapolis" brings you captivating conversations with the people shaping our city. From local leaders and innovators to community activists and everyday heroes, we explore the diverse perspectives and inspiring stories that make Indianapolis a vibrant and dynamic place to live.Listen in as we delve into:Local politics and policy: Hear from elected officials, policy experts, and community advocates on the issues that matter most to Indianapolis.Community impact: Discover the work of non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and grassroots movements making a positive difference in our city.Arts and culture: Explore the rich tapestry of Indianapolis's creative scene, featuring interviews with artists, musicians, and cultural leaders.Education and innovation: Learn about the exciting initiatives transforming education, fostering innovation, and preparing our young people for the future.Voices of Indianapolis is your window into the heart and soul of our city. Join us for insightful conversations that will inspire, inform, and connect you to the vibrant community that surrounds you.
Don’t Wait for Permission: Redefining Education with Don Wettrick
"The world doesn't need more compliant workers; it needs more innovative thinkers."
For the latest episode of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis, we are honored to sit down with a true trailblazer in the world of education: Don Wettrick.
Don is the founder of the STARTed UP Foundation and a world-renowned advocate for student-led innovation. In this episode, we dive deep into the philosophy that transformed a high school classroom into a global movement. Don shares why it is vital for students to stop waiting for permission to be great and start taking ownership of their own learning today.
This episode is a milestone for our program. As part of a multi-week intensive project, the students of our PPHS Audio/Visual program handled every aspect of this production: from researching Don’s extensive career in entrepreneurship to building our first professional multi-camera video set and managing the final edit.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- The origin of the "Genius Hour" and how it empowers student voice.
- The mission of the STARTed UP Foundation to foster an "Innovator's Mindset."
- Why Indianapolis is a unique hub for young entrepreneurs and creators.
- Advice for teachers and students on navigating failure and building resilience.
Whether you are an educator looking to spark innovation in your classroom or a student ready to build your own future, this conversation with Don Wettrick is your roadmap.
Student Production Credits:
Lead Researchers: Luke Knutson
Audio Engineer: Natalie Neri Toledo
Camera Ops & Set Design: Annie Trent, Jayden Crowe, Jacob Johnson
Post-Production/Editing: Luke Knutson & Natalie Neri Toledo
Learn more about Don’s work at: startedupfoundation.org Subscribe to support student-run media and join the conversation about the future of Indy!
#DonWettrick #TheGeniusHour #VoicesOfIndianapolis #STARTedUP #EducationInnovation #StudentVoice #PPHS #Entrepreneurship #IndyCreators #WorkBasedLearning #Indianapolis #AudioVisualCTE
17 Apr 2026
The Courage to Fail: Ava Wettrick on Building Resilience and the Art of the Question
"You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable."
In this episode of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis, our student hosts Annie and Nat sit down with a powerhouse of the next generation: Ava Wettrick. At just 24 years old, Ava has already built a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of growth.
Ava’s journey started with a shift in mindset. Through the Innovation Classroom, she learned to view problems not as obstacles, but as opportunities. A lifelong athlete—competing in swimming, weightlifting, and rugby—she discusses how sports provided the foundation for her work ethic and why she remains a fierce advocate for youth athletics.
Now working alongside her father, the legendary Don Wettrick, at the STARTed UP Foundation, Ava reflects on the unique upbringing that shaped her. She shares how her parents’ focus on autonomy and intellectual stimulation gave her the confidence to start her own podcast, network with global entrepreneurs, and eventually become a writer and producer for major industry shows.
In this deep dive, Ava and our students discuss:
The Art of the Interview: Why listening and engagement are more important than the questions on your paper.
Failing Forward: How "ruining" conversations and being okay with "sucking at stuff" at first is the only way to get better.
The Power of the Pivot: Moving from a student researcher to a professional producer and traveler.
Intentional Community: The importance of surrounding yourself with people who both love you and challenge your priorities.
The Mental Game: Why activities like rock climbing are essential for building mental toughness.
Ava offers a masterclass in people skills and life advice, pushing our students to consider their priorities and embrace the "pay" of the world through experience. Whether you’re a student, an educator, or a young professional, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on how to navigate the modern world.
Student Production Credits:
Interviewers: Annie and Nat
Production & Audio: PPHS Lab A/V Team
Subscribe to support student-led media and hear more stories from the voices making Indianapolis—and the world—a more innovative place.
#AvaWettrick #TheGeniusHour #VoicesOfIndianapolis #PPHS #STARTedUP #Innovation #StudentVoice #Networking #Resilience #PodcastLife #IndianapolisCreators
20 Jan 2026
Investing in the Future: Ryan Murray on Teacher Immersions and Industry Intentionality
How do we truly prepare students for a future that is constantly evolving? In this episode of The Genius Hour: Voices of Indianapolis, our host (and PPHS AV teacher) Jeff Edge sits down with Ryan Murray, Project Specialist at the Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC), to discuss a groundbreaking initiative: the TIE-IN program (Teacher Industry Experiences in Indiana).
A partnership between CIESC and the Department of Education, TIE-IN was designed to bridge the gap between education and industry. Ryan, a former STEM teacher who transitioned out of the classroom to drive larger-scale impact, shares how he curated immersive, all-day shadowing experiences for educators across the state. We discuss our 2025 journey through the program: visits to WTHR, Visit Indy, Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indiana Fever), and MISO. Ryan's work, as well as the incredible logistical work done by Jessica Martin, made 40+ statewide events possible through the TIE-IN program.
The conversation dives deep into the shifting landscape of Indiana’s talent pool. Ryan highlights how forward-thinking organizations like Endress+Hauser, Gaylor Electric, and MISO are no longer waiting for post-graduation; they are investing in skill-building and talent-identifying from a young age.
We also tackle the "Soft Skills Gap." While schools are traditionally built to assess technical proficiency, industries are sending a clear message: We can teach the technical skills, but we need you to teach the soft skills. From the future of AI in broadcasting to the necessity of intentional collaboration, this episode is a must-listen for educators, industry leaders, and students alike.
Student Credits:
Audio Engineer: Nat
Producer: Annie
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 21 / 100
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Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
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Engagement
60
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