Meeting Muncie

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Meeting Muncie

A podcast hosting conversations with the people who make Muncie truly unique. Hosted by Jonathan Balmer.

For more information see: https://jonathanbalmer.com/about/

01/13/2024

Hey, your friendly neighborhood podcast host, Jonathan, here! My wife and daughter and I had our own little family today.

We stopped by Sunny Side Up for breakfast. Kendall really enjoyed her spinach and tomato quiche which came with a side of mixed green salad, and she ordered potatoes to go with it.

Moira Jane got a new book "How do Dinosaurs say Good Night?" from Ink Drinkers Anonymous Bookstore — new location next to Savage's opened today.

And then "Dad" (me 🫡) got sliders from the new Comets Downtown on our way home — love the sliders and the seasoning on the fries. Super easy to order online for pick-up too.

It's cold outside but these new local spots are working hard! Support them as you can!

12/27/2023

Dr. Andy Shears of the Muncie Map Co. on what makes Muncie unique.

Check out our latest episode, and last in our first year as a podcast, here.

A great conversation with insights on Muncie's past, and current, identity.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dr--Andy-Shears-Muncie-Map-Company-e2dmpn5

11/07/2023

Today is election day!

Check out our episodes with both Mayoral candidates. Links below.

If you're eligible, do your research and go vote! Polls are open until 6 p.m.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dan-Ridenour-Mayor-e22c2q4

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Jeff-Robinson-City-Council-President-e22vbvn

11/04/2023

With freezing temperatures on their way, a lot of people in our community are going to need assistance. Even if this isn't you, please consider listening and sharing this week's episode staring Jeannetta Presley and Leslie Griffin as we go over and list local resources that could potentially affect you and your family, from food pantries to Icap we try to cover it all. Feel free to also comment and list other resources you know as well, and again please help share these resources, you never know who might be in need.

11/01/2023

Ask your smart speaker to play "Meeting Muncie" and hear the recently released conversation with Sasha Donati of Legacy Village West African Cuisine !

10/31/2023

New episode out now!

Check it out wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn all about Legacy Village West African Cuisine and Chef and Owner Sasha Donati's philosophy on food and life!

Their dining room opened just this last September, so this is one of Muncie's newer local restaurants.

My wife and I went with my sister-in-law when she last visited Muncie and we enjoyed ourselves!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Sasha-Donati-Legacy-Village-West-African-Cuisine-e2b9obd

10/15/2023

We had fun at the Ross Community Center, Inc. Art and Gift fair yesterday!

08/05/2023

Downtown Muncie Fire Up DWNTWN 2023!
Jonathan Balmer and Kendall Ellis love Muncie downtown!

08/01/2023

Raising Cane's in Muncie has their grand opening today on McGalliard road!
So good and lots of outside seating.

07/28/2023

Meeting Muncie is taking a break for the Summer but I'm still having a great time enjoying Muncie.

Friends are visiting from Huntington, Indiana. Enjoying a meal and live music at Elm Street tonight!

05/12/2023

See episode here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Bibi-Bahrami-AWAKEN-INC-e23u0pn

Did you know: An article by Bibi Bahrami in The Star Press that Jonathan Balmer saw while using old newspaper as makeshift tissue paper for a gift began the inspiration for this podcast?As he was using the article to stuff a "white elephant" gift, Jonathan Balmer read Bibi's words about recent Afghan refugees in Muncie making Muncie their home and thought: "I just moved to Muncie. They just moved to Muncie under very different circumstances. It would be really interesting to talk to this woman about what has made Muncie a unique place to call home."

And the idea for "Meeting Muncie" was born!

While Bibi indirectly inspired Meeting Muncie, it's now, at the show's 7th episode that she is a guest on the show!

Bibi Bahrami is the founder of Awaken Inc (Afghan Women And Kid's Education & Necessities); an American citizen originally from Afghanistan, Bibi met her husband Dr. Saber Bahrami in a refugee camp in Pakistan in the 1980s.

She came to Muncie during her husband's residency at Ball Memorial hospital, not knowing English she went from learning the English Alphabet to earning a degree from Ball State all right here in Muncie. We spoke on a variety of topics from refugee resettlement in Muncie to Mrs. Bahrami's involvement with a recent 2023 Oscar-nominated short documentary: "Stranger at the Gate," to the assumptions and adventures that come with being "visibly religious."

See podcast show notes for links of interest: such as links to AWAKEN's website, the documentary, and the article that was one of the inspirations behind "Meeting Muncie"!

04/28/2023

Had a great time at the Muncie Bridge dinner with friends!

Thanks to all who made it possible, including the hosts:
Muncie Action Plan
Downtown Muncie
Shafer Leadership Academy
Downtown Muncie
Ball State Office of Community Engagement
Polcz Volbrecht Homes at RE/MAX
Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County Campus
Words with Jas

AND the generous supporters
City of Muncie
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.
Walls Furniture
Woof Boom Radio

04/26/2023

Jeff Robinson on what makes Muncie unique and why he continues to make Muncie his home.

Listen to our full episode on major podcasting apps or tell your smart speaker "Play Meeting Muncie podcast!"

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Jeff-Robinson-City-Council-President-e22vbvn

04/25/2023

Jeff Robinson works in the nonprofit world, is on City Council, and is running to be mayor. But at Meeting Muncie we ask hard hitting questions like: "What profession would you want to try OTHER than those things?"

Make sure your sound is on for this clip, because City Council President Jeff Robinson has an answer.

Then, go to your favorite podcasting app or tell your smart speaker "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast" because we have an episode full of interesting stuff: Jeff Robinson on growing up in Muncie, restoring a Mustang with his Dad, and what profession (other than his own) he would like to try!

Or click link here!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Jeff-Robinson-City-Council-President-e22vbvn

Share with a friend and subscribe! And, as always, email [email protected] with any suggestions for who else we might interview.

04/19/2023

Mayor Dan Ridenour on Muncie's Unique Giving Spirit.
Listen to our full episode on major podcasting apps or tell your smart speaker "Play Meeting Muncie podcast!"
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dan-Ridenour-Mayor-e22c2q4https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dan-Ridenour-Mayor-e22c2q4

04/14/2023

At Meeting Muncie, we ask really hard hitting questions like:

- "What sound do you hate?"
Make sure your sound is on for this clip, because Mayor Dan Ridenour had an answer ready.

Then, go to your favorite podcasting app or tell your smart speaker "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast" because we have an episode full of interesting stuff: how Dan Ridenour became a Munsonian, his thought on what makes Muncie a truly giving community, and Southside development.

Or click link here!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dan-Ridenour-Mayor-e22c2q4

Share with a friend and subscribe! And, as always, email [email protected] with any suggestions for who else we might interview.

City of Muncie
Dan Ridenour

03/23/2023

Dr. Christina Blanch of Yeah Comics- Muncie went from doing NO online business to running exclusively online business in March of 2020. What's downtown business like now in 2023?

We talk about everything from what the "gutter" on comic pages are to the misconceptions people have about different forms of art, to what inspires Dr. Blanch to create (spoiler: her grandsons are part of that story!).

Share with friends, review the podcast on iTunes or Spotify, or even leave a voice message. If you know of someone I should interview for Meeting Muncie send us a message at [email protected].

Hope you enjoy this really fun conversation with a really interesting person -- one of many people you might meet in Muncie Indiana!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dr--Christina-Blanc-Aw-Yeah-Comics-e20sr0o

03/22/2023

Did you know the owner of Muncie's own Aw Yeah Comics- Muncie , Dr. Christina Blanch, has a painting of Columbo in her house?
OR that she's a published author of graphic novels and other comics?
OR that she taught in prisons for years?

We had a wonderful conversation about all things Downtown Muncie. Maybe you'll learn about a new hidden gem... if you listen that is.
But no matter what, I think you'll have fun getting to know Dr. Christina Blanch on this episode of Meeting Muncie.

Episode 3 out now: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dr--Christina-Blanc-Aw-Yeah-Comics-e20sr0o

03/06/2023

Episode 2 out now, on major podcast apps! Or tell your smart speaker: "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast."

bit.ly/MeetingMuncieEp2

"I feel like there's a pro-Muncie movement happening.

People who really do want to see Muncie re-think, re-imagine itself.

We know what we were in the last half of the 20th century.

And now we're trying to figure out what we are in the first half of the 21st century and it's something different."

- Mitch Isaacs
Executive Director
Shafer Leadership Academy

03/04/2023

Mitch Isaacs had an idea for sports fans to say what's really on their mind. Check out this preview of our conversation on this post (sound on!)

And while Mitchknows what he would want to do if he weren't Executive Director at Shafer Leadership Academy: pro sports color commentary, that's not all we talked about.

Episode 3 of Meeting Muncie releases this Monday: March 6th. It was a great conversation about what the Shafer Leadership Academy does and what makes Muncie unique.

Follow this page on socials and be on the lookout for our full Spring schedule! We have a great line-up of neighbors.

Until then, see you around town and don't be a stranger!

01/26/2023

Did you know, according to a recent survey, only 25% of people can name an influential person in their local community?*

Meeting Muncie is a podcast dedicated to finding out what it's like to live in Muncie in the 21st century. If you know someone local people should know, email us at [email protected] to recommend them.

And support our podcast by subscribing on your favorite podcasting app and sharing with a friend.

Or you can simply ask your smart speaker to "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast."

*source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20531680231152421

01/24/2023

Today's Downtown Muncie lunch spot: Chesterfield's Café at Ivy Tech Campus Muncie.

Delicious, affordable lunch bowls.

01/18/2023

SOMETHING MUST BE LOVED BEFORE IT BECOMES LOVABLE

"If men loved Pimlico [a neighborhood in London] as mothers love children, arbitrarily, because it is theirs, Pimlico in a year or two might be fairer than Florence. Some readers will say that this is mere fantasy.

I answer that this is the actual history of mankind. This, as a fact, is how cities did grow great. Go back to the darkest roots of civilization and you will find them knotted round some sacred stone or encircling some sacred well. People first paid honour to a spot and afterwards gained glory for it. Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her.”

― G.K. Chesterton

01/17/2023

In case you missed it! Episode 1 with Mike Martin of Common Market and Mike Martin & The Beautiful Mess is out now!

Tell your smart speaker to play "Meeting Muncie podcast" or check out the show on the major podcasting apps.

https://anchor.fm/meeting-muncie/episodes/Mike-Martin-Common-Market-e1tdtdi

01/13/2023

Episode 1 of "Meeting Muncie" out now on your favorite podcasting app, or simply ask your smart speaker to "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast" to listen to our full conversation.

Check out Common Market and Mike Martin & The Beautiful Mess. Link to support their music in the comments.

Leave a voice message at anchor.fm/meeting-muncie or e-mail the show at [email protected] with comments or suggestions for a Munsonian YOU think should be interviewed.

01/13/2023

Tell your smart speaker to play the "Meeting Muncie" podcast to listen to the latest episodes!

Introducing a new podcast interviewing the people who make Muncie truly unique!And I need YOUR help! E-mail MeetingMunci...

01/05/2023

Introducing a new podcast interviewing the people who make Muncie truly unique!

And I need YOUR help! E-mail [email protected] with recommendations for people who make our town unique who would be willing to be interviewed. I have (portable) podcast equipment and will travel!

No guarantees can be made on who will be interviewed. More information available upon request.

Very short bumper/ introduction out now:
https://anchor.fm/meeting-muncie/episodes/Introduction-e1t440r

Also on twitter and instagram as
https://twitter.com/meeting_muncie
https://instagram.com/meeting_muncie

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Muncie
Indiana

Website

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie

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Videos

Jeff Robinson works in the nonprofit world, is on City Council, and is running to be mayor. But at Meeting Muncie we ask hard hitting questions like: "What profession would you want to try OTHER than those things?" Make sure your sound is on for this clip, because City Council President Jeff Robinson has an answer. Then, go to your favorite podcasting app or tell your smart speaker "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast" because we have an episode full of interesting stuff: Jeff Robinson on growing up in Muncie, restoring a Mustang with his Dad, and what profession (other than his own) he would like to try! Or click link here! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Jeff-Robinson-City-Council-President-e22vbvn Share with a friend and subscribe! And, as always, email [email protected] with any suggestions for who else we might interview.

At Meeting Muncie, we ask really hard hitting questions like: - "What sound do you hate?" Make sure your sound is on for this clip, because Mayor Dan Ridenour had an answer ready. Then, go to your favorite podcasting app or tell your smart speaker "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast" because we have an episode full of interesting stuff: how Dan Ridenour became a Munsonian, his thought on what makes Muncie a truly giving community, and Southside development. Or click link here! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/meeting-muncie/episodes/Dan-Ridenour-Mayor-e22c2q4 Share with a friend and subscribe! And, as always, email [email protected] with any suggestions for who else we might interview. City of Muncie Dan Ridenour

Mitch Isaacs had an idea for sports fans to say what's really on their mind. Check out this preview of our conversation on this post (sound on!) And while Mitchknows what he would want to do if he weren't Executive Director at Shafer Leadership Academy: pro sports color commentary, that's not all we talked about. Episode 3 of Meeting Muncie releases this Monday: March 6th. It was a great conversation about what the Shafer Leadership Academy does and what makes Muncie unique. Follow this page on socials and be on the lookout for our full Spring schedule! We have a great line-up of neighbors. Until then, see you around town and don't be a stranger!

Can A Corner Store Bring Hope?

Episode 1 of "Meeting Muncie" out now on your favorite podcasting app, or simply ask your smart speaker to "Play Meeting Muncie Podcast" to listen to our full conversation. Check out Common Market and Mike Martin & The Beautiful Mess. Link to support their music in the comments. Leave a voice message at anchor.fm/meeting-muncie or e-mail the show at [email protected] with comments or suggestions for a Munsonian YOU think should be interviewed.