Indy Unplugged

Season 2, Episode 1: Season 2 of the City of Indianola's official podcast, Indy Unplugged, is here, and it kicks off with a deep dive into the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

In this episode, residents get an inside look at how the FY27 budget was developed, the teamwork that shaped it and what the community can expect as the new fiscal year begins July 1, 2026. Featured guests include Mayor Steve Richardson, City Manager Jacob Meshke and Finance Director/City Clerk Jackie Raffety. Together, they break down the City’s budget priorities, highlight key wins and challenges and explain how Indianola is planning responsibly for the future.

The conversation aims to make the budgeting process transparent and reinforce trust in how taxpayer resources are managed. Fast-forward to a specific section:

00:00: Intro

00:44: Welcome

02:52: Setting The Stage About City Budgets

06:20: The Budget Journey: How We Got Here

13:38: Key Decisions & Their Impact

23:12: FY27 Wins & Investments

36:08: What Residents Should Know Going Into FY27

48:46: Closing Thoughts

To access more Indianola budget information and the resources mentioned in the episode, please visit the City of Indianola website at https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/1154/Indianola-Budget-Information.

To learn more about Indy Unplugged, find more information online at https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/1195/Indy-Unplugged-Podcast.

Season 1, Episode 18: In this episode of Indy Unplugged, Indianola Main Street Executive Director Erica Roberts joins us and discusses a variety of exciting topics, such as:
 

Previewing Downtown Dough Day on August 7 – an innovative incentive where up to $60,000 will be spent at local businesses in the downtown district.

Looking ahead to Indianola Main Street's annual fundraiser, dinner and celebration on August 21.

Highlighting the community events happening later this year that it organizes including Wine, Witches and Brew as well as Home for the Holidays.

Providing updates and developments from the organization as it completes its first year as a Main Street community.

 
Fast-forward to a specific topic covered:

00:00: Intro

00:42: Welcome

01:47: On Looking Back to Early Beginning

02:43: Downtown Dough Initiative

10:00: On Upcoming Annual Dinner & Celebration

12:23: On Other Upcoming Events

15:00: On Downtown Facade Improvements

17:36: Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

 

To learn more about Indianola Main Street, its upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, please visit: https://indianolamainstreet.com/

 

To view an interactive map of the revitalization efforts of the Indianola Downtown Square, please visit: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1c182100d2b840589078ecd8cde28a14

Season 1, Episode 17: Ty Tannatt of the Disc Golf Pro Tour and the City of Indianola’s Chief of Culture and Recreation, Doug Bylund, join Indy Unplugged to explore the evolution of the Pickard Park Disc Golf Course into one of the premier disc golf destinations in the world. The pair also preview this year’s Discmania Challenge, presented by Trubank, which is slated for June 27-29. Grab a disc, step up to the tee and listen!
 
Fast-forward to a specific topic covered:

00:00: Intro

00:42: Welcome

01:50: On Early Disc Golf Beginnings

10:52: On Volunteer Impact

13:58: On Evolution of Pickard Park & Disc Golf Course

20:53: On Connection of Event to Community Draw & Collaboration

26:28: On Previewing 2025 Discmania Challenge

35:40: On This Year’s Competitors

38:36: On Ultimate Goals for Discmania Challenge & Pickard Park Course

43:20: On How to Get Involved

49:05: On How to Stay Connected

50:01: Final Thoughts & Closing

To learn more about the Discmania Challenge, please visit: https://www.dgpt.com/event/2025-discmania-challenge/

To learn more about the Pickard Park Disc Golf Course, please visit: https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/facilities/facility/details/Disc-Golf-28

Season 1, Episode 16: In this special episode of Indy Unplugged, we welcome new city manager Jacob Meshke, who joined the City of Indianola on Wednesday, May 28. In this episode, Jacob shares his professional journey from his early beginnings in city government. He also discusses what drew him to Indianola, what excites him about being part of the team and his approach for guiding Indianola into its next chapter.

Find more information online: https://www.indianolaiowa.gov/1195/Indy-Unplugged-Podcast

Season 1, Episode 15: Amanda Zwanziger and Haley Swanson with the Indianola Chamber of Commerce join Indy Unplugged for a dynamic conversation about how strategic community experiences fuel local growth and vibrancy.
 
With the Dad’s Rock Festival debuting on Saturday, June 14, a new twist to the Chamber’s Summer Nights Live concert series, Amanda and Haley share how this exciting, action-packed event will support local businesses and showcase Indianola as a go-to destination. The episode also highlights the Chamber’s ongoing efforts to promote Indianola through the Experience Indianola tourism initiative, regional co-op marketing campaigns and digital passports, among other tactics, designed to attract visitors, elevate local experiences and create increased visibility throughout the city, across Warren County and beyond.
 
Additionally, listeners will gain insight insight into how the Chamber advocates for local businesses, cultivates a strong sense of place and builds lasting connections between commerce, tourism and community pride.
 
Fast-forward to a specific topic covered:

00:00: Intro

00:42: Welcome

01:40: On Dad’s Rock Festival

11:45: On Experience Indianola & Tourism Initiatives

17:00: On Impact of Tourism for Communities

20:09: On New Digital Passport Program

23:58: On Joys of the Job

29:50: On Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making

31:53: On Power of Community Partner Collaboration

33:03: On Flurry of Upcoming Indianola Summer Events

34:07: Final Thoughts & Closing

To learn more about Dad’s Rock Festival, please visit: https://experienceindianola.com/dads-rock/.
 
To volunteer for the event, please email haley@indianolachamber.com.
 
To learn more about Experience Indianola, please visit: https://experienceindianola.com/
 
To learn more about Iowa Getaway, please visit: https://iowagetaway.com/
 
To learn more about the Indianola Chamber of Commerce, please visit: https://www.indianolachamber.com/