Shows / Pop of Culture
Pop of Culture
Pop of Culture explores the vibrant cultural scene of East Central Indiana. Join hosts Jennifer Blackmer, Michelle Kinsey, and Dr. Kara DuQuette as they delve into regional arts, showcase local events, and engage in insightful conversations with artists and curators. From small business spotlights to in-depth art analyses, Pop of Culture aims to amplify the voices of Indiana's artistic community, enriching lives with the diverse spirit of our state.
Episodes
Pop of CultureS02 E26 - We Tell the Half Truth
Pop of Culture is back for the second half of Season 2! This week, we chat with Jarrod Case and Jason Cooper of local band White Lies & The Half Truth. They'll…
Pop of CultureS02 E25 - We're Working On a Summer Vacation
It's Pop of Culture's 70th episode! To celebrate, we're listening back to some of our favorite answers to our favorite question: "What Are You Working On?" We…
Pop of CultureS02 E24 - We’re Outdoors?!
This week, we discuss upcoming outdoor events in ECI... from the climate-controlled safety of the Pop of Culture Studios. Tracy Manning (Executive and Artistic…
Pop of CultureS02 E23 - We Have Someone to Be
This week: comedian, cartoonist, writer, musician... the list goes on! Dan Wright entertains us with the stories behind his multifaceted career—including how…
Pop of CultureS02 E22 - We Have the Clay Olympics
This week, we sit down with local pottery legend John Peterson. In a podcast-exclusive extended conversation, he tells us how he came to Muncie, how he started…
Pop of CultureS2E21 - We Aim for the Stars and Land Among the Alligators
Pop of Culture is off this week, so we're listening back to some of our favorite summer adventures: Charles W. Brown Planetarium Director Dayna Thompson takes…
Pop of CultureS02 E20 - We Read and Write (Songs)
This week, we speak with Barrett Smith from Steep Canyon Rangers ahead of their performance at the Muncie Three Trails Music Series. He tells us what it's like…
Pop of CultureS02 E19 - We're Back in Bloom
This week, we take you behind the scenes of the David Owsley Museum of Art's annual Art in Bloom event. We'll talk to three of the florists interpreting…
Pop of CultureS02 E18 - We Go Into the Void
This week, a bouquet of artistic options: we talk to Kelly McVey, cofounder and Executive Director of the Indiana Peony Festival—coming up Saturday 5/17; we…
Pop of CultureS02 E17 - We Make A Stained Glass Dachshund
This week we learn about stained glass (artist and business owner Erica Markley), we hear a new single (returning musician Dana Powell), and we ask multimedia…
Pop of CultureS02 E16 - We're in Beautiful Luxurious Muncie
This week we talk to the creator of the viral series "Beautiful Luxurious Muncie™." The delightful Stevie Hahn tells us how his character Ray Toffer came to…
Pop of CultureS02 E15 - We Decide That It's Springtime
This week, we spring back into our archives with some of our favorite plant-themed interviews! We visit Cat Dyeak at her greenhouse to learn about the art of…
Pop of CultureS02 E14 - We Enter a Contest
This week, we talk Tiny Desk: Fort Wayne band SUN.DYLE shares the song they entered into the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest, and NPR's Anamaria Sayre gives us details…
Pop of CultureS02 E13 - We're Here and There
This week, we sit down with visiting artist Justin Favela, who tells us about why he started covering cars and buildings like piñatas. Also in this show: we…
Pop of CultureS02 E12 - We Write by the Seat of Our Pants
In this encore edition of Pop of Culture, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews: crime fiction novelist Lori Rader-Day joins us to talk about…
Pop of CultureS02 E11 - We're on the Move
This week, we talk to the team responsible for creating "Groove," a dance performance at the intersection of West African traditional dance and hip hop…
Pop of CultureS02 E10 - We’re In Print and In Portraiture
This week, we step behind the camera with photographer Ronn Brown; he's guest-curated a selection of photographs at the David Owsley Museum of Art. We'll ask…
Pop of CultureS02 E09 - We Talk Bookbinding, Banjo, and Beautiful Things
This week, we learn about bookbinding from Rai Peterson. She expounds on her love of paper and how bronze metals made their way into her covers! Also in this…
Pop of CultureS02 E08 - We Show and Share
This week, artists at the peak of their craft: the Ball State Studio Band sneaks us into rehearsal as they prep for gigs around East Central Indiana, NPR's…
Pop of CultureS02 E07 - We Work on Our Timing
Pop of Culture is off this week, but not before we catch up with our co-host Jen Blackmer. Jen is directing "POTUS" in Strother Theatre at Ball State…
Pop of CultureS02 E06 - We Cut a Rug
It's another action-packed week! Local musician Jerry Barker joins us to share original music (and talk about building the confidence to perform that music for…
Pop of CultureS02 E05 - We Work from a Tiny Desk
It's Pop of Culture's 50th episode! This week, we peek behind the Tiny Desk: NPR producer Bobby Carter gives us last-minute details on the 2025 Tiny Desk…
Pop of CultureS02 E04 - We Come Out of Retirement
This week, we sit down for an extended conversation with Ann Johnson, owner of former Muncie arts business F.B. Fogg. She talks about what "Fogg" meant to her…
Pop of CultureS02 E03 - We Start a Business
This week, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews from last season. Silk painter and business owner Carrie Wright talks to us about how she…
Pop of CultureS02 E02 - We Stop and Smell the Flowers
This week, we're joined by the delightful J Schwanke, PBS host of "Life in Bloom." He tells us how he was born to be a florist, why everyone should pick up…
Pop of CultureS02 E01 - We Go Down the Street to Reach the Stars
It's a new season of Pop of Culture from IPR! We're starting off by visiting the largest planetarium (by dome height) in the state of Indiana: the Charles W…
Pop of CulturePop of Culture Promo
Pop of Culture explores the vibrant cultural tapestry of East Central Indiana. Join hosts Jennifer Blackmer, Michelle Kinsey, and Dr. Kara Duquette as they…