City officials have approved new rules meant to help people in lower-income neighborhoods access scooters to get to jobs, school, bus stops or other destinations. Scooter companies—Indianapolis now has four firms registered to offer dockless services—would be required to put 10% of their scooters in so-called "access" zones. But the new rules raise lots of questions about whether scooters would actually be a reliable source of transportation and whether the Indy residents most in need of the service actually have the tools (think smart phones and credit cards) needed to use them.  Host Mason King and IBJ reporter Hayleigh Colombo explore the issues in an episode that also features comments from Sonya Seeder, administrator of the city’s license and permit services. To learn more, check out Hayleigh's story in the latest issue of IBJ.   This episode of the IBJ Podcast is sponsored by nimboIP, your solutions in the cloud.

Megan Glover launched 120WaterAudit with two partners in 2016 with the idea of targeting residential consumers nationwide with a water-testing kit that cost $120 every four months.  It was a great time for the idea, given the water problems in Flint, Michigan, and other cities. But quickly, Glover realized governments, schools and municipal water utilities were desperate for a modern way to organize their water testing records. And so 120WaterAudit pivoted to building and selling enterprise software—a move that helped it generate $2.4 million last year.  Now 120WaterAudit is aiming to raise at least $5 million so it can expand its customer base and roll out new software options, with the goal of becoming profitable. Podcast host Mason King talks with Glover about the challenges of raising money and whether being based in Indianapolis helps or hurts those efforts. Her answer may surprise you! Music credit: Underwater Bloom by Budapest BluesBoy (c) copyright 2006. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.  News credits: WISN-TV Channel 12, KDFW-TV Channel 4 and CBS This Morning   This episode of the IBJ Podcast is sponsored by nimboIP, your solutions in the cloud.

Less than two weeks after the Capital Improvement Board signed a 25-year, $800 million agreement with the Indiana Pacers, the Legislature passed a bill that will fund that deal. But the bill—which is now awaiting Gov. Eric Holcomb's signature—is about much more than just helping to fund a renovation and expansion of the Pacers' home arena, Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The legislation also gives the CIB millions in new dollars to help it make ends meet over the next quarter century. Without that money, the CIB would be headed to insolvency. Podcast host Mason King talks with IBJ reporters Lindsey Erdody and Mickey Shuey about the legislation, the Pacers deal and what the changes at the fieldhouse will look like. To learn more about the legislation and how it impacts the CIB, read Erdody's story here. To learn more about the public plaza that will be included in the Bankers Life Fieldhouse project, read Shuey's story here. News clips courtesy of WTHR-TV Channel 13 and WISH-TV Channel 8. This episode of the IBJ Podcast is sponsored by nimboIP, your solutions in the cloud.

Three tech entrepreneurs — High Alpha's Eric Tobias and Mobi's Scott Kraege and Andrew Davis — have long been fans of live music. But they've taken that hobby one step further by purchasing the Vogue night club in Broad Ripple. Tobias talks with podcast host Mason King about what the trio plans to change at the 81-year-old venue (think glass barware and a larger green room) — and what they think the club is already doing well. Plus, hear how the new owners want to expand the number of events at the Vogue by expanding the types of programming to include things like live podcasts.  For more information, see IBJ reporter Susan Orr's story about the Vogue's ownership change. And thanks to Cody Diekhoff — who performs as Chicago Farmer — for giving us permission to use audio from his 2018 show at the Vogue in this week's podcast.

The former CEO of Angie's List is using big data and machine learning to try to solve an emerging problem in Indiana—a stagnate and soon-to-be shrinking workforce. Bill Oesterle formed TMap, a startup that just raised $1 million in funding and is focused on finding people who went to school in Indiana but then left the state to pursue their careers. TMap is scouring the web to determine which of those people might be interested in coming back—maybe because they have family in the area or want to raise their kids in an affordable community. Already, TMap has identified thousands of people it says are interested in returning to Indiana for the right opportunity—and the firm is trying to match them with jobs. Podcast host Mason King talks with Oesterle about what motivated him to start the company (his former boss, Mitch Daniels, had a lot to do with it) and how the effort is going so far. To learn more about TMap and hear from someone who was recruited back to Indiana, read Anthony Schoettle's story at IBJ.com.   

Max Yoder says his new book — “Do Better Work: Finding Clarity, Camaraderie, and Progress in Work and Life” — is not just another set of lessons about leadership. It's actually just as much about teamwork and relationships — and it's chock full of examples to help readers better understand the concepts. The Lessonly founder and CEO talks with IBJ Podcast host Mason King about why he wrote the book, why vulnerability is the overarching theme and what he learned along the way about his own leadership. To learn more about the book, read IBJ's story here.

BYD Ltd. won a contact to sell IndyGo electric buses for the Red Line—where service is scheduled begin on Labor Day—with a range of 275 miles on a single charge. That would have allowed the buses to operate for a full day and then charge overnight. But IndyGo has been testing the buses since fall and found they are falling short—way short—of the 275-mile requirement. IBJ reporter Susan Orr talks with host Mason King about how Indy's weather is contributing to the problem, what IndyGo wants BYD to do about it and what other city got so fed up it sent its buses back to the company. Learn even more by reading Susan's story at IBJ.com.

Just a few years ago, Fishers-based SteadyServ Technologies was among the most-ballyhooed startups in state history. But the company — which sells data-analytics software for bars and restaurants — has burned through more than $30 million in capital and perennially underachieved, leading it to file for bankruptcy earlier this year. So why is tech veteran David Becker — a serial entrepreneur who serves as CEO of Fishers-based First Internet Bancorp — stepping in to try to save it? IBJ Editor Greg Andrews dives into the story, explaining what Becker sees in SteadyServ — where he's now the co-CEO — and why one of the company's biggest, long-term investors is skeptical about its new direction. You can read more details in Andrew's story in this week's IBJ.  

Eddie Sahm grew up in his family's restaurant business, but after graduating from college, he didn't want to work for his dad, whom he calls Ed. So Eddie borrowed the money to buy Sahm's Place and set out to prove he could improve and strengthen the eatery. Then, when it was time for a new challenge, Eddie went into business with his father, launching a brew pub—Big Lug Canteen—that grew into a series of pubs and ale houses that all sell Big Lug beers. Eddie talks to host Mason King about growing up in restaurants, his parents' expectations for his career and how his skills differ from his father's. Read more about the father and son duo in Susan Orr's story at IBJ.com.

Peter Dunn — who is bringing his Pete the Planner column to IBJ, starting March 15 — is worried about the upper middle class, a group he says makes good money but often lives beyond their means.  The rising costs (and sizes) of homes, the expense of youth travel sports, car leases and loans parents take out to pay for their kids' college all contribute to a rocky financial picture that means even those with higher incomes might not be saving enough for retirement. Dunn talks with IBJ Podcast host Mason King about how these concerns led him to start writing and broadcasting about money problems — and how finding solutions to those problems led to his current business model. Look for the Pete the Planner column in IBJ and at IBJ.com.

A bill passed by the Indiana Senate would require the Indy Eleven to become an MLS franchise within three years to unlock tax money to build a stadium dedicated to soccer. But is that realistic? IBJ's Anthony Schoettle says it's an uphill climb — but by no means out of the question. He talks to IBJ Podcast host Mason King about the challenges facing Ersal Ozdemir, the local real estate developer who founded the team, and his ownership group. Among them: Making sure that ownership group has enough money, finding a place to build the stadium (and an associated mixed-use development), winning strong support from city and state leaders and, of course, getting that legislation signed into law. Anthony wrote about the issue in the March 1 issue of IBJ and expands on some of the key questions in the podcast.      

As the Legislature nears the halfway point of the 2019 session, three Statehouse reporters join podcast host Lesley Weidenbener to talk about which issues are moving forward and which ones are fading away. IBJ's Lindsey Erdody, The Journal Gazette's Niki Kelly and TheStatehouseFile.com columnist Mary Beth Schneider catch us up on hate crimes, teacher pay, stadium upgrades, cigarette taxes, gambling and more. And they share some insight about what might happen going forward. Find out why Schneider says lawmakers acted like "lumps on a log" and what Kelly says is getting missed in the hate crimes debate. Plus Erdody details the latest in the debate about sports stadiums. For up-to-the-minute news from the Statehouse, you can follow all three of these reporters on twitter at @lerdody, @nkellyatJG and @marybschneider.  

Renown local chef Greg Hardesty is set to open Studio C in in an out-of-the-way space at 1051 E. 54th St., just off the Monon Trail, with plans to offer private dining, a coffee bar, pop-up meals and more — even a service to supply home chefs with hard-to-find ingredients. In other words, Hardesty plans to try a little of this and a little of that and see what sticks. He talks with host Mason King about why he closed his last restaurant — the acclaimed Recess — two years ago and why he decided not to open another traditional restaurant. But this is no hobby. Studio C will be Hardesty's livelihood and he hopes to make it work for the long term. To read more about the project, check out reporter Susan Orr's story at IBJ.com.

Just days after filing a defamation lawsuit seeking more than $25 million from WISH-TV, Derek Daly sits down with IBJ's Anthony Schoettle to discuss what he says the news station got wrong in a story that accused him of using a racial slur. Daly tells IBJ what he wants most is an apology and a retraction from WISH, which fired Daly — its former racing analyst — and broadcast a story that connected him to the use of a racial slur that had led Colts play-by-play announcer Bob Lamey to retire. It's a complicated situation, but Anthony draws out the details from Daly. And then he talks with Steve Key, the executive director of the Hoosier State Press Association, about whether Daly has a case. You can get more details about the lawsuit from Anthony's Feb. 7 story. Note: After this episode was recorded and posted, Daly amended his lawsuit and removed the $25 million figure. Read more about the change here. 

The Indiana IoT Lab in Fishers has been open roughly one year and already its membership roster is almost full. Every day, those members—including big companies, small firms and freelancers—are helping manufacturers, farmers and others connect their products to the web and to each other. You may know the internet of things because you have a connected thermostat or home security system. But IoT is about far more than home automation. The real magic is the ability of companies to use connected devices to collect data, monitor their systems and take action. In this week's podcast, host Mason King interviews IoT Lab CEO John Wechsler and Clear Object CEO John McDonald about why Indiana companies must start thinking about how to integrate IoT into their production or processes or risk becoming obsolete. And they explain the role the Indiana IoT Lab is playing in helping Indiana and Hoosier businesses through the transition.

At least 70 people who were homeless or had recently experienced chronic homelessness died in Indianapolis last year, according to the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention. That was the largest number of deaths recorded by CHIP since it started tracking figures more than a decade ago, and it represented a 20 percent increase from 2017. Illness, injury, homicides and drug overdoses contributed to the number. CHIP Executive Director Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, Horizon House Planning Manager Melissa Burgess and IBJ reporter Hayleigh Colombo join host Mason King for a discussion about the numbers and what might be done to stem the trend. And Colombo has more details about the problem in a story for IBJ.  

Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir is back at the Statehouse seeking help to build a stadium for the team. But Ozdemir has a new tactic: He's proposing to build a stadium village that would generate the tax revenue needed to pay for the 20,000-seat stadium. Ozdemir sat down with Hayleigh Colombo to talk about the proposal, why he thinks it can be successful and what it could mean for the team's bid to join Major League Soccer. Colombo then talks with IBJ sports business reporter Mickey Shuey for a few thoughts about the project. You can read more about where the project might be located in Shuey's story in this week's IBJ.

Not-for-profit education reform group The Mind Trust has received three grants totaling $24.4 million that it will use to continue opening new schools in Indianapolis and supporting those already in existence. The Mind Trust CEO Brandon Brown sat down with host Mason King to explain the group's mission, its cooperation with Indianapolis Public Schools and how the new funding will help it ramp up its work.  They get down to the basics, defining terms like charters and innovation schools. But King also challenges Brown with some of the criticisms of The Mind Trust, including whether the group is helping the neediest students. Learn more about The Mind Trust grants by reading reporter Hayleigh Colombo's story at IBJ.com.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that states can authorize wagering on sports games, something that's long taken place legally in Las Vegas and illegally every place else. Now, Indiana has the chance to legalize sports betting here — with regulations and, of course, taxes. IBJ reporter Lindsey Erdody talks with IBJ Podcast host Mason King about the legislation that will be considered in the Indiana House and Senate this year, including the many details that could complicate passage. Erdody also explains an unrelated proposal to move Gary's two Majestic Star casinos off Lake Michigan. Gary officials want to move one of those casino licenses to the Interstate 80/Interstate 94 corridor to attract more gamblers. The second license could go elsewhere in the state — maybe in Terre Haute.  Read more about both proposals in Erdody's story at IBJ.com.

We're just about a week from starting a new year and many of us are likely to make losing weight a New Year's resolution. So IBJ asked two Indianapolis business executives to tell their stories not only of losing weight but also keeping it off. Hyde Park Ventures Principal Tim Kopp, the former CMO of ExactTarget, and David Shank, CEO of Shank Public Relations Counselors, talk about the warnings from their doctors that led them to start eating healthier and exercising. And they offer some advice for the holidays and getting started on your own weight loss journey. And if you listen to the very end, you'll hear their challenge for host Mason King.

Bob Stutz is a legend in the software industry but he remains somewhat of a mystery among folks in Indianapolis, where he's CEO of Salesforce Marketing Cloud. Analysts say the Salesforce division is thriving under Stutz, 62, who took the helm in July 2016.  IBJ tech reporter Anthony Schoettle interviewed Stutz and found him surprisingly relaxed and candid about his education and career, his life in Indianapolis and about what the city should do to help the tech industry thrive. On this week's podcast, Schoettle talks with host Mason King about Stutz and plays clips from his interview with the tech exec.

Indiana Pacers Bikeshare will spend $1.2 million — most of the money from a federal grant — to nearly double the number of stations and expand the program's footprint as far north as Broad Ripple and south as Garfield Park. Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which oversees the bikeshare program, talks with guest host Anthony Schoettle about the timeline for the expansion and why it was important to locate stations outside of downtown. And she explains why attracting more low-income riders — who pay only $10 a year — is a key goal.  Check out IBJ reporter Susan Orr's full story here.  

The quasi-governmental group that owns the Indiana Convention Center and Indy's major sports facilities will ask the Legislature for at least $8 million in additional funding annually as it tries to plan for its future needs. Already, the Capital Improvement Board has plans for a $120 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, a project that includes two private, convention-style hotels at Pan Am Plaza.  But the CIB will also be looking for the long-term funding it will need to upgrade Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the Indiana Pacers, which owner Herb Simon has said is necessary to secure the team's long-term future in Indianapolis. Podcast host Mason King talks with IBJ reporters Lindsey Erdody, Hayleigh Colombo and Anthony Schoettle about the CIB's big ask, why the city thinks it's necessary and how lawmakers might react. Read more about the issue here.

A coalition of downtown businesses, homeowners and organizations is advocating a two-level highway system for the north, east and south legs of interstates 65 and 70—the so-called inner loop in downtown Indianapolis.  The proposal from Rethink 65/70 comes as state transportation officials move forward with a planned reconstruction of the north-split interchange — a project Rethink leaders hope can be done with their below-grade highway plan in mind. IBJ Podcast host Mason King talks with Rethink member Paul Knapp, the CEO of Young & Laramore, about the group's proposal. Then he talks with Indiana Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Manning and Kia Gillette, an environmental project manager at HNTB, about whether the state will consider Rethink's ideas. Learn more about the Rethink 65/70 proposal with this IBJ story by reporter Susan Orr.  

While Democrats had a strong year elsewhere, they continued to largely falter in Indiana, most notably losing a U.S. Senate seat and leaving them without a single statewide office. Host Mason King talks with IBJ reporters Lindsey Erdody and Hayleigh Colombo as well as Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Politics in Fort Wayne, about what the 2018 elections mean for the next two election cycles — city elections in 2019 and the governor's race in 2020. Get the latest scoop on Indy Mayor Joe Hogsett, Gov. Eric Holcomb and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.