Follow D$

We're back and kicking off 2025 with a conversation with Indianapolis-based artist RBM Rello. We chop it up about his thoughts on the local rap scene, what he feels makes him unique as a person and artist, and dive into some current pop culture topics. Stream his music on all platforms and stay tuned for new episodes of the podcast!

Monty Matuka is the Founder & Creative Director of MELI (More Equality Less Ignorance), a sophisticated, streetwear clothing brand that seeks to promote equality and cross-cultural awareness. On this episode, we hear about his journey and what he aspires to achieve for the community, the brand, and himself.

Sam Boro & Laura Lakes of TopView sit with us on this episode of the podcast and talk to us about what it takes to be successful, the importance of teamwork, and what they feel the creative community in Indianapolis needs to do to elevate itself.

Standup comedian Gwen Sunkel drops by the studio to share her story with us and talk about the upcoming Middle Ground Comedy Festival in Indianapolis. Grab your tickets now!

Sara Huntington is a standup comedian and viral content creator. We catch her right before her big move from Indianapolis to New York and talk about her rise in comedy and her current state of affairs. Follow her on Instagram @sarapoptarts!

We sat down for an interview with Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears for this episode. As Chief Trial Deputy in the Prosecutor's Office, Ryan has championed reform and set new expectations for the criminal justice system in Marion County. Listen to hear his thoughts about the problems facing our community and how he plans to address them.

Self-produced recording artist Foreign Angel sits with us to share his story. We talk about his latest album Music Cost Me Everything and about the ups and downs of pursuing a music career. Foreign's sound is truly original, and he shares his biggest influences in this episode as well as why pushing the boundaries of genre is important.

Tattoo artist and shop owner Eduardo "Dream" Cervantes joins the podcast for a one-of-a-kind episode. Stretch gets tattooed in the studio! Find out if his numbing cream worked. Dream discusses his roots in tattooing, why he became an entrepreneur, and how he hopes to grow his business in the future.

Parris LaDame blesses the podcast this week! We talk about her work ethic, how she turned a love for poetry into a music career, and she even drops a fire freestyle for us at the end. You can catch Parris performing live at this year's Chreece festival in Fountain Square.

Oreo Jones is an Indianapolis-based artist and founder of Chreece, an Indianapolis hip-hop festival held in Fountain Square. Oreo has embedded himself in the Indianapolis music scene and his local community. In this episode, we touch on when he first moved to Indianapolis, the love-and-hate relationship many local creatives have with the city, and of course, all details pertaining to the upcoming Chreece festival. Make sure to get your tickets!

We're back this week with another live event! The FD$ Bourbon Tour was held at Tinker House Events in downtown Indianapolis, and all proceeds went to the Independence Academy. Our speakers were great, and so was the bourbon. We hope to see YOU at our next live event. Cheers!

This week we take you back to our second live podcast event. Relive an incredible summer night at the Skyline Club in downtown Indianapolis featuring four amazing women, a live charity auction, and a room full of LOVE. Enjoy this episode and be on the lookout for future events from the Follow D$ Team!

Sampson Levingston is a history buff and local tour guide with a passion for educating people about Indianapolis' past. Sampson brings his uplifting energy to the podcast and details his Walk & Talk tours, his focus on African American history in Indy, and how to connect and join a tour yourself.

Friend of the podcast Thad McKee blesses us with his presence this week. We talk about stand-up comedy, his love for Indianapolis, and we laugh hard! Be sure to catch a set of his in the city and also give the Harder Brunch podcast a listen.

@TravelingFoodieGuyde on Instagram stops by the podcast this week to talk about his viral growth over the last year, the work it took to get there, and his passion for food and travel that fuels it all. He also shares some of his favorite Indy restaurants!

Ashley Brooks & Bridget Davis join us on this episode to talk about their brainchild - Baby Got Brunch. Baby Got Brunch is a masterfully executed event with a host of local vendors offering samples of the best brunch food Indianapolis has to offer. It takes place at Victory Field. Oh, and there is an open bar. Make sure to get your tickets before they sell out! We'll see you there.

Andre Franklin aka DJ Godzillest is a multifaceted entrepreneur and DJ. His work in the event space aims to bring unapologetically black experiences to the city of Indianapolis that unite and uplift the community. In this episode, he breaks down his dynamic upbringing and the projects he is currently involved with.

Taylor Hall is an artist, activist, and public speaker from Indianapolis, Indiana. In this episode, we talk about her current endeavors in LA, her process as a songwriter, and her involvement in the community.

Talent manager and owner of Creative Culture, Curtis Collins, visits the podcast this week and fills us in on his latest ventures. We talk about his path to entrepreneurship, the importance of mindset, and what it means to make an impact. It's up!!

Alison Keefer, Owner of Gallery Pastry, kicks off Season 5 with us. We talk about her journey into the restaurant business, her thoughts on leadership, and her hopes for the future of Gallery Pastry.

Dexter Clardy is the lead vocalist of Huckleberry Funk. His background and passion for music run deep, and in this episode, we discuss his early influences, how Huckleberry Funk was formed, and how he sees his music journey evolving in the future.

Greg Stowers is an Indianapolis native with a passion for the political spectrum. He has worked with the likes of then-Senator Barack Obama, Mitch Daniels, and current Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. In this episode, Greg emphasizes the importance of local elections and of constituents truly earning their votes from their respective communities. Midterm elections are around the corner, and this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Dr. Ankit Patel is a dentist and Co-Founder/Owner of 24/7 Dental. Patel's passion for dentistry and helping others inspired him to rethink the way dentists serve their communities. In this episode, Patel discusses how 24/7 Dental is changing the landscape of dentistry, the importance of different perspectives in business, and what he hopes to achieve for himself and others in the future.

William "Lil Billy" Gammon is an artist and entrepreneur with a storied past. Recently released from federal prison, Lil Billy breaks down his new perspective on life. We discuss how his time away impacted him, his budding music career, and the future he sees for himself.

DJ Rican is an international open format DJ and resident DJ at INVY Nightclub in Indianapolis. Rican is the host of Ritmo, the biggest Latin music dance party in Indianapolis. In this episode, we learn about how Rican got into DJing and how he carved out a space for himself in Indy's nightclub scene. Rican joins us during Hispanic Heritage Month, and we also talk about what his heritage means to him.

Dyke Michaels is an Indianapolis-based comedian, podcast host, and chef. In this episode, we talk about how he stayed active during the pandemic, podcasting, the comedy scene, and working alongside his idols.

Sonny aka FINGERCREATIONS is an Indianapolis-based artist and part of the Eighteen Art Collective. In this episode, we talk about how he got into art, the unique method he uses to create his pieces, and the impact he hopes to have alongside fellow artists in his community.

Ronnie Jefferson's first episode is one of our most popular episodes to date. It was only right to have Ronnie back on to catch up. In this episode, we focus on investing and financial literacy. Ronnie gives us game on how we should consider spending and investing our money, and he gives us details about some of his personal hits and misses in the world of investing. This episode is a must-listen!

Aboshioma Obemeata is the President of Advancement Through Athletics, a nonprofit organization that helps prepare youth athletes for college and beyond through sport. A former athlete himself, Sho recalls the adversities he had to overcome to get to where he is today and how he hopes to impact the futures of every student-athlete he works with.

Cornelius George, a self-proclaimed nerd with a passion for helping people, is the Co-Founder & CEO of Chuqlab. In this episode, Corn details his search for his purpose, the importance of solving problems in entrepreneurship, and what his legacy means to him.

This week we're joined by Jenn Watts, Founder & CEO of Watts Change Agency. Jenn has over 20 years of experience in politics, international development, communications & technology, federal government and public policy. In this episode, we talk about her work with President Obama, social issues, her agency and podcast, and what she likes to do for fun.

Brian Wolff, President & CEO of Parker Technology, kicks off Season 4 with us. We recall the challenging circumstances surrounding our first meeting, hear about his professional life and ambitions, and deep dive into his intent to become a better ally to marginalized communities.

Julie Henson is the Vice President of Development at Coburn Place, an organization that provides transitional housing for survivors of interpersonal abuse in the Greater Indianapolis area. In this episode, Julie answers questions about Coburn and discusses its significance in the community.

Chris Wilburn is a retired IMPD Sergeant and the podcast's first return guest! In this episode, we catch up on a long year of events since we first spoke and continue to dive into the issues facing our community moving forward.

Dr. Wilburn is an occupational therapist, activist, and Indiana House of Representatives candidate for District 32. In this episode, she tells us about how she ended up in the field of Occupational Therapy and discusses her political intentions and campaign.

Jim Norman, founder of the Sit With Me App and Season 3 sponsor, is an entrepreneur with a track record of building successful businesses. His newest venture, the Sit With Me App, aims to turn servers into salespeople and provide them with the tools to earn more. In this episode, Jim explains the app, details his journey, and asks some questions of his own.

Up-and-coming comedian Ernest Hicks visits the podcast and shares some of his funny stories from working at TSA and where he sees his comedy career in the future. You don't want to miss this episode!

Marisa Gill is the Executive Director of the Independence Academy of Indiana. The Independence Academy serves kids on the Autism Spectrum. In this episode, Marisa educates us on the issues those on the spectrum face and details how the Independence Academy sets its students up for success in life.

Jason Jenkins is a nightclub/venue owner and self-described serial entrepreneur. In this episode, Jason talks about how Covid affected his businesses, what he looks for in his employees, and where he likes to go in Indianapolis.

Jason Hagemier is an Indianapolis-based hairstylist. In this episode, Jason discusses how his commitment to his craft got him to where he is today, his approach to styling, and what it means to be him.

Matthew "M80" Markoff is an artist, A&R, and promoter. Equipped with a legal background, he has worked with many of your favorite artists and is continuing to build his legacy in the rap & hip-hop industry.

Trajik is a veteran rapper and entrepreneur residing in and representing Indianapolis. In this episode, he discusses his beginnings in music and also sheds light on the shadier aspects of the business.

Dan Kidd aka Heavy Bourbon on social media tastes a variety of local Indiana bourbons with us and details his rise to social media bourbon royalty. We had a blast!

Travis "Kold Kut" Moore is a music producer and co-owner of Round Table Recording Company in Indianapolis, IN. Kut explains how he got into producing and talks about what is currently happening at Round Table.

The Season 2 Finale features UFC veteran Chris Lights Out Lytle. We discuss his mindset going into fights, and how he managed his time between Family and Fighting. Chris also expressed how his goals changed while he was in the UFC. What's he up to now, and if he were elected President, what would be his first order of business? Listen to find out the answers to those questions and more.

Neal Soley the artist behind Tulip Factory joins us in studio along with some of his famed pieces. Neal explains his method and gives us some history behind his artistic journey. What's next for Tulip Factory? Tune in and find out!

Landon Price & Cesar Paz of Plug join us in the studio this week.  In their first ever podcast appearance, they give us a look into the journey of building an app that could change how we interact and network.  Tune in to hear how these two met and how connecting people thru events helped further their dream.

James Hinchcliffe one of Indycars biggest stars, joins us this week. What would James want to be his legacy after Racing? What was it like competing on Dancing with the stars, and what driver does he look up to in his sport? Hear the answer to those questions and many more on this episode. Enjoy.

This weeks guest is Travis Barnes, disabled combat veteran & owner of Hotel Tango Distillery.  Travis talks about how the military opened his mind to other perspectives and how he began his journey with one still in his backyard & grew into a business that sells in over 20 states.

The owner of Indy's newest hotspot restaurant, The Oakmont, sits down with us today & talks about his background in the service industry and what mindset he had while opening a new restaurant during the pandemic.  What's his advice to someone that wants to get into the business? Tune in and find out!

From promoting party's to organizing events in his community, his name is know around the city of Indianapolis.  This week, we learn how he began his journey and what it's like to manage family life in addition to those different worlds.