Behind the Region

Hosted by South Bend Regional Chamber

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube

Episodes

161

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

What’s happening to spur economic vitality in the South Bend, Indiana, Region, and surrounding areas? And who are the people behind these efforts? We'll dive deeper beyond the headlines to keep you informed on the people and businesses making things happen in the region. You’ll hear casual and candid conversations with real people—business and community leaders driving the region forward. Hear authentic, unscripted stories from entrepreneurs, business owners, elected officials, and more!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 23, 202630 min

Amy Houghtaling and Andrew Stabeno - Mount Seir Tech

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re excited to welcome Amy and Andrew from Mount Seir Tech to the podcast. We’re looking forward to learning more about their backgrounds, the story behind Mount Seir Tech, and the work they’re doing. We’ll talk about what inspired their journey, the challenges and opportunities they’ve encountered along the way, and how their work fits into the bigger picture of our region’s business and technology landscape.

October 16, 202630 min

Hannah and Josh Hoetger - TriStorm Restoration

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re excited to welcome Hannah and Josh Hoetger from Tri Storm Restoration. Tri Storm Restoration is a local company helping homeowners and businesses navigate the challenges that come with storm damage and restoration. We’ll talk with Hannah and Josh about their journey in business, what it takes to serve customers when they’re often facing stressful and unexpected circumstances, and the role their company plays in the community.

October 9, 202630 min

Russ Cramer - Owner of Tee Box Granger

Send us Fan Mail Our guest today is Russ Cramer from Tee Box Granger. Tee Box has created a unique experience that brings together golf, entertainment, food, and community — and Russ is here to tell us more about the vision behind the business, what he’s learned along the way, and how Tee Box fits into the growing business and entertainment landscape of our region.

October 2, 202630 min

Mark Burkey - Founder / CEO Otonamo

Send us Fan Mail Our guest today is, Mark Burkey from Otonamo EV, a pre-owned electric vehicle dealership bringing a different approach to the car-buying experience here in our region. Today, we’ll talk with Mark about the growth of electric vehicles, what he’s seeing in the pre-owned EV market, and what it takes to build a business around an evolving industry. We’ll also learn more about Mark’s journey as an entrepreneur and his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in our community.

September 25, 202630 min

Allen Stewart - Founder of Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re talking heroes—real ones, fictional ones, and the people passionate about bringing those stories to life. Our guest is Allen Stewart, founder of the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. What started as a personal passion for superheroes has grown into one of the most unique museums in the region, featuring an incredible collection of comic books, costumes, props, and memorabilia spanning generations of superhero history. Allen’s story is about much more than collecting. It’s about entrepreneurship, creativity, preserving pop-culture history, and turning a lifelong passion into something that brings people together. Today, we’ll go behind the region with Allen Stewart to hear how the Hall of Heroes came to be, what drives his passion for superheroes, and what it takes to build a destination that inspires fans of all ages.

September 18, 202630 min

Dr. Marlon Brathwaite - Owner/Area Developer KidStrong South Bend

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re excited to welcome Marlon Brathwaite from KidStrong South Bend . KidStrong is helping families across our community build stronger, healthier, and more confident kids through fitness, character development, and a strong sense of community. Today, we’ll learn more about Marlon’s journey, what brought him to South Bend, the mission behind KidStrong, and the impact he hopes to make on the families and young people in our region. We’ll also talk about entrepreneurship, community involvement, and what it takes to build a business that’s about more than just the bottom line.

September 11, 202630 min

Mike Daigle CEO & Executive Director at St Joseph County Airport Authority/South Bend International Airport

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re talking about something that connects our community to the rest of the world — air travel, economic development, and the role of a strong regional airport in building a thriving community. Our guest today is Mike Daigle, CEO and Executive Director of South Bend International Airport . Mike leads an airport that plays an important role in connecting Michiana to destinations across the country and beyond, while also supporting business, tourism, workforce development, and economic growth throughout our region. We’ll talk with Mike about the airport’s role in our community, what’s happening behind the scenes to keep South Bend International moving, how air service decisions are made, and what he sees on the horizon for the airport and the region.

September 4, 202630 min

Victor Aguilar - Co-Owner and General Manager of Net Par in Mishawaka

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Behind the Region , we sit down with Victor Aguilar, Co-Owner and General Manager of Net Par in Mishawaka , to learn more about his journey as a business owner and the story behind one of the region’s unique entertainment destinations. Victor shares his perspective on entrepreneurship, building a business in the South Bend–Mishawaka community, and creating an experience that brings people together. We’ll also talk about the challenges and rewards of running a local business, the importance of community connections, and what’s next for Net Par.

August 28, 202631 min

Stephanie Baxter, OD - Michiana Eye Center

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Behind the Region , the South Bend Regional Chamber sits down with Stephanie Baxter of Michiana Eye Center to talk about leadership, business, and the people who help make the Michiana region a great place to live and work. Stephanie shares her perspective on building a successful organization, serving the community, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of healthcare and business. We’ll also get to know the person behind the professional title and hear what inspires her work across the region

August 21, 202630 min

Kim Sult - Owner of The Cat Lady Cafe

Send us Fan Mail Today we're joined by a guest who's proving that entrepreneurship and community impact can go hand in hand. Kim Sult is the founder of the Cat Lady Café, a one-of-a-kind business that combines a love of coffee, cats, and connection. More than just a café, it's a place where visitors can relax, meet adoptable cats, and support animal rescue efforts while enjoying a unique experience. In this episode, we'll talk with Kim about the journey of bringing the Cat Lady Café to life, the challenges and rewards of building a purpose-driven business, how she's creating a destination that's making a difference in the community, and what she's learned along the way as an entrepreneur. Whether you're a business owner, an animal lover, or someone who enjoys hearing stories of innovation and local impact, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Here's my conversation with Kim Sult, founder of the Cat Lady Café.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

The Bottom Line

Alexander Spencer