In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, host Denny Spinner travels to Vincennes, Indiana, to speak with Eunice Trotter, director of the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program, and local historian Tom Bartholomew. Together, they explore the deep and often overlooked history of Black communities in Knox County and across Indiana.

They discuss the origins and evolution of the Black Heritage Preservation Program, the power of oral histories, and the grassroots efforts to digitize and share long-buried records. From freedom suits filed decades before the Civil War to the first Black woman to vote in Indiana, this episode reveals how local stories shape our collective past.

Tune in to hear how communities are reclaiming their history, why preserving uncomfortable truths is essential for healing, and how this work is inspiring a new generation of historians and changemakers.

In this episode of Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers, host Denny Spinner sits down with Jodi Routson, director of Deaconess Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center; John Agley, associate professor at the IU School of Public Health; and Amy Todd, registered nurse and program management specialist at IU, to explore a groundbreaking partnership addressing mental health needs in rural Indiana.
They discuss how telehealth innovations are breaking down access barriers, reducing wait times, and offering immediate support to underserved populations. The episode also touches on reducing stigma, provider support, and scaling successful models to reach more rural Hoosiers.
Tune in to learn about innovative mental health care approaches, the impact of telehealth, and future expansion of these services to rural communities. Discover how collaboration is making a difference in the lives of rural Hoosiers.

Read the transcript

In this episode of "Our Indiana: Stories from Rural Hoosiers," we sit down with Colleen Rose, the director of student engagement at the IU Center for Rural Engagement, and two Indiana University Bloomington students, Dayanara Alvarado and Noah Bootcheck. Join us as we explore their journeys from small-town Indiana to the bustling campus of IU Bloomington.

Dayanara and Noah share their experiences transitioning from rural high schools to a large university, discussing the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. They reflect on the diversity and community they found at IU, the importance of stepping out of their comfort zones, and the support systems that helped them thrive. Colleen provides insights into the resources available to students and the university's commitment to engaging with rural communities.

Whether you're a prospective student, an educator, or simply interested in the stories of rural Hoosiers, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the transformative power of education and community. Tune in to hear how these students are making the most of their college experience and how they plan to give back to their hometowns.

Visitgo.iu.edu/ourindiana for a transcript of the episode.