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#138

How Am I Going to Teach Our Kids to Be Asian? | Patrick Armstrong

In this deeply personal episode, guest-host Madeline Mackinnon turns the mic toward regular host Patrick Armstrong to explore his identity journey as a Korean American adoptee, his reflections on community, parenthood, and healing through storytelling. With rare vulnerability, Patrick opens up about burnout, transformation, and his vision for a more collaborative, accountable, and whole world.Connect with Patrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickintheworld/Subscribe to the Substack: https://patrickintheworld.substack.com/Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@patrickintheworld0:00 – Intro by Madeline3:12 – Who is Patrick Armstrong?6:20 – “How are you really?”11:45 – Tired and inspired15:30 – Six-year-old Patrick18:50 – 80-year-old Patrick22:00 – Entering adoptee consciousness30:10 – Rejection, race, and rediscovery35:20 – What do I love about Korea?38:10 – Healing vs. context42:00 – Basketball and therapy45:30 – Embodiment and blood pressure50:40 – Parenting, presence, and Van58:20 – Internal worlds and imagination1:03:00 – Letting go of shame1:06:10 – Patrick’s theme song1:07:40 – Give Em Their Flowers1:10:00 – How to support PatrickCheck out Hip Hop Medley by BEATPELLA HOUSE: https://youtu.be/IPKmlZPjZ-0?si=d5UwE16bGqTkCB1eShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: MADELINE HERSELF!Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog
#137

Building a brand with grit and heart with TRUE DIRTBAG (Lionel Hardin + Eli Fooliano)

On this week's episode, Lionel Hardin and Eli Fooliano of True Dirtbag stop by to share the raw, resilient journey behind their lifestyle and fashion brand, born from music, friendship, and creative hustle. From makeshift studios to community building in Indianapolis, the heads of TDB open up about brotherhood, grief, gatekeeping, and staying authentic in the face of it all.Check out True Def Brand: https://truedirtbag.com/Follow Lionel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truedirtbag_tdb/Follow Eli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tdb6ix/0:00 – Welcome to 2025 & Intro to TDB1:03 – Meet Lionel & Eli2:33 – Art, Imagination & Origins3:32 – How Music Bonded Them8:08 – Creating True Dirt Bag10:03 – Grief, Growth & Tears of Joy15:21 – From Brand Joke to Movement20:10 – Moving to Indy & Rebuilding25:56 – Paying It Forward & Supporting Creatives31:17 – First Pop-Up & Wave One Realizations38:41 – Fashion, Frequency & Believing in Each Other43:05 – Building a Creative Community45:14 – Gatekeeping, Ego, and Staying Authentic47:36 – Accessibility, Aura, and Taking the Leap52:07 – Real Community vs Just Sharing SpaceShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: T2 Performance (https://www.instagram.com/t2sportsperformance/)Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog
#136

Creating with intention and giving out flowers with Amiah Mims (sponsored by Indy Arts Council)

On this week's episode, Amiah Mims, designer, muralist, and founder of Works by Mimsy, stops by the show to talk about her art, which is featured across Indianapolis and now center stage for WNBA All-Star 2025. From "The Gymnast' to graphic designer to full-time creative, Amiah shares how she blends art and design, navigates identity and intention, and creates meaningful work that honors her community. She also teases what we can expect to see this year at the Indianapolis Arts Garden celebrating women's basketball, in partnership with the Indy Arts Council.Learn more about Works by Mimsy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worksbymimsy/This episode is brought to you by the Indy Arts Council. Indy Arts Council is central Indiana’s leading arts advocacy and services agency. They believe every resident of Indianapolis should experience arts and culture in a way that nourishes and inspires them. This vision is central to the work they do to support artists, arts organizations and the community. Learn more about their work, including what they have going on during AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025, here: https://indyarts.org/all-star-2025/0:00 - Intro & WNBA All-Star Weekend  1:30 - Meet Amiah Mims  4:30 - From gymnast to artist  7:00 - Early artistic influences  10:00 - Graphic design vs. art  14:00 - Navigating creativity with intention  20:00 - Saying yes to the right projects  23:30 - Murals and meaning: BLM and Recorder projects  31:00 - Generational impact & family collaborations  36:00 - Amiah and sports fandom  39:00 - WNBA All-Star art: "For You"  45:00 - Give Em Their Flowers segment  50:00 - Local artists to follow  53:00 - Ways to support Amiah  56:00 - Closing remarksShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: Madeline!!!Support the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Riley Van BuskirkEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog
#135

Real talk and radical joy with Jenny Boyts

On this week’s episode of Conversation Piece, Jenny Boyts, the powerhouse CEO of Forty5 Presents, stops by to unpack how sports, identity, and community shaped her life’s mission to convene inclusive, joyful experiences in Indianapolis. Jenny dives deep into her own story, from queer identity formation to the emotional work of building safe, intentional spaces in a divided world. With heart, humor, and hard truths, Jenny and Patrick show that real community starts with courageous curiosity and radical care.Connect with Jenny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jboyts/ Learn more about Forty5 Presents: https://www.forty5.com/0:00 – Welcome Back1:00 – Jenny Boyd Joins the Show3:00 – First Impressions of Indy6:00 – Sports, City, and Belonging8:00 – Roots in Community10:00 – Communal Care as Self-Care13:00 – Finding Your People16:00 – Growing Up Queer in Texas18:00 – Colorblindness and Identity21:00 – The Text That Changed Everything25:00 – Healing Isn’t Linear28:00 – Breaking Generational Patterns31:00 – Safe Spaces Aren’t for Everyone33:00 – Lessons from Indy Pride36:00 – Leadership with Care40:00 – Leading Without Compromise43:00 – Fearless Community BuildingShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: Phyllis BoydSupport the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Durham VisualsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog
#134

Creating art among like-minded misfits with Michael Herrick

On this episode of Conversation Piece, Michael Herrick, a prolific music video director, stops by the studio to talk about some of his favorite things he's ever done. Michael shares how his career has evolved, his love for community-driven art, balancing the challenges of fatherhood, and his aspirations to elevate the Indianapolis creative scene. He also shares insights into collaboration, the value of staying local, and the power of creating meaningful art.Learn more about Michael: https://michaelherrick.co/Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelherrick_/And on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelherrick_00:00: Intro to Conversation Piece00:24: Welcoming Michael Herrick01:08: "The Jake Huber of Emo Music Videos"02:52: Practicality in Filmmaking03:38: Starting Out in Midwest Emo Scenes08:22: Turning Passion into a Career12:36: Full Circle Moments and Creative Freedom16:05: Collaborating with Major Names22:04: Navigating Challenges with First-Time Bands25:08: Balancing Artist and Label Expectations27:06: Supporting Creativity in Indianapolis31:18: Building Community in a Non-Union Industry33:09: Fatherhood and Its Impact on Creativity37:55: Creative Aspirations for His Daughter41:03: Dream Collaborations and Artistic Goals47:03: Balancing Vision and Responsibility as a Creator51:06: Closing Thoughts and How to Support MichaelShout out to Frida's Flowers for sponsoring the show! Elevate your next event (or your living room) with some of Madeline's incredible work: fridasflowersindy.com/This week’s Give Em Their Flowers shout out: JAKE HUBERSupport the showSubscribe to the newsletter.Leave a review.Check out our website.Connect with us on Instagram.Connect with PatrickInstagramLinkedInTikTokProduced and hosted by: Patrick ArmstrongFilmed and edited by: Mike Lee ProductionsEngineered and mixed by: Popular RaptureMusic by: Mandog