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PODCAST

Rooted and Reaching

Startup South Bend - Elkhart

There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

58:55

Bootstrapped to Breakthrough: Dr. Tod Stillson's...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2025/11/14

This week, we explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. Tod Stillson, founder of ChatRx, an AI-powered telemedicine platform designed to transform how patients receive care. ChatRx offers a “doctor in your pocket” experience, enabling patients to get fast, reliable treatment through a simple chat interface, without the hassle of scheduling appointments.Drawing on his years as a rural family physician, Dr. Stillson shares how his firsthand understanding of healthcare access challenges inspired ChatRx’s

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56:15

Safer Rides, Better Lives: Chad Mastagh's Journey...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2025/10/31

Chad Mastagh, founder of Rides2U, joins us to share the story behind building a rideshare service tailored specifically for the South Bend–Elkhart region. Chad reveals how community trust and genuine relationships form the backbone of his entrepreneurial philosophy, and how these values shaped every aspect of his business.From his beginnings as a firefighter to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur, Chad’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and purpose. Listen as we discuss the obstacles he

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48:05

Simple and Secure: Inside the Mind of Door Blockade's...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2025/10/16

Originally inspired by the urgent need to protect schools during active shooter situations, Nick Ackerman and Adam Toland developed Door Blockade, a smart secondary security device designed to enhance safety in schools, hospitals, childcare centers, homes, and more.This week, we discuss how their mission has evolved to serve a wider range of vulnerable environments and dive into their entrepreneurial journey, exploring how they turned a simple idea into a life-saving product aimed at empowering

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20:50

Emotional Intelligence as Your Entrepreneurial...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2025/10/03

This week on Rooted and Reaching, we’re diving into a conversation that hits close to home for so many entrepreneurs: stress management and burnout prevention. Joining us is Andie Hines-Lagemann, a trusted guide in emotional intelligence and a resource connector at Elevate Ventures.Entrepreneurship comes with incredible highs, but also real challenges that can take a toll if we’re not careful. That’s where emotional intelligence comes in, not just as a buzzword, but as a real tool for building

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17:32

The Culture Code: Max Yoder on Building Winning Teams

Rooted and Reaching ·

2025/09/19

In this episode of Rooted and Reaching, we sit down with Max Yoder, co-founder of Lessonly and author of the book ‘Do Better Work.' Our conversation centers on the power of communication in teams, especially Max’s idea of “sharing before you’re ready,” a practice that encourages early feedback and deeper collaboration during the creative process.Max reflects on his journey of growing a small startup into a thriving organization, highlighting why clear and compassionate communication becomes even

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29:03

Innovative Futures: Bridging Neuroscience and...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2025/09/19

Welcome to season three of Rooted and Reaching, where we talk with dreamers, doers, and difference makers building an innovative future right here in the South Bend-Elkhart region.This week, we sit down with Milad Alucozai—neuroscientist, serial entrepreneur, and proud Indiana native—to explore how deep local roots can spark big innovation. Milad shares his journey from South Bend to Silicon Valley, reflecting on how his time at Purdue and early experiences in the South Bend-Elkhart region shaped

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30:17

The Innovation Line-Up: The Youthful Shape of...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/12/05

We're speaking with Gage Bagwell, CEO and Automation Engineer at Innovated Manufacturing this week. Gage shares his inspiring journey of turning a simple idea into a thriving business aimed at helping those with limited mobility. Gage shares how his team developed an innovative arm-assisted rifle mount to support a quadriplegic boy earning his shooting badge at Boy Scouts, highlighting the company's commitment to giving back to the community. As Gage discusses the evolution of Innovated

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42:39

Healthly Talk: Coding Connections for Muslim Women...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/11/21

This week we speak with Niles Mat, Co-founder of the innovative health app Zahra, a platform tailored specifically for Muslim women's health needs. With features like cycle tracking, an Islamic calendar, and a community forum, Zahra aims to bridge the cultural and health education gap for women in the Middle East and beyond. Niles shares her experiences in fundraising, the importance of anonymity in discussions surrounding women's health, and the challenges and triumphs of being a young

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43:23

The Buff Stuff: Tae'Lor Lake on the Hustle and Person...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/11/07

This week we speak with Tae’Lor Lake, Founder of Trophy Details. Tae’Lor shares her journey as a young entrepreneur and the innovative approach she brings to the mobile car wash industry. With a focus on convenience, Trophy Details provides high-quality detailing services directly to clients, freeing them from the hassle of traditional car washes. Tae’Lor discusses the inspiration behind her business, which emerged from her fascination with processes and systems and her personal experiences in the

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41:02

574 Degrees of Connection: Cat Edmonds on the Edge of...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/10/24

This week host Susan Ford sits down with Cat Edmonds, Co-Founder of Connect 574, an organization aiming to boost social connections in the South Bend region. Cat discusses the origins of Connect 574, born out of a recognizably common issue for many adults: making friends and finding activities to engage with locally. The platform offers monthly events and digital tools ensuring newcomers, and locals alike, can develop social networks in South Bend.Listen as Susan and Cat discuss how Connect 574

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48:41

Harmony and Hometowns: Griffin Eaton On What South...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/10/10

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford sit down with Griffin Eaton, the visionary behind Juke—an innovative platform likened to a modern jukebox for live music. Griffin shares the origins of Juke, revealing how a personal need for song requests at a live music event evolved into a thriving business venture. He shares the initial challenges and opportunities in South Bend, leading to the eventual relocation to Nashville, pursuing deeper industry connections. He also discusses expanding

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26:50

Return and Reinvent: How Ryan Ryker and Julian...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/09/26

This week host Susan Ford sits down with the dynamic co-founders of rScan, Ryan Ryker and Julian Marquez. Ryan and Julian share insights about their early ventures, including a clothing line, and how they reconnected to establish rScan, a company designed to help manage returned and liquidated products online. They also share how the South Bend community played a crucial role in their initial success, providing financial support and customer feedback.Listen this week as Susan, Ryan, and Julian,

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37:22

Spic and Span: The Dirt on Starting a Cleaning Empire...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/09/12

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford speak with Alejandro Saucedo, CEO and founder of Indiana's Elite Cleaning, a comprehensive cleaning company. As a third-generation professional cleaner, Alex shares his journey from humble beginnings as a migrant worker to creating a successful cleaning company that embodies both heart and professionalism. His employee-centric philosophy, emphasis on supplier diversity, and continuous community involvement illustrate a holistic approach to

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45:15

How A Bite With Mee Fused a Passionate Following with...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/08/15

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford welcome the founders of "A Bite With Mee," Mi Sun Klingerman, and Hiro Alaman. Mi Sun and Hiro discuss the formative experiences that led them to the food industry, including Hiro's early aspirations inspired by TV chefs and Mi Sun's involvement in organic farming and cooperatives. They share how their paths converged, leading to both a personal and professional partnership.Listen as Marty, Susan, Mi Sun, and Hiro discuss the importance of community,

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41:14

Analyze This: How Rich Carlton Took a Local Idea and...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/08/01

This week hosts Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford speak with Rich Carlton, President of Aunalytics, a company that specializes in managed IT and analytics services. Rich discusses the fascinating journey of Aunalytics, exploring how it has paved the way for innovation and technology in the South Bend-Elkhart region. He shares insights into the company's foundations, its critical role in local economic development, and the significant impact of its AI-driven analytics services in transforming regional

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34:31

Waste Not, Want Not: How Rian McDonnell took a...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/07/17

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford explore the fascinating world of food analytics with Rian McDonnell, Co-Founder of FloVision Solutions. Rian shares his journey from rural Ireland to establishing a cutting-edge company in the South Bend Elkhart region, focused on optimizing the food chain, particularly within the protein industry. He shares how FloVision Solutions employs AI and sensor technologies to improve yield, reduce waste, and enhance the overall quality control of food

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01:00:32

The Audacity of Building Your Dreams: Richard Worsham...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/07/02

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford talk with Richard Worsham, Co-Founder of Janus Motorcycles. Richard shares his journey Richard Worsham transitioned from architecture to designing custom motorcycles and founding Janus Motorcycles. He discusses the importance of relationships and the role of community and local resources in his entrepreneurial journey. Marty, Susan, and, Richard discuss the evolution of Janus, from making custom mopeds to producing DOT-certified motorcycles, and the

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38:58

The Things That Bind Us: Mike Brown's Journey to...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/06/20

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford talk with Mike Brown, Founder of SOULSTIR Publishing. Mike shares his remarkable journey from personal reflection during 2020’s challenges to the establishment of his publishing company. In sharing his family’s impactful story and his deep-rooted connections with Notre Dame, Mike reveals how he found his purpose and began to inspire others through empowering stories.Listen this week as we explore the publishing industry, creative control, and the South

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30:13

A Clear Step Forward: How Len Morris Built Viewrail...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/06/06

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford talk with Len Morris, CEO of Viewrail, a modern stair company in Goshen, Indiana. Len’s background is multifaceted, having once been a pastor, he transitioned into an entrepreneur and business leader in the South Bend-Elkhart region. He shares the core values of Viewrail and the pivotal moments that have shaped his entrepreneurial outlook. Len discusses the need for entrepreneurs to constantly iterate and solve real problems for customers, how culture

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35:32

Plugging the Gap: How Josh Rodgers is Using a High...

Rooted and Reaching ·

2024/05/23

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford sit down with Josh Rodgers from Mili Llama to dive into the entrepreneurial mindset transforming the educational landscape in the South Bend-Elkhart region of Indiana. With a focus on community-based solutions, Mili Llama aims to address the substitute teacher shortage by leveraging local talent. Josh Rodgers shares his moving story of crossing from the security of traditional employment to the unpredictable yet rewarding world of startups.Listen this

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39 results

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