ThriveIN Wabash County

Hosted by three passionate leaders—Adam Stakeman, Alex Downard, and Christine Flohr—the podcast dives into the people and projects shaping Wabash County’s future. Every episode offers its listeners key takeaways that can be implemented in their own communities and will cause you to pause and celebrate the wins in your own backyard. With backgrounds in community development, economic growth, outdoor adventure, marketing, and tourism, the trio interviews local business owners, nonprofit leaders, and creatives who are all working to make Wabash County thrive. Subscribe and join us!

ThriveIN Wabash County is a society podcast hosted by Destination Wabash County, with 67 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Destination Wabash County hosts ThriveIN Wabash County, a society show with 67 episodes published.

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  Episode #33

  Raising a Family, Building a Community with The Lesters

  Aug 17, 202644 minS2

  Volunteerism, community spirit, and giving back are values that can be passed from one generation to the next. In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County , Christine sits down with Billy, Crystal and 16-year-old Gavin Lester to talk about their family’s commitment to the community they call home. The Lesters share why they choose to get involved, volunteer and invest their time and talents in Wabash County—and why being an active part of the community matters to them. For Gavin, that commitment is now becoming his own story as he grows up rooted in the place he calls home. From volunteering and community involvement to raising a family in Wabash County, the Lesters offer a firsthand look at what happens when local families choose to pour back into the communities that have poured into them. A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County . We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM .

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  Episode #32

  From Personal Milestone Ride to Wabash County Legacy

  Aug 10, 202657 minS2

  What started as a fun way of celebrating a 50th birthday amongst friends has grown into one of Wabash County's signature annual events. In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County, hosts Adam Stakeman and Christine Flohr welcome two men who were there from the very beginning—Bill Rauh and Mike Paul. Sixteen years ago, a small group of cyclists set out to celebrate Bill's 50th birthday with a 100-mile ride along the country roads of Wabash County. They had no idea the event would eventually attract riders from across the country and become a major annual attraction for Wabash County. Bill and Mike reflect on those early days, share stories from the first ride, and discuss what it feels like to watch Dam to Dam grow into an event that brings hundreds of visitors to the county each September. The conversation explores the power of grassroots ideas, the friendships forged on two wheels, and the lasting impact a single community event can have on local tourism, recreation, and community pride. Whether you're a cyclist, a community builder, or simply someone who appreciates a great hometown success story, this episode offers a fascinating look at how one ride became a lasting legacy. RESOURCES Dam to Dam Bike Ride: https://visitwabashcounty.com/dam-to-dam/ A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County . We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM .

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  Episode #31

  Summer, Service & Surprises: Inside the Wabash County Fellowship Program

  Aug 5, 202652 minS2

  What happens when two college students spend their summer living, working, and investing in a community they barely knew? In this episode of ThriveIN Wabash County , Christine sits down with Rosalyn Knauer (Manchester University) and Amelia Glosson (Grace College) , two college students serving as Visit Wabash County interns through the Wabash County Fellowship Program . Together, they reflect on a summer filled with new experiences, professional growth, and meaningful connections. From creating destination marketing content and supporting community events to discovering the people and places that make Wabash County unique, Rosalyn and Amelia share what surprised them most and why this experience has been so impactful. Whether you're a student looking for hands-on experience, a business interested in hosting future fellows, or simply someone who loves hearing stories about community impact, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the next generation of leaders making a difference in Wabash County. Learn more about the Wabash County Fellowship Program and Visit Wabash County by visiting visitwabashcounty.com . A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County . We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM .

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  Episode #30

  Get IN Collabs with ThriveIN

  Jul 27, 202647 minS2

  On this episode of ThriveIN, Alex sits down with fellow podcaster Nate Spangle, host of the Get IN podcast, for a conversation about Indiana, small-town life, and the stories that make communities thrive. Nate shares what first inspired his passion for exploring Indiana's cities, towns, and hidden treasures, and how that passion eventually led to the creation of Get IN. Along the way, he reflects on the people, places, and experiences that have shaped his understanding of what makes Indiana special. The conversation also dives into Nate's recent visit to Wabash County, where he discusses his impressions of the community, the assets that stood out most, and why places like Wabash continue to capture the attention of visitors from across the state. From revitalized downtowns and local entrepreneurship to community pride and authentic hospitality, Nate shares the common threads he's discovered while visiting small towns throughout Indiana. Listeners will gain insight into what successful communities have in common, the challenges they face, and the opportunities that exist for the future. Whether you're a lifelong Hoosier, a community champion, or someone who simply enjoys discovering great stories, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the power of place and the people working every day to make Indiana stronger. RESOURCES: Get Indiana Website: https://getindiana.com/natespangle Get Indiana Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-in-with-nate-spangle/id1677396097 Get Indiana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natespangle/ A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County . We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM .

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  Episode #29

  Walking with Purpose: The Dave Phillips Story

  Jul 20, 202652 minS2

  For more than 50 years, Dave Phillips has been a trusted pastor, mentor, chaplain, coach, and friend to countless people throughout Wabash County. Dave served as Senior Pastor of Wabash Friends Church from 1975 to 2010 and continued serving part-time through 2023. During his ministry, he helped launch community-impacting programs, including the Access Youth Center, Life Center, 85 HOPE, and Friends Counseling Center. In this episode, Dave reflects on his decades of ministry, the changes he's witnessed in Wabash County, and the importance of faith, servant leadership, and investing in others. He also shares about caring for his wife, Debbie, during her three-year hospice journey before her passing in November 2025. A 2004 Distinguished Citizen and 2024 Founders Festival Parade Grand Marshal, Dave's influence extends far beyond the church. He continues to preach, teach, mentor, and serve families during some of life's most meaningful moments. Join us for a conversation with a man whose legacy can be found in the countless lives he has touched throughout Wabash County. If today’s episode inspired you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and download future episodes of the ThriveIN Wabash County Podcast. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and upcoming stories. A heartfelt thank-you to our community partners—The City of Wabash, Bowen Health, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County—for helping bring this podcast to life. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County . We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback by completing this FORM .

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