The Summer Friends Podcast

Links from the episode: Owls for Avery Foundation: https://owlsforavery.org The Summer Friends Podcast: nateloucks.net/podcast

Ben Konowitz is the owner of LaPorte Seamless Gutter and the founder of Big Comedy LaPorte, a nonprofit organization that hosts comedy events to raise money for charitable causes. He’s also co-host of the Go Flix Yourself Podcast. I first met Ben at a middle school hayride. I liked him then. I like him more now. Ben is an atheist. I’m a pastor. Ben was an athlete. I was a musician. He’s the Chris Farley to my Mike Birbiglia. However, Ben and I intersect in more places than we divide. We both love the city that has helped form us. Even in our 30s, we are still working for the approval of our blue-collar, hardworking fathers. Moreover, we love to laugh and tell stories. Ben and I had a conversation about his life. We talk about his small business and nonprofit work. We also talk about SNL and our mutual affinity for comedians, while also getting vulnerable about the weaknesses that propel us to succeed. I had a blast talking with my friend and your new summer friend, Ben Konowitz. LINKS & FACTS Ben was named to the South Bend Tribune’s Forty Under 40 The Go Flix Yourself Podcast w/ Brad & Ben LaPorte Seamless Gutter Big Comedy LaPorte March 24, 2017 was “Ben Konowitz Day” in LaPorte, Indiana.

The first episode of 2019 is a conversation with my friend Rhymer/Educator (Joe Ruiz.) We talk about our mutual affection for hip-hop, making a debut album in your 30’s, and what it was like for Joe to grow up caught between his Hispanic and white communities.

Jennifer Rhine-Walker is a detective in the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department. She spends much of her time investigating sex crimes. Jennifer and Nate talk about how she investigates crimes against the person, being one of only two female police officers for the county police, sexual abuse in the church, and so much more.

Adam Wilson is the owner of Wilson’s Barbershop & Shave Parlor. The shop opened in May 2011 and has been awarded “Best Barber Shop” by Herald-Argus Reader’s Choice Awards every year since 2012. Nate and Adam talk about moving from California to LaPorte, owning a small business, the demands of an entrepreneur’s schedule, the attraction and need of barber shops in a lonely age, and whatever else that came to their mind.

Leigh Morris is the 83-year old former mayor of LaPorte, Indiana. Nate and Leigh talk about the selling of the Indiana Tollroad, winning a mayoral campaign, losing a mayoral campaign, changing careers in your 30’s, and so much more.

Follow Nate Loucks on twitter: @nateloucks GLOSSARY OF TERMS & LINKS: GLEDC: Greater LaPorte Economic Development Commission Board of Public Works and Safety Story about Thanhardt-Burger Corp. Fire

The Summer Friends Podcast is a regular one-hour conversation hosted by Nate Loucks that introduces people into your life for just a brief moment. It’s one hour of equal parts storytelling, interview, and education. We talk about community, shared interests and struggles, how our lives intersect, and where the guest plans on going from here. The Summer Friends Podcast will start in October.