Your Kids Don’t Need Disney: Creating Memories Right Where You Are | Katy Mann | Ripple Effect Podcast

You don’t need an expensive vacation, a trip to Disney, or a huge budget to create memories your kids will carry with them for years. Sometimes the best family adventures are already happening right in your own community. In this episode of the Ripple Effect Podcast, hosts Traver Butcher and Brittany Wayman sit down with Katy Mann, founder of Indy With Kids, to talk about family, entrepreneurship, community, content creation, and the power of choosing experiences together. Katy started Indy With Kids 17 years ago because she saw a problem: parents were carrying the mental load of constantly trying to figure out what to do with their kids, where to go, what events were worth attending, and what would actually work for their family. She wanted to make that process easier by creating one place where families could discover meaningful activities throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana. What started as a blog documenting adventures with her own family eventually grew into a full-time business, television appearances, tourism partnerships, books, and a trusted resource used by families throughout the region. But through all that growth, Katy says the heart of Indy With Kids has remained the same: helping families connect with one another while also supporting the local businesses and organizations that make those experiences possible. Together, they discuss: • How Indy With Kids grew from a side hustle into a 17-year business • Why entrepreneurs need people who believe in their vision • The reality behind being a content creator and “influencer” • Why authenticity matters more than creating a picture-perfect life online • How Katy balances entrepreneurship with raising four children • Why sometimes protecting your family means saying no—even when it hurts your reach or income • How free and inexpensive local activities can create incredible family memories • Why Katy chooses “micro adventures” and experiences over other expenses • How Indy With Kids has helped drive real customers to local businesses and events • Why accessibility sometimes starts with simply knowing what opportunities exist Katy also gets candid about the sacrifices behind building a business while raising a family. After 17 years, she’s learned that priorities change from season to season—and sustainability sometimes means producing less, earning less, asking for help, and choosing the people in front of you over the algorithm. And when it comes to family experiences, her message is encouraging: meaningful doesn’t have to mean expensive. Katy shares that roughly 75% of the activities her family does are things other families can experience for free, too. From splash pads and festivals to sledding, walking tours, and spontaneous local adventures, there are opportunities all around us—we just have to know where to find them. Whether you’re a parent looking to make more memories with your kids, an entrepreneur building something you believe in, a content creator navigating the pressure to always be “on,” or someone who simply wants to rediscover your own community, this episode will encourage you to be more intentional with the time and opportunities already around you. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share the Ripple Effect Podcast.