The Confluence Cast

How much of ourselves should we put in our work? Today’s guest, longtime host, writer, comedian, and filmmaker Dino Tripodis has a creative journey that is uniquely his own, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Our conversation here takes an eagle-eye view of his career path, the value of being a multi-hyphenate creator, his approach to creativity, and the importance of authenticity. Shownotes Dino TripodisDown to the Felt Full transcript on page 2. The post Host and Creator Dino Tripodis appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

From context comes an understanding of everything. Today’s guest, well-known Central Ohio journalist, politician, and author Michael Curtin, seems to have understood that from his early days as a reporter to his time as a legislator. In our interview, Mike discusses his career, the future of journalism, the importance of compromise, and how we view issues largely depends on the vantage point with which we view them.  Our conversation provides an understanding that context is not just about seeing the bigger picture. It’s about appreciating the stories, decisions, and efforts that create that picture.  Full transcript on page 2. The post Journalist, Legislator, and Author Michael Curtin appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Shared experience enhances our sense of space. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Franklinton Board of Trade Gala, held at COSI. That night’s keynote speaker was the well-known Central Ohio journalist, legislator, and author Michael Curtin. His remarks that evening struck a chord with me, and I asked him to recite them again here for Confluence Cast listeners.  Mike’s speech touches on the impact Franklinton had on him, the local figures who ascended in their careers despite humble beginnings, and the role that Franklinton has had in molding the broader Columbus community. I hope this episode instills in listeners what it did for me: A greater sense of the city’s rich history and our opportunity to find a place in that history. Mike was also kind enough to stick around for a more in-depth interview. Tune in next week to hear that conversation. Shownotes Michael CurtinFranklinton Board of Trade Full transcript on page 2. The post Franklinton’s Past, Present and Future appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Can a city that doesn’t know its history properly tell its own story? I posited that question to Columbus Underground writers Walker Evans and Susan Post this week to kick off the first installment in a series of free-flowing conversations about a variety of local news topics. Some of the best-read articles this year at CU have included the “Come Get Your Dead” series, which dives into the history of the North Graveyard. “In Bucky’s article, he talks about that transient nature of Columbus, how there are so many people that are always coming in that don’t always know the history of the city,” explained Post. “I think that’s why this story has really struck a chord with people. People have no idea that used to be a graveyard. So I agree with him on that point, that there’s always so many new people coming to Columbus that there’s a hunger for those stories.” Other topics discussed this week include the upcoming election, new restaurants, and the city’s ever-changing retail landscape. “I republished my Tuttle Mall story last week — from back in February,” said Evans. “When I did that story, I found out that Tuttle was about 30 percent vacant. So I went to Gallery Hop — and took notes and took inventory and the number I landed on was around 15 percent. Which doesn’t seem insane, but it is interesting.” Here at The Confluence Cast, we’re booking out our fall interviews and have some really great ones coming up. But if readers or listeners have any ideas on topics they’d like to hear more about, leave a comment below or email [email protected] to make a suggestion. Shownotes Food + Drink“Come Get Your Dead” Series“Four Die as Balloon Hits Tower in Ohio” Full transcript on page 2 The post October News Roundup appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Mayor Andrew Ginther is ready for round three. After serving the city of Columbus from the top political position for the past eight years, he’s ready for four more. In today’s interview, Ginther talks more about police reform, housing development, zoning updates, and economic development. Shownotes Andrew Ginther Full transcript on page 2. The post Candidate Andrew Ginther appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Joe Motil wants your support to become the 54th mayor of the 14th largest city in America. And he’s going door-to-door and person-to-person in a grassroots effort to ask for that support. In today’s interview, Motil talks about his history in Central Ohio politics and his campaign platform. Shownotes Joe Motil Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Joe Motil appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

When Lourdes Barroso de Padilla first won her seat on Columbus City Council in 2021, she was the first Latina to serve in the role — a role that she plans to continue as she runs unopposed for reelection to Council District 8 this November. In today’s interview, she talks about her background and goes a lot deeper into the conversations around growth, transportation and opportunity. Shownotes Lourdes Barroso de PadillaColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Lourdes Barroso de Padilla appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Under the new City Council district system, District Seven encompasses Downtown, The Short North, German Village, Olde Towne East, Franklinton, Fifth by Northwest, and everything in between. Incumbent City Council member Shayla Favor is running for re-election within this district, unopposed. In today’s interview, Favor talks about equity, housing policy, and how her background applies to council policy work. Shownotes Shayla FavorUpper ArlingtonHousingColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Shayla Favor appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Despite the challenges that the city faces, Melissa Green, council candidate for District Six, remains optimistic about the future of Columbus. In today’s interview, Green talks about her background in social work, program ideas, and the importance of neighborhood communication. Shownotes Melissa GreenColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Melissa Green appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Nick Bankston, incumbent candidate for Columbus City Council District Five, discusses what brought him to public service, how he thinks about policy changes, and the importance of tax incentives for economic development. Shownotes Nick BankstonColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Nick Bankston appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Today, Farxaan Jeyte, candidate for Columbus City Council District Five, discusses his background, how he believes council can help better the city’s distressed neighborhoods, and the value of having a representative in each district. Shownotes Farxaan JeyteColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Farxaan Jeyte appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Today, Emmanuel Remy, incumbent and candidate for Columbus City Council District Four, discusses his work as a neighborhood advocate, the importance of a diverse council, and the appointment process that has defined council for so long. Shownotes Emmanuel RemyColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Emmanuel Remy appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Perhaps no candidate running for City Council this November is better suited to talk about safety, crime and police reform in Columbus than Adrienne Hood. Her son Henry Green was shot and killed by the Columbus Police in 2016. Hood is running for Columbus City Council District 4, in what could be considered one of the most hotly contested local races this November. In our interview, Hood talks more about her background, concerns about the increasing cost of living in Columbus, and much more. Shownotes Adrienne HoodColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Adrienne Hood appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

In today’s interview, Rob Dorans, unopposed city council candidate for District Three, discusses zoning, workforce training, and how to help the city continue to grow. Shownotes Rob DoransColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Rob Dorans appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Luis Gil, candidate for District Two, is the only candidate running this November for a seat on Columbus City Council that identifies as a Republican. And while the race is nonpartisan, that connection to the conservative party has become increasingly rare in races for local public offices over the past decade. Shownotes Luis GilColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Luis Gil appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Nancy Day-Achauer, candidate for District Two, discusses her background, why zoning updates are key to Columbus’s future, and how neighborhoods can fill gaps in social safety nets. Shownotes Nancy Day-AchauerColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Nancy Day-Achauer appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

In today’s interview, Christopher Wyche, an unopposed candidate for District One, discusses his background, the issues that he believes face Columbus going forward, and why he is running for office. Shownotes Christopher WycheColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Christopher Wyche appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

In the first interview among Columbus candidates for fall 2024, Council President Shannon Hardin sat down to discuss the state of council today, what successes and regrets he is reflecting on, and his vision for what’s next in Columbus. Shownotes ColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post Candidate Shannon Hardin appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

In anticipation of this fall’s election, the Confluence Cast is endeavoring to introduce Columbus voters to the twelve council and two mayoral candidates, in their own words. As an introduction, I sat down with Columbus Underground Co-Founder Walker Evans to discuss the interviews, what listeners can expect, and offer a preview of the throughlines for how candidates think about the future of Columbus. Shownotes ColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post 2023 Columbus Candidates appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Journalism is a balancing act. Today, a conversation about the challenges facing journalism. This episode was recorded at the Gateway Film Center as part of their Broadcast News: Journalism on Film series. The discussion features Columbus Underground’s Walker Evans, Susan Tebben from Ohio Capital Journal, and Michael Ouimette from the American Journalism Project. They discuss the challenges facing journalism today, including the rapid changes in media outlets, the impact of the culture wars, and threats to journalists’ personal lives. Shownotes Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes at the Gateway Transcript on page 2. The post Local Journalism Challenges appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Five years after approving a restructuring of Columbus City Council, voters this fall will see an expanded council where members reside in geographic districts but one that remains largely the same in terms of who sits in the chamber. This week, Columbus Underground Co-Founder Walker Evans discusses the change, the lack of participation in the races, and a new resource for Columbusites to explore their respective districts. Shownotes ColumbusDistricts.comMap to find your districtYoutube video on council redistrictingNorth Market Graveyard episode The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Columbus City Council Residential Districts appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

In the land surrounding the North Market, there are bodies. “Any time you stick a shovel in the ground out there, you’re gonna find somebody,” says one expert. As developers prepare to erect the 31-story Merchant Building, Columbus Underground reporter Jesse Bethea has been covering the removal of remains from what was once the North Graveyard, a site that pre-dates Columbus. Today, we discuss what is happening at the site, the work that should have been done 150 years ago, and the opportunity that Columbus has to look back at its history. Shownotes “Archeologists Unearthed 40 Graves at North Market in 2022”“Come Get Your Dead: The Long History of Excavations at the Old North Graveyard” North MarketLawhon and AssociatesRockbridgeMerchant BuildingState Historic Preservation OfficeGreenlawn Cemetery Association The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post North (Market) Graveyard appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Downtown Columbus has continued to evolve over the last 20 years. That evolution has been more prescriptive than some might know. The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation was created in 2002 to implement the city’s strategic plan for Downtown and it has continued to iterate on the policies and projects that allow the neighborhood to reach its potential. On the occasion of its next strategic plan initiative, the organization’s president, Amy Taylor, discusses its history, tactics, and why they are pivoting to focus more on people. Shownotes Columbus Downtown Development CorporationColumbus PartnershipCapital CrossroadsColumbus CommonsScioto MileVeterans MemorialCOSILinkUS Columbus The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Columbus Downtown Development Corporation appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Eastland Mall, once a thriving hub of retail activity in Columbus, has closed its doors for good. Historian Doug Motz takes a look back at the history of the mall and examines its impact on the local community, the retail industry, and the city as a whole. We also discuss the political fights that have always followed developments in Columbus and the need to look at the plan for the neighborhood now that Eastland is gone. Shownotes Doug MotzDoug Motz on AmazonFashion2FiberCity Council Residential Districts The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Eastland Mall appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Public libraries are a democracy’s best-kept promise and the Columbus Metropolitan Library has boasted that it is “open to all” since its founding in 1873. Chief Executive Officer Patrick Losinski talks this week about the challenges and opportunities facing libraries today, how the system has grown and evolved during his tenure, and how they continue to meet their customers where they are.  Shownotes Columbus Metropolitan LibraryColumbus Metropolitan Library FoundationFriends of the LibraryColumbus FoundationFranklin County Digital Equity CoalitionSmart ColumbusBatelleThe Big Table The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Columbus Metropolitan Library appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Sours, IPAs, and stouts, oh my! Dan Whalen, a reporter for Columbus Underground, has quickly become well-versed in the local brewery and beer scene, despite only living in Columbus for two years. We talked about the high quality, diverse selection, and unpretentious atmosphere of the beer scene in Columbus, as well as ways for people to expand their taste preferences and the current trends in the city. Shownotes The Food in My BeardLand Grant Brewing CompanySeventh Son Brewing Co.Wolf’s Ridge BrewingPerfect Pour Beverage CompanyJackie O’s Pub & BreweryDankHouse Brewing Co.Hoof Hearted BrewingNocterra Brewing Co.Gemüt BiergartenChapman’s Eat MarketDan Whalen bio and social profiles Full transcript on page 2 The post The Columbus Beer Scene appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

The children of our community need advocates in order to ensure that they are safe, stable, and able to thrive. When it comes to homes and families, that is the role of Franklin County Children Services. They are tasked with making sure that children are safe in their homes, providing families with resources if they are needed, and providing support to the community in general. Shownotes Holiday Wish CampaignFranklin County Children ServicesNationwide Children’s Hospital The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Franklin County Children Services appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record that you’ve heard before: Voting is important. On the occasion of next week’s midterm election, David DeWitt, the editor-in-chief of the Ohio Capital Journal, sat down with the Confluence Cast this week to discuss how the political landscape has changed in the last two years, the Ohio Supreme Court races and the issues that will be decided as a result of them, the Ohio governor’s race, of course, the US senate race, and why it is so important to vote. Shownotes Ohio Capital JournalOhio Supreme CourtState redistrictingMike DeWineNan WhaleyTim RyanJD Vance Full transcript on page 2 The post The Ohio Midterm Election appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

The role of our elected officials is largely known to us. That is less true for our county commissioners. Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley joins the Confluence Cast this week to discuss what the commissioners’ office does, her background, and how she translates advocacy into her role on the board for the largest county in the state. Shownotes Franklin County CommissionersCommissioner Erica CrawleyColumbus ClippersCourt Appointed Special AdvocatesFranklin County Rise The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

It has been said that festivals are one of the best things about our community. By extension, the folks who conceive and orchestrate them are making the city measurably better. This week, on the occasion of the upcoming Hot Times Festival, organizer Candy Watkins discusses the origins of Comfest, why Hot Times Community Festival is the friendliest festival in town, and the importance of leaning in to ensure that these festivals continue to thrive. Shownotes Goodale ParkComfestHot Times Community Festival The Confluence Cast is sponsored this week by the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival. The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival has celebrated and shared the arts with the community and region for over 50 years.  This event features fine art and fine crafts from over 120 artists, live performances, food trucks, and art activities. Join the fun at Northam Park on Monday, September 5, from 10 am-4 pm.  Full transcript on page 2 The post Making Columbus Festivals appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Columbus has a lot of character to it. From Comfest to COSI, there are a myriad of topics, issues, inside jokes, and even memes that every Columbusite should be aware of. 614 enthusiast Doug Powhida, the man behind the satirical twitter account Fake Dispatch, graces us this week with a high-level survey of what makes the city great, and sometimes not so great. Shownotes Fake Dispatch on TwitterCOSIAM 820CD 92.9Columbus Ale TrailColumbus CrewArnold Sports FestivalComfestSouth Campus GatewayColumbus on Reddit The Confluence Cast is sponsored this week by the Gateway Film Center. Gateway Film Center is a nonprofit cinema committed to supporting storytellers and amplifying the impact of their work in our community. Join them at the Film Center this season as they celebrate these artists with a retrospective of unique stories from their partners at A24 and new independent stories premiering this summer. To plan your next visit, visit gatewayfilmcenter.org. Full transcript on page 2 The post Columbus Memes & Inside Jokes appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

As the Assistant Director of Housing Strategies for the City of Columbus, Erin Prosser wakes up every day thinking about housing in the city. In today’s episode, we discuss strategies for combatting NIMBYism, the importance of non-commercial partners when we think about housing, why housing should be thought of as infrastructure, and how we can right-size our systems in order to align them to our priorities. As a bonus this week, we have an additional conversation with entrepreneur David Hunegnaw about one possible micro solution to density: Lease the Lawn. Shownotes Erin ProsserMKSKCampus Partners3CDCCommunity Properties of OhioLinkUSLease The LawnLoud Capital The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Housing appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

As a growing city, we have growing city problems. No one knows that better than Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. With the influx of new residents and new jobs, President Hardin discusses transit as an equity issue, the importance of continuing conversations around race and policing, why we have to do big things now, and the big changes coming to how the city council will be elected, starting next year. Shownotes Council President Shannon HardinColumbus City Council311 Call Center The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Council President Shannon Hardin appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

At a time when the city seems close to a boom in terms of economic development, it also faces challenges with that growth. This week, Columbus’s Director of Development Michael Stevens discusses the portfolio of the Department of Development, how the department works to improve the lives of Columbus residents, evaluating investments at a neighborhood level, and how tax abatements happen in the city. Shownotes Department of DevelopmentDirector of Development Michael StevensSteve Schoeny episodeHomeport episodeOne LindenColumbus Land BankOne Columbus The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services, and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth of the region. Full transcript on page 2 The post Department of Development appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

How should eScooters, ride-hailing apps, and car-share services be considered in the conversation about alternative transportation? Can we think of them as a public good when they are for-profit entities? This week, Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren discusses the options for last-mile transit that exist in Columbus, how they came to be, and the motivations and incentives for the companies that get us from point A to point B. Shownotes Car2GoJosh LappBirdSpinLimeCoGo Free2MoveTrip Bikes The Confluence Cast is sponsored this week by the Central Ohio Transit Authority. It’s time to shake up your commute and roll with COTA! Getting started is easy. Just go to your app store and search for “Transit.” Download the Transit app and set up your COTA account. With the Transit app, you can plan, track and pay for your COTA rides. Download Transit today! Full transcript on page 2. The post Alternative Transit appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Art and artists have the power to change perceptions. In this week’s episode, multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, & social justice advocate Lisa Mclymont discusses her background, work, her path as an artist, how she chooses her work so that it remains aligned with her self-defined purpose, and her work on the Columbus Art Commission. Additionally, the episode starts with a mini-episode, the first in a series of bite-sized conversations with the staffers at Columbus Underground about timely issues that may not warrant an entire show. Today, we’re talking about the bike lane discussions that are taking place in Clintonville and around the city with Columbus Underground owner Walker Evans. Shownotes Lisa MclymontUniverse Tribe OdesRebecca IbelArt for LifeCAPAAdam BrouilletteBlockfortThe Rambling HouseColumbus Art CommissionRiffe GalleryStudio 35 This Confluence Cast episode is sponsored by Art Makes Columbus, Columbus Makes Art, featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists — stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion, and success. For videos, articles, an up-to-the-minute calendar of events, and an artist directory visit ColumbusMakesArt.com, the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Full transcript on page 2. The post Multidisciplinary Artist Lisa Mclymont appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Columbus is the largest city in the country without any form of rail service. That might not be changing anytime soon but plans are coming together for an alternative by way of the LinkUS Columbus initiative: Bus Rapid Transit. In today’s episode, Josh Lapp of Transit Columbus talks about the plan, how to convince people that we need transit, and what Amtrak service in Columbus may look like. Shownotes Transit ColumbusLinkUS ColumbusMid-Ohio Regional Planning CommissionCentral Ohio Transit AuthorityCorridor StudyIntel PlantAmtrak ProposalJosh in the Wall Street JournalScioto Mile Full transcript on page 2. The post The Future of Transit appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Communities around Central Ohio are facing rapid change. That’s apparent in Upper Arlington where Steve Schoeny serves as City Manager. In this week’s episode, we discussed the role of a city manager, his time as Development Director for the City of Columbus, addressing diversity in communities, and the new development coming to UA. Shownotes Upper Arlington Columbus Department of Development Ohio Department of Development Ice Miller Columbus Land Bank United Way of Central Ohio LinkUs Initiative Rapid 5 Project The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. Full Transcript Tim Fulton 00:10 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host Tim Fulton. This week I spoke with Upper Arlington city manager Steve shoni. We discussed the role of a city manager what makes Arlington unique, his time as development director for the city of Columbus, making investments for long term benefit addressing diversity in communities and the new developments coming to UA. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast comm also the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website, the confluence cast comm or at patreon.com/confluence. The confluence cast is sponsored this week by the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission, or more BCy. featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio. More PCs transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. For more information, please visit more pcy.org Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually with the city manager of Burlington Steve shoni. Steve, how are you, sir? Steve Schoeny 01:48 I’m doing well. How are you? Tim Fulton 01:49 I’m doing well. Thank you for asking. I wanted to first of all, just get your bio, what your background is where you came from? And how long you’ve been with Arlington? Steve Schoeny 01:59 Yeah, sure. So I’ve been with Arlington for about two years, actually a little over two years now. So I started Deana September of 19. Before that I was spent 66 years as the development director for the city of Columbus. So there I had responsibility for code enforcement planning, housing. Economic Development, downtown development, basically, I used to say if Oh, and then we had social service programs, too. So basically, if you were doing something to invest in the city in some way, shape, or form, probably Department of Development had something to it. So I spent most of my career, most of my career before that with the Ohio Department of Development. started off doing international trade promotion, went from there to run in the states tax incentive programs. And then running off the state’s business attraction program did that for about 13 years. In between the two, I spent three years working for ice Miller, which is a law firm here in town doing working in their consulting practice. I’m not a lawyer, but doing I was doing consulting for businesses that were looking to get incentives or communities that were looking to improve their economic development programs. Okay, you know, really kind of came to the city manager role and a pretty roundabout way, a pretty non traditional way, for folks, but it’s been great. It’s been a fantastic two years, you know, setting aside this whole COVID thing, which was a little bit weird, but Tim Fulton 03:34 I mean, most of the time you’ve been there, that’s what you’ve been looking Steve Schoeny 03:37 after. Yeah, exactly. So it’s, it’s, you know, as everybody, as with everybody, the last two and a half years have felt more like five and a half to 25 and a half somewhere in that range. But it’s been good. We got a great community, a great team and all things considered. We have come through or coming through this storm and living, you know, learning to live with this, as well as any community around so it’s been great. Tim Fulton 04:05 Yeah. And for those that don’t know, or aren’t familiar with it, and have been living under a male role structure for most of their lives. Can you talk about the role of a city manager and who you’re accou

54,000 households in Central Ohio pay 50% of their income for housing. Homeport, along with other Columbus-based organizations, are working to fix that. This week, Homeport President and CEO Bruce Luecke discusses their work, the growing need for affordable housing in Columbus, and the contributing factors that hamper Columbus’s housing market. Shownotes Homeport National Church Residences Woda Cooper Companies Wallick Communities Affordable Housing Alliance Community Shelter Board Habitat for Humanity The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. Full Transcript Tim Fulton 00:14 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus-centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host Tim Fulton. This week, I spoke with Bruce Lukey, the President and CEO of Central Ohio affordable housing nonprofit homeport. We discussed low income housing programs, how our population growth has affected the need for affordable housing in Columbus, working with communities on putting in affordable housing, and the contributing factors that hamper Columbus when it comes to affordable housing. You can get more information on what we’ve discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast calm. Also, the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website V Confluence cast calm or at patreon.com/confluence. The confluence cast is sponsored this week by the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission or MORP. C, featuring stories about our local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive Central Ohio MORP C’s transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. For more information, please visit more si.org Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually with the CEO of home port Bruce Lukey. Bruce, how are you sir? Bruce Luecke 01:58 I’m good, Tim. Thanks. Good. Tim Fulton 02:00 So at a high level home port provides homes for folks with low to moderate income in central Ohio, correct? Bruce Luecke 02:10 Yeah, correct. So we’re 34 years old, we have 41 communities around Central Ohio. Okay. That’s about 2500 2600 units, we serve 6500 people we have with us. And then we have another three to four in the works that will be coming within the next couple of months, if not year or so. So we’re growing quickly. And we not only you know, provide housing, and yes, it’s affordable housing. Okay, so typically, the client that we serve would make from 20 to 35 $40,000 per year. In fact, they would be rent restricted, based upon the financing that we use, Tim Fulton 02:56 okay. And then define define rent restricted, Bruce Luecke 03:00 meaning the rents the actual level of rents are actually restricted by basically the covenants in the loan agreement. Okay. And the investor agreements that we serve, okay, but we are meant to serve, you know, that population. Tim Fulton 03:17 Got it. And so is it all apartment communities? Is that how folks should think of it? Bruce Luecke 03:23 So we have today of the 2600 units or so all but 500 are multifamily? Okay, there’s 500 single family homes, but they are lease purchase homes. And again, based upon the financing, which is mostly made up of low income housing tax credits, they have to remain as rental properties for 15 years, and then they’re eligible to buy. Tim Fulton 03:49 Okay, and is there some credit that they’re getting for those 15 years ahead of time, it’s basically rent to own is that simple way of putting it? Bruce Luecke 03:58 Yeah, the way we treat it would be that we give them a for the number of years that they were there, we give them $1,000 per year and credit. Okay, and then on top of that, typically, you know, by year 15, homes usually need a makeover, a little bit of a makeover, right? So they typically get a new H vac system, they get a new roof, etc. So we make it so individuals don’t have to put a lot of their own money into the house to you know, to be able to buy, Tim Fulton 04:27 okay, and the organization started in 87 Correct. How do you identify sorry, I want to be clear here. You guys own the units that you are providing to people? Bruce Luecke 04:41 In essence Yes. It would take a whole two hours to explain the low how low income housing tax credit. Okay, Graham,

What’s the difference between being an arts advocate and an artists’ advocate? Look to the policies and missions of the Greater Columbus Arts Council for an idea. This week, I spoke with Jami Goldstein, Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Events. We discussed the organization and how it’s funded, their non-competitive grants programs, their new office and gallery space, how the arts community has the opportunity to engage and uplift marginalized communities, and the importance of public art. Shownotes GCAC ROY G BIV Gallery Summer Jam West Columbus Arts Festival Columbus Makes Art Passport Program Brad DeHays Connect Realty Loann Crane Gallery King Arts Complex GCAC Equity Statements #ArtUnitesCBUS Deliver Black Dreams Beeler Gallery Wexner Center for the Arts Marshall Shorts Shayla Favor Public Art Database Columbus Art Commission Columbus Metropolitan Library Stephanie Rond Can’t Stop Columbus Art Walks Shadowbox Cabaret Full transcript on page 2. The post Greater Columbus Arts Council appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Everyone has the opportunity to document their lives in their own ways. On the eve of the release of her latest collection of work, I spoke with Columbus-based poet Maggie Smith. We discussed how she writes, how the publishing industry works, the inspirations for her work, and why she chooses to stay in Columbus. Shownotes Maggie Smith Goldenrod Good Bones (book) “Good Bones” (poem) Simon and Schuster Tupelo Press Red Hen Press Old 97s Nada Surf Ohio Art League Greater Columbus Arts Council Columbus Crew Metro Parks This Confluence Cast episode is sponsored by Art Makes Columbus, Columbus Makes Art, featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists — stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion, and success. For videos, articles, an up-to-the-minute calendar of events, and an artist directory visit ColumbusMakesArt.com, the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Full transcript on page 2. Tim Fulton 0:11 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host Tim Fulton. This week on the eve of the release of her latest collection of work, I spoke with Columbus based poet Maggie Smith. We discussed how she writes how the publishing industry works, the inspiration for her work, why she chooses to stay in Columbus, and how everyone has the opportunity to document their lives in their own ways. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast comm also the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website the confluence cast calm [email protected] slash Confluence. The Confluence cast is sponsored this week by art makes Columbus Columbus makes art featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists. Stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion, and success. For videos, articles, an up to the minute calendar of events and an artist directory visit Columbus makes art.com the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually with poet Maggie Smith Mikey, how are you? Hi, Maggie Smith 1:46 I’m good. Thanks for having me. Tim Fulton 1:47 Absolutely. We’re speaking on the eve the week before your next book of poetry comes out golden rod wanted to start off by for those that aren’t aware of you. What’s your background? And where do you come from? Yeah, so Maggie Smith 2:04 I live in Bexley, Ohio now but I was born in Columbus and raised in Westerville. So I basically lived within you know, 15 or 20 minute drive of my childhood home for my entire life so I I sort of like issue most labels like Oh, she’s a woman poet, or she’s a this poet or she’s a mom, poet, but I will claim Ohio poet. I feel like that is like sort of me through and through. And frankly, place comes up a lot in my work. So I’m, yeah, merrily a poet. I have one book of prose that came out last year, but for the past, I don’t know. 15 years, I’ve been mostly publishing books of poems. Tim Fulton 2:55 Well, and there is work in Golden rod that is Ohio specific. You even pull from some other Ohio based poets? Correct? Maggie Smith 3:04 Yeah, there’s a series of poems in this book that all have the same title, not out of laziness. When I tell you about what the poems are, you’ll be like, actually, she is lazy. So the title of each of these poems is Ohio, sento, and acento. Or if you’re being sort of fussy in Italian, and the chuck dough, okay. If you were the kind of person who ordered a croissant at a bakery, you might say cetto, but I’m not. So I say Santo got it. It’s a form of poetry where you actually don’t do any original writing, hence, the laziness. Okay, um, you assemble the poem from lines from other people’s poems. So it’s, it’s collage, it’s like literal, okay, collage. So, that series of poems I did not write I assembled. So I would pull a line from one Ohio poet. And then I think, okay, that line ends on a preposition, what line from another Ohio poet could follow it. So that’s what these poems all have in common. They’re all assembled from other Ohio poets words. Tim Fulton 4:15 That’s great. And that’s the title of the type of construction it is right. The center. Maggie Smith 4:21 Yeah. acento is, is that form. So I think it’s, it’s actually a great form for if you have some writer’s block, or if you’re not feeling particularly inspired at the time you just go to your bookshelf, pull off some books that you like, and start seeing what you can build from the lines that other people have already written. Tim Fulton 4:41 So talk to me about your process in writing a book bit from First of all, like how, how

As we navigate change, how can we create actionable plans for the future? Futurist Rebecca Ryan has a few ideas. Based in Madison, Wisconson, her past work in Columbus led to the advent of the city’s young professional initiatives. We discussed the work of a futurist, the tangible things that can be done to improve the social fabric of communities, and if it’s important to be back in the office. Shownotes Rebecca Ryan Create Columbus Commission Live First, Work Second Richard Florida Alliance for Innovation The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. Full transcript Tim Fulton 0:12 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host, Tim Fulton. This week, I had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca Ryan, a futurist based in Madison, Wisconsin. As you’ll hear her work in Columbus led to the advent of the city’s young professional initiatives. We discussed the work of a futurist, the tangible things that can be done to improve the social fabric of communities. The challenge with thinking about creating actionable plans for the future, defining when it’s important to be back in the office and defining the value of it, what other changes are coming, and the questions we should be asking ourselves about that. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast comm also, the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website the confluence cast comm [email protected] slash Confluence. The Confluence cast is sponsored this week by the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission, or more proceed featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive central Ohio Morrissey’s transformative programming innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. For more information, please visit more pepsi.org enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually with economist futurist entrepreneur and self described badass Rebecca Ryan. Rebecca, how are you would have been nicer if you would have just called me a badass and I’m sorry, let’s do it. You know what? Do it again. Leave it in and I’m leaving. I’m leaving the first one in. I want to give you credit, sitting down here virtually with economist, futurist entrepreneur and badass. Rebecca Ryan coming to us from Madison, Wisconsin. Rebecca, how are you? Rebecca Ryan 2:35 I’m well from one university town to another in the Midwest, a virtual High Five Tim Fulton. Tim Fulton 2:40 Indeed, as some guests come I got a pitch for you to be on the podcast, talking about sort of the the current environment we’re in in terms of return to work. I did some googling very quickly because I was like I know who Rebecca Ryan is Rebecca Ryan basically encouraged Columbus to create the young professional commission that we’re known as they create Columbus commission, which we’ve talked to former chairs, I am actually a former chair of the Commission. So first of all, Rebecca, just give us the elevator pitch on who you are and where you come from. Rebecca Ryan 3:19 Yeah, so I’m a I’m an economist. And I come from I was born in West Bend, Wisconsin, a small very conservative town in Wisconsin. And I it was after I did the engagement with Columbus that I went back to school and get my degree in foresight. So now the futurist moniker has been added to my bio. But yeah, that’s it. I mean, I’m a futurist. I’m an economist, I love my work. I’m a wife, I’m a dog mom. And I really enjoy mowing my lawn. Tim Fulton 3:52 Okay. So would you refer to those, those gigs with individual governments or some government adjacent is what you’ve referred to them as those entities? Is that an economic development that you primarily worked in? Or what was the pitch when you were getting those engagements? Rebecca Ryan 4:11 Yeah, I mean, at the time, when I was working with Columbus, the brain drain was on everybody’s mind Ohio was talking to everybody in the Midwest was talking about where our number one export is talented young professionals whom we educate, and then they either go back home or they leave for brighter shores. So I was in the mix. During all of that

The work of architects has an impact on our lives every day. But how does that work get done? This week, we’re talking architecture and development with the principal of architecture and design firm JBAD, Jonathan Barnes. We discussed how architecture firms work, the importance of relationships, the issues that should be kept in mind as Columbus continues to grow, and whether we’re doing a good job of addressing those issues. Shownotes JBAD Bridge Park Columbus Area Commissions Rapid Five Urban Land Institute Franklinton Scioto Mile Downtown Columbus The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. Full transcript: Tim Fulton 00:13 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host, Tim Fulton. This week we are talking architecture and development in Columbus with the principle of architecture and design firm j bad. Jonathan Barnes. We discussed how architecture firms work, how projects come into fruition, the importance of relationships and a diversity of experience choosing who to work with the unique aspects of the Columbus real estate market, the issues that should be kept in mind as Columbus continues to grow, and whether we’re doing a good job of addressing those issues. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast comm also, the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website the confluence cast calm [email protected] slash Confluence. The Confluence cast is sponsored this week by the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission, or more, Percy, featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace the innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability, and an inclusive central Ohio. Morrissey’s transformative programming innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. For more information, please visit more pcy.org. Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually with Jonathan Barnes, the owner of JBA D architecture and design firm in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Barnes, how are you sir? I’m good. Thank you. First of all, tell me about j bad and yourself and your work? Jonathan Barnes 02:17 Well, there’s a lot to say there. But we’ve been here in Columbus for you know, the years just keep racking up 20 I think eight now. So I started the firm. When I returned to Columbus, where I’m from. In the early 90s, I was coming back from working in Italy for about three years. Move back to Columbus decided to do that as opposed to Chicago where I came from on my way out of the country and taught for a little bit and then started the sort of the firm sort of the practice. back then. Tim Fulton 02:59 Where’d you grow up? Jonathan Barnes 03:00 I grew up here in Columbus, where your high school, Upper Arlington, Arlington, a very cozy suburb, your Golden Bear. That’s right. Tim Fulton 03:10 That’s good. I you know, we just want the context. Yep, that’s it. And tell me about sort of the specialty of the firm and what what you guys do? Jonathan Barnes 03:20 Well, you know, we’ve done a lot over the years. And we’ve specialized in sort of different areas at different times, sort of depending on our interest, our expertise and the market. The you know, real estate market, I suppose, I would say really for a good part of the history of the firm we’ve specialized in, I would say mixed use residential, as a short term. So to most people, that means apartments, but it also means office, it also means retail, and all sorts of things, but mostly it’s urban urban infill projects, a lot of apartments and condos, but a pretty broad base beyond that, too. So you know, banks in schools and office and art galleries and all sorts of things. Got it, but but they all have something in common, I would say for the most part, to a large degree, their urban in one way or another. Tim Fulton 04:27 And I am familiar with a couple of different business models of things. I am not very familiar with architecture firms and sort of how that I know that you design buildings. I don’t have a familiarity with Do you tend to work with other firms, other architecture firms on individual projects, or how, how the acquisition of a project happens if you could walk me through basically First of a

How will businesses pivot when things get “back to normal?” Becca Apfelstadt, the co-founder of creative and marketing agency treetree, has a couple of ideas. In this episode, we discuss how the firm got started at a time of change, how they are pivoting in this time of change, and the importance of culture and the role of the office in the impending new normal. Shownotes treetree North Market Northstar Cafe Short North Arts District Shannon Ginther Columbus Women’s Commission Cardinal Health Full transcript: Tim Fulton 00:13 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host, Tim Fulton. This week, I spoke with Becca Apfel stat, the co founder of Columbus based creative and marketing agency tree tree. We discussed how they got started at a time of change, how they are pivoting in this time of change, where marketing agency models are going, the importance of culture and the role of the office when things go back to normal. Her passion for empowering women through mentorship, closing the pay gap, and parental leave policies, and why we need to take the karma off of Columbus. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast calm. Also, the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website, the confluence cast calm [email protected] slash Confluence. Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually talking with Becca Apple stat, the co founder and CEO of Columbus based agency tree tree. Becca, how are you? Becca Apfelstadt 01:39 I’m doing well. Thanks, Tim, for having me. Tim Fulton 01:42 No, absolutely. So first of all, tell us what tree tree is how to tree tree get started? Well, we Becca Apfelstadt 01:49 got started in the middle of the recession. So we’re an agency that helps support what we call b2b giants, when they need creative firepower. And it wasn’t always that we started as a small dining room duo. It was myself and a co founder. And we really took an opportunity to leave a situation where the agency we were at before where we met didn’t make it through the recession, unfortunately, and debate just for context. This is the recession of 2008. Yes, yeah. Yeah, we started in March of 2009. When no one was, no one was hiring marketing folks. And so we just looked at each other and said, Well, if we’re not going to go get a job, most likely, let’s try this on our own. Let’s see if we can take all the great things, we learned that the place that we worked before, and carry those forward into a new culture and see if we can make it and I was 27 and had no clue what I was doing. And it was really scary. And she had two young kids and her husband had just started his own business and bought into a business about a year prior. So, you know, financially, it was scary, but we looked at each other and made the leap. And tree tree has has grown wonderfully and beautifully over the last 12 years. And we just in the last six months through COVID had the opportunity to kind of pause and take a look at where do we go next? And what where agency headed, and what’s the right next step for us. And so we’re really going all in on the target audience of b2b giants, we have a real knack for serving large, complex organizations where the subject matters complicated, their structure is hard to navigate. And that’s us, you know, excited to be able to go in and help marketing and sales teams shine and the times where it’s what we call go time, they might help with a pitch, they have an opportunity to launch a new product or service, they need to rally the sales team or associates around something and get everybody together for a great experience. And we’re able to put that extra oomph and force behind what those initiatives are and take things off their plate, move them forward and elevate the whole experience and have fun doing it together. Tim Fulton 04:18 And you’re specializing more within the business business space. Prior to COVID. You certainly service business to business, but you also did stuff outside of that, but it tended to be special project space. Yeah. Do you are the UN this may be getting a little bit too into the weeds of agency stuff. But is it still campaign based primarily the work that you’re doing around individual projects and initiatives? Yeah, Becca Apfelstadt 04:44 that’s really where the industry is going. I mean, more clients want to engage on a project basis. It’s not abnormal. The classic AR model is you know, it’s been contested for years that that’s going by the way And, and so fewer and fewer of those contracts are up for grabs. We never lived in that world, we started with that different model from the ve

Contemporary art and the presentation of it has traditionally been a class-based endeavor. The Wexner Center for the Arts is trying to change that through its programs and the type of work that they present. I spoke with Johanna Burton, the Center’s Executive Director about what the Wexner Center is and how you should view it, how to convince people to expose themselves to the arts, the importance of being a multi-disciplinary laboratory, and how they are pivoting in this time. Shownotes Wexner Center for the Arts Johanna Burton New Museum Keith Haring Bebe Miller episode Wex WOSU collaboration Dionne Custer Edwards Ann Hamilton Counterfeit Madison episode Mark Lomax episode 15th & High Climate Changing exhibition Free Sundays This Confluence Cast episode is sponsored by Art Makes Columbus, Columbus Makes Art, featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists — stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion, and success. For videos, articles, an up-to-the-minute calendar of events, and an artist directory visit ColumbusMakesArt.com, the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Full transcript: Tim Fulton 00:11 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host, Tim Fulton. This week, contemporary art and the presentation of it has traditionally been a class based endeavor. The Wexner Center for the Arts is trying to change that through their programs and the type of work that they present. I spoke with Johanna Burton, the center’s executive director about what the Wexner Center is and how you should view it, how to convince people to expose themselves to the arts, the importance of being a multidisciplinary laboratory, and how they’re pivoting in this time. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast calm. Also, the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website the confluence cast calm [email protected] slash Confluence. The Confluence cast is sponsored this week by art makes Columbus Columbus makes art, featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists, stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion and success. For videos, articles, an up to the minute calendar of events and an artist directory visit Columbus makes art.com the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here virtually with Johanna Burton, the executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University. Joanna How are you? Johanna Burton 01:54 I’m great, Tim, how are you? Thank you so much for having me today. Tim Fulton 01:57 No, absolutely. First of all, for those that don’t know, who had been sitting under a rock for the past 30 years, give sort of the the elevator pitch of what is the Wexner Center for the Arts? Johanna Burton 02:09 Well, everyone should know. But now, just now, the Wexner Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary Art Center. It is a non collecting institution that’s been around for 32 years, we were we opened our doors in 1989. Something that I often forget to say but I want to make sure I say here is well other institutions, I think over that time have really become more multidisciplinary have thought more about the the kind of intersection between and even transposition between disciplines, think ours remains one of the few at least in America that still thinks about these disciplines as equal and, and also really kind of tries very hard to, to bring them together and in discussions around the disciplines, but also between the disciplines. And we are the only such entity on a university campus, which I find really interesting. Because we are a laboratory and follow that mandate. Tim Fulton 03:09 And just to give context for the audience, when you say the multiple disciplines, you are talking about visual art, you’re talking about performing arts, you’re talking about film and video, you’re talking about public programs even Johanna Burton 03:22 less. It’s great, you say that. So I think we’ve always talked about ourselves as three arms, the ones that are performing arts exhibitions and film video, we have changed. Not surprisingly, given my background, what had been the education department is now learning and public practice and it is considered a fourth and equal programming arm. For the reasons that you started to slide into I think it education I think more and more is being understood as not the thing that explains what else is happening in a museum but as an equal partner in producing ideas and, and really being able to animate audiences in ways that I think are increasingly important. So yes, so now we are a forearmed. Beast. Tim Fulton 04:03 Excellent. And ta

Take your broken heart and turn it into art. This week, I sat down with Andrew Levitt, AKA Nina West, Columbus’s predominant drag queen and champion. It’s been 20 years since Andrew became Nina; high time to take stock in his career and what’s next. We discussed how he got started, the cultural phenomena of drag, the importance of being resourceful and scrappy, what’s it’s like being on Drag Race, and how he manages his career. Shownotes Nina West Virginia West Union Cafe Axis Nightclub National Entertainer of the Year The Moving Dress Rupaul’s Drag Race DragCast Greater Columbus Arts Council Columbus Zoo This Confluence Cast episode is sponsored by Art Makes Columbus, Columbus Makes Art, featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists — stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion, and success. For videos, articles, an up-to-the-minute calendar of events and an artist directory visit ColumbusMakesArt.com, the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Full transcript: Tim Fulton 00:12 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the confluence cast presented by Columbus underground. We are a weekly Columbus-centric podcast focusing on the civics, lifestyle, entertainment, and people of our city. I’m your host Tim Fulton. This week, I sat down with Andrew Lovett, aka Nina West Columbus is predominant drag queen and champion. It’s been 20 years since Andrew became Nina high time to take stock in his career. And what’s next? We discussed how we got started. The cultural phenomena of drag and how it relates to the black and queer experience, the importance of being resourceful and scrappy. What it’s like getting on and being on drag race, how he manages his career, and why you should take your broken heart and turn it into art. You can get more information on what we discussed today in the show notes for this episode at the confluence cast calm. Also, the confluence cast is on Patreon. Find out how to support this podcast on our website the confluence cast calm [email protected] slash Confluence. The Confluence cast is sponsored this week by art makes Columbus Columbus makes art featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists. Stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion and success. For videos, articles, and up to the minute calendar of events and an artists directory visit Columbus makes art calm. The resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. Enjoy the interview. Sitting down here with Andrew Lovett, also known as Nita West. Andrew, how Andrew Levitt 01:57 are you? I’m well, Tim, how are you? Tim Fulton 01:59 I’m good. It’s good to see you. It’s been at least since the before times, probably a little bit longer than that. Andrew Levitt 02:07 Yeah. Tim Fulton 02:08 So you are best known as Nina West and you’ve been on drag race. You’ve been sort of a Columbus icon for years now. How did you get into drag? Andrew Levitt 02:20 Well, first, thanks for having me today. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to see you again. It’s been way too long. We haven’t Good to see you. It’s been really long. So it’s really nice. Virtually it’s really nice to be here with you. How can I get started is back. Um, I was I was going to Denison University. I was a theater major. I was also the president of our LGBT q student organization, which is still called outlook and and so I think what happened was we had the organ of the university and this organization specifically had brought drag queens in from Columbus for years. And so it’s one of the law, it’s probably one of the longest drunk like running drag shows at a university in the country, maybe overlay overlay, maybe the longest. Denison’s right up there, which both, incidentally, are Ohio schools, which just kind of crazy, right? So, so when I was a freshman, I remember going to my first major drag show at Denison in the Student Union and it was drag queens from Columbus. And it was like Marianne Brandt, and Janet garrison and Dominique LaRue. And Maria garrison, were the first drag queens that I saw. And then I ran for a brand new organization, which meant in my sophomore year, it meant that I would bring drag queens in to the university, I’d have to book the show at the end of the year for for the, for the organization. So I started to meet drag queens, and I was like, wow, you know, this is, you know, it’s not anything like I thought it was. And these people are really actually really wonderful and incredible. And so then by the time my senior year came around, the senior show our last my last time running the Dennison drag show, my friend Justin garrison, and I thought we should do drag and so just kind of as a joke, I was gonna do drag that one time, and leave it there. And that was like in March of 2001. And then here we are, all these years later, I moved

The annual Beatles Marathon, now in its eleventh year, has become a holiday tradition in Columbus. Normally gathering thousands of people throughout the day at the Bluestone, the event will be streamed live online this year. On the occasion of the upcoming 11th annual Beatles Marathon, now called Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon, I spoke with the event’s creator and frontman, Joe Peppercorn, about how the marathon started, what it will be like this year, and how Joe prepares for the show. Shownotes Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon The Bluestone Andyman The story behind the Paul McCartney video Little Rock Bar Secret Studio Thom Glick Illustration Nicolas Nocera Marathon Merch This Confluence Cast episode is sponsored by Art Makes Columbus, Columbus Makes Art, featuring stories about our city’s incredible artists — stories full of inspiration, challenge, passion, and success. For videos, articles, an up-to-the-minute calendar of events and an artist directory visit ColumbusMakesArt.com, the resource for all things arts and culture in the capital city. The post The Beatles Marathon appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

There’s a rich history in Franklinton. This week, we dive into the origins of 400 West Rich and the larger 400 Square with the curator of their 400 History Show and Mini-Museum, Zach Henkel. We discuss the history of Franklinton, how the building has evolved over time, and what you can experience at the exhibition. To book a visit, please contact Zach Henkel at 614-806-6559 or [email protected].   SHOWNOTES 400 West Rich Zach Henkel Vanderelli Room Strongwater Food and Spirits Franklinton Chromedge Studios Idea Foundry This episode of The Confluence Cast is sponsored by Gateway Film Center, a nonprofit cinema committed to storytellers and amplifying the impact of their work in our community. A story told by an authentic voice can inspire new ideas and has the power to entertain, push boundaries, spark new levels of empathy, and advance social change. The post The History of 400 Square appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

When it comes to development, the City of Worthington, like many cities with their size and limitations, has to play a balancing act on navigating varying interests. Reporter Brent Warren sat down with the city’s economic development director and assistant city manager, David McCorkle, and Worthington City Manager Matt Greeson to discuss developments coming to Worthington and how they’ve evolved. Shownotes The City of Worthington David McCorkle Matt Greeson Jobs Ohio Ohio Third Frontier United Methodist Children’s Home The Confluence Cast is sponsored by The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission featuring stories about local and regional partners that envision and embrace innovative directions in economic prosperity, transportation, sustainability and an inclusive Central Ohio. MORPC’s transformative programming, innovative services and public policy initiatives are designed to promote and support the vitality and growth in the region. The post Development in the City of Worthington appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

With the threat of protests and the coronavirus raging, what’s going to happen to Downtown Columbus? On the occasion of his recent retirement, we spoke with the former executive director of the two Downtown special improvement districts, Cleve Ricksecker, about the state of Downtown, why he retired, and why Columbus needs a screamer. SHOWNOTES Cleve Ricksecker Previous episode with Cleve Special Improvement Districts Capital Crossroads and Discovery District Downtown C-pass Short North Business Association Continental Real Estate State of Downtown study The Wood Companies Smart Columbus Bill Moss This episode of The Confluence Cast is sponsored by Gateway Film Center, a nonprofit cinema committed to storytellers and amplifying the impact of their work in our community. A story told by an authentic voice can inspire new ideas and has the power to entertain, push boundaries, spark new levels of empathy, and advance social change. The post Cleve Ricksecker appeared first on The Confluence Cast.