Episodes

Ordering food on a delivery app? You may not know precisely where your dinner came from. Columbus Underground Associate Editor Susan Post went down the rabbit hole of ghost kitchens and virtual brands in the restaurant industry. In today’s episode, we explore the burgeoning scene of ghost kitchens in Columbus, unraveling their advantages, and the complex challenges they bring to the table. But it’s not all about convenience. We’ll discuss the transparency issues these virtual brands pose, how...

There’s a balance to be struck between storytelling and getting to the heart of what matters in writing. That’s especially true when writing about the arts. Since 2015, Grant Walters has been writing about comedy and music for Columbus Underground, and he has stories behind the stories. In a conversation with Columbus Underground co-founder Walker Evans, Walters explores the challenges and triumphs of restarting a writing career, the power of connecting with fans that aren’t his own, and the i...

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 Tripodis Down to the Felt Full transcript on page 2. The post Host and Creator Dino Tripodis...

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 see...

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 d...

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, ho...

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 Padilla ColumbusDistricts.com Map to find your district Transcript on page 2 The p...

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 Favor Upper Arlington Housing ColumbusDistricts.com Map to find your...

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 Green ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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 Bankston ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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 Jeyte ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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 Remy ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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. ...

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 Dorans ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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 Gil ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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-Achauer ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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 Wyche ColumbusDistricts.com Map 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.com Map 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.com Map to find your district Full transcript on page 2 The post ...

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...

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.com Map to find your district Youtube video...

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 t...