Episodes

They say politicians are only as good as their last election, but after that, they’re already looking towards the next election. After serving 4 years as mayor of Columbus, Andrew Ginther is reflecting on the accomplishments of his first term, but since he’s running unopposed for reelection, now he’s thinking about what to get done in his second term. Ginther sat down with Columbus Underground reporter Lauren Sega to discuss the results of new initiatives, ranging from housing to policing and in...

The test of an organization is how it responds to adversity. Such was true for development organization Crawford Hoying during the recession. With multiple developments built and thriving since then, principals Brent Crawford and Bob Hoying sat down with Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren to discuss how a chance meeting in the late 1990s led to a partnership that endures today, how difficult times led to positive momentum, and how to make sure that Columbus is growing in the right way. ...

Ohio’s place in history is often relegated to a few events or trivial facts. Local attorney Alex Hastie and his podcast, Ohio v. the World, are seeking to change that. With in-depth interviews on Ohio’s influence on our society, Hastie digs deep to show his love of history and his home state. We sat down to talk about the podcast got started, why it’s important, and his plans for the future… of history. Shownotes Ohio v. the World The Ohio Presidents Keynesian Economics OutaTim Billy Milligan ...

With nearly a year into her role as president and CEO of COTA, Joanna Pinkerton sat down with Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren to talk about how she came into her role, the interdependence of mobility in Columbus, mobility as a service, the state of affairs at COTA, and where they’re going. Shownotes COTA Joanna Pinkerton Department of Transportation Center for Automotive Research Honda/OSU Partnership Transportation Research Center Incorporated Smart Columbus Steiner & Associates MO...

Being a working artist isn’t easy. Thankfully, there are plenty of folks in Columbus to show you the way. Muralist Adam Hernandez talks about how he found his way here, the importance of mentors, and being a “real” person in the business. Shownotes Adam Hernandez Art Makes Columbus profile Theme song episode Mysterioso Rock Art P3 Magic Theater Erik Tate episode Stephanie Rond episode Blockfort episode Art and Artists of 614 Facebook group Denmark on High Triad Architects Harmony Project Gravi...

Slam brought poetry out of academia in the early 1990s. Since then it has grown and become an outlet for performers around the globe. Local poet and performance artist Barbara Fant sat down to talk about the finer workings of the medium and her evolution in it. We also focused on the importance of mentors, the difference between writing and performance, her volunteer work, how to deal with burning out, and what it’s like to share very personal work on stage. Shownotes Barbara Fant Columbus Mak...

With a little over two years of episodes out in the world, it’s high time to give a little more behind the scenes on how the Confluence Cast gets made. This is a rebroadcast of an episode I recorded with the local podcast the Sounds of Bustown. They interviewed me about where the Confluence Cast came from, what the goals for it are, and how the show gets made. Shownotes The Confluence Cast The Sounds of Bustown Loud Cat Podcasts Amy Schmittaur The One You Feed Nina West DragCast Columbus Podca...

Elected officials should reflect their constituencies. That’s the essential thesis of the Matriots, an Ohio nonpartisan political action committee founded by a group of women who participated in the Women’s March on Washington. I sat down with their executive director, Elissa Schneider, to talk about the organization and their big hairy audacious goal of equal representation of women in public office. Shownotes Matriots Women’s March on Washington Ohio General Assembly Ohio Senate The post Th...

Magicians guard an empty vault. Columbus-based magician and comedian Erik Tait won’t hesitate to show you that. We talked this week about the Columbus magic scene that you may not have heard of, his path in the local and national magic scene, and the importance of intellectual property for performers. Shownotes Erik Tait Erik on Penn & Teller Fool Us Humber College Erik’s trick on Penguin Magic International Brotherhood of Magicians Cincinatti Fringe Festival Champions of Magic Tour Magi Fest ...

How do artists work, both alone and together? I sat down with organizer and artist Stephanie Rond to preview this weekend’s Columbus Open Studio and Stage and learn how she herded cats to get here. Shownotes Stephanie Rond Stephanie Rond on Columbus Makes Art Carnegie Gallery Columbus Open Studio & Stage Art Makes Columbus Bryan Christopher Moss April Sunami Brick Box Studios Tom Katzenmeyer Gantt Charts! This Confluence Cast episode is sponsored by Art Makes Columbus, Columbus Makes Art, fea...

How can women break into male-dominated fields? In the case of hip-hop artist and rapper Domenique Larue, they just do it. We sat down to discuss how she got started, how she creates her work, the music business, and dealing with depression and anxiety. Enjoy the interview and a sampling of her music. SHOWNOTES Dominique Larue Columbus Makes Art Fort Hayes MEC Veteran’s Memorial BHB Hip Hop Expo Transit Arts Jim Maneri Spacebar Flypaper Blueprint Rehab Tavern Skully’s Trism Club Voodoos Strong...

Are land use and development a civic responsibility or just a monetary transaction? Yaromir Steiner, the Founder, Chief Executive Officer of Steiner + Associates has an opinion. He sat down with Columbus Underground’s urban development staff contributor Brett Warren to talk in-depth about that, the importance of density in Columbus, and the future of everything from Downtown to Easton. SHOWNOTES Yaromir Steiner Steiner + Associates Easton Town Center Urban Land Institute (ULI) MORPC Insight 2...

Art and artists don’t evolve in a vacuum. That’s certainly true for Columbus-based mixed media artist April Sunami. We sat down to discuss her work, how she translates the identities of women of color in her work, working with and without the support of those around you, her influences, the importance of finding communities, and the importance of outreach. SHOWNOTES April Sunami Art Makes Columbus profile Chris Sunami, The Pop Culture Philosopher Gustav Klimt Alphonse Mucha Reeb Avenue Center ...

In the fall of 2017, the owner of the Columbus Crew SC announced their intention to move to Austin, Texas. Almost immediately, a grassroots movement was born; aptly named, Save the Crew. Since then, lots of things have been said, proposals floated, and actions are taken. This week, we get a primer on the whole situation up to this point and sit down with a representative from Save the Crew to find out what’s next. SHOWNOTES Save the Crew Columbus Crew SC Major League Soccer Nils Root Haven Cow...

Happy Comfest! Get a preview of the already-begun festival season and hear from a selection of bands gracing the stage at this weekend’s Comfest. SHOWNOTES Comfest InkCarceration Festival Holler Scott Woods episode Maroon Arts Group Midwest Queer Comedy Festival John Glen Astronomy Park Summer Jam West Hilltop Rising Sculpture Hilltop Bean Dinner Hilltop Neighborhood episode Pelotonia Flyover Fest Land Grant Brewing Melanincholy Festival Milo Groghan 934 Gallery Columbus Coffee Fest Independen...

Sometimes comedians make the best politicians. I sat down with Travis Irvine, Ohio’s libertarian gubernatorial candidate, for a live interview at the Columbus Podcast Festival, to talk about his rich and varied history running for political office, making fun of John Kasich, and his upcoming feature film, Killer Raccoons 2. SHOWNOTES Travis Irvine Libertarian Party of Ohio Columbus Podcast Festival Coons! Night of the Bandits of the Night Killer Raccoons! 2! Dark Christmas in the Dark Troma En...

Once they find success, how do artists choose the right commercial and creative collaborations? I sat down with Ramble Jon Krohn, better known as RJD2, to talk about his journey from 8-year-old classic rock fan to hip hop DJ and producer, his many collaborative projects over the years, how Columbus has grown up as an incubator of creativity and the primacy of the groove in his musical vision. SHOWNOTES Invisibl Skratch Piklz Bernie’s Groove Shack Dodge Park MHz Fondle ‘Em Records Rawkus Record...

How does one lead the rebirth of a performing arts organization? I sat down with Peggy Kriha Dye, General and Artistic Director of Opera Columbus, to talk about this weekend’s production of Orphée Et Eurydice (running April 20-22 at the Southern Theatre), her beginnings as a singer, how she came to call Central Ohio home, and the unique opportunities for collaboration and growth inherent in the Columbus performing arts scene. Shownotes: Opera Columbus Orphée Et Eurydice CAPA BalletMet Southern...

What’s it like to be a local media personality? I sat down with Drew Hanson, former WNCI DJ and self-proclaimed “D-List Celebrity,” for a freewheeling conversation about his experience in Columbus media, why he decided to leave Columbus and why he ultimately came back. Shownotes: WNCI Mark Dantzer “Parents Just Don’t Understand” Bradley Cooper Power 107.5 The Art of War Jym Ganahl Sunny 95 Confluence Cast Episode 6: Columbus Film Commission I Am Wrath Rookie of the Year “Chelsea Dagger” Star...

What is the role of a conductor in helping an orchestra perform to the best of its ability? I sat down with David Danzmayr, music director of ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, for an engaging conversation about his surprising journey from Austrian piano prodigy to American music director, how ProMusica impressed him with its singular focus and commitment and why musicians should focus on emotional expression and engagement with musical pieces over technical mastery. Shownotes University Mozarteum S...

What has 2017 meant for those of us living in and around 270? I sat down with Anne and Walker Evans, the owners of Columbus Underground, for our year-end roundup of the website’s top ten stories. We also covered the inside scoop on the latest developments in Central Ohio public life and culture, and some of the great things happening in our city to watch for in 2018. Shownotes: The Top 20 Columbus Underground Articles of 2017 Columbus 2017: Year in Review Confluence Cast Episode #2: Robert Mas...

How did Central Ohio become the gaming hub of the Midwest? I sat down with Chris Volpe, President and CEO of Multivarious Games, to talk about his journey from working in healthcare to managing a video game startup, Multivarious’ origins in the Columbus game developer community, and several exciting projects he and his team have on the horizon. Shownotes Multivarious Games Central Ohio Gamedev Group (COGG) GDEX Sandbox Idea Foundry Hatch-It! No Mercy Steam Franklinton Fridays Ready Player One ...

How do we make the best use of our time and resources to make the biggest impact in our neighborhoods and in our city? I sat down with Matthew Goldstein, Executive Director of Besa, to talk about helping people and businesses give back to their community, innovative, technology-driven approaches to service, the important work being done by non-profits in Columbus, and the ongoing need for all of us to find ways to give back. Shownotes Re:work Furnishings Van Buren Shelter Dress for Success Col...

How do the choices artists make in their creative process affect what we experience as an audience? I sat down with Bebe Miller, acclaimed choreographer, dancer and director of the Bebe Miller Company to talk about how she arrived at dance as an art form, her newest work In a Rhythm, the keys to appreciating modern dance and how the artistic process shapes the artistic end product. Shownotes In a Rhythm Great Migration Henry Street Settlement House Alwin Nicolais Vera Blaine Nina Wiener NEA Fo...