Cat Chat: The Official Podcast of the Springfield City School District

The Cat Chat Crew is excited to welcome you to the 2026-2027 school year, marking our 4th season of the District podcast!

It's been a busy summer, and we've got a lot to celebrate. 

In this episode, we'll recap the first days of school and introduce you to the newest Employees of the Year! Heidi Shanor (District), Katie Chadeayne (Hayward) & Gage Newland (Lincoln) were voted by committee to represent the best of the best Wildcat staff. We sit down with them to hear more about this accomplishment and what they love most about being a Wildcat.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat: The students have taken over for the last podcast of the school year! In this very special episode, the Cat Chat crew honors the Class of 2026. 

Springfield High School student guest hosts, Izzy, Zy'Mir & Chris interview 6 graduating seniors about their experiences in high school, what they will remember most and where life is taking them next. 

Congratulations to each of you for what you have accomplished and what is yet to come! 

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Tuning into The 'Park Show': Snyder Park's 'The Park Show' morning announcements have been a huge success with students and staff. Now, we're sitting down with the stars of the show!
• Featured Alumni: Cameron Elliott (SHS Class of 2021) is tearing up the track at Wittenberg University, earning his spot on the national stage! Izzy talks more with him about where he's headed next.
• United Way's New Leadership: Chad Wilson is no stranger to the Springfield area, but in his new role at the head of the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties, he oversees critical community resources. Hear more about his vision for the organization.

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

Leadership Blooms at Hayward: Students from Hayward's Student Leadership Team and Builder's Club talk about the role of their groups in improving the school's culture.

Art is Alive in the SCSD: Amy Korpieski from the Springfield Museum of Art joins the show to speak with Izzy about how the museum brings art to Springfield students of all ages!

Featured Alumni: After graduating from North High School, Thomas Jenkins' world connects him back to Springfield as he works to promote career-ready education in his role at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center.

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

CNA Certified [Cat Den Happenings]: Izzy gets an insider's perspective about the CNA program when she talks to a newly-certified student and CNA Instructor, Ms. Cogdill.

Trivia Night [Community Connection]: Do you have your Trivia team together yet? Time is running out to reserve your table! The Wildcat Athletic Club's Nickey Brown talks all things trivia.

Featured Alumni: Michael Carter (South High Class of 1978) is this month's Featured Alumni guest. From the walls of South to the Office of the Sinclair Community College President, there is plenty to learn from his story.

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

Your order is up at The Cat Café!: Izzy interviews the project coordinator and two student employees of the new Cat Café at Springfield High, a coffee shop that teaches employability skills to students with disabilities.

Magnify Student Internships: Applications are open now for summer PAID internships through the Greater Springfield Partnership! Know a student who could benefit? Check out this segment!

Featured Alumni: In Cat Chat's first virtual interview, we catch up with Todd Walker, Class of 1987. Todd now lives in Virginia Beach and oversees a massive nonprofit that seeks to end homelessness and hunger.

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

This month's Podcast Poll: Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Vote at scsdoh.org/podcastpoll!

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• SHS BATS Take the Statehouse [Cat Den Happenings]: 3 Members of the SHS mental health group, BATS (Bringing Awareness to Students) share their experience testifying at the Ohio Statehouse with Izzy!
• Mayor Rob Rue [Featured Alumni]: Our Featured Alumni for this month leads our city! Mayor Rob Rue graduated from North High School in 1988 and speaks more about his memories as a student.
• Holiday in the City [Community Connection]: Holiday cheer has taken over downtown Springfield! The Greater Springfield Partnership details all of the fun and festive events (many of them free!) happening all season long!

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack. Congrats to Tricia Hannahs who was last month's winner!

This month's podcast poll is a doozy... When is the *appropriate* time to put up the Christmas tree? Make sure to vote at scsdoh.org/podcastpoll.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

[Cat Den Happenings] Saluting Our Veterans -- Ms. Tracy George from Kenwood Elementary stops by the set to recap her time in the military and how she became a teacher.

[Featured Alumni] A new twist on the alumni segment! Natalie Fritz from the Clark County Historical Society visits Cat Chat to share more details about 8 famous alumni from the SCSD. Can you guess them all?

[Community Connection] Springfield 2051 wants to hear from you! Join an upcoming session and make your voice heard about the future of Springfield. Learn more at springfield2051.com.

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

Vote in the first ever Podcast Poll! We want to hear what your favorite Thanksgiving dish is.. and no judgement if it's cranberry sauce. Vote at scsdoh.org/podcast poll. 

Cat Chat is available on YouTube, as well as an audio-only version on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or iHeart Radio Podcasts. Cat Chat is also available on the local public access cable channel.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Meet the newest Cat Chat student host, Izzy! Izzy is an energetic sophomore who is ready to take the Cat Chat stage by storm.
• (Cat Den Happenings) Attendance Matters -- but how are buildings creating a culture around it? Cat Chat sits down with Snyder Park Principal Walter Sledge and Roosevelt Principal Ashley Lemen to see how they're getting creative with encouraging kids to come to school!
• (Featured Alumni) Robbie Jordan (Springfield High Class of 2024) speaks about his journey navigating college and his experience managing PawPrints, the District's student-run apparel shop.
• (Community Connection) Anna Jean Sauter, with the Clark County Combined Health District shares more about the results of the Community Health Assessment and what it means for the course of wellness in Springfield.
• Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack. Congrats to Kristy Stathopoulous (Snowhill Elementary), last month's winner!

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

[Cat Den Happenings]: The Best of the Best kick off the first episode of the new school year! The Employees of the Year (Patrick Smith, Doug Stoll & Sara Gillespie) are recognized for their service to our students.

[Featured Alumni]: Amanda Jackson (Springfield South Class of 2003) was first known in Springfield for her skills on the basketball court. Now, she's creating positive relationships with students as a School Resource Officer. Amanda speaks about her past and her experiences protecting our school district.

[Community Connection]: Levi Duncan is a local entrepreneur making a name for himself in the Springfield community. His vision to 'dream big' has transformed a church in downtown into 'The Metropolis' event and business center. Hear more from Levi about how he lives by the mantra, 'Win or Learn.'

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego