On today’s episode of The Four Hundred & Nineteen, we celebrate the people and organizations that make it easier to be a tourist in your own city.

We’re joined by Caleigh Heuring from Destination Toledo, new parter for the show, exploring ways that Destination Toledo is promoting the region and encourage people from all over the country (and even people closer to home) to become tourists in Toledo.

Plus, a big announcement from The Community Foundation, whose support of arts and culture helps fuel innovation, access, and long-term impact across northwest Ohio. Together, we talk about what it takes to sustain creative spaces, why local leadership matters, and how investing in culture is really an investment in people.

The conversation continues with Mark Folk, a longtime community connector and arts advocate, for a conversation about creativity, leadership, and why arts and culture are essential to a thriving region — not a luxury. Mark shares insights on how storytelling, music, and shared experiences bring people together and strengthen community identity.

It’s a hopeful, forward-looking episode that reminds us just how much is happening — and how much there is to be proud of — right here in the 419.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE’s YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

This week on The Four Hundred & Nineteen, we kick off Mayor Monday with a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about community, leadership, and what it really means to live next to one another.

Mike McCann, Mayor of Defiance, Ohio, joins us in studio to talk about the realities of leading a smaller city, how community identity is shaped (and sometimes mis-shaped) by media portrayals, and why local government often feels a lot like real life — messy, human, and deeply personal. From pop-culture references to the day-to-day responsibilities of being mayor, this conversation pulls back the curtain on leadership at the local level.

If you care about civic pride, local leadership, and the power of knowing your neighbors — this one’s for you.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE’s YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Powered by WGTE, this episode features a Friday Surprise Guest edition of The Four Hundred & Nineteen, and this time, not one, but two surprise guests with a direct connection to Rocket athletics and the Toledo community.

The show opens with newly hired Mike Jacobs, head football coach at the University of Toledo, who joins the hosts for his first in-depth local conversation since returning home to lead the Rockets. Coach Jacobs reflects on growing up in Maumee, his journey through college football, his coaching philosophy, and what it means to come back to Toledo to lead a program with deep roots and high expectations.

The conversation continues with Coach Jacobs’ new boss, Bryan Blair, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Toledo. Blair shares insight into the national coaching search, why Mike Jacobs was the right choice for this moment, and the broader vision for Toledo Athletics - from student-athlete success and academic excellence to community engagement and championship aspirations.

It’s a candid, energetic, and uniquely Toledo conversation, bringing listeners inside the leadership, relationships, and momentum shaping the future of Rocket athletics.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE's YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Powered by WGTE, this episode features a Thursday edition of The Four Hundred & Nineteen as the team dives into the Toledo.com Community Calendar driven by TARTA, connecting listeners to what’s happening across the region—and how to get there.

The show is joined by Laura Koprowski, Chief Executive Officer of TARTA, for a wide-ranging conversation about transportation, access, and how a strong transit system fuels opportunity, economic development, and quality of life throughout Northwest Ohio. Laura shares insight into TARTA’s evolving services, special event shuttles, and the vision for a more connected region.

The episode also features a special guest from the Collingwood Arts Center, highlighting one of Toledo’s most unique cultural landmarks and previewing an upcoming fundraiser and speakeasy-style event that blends history, art, and community engagement.

Together, the conversation showcases why Thursdays on The Four Hundred & Nineteen are all about discovering what’s happening, celebrating the people behind it, and making it easier for everyone to participate.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation, Destination Toledo and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE's YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Wednesday’s episode of The Four Hundred & Nineteen is Wellness Wednesday presented by Workspring, with an honest, practical conversation focused on preventative health care, regular screenings, and advocating for your own well-being. The show opens with Paige Johnston from WorkSpring, who breaks down why so many adults fall behind on routine screenings—and how individuals and employers can remove barriers, improve access, and build healthier habits over time.

The episode features a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Willie Perryman, who shares his own health journey following a prostate cancer diagnosis. Reverend Perryman speaks candidly about early detection, the importance of regular screenings—particularly for African American men—and the role faith, family, and community support played in his recovery. His story underscores a central theme of the episode: screening saves lives, and self-advocacy matters.

The show also welcomes Riley Runnels of WGTE Public Media, who brings energy and perspective to the conversation while sharing insight into storytelling, local media, and the importance of amplifying community voices.

Together, this Wellness Wednesday episode blends expert guidance, lived experience, and meaningful dialogue—offering listeners practical takeaways and a strong reminder to prioritize health before small issues become big ones.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE's YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Powered by WGTE, this episode features a special Mayor Monday…on a Tuesday edition of The Four Hundred & Nineteen, with longtime Northwest Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Congresswoman Kaptur reflects on her deep Toledo roots, her decades of public service, and the values that continue to guide her work in Washington. The discussion spans economic development, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, and what it means to represent a region like Northwest Ohio on the national stage - while staying grounded in the people and communities back home.

It’s an insightful, timely conversation with one of the most experienced voices in Congress, offering perspective on leadership, longevity, and the role of government in strengthening local communities.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE's YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Powered by WGTE, this episode features a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day edition of The Four Hundred & Nineteen. Instead of our usual Mayor Monday format, the show takes a reflective and intentional turn - creating space for voices across faith, public service, the arts, and civil rights to help our region honor Dr. King’s legacy and wrestle with what it means today.

The conversation includes faith leaders Chris Hanley and Rebecca West Estell, exploring trust, racial justice, and the responsibility of building community year-round, not just on one day. We’re also joined by Toledo firefighter, musician, and poet Nate Hicks, who shares his powerful personal story and performs Lift Every Voice and Sing in honor of the day. The episode continues with leaders from the NAACP, including Darlene Sweeney-Newburn and Verna Chears, discussing the ongoing work of equity, advocacy, and civic engagement in Toledo.

This is a meaningful, honest, and moving MLK Day conversation - focused not just on remembrance, but on action.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE. 7am on WGTE's YouTube Channel. 3pm on the radio at FM91. 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Friday’s episode of The Four Hundred & Nineteen features a thoughtful and energizing community conversation sparked by Gretchen’s surprise guest, Dave Gierke from the Toledo School for the Arts. Dave joins the hosts to discuss arts education, student creativity, and the role schools like TSA play in shaping confident, expressive, and engaged young people across Northwest Ohio.

The conversation explores the impact of arts-based learning, the importance of access and opportunity in education, and how creative environments help students discover their voice and purpose. With its relaxed, curious tone, the episode blends education, community, and storytelling—closing out the week with a reminder that investing in young people and the arts strengthens the entire region.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.

Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE: 7am on WGTE’s YouTube Channel, 3pm on the radio at FM91, and 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Thursday’s episode of The Four Hundred & Nineteen features the Toledo.com Community Calendar presented by TARTA, with a special focus on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend events happening across Northwest Ohio. The hosts are joined by John Eikost of Toledo.com, who shares the top community picks of the week and highlights how residents can stay connected to meaningful local experiences.

The conversation includes Rhonda Sewell from the Toledo Museum of Art, discussing the museum’s MLK Day programming and its role in community reflection and education. The episode also features Andrew Newby of Toledo Spirits, sharing what’s happening locally and adding a light, conversational tone to the events preview.

Together, the episode serves as a timely guide to weekend events, cultural celebrations, and opportunities to engage with the community during an important holiday weekend.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE: 7am on WGTE’s YouTube Channel, 3pm on the radio at FM91, and 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.

Wednesday’s episode of The Four Hundred & Nineteen is Wellness Wednesday presented by Workspring, with a deep, practical conversation focused on workplace wellness and mental health. The show opens with Elissa Lark from WorkSpring, who breaks down what effective wellness programs actually look like inside organizations—from mental health support and wellness strategy to building cultures where employees can show up as their best selves.

The conversation continues with Mariah Kornowa of NAMI Greater Toledo, exploring mental health advocacy, stigma reduction, and how individuals, families, and workplaces can better support those experiencing mental health challenges. Together, the episode offers practical tools, real-world perspective, and a reminder that wellness—both mental and physical—is essential to healthy workplaces and healthy communities.

Thanks to our sponsors: Whetro Wealth Management, Workspring, Toledo Refining Company, Toledo Community Foundation and TARTA.
Catch the show 3 times every day on WGTE: 7am on WGTE’s YouTube Channel, 3pm on the radio at FM91, and 6pm on TV channel 30.4 WGTE Connects.