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In this episode of So, Let's Talk Columbus, Michael talks with Garth Weithman, deputy CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and a familiar face from his own days at United Way of Central Ohio, about how getting people where they need to go is really about access to opportunity. Together they explore LinkUS, the historic community investment now bringing 45% more service, bus rapid transit, and what it means for working families, from fare capping to free rides on extreme-weather days. Whether you ride the bus every day or haven't stepped on one in years, this conversation connects transportation to the bigger picture: Success by Third Grade, the ALICE household and the kind of Columbus we're building together. 

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Michael Wilkos takes listeners on a powerful journey through the history of redlining and zoning in Franklin County, the evolution of Columbus’ neighborhoods, including the remarkable story of Hanford Village — revealing how these forces have shaped the identity of our community today. In this episode, Michael uncovers surprising facts about Columbus you’ve likely never heard before, providing a deeper understanding of the policies, decisions and people that built the city you call home. It’s an eye‑opening, inspiring conversation that will leave you eager to learn more.

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New episode alert. On the latest So, Let's Talk Columbus, host Michael Wilkos sits down with Adero Robinson, CEO of Communities In Schools of Ohio, a nonprofit that's been placing caring adults inside school buildings since 1993. They dig into the real story behind student absenteeism: one in four Ohio students is chronically absent, and as Adero explains, the reasons behind absenteeism are complicated. Families care about their kids but are often stretched impossibly thin. It's a candid conversation about what's actually going on in our local schools and what's working that we don't talk about enough.

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The first five years of a child’s life can shape everything that follows. Yet 72% of preschoolers living in low-income households in Franklin County begin school without the necessary kindergarten readiness skills. And for too many families, high-quality, affordable child care remains out of reach. Join Michael and his guest, Dr. Gina Ginn, CEO of Columbus Early Learning Centers, for a powerful conversation about early learning, working families and why child care is essential infrastructure for a thriving community.

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Don't miss this timely conversation with Lisa Patt McDaniel, CEO of Aspyr Workforce Innovation, as Michael digs into the big question of our moment: why are so many hardworking people still struggling to get ahead? From wages and workforce pipelines to practical solutions for building more pathways to stability, this episode of So, Let's Talk Columbus is packed with insight, urgency and hope for central Ohio’s future.

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Stuff the Backpack, a partnership between NBC4 and United Way of Central Ohio, celebrates the power of our central Ohio community that shows up for kids in a big way. In this episode, host Michael Wilkos talks with Jenn Kiser of NBC4 about the importance of volunteers, partners and neighbors coming together to provide backpacks and school supplies for more than 240,000 students over the years. Tune in to find out why this simple act makes such a meaningful difference on the first day of school and how you can get involved. 

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More than one in three households in Franklin County is working hard but still struggling to cover the basics. In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus, Melanie Hill of United Way of Central Ohio helps unpack the ALICE data and what it reveals about the hidden financial hardship shaping our community. It’s a powerful conversation about the real cost of living, the people behind the numbers, and what it will take to make Columbus a place where more families can thrive.

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This is the second half of this important conversation. If you missed part one, be sure to go back and listen first. 

In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus, Michael talks with Shannon Isom, President and CEO of Community Shelter Board. Shannon Isom brings a powerful mix of candor, compassion and deep expertise to a conversation that cuts to the heart of what Columbus is facing. Shannon helps Michael unpack the real drivers behind homelessness, the strain on our shelter system, and why this issue is about more than individual circumstances. It’s about housing, systems and the kind of community we choose to build. Join Michael and Shannon for part one of a thoughtful, eye-opening discussion that will challenge assumptions and deepen your understanding of what it will take to move forward.

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In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus, Michael talks with Shannon Isom, President and CEO of Community Shelter Board. Shannon Isom brings a powerful mix of candor, compassion and deep expertise to a conversation that cuts to the heart of what Columbus is facing. Shannon helps Michael unpack the real drivers behind homelessness, the strain on our shelter system, and why this issue is about more than individual circumstances. It’s about housing, systems and the kind of community we choose to build. Join Michael and Shannon for part one of a thoughtful, eye-opening discussion that will challenge assumptions and deepen your understanding of what it will take to move forward.

Stay tuned for part two of this conversation on June 16. 

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In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus, Michael talks with Dr. Cheryl Wyatt of Success by Third Grade about how early literacy is about more than reading. It’s about the community coming together to strengthen the systems, supports and partnerships that help children thrive. Whether you’re new to Success by Third Grade or a longtime champion of the movement, this conversation offers fresh insight into the exciting work happening across Franklin County to create stronger futures for our students.