The Community's Conversation

According to an NPR poll early in 2022, 64% of respondents believe American democracy is in crisis and at risk of failing. A Swedish study in 2021 also found that that the number of countries moving in an authoritarian direction in 2020 outnumbered those going in a democratic direction.

This CMC forum begins a new monthly series looking at American democracy in crisis. 

The speaker is Michael Tomasky, editor of The New Republic. 

The host is Mike Thompson, Chief Content Director for News and Public Affairs with WOSU Public Media. 

CMC’s “Democracy in Crisis” series partner is WOSU Public Media, with support from The Columbus Dispatch for this program.

This program was recorded live on July 13, 2022. 

For a robbery or a car crash, the best way to summon help is by dialing 911 for a police or fire department response. Yet many emergencies, especially those involving drug overdoses and mental health crises, often call for a different kind of emergency response. This week’s CMC forum explores the potential of alternative crisis response to save lives in Columbus.  

This CMC forum was recorded live on July 6, 2022.  

The panelists are: 

Stephen David, Community Organizer, Columbus Safety Collective   

Shannon G. Hardin, President of Columbus City Council  

Matt Parrish, Captain, Columbus Division of Fire  

Marian Stuckey, Section Chief for Neighborhood Social Services, Columbus Public Health   

The host is Erika Clark Jones, CEO, Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County 

The forum partner was WBNS 10TV. 

Jim Hackett is a native of London, Ohio, and served as President and CEO of the Ford Motor Company until 2020. Under Hackett’s leadership, Ford moved aggressively into the era of electric vehicles and brought a deeper focus on user-centered design methods.  

This CMC forum was recorded live on June 29, 2022.  

The speaker is:  

Jim Hackett, Retired President & CEO of Ford Motor Company, and Retired CEO & President of Steelcase Inc. 

The host is Nancy Kramer, Global Chief Evangelist, IBM iX 

This forum was sponsored by Ricart Automotive Group. 

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium isn’t just one of Central Ohio’s most beloved attractions. It’s a fan favorite around the country and even internationally. 

However, events in the last several years at the Zoo have included turmoil and controversy, followed by the resignation of top Zoo executives. 

This week’s CMC forum looks at how the Columbus Zoo can restore its reputation as the nation’s leader in animal conservation and education. 

This CMC forum was recorded live on June 22, 2022.  

The speaker is:  

Tom Schmid, President and CEO, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium  

The host is Monica Day, Co-Anchor, NBC4 Today 

Central Ohio nonprofits have battled back from the pandemic, only to be met with new challenges, including the steepest inflation in years and a highly competitive labor market. This week, CMC examines the state of Central Ohio nonprofits with an expert panel.  

This CMC forum was recorded live on June 15, 2022.  

Today’s speakers are:  

Michael Corey, Executive Director, The Human Service Chamber of Franklin County 

Dr. Lisa Courtice, President and CEO, The United Way of Central Ohio  

Leah Evans, President and CEO, Homeport  

Dan Sharpe, Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management with The Columbus Foundation  

The host is Deborah Aubert Thomas, President and CEO, Philanthropy Ohio  

This forum was sponsored by Columbus Business First, The Columbus Foundation, Columbia Gas, Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, Cramer and Associates, Crane Group, Huntington, The Ohio State University, and Schneider Downs. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted hospitals to cooperate in new ways. What did Central Ohio’s hospitals learn from the pandemic? How are hospitals preparing to meet tomorrow’s healthcare needs? This week, the Columbus MetropoliTEN Club welcomes an extraordinary panel featuring the CEOs of all four Central Ohio hospital systems. 

This CMC forum was recorded live on June 8, 2022.

The speakers are:   

Tim Robinson, CEO, Nationwide Children's Hospital 

Dr. Andrew Thomas, Interim Co-Leader and Chief Clinical Officer, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center  

Dr. Stephen Markovich, President and CEO, OhioHealth 

Lorraine Lutton, President and CEO, Mount Carmel Health System 

The host is Greg Moody, Director of Professional Development and the State of Ohio Leadership Institute, The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs. 

CMC’s Optimal Health Series is presented by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital.  

This forum was sponsored by Keeler and Nadler, The Ohio Hospital Association, Mount Carmel Health System, Hospice of Central Ohio, OhioHealth, Phoenix Consulting, and The Robert Weiler Company.  

Ohio House Bill 616, introduced by two Republican state lawmakers, would mandate controversial changes to portions of Ohio’s Revised Code that sets standards for public schools.   

The bill is similar to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which banned instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in grades K-3. That bill was signed into law by Florida’s governor in March 2022.     

The bill would ban instruction on “sexual orientation or gender identity” in K-3 public classrooms and would restrict instruction on race in the state’s public schools.   

The Columbus Metropolitan Club invited the two sponsors of HB616, Ohio State House Representatives Jean Schmidt and Mike Loychik, to participate in this panel, but did not receive a response to its invitations.   

This CMC forum was recorded live on June 1, 2022.  

The speakers are:  

Maria Bruno, Public Policy Director, Equality Ohio    

Scott DiMauro, President, The Ohio Education Association   

Bruce Hooley, Host of The Bruce Hooley Show  

Densil Porteous, Executive Director, Stonewall Columbus    

Troy McIntosh, Executive Director, The Ohio Christian Education Network, The Center for Christian Virtue   

The host is Anna Staver, State House Reporter for The Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Gannett Ohio Bureau.

This forum was sponsored by Hannah News Service.

The forum partners were WBNS 10TV and The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus, with support from The Columbus Dispatch. 

A Columbia University publication authored by Saba Rawjani called America’s childcare crisis a barrier to human development, collective wellbeing, and the future of the United States.  

This week, the Columbus Metropolitan Club explores asks what’s caused the childcare crisis, what’s keeping it going, and how Ohio can fix it.  

This CMC forum was recorded live on May 25, 2022.  

The speakers are:  

Joy Bivens, Deputy Franklin County Administrator, Health and Human Services   

Elizabeth Brown, President Pro Tempore, Columbus City Council   

Tony Collins, President and CEO, YMCA of Central Ohio   

The host is Micah Walker, Trending Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch   

This forum is sponsored by PNC Bank and The United Way of Central Ohio. The forum partners are WBNS 10TV and The Columbus Dispatch. 

Can a new project in Columbus provide hope and housing for the homeless by building a community that fosters employment and independent living?   

Vista Village is an affordable housing project aiming to do just that. Central to the Vista Village model are more than 40 tiny houses, a community center and garden, a park, and green space.  

This CMC forum was recorded live on May 18, 2022.  

Today’s speakers are:  

Sandy Doyle-Ahern, President, EMH&T  

Sandy Stephenson, Chief Healthcare Officer for Southeast Healthcare  

And John Perez, Attorney with Perez and Morris   

The host is Kerry Charles, Weeknight Anchor with NBC4.

This forum was sponsored by The Edwards Companies, Homeport, NBC4, The Robert Weiler Company and Steiner and Associates.  

Columbus is welcoming, progressive, and growing. But is it age-friendly? Is Columbus the kind of city that will take care of its older residents and be attractive to new ones? Franklin County’s population of adults aged 60 and over is expected to double between 2010 and 2050. This week’s forum explores the hallmarks of age-friendly communities to see how Columbus – and Ohio - stacks up.    

This CMC forum was recorded live on May 11, 2022.  

The speakers are: 

Holly Holtzen, State Director of AARP Ohio  

Katie White, Director, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, The Ohio State University College of Social Work   

The host is Ursel J. McElroy, Director, Ohio Department of Aging 

This forum was sponsored by Home Care Assistance.