With petitions filed and the 2026 statewide races officially underway, Ohio’s political landscape is beginning to take shape. The governor’s race is already drawing national attention, with former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton emerging as the sole Democratic candidate and Vivek Ramaswamy entering the Republican primary with endorsements from both Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party.

But beyond the top-line names, there are deeper dynamics at play—primary challenges, party infrastructure, grassroots pushback, fundraising strategy, and the broader question of whether this election cycle presents a real opportunity for Ohio Democrats.

To help us unpack it all, I sat down with David DeWitt, editor-in-chief of the Ohio Capital Journal. We walk through who’s running, what the Republican primary could mean for the general election, why Democrats cleared the field for Acton, and how historical midterm patterns might shape the outcome.

We also zoom out to look at the other statewide races—Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor—and why those offices matter more than many voters realize, especially when it comes to redistricting, ballot access, and how Ohio’s laws are defended in court.

Shownotes

Transcript on page 2.

The post Who’s Running for Ohio Governor? appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Most people experience regional planning only after decisions have already been made. When a new development breaks ground, a transit project is announced, or new housing pops up in our neighborhood. What’s far less visible is the quiet work that happens long before those moments: the data collection, forecasting, mapping, and analysis that help a region decide what it’s actually planning for.

In this episode, I sat down with Dave Dixon, Director of Data Analytics and Strategy at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), to talk about how that behind-the-scenes work happens and why it matters more than most people realize.

Shownotes

Full transcript on page 2.

The post Where Data Meets Decision Making in Central Ohio appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

We’re doing our unofficial year-in-review. Not the “best of” list, not the most important stories necessarily, just the ones people clicked on, shared, complained about, and wouldn’t stop talking about. We cover everything from parking issues and office buildings converted into apartments to restaurant closings, reopenings, arts leadership changes, and why some headlines travel much farther than others.

Along the way, we talk about how people actually consume local news, the difference between what’s popular and what’s meaningful, and what all of this says about where Columbus is right now: financially, culturally, and just vibes-wise. It’s not polished, it’s not scripted, and it’s definitely not a formal recap. It’s just two people who spend a lot of time paying attention to this city, trying to make sense of the year it just had.

We also look ahead a bit, including Columbus Underground hitting 25 years and what Walker’s thinking about next for the community, events, and staying relevant without losing the plot.

Shownotes

Full transcript on page 2.

The post What Columbus Paid Attention to in 2025 appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

When most people think about banking, they picture massive institutions, rigid rules, and transactions that feel anything but personal. But for Jenny Saunders, President of FC Bank, banking is only effective when it’s rooted in relationships; when institutions are visible, accountable, and deeply invested in the communities they serve.

Jenny’s path from a small town in Ohio to leading a community bank in Central Ohio has been shaped by advocacy, brand-building, and a belief that banks can, and should, play a meaningful role beyond balance sheets. In this conversation, Jenny and I talk about why relationship banking still matters in an era of mega-banks and neobanks, how FC Bank built real community presence and brand recognition in a crowded market, what women in leadership face inside financial services, and why issues like affordable housing, mass transit, and regulatory stability will shape the future of Columbus and community banking alike.

Shownotes

Transcript on page 2.

The post Banking on Relationships at FC Bank appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

When most people think about technology, they picture shiny new tools, big-budget builds, and teams of engineers working inside massive companies. But for Brad Griffith, founder of Buckeye Innovation, technology is only meaningful when it’s accessible, especially to the people and organizations who traditionally get left behind.

For more than 16 years, Brad and his cross-functional team have been helping small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments across Central Ohio get the same caliber of design, development, and strategy usually reserved for enterprise-level budgets. In this conversation, Brad and I discuss why equitable access to technology matters, how integrating designers, developers, and content strategists into a single collaborative unit changes everything, and why building “simple, lovable, complete” products often beats building something technically impressive but practically unusable.

Shownotes

Transcript on page 2.

The post From WordPress to AI Workflows: Inside Buckeye Innovation appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

When we talk about regional planning, it’s easy to picture dusty binders, endless meetings, or vague talk about “growth.” But for William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the work is a lot more urgent and a lot more human. MORPC is the quiet engine behind how 90 Central Ohio communities prepare for what’s coming next, from housing pressures to transportation demand to environmental resilience.

In this conversation, William and I dig into the big swings—why LinkUS is finally moving from aspiration to implementation, how passenger rail could reshape the entire region, and what it really takes to support fast-growing communities with limited staff and resources. We also talk about the nuts and bolts: the data, the policy work, and the behind-the-scenes coordination that helps local governments make smarter decisions. And at a moment when Central Ohio is feeling both the excitement and strain of rapid growth, William makes a compelling case for why this region can get better as it gets bigger, if we’re willing to plan like it.

Shownotes

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is Central Ohio’s voice. As a regional council with nearly 90 local governments and community partners, we provide nonpartisan data analysis, community resources and long-range planning. Together, we drive the future prosperity and sustainability of the Central Ohio region.

Transcript on page 2.

The post How MORPC Shapes the Future of Our Region appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

What does it take to ensure that Columbus grows in a way that benefits everyone? That question is at the heart of this week’s episode of The Confluence Cast, featuring Tiara Ross, candidate for Columbus City Council District 7.

Ross, an attorney and Deputy Chief of the City Attorney’s Property Action Team, brings a deep background in public service to her candidacy. In her conversation with host Tim Fulton, she reflects on how her upbringing in Columbus and her years working to address housing and safety issues have shaped her vision for the city’s future.

She discusses the intersections of housing, transportation, and community development, and how collaboration between city departments, schools, and residents can create more equitable access to opportunity. Ross also shares her perspective on public safety, job growth, and the importance of empathy in policymaking.

This episode is part of The Confluence Cast’s continuing coverage of the District 7 race, following last week’s conversation with Jesse Vogel. Together, the two interviews offer listeners a well-rounded look at the candidates and their priorities for Columbus’s next chapter.

Shownotes

Full transcript on page 2.

The post City Council Candidate Tiara Ross appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

As Columbus continues to grow, so do the questions about who the city truly works for and how well its leaders are listening.

I sat down with Jesse Vogel, a candidate for Columbus City Council District 7, to talk about what is working, what is not, and why he believes the city needs to rethink how it represents its residents.

Vogel’s path to politics began in eviction court. During the pandemic, while studying law at Ohio State, he helped organize a grassroots effort to support tenants facing eviction when the city reopened its courts. That experience, he says, opened his eyes to how fragile housing stability can be and how much leadership matters when people are struggling.

Now an immigration attorney, Vogel argues that Columbus has both the means and the responsibility to do more for working people. From protecting affordable housing to improving access to transportation and early education, he is calling for more creativity and accountability in how the city uses its resources.

“We have the benefit of a strong credit rating and real resources,” Vogel says. “But we need to target those investments toward the people most in need, the ones the market is not serving right now.”

A key part of the conversation centers on Columbus’s new district system, where candidates must live in the district they represent but are still elected citywide. Vogel says that structure undermines neighborhood representation and incentivizes large fundraising operations instead of direct engagement.

“People across the city can vote on who represents District 7,” he notes. “That means the incentive is not to listen to your neighbors. It is to raise the most money and run a citywide campaign.”

Throughout the interview, Vogel discusses his policy priorities, responds to questions about campaign fundraising and endorsements, and explains how his lived experiences as a gay, Jewish attorney working with marginalized communities shape his approach to public service.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at the future of city leadership, housing policy, and community representation in Columbus.

And stay tuned. Tomorrow’s episode features Tiara Ross, Vogel’s opponent in the District 7 race, offering the other side of the conversation.

Shownotes

Full transcript on page 2.

The post City Council Candidate Jesse Vogel appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

When we talk about artificial intelligence, the focus is often on big tech or headline-grabbing breakthroughs. But for Cas Maxwell, co-founder and CEO of AI Owl, the story is much closer to home. His company is helping Ohio’s workforce, schools, and businesses go from AI curiosity to practical integration—backed by state funding and partnerships with Intel and Khan Academy. In this conversation, Cas and I talk about how AI can be a tool for empowerment rather than replacement, what it looks like to train employees and students in hands-on ways, and why the future of AI readiness in Ohio may hinge on meeting people where they are.

Shownotes

Transcript on page 2.

The post AI in Ohio appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Columbus’ creative community often comes alive at the intersection of art, risk, and meaning;  a space where organizations like Wild Goose Creative are working to make their mark. In this episode, I sit down with Executive Director Sarah Barr to explore her journey from art educator to leading multi-million-dollar cultural projects, and how Wild Goose fuels the work of emerging and established artists alike. We talk about their exhibitions, mentorship programs, and high school accelerator, the realities of nonprofit funding, and why deeper collaboration could unlock even more potential for the city’s arts scene. Plus, Sarah previews their “Made By Us” fundraiser, pairing local celebrities with artists for unique, one-of-a-kind creations.

Shownotes

Transcript on page 2.

The post Inside Wild Goose Creative: Art, Risk, and Meaning in Columbus appeared first on The Confluence Cast.