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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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How do we take a music community and turn it into a music economy?

I sat down with Walker Evans, editor and co-founder of Columbus Underground, to break down the findings of a new study commissioned by the Columbus Music Commission. We dig into the $1.3 billion valuation of our local music ecosystem, what’s working, what’s missing, and what it might mean to create a “music district” in the city. We also talk about how music fits into Columbus’s broader identity and whether a more focused approach could help the scene grow.

Shownotes

• Columbus Music Industry Study
• Columbus Music Commission
• Skully’s Music-Diner
• Ace of Cups
• Natalie’s
• Rambling House
• Rumba Café
• The Bluestone
• The Basement
• A&R Music Bar
• Newport Music Hall
• KEMBA Live!
• The Summit
• Woodlands

Full transcript on page 2.

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When you think about economic development, you might picture a groundbreaking, a ribbon-cutting, or a shiny new district. But more often, it looks like slow, steady puzzle-building.

This week, I sat down with Padmini Roy-Dixon, Economic Development Director and Regional Innovation Officer at MORPC, who’s been quietly assembling some of the most important pieces for Central Ohio’s future. She shared what it means to shift from transactional deals to long-term planning, why our new Economic Development District designation matters, and how MORPC is helping communities get ready before opportunity knocks.

We talked about the need for equitable access to not just resources, but decision-making power. We explored the Economic Development Academy, a new training ground for the next generation of civic leaders. And we got honest about what’s still missing: enough housing, enough coordination, and enough resources to match the scale of Central Ohio’s growth.

Shownotes

• Regional Economic Development Academy
• Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
• US Economic Development Administration
• One Columbus

Full transcript on page 2.

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Regional planning isn’t just about roads and rails. It’s about building the future of a place, one decision, one partnership, and one policy at a time. In this week’s episode, we sat down with Joe Garrity, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).

We talked about how MORPC helps shape the long-term trajectory of Central Ohio through strategic collaboration with local governments, state legislators, and congressional partners. Joe shared how the region’s rapid growth is both a challenge and an opportunity, and why he believes the “clay is still wet” when it comes to defining what Central Ohio can become.

We explored the region’s push for better transit, the unique nature of Columbus as a non-legacy city, and why now might be the moment to close the gap on passenger rail finally. Joe also gave us a window into the next generation of public service and why solving significant issues, such as housing and infrastructure, will require new voices at the table.

Shownotes

• MORPC
• Joe Garrity
• MORPC Internship Program

Full transcript on page 2.

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Marathons are more than just races—they’re complex productions, community rituals, and, at times, catalysts for civic pride. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Darris Blackford, longtime race director of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon. We discussed how the event evolved from a tourism initiative in 1980 to one of the country’s most respected independent races—and how Darris went from running it as an amateur to running it as a professional.

We explored the behind-the-scenes logistics of staging a 15,000-person race through multiple municipalities, what makes Columbus’s marathon structurally and financially unique, and how technology—from GPS watches to real-time runner tracking—has reshaped the race experience without replacing the purity of putting one foot in front of the other. Darris also shared insights on elite runners, nonprofit partnerships, and why fireworks beat flyovers every time.

Shownotes:

• Columbus Marathon Website
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Marathon
• 2025 Marathon Mile Champions
• 2023 Columbus Marathon recap

Transcript on page 2.

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What does it take to build a more inclusive world—one where individuals with disabilities are supported not just in care, but in community and experience? In this week’s episode, I sat down with Kristyn Butler, founder and CEO of Ability Matters, an agency that provides personalized services for individuals with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on autism.

We discussed how Kristyn transitioned from public education to entrepreneurship after parents came to her in search of something better for their children—and how she built a growing organization committed to active inclusion, high-quality care, and international travel experiences for those it serves. From workforce challenges and the limits of Medicaid waivers to rewarding staff with global adventures, Kristyn shares how Ability Matters is redefining what full, supported lives can look like.

Whether you’re interested in disability services, community inclusion, or building mission-driven organizations, Kristyn’s story offers insight into how compassion, quality, and ambition can come together to change lives.

Shownotes

• Ability Matters

Full transcript on page 2.

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Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dollar to park near Brassica.

This week, we explore what’s resonating most in local media and what those stories reveal about the larger systems we’re all navigating.

From the rise of protests at the Statehouse to the ripple effects of new zoning policies, we covered how housing, development, and drone factories are shaping the future of Columbus. We unpacked the tension between growth and preservation, the impact of private equity on everything from chicken sandwiches to shopping malls, and why local progress sometimes depends on who’s still in the smoky back room.

Whether you care about affordable housing, have feelings about paid parking, or just want to understand why Columbus works the way it does, this conversation is a reminder that the local stories matter, because they’re not just local.

Shownotes

• Columbus Underground on YouTube
• Ohio Gov. DeWine signs higher ed bill regulating classroom discussion and banning diversity efforts (Ohio Capital Journal)
• Easton Town Center Converting 7 Parking Lots from Free to Paid (Columbus Underground)
• Joe DeLoss gets back to work (Columbus Business First)
• Defense Contractor Facility to Bring 4,000 Jobs to Columbus Area (Columbus Underground)
• Council to Vote on Zoning Changes for 161 Corridor (Columbus Underground)
• Trump’s Actions Already Having “Ripple Effects” on Columbus Development Projects (Columbus Underground)
• Columbus Sues Trump, DOGE, Over Tree Money (Columbus Underground)
• By the Numbers: Central Ohio Population Growing, More Housing Needed (Columbus Underground)

Full transcript on page 2.

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