The Confluence Cast

Leadership is more than just a title—it’s about influence, impact, and the ability to drive meaningful change. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Kate Bauer, the new Executive Director of Leadership Columbus, to discuss the launch of this year’s Signature Program and the vision for the future of leadership in our city.

We explored what makes this program a cornerstone for professional and civic development in Columbus, how it equips emerging leaders with the skills and connections to create lasting change, and the role Leadership Columbus plays in shaping the city’s future. From fostering collaboration across industries to tackling pressing community challenges, Kate shares insights on what’s next for Leadership Columbus and how you can get involved.

Whether you’re an aspiring leader, a seasoned professional, or simply someone passionate about the growth of Columbus, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the impact of leadership development.

Shownotes

• Leadership Columbus
• The Signature Program
• Central Ohio Leadership Academy

Full transcript on page 2.

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Daisy Perkins was Ohio’s first Black woman lawyer, a trailblazer who defied expectations and carved out a career in criminal defense at a time when both her race and gender made that nearly impossible. But her story is not one of simple triumph—it’s one of controversy, resilience, and ultimately, downfall.

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Jesse Bethea, a freelance features writer at Columbus Underground and the author of Daisy’s Way: The Wild and Tragic Career of Ohio’s First Black Woman Lawyer, a four-part series that unpacks Perkins’ complex legacy. We explored her rise to prominence, her high-profile legal battles, and the perjury conviction that ended her career.

From courtroom drama and political ambition to police misconduct and systemic bias, we discussed the forces that shaped Perkins’ fate and what her story reveals about justice—then and now. Whether you see her as a legal maverick, a victim of discrimination, or a cautionary tale, Daisy Perkins’ story is one that demands to be told.

Shownotes

• Daisy Perkins series on Columbus Underground
• Ohio Channel video on Daisy Perkins

Full transcript on page 2.

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Cities don’t run on autopilot. Every decision—every budget, every policy, every vote—is shaped by the people who step up to lead. A few months ago, I decided to see what it would take to be one of those people, and I wasn’t alone.

Densil Porteous and I were two of the many candidates who applied for an open Columbus City Council seat. The process was eye-opening—not just in terms of how appointments work, but in how civic engagement and political power actually play out in real time.

In this episode, Densil and I talk about what we experienced, what we learned, and what it says about how leadership is chosen in our city. If you’ve ever wondered how decisions get made—or even considered getting involved yourself—this episode offers a rare look inside the process.

Shownotes

• Densil Porteous
• Columbus City Council Districts

Full transcript on page 2.

The post So You Want to Join City Council? appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

The results are in, and the people of Columbus have spoken! In this week’s episode, I sat down with Walker Evans, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Columbus Underground, to dive into the highlights of the Best of Columbus 2024 Readers’ Poll. From the city’s favorite new restaurants and bars to its most beloved cultural institutions and neighborhoods, we explored what makes Columbus shine.

With nearly 1,700 votes cast by engaged locals, this year’s poll celebrates the city’s best spots to eat, drink, and experience. Walker and I discussed the stories behind the rankings, the trends shaping the scene, and even a few surprises from the lists. Whether you’re looking for your next favorite pizza place, curious about the hottest new bar, or just love all things Columbus, this episode offers something for everyone.

Shownotes

• Top 10 New Restaurants
• Top 25 Bars
• Top 10 Arts & Cultural Institutions
• Top 10 Neighborhoods
• Top 10 Pizzas

Full transcript on page 2.

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Transitions can be transformative, but they’re often filled with uncertainty. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Matt Slaybaugh, an achievement skills coach, playwright, and former artistic director of Available Light Theatre. We explored Matt’s journey from leading a theater company to becoming a coach, helping people navigate change and pursue what matters most.

From the principles of positive psychology to the creation of his new audiobook, Ready for the Quest, we explored how practical tools and mindset shifts can empower individuals to overcome resistance and take meaningful steps forward. Whether it’s a career pivot, a personal goal, or simply creating healthier habits, Matt shares insights in the hopes of inspiring others to embrace their quests and unlock their potential.

Shownotes

• Ready for the Quest
• Available Light Theatre

Full transcript on page 2.

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Holden Ellis, a creative studio in Columbus, just celebrated its 10-year anniversary—a milestone that founder and CEO Josh Fitzwater describes as a testament to resilience, creativity, and teamwork. I sat down with Fitzwater to discuss the journey of Holden Ellis, from its humble beginnings to becoming a sought-after agency specializing in healthcare branding and digital experiences. Building a business from the ground up taught him lessons about prioritizing his team, navigating cash flow challenges, and staying true to the agency’s mission of “making people curious.” In our conversation, he shared insights on the evolving role of creativity in healthcare and why staying small and nimble remains central to his vision.

Shownotes

• Holden Ellis
• Josh Fitzwater
• Holden Ellis on Instagram

Full transcript on page 2.

The post Crafting Curiosity with Holden Ellis appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Disparate problems can sometimes be addressed with common solutions. Like affordable housing and climate change. In this week’s episode, Columbus Underground co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down with Robert Williams, the Senior Director of Residential Services at MORPC. Together, they unpack the organization’s grassroots efforts to keep families in their homes, lower energy costs, and reduce environmental impact. From essential home repairs to comprehensive weatherization programs, this conversation reveals how a community-driven approach can make a lasting impact on Central Ohio’s housing crisis and sustainability goals.

Shownotes

• MORPC’s Residential Services Program

Full transcript on page 2.

The post Empowering Communities with MORPC appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

The future of Central Ohio is coming at us fast. But not too fast to manage. In this week’s episode, Columbus Underground co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down with Jessica Kuenzli, the Chief Regional Planning Officer at MORPC, to explore how her team is tackling the region’s explosive growth, sustainability needs, and the big picture of community development. Jessica shares insights into new federal funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, the importance of data mapping, and the challenges of uniting over 15 counties under one regional vision.

Shownotes

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

Full transcript on page 2.

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We’re diving into the transit transformations shaping our city’s future. In this week’s episode, Columbus Underground co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down with Parag Agrawal, the Chief Mobility and Infrastructure Officer and Senior Director of Programming at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. With a rich background in planning, land use, and transportation, Parag has returned to Columbus to help shape the future of our region.

Shownotes

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

Transcript on page 2.

The post Transit Update with MORPC appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

In July, the City of Columbus experienced a massive data breach, which officials at the time referred to as “some type of incident.” Months later, the scope, damage, and cost of the incident are still coming into focus. I sat down with Connor Goodwolf, a cybersecurity engineer, to discuss the data breach and his role in the ongoing efforts to understand what happened and how to recover from it. According to Goodwolf, despite his efforts to alert the city, he faced a restraining order and legal challenges. In our discussion, he emphasized the need for better cybersecurity measures and proactive communication from the city.

Shownotes

• Sign up for credit monitoring
• Connor Goodwolf

Full transcript on page 2.

The post City Data Breach appeared first on The Confluence Cast.