Episode 23: Evan SkilliterIn this episode, Jon is joined by Matt — back for his first podcast since Episode 17 — as they sit down with Jon’s brother-in-law, Evan Skilliter. Evan is a Bluffton University alumnus, Assistant Professor of Sport Management, and Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at his alma mater in Bluffton, Ohio.Evan shares his insights on the current culture of youth sports in America and what inspired him to write his popular 5-part guest column series for The Lima News earlier this year. The conversation covers the pressures of early specialization, commercialization, social media influence, and adult behavior — plus practical ideas for making youth sports healthier and more fun again.They also talk about growing up in Bluffton, Evan’s lifelong passion for sports, and even get into a few lighter topics… including birds.A fun, insightful, and thought-provoking conversation with someone who lives and breathes sports at every level — from the classroom to the sidelines and the local community.

A long time ago in a podcast studio not too far away, Jon sat down with Marc Bowker - Lima’s own comic-book store owner, certified Heroic Coach, and real-life superhero of downtown revitalization.In this epic crossover, Marc steps out from behind the counter at Alter Ego Comics (the beloved downtown Lima institution he’s run since 2005) to talk about building a business that’s survived recessions, pandemics, and plenty of real-world challenges. From his days as Director of Communications at the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce to going all-in on entrepreneurship, Marc shares the origin story of turning a side-hustle comic passion into a 20-year local landmark.We dive into how political decisions ripple straight into small businesses like Alter Ego - tariffs, regulations, and the daily realities of running a Main Street shop. Marc also opens up about his personal journey with anxiety, depression, OCD, and his 2016 nervous breakdown - and how Stoic wisdom, a superhero mindset, and the Heroic coaching framework helped him rewrite his story and now helps others do the same.Whether you’re a comic fan, a small business owner, or someone working on your own mental health and personal growth, this is one of the most inspiring conversations yet.Tune in for great stories, real talk, and practical wisdom you can actually use.The Force is strong with this one.Subscribe to the Local Exchange Podcast:

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In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Stephanie Ernest, a member of the Bath Local School District Board of Education, to talk about the proposed Bath High School project that is going to be on the ballot in May. We discuss how the project came together, the planning process so far, and the role the school board plays in long-term facilities and financial decisions. Stephanie shares insight into what the board is hearing from the community, common questions residents have raised, and the importance of transparency throughout the process. She also encourages residents to attend board meetings, share their thoughts, and ultimately come out and vote so the board can clearly understand how the community feels about a potential new high school. This conversation is intended to help listeners better understand the project, the process behind it, and the decisions facing the district as Bath Local Schools looks toward the future.Originally Posted 2/2/2026

Matt and I react to the outcome of Chief Austin Miller’s termination hearing, where all charges were dismissed with prejudice. We share our thoughts on what the decision means for the fire department, the township, and the community moving forward.Originally Posted 12/16/2025

Originally posted 12/13/2025We share our thoughts on the federal lawsuit filed by Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller and discuss what it could mean for the township, the fire department, and the community. The conversation focuses on potential implications, the legal process, and why the situation matters moving forward.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cross, Treasurer of Shawnee Schools, to discuss the financial landscape of the district. We cover the history behind Shawnee’s past deficit spending, the plan now in place to stabilize the budget, and what the community should understand about how school funding works. Chris walks us through the challenges of maintaining aging buildings, the findings of past facility studies, and what decisions may shape the future of Shawnee’s school buildings. We also talk about property taxes, state funding formulas, transportation costs, and long-term financial planning.Originally Posted 12/4/2025

In this episode we sit down with Todd Washam, Vice President of the Shawnee School Board, to discuss the key issues facing Shawnee Schools. We talk about efforts to improve academics, classroom sizes, staffing challenges, the condition of current school facilities, and how the board approaches long-term planning for the district’s future.Originally Posted 11/29/2025

We recap tonight’s emergency meeting regarding Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller. We walk through what happened, what questions remain, and how this situation may impact the township moving forward.Originally Posted 11/26/2025

In this episode, Matt sits down with Shawnee boys basketball head coach Mark Triplett to cover a wide range of topics, including his approach to the game, the challenges and rewards of developing young players, and what it means to be closing in on becoming the winningest coach in Shawnee history. Coach Triplett reflects on the 25–0 COVID season, leadership in high-pressure moments, and the values that continue to drive him in his tenth year at Shawnee. Originally posted on 11/20/2025

In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt sit down with Kelly Martino, head of fundraising for the Shawnee Stadium Capital Campaign. Kelly shares the history behind the stadium project, how the effort began, and the challenges and teamwork that have kept it moving forward. The conversation covers how people can get involved, the growth of Shawnee’s youth football program, and the many school and community groups that now benefit from the new facility. Kelly also talks about what drives her passion for community involvement and how local support continues to make a difference for Shawnee athletes. We experienced an issue with Kelly’s video recording, but we’ve included helpful images throughout this episode to highlight many of the topics discussed. Originally posted 11/12/2025