National dollar-store chains have proliferated in recent years, and so has controversy about whether the stores really benefit the neighborhoods where they are located.

John Sherman Lathram III, vice-chairman of the North Linden Area Commission in Columbus, and Erica Thompson, assistant editor at Columbus Alive magazine, sit down with the Other Side to discuss the economic impact of dollar stores and how these stores affect nutrition in at-risk neighborhoods.

Jordan Johnson, a senior at Pickerington North High School, talks to the Other Side about a controversial Black History Month program organized by her and other students. Johnson says she was bewildered and saddened by the response of some parents, who accused the history program of criticizing police because it dealt with officer-involved shootings of blacks.

Johnson says that, despite the controversy, the experience helped bring students at her school together. Plus, Lucas and Scot discuss whether slavery gets too much attention when American history museums create exhibits on the black experience.

Private investigator Cerise Allen joins the conversation via phone while on live surveillance, and attorney Sean Walton visits the studio to talk about the lives of two well-known Columbus activists who recently died. Rubén Castilla Herrera  —who appeared on the The Other Side in 2018 to talk about sanctuary cities and the plight of undocumented immigrants — died unexpectedly April 7, 2019.

Amber Evans, the face of many community protests, went missing in January 2019 was found dead in the Scioto River on March 23. Both Allen and Walton express concern that Evans’ death may not have been given the level of attention is deserved by Columbus police.

The episode closes on a lighter note with a trivia rematch between the hosts and Walton to find out who is really the trivia champion.

Alana Jochum, Executive Director of Equality Ohio, tells The Other Side how having only a patchwork of local communities that prohibit discrimination means Ohio’s LGBTQ community face having their civil rights in jeopardy on their daily commute to work or school.

Jochum is pushing for the passage of the Ohio Fairness Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the laws that make discrimination illegal in the Ohio.

We also talk about why Jochum believes current laws aren't enough and how the Ohio Fairness Act would affect employers and non-LGBTQ people.

Dawn Dickson, Columbus native and founder and CEO of 'PopCom' and 'Flat Out of Heels' shoes, sits down with The Other Side to talk about how she got her start in tech, her inspiration for a shoe vending machine, and how that has led to her owning multiple businesses and pursuing ambitious goals. Dickson also talks about women of color in the tech industry and how to encourage more kids to study science and math. She also gives would-be entrepreneurs some keen advice on finding funding and starting a business.

In part two of our interview with former Franklin County Auditor and Republican Clarence Mingo, he gives his take on Virginia's governor wearing blackface and why racism is not limited to Republican party. Mingo also says blacks should demand more from both political parties and that Republicans need to do more to court black voters. Finally, we talk about why he supports Collin Kaepernicks position on police abuse but condemns his method of protest.

Politicians aren’t usually so candid about sensitive issues, but former Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo doesn’t mind opening himself up to The Other Side.

Mingo talks about the open racism and hostility he faced growing up and the health issues he attributes to his military service in the Gulf War.

He also talks about his thoughts on being labeled a 'token black' in his party.

Mingo also doesn't hold back regarding his feelings on President Trump and why he feels Trump is leading the Republican party in the wrong direction.

Achea Redd, wife of former Ohio State and NBA basketball star Michael Redd, sits down with The Other Side to share her personal struggles with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and how her own experiences led her to found an organization called Real Girls F.A.R.T. to help other women.

Redd also talks about how being an NBA wife actually exacerbated her illness and why she's glad her son is a "momma's boy." Our chat wraps up with her thoughts on how to combat the stigma that keeps some in the black community from seeking treatment for mental health issues.

In the wake of renewed allegations that singer R. Kelly sexually abused young women and girls, Eastmoor Academy's girls basketball coach Charity Martin-King talks to The Other Side about protecting girls from predators and what measures she and her staff take to ensure her players are safe.

Martin-King also discusses whether an artist's work should be judged separately from personal behavior, and Michael Jackson doesn’t get a pass.

We have put together some of our favorite interviews and clips from this year, plus some of our most popular episodes with listeners. We even included some never heard before segments.