The Confluence Cast

A preview of the interviews still to come this week from candidates Hambley for Ohio and Allison Russo.

The Ohio Democratic Primary for Secretary of State With petitions filed and the 2026 statewide races now officially underway, a lot of the attention is on the governor's race — and understandably so — but there's a primary happening further down the ballot that deserves a real look: the Democratic primary for Ohio Secretary of State.

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.

How MORPC Shapes the Future of Our Region - 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.

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.

AI in Ohio - 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.

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.

Inside Wild Goose Creative: Art, Risk, and Meaning in Columbus - 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.

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.

The Columbus Music Commission’s Big Gig - The Confluence Cast How do we take a music community and turn it into a music economy?

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 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (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.

A Different Lens on Economic Development - The Confluence Cast 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.

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.

The Politics and Promise of a Growing Region - The Confluence Cast 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 P...

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 The 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.

Why the Columbus Marathon Works - The Confluence Cast Marathons are more than just races—they’re complex productions, community rituals, and, at times, catalysts for civic pride.

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, and 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.

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An Off the Rails Roundup - The Confluence Cast 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.