The Confluence Cast

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.

We are diving into the most read stories shaping the landscape of the city. These are the top stories that have captured the attention of our community—not necessarily the most important or significant, but the ones that people just couldn’t stop reading. We’ll be counting down the top 15 stories from the past quarter, ranging from local business closures and new developments to the latest updates in the city’s infrastructure. Whether it’s a historic building being demolished, new restaurants opening up, or the ever-evolving skyline of downtown Columbus, we’ve got it all covered. Roll Bikes Closing High Ramp Closure / Highway Work Easton & Polaris Properties Sold Top 10 Brewery Patios Giant Trolls Repost Dispensaries Prep for Recreation Marijuana 7 Big Projects Local Cantina Short North Closes Skinny Tower in FranklintonUpdated Downtown TowerFilm Production in DublinCapital Grille Homefield Grandview Bakery Building Demolished Ohio Village Construction Full transcript on page 2. The post Summer News Roundup appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Every piece is important. For Tom Krouse, the outgoing CEO of Donatos Pizza, this tagline is more than just a catchphrase. With his departure this fall, we sat down to discuss his journey at Donatos. We’ll explore the key strategies behind their expansion, including the decision to focus on franchising and the early adoption of online ordering technology. Tom also shares his thoughts on the importance of building the right team, having strong leadership processes, and how these factors were crucial to their success. Shownotes DonatosTom KrouseSmart ColumbusMusic ColumbusGCAC Shownotes on page 2. The post Donatos CEO Tom Krouse appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

Personal struggles can open our eyes to the needs of others. That is true for Tammy Adler Foeller, the co-founder of OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women transitioning out of incarceration or drug treatment. Tammy and I discuss her personal journey navigating her daughter’s battle with addiction, how it inspired her to help others, the organization’s volunteer-based support system, and where they are in their journey to grow capacity and combat stigma for those affected by the opioid epidemic. Shownotes OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance Full transcript on page 2. The post OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in our latest roundup of the biggest stories on Columbus Underground. Co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down to discuss everything from Liz Lessner’s influential legacy to the latest murmurs about when we’ll get passenger rail. There are plenty of renderings to peruse, too. Shownotes The “Liz Lessner” Restaurant Era Has Officially Come to An EndColumbus Included in Two New Proposed Long-Distance Amtrak RoutesTwo-Mile Bike and Pedestrian Loop Planned for DowntownHeath Town Center Buildings Expected to Open in 20263 New Vendors Open at Bubbly Hall Amid Turnover, LawsuitUnique Properties for Sale: The Cleveland & Second BuildingNew Airport Terminal Renderings, Timeline ReleasedMetro Center Metamorphosis: Dublin’s Answer to Changing Market TrendsSymphony Outlines Plans for $275 Million Concert HallPhotos: New Metro Park Canopy Walk to Open This Spring Full transcript on page 2. The post A Roundup of Renderings appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

The city’s transit system is going through a transformation. At least that’s the intention. On the occasion of an impending transfer of power and a sales tax issue on the ballot this fall to bulk up services, Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren sat down with both the outgoing and incoming CEOs of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (or COTA) to discuss the shift in leadership, the transportation projects set to be on the ballot this fall, and what’s next for the former Greyhound station in Downtown. Shownotes COTACOTA CEO Announces Plan to Leave AgencyCOTA Hires New CEOLinkUS Full transcript on page 2. The post COTA Bus Transfer appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

There is often a complex interplay between preservation and progress. A year into his exploration, Columbus Underground reporter Jesse Bethea continues to sift through the story of how the removal of remains from what was once the North Market parking lot unfolded. From the contentious removal of centuries-old graves to the forensic analysis of unearthed remains, today’s episode navigates the ethical, legal, and emotional complexities surrounding the issue.  In the quest to honor the past while embracing the future, we examine what lies beneath the surface of urban development and confront the ghosts of history that still shape our city today. Shownotes Previous episode on the North GraveyardCome Get Your Dead series on Columbus Underground Full transcript on page 2. The post Grave Matters: Unearthing the North Graveyard appeared first on The Confluence Cast.

This podcast was not generated by AI. But it may have been influenced by it. As all industries consider how to use artificial intelligence in their work, Walker Evans, Susan Post, and I discuss how it relates to journalism, disclosure, and transparency. We cover Columbus Underground’s updated policy on the matter, how content generation should and should not be used in a newsroom, what AI thinks about the Columbus food scene, and a lively debate on the ethical challenges of how this new tool will affect our lives. Shownotes Columbus Underground Artificial Intelligence Policy Full transcript page 2. The post This Title Was Not Generated by AI appeared first on The Confluence Cast.