Podcast
The Confluence Cast
Hosted by Tim Fulton · EN
Columbus, Ohio Podcast
14episodes
Episodes
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City Council Candidate Tiara Ross
Oct 10Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to ensure that Columbus grows in a way that benefits everyone? That question is at the heart of this week’s episode of The Confluence Cast, featuring Tiara Ross, candidate for Columbus City Council District 7. Ross, an attorney and Deputy Chief of the City Attorney’s Property Action Team, brings a deep background in public service to her candidacy. In her conversation with host Tim Fulton, she reflects on how her upbringing in Columbus and her years working to address housing and safety issues have shaped her vision for the city’s future. She discusses the intersections of housing, transportation, and community development, and how collaboration between city departments, schools, and residents can create more equitable access to opportunity. Ross also shares her perspective on public safety, job growth, and the importance of empathy in policymaking. This episode is part of The Confluence Cast’s continuing coverage of the District 7 race, following last week’s conversation with Jesse Vogel. Together, the two interviews offer listeners a well-rounded look at the candidates and their priorities for Columbus’s next chapter. Shownotes Tiara Ross Full transcript on page 2. The post City Council Candidate Tiara Ross appeared first on The Confluence Cast.
Transcribe →City Council Candidate Jesse Vogel
Oct 9Tap to summarizeAs Columbus continues to grow, so do the questions about who the city truly works for and how well its leaders are listening. I sat down with Jesse Vogel, a candidate for Columbus City Council District 7, to talk about what is working, what is not, and why he believes the city needs to rethink how it represents its residents. Vogel’s path to politics began in eviction court. During the pandemic, while studying law at Ohio State, he helped organize a grassroots effort to support tenants facing eviction when the city reopened its courts. That experience, he says, opened his eyes to how fragile housing stability can be and how much leadership matters when people are struggling. Now an immigration attorney, Vogel argues that Columbus has both the means and the responsibility to do more for working people. From protecting affordable housing to improving access to transportation and early education, he is calling for more creativity and accountability in how the city uses its resources. “We have the benefit of a strong credit rating and real resources,” Vogel says. “But we need to target those investments toward the people most in need, the ones the market is not serving right now.” A key part of the conversation centers on Columbus’s new district system, where candidates must live in the district they represent but are still elected citywide. Vogel says that structure undermines neighborhood representation and incentivizes large fundraising operations instead of direct engagement. “People across the city can vote on who represents District 7,” he notes. “That means the incentive is not to listen to your neighbors. It is to raise the most money and run a citywide campaign.” Throughout the interview, Vogel discusses his policy priorities, responds to questions about campaign fundraising and endorsements, and explains how his lived experiences as a gay, Jewish attorney working with marginalized communities shape his approach to public service. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the future of city leadership, housing policy, and community representation in Columbus. And stay tuned. Tomorrow’s episode features Tiara Ross, Vogel’s opponent in the District 7 race, offering the other side of the conversation. Shownotes Jesse Vogel Full transcript on page 2. The post City Council Candidate Jesse Vogel appeared first on The Confluence Cast.
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AI in Ohio
Aug 20Tap to summarizeWhen 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. Shownotes AI Owl Future Problem Solvers Transcript on page 2. The post AI in Ohio appeared first on The Confluence Cast.
Transcribe →Inside Wild Goose Creative: Art, Risk, and Meaning in Columbus
Aug 15, 2025Tap to summarizeColumbus’ 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. Shownotes Wild Goose Creative Made By Us Transcript on page 2. The post Inside Wild Goose Creative: Art, Risk, and Meaning in Columbus appeared first on The Confluence Cast.
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