Ronnie Platt's journey to becoming the lead vocalist of rock legends Kansas defies conventional music industry narratives. At 52, after decades behind the wheel of a Chicago delivery truck, he stepped into the spotlight previously occupied by one of rock's most distinctive voices, Steve Walsh. "Better late than never," he quips with characteristic humility that runs throughout his conversation with Lindsay and Bruce.

Now celebrating eleven years with the band, Platt opens up about the influences that shaped his powerful vocal style—Steve Walsh, Steve Perry, and Lou Gramm—analyzing their techniques and selecting vocalists whose approach matched his physical capabilities.

The conversation takes a more serious turn as Platt details his recent battle with thyroid cancer, from discovery to diagnosis to his triumphant return to the stage just one month after surgery. His concern extended beyond his health to the entire Kansas organization—band members, crew, venues, and support staff who would be affected by his absence from touring. This profound sense of responsibility, combined with extraordinary medical care, fueled his remarkably swift recovery.

It's only April but it's time to get excited about July 4th!  Kansas and 38 Special will headline this year's Independence Day celebration, culminating in the city's spectacular fireworks display. Community Events Director Alison LeRoy also joins to share details about the full day of festivities and the upcoming table reservation process.   It promises to be another rockin' unforgettable Fourth of July in the city we love!

Ever wondered what actually happens to your recycling after it leaves your curb? Amanda Pratt, Senior VP of Communications at Rumpke, pulls back the curtain on recycling operations at North America's largest and most technologically advanced recycling facility, which is right here in Columbus, Ohio.

The Rumpke Recycling and Resource Center, a $106 million investment that opened in 2024, processes an astonishing 60-70 tons of recyclables per hour using AI-powered optical scanners, advanced sorting technology, and a system designed to maximize recovery. The facility has expanded what Central Ohioans can recycle and now accepts those frustrating plastic clamshell containers alongside yogurt tubs, plastic cups and even greasy pizza boxes.

What makes this story particularly powerful is the economic impact. Approximately 80% of materials collected stay right here in Ohio, supplying manufacturers that create new products and jobs.

Beyond the industrial operation, Rumpke has partnered with COSI and OSU to create an immersive education center where visitors experience the complete lifecycle of recyclables—from consumer purchasing decisions to final products. School groups and community members can tour the facility and see firsthand how their recycling efforts make a difference.

Lindsay and Bruce also talk with Amanda about common recycling myths and answer resident questions about everything from aluminum foil to Amazon packaging. With Dublin's waste diversion rate nearly 20% higher than the national average, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical guidance for anyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint not just for April's Earth Month but any month!

The artistic heart of Dublin beats strongly through two remarkable conversations showcasing how creativity connects communities both locally and globally.

Dr. David Guion, retiring Executive Director of the Dublin Arts Council, reflects on transforming Dublin into a community with more than 70 public art installations ranging from large-scale commissioned works to interactive river boxes – artist-created vessels that combine geocaching with artistic treasure hunts. With a philosophy that "we do things with the community instead of for the community," David has fostered participatory experiences that encourage public dialogue with artists.

"Public art is controversial," he acknowledges candidly. "It comes down to whether someone likes or doesn't like something." This honesty about art's divisive nature hasn't deterred the Council but rather inspired them to create programming that fosters curiosity and creative exploration. From cultivating international relationships in Japan to developing Dublin's first Public Art Master Plan, David leaves a legacy of artistic growth that spans generations.

Writer Erin Boggs introduces us to "A Journey of Iceland - from Darkness to Light," an immersive exhibition at the Dublin Arts Council through April 25th. This multisensory experience combines Boggs' poetry with artwork by Icelandic artist Einar Orn and music by Kaktus Einarsson. The exhibition has gained impressive recognition, along with Erin's book appearing in Oscar nominee gift bags! Dublin residents can purchase signed copies at the Arts Council, complete with QR codes to download the music for a full immersive experience at home.

Whether exploring Dublin's river boxes with your family or experiencing Iceland through poetry and art, these creative endeavors remind us how art transcends cultural and geographic boundaries. Discover these artistic treasures and more by visiting in person or DublinArts.org today!

Did you know Dubin is the only city in the U.S. — the only one — with a AAA credit rating from four different evaluating services?  Hopefully, this impressive accolade gives you, our residents, peace of mind our City leaders are not only thoughtful managers of your tax dollars but excellent practitioners in putting those dollars to laser-efficient use.   Earlier this month, our leaders gathered at Bridge Park for a 'State of the City' presentation in front of hundreds of people.   City Manager Megan O'Callaghan led the discussion and covered a dynamic range of topics: $325 million in capital improvements in the next five years, expanding fiber internet to your home, refreshes to the Dublin Community Recreation Center and Metro Center, plus creating a top-tier athletic complex.  As Megan put it, 'Our success is built on the strength of our relationships with residents, regional leaders and entrepreneurs.  Together we are not just keeping pace with change.  We are shaping it.'     This episode is the audio version of that presentation.  Listen and get genuinely excited because the state of our city is strong!

The theme for Dublin's 2025 State of the City address is Leading the Way.   This episode is a dynamic preview of the SOTC (a little inside scoop for you!) from our elected officials who truly sweat the details — Dublin City Council members.   Lindsay and Bruce gathered all seven members for a dedicated conversation around these three questions:  How does Dublin lead the way?   What are you truly excited about?  Describe the state of our City?   

Council members' answers walk you through our history, how we became a national model of excellence and how we plan to keep it that way.   Council members also mirror the excitement that comes from you - our residents.  From a refreshed Metro Center, expansions at Bridge Park, Sports Ohio and our fiber to every home project, we continue to lead nationally through innovation, research, resident feedback and lasered execution.  Simply put, get excited about the State of the City because it's strong, it's here and it's real.    And please join us in person March 13th for the 2025 State of the City address and community reception from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Exchange at Bridge Park.   

Yes, we have a 100-foot bridge on order.  No, it's not coming from Amazon.   But, if you're curious about more than a dozen engineering projects happening all over Dublin from bridges to fiber optics to roundabouts, this is your episode!  Director of Engineering, Paul Hammersmith, is back with Lindsay and Bruce to discuss projects in and around your neighborhood:   U.S. 33 and Post Road, Emerald Parkway near the new Mount Carmel Hospital, a new roundabout, and a big update on the altafiber, fiber optics project, just to name a few.   Plus, we always have water and road maintenance projects that constantly improve and beautify our neighborhoods to tell you about.  Speaking of which, did you know our great City spends roughly the same on road maintenance as Dayton, which has nearly triple our population.  As Paul explains, it's a testament to not just building the amenities that are the envy of cities nationally but having the foresight, planning prowess and tax base to maintain those class-leading amenities.   And here's a bonus.  Paul's guest appearance means projects are ramping up again because the weather will get warmer and hopefully soon!   

They say luck is really when opportunity meets timing. No joke, on THE day we were scheduled to record this episode with the Abbey Theater's Joe Bishara, the Broadway World Awards were announced. For the third straight year, the Abbey was named 'Best Local Theater'. Joe, himself was also recognized as 'Best Director' for the fourth year in a row!  So, there's a lot to celebrate in this episode, but, as Joe, Lindsay and Bruce discuss, the success of the Abbey is about the success of the whole. It's everyone - from those working behind the scenes to the screenwriters, the performing artists and everyone in between. The 2025 season is maybe the Abbey's most ambitious yet, featuring classics like 'School House Rock Live' and 'Alice in Wonderland, Jr.' to bold productions on issues like evolution, creationism, sexuality and politics. There's even a two-man musical spoof starring Joe himself.  It's a season at the Abbey where kids, teens and adults can enjoy multiple productions starting right now. So, come see what the Broadway World Awards know and keep telling the world — that one of the best local theaters in the country is right here in Dublin! 

Dublin is known for our burgeoning restaurant scene, and there’s one local spot our guests can’t get enough of. Lindsay and Bruce have asked countless guests, 'What's your favorite lunch spot?' and the overwhelming top answer is, ’Dublin Village Tavern!’  So, we had a thought: let's invite DVT General Manager Geri Ziemba on the show! It turns out, 2025 marks DVT's 25th year in business, so Geri has plenty of stories and perspectives to share, plus her tips for cooking the best burgers.  Plus, we round out the foodie conversation with City Scene Lead Editor, Rachel Karas. Our dining scene is just exploding with new restaurants, markets and bars. If Happy Hour isn't your thing, no worries, because non-alcoholic 'mocktails' are the thing right now, and DVT has jumped on the bandwagon! You'll come away from this episode hungry and with a list of new places to try.  

Have you noticed big, new monitors all around the Dublin Community Recreation Center? New cardio machines and free weights? And the super easy way to scan into the Rec Center with the app? There's so much going on, and there's about to be a lot more! A big refresh is beginning that'll bring even more space and programming to your wellness journey. Since so many people look to reset in a new year, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about all the exciting things at the DCRC with our Recreation Administrator of Corporate and Community Wellness, Mollie Steiner. Fortunately for us, Mollie isn't big on the word “resolution,” so Lindsay and Bruce ask her for motivational ways to work toward a wellness goal that involves having fun, finding joy and practicing self-care. She also shares her very best advice for staying motivated throughout the year and not just here at the beginning. Plus, the wellness trends to look for in 2025! This episode brings with it a very personal story, too; Mollie shares some incredible highs and truly scary lows as a parent. Her daughter, Abby, is a world-class athlete and former college All-American who tried out for the U.S. Olympic team this past summer. Her other daughter got a cancer diagnosis while she was in high school at Dublin Coffman. Mollie’s personal and professional journey has been one of commitment to wellness, helping others and living in gratitude. Lessons that'll hopefully always be trendy and never go out of style.

Thanks to our loyal listeners, the Link Ahead podcast nearly doubled its download numbers for 2024! It's a credit to our residents who want to stay informed on what's happening, engage in the City processes and stay motivated in keeping Dublin a global city of choice. This episode is special, as we sliced and diced clips from all 23 episodes. We got to meet a wide range of people: City leaders, Jack Nicklaus II, a world-renowned musician, one of the best college basketball coaches in the country, a tribal Indian Chief and national experts who are helping Dublin growth the right way. Lindsay and Bruce also talked in depth about topics like Envision Dublin, expanded COTA services, future plans for Metro Center and updates coming to the Dublin Community Recreation Center. In short, this podcast series is about the people, the vision, the purpose and the passion that continue to make Dublin truly world-class. Link Ahead brought home some three awards from national and regional competitions, too! Enjoy this look back at an incredible Season 3, and know we already have big plans for Season 4 in 2025!

The Dublin Food Pantry served more than 10,000 people last year — our friends and neighbors in our beloved City.  Yes, we're known as a thought-leading, innovation hub nationally with a thriving economy and class leading municipal services but it doesn't mean we're immune to societal challenges.   One of them is hunger.   Dublin reflects the broader data across Ohio in that 1 in 5 young people are food insecure.   Senior citizens in our area face challenges as well as increased living expenses zap more from households on fixed incomes.   That means our seniors are going hungry.  Fortunately, we have a dynamic and passionate Dublin resident leading the charge at the Food Pantry in newly hired Executive Director, Julie Erwin-Rinaldi.   As you'll hear in the conversation with Bruce and Lindsay, Julie comes to this work with a servants' heart as she spent decades working in non-profit, mental health and public sector behavioral health.    Personally, Julie has called Dublin home for nearly 30 years and still volunteers here for numerous organizations.   Your time, treasure and talent are needed at the Food Pantry too as the outlook for 2025 shows food insecurity only going up.  Listen and find out how you can help our friends and neighbors in Dublin, not just during the holidays but on any day.

“I'm a diplomat more than an activist, and my career journey has been one of understanding.”  That's how Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend describes his role as a leader in service to his tribal community. Chief Friend joins Lindsay and Bruce, in part, to talk about November as National Native American Heritage month. But this conversation goes much deeper as the Wyandotte's roots are embedded here in Ohio and across the Midwest. The Wyandotte were the last tribe to leave Ohio in 1843. They helped settle great cities like Detroit and Kansas City, Kansas. These days, Chief Friend visits Ohio often, and he calls a nearby Ohio city one of the most interesting places he's ever been. He's also brought young Wyandotte from Oklahoma to Dublin to visit tribal landmarks here including the Leatherlips Monument. (Yes, the Wyandotte leader called Central Ohio home in the 19th century) You'll also want to listen for several sage pieces of advice from Chief Friend, as it's obvious he's a servant leader, passionate historian and tremendous storyteller. Chief Friend is the first tribal chief to join Link Ahead, and we're so honored he joined us!

Isn't it only appropriate in the month of November, when we celebrate so much with food, that we get new items added to the list of recyclables that involve food. Those clamshell containers for fruit and eggs are good to go now!   Toss them in your recycle bin.  Same story with pizza boxes.  No need to separate the greasy box bottoms anymore from the tops. Joining Bruce and Lindsay to also talk about the do's and don'ts of recycling is Andrew Booker from SWACO.   Did you know when you recycle an aluminum can here in Central Ohio, it can be back on a store shelf full of your favorite beverage in less than 60 days?  That's great, but we also have some serious opportunities to improve: about 75% of the materials in the landfill could be diverted, recycled or reused. Andrew gives all of us ideas on how to do just that. Plus, we have to talk about food waste.  More than one million pounds of food waste comes to the Franklin County landfill every day. Dublin is part of SWACO's Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative, so Andrew provides updates to that plan to make it easier than ever to compost those food scraps!

The goal to become the most connected community in the U.S. has reached another milestone! Our 'Fiber to Every Home' initiative is underway, and some residents are already connected to this groundbreaking system. Construction began in April of this year and it's really ramping up now. In fact, please be on the look-out for mailers and doorhangers from altafiber because those are definite indicators construction is coming to your neighborhood. Joining Lindsay and Bruce to talk about all the details is Senior Director of Corporate Strategy and Development at altafiber, David Kramer. They discuss the construction timeline, the benefits of fiber optics, the powerful capabilities of this system and costs of various packages for our residents and businesses. As David says, 'nothing beats light over fiber' as next generation broadband with multi-gig internet service is here!

Did you know there's a sunken steamship in Lake Erie on the National Registry of Historic Places?  Or, that Ohio is near the top of the list for the most historic sites among ALL 50 states?  City Council Member Amy Kramb brings her encyclopedic wealth of historic knowledge of Dublin, of Ohio and of architecture to Link Ahead, and we promise you'll be smarter because of it!   She's a third generation Dublin resident who began her path to City leadership by volunteering.  That led to years of services on Dublin Boards and Commissions and now, City Council. Her career as an attorney and professional architectural historian truly rounds out her passions for public service with historic reverence, good governance and public input. Plus, you have to stay tuned for rapid fire questions from Lindsay and Bruce as Amy tells us which historians she'd invite to dinner and what Ohio treat she'd serve them!    

Did you know now is a good time to head to your favorite garden center, as prices are lower? Even though fall is here, you have all kinds of options for a gorgeous autumn garden, and we have a couple of true experts to help you set it up! Tim Fleischer and Matt Guthrie are horticulturists for the City, and you've seen and likely admired their work all over town — from our parks to roundabouts. Tim and Matt also share insider secrets with Lindsay and Bruce, like what tools they can't live without and the must-haves to get through hot summer days and cold winter ones, too. Having trouble with deer munching on your plants? The guys share their favorite pungent perennials to keep the animals away. This episode is also another first for Link Ahead as we actually discuss another podcast series. That's because Tim and Matt have launched their own horticulture podcast, and the title is just about perfect.

A phone call comes into Dublin City Hall many months ago from a local family looking to sell their property and business.  That's how this whole thing began as you'll get the inside scoop from a family member herself.  Fast forward to today, the deal is poised to transform the West Innovation District into a transportation, sports and recreation mecca! Dublin is purchasing nearly 250 acres that include SportsOhio, Shepherd Excavating and Carter Farms. Among many options from this strategic investment, think of the symbiotic combination of SportsOhio with Darree Fields to create a dynamic sports complex to attract teams, fans and events from all over the country. Additionally, when combined with land the City previously acquired across the railroad tracks to the east, the Carter Farms parcels provide us with a prime location for a future passenger rail station, which is being studied right now. City Manager Megan O'Callaghan and Samantha Shepherd of SportsOhio join Lindsay and Bruce to talk about this historic investment, plus behind-the-scenes details on how it all got started with one phone call.

We hope you have heard of Envision Dublin, but if not, don’t worry — this episode is the perfect crash course! Envision Dublin is our city’s comprehensive master plan, a strategic roadmap guiding everything from large-scale developments and transportation initiatives to everyday details like sidewalk design and enhancing safety for our most vulnerable residents.

At the heart of these efforts is Jenny Rauch, our dedicated Director of Community Planning and Development. With two decades of service to Dublin, Jenny is deeply committed to balancing community input with expert recommendations. Whether she’s engaging with residents at public meetings or integrating feedback from City Council and consultants, Jenny’s role requires both meticulous planning and attentive listening.

Jenny often jokes about her “degree in coloring,” but it’s her keen eye for detail and passion for thoughtful urban design that truly shine. She’ll also share her humorous struggle to “turn off” her planning mindset when she visits other cities.

Whether you’re new to the conversation or ready to dive deeper, your voice matters in shaping Dublin’s future!

Ohio State University Women's Basketball Coach Kevin McGuff has access to the best workout facilities in the country at OSU. But many days, where does he choose to get his sweat on? At the Dublin Community Recreation Center! That says a lot: not just where he and his family choose to live, go to school and prosper but how he stays grounded and connected to our community as a whole. Coach McGuff actually joined us during what he calls his busiest time of year - the offseason. That's not a typo. You'll hear him tell it, but the basketball season itself is the grind of practices and games. The offseason is EVERYTHING else it takes to run one of the country's premiere women's programs: recruiting, massive travel, roster management, coaching appearances, off-season workouts; the list goes on. Plus, he and his wife, Letitia, have six children! Two are playing college basketball and the other four attend Dublin City Schools. Speaking of which, you have to hear what Coach McGuff says about Dublin Coffman's own, Jacy Sheldon, who was the fifth overall pick in the WNBA draft this year after an outstanding career at Ohio State. Sheldon is also the first Coffman player ever drafted into the WNBA!

He's a YouTube sensation, co-winner of the 2022 Steve Martin Banjo Prize, has toured the world many times and, as the Irish American News put it, 'Enda does things on the banjo that should be impossible.'  He is Enda Scahill and he's been playing the Dublin Irish Festival for 10 years now!  Enda joined Bruce and Lindsay from his studio in Ireland for this episode where he said Dublin, Ohio has become a second home to him. From the organization of the festival itself to the passion of the audiences,  Enda says musicians worldwide know our festival is THE one to play.  Enda drops some knowledge bombs, too, including a favorite coffee shop that he says serves some of the best in the world.  He also had a local haircut experience involving falling asleep in the chair and waking up to a big surprise. Plus, you have to stay until the end of the episode when Enda picks up his banjo and gives us a musical preview of the 2024 Dublin Irish Festival!  

23 million albums, multiple Grammy nominations and a four-time Female Vocalist of the Year who's recorded more than 20 top 10 singles including six number one hits! We're talking country music royalty - the legendary Martina McBride. She headlines our 2024 Independence Day Celebration at Coffman Stadium. So, what goes into planning one of Dublin's signature events and how are we able to book dynamic headliners year after year? The woman who leads our team in doing just that is Community Events Director, Alison LeRoy. She has the scoop on just about every touring performer and band out there because her job involves talking to everybody. But summer in Dublin is much more than the 4th. Alison joins Lindsay and Bruce to unveil details on weeks' worth of incredible events happening at Riverside Crossing Park: from Workout Wednesdays to Cinema Saturdays, there's something for the kids and adults alike. Have your smartphone calendar handy because this episode is full of events you'll want to plan right now!

According to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), the 15-county Central Ohio region is expected to have a population of 3.15 million by 2050.  It's not a typo – 3.1 million.  And that number is actually an increase from previous projections.  In 2023, Columbus was the fastest growing city nationally according to the Bank of America Institute.    Even if regional leaders wanted to and we had the space to, we couldn't add enough new roadway lanes to accommodate our expected growth.  So, the solution(s) is a multi-layered approach centered on increased mass transit while continuing to make Dublin even more bike and pedestrian friendly.  (We're the only Ohio city with a silver level bike friendly designation!) For this episode, Lindsay and Bruce welcome the President and CEO of COTA, Monica Tellez-Fowler, and J.M. Rayburn, Transportation and Mobility Planner.  Together, they talk about this broad approach to transportation including the LinkUS initiative which will bring increased options from downtown Columbus to Dublin and beyond.   Plus, you have to stay tuned to find out which mega-star juiced public transit ridership by the thousands!

There are many famous names in golf, but only one stands above all others in collective contributions from the game and to it - Nicklaus.   Jack Nicklaus won more majors than anyone in history, and his legacy and his family's legacy are spread worldwide in everything from golf course design to leading edge health care.   His son, Jack Nicklaus II, leads many of those efforts, including serving as Chairman of the Muirfield Village Golf Club and the Memorial Tournament.  He's designed 50 golf courses worldwide and also serves on the Board of the Nicklaus Children's Healthcare Foundation.   Jack joins Lindsay and Bruce to talk about the origins of Muirfield (it was hunting grounds for his father and grandfather), big changes to this year's tournament and how his famous father might not be the best golf coach.   

In Dublin, we truly live our mission every day to be the most sustainable, global city of choice.   Think about these numbers:  our world-class Dublin City Schools teach students from more than 70 countries who speak more than 100 languages.  Residents in more than 20% of homes in Dublin speak a language other than English.  Our more than 4000 businesses contribute to worldwide commerce every single day.  Plus, from Lebanese to Cuban to Vietnamese restaurants and virtually every ethnicity in between, the world's delicious delicacies are abundant and thriving in Dublin.   So, we absolutely jumped at the chance to highlight a recent naturalization ceremony at the Abbey Theater where nearly 150 people became U.S. citizens.   And talk about a star-studded podcast guest line-up: the Honorable Ed Sargus of U.S. District Court who helped officiate that very ceremony and Vita Lambillotte, Senior Stylist Director at Penzone.  Vita is a naturalized citizen herself and both she and Judge Sargus call Dublin - home.  Stay tuned to hear why this episode especially is a huge milestone too!

From exclusive, never-before-seen productions to Disney musicals to Green Day's 'American Idiot', the award-winning Abbey Theater truly has something for everyone this season. Check out the performance line-up because the 200-seat venue is sure to fill up night in, night out and matinees, too. Lindsay and Bruce walk you through the season with Dublin's Theater Supervisor, Joe Bishara, as this episode is absolutely jam-packed. The City, the Abbey, and our audiences are so fortunate to have earned a reputation where playwrights, directors and performers want to come to us to debut their work. There are performances now through the fall for families, kids and adults. Joe also discusses his holistic vision, how he plots out a full season and his longer-range goals to bring even more educational and immersive experiences to the Abbey. If you listen long enough, you just might hear him bust out some fantastic Josh Groban melodies, too!