Central Ohio Matters
Central Ohio Matters is a podcast where hosts Michelle Gatchell and Ryan Rivers discuss the issues shaping Central Ohio's future. Each episode features in-depth conversations with local leaders, visionaries, and changemakers driving progress in Central Ohio. These conversations provide insights into the challenges facing our communities and the solutions being developed to move them forward.
Central Ohio Matters covers government policies, healthcare challenges, housing and business developments, transportation solutions, education, and innovation. It is your guide to understanding and engaging with the pulse of Central Ohio.
You can listen to Central Ohio Matters on WVXG 95.1 FM (Marion and Morrow Counties) and WDLR 96.7 FM, 1270 AM (Delaware, Marion, and Union Counties).
Also, find it on your favorite podcast streaming sites.
Episodes
17 episodes
Senator Brenner Gives Us A Budget Breakdown and Bill Victories
Senator Brenner pulls back the curtain on Ohio's legislative process, sharing significant wins for wildlife rehabilitation and consumer protection while breaking down what matters most in the massive state budget bill moving through Columbus.
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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34:20
The United Way Effect: Transforming Lives in Central Ohio
Affordable housing in Delaware County has reached a crisis point, with average home prices exceeding $400,000 and rental rates skyrocketing beyond what working families can afford. In this eye-opening conversation with Brandon Feller, President...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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30:11
Sunbury's Evolution: From Village to City
Step into the dynamic world of Sunbury, Ohio as City Administrator Daryl Hennessey reveals how this small town is managing its dramatic evolution from village to city status. Four years after crossing the 5,000-resident threshold, Sunbury faces...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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29:28
When Your Home Becomes a Tax Burden: Ohio's Property Tax Crisis
Could Ohio become the first state to completely abolish property taxes? With skyrocketing home valuations forcing seniors out of their long-paid homes and creating financial strain for countless homeowners, a group of determined citizens is fig...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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30:36
Inside Olentangy Local Schools: Growth, Funding, and Success with Superintendent Meyer
What happens when a school district grows from 2,000 to 24,000 students in just three decades? Superintendent Todd Meyer joins us to reveal how Olentangy Local Schools manages explosive growth while maintaining educational excellence. Topics co...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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30:11
Navigating Ohio's Highways: A Conversation with ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning
Every day, millions of Ohioans travel across thousands of miles of roadway without giving much thought to the complex systems keeping them safe. That changes the moment we see those dreaded orange barrels or "Road Work Ahead" signs. What happen...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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29:27
Supply Chain Disruptions: Commodity Experts Explain Trade Tensions
Commodity specialists from Posival & Company discuss the far-reaching impacts of recent tariff policies on global supply chains, Central Ohio businesses, and consumer prices.• Uncertainty is the biggest challenge, as businesses stru...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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29:09
Farm to Market: How Global Politics Shape Ohio Agriculture
The global marketplace affects everyone—especially our farmers. As international trade tensions rise and tariff talks dominate headlines, Ohio's agricultural community finds itself at the center of the storm.Wendy Osborn, Director of Ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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27:35
Community Banking: Transforming Communities with Coffee, Tech and Trust
What makes your bank more than just a place to store money? For Richwood Bank CEO and President Chad Hoffman, it's about being deeply woven into the fabric of community life.Banking doesn't usually make headlines unless something goes w...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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32:54
Future Growth: How a Rural Ohio County (Morrow) Plans for Development While Protecting Farmland
Rural communities don't always get the spotlight, but Morrow County offers surprising depth and forward-thinking leadership worth your attention. Commissioner Tim Siegfried takes us beyond the cornfields to reveal the delicate balance of preser...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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29:31
From Field to Future: Reimagining Soy Beyond Food, Farm Bill and Tariffs-toll on Industry
The economic powerhouse of Ohio's agriculture takes center stage as Kirk Merritt, Executive Director of both the Ohio Soybean Association and Ohio Soybean Council, reveals the remarkable impact of the state's soybean industry. With 25,000 farme...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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31:32
Food Banks in Crisis: State Cuts and Federal Uncertainty
A perfect storm is brewing in Ohio's food security network. As state budget cuts loom and federal programs terminate, food banks across the Buckeye State face unprecedented challenges in meeting skyrocketing demand.Jory Novotny, Executi...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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28:51
Solving Ohio's Housing Shortage and Workforce Challenges: Senator Michele Reynolds Shares Her Vision
Housing scarcity meets economic opportunity in this compelling conversation with Ohio State Senator Michele Reynolds, District 3, who brings a refreshing problem-solving approach to some of our region's most pressing challenges.Th...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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31:10
Grit, Growth and Green Roads: How One "Ecopreneur" is Reshaping Central Ohio's Future
Steve Flaherty doesn't just talk about entrepreneurship—he embodies it. As founder and CEO of NECO Tech, he's pioneering sustainable asphalt solutions while simultaneously helping build Delaware County's entrepreneurial ecosystem through his wo...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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34:06
Marion/Morrow/Crawford/Wyandot Counties Legislative Issues with State Rep Riordan McClain
Ohio State Representative Riordan McClain has been in the Ohio House since 2018 and has worked on several policy areas. He is currently serving his fourth term as State Representative for the 87th Ohio House District, which includes all of Craw...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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31:31
Balancing Development and Community: Insights from Union County's Economic Leader
The housing crisis meets economic opportunity in this eye-opening conversation with Eric Phillips, Executive Director of the Union County-Marysville Economic Development Partnership. As Union County claims the title of Central Ohio's fastest-gr...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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32:57
Township Government In Ohio with Ohio Township Association
Hear how Townships are working to provide a good community for their residents and businesses. What are the rules governing them that are hampering growth, and what legislation needs to change to make township trustees' jobs easier to work for ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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29:58