All Sides with Ann Fisher Podcast - All Sides with Ann Fisher

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National Cartoonists Society Showcase coming to Ohio State Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Cartoons have been around for centuries. In more modern days, they fill our newspapers and bookshelves, showcasing both artistic and written talent.

Cartoons, comics and graphic novels have all found their way into our lives, tackling tough subjects or just providing a good laugh.

On Aug. 8, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State will be holding the National Cartoonists Society Showcase, bringing many popular cartoonists to the Buckeye State.

We will hear from the head curator of comics and cartoon art at the museum, the creator of the Cathy comics which is celebrating its 50^thanniversary and the cartoonist behind the New York Times-bestselling book Smile.

Guests:

Jenny Robb, head curator of comics and cartoon art/associate professor, Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Cathy Guisewite, creator of the "Cathy" comic strip
Raina Telgemeier, cartoonist/author of the graphic memoir Smile

Related Link:

National Cartoonists Society Showcase

How can Accessory Dwelling Units help address housing needs in Columbus? Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Accessory Dwelling Units, better known as ADU's, are small, self-contained residential units that can be attached to a home or built as a separate structure, often as a small apartment or in-law suite.

Columbus has released a new handbook for residents in building one on their property, though under current city code, building one could be very expensive.

We’re looking at the role ADU's could play in the need for housing here in Columbus.

Guests:

Brent Warren, reporter, Columbus Underground
Alison Goebel, executive director, Greater Ohio Policy Center
Otto Beatty, former Columbus City Councilmember
Jenny Carlson, executive director, Ohio AARP

Tech Tuesday: Scientists conduct study to possibly influence weather patterns Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

What happens if we manipulate the weather?

That was a question that scientists addressed in a recent study about cloud brightening and its possible effects on the El Niño storms.

The benefits could save entire towns from the storms, but the consequences could greatly outweigh the benefits.

Stroke and spinal cord injuries affect millions of people. But breakthroughs in recovery have been singular.

Battelle and Ohio State’s NeuroTech Institute have partnered to create non-invasive rehabilitative, wearable technology.

Two of OpenAI’s most capable models hacked into Hugging Face, an AI startup. The AI did this unprompted with limited guardrails, raising concerns about the technology’s capabilities.

Guests:

Dr. Jessica Wan, climate scientist and postdoctoral researcher, University of Chicago
Justin Sanchez, Battelle Tech fellow
Jon Snyder, CEO, NeuroLife
Russell Holly, director of commerce content, CNET

photo: Tony Gutierrez / AP

Rethinking Democracy Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

The health of American Democracy is in decline.

According to the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, only 27% of Gen Z strongly agree that democracy is the best form of government.

Democracy can be found in many forms and political ideologies. Most recently, we’re witnessing the rise of Democratic Socialism. Zohran Mamdani, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are just some of the politicians who identify as socialists.

Combined with the public’s growing anti-capitalist sentiments, these new political ideologies are stirring quite the controversy. President Trump and JD Vance have spent the past year comparing them to communism.

But are these new approaches to government really a threat to our democracy, or arethey tryingto revive the health of our democracy?

We’ll learn more about how Americans are rethinking democracy.

Guests:

Michael Kazin, professor of history at Georgetown University
Brianna Mack, associate professor of politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University
Tanmay Shah, Cleveland City Council Member, Ward 12

Weekly reporter roundtable: Fracking could come to Ohio's only national forest Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

First came fracking under Salt Fork State Park. Now the federal government moves to open up thousands of acres in Ohio's only national forest.

The plan involves 2,800 acres in Wayne National Forest.

Ohioans complain about rising property taxes – but what do efforts to cut or eliminate them look like?

Two proposed bills would require K-12 students to learn about food literacy.

And it turns out the controversial Flock automated license plate cameras are used by several state agencies.

We'll discuss all this and more on our Weekly Reporter Roundtable show.

Guests:

Jo Ingles, senior reporter with the Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau
Jake Zuckerman, reporter with Signal Ohio (Studio)
Laura Hancock, politics and policy reporter with Cleveland.com

All Sides Weekend: Arts & Culture Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Join host Christopher Purdy and his guests for a discussion and preview of arts and cultural events happening in and around the Columbus metropolitan area.

We'll preview violinist Joshua Bell's upcoming performance with the Springfield Symphony on July 30. We'll also discuss the latest at the Columbus Museum of Art and talk with Ohio State emeritus professor Arved Ashby about his new book The 1980s Gayboy Playlist.

Host:

Christopher Purdy, Classical 101 Morning Host

Guests:

Peter Stafford Wilson, conductor of the Springfield Symphony and Westerville Symphony
Brooke A. Minto, executive director of the Columbus Museum of Art
Arved Ashby, author and professor emeritus of musicology at Ohio State University

Fascinating Ohio: Columbus school desegregation, healthcare and community theater Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

It wasn’t long ago when segregation still existed in our public school system. Columbus City Schools officially desegregated on September 6, 1979.

Desegregation didn’t make the inequalities suddenly disappear. Ohio State Professor Simone C. Drake recently wrote a book about her experience as a young black woman in the 1980s going through the recently desegregated Columbus school system.

Then, since 2010, when the Noor Community Clinic opened its doors, Dr. Malika Haque and her group of volunteers have been providing primary care services to hundreds of underserved patients.

Finally, we discuss how the work behind running a theater requires more than just a leader. Award-winning artistic director for the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, Leda Hoffmann, is building community connection through theater.

Guests:

Simone Drake, author and English professor at Ohio State University
Dr. Malika Haque, medical director for the Noor Community Clinic
Leda Hoffmann, producing artistic director for The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio

Learning heat resilience during extreme temperatures Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

The dog days of summer are upon us. But it seems this year that summer heat has more of a bite. Extreme temperatures are changing everything from work, sleep, sports, and summer camps.

There are ways communities can deal with extreme heat, but it takes a systemic approach. In this hour of All Sides, learn about heat resilience and what it takes to build heat-resilient communities.

Plus, what does heat do to the body – how it affects the young, the old, and the in between. And what about those who work under the hot summer sun or in sweltering factories, are there legal workplace protections?

Guests:

Ladd Keith, director of the Heat Resilience Initiative at the University of Arizona
Dr. Stephen Auciello, program director at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program
Richard Bales, professor of law at Ohio Northern University

photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP

Understanding autism Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Misconceptions abound, pushed by the Trump administration with controversial views on what causes it.

Today, one woman’s personal crusade to educate and enlighten, as well as a doctor who specializes in treating children, and a national advocacy group on the state of autism funding and research.

Guests:

Gabrie’le Eato, neurodiversity advocate and founder, Eleable
Dr. Eric Butter, chief of psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Dr. Andy Shih, chief science officer at Autism Speaks

Keep Them Safe Act lets Ohioans store guns during mental health emergencies Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Senate Bill 273, or the “Keep Them Safe Act,” has been one of the few gun policies that received unanimous support from both the Ohio House and Senate.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law on June 18. The bill allows a person struggling with suicidal thoughts or other mental health emergencies to temporarily store their firearms with federally registered gun dealers or law enforcement officers. The hope is that by separating a struggling person with their weapon, suicide will decrease.

Guests:

Whitney Austin, executive director and co-founder of Whitney/Strong
State Sen, Bill DeMora (D-Columbus, Ohio State Senator District 25
Jim Samuel, legislative affairs director for the Buckeye Firearms Association

photo: Terry Chea / AP

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