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

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Weekly Reporter Roundtable: 'Success Sequence' education bill signed into law by Gov. DeWine Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

More bills become law with the stroke of Gov. DeWine's pen, including a conservative-backed idea called the "Success Sequence." It will now be taught to children starting in the 6th grade.

Just what is it and why is there opposition?

Listen up, drivers: If police pull you over for any reason, you must provide your name, address and date of birth, because under a new law you can't withhold personal information.

Due to new digital safeguards, SNAP recipients will get new cards with electronic chips, and Medicaid home health workers must check in electronically.

Survivors of sexual violence looking to move in order to stay safe can’t break their leases under Ohio law. A bipartisan bill would change that.

One million dollars in emergency state funds may be headed to Vinton County to help 16 siblings living in what authorities called deplorable conditions.

It's the last call to claim unclaimed funds earmarked for the Cleveland Browns' new stadium complex.

We're talking about all these major political topics on this week's Reporter Roundtable.

Guests:

Karen Kasler, bureau chief, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau
Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch
Noah Blundo, executive editor, Hannah News Service

Fascinating Ohio: a market owner, mental health advocate and nonprofit manager Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

When it comes to the opioid crisis in Ohio, we often see and hear the devastating stories and destructive effects of drug abuse.

What often gets ignored are the stories of those who had the courage and strength to create a new future for themselves.

The co-owner and butcher at Weiland’s Market in Clintonville is sharing his recovery story to encourage others struggling with drug abuse to do the same.

There is still so much stigma attached to women’s mental health. A Columbus-based author is helping women with their mental health through coaching, advocacy work and writing.

For more than 10 years, the Reeb Center, a community hub in south Columbus, has been providing residents with social services, resources and community events.

The center recently welcome a new executive director who has been working in public service and nonprofits for more than 15 years.

We're meeting all three during this week's Fascinating Ohio.

Guests:

Daniel Phillips, owner, Weiland's Market
Achea Redd, author/mental health advocate
Karim Jackson, executive director, Reeb Center

National politics with Ken Rudin Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

There’s a lot going on in national politics.

The Supreme Court has made major decisions, the nation has marked a milestone birthday, the mid-term election candidates are coming into focus, and the presidency has been good for Donald Trump’s financial earnings.

Additionally, there are controversies over the reflecting pool and a phone call to FIFA.

We're discussing national politics with Ken Rudin, host of the "Political Junkie" podcast, on this hour of All Sides.

Guest:

Ken Rudin, political journalist/host of the "Political Junkie" podcast

BBC journalist Eliot Stein details customs in many foreign lands in new book Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Can't afford to do much traveling this summer?

That’s okay, we're going to take you to far-flung places around the world: western Africa, Italy, Japan, Cuba and more. And we'll introduce you to a handful of people carrying on traditions passed down in their families for generations, even centuries.

In Italy, you'll meet one of the only women making the world's rarest pasta.

In west Africa, the man who plays one of the oldest instruments in the world.

In Scandinavia, the last nightwatchman. And in Germany, a matchmaking tree and a 500-year-old tradition.

All their stories and more are featured in the book, Custodians of Wonder.

We're talking with the book's author, BBC journalist Eliot Stein on this hour of All Sides.

Guest:

Eliot Stein, BBC journalist/author, Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive

Tech Tuesday: The Smithsonian is bringing astronomy education to rural areas Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

STARS, or Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools, was created by The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Their goal is to bring astronomy education to rural schools, which are often underfunded, because as they put it, “the sky belongs to everyone.”

Emma Marcucci, executive director of STARS will join us to discuss the program, how the pilot program went in the spring and the hopes for the full launch of the program happening in the fall.

Steven Brown will be talking about his experience with volunteering at the Whipple Observatory, as an Ohio transplant. The observatory has found that roughly 50% of their volunteers come from Ohio.

Russell Holly is joining us to discuss how Sony will soon be ending the production of physical discs for its PlayStations, leading to questions about the future of the iconic gaming station. He'll also talk about how Ford is reversing its decision after firing veteran engineers for AI and rehiring them after their AI plan flopped.

And with the increase in temperatures around the world, Sony is taking notice with their new personal cooling device.

Guests:

Emma Marcucci, executive director, Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools (STARS), Smithsonian Institution
Steven Brown, Whipple Observatory volunteer
Russell Holly, director of commerce content, CNET

The perception of patriotism Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

As America marks its 250^thbirthday this year, the national mood is deeply fractured.

While many citizens feel let down by the federal government, others are feeling a strong sense of national pride.

Patriotism has become a partisan discussion, less about a shared love of country and more about one political side or another.

This raises critical questions: What does it truly mean to be a patriot, how did public perception shift so drastically and what lies ahead for national confidence?

Guests:

Brian Kisida, associate professor, Truman School of Government & Public Affairs, University of Missouri
Daniel Rivers, history professor, Ohio State University
David Steigerwald, history professor, Ohio State University

(photo: Allison Robbert / AP)

The untold story of Black patriots' protests to end the Vietnam War Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

While she is known mostly as the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King was one of the leading protestors of America’s involvement in Vietnam.

Her activism influenced her husband’s views on speaking out against the war.

The book Until the Last Gun is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, the Vietnam War, and the Fight to Save America’s Soul details the untold story of how King’s protest and the patriotism of Black soldiers helped to end America’s involvement in Vietnam.

We're talking with the book's author, Matthew Delmont, on this hour of All Sides.

Guest:

Matthew Delmont, Dartmouth University history professor/author, Until the Last Gun is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, the Vietnam War, and the Fight to Save America’s Soul

Weekly Reporter Roundtable: Fracking approved under acres of public land in Ohio Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Over shouts from environmental activists, an Ohio commission gives the go-ahead for several bidders to frack under thousands of acres of public lands.

These areas include state parks, wildlife areas and a prison in leasing deals that bring millions into the state’s coffers.

Plus, a new law will speed up the state’s oil and gas permitting process among other changes.

Sen. Bernie Moreno wants to do what the Supreme Court didn’t: restrict automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S.

We check in on the governor’s race.

And how did Ohio observe America's 250^thbirthday?

Guests:

Sarah Donaldson, reporter, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau
Jeremy Pelzer, chief politics reporter, Cleveland.com
Shane Stegmiller, reporter, Hannah News Service

(photo: Julia Grant / The Allegheny Front)

Fascinating Ohio: An author, safety entrepreneur and trauma researcher Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

After writing more than 150 books, Columbus native Michael J. Rosen is still not done. He continues writing children's books and adult poetry.

Beyond writing, he is an artist of many forms, and a teacher. We’ll learn about all of his trades and more.

Sometimes, it just takes one person to change something many people overlook. For Melanie Barrett, her late sister inspired her to create a company dedicated to making safe and stylish outerwear for people in wheelchairs.

Research suggests that African American girls are significantly exposed to more traumatic stressors than children of other racial groups.

That’s the statistic that inspires Black Girl Rising, a research project exploring urban adolescent African American girls’ experiences.

It's all part of this week's Fascinating Ohio.

Guests:

Michael J. Rosen, author
Melanie Barrett, founder, Bailey Bug
Fran Frazier, founder/executive director, Black Girl Rising

Former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

The architect of much of Columbus today is credited to four-time mayor Michael Coleman, who continues to influence the direction of Ohio’s largest metropolitan area.

We’re talking with him, as he steps away from his lobbying role, after helping to seal the deal on the city's National Women’s Soccer League, a move that was both cheered and criticized.

Coleman has also spent time recently helping to plan Ohio’s celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

Guest: