This podcast is about you: The Cincinnatian. Let The Enquirer’s Beryl Love and guest hosts make the complicated local issues affecting your daily life easy to understand – and have some fun in the process. Our guest list is a who’s who of Greater Cincinnati, and we celebrate the quirky awesomeness that defines this place we call home. Why? Because that’s SO Cincinnati.
S2 Ep20: That's So Cincinnati: 700 WLW's Bill Cunningham on advising Trump, retirement and an apology
Jan 22, 2020
Show notes
It's hard to believe Bill Cunningham was once a Democrat who aspired to be elected judge in Hamilton County. He's long since become one of the Midwest's top conservative voices, closing in on 40 years of calling 'em like he sees 'em weekdays on 700 WLW. Cunningham's powerful mic has helped to thrust him into a new role in recent years – unofficial adviser to President Donald Trump. "He'll call me now and then and ask questions about what's happening," Cunningham told The Enquirer's weekly That's So Cincinnati podcast. "I give him my perspective on the Midwest. I tell him what I think he's doing right, what I think he's doing wrong. He wants to know how what he's doing is playing in Ohio. I give him my opinion and he likes it because I'm critical at times." Also on That's So Cincinnati, Cunningham addressed his future; reflected on the day he was pressed into a career he never planned to have; and discussed his biggest regret in 38 years on the air. Here's more a sampling of the in-depth interview with Cunningham:
Is 2022 it for Willie?
Cunningham's contract is up in two years. 2022 will mark his 40th year on WLW. He said he's talked to recently retired Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Marty Brennaman about the process of retirement, but Cunningham hasn't decided yet whether he'll call it a career in 2022. Cunningham's wife, Penny, retired from Ohio's First District Court of Appeals last year. "We're both in good health, thank God," said Cunningham, 72, who can be heard 9 a.m. to noon weekdays and 9 p.m. to midnight on Sunday. "Penny wants to travel. We have a nice place in Florida at a club. My friends are there. Penny's reforming the bylaws of the club. We want to spend time together." Cunningham added: "But right now, (radio) is what I want to do. Penny knows when I get up in the morning, I'm motivated to do it."
'I was unnecessarily cruel'
Asked who his favorite all-time local has been, Cunningham said former Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken. The question prompted Cunningham to reflect on the biggest regret of his radio career. It was in November 1993, after city of Cincinnati voters passed a charter amendment restricting certain legal rights for LGBT citizens. Roxanne Qualls was elected mayor that same election, and there were a lot of questions around town about her sexual preference. Cunningham invited reporters to WLW's studios to talk about Qualls and the charter amendment. "With the media present, I asked if she is gay," Cunningham said on the podcast. "I shouldn't have done it. It was the biggest mistake and blunder that I made. It was a big news story at the time. But man, I thought about it. On a human level, I was unnecessarily cruel." Cunningham said he's seen Qualls one time since, sometime in the late 1990s. If he had the opportunity, Cunningham said, "I would apologize to her."
S2 Ep19: That's So Cincinnati: Crossroads' commitment to racial healing, 'Mayor' Mingo, goetta first-timer, 'The Farm'
Jan 15, 2020
Show notes
Crossroads' Chuck Mingo is on the frontline of working to bring racial reconciliation to Greater Cincinnati. Thousands have gone through the megachurch's six-week "Undivided" program, which emphasizes people of different races and backgrounds to build long-term relationships. Mingo joins That's So Cincinnati podcast to chat about the successful program he started; race relations in the city; Crossroads' growth; and making the leap of faith from a successful business career to ministry. Also this week, TSC cohosts Jason Williams and Sharon Coolidge discuss the role "The Farm" banquet center played in local politics and the upcoming Hamilton County Democratic Party endorsement process. The joys of winter camping, and Jason has goetta for the first time.
S2 Ep18: That's So Cincinnati: Why Brian Shrive fights for City Council's texts, the streetcar and open government
Jan 08, 2020
Show notes
Happy New Year, That's So Cincinnati listeners. Your favorite local podcast is out of the gate in 2020 with an insightful interview with attorney Brian Shrive, who's become a major player on the local political scene for his work on exposing the text-message scandal Cincinnati City Hall. Shrive talks about overcoming personal tragedy and struggles with addiction to go onto a successful law career fighting for open government. That work began a decade ago, when Shrive became one of the biggest thorns in the side of then-Congresswoman Jean Schmidt. His behind-the-scenes work for Brad Wenstrup's 2012 Congressional campaign helped the Cincinnati physician pull off the primary upset. Shrive also addresses why remains heavily critical of Cincinnati's streetcar. You won't want to miss this lively chat with one of the city's most influential rabble rousers.
S2 Ep17: That's So Cincinnati: Deters, Willie, Driehaus, leaders share their 2020 resolutions for region
Dec 31, 2019
Show notes
What do Greater Cincinnati's political, business, media, entertainment and other top leaders want for the region in 2020? Nearly 20 regional leaders, including Joe Deters, Bill Cunningham, Alicia Reece and John Morris Russell, share what their New Year's resolutions are for Greater Cincinnati. You won't want to miss this special short but engaging New Year's episode of That's So Cincinnati.
S2 Ep16: That's So Cincinnati: Counting down the top political stories of 2019
Dec 27, 2019
Show notes
Where did the City Hall text message scandal and the riverfront music venue end up on That's So Cincinnati's rankings of the top political stories of 2019? Find out in this special Christmas week episode.
S2 Ep15: That's So Cincinnati: Cincinnati Ballet's Victoria Morgan, the dog that inspired 'Nutcracker,' watchdog journalism, 1,000 cheese coneys
Dec 18, 2019
Show notes
The Nutcracker isn't unique to Cincinnati. But Victoria Morgan's version of the ballet classic certainly is. Morgan's dog, Cammy, inspired the poodle character in Morgan's revamping of the Cincinnati Ballet's version of The Nutcracker in 2011.
“I really wanted it to be fresh, and I really wanted it to feel new,” Morgan, the ballet's artistic director, said on That's So Cincinnati podcast. “And I wanted especially young people to get a kick out of it.” In the Cincinnati Ballet’s version, it’s the poodle that distracts the Mouse King so The Nutcracker can win the battle. “Our dogs, they protect and give us company and comfort,” Morgan said. Also on this week's episode, cohosts Jason Williams and Sharon Coolidge discuss watchdog journalism and the man who ate 1,000 cheese coneys.
S2 Ep14: That's So Cincinnati: Estimable John Morris Russell, Cincinnati's Grammy nomination, Meg Whitman and 'Yes, Virginia,'
Dec 11, 2019
Show notes
John Morris Russell's passion and energy is unparalleled year-round – and especially at Christmastime. The Cincinnati Pops conductor joins That's So Cincinnati podcast to discuss all sorts of things, including:
The Pops' recent Grammy nomination and his celebration on an airplane
World renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and smartphone usage at concerts
The importance of including all people in the Pops
The Pops' holiday traditions and concerts, including a special Christmas message from JMR at the end of the episode
Here's a sampling of JMR's in-depth That's So Cincinnati interview, talking about the Mutter's Cincinnati performance this year being interrupted by a woman recording it with her smartphone. “The concert hall, Music Hall, is my church," Russell said. "It’s a sacred space where people gather to experience something together at the same time. And man, you’ve got to be in the room where it happens. ... Bringing in that inanimate object that takes some sort of electronic copy, it spoils the moment right there for all of us – and it really demeans that moment.” You do not want to miss this fun and lively chat with a man who has helped make Cincinnati one of America's great cities for the performing arts. Listen to JMR's full interview on That's So Cincinnati for free by clicking on the Audioboom icon at the top of this article or by subscribing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and other listening platforms.
S2 Ep13: That's So Cincinnati: Fire chief talks faulty hydrants and massive blaze in North Avondale
Dec 04, 2019
Show notes
Cincinnati Fire Chief Roy Winston talks about the Downtown building collapse, how his department responded and how tragedies impact first responders. The Enquirer's Amber Hunt discusses the launch of season three of the popular "Accused" podcast. And fake or real? As in Christmas tree.
S2 Ep12: That's So Cincinnati: Across the color line, Freestore Foodbank, goat yoga
Nov 27, 2019
Show notes
Cincinnati cares, and the Freestore Foodbank is proof of that. Freestore CEO Kurt Reiber discusses the work one of the region's top nonprofit organizations is doing this holiday season. He also talks about:
The importance of remembering that people are struggling with hunger year-round
Tear-jerking stories about children in need -- and about children who are helping to address the issue of hunger
Also this week, former Enquirer reporter Mark Curnutte joins That's So Cincinnati to talk about his newly released book, Across the Color Line: Reporting 25 Years in Black Cincinnati. And what the heck is goat yoga? TSC cohost Sharon Coolidge explains.
S2 Ep11: That's So Cincinnati: No death penalty, a father's lessons, 'whitesplaining' at City Hall, visiting Mason High
Nov 20, 2019
Show notes
Hamilton County prosecutor candidate Fanon Rucker highlights the major differences between him and long-time prosecutor Joe Deters. Top among those differences: Rucker is opposed to the death penalty. "I cannot see a circumstance, with all the inequities that we have in the system, that I would pursue a death penalty case," the Democrat told That's So Cincinnati. Find out more about Rucker's stance on the issue in this week's episode. Plus, That's So Cincinnati cohosts Sharon Coolidge and Jason Williams discuss "whitesplaining" at City Hall, a blockbuster commissioner's race, "athleisure" and visiting journalism students at Mason High School.
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