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Can Columbus Become a City of Service? Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

What would it take for Columbus to truly become known as a city of service?

In a city of service, individuals show up. They take the initiative to improve their communities. They readily find allies in other like-minded individuals and organizations ready to lend a hand to help a great idea scale up and grow. Service happens every day, in our schools, libraries, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities – sometimes quietly, but always with meaning and impact.

How can collaboration and a shared commitment to service help Columbus become a stronger, more connected community, and build a reputation as a true City of Service? How do we instill a passion for service in our region's young people, so it's second nature by the time they reach adulthood?

With key leaders working in concert to strengthen Columbus through service, we explore how individuals, nonprofits, and community institutions can combine their missions, expertise, audiences and resources to grow a culture of service in Central Ohio.

Featuring:

Nancy Day-Achauer, Columbus City Councilmember

Lauren Hagan, CEO, Columbus Metropolitan Library

Mike Koppel, Program Specialist, Honor Flight Columbus

Your host is Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO, COSI, and CEO, The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Metropolitan Library.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community During Times of Crisis," by Nicole Karlis (2025).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on October 7, 2026.

A Conversation with "Atomic Habits" Author James Clear Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

James Clear has helped millions of people rethink how meaningful change happens—not through dramatic transformations, but through small choices, better systems, and habits that compound over time. In this Columbus Metropolitan Club conversation, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits and creator of the popular 3-2-1 newsletter explores decision-making, continuous improvement, and practical behavior change. Listen to hear one of the world's most influential voices on habits discuss how small changes can add up to remarkable results.

Featuring:

James Clear, Writer, Speaker, and Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits and the popular 3-2-1 newsletter.

Your host is Sophia Fifner, President & CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Club.

This forum was sponsored by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, and you've already finished reading Atomic Habits, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend also checking out Rewire: Break the Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Change, by Nicole Vignola.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on September 30, 2026.

More Than a Meal: The Future of Fighting Hunger in Central Ohio Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Hunger in Central Ohio isn't a problem at the margins of our communities. It's a workforce issue, a health issue, an education issue, and a test of whether our growing region can take care of the people who make it work (and the families who depend on them).

As Matt Habash prepares to retire after 42 years leading the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, we explore his civic legacy and the future of hunger relief in Central Ohio. Food banks and pantries are serving more families, seniors, children, and working adults at the same time food costs, public funding uncertainty, and household instability are making the work harder.

What does hunger in Central Ohio look like today? What will the next generation of food-security leadership require? What role do new partnerships and innovative technology play? We mark Hunger Action Month and explore how Central Ohio can move beyond emergency response toward a more resilient and more equitable food system.

Featuring:

Matt Habash, President & CEO, Mid-Ohio Food Collective

Danielle Tong, Executive Director, CelebrateOne

Your host is Jerry Revish, Senior Pastor, Unity Temple, and Retired News Anchor, WBNS-10TV.

If you'd like to dive more deeply into this topic, our fantastic partners at the Columbus Metropolitan Library suggest checking out "The Painful Truth About Hunger in America," by Marian Chilton (2024)

The presenting sponsor of this forum was Nationwide. This forum was also sponsored by Cardinal Health, Ian Alexander Photography, Installed Building Products, and Kroger.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

Building the Workforce Behind the American Dream Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Central Ohio is attracting historic levels of investment in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, bioscience, and other rapidly expanding industries. But landing new facilities is just the beginning. Our region's economic future depends on its ability to build and sustain the right workforce. We explore whether Central Ohio can create a workforce development system that's equal to its ambitions—one that connects people to opportunity, gives employers the talent they need, and brings the American Dream within reach for more Central Ohioans.

Featuring:

Dr. David Harrison, President, Columbus State Community College

Kyle Koehler, State Senator, 10th Ohio Senate District

Sandra Rodriguez-Toledo, Vice President of Site Operations, Amgen Ohio

David White, Vice President, Talent Strategy, One Columbus

Your host is Angela An, WBNS-10TV News Anchor and Host of 10TV's "Boomtown" series.

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Partnership, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ohio Life Sciences, and Roeztel & Andress.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Trades and How Career Education Is Transforming the Workforce, by Jason Altmire (2026).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on September 16, 2026.

A 50th Anniversary Conversation: The Future of Civic Dialogue Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

For 50 years, the Columbus Metropolitan Club has brought Central Ohio together through moments of crisis and celebration, disagreement and discovery, grounded in the belief that dialogue matters. As CMC marks its 50th anniversary with this special forum, social psychologist Dr. Kurt Gray turns that tradition toward the future: Why do we fight so fiercely about morality and politics? What can help us find common ground? Drawing on his research into the moral mind, Gray explores why people across the political spectrum may have more in common than they think—and what the science of moral understanding can teach us about the next 50 years of civic dialogue.

Featuring:

Dr. Kurt Gray, Professor of Social Psychology, The Ohio State University, and Author, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.

CMC Board of Trustees member Carey Schmitt delivers opening remarks celebrating CMC's 50th anniversary, and Elon Sims, Chief of Staff to Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, presents CMC with a proclamation celebrating its 50th anniversary. Sophia Fifner, President and CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Club, makes remarks on CMC's future and interviews Dr. Kurt Gray.

The emcee is Matt Barnes, Morning Co-Anchor of NBC4 Today, and member of the CMC Board of Trustees.

This forum was made possible by: Visionary Sponsors: Mary Lazarus, The Ohio State University

Impact Sponsors: Columbus City Council, The Office of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, The Columbus Foundation & The Center for HumanKindness, The Robert Weiler Company

Community Partners: Lynn Greer, Huntington Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Ambassador: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Advocate: Installed Building Products

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on September 9, 2026.

Raising the Curtain on Columbus' Cultural Future Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

For 100 years, the Palace Theatre has evolved alongside Columbus, bringing generations of performers and audiences together in the heart of downtown. As the city continues to grow, what will it take to sustain a thriving performing arts ecosystem? Leaders from the Lincoln Theatre, Opera Columbus, CAPA, and BalletMet explore the future of Columbus' cultural life, the institutions and stages that support it, and how the performing arts can continue evolving in Central Ohio. Listen to this special Columbus Metropolitan Club forum recorded onstage at the historic Palace Theatre.

Featuring:

Suzan Bradford, Executive Director, Lincoln Theatre

Julia Noulin-Mérat, General Director & CEO, Opera Columbus

Chad Whittington, President & CEO, CAPA

Remi Wörtmeyer, Artistic Director, BalletMet

Your host is Amy Juravich, Host and Executive Producer of All Sides with Amy Juravich, 89.7 NPR News, WOSU Public Media.

This forum was made possible by Carol A. McGuire Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund — Celebrating Arts and Culture.

This forum was sponsored by The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Opera Columbus, Otterbein University, and WOSU Public Media.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "The Secret Life of the American Musical," by Jack Viertel (2016).

Who's Watching? The Fight Over Flock Cameras Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Flock Safety's automated license plate readers are becoming a common sight across Central Ohio, helping police locate missing children, recover stolen vehicles, and solve crimes. But when does a public-safety tool become mass surveillance? With millions of ordinary drivers captured in these databases, how much privacy should Central Ohioans surrender for public safety? Can strong rules on warrants, data sharing, and searches preserve Flock's crime-fighting benefits while preventing abuse?

Featuring:

Trevor Chandler, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Flock Safety

Gary Daniels, Legislative Director, ACLU of Ohio Nick Konves, Assistant Chief, Columbus Division of Police

Emmanuel V. Remy, Columbus City Councilmember

Your host is Anna Lynn Winfrey, Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream and promotional partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading We See it All: Liberty and Justice in the Age of Perpetual Surveillance, by Jon Fasman (2021).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 26, 2026.

From Long Lines to Logins: What Happens When Government Works Better for Everyone? Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

People can order groceries, deposit checks, and manage their healthcare from a smartphone. So why does dealing with government still sometimes require paperwork, phone trees, waits, and multiple websites?

Across Ohio and Central Ohio, that's changing. From the Ohio BMV's digital upgrades to COTA's "Tap to Pay" fare technology, local broadband efforts, and AI-enabled traffic management, public agencies are rethinking how government serves residents and businesses.

The goal isn't just to digitize paperwork. It's to make public services more capable, faster, and centered on citizens. Who benefits when government goes digital? Can government funding be equally innovative across a huge spectrum of complex services? And what does it take to build public systems that are not only faster, but fairer?

This week's forum unpacks how innovation, technology, and better design are helping public agencies earn trust, save time, lower barriers, boost Ohio's competitiveness, and even strengthen democracy.

Featuring:

Remard Colston, InnovateOhio Platform Administrator, State of Ohio

Angel Mumma, Chief Administrative Officer, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; former Chief Financial Officer, COTA; and former Director of Finance, City of Dublin

Daniel Poliquin, Principal, Digital Trust & Privacy / Government and Public Sector, Deloitte & Touche

The host is Megan Kilgore, Co-Founder of BKC Group and Former Auditor for the City of Columbus.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better, by Jennifer Pahlka (2023).

Designing a Democracy for the Next 250 Years Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

America's experiment in democracy was designed and launched 250 years ago—and it hasn't stopped evolving since. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we reframe America's semiquincentennial not as a momentary celebration, but as a democratic handoff with a commitment to the future.

Can the age-old promise of American democracy be refined, improved, nurtured, and preserved? With a panel of key thought leaders, we explore what the next era of democracy in America may demand, including ethical and corruption-free leadership, responsive institutions, stable and solid democratic norms, civic education, and redesigned systems and processes that better serve the public.

Centering Ohio and Columbus as testing grounds, we ask how American communities can move from reflection to renewal—and what responsibility today's leaders and citizens have to future generations of Americans.

Featuring:

Robert Alt, President and CEO, The Buckeye Institute Rita McNeil Danish, Interim CEO, The Matriots Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Associate Professor of History, The Ohio State University

The host is Lee Strang, Executive Director, Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, and Professor of Law, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University.

This forum was sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. CMC's forum partner was The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World," by Jeremy Engels (2026)

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 12, 2026.

Written in Stone: Ohio Women, Public Memory, and the New Statehouse Monument Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Public monuments tell us what a community chooses to remember — and who it chooses to see. For generations, the Ohio Statehouse grounds have honored presidents, governors, astronauts, and statesmen — but not actual women.

That will change this fall, when the new Ohio Women's Monument is unveiled on Capitol Square, becoming the first monument on the Statehouse grounds to depict real women and their role in shaping Ohio's history.

Ahead of the unveiling, we explore the story behind this landmark project: the women it honors, the artist bringing it to life, the public-private partnership making it possible, and the larger question of who gets remembered in the civic spaces we all share.

As Ohio and the nation mark America's 250th birthday, we ask what it means to finally place women's courage, leadership, and fight for equality at the center of Ohio's public memory.

Featuring:

Brenda Councill, Ohio Women's Monument Artist and Sculptor

Stephanie Kunze, Chair of the Ohio Women's Monument Commission, Capitol Square Foundation Board Member, and Former State of Ohio Senator

Charley Moses, Capitol Square Foundation Board Chair

The moderator is Charlene Brown, Co-Host, WOSU Public Media's "Columbus Neighborhoods" TV Series. CMC President & CEO Sophia Fifner delivers closing remarks.

This forum was sponsored by KeyBank. Our forum partner was the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.

If you would like to dive more deeply into this topic, our friends at the Columbus Metropolitan Library suggest checking out "Buckeye Women: the History of Ohio's Daughters," by Stephanie Elise Booth, 2001. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 5, 2026.

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