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Racing to Build a New Midwest Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

For generations, the Midwest built the products, industries, and institutions that powered America. Now we're racing to build what comes next: AI companies, advanced manufacturing ventures, health innovations, and more, all with new models of work and ownership. Across the region, founders are launching companies that are going to revolutionize how we manufacture, move, heal, learn, and live. What will this new Midwest look like? How can everyone contribute? How can more people benefit? Can Midwest cities collaborate instead of compete for the same talent and capital?

Featuring:

Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner, Lightship Anchor Fund

Shannon McGhee, CEO, SEED SPOT

Ted Velie, CEO, Midwest House, and Co-Founder, Start Midwest

Your host is Wolf Starr, Founder and CEO, Venture Atlas.

This forum was sponsored by 614 Tech Week. CMC's forum partner was Midwest House.

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

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 "Midwest Futures" by Phil Christman (2020).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Idea Foundry in Columbus, Ohio on July 29, 2026.

The Power of Showing Up: A New Case for Engagement Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Community need is growing while many people feel increasingly disconnected—from their neighbors, their workplaces, and even their sense of purpose. What if one solution could begin to address all three? In this Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, leaders from philanthropy, business, and the nonprofit sectors explore how volunteering and community engagement strengthen organizations, improve employee culture, and build healthier, more resilient communities.

Featuring:

Matthew Goldstein, CEO, Besa

Carrie Maun-Smith, Assistant Vice President, Inclusive Culture, Change & Community Impact, Grange Insurance, and Foundation President, Grange Enterprise Gives

Kerri Mollard, Founder and CEO, Mollard Consulting

Your host is Janelle Coleman, President, American Electric Power Foundation.

This forum was sponsored by The AEP Ohio Foundation, Besa, GBQ, Grange Insurance, Ian Alexander Photography, Installed Building Products, Mollard Consulting, and Taft Law.

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

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

If you'd like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "Mastering Community: The Surprising Ways Coming Together Moves Us from Surviving to Thriving," by Christine Porath (2022). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on July 22, 2026.

The Airport Advantage: Building Central Ohio's Next Economy Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Columbus' major airports are much more than places to catch a flight. John Glenn International, Rickenbacker International, and Bolton Field are the region's front doors — a first impression for visitors, a critical link for global businesses, and a major piece of the critical infrastructure needed to support Central Ohio's next chapter of growth.

As Daren Griffin takes the helm as the new President & CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, he arrives at a truly defining moment. John Glenn International is building a new $2 billion terminal, Rickenbacker International continues to play a major and ever-growing role in cargo and economic development, and Columbus travelers are asking the question every growing region faces: where can we fly from here?

Meet Daren Griffin as we explore what's ahead for aviation in our region and how Central Ohio's growth will depend on bold airport innovations and investment. How will John Glenn's gleaming new terminal change the passenger experience? What will it take to attract more nonstop flights and stronger global connections? How are new technology, airline economics, cargo logistics, workforce needs, and customer expectations reshaping the future and the experience of air travel?

Featuring:

Daren Griffin, President & CEO, The Columbus Regional Airport Authority

Deborah Scherer, Senior Vice President, Global Trade & Investment, One Columbus

Your host is Jerod Smalley, Anchor, WCMH NBC4, and Host, Columbus 2.0.

This forum was sponsored by The Columbus Regional Airport Authority. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is 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.

If you'd like to dive more deeply into this topic, our fantastic partners at the Columbus Metropolitan Library suggest checking out "Building of an Airport: Port Columbus," by Robert F. Kirk (2019).

A Bigger Central Ohio Will Need a Bigger Safety Net Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Central Ohio's future promises growth, momentum, and opportunity. But as the region adds more people and faces mounting pressure on housing, health care, and human services, a challenging question is emerging: will the systems we rely on be able to keep up? In this forum, we take one of the first public looks at a major new long-range study on human needs in Central Ohio through 2050. Commissioned by Columbus City Council and the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County, an all-new Regionomics report examines how population growth and change are likely to reshape housing, poverty, homelessness, health, disability, workforce participation, and more across the 10-county region. With experts, we'll unpack the study's most urgent findings and explore what they mean for the future of the region. Where will the greatest strain show up first? Who is most at risk of being left behind? And what must public leaders, service providers, and all of us do now to prepare for the needs of a future Central Ohio? Featuring: Michael Corey, Executive Director, The Human Service Chamber of Franklin County Rhea Cunningham, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio Melissa Green, Columbus City Councilmember Dr. Bill LaFayette, Owner, Regionomics The host is Jordan Laird, Columbus Government and Politics Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was sponsored by The Bank of America Foundation. 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. To read the complete new Regionomics report, "Columbus in 2025, 2035, and 2050: A Survey of Human Needs Now and in the Future," please visit the website of the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Another World is Possible: Lessons for America from Around the Globe, by Natasha Zapata (2025). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on July 8, 2026

There's No Casserole for That: Mental Health, Loneliness, and the Courage to Show Up Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

There might be more public resources for mental health than ever before — awareness months, crisis lines, wellness apps, and hashtags. But when someone's real life falls apart, many of us still don't know what to say, what to do, or how to show up.

In a deeply personal essay recently published in The Columbus Dispatch, CMC President and CEO Sophia Fifner wrote about grief, depression, coming out, divorce, trauma, and the loneliness that can hide behind leadership and practiced smiles.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Bill Butler, now president of Columbus' National Veterans Memorial and Museum, described himself as a "hot mess" struggling with nightmares and guilt following the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021.

Their stories raise a larger civic question: What happens when the hardest parts of human experience don't fit neatly into the rituals we already know, like births, weddings, funerals, cards, and yes - casseroles?

How do loneliness, grief, trauma, and isolation shape our ability to live well? What can veterans, parents, nonprofit leaders, and our friends and neighbors teach us about resilience? What are the limits of resilience when people are left to carry too much alone? Can Central Ohio build a stronger culture of care, where people are not expected to disappear politely behind the mask of being "fine"?

Featuring:

Dr. John Ackerman, Suicide Prevention Clinical Manager, Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Bill Butler, President, The National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Sophia Fifner, President & CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Club Your host is Stacia Naquin, News Anchor, WBNS 10TV.

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 sponsored by The Thanks Be to God Foundation. It was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection by Nicholas Epley (2026).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on June 24, 2026. If you, or someone you know, is in crisis, please call, text, or chat 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 support from trained crisis counselors.

Annual State of Nonprofits: The Future of Funding Good Work Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

When communities face urgent challenges—from housing instability and food insecurity to family crisis—nonprofits often respond first and stay the longest. Yet many organizations are being asked to do more while navigating outdated funding systems, delayed reimbursements, and growing financial pressures. This week, leaders from philanthropy, government, and the nonprofit sector explore how funding models can evolve to better support the organizations that help communities thrive. What would it look like to fund nonprofit work in ways that are more flexible, responsive, and sustainable? And what role do government, philanthropy, businesses, and community partners play in making a better future possible?

Featuring:

Lindsay Baker, Vice President and Director of Philanthropy and Engagement - Central Ohio, The Huntington National Bank Emmalyn Jerome, CEO, Lower Lights Ministries Hannah Jones, Deputy Director, Department of Development, City of Columbus Phil Washburn, President & CEO, The Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

The host is Sheldon K. Johnson, Executive Director, Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT).

The presenting sponsors of this forum are The Columbus Foundation, Huntington Bank, and Nationwide.

This forum is also sponsored by Bath & Body Works, Benefactor Group, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Cramer & Associates, Encova Insurance, Installed Building Products, and Mollard Consulting.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is 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.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy: Unlocking the Full Potential of a Vital and Complex Sector by Vu Le (2026).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on June 17, 2026.

What Women's Pro Soccer Means for Columbus Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Columbus is getting a National Women's Soccer League team—and with it, a powerful new chapter in the region's sports story is beginning. Set to begin play in 2028, the franchise brings major-league momentum, prominent ownership, and growing excitement around the future of women's sports in Central Ohio.

How did Columbus land the bid, and how can the region make the most of the opportunity? How are leaders navigating both the opportunities and tensions surrounding the project? As anticipation builds, we examine not just what it took to win a team—but how Columbus can turn its win into lasting and equitable public value.

Featuring:

Andrew J. Ginther, Mayor, City of Columbus Linda Logan, CEO & President, The Greater Columbus Sports Commission Mary Shepro, President of Business Operations, Columbus Crew

The host is Kristen McFarland, former professional soccer player and News Reporter, WBNS 10TV.

This forum was sponsored by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and Osborn Engineering.

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.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading The Fast Track by Jane McManus (2025).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on June 10, 2026.

How Ohio's Medicaid Squeeze Could Impact Families Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Ohio's Medicaid program covers more than three million people, but major policy and funding changes now underway could reshape how care is delivered across the state. This week, healthcare leaders, policy experts, and lawmakers examine what proposed Medicaid changes could mean for hospitals, providers, and the families who rely on the program every day. From healthcare access and rising costs to the long-term sustainability of Ohio's healthcare system, we unpack one of the most consequential public policy debates facing Ohio today.

Featuring: State Senator Louis W. Blessing, III (R-Colerain Township) John McCarthy, Founding Partner, Speire HealthCare Strategies, and former Director of the Ohio Department of Medicaid Amy Rohling McGee, President, Health Policy Institute of Ohio Dr. Buhari Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer, Heart of Ohio Family Health

The host is Laura A. Bischoff, Ohio Politics and State Government Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch.

The presenting sponsors of CMC's long-running Optimal Health Series are Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This forum was also sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.

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. If you'd like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Your Money or Your Life: Debt Collection in American Medicine, by Luke Messac (2024).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on June 3, 2026.

A Conversation with Governor Mike DeWine May 20, 2026

Show notes

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine returns to the Columbus Metropolitan Club for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, policy, and Ohio's future. In discussion with veteran Statehouse News Bureau journalist Jo Ingles, Governor DeWine reflects on his long career in public service while exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping Ohio today and tomorrow—from education and literacy to economic development, public safety, technology, and support for children and families.

Featuring: Mike DeWine, Governor, State of Ohio

The host is Jo Ingles, Journalist and Producer, The Statehouse News Bureau.

This forum was sponsored by Ian Alexander Photography, The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, The Ohio State University, The Robert Weiler Company, and The United Way of Central Ohio.

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.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Profiles in Achievement: The Gifts, Quirks, and Foibles of Ohio's Best Politicians, by William L. Hershey (2021).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on May 20, 2026.

Turning AI Success into Columbus' Next Advantage May 13, 2026

Show notes

The AI economy in Central Ohio is creating entirely new businesses. At the same time, it's reshaping nearly every existing business. The key to both these upheavals? Visionary leadership of the human kind. Will Columbus lead, follow, or just watch the AI revolution from the sidelines? Innovative leaders are determined to do just that - lead - and are racing to harness the power of AI to stay ahead of the competition. Can key players team up in Central Ohio to create a fertile business ecosystem that fuels AI innovation and nurtures the next generation of AI thinkers?

Featuring: Shereen Agrawal, Executive Director, Center for Software Innovation, The Ohio State University Alex 'Fro' Frommeyer, Founder and CEO, Stack Health, and Chairman, Beam Benefits Tim Grace, Managing Director, Techstars Columbus

The host is Carrie Ghose, Senior Reporter, Columbus Business First.

This forum was sponsored by Roetzel & 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.

If you'd like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading AI Startup Strategy by Adhiguna Mahendra (2023).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on May 13, 2026.

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