The Local Exchange Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 17: Stephanie Ernest May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Stephanie Ernest, a member of the Bath Local School District Board of Education, to talk about the proposed Bath High School project that is going to be on the ballot in May.

We discuss how the project came together, the planning process so far, and the role the school board plays in long-term facilities and financial decisions. Stephanie shares insight into what the board is hearing from the community, common questions residents have raised, and the importance of transparency throughout the process.

She also encourages residents to attend board meetings, share their thoughts, and ultimately come out and vote so the board can clearly understand how the community feels about a potential new high school.

This conversation is intended to help listeners better understand the project, the process behind it, and the decisions facing the district as Bath Local Schools looks toward the future.

Originally Posted 2/2/2026

Episode 16: Chief Miller’s Hearing Results May 16, 2026

Show notes

Matt and I react to the outcome of Chief Austin Miller’s termination hearing, where all charges were dismissed with prejudice. We share our thoughts on what the decision means for the fire department, the township, and the community moving forward.

Originally Posted 12/16/2025

Episode 15: Chief Miller Lawsuit Reaction May 16, 2026

Show notes

Originally posted 12/13/2025

We share our thoughts on the federal lawsuit filed by Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller and discuss what it could mean for the township, the fire department, and the community. The conversation focuses on potential implications, the legal process, and why the situation matters moving forward.

Episode 14: Chris Cross May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cross, Treasurer of Shawnee Schools, to discuss the financial landscape of the district. We cover the history behind Shawnee’s past deficit spending, the plan now in place to stabilize the budget, and what the community should understand about how school funding works.

Chris walks us through the challenges of maintaining aging buildings, the findings of past facility studies, and what decisions may shape the future of Shawnee’s school buildings. We also talk about property taxes, state funding formulas, transportation costs, and long-term financial planning.

Originally Posted 12/4/2025

Episode 13: Todd Washam May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode we sit down with Todd Washam, Vice President of the Shawnee School Board, to discuss the key issues facing Shawnee Schools. We talk about efforts to improve academics, classroom sizes, staffing challenges, the condition of current school facilities, and how the board approaches long-term planning for the district’s future.

Originally Posted 11/29/2025

Episode 12: Shawnee Township Emergency Meeting Recap May 16, 2026

Show notes

We recap tonight’s emergency meeting regarding Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller. We walk through what happened, what questions remain, and how this situation may impact the township moving forward.

Originally Posted 11/26/2025

Episode 11: Mark Triplett May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Matt sits down with Shawnee boys basketball head coach Mark Triplett to cover a wide range of topics, including his approach to the game, the challenges and rewards of developing young players, and what it means to be closing in on becoming the winningest coach in Shawnee history.

Coach Triplett reflects on the 25–0 COVID season, leadership in high-pressure moments, and the values that continue to drive him in his tenth year at Shawnee.

Originally posted on 11/20/2025

Episode 10: Kelly Martino May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt sit down with Kelly Martino, head of fundraising for the Shawnee Stadium Capital Campaign.

Kelly shares the history behind the stadium project, how the effort began, and the challenges and teamwork that have kept it moving forward. The conversation covers how people can get involved, the growth of Shawnee’s youth football program, and the many school and community groups that now benefit from the new facility.

Kelly also talks about what drives her passion for community involvement and how local support continues to make a difference for Shawnee athletes. We experienced an issue with Kelly’s video recording, but we’ve included helpful images throughout this episode to highlight many of the topics discussed.

Originally posted 11/12/2025

Episode 9: Election Results Recap May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt break down the results of the recent Shawnee Township election — with Kenny Gross and Paul Neff set to take office as trustees in January.

They look at voting trends, turnout, and how social media engagement stacked up against the final numbers. The conversation also turns toward what’s next for the community, including key questions around the Fire Chief position, dispatch services, and the new school project.

Plus, updates on the upcoming Roundabout Christmas event, Shawnee’s playoff matchup at Wapak, and a message of gratitude and optimism for both outgoing and incoming township leaders.

#northwestohio #communityconversation #communityleadership #election2025 #communityconversations

Episode 8: Tug Taviano May 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Tug Taviano, a long time Lima native, community connector, and event organizer known for bringing people together through faith, music, and service.

Tug shares his personal journey, from his early days in the community to building meaningful relationships with athletes, musicians, and community leaders through Unicent Marketing. We talk about the lessons he has learned from a life of service, his approach to event planning, and how faith continues to guide everything he does.

We also dive into Tug’s family, his passion for giving back, and his excitement for upcoming local events including the Rhett Walker Family Christmas Tour coming to Lima 12/10/2025. Purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhett-walker-family-christmas-tour-tickets-1916537127139

Watch or listen to the full conversation to hear Tug’s perspective on what makes Northwest Ohio special, what our community can still improve on, and how staying grounded in purpose can open doors you never expected.

Originally posted 11/4/2025

#LocalExchange #TugTaviano #LimaOhio #NorthwestOhio #CommunityConversation #faithinaction

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