The Confluence Cast

The Confluence Cast The Confluence Cast, presented by Columbus Underground is a weekly, Columbus-centric podcast focusin

Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dol...
04/02/2025

Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dollar to park near Brassica.

This week, and explore what’s resonating most in local media and what those stories reveal about the larger systems we’re all navigating.

From the rise of protests at the Statehouse to the ripple effects of new zoning policies, we covered how housing, development, and drone factories are shaping the future of Columbus. We unpacked the tension between growth and preservation, the impact of private equity on everything from chicken sandwiches to shopping malls, and why local progress sometimes depends on who’s still in the smoky back room.

Whether you care about affordable housing, have feelings about paid parking, or just want to understand why Columbus works the way it does, this conversation is a reminder that the local stories matter, because they’re not just local.

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Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dollar to park near Brassica.

Leadership is more than just a title—it’s about influence, impact, and the ability to drive meaningful change. In this w...
02/25/2025

Leadership is more than just a title—it’s about influence, impact, and the ability to drive meaningful change. In this week’s episode, we sat down with Kate Bauer, the new Executive Director of Leadership Columbus, to discuss the launch of this year’s Signature Program and the vision for the future of leadership in our city.

Leadership is more than just a title—it’s about influence, impact, and the ability to drive meaningful change. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Kate Bauer, the new Executive Director of Leadership Columbus, to discuss the launch of this year’s Signature Program and the vision for the ...

Transitions can be transformative, but they’re often filled with uncertainty. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Ma...
12/11/2024

Transitions can be transformative, but they’re often filled with uncertainty. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Matt Slaybaugh, an achievement skills coach, playwright, and former artistic director of Available Light Theatre. We explored Matt’s journey from leading a theater company to becoming a coach, helping people navigate change and pursue what matters most.

Transitions can be transformative, but they’re often filled with uncertainty. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Matt Slaybaugh, an achievement skills coach, playwright, and former artistic director of Available Light Theatre. We explored Matt’s journey from leading a theater company to b...

Holden Ellis, a creative studio in Columbus, just celebrated its 10-year anniversary—a milestone that founder and CEO Jo...
11/19/2024

Holden Ellis, a creative studio in Columbus, just celebrated its 10-year anniversary—a milestone that founder and CEO Josh Fitzwater describes as a testament to resilience, creativity, and teamwork. I sat down with Fitzwater to discuss the journey of Holden Ellis, from its humble beginnings to becoming a sought-after agency specializing in healthcare branding and digital experiences. Building a business from the ground up taught him lessons about prioritizing his team, navigating cash flow challenges, and staying true to the agency’s mission of “making people curious.” In our conversation, he shared insights on the evolving role of creativity in healthcare and why staying small and nimble remains central to his vision.

Holden Ellis, a creative studio in Columbus, just celebrated its 10-year anniversary—a milestone that founder and CEO Josh Fitzwater describes as a testament to resilience, creativity, and teamwork. I sat down with Fitzwater to discuss the journey of Holden Ellis, from its humble beginnings to bec...

In July, the City of Columbus experienced a massive data breach, which officials at the time referred to as “some type o...
10/10/2024

In July, the City of Columbus experienced a massive data breach, which officials at the time referred to as “some type of incident.” Months later, the scope, damage, and cost of the incident are still coming into focus. I sat down with Connor Goodwolf, a cybersecurity engineer, to discuss the data breach and his role in the ongoing efforts to understand what happened and how to recover from it. According to Goodwolf, despite his efforts to alert the city, he faced a restraining order and legal challenges. In our discussion, he emphasized the need for better cybersecurity measures and proactive communication from the city.

In July, the City of Columbus experienced a massive data breach; what officials at the time referred to as “some type of incident.” Months later, the scope, damage, and cost of the incident are still coming into focus. I sat down with Connor Goodwolf, a cybersecurity engineer, to discuss the dat...

Every piece is important. For Tom Krouse, the outgoing CEO of Donatos Pizza, this tagline is more than just a catchphras...
07/02/2024

Every piece is important. For Tom Krouse, the outgoing CEO of Donatos Pizza, this tagline is more than just a catchphrase. With his departure this fall, we sat down to discuss his journey at Donatos. We’ll explore the key strategies behind their expansion, including the decision to focus on franchising and the early adoption of online ordering technology.

Every piece is important. For Tom Krouse, the outgoing CEO of Donatos Pizza, this tagline is more than just a catchphrase. With his departure this fall, we sat down to discuss his journey at Donatos. We'll explore the key strategies behind their expansion, including the decision to focus on franchis...

Passions can take you on different paths. That’s true for Doodles and Digits who transformed thier passion for teaching ...
06/24/2024

Passions can take you on different paths. That’s true for Doodles and Digits who transformed thier passion for teaching into a successful series on PBS. We sat down to discuss the future of education, the need for engaging and relevant learning experiences, and the importance of better communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and the community as a whole.

Passions can take you on different paths. That's true for Carolyn Farkas who transformed her passion for teaching into a successful series on PBS. We sat down to discuss her journey, the future of education, the need for engaging and relevant learning experiences, and the importance of better commun...

Personal struggles can open our eyes to the needs of others. That is true for Tammy Adler Foeller, the co-founder of Ope...
06/13/2024

Personal struggles can open our eyes to the needs of others. That is true for Tammy Adler Foeller, the co-founder of OpenDoor Women's Recovery Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women transitioning out of incarceration or drug treatment. Tammy and Tim Fulton discuss her personal journey navigating her daughter's battle with addiction, how it inspired her to help others, the organization's volunteer-based support system, and where they are in their journey to grow capacity and combat stigma for those affected by the opioid epidemic.

Personal struggles can open our eyes to the needs of others. That is true for Tammy Adler Foeller, the co-founder of OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women transitioning out of incarceration or drug treatment. Tammy and I discuss her personal jo...

With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in ou...
04/23/2024

With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in our latest roundup of the biggest stories on Columbus Underground. Co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down to discuss everything from Liz Lessner’s influential legacy to the latest murmurs about when we’ll get passenger rail. There are plenty of renderings to peruse, too.

With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in our latest roundup of the biggest stories on Columbus Underground. Co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down to discuss everything from Liz Lessner's influential legacy to th...

As Columbusites, we examine the evolution and identity of the city from a singular point of view. That’s not a bad thing...
04/04/2024

As Columbusites, we examine the evolution and identity of the city from a singular point of view. That’s not a bad thing, but an outsider’s perspective is always helpful. Today, we hear from Mark Snyder, a former Columbus resident whose journey through writing and theater has woven a rich tapestry of experiences both in and out of Ohio’s capital city. Mark reflects on the essence of Columbus — the kindness, scrappiness, and the collaborative spirit that defines its culture. He shares his journey of rediscovery in a city that continues to evolve and challenge its own identity.

As Columbusites, we examine the evolution and identity of the city from a singular point of view. That’s not a bad thing, but an outsider’s perspective is always helpful. Today, we hear from Mark Snyder, a former Columbus resident whose journey through writing and theater has woven a rich tapest...

The city’s transit system is going through a transformation. At least that’s the intention. On the occasion of an impend...
03/29/2024

The city’s transit system is going through a transformation. At least that’s the intention. On the occasion of an impending transfer of power and a sales tax issue on the ballot this fall to bulk up services, Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren sat down with both the outgoing and incoming CEOs of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (or COTA) to discuss the shift in leadership, the transportation projects set to be on the ballot this fall, and what’s next for the former Greyhound station in Downtown.

The city’s transit system is going through a transformation. At least that’s the intention. On the occasion of an impending transfer of power and a sales tax issue on the ballot this fall to bulk up services, Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren sat down with both the outgoing and incoming...

We’re exploring the evolution of Downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city’s development plann...
03/19/2024

We’re exploring the evolution of Downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city’s development planning and worked both in and outside city government to cheer on its growth. Columbus Underground Co-Founder Walker Evans and Brown delve into the city’s challenges and triumphs, the synergy between projects, the balance between iconic and neighborhood-level public art investments, and the concerted efforts to address systemic issues like homelessness and affordable housing. Through anecdotes and insights, they highlight Columbus’ young, creative energy and the dynamic urban policies that continue to drive its growth.

We're exploring the evolution of downtown with Michael Brown, who has been a cornerstone in the city's development planning and worked both in and outside city government to cheer on its growth. Columbus Underground editor Walker Evans and Mike delve into the city's challenges and triumphs, the syne...

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