That's So Cincinnati

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 w...

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...

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.

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...

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 stanc...

How can Democrats appeal to rural and working-class Trump Country voters?  U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is among few Democrats who knows the answer.  The only Democrat to hold a prominent statewide office in Ohio joined That's So Cincinnati podcast to talk about:  The presidential field and why he's not endorsing anyone Why he's staying out of the race, despite people continuing to ask him to jump in H...

Cincinnati City Councilman Greg Landsman came bearing news on That's So Cincinnati podcast this week, saying Mayor John Cranley and Commissioner Todd Portune had brokered a deal on The Banks. Landsman also discussed:  The future of The Banks Joint Steering Committee City-county relations His legislation to help prevent evictions And his assessment of Council nearly halfway into his first term Also...

Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman joins That's So Cincinnati this week. The Cincinnati native, hired this year by Gov. Mike DeWine, talks about:  New customer-friendly ideas to reduce the pain of waiting in long lines at the BMV Visiting the license plate factory inside the Lebanon Correctional Facility How the BMV handles requests for politically charged specialized plates Also this week, Enquire...

What makes Jeff Ruby a true Cincinnati treasure? Well, besides his world-renowned steakhouses, he's never one to mince words. The famous restaurateur joined That's So Cincinnati to discuss:   The possibility of opening a restaurant in Las Vegas His take on The Banks riverfront development Working on a new book called "Art of the Meal" How his Downtown restaurant was originally envisioned as a New...

You've read their columns on The Banks-Bengals deal. Now listen to The Enquirer's Paul Daugherty and Jason Williams discuss the issue on That's So Cincinnati podcast. They address the Bengals' future, The Banks and the idea of a new referendum on the stadium tax.  Plus, the That's So Cincinnati crew breaks down the 2020 Hamilton County prosecutor's race in the wake of Democrat Fanon Rucker announc...

The Banks needs help from a team of development experts. That's what Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus told That's So Cincinnati podcast this week in response to a question about whether the riverfront project needs a master developer. That question comes amid the highly controversial decision to build a music venue and rework the Bengals' stadium lease.  The Banks have been without a m...

Blink starts next Thursday, and event co-founder Steve McGowan joins That's So Cincinnati to discuss the marvel of a city covered in lights and art. McGowan -- owner of Downtown-based creative services firm, Brave Berlin -- talks about transforming the light spectacle from Lumenocity at Washington Park into a citywide and now regional event. Blink, which started in 2017, heads across the Robeling...

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, who recently announced he's not running for re-election in 2020, joins That's So Cincinnati podcast for a candid discussion about his long political career, critical county projects and the Bengals' future.

Cincinnati Museum Center CEO Elizabeth Pierce joins That's So Cincinnati to talk about the Apollo 11 exhibit opening, Neil Armstrong's legacy and the museum center's magnificent makeover. Also in this episode, TSC co-hosts Jason Williams and Sharon Coolidge pay tribute to Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune as he battles cancers and prepares to retire.  Jason and Sharon breakdown who could r...

John Cranley never shies away from a fight -- and he's battling The Banks music venue like he's never opposed a project before. Why is Cincinnati's mayor so opposed to the plan? He explains in-depth in a don't-miss episode of That's So Cincinnati. Plus, TSC co-hosts Sharon Coolidge and Jason Williams discuss Congressman Steve Chabot's campaign problems. And in the fun segment: Snakes and yoga a Re...

Don't believe the national narrative that Ohio isn't a key state in the 2020 presidential election, state Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper told That's So Cincinnati podcast this week. Ohio Democrats are performing the role of "left tackle" and "firewall" for key swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, Pepper said. What does that mean? Democrats want to "protect" those states...

From Italy to Loveland, the Rozzi family has been lighting of the night on holidays and special occasions across Greater Cincinnati and the world for more than 120 years. Cincinnati's first family of fireworks joins That's So Cincinnati podcast to talk about the four-generation family company ahead of the 43rd annual Western & Southern/WEBN Labory Day fireworks. Company president Nancy Rozzi a...

Ryan Messer, vice president of the Cincinnati Public Schools board, joins That's So Cincinnati this week to discuss:  His role in saving the streetcar in 2013 as Over-the-Rhine Community Council president Key issues facing Ohio's third-largest school system  Transforming an old Xavier University dorm into a home Also this week, TSC hosts Sharon Coolidge and Jason Williams breakdown the politics an...

It's been a crazy run of news lately, and That's So Cincinnati wanted to take a break from all that this week and have a little fun before summer winds down.  TSC hit the road for this week's episode, recording live from Braxton Brewing in Covington. CEO Jake Rouse joined us for a conversation from the beautiful new rooftop bar. Among the topics Rouse talked about: Braxton being the first local br...

Marty Brennaman calls 'em like sees 'em on this week's That's So Cincinnati. Would you expect otherwise?  The Hall of Fame broadcaster talks about the history of his brutally honest style and whether he could get hired if he were just starting his career. He also gives his take on Cubs and Cardinals fans, his family, Donald Trump, FC Cincinnati and much more.  The entire episode is dedicated to Br...

Cincinnati's streets have been taken over by e-bikes. What the heck is an e-bike?  Red Bike executive director Jason Barron stops by That's So Cincinnati to talk about five years of sharing bikes across Downtown Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. Plus, TSC co-hosts Sharon Coolidge and Jason Williams break down the latest on The Banks concert venue and the lack of a big-picture plan for Cincinnati'...

Joe Deters sits down with That's So Cincinnati for a candid in-depth interview that you don't want to miss. Here's a sampling of what the Hamilton County prosecutor said on this week's episode:  On Tracie Hunter: "Tracie has been a Dumpster fire from the start." On asking Gov. Mike DeWine to send in the National Guard to try to curb violence in Cincinnati: "When you can't have your little kid go o...

Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac joins the That’s So Cincinnati podcast this week where he talks about curbing the increase in violence and his plans for the future. With special guest host Enquirer Editor Beryl Love, maybe we should have called this That’s So Forest Park. They graduated from Forest Park High School together and walked down memory lane. Plus, Christian Moerlein just launched Go...

Gwen McFarlin grew up on a tobacco farm in Clermont County. How did that experience prepare her for a career in politics? The Hamilton County Democratic Party chairwoman joins That's So Cincinnati for an insightful chat about her rise to the position; working across aisle; managing the divide in her party; and those hot summer days stripping tobacco. Plus, TSC co-hosts Sharon Coolidge and Jason Wi...

It's more politics + fun stuff this week on That's So Cincinnati. Kentucky Speedway spokeswoman Ashley Brennaman Shirley joins us to talk about the NASCAR track celebrating its 20th racing season with next week's Quaker State 400. She explains the excitement surrounding race weekend; appealing to millennials; and pickup truck hot tubs. And if the name Brennaman sounds familiar, yes, Ashley is youn...