So, Let’s Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos

Send us Fan Mail More than one in three households in Franklin County is working hard but still struggling to cover the basics. In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus , Melanie Hill of United Way of Central Ohio helps unpack the ALICE data and what it reveals about the hidden financial hardship shaping our community. It’s a powerful conversation about the real cost of living, the people behind...

Send us Fan Mail This is the second half of this important conversation. If you missed part one, be sure to go back and listen first.  In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus , Michael talks with Shannon Isom, President and CEO of Community Shelter Board. Shannon Isom brings a powerful mix of candor, compassion and deep expertise to a conversation that cuts to the heart of what Columbus is faci...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus , Michael talks with Shannon Isom, President and CEO of Community Shelter Board. Shannon Isom brings a powerful mix of candor, compassion and deep expertise to a conversation that cuts to the heart of what Columbus is facing. Shannon helps Michael unpack the real drivers behind homelessness, the strain on our shelter system, and why this...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus , Michael talks with Dr. Cheryl Wyatt of Success by Third Grade about how early literacy is about more than reading. It’s about the community coming together to strengthen the systems, supports and partnerships that help children thrive. Whether you’re new to Success by Third Grade or a longtime champion of the movement, this conversation...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos, Michael explores how housing stability shapes a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive, through a powerful conversation with Samantha Stewart of the YMCA of Central Ohio. It’s a human-centered look at the families doing everything they can to stay afloat, and the community partnership that is helping stabilize fami...

Send us Fan Mail Don't miss this episode of So, Let's Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos! Michael sits down with Erin Prosser, Deputy Director of Housing Strategies for the City of Columbus, to move beyond the problem and into the solutions. Together, they explore the strategies the city is using right now to expand housing access, preserve affordability and ensure Columbus remains a plac...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos, Michael takes you inside one of the most important issues shaping our region’s future: housing. He explores why Columbus is growing faster than its housing supply, what that means for affordability and stability, and why housing is about much more than buildings. It’s about whether the people who make our community wo...

Send us Fan Mail Don’t miss this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos! Michael sits down with Emelia Sheeley, executive director of Riverview International Center, a nonprofit partner of United Way of Central Ohio. Together, they move from data to lived experience, exploring what it looks like on the ground to welcome and support New American neighbors in our community. Tune in t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos, Michael explores how New Americans are driving the population and economic growth that is reshaping Columbus and Franklin County. He unpacks the data behind recent trends, showing that nearly all net growth in the city is coming from diverse communities, with international migration now the primary engine of change. T...

Send us Fan Mail In this debut episode of So, Let’s Talk Columbus with Michael Wilkos , United Way of Central Ohio President & CEO Lisa S. Courtice, Ph. D., sits down with Michael to find out what makes him one of Columbus’ most trusted voices on where our community has been and where it’s headed. As United Way’s vice president of community engagement, Michael is a sought-after speaker across...