That's So Cincinnati

Ohio lawmaker Jean Schmidt talks in-depth about why she's leading the way on House Bill 616. The Clermont County Republican also talks about her return to politics, changing her stance on the death penalty, mentoring women struggling with substance abuse and marathon running.

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, a member of one of the great political dynasties in American history, questioned whether he could even get elected in today's hyperpartisan political climate. In a rare interview these days, the 80-year-old Republican told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast that he'd be known as a "RINO" – Republican in Name Only – if he were still in politics. "I'm not sure t...

Teresa Theetge comes from a big West Side police family. Her father was a Cincinnati Police captain. Two of Theetge's uncles were high-ranking officers in the department. Four of her seven siblings became officers at various local departments. Her son is a Boone County Sheriff's Office deputy. Even her 10-year-old grandson – one of eight grandchildren – told her if a career in Major League Basebal...

Joe Deters returns to "That's So Cincinnati" podcast -- and the Hamilton County prosecutor doesn't mince words.

Cincinnati Parks Foundation Director Jennifer Hafner Spieser​​​​​​​ spends a lot of time in Cincinnati Parks. It is her job after all.  The foundation she runs is basically the unsung hero of the city park system, ranked the 8th-best urban park system in the country by the Trust for Public Land. Spieser talked to The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast this week to detail the foundation's ne...

How did Michele Hobbs go from selling dog food to launching a distillery? The Prospect Hill entrepreneur talks about her 26-year journey of investing in Over-the-Rhine businesses on The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast.  After years of running Pet Wants at Findlay Market, Hobbs opened Knox Joseph Distillery at OTR StillHouse (2017 Branch Street) in December.  She wanted to focus on buildi...

Former St. Xavier High School basketball star Jordan Cornette has worked his way up at ESPN by being a versatile television and radio host. He's hosted shows talking about college football and basketball, and been an in-game TV analyst on college basketball broadcasts. In October, Cornette was promoted to co-host a weekday highlight and talk show on ESPN+ called SportsNation. It was a unique appoi...

Cincinnati FM radio legend Dennis “Wildman” Walker joins “That’s So Cincinnati.” 

Cincinnati's interim City Manager John Curp joins the podcast this week.

Ickey Woods gained nationwide fame doing his "Ickey Shuffle" touchdown dance during the Bengals' run to the Super Bowl in 1988 season.  He loves seeing the city come alive again amid the Bengals' run to Sunday's AFC Championship game in Kansas City. "It’s been a long way for us – and it’s about time," Woods told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast. "These guys are doing a great job. The...

Don't get Tim McGee wrong. He cherishes the memories of being part of the great Bengals teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s. And the former wide receiver loves talking about playing on a Super Bowl team. But McGee is happy the Bengals are giving fans a reason to stop talking about the glory days of three decades ago. He joined The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast to offer perspective...

Eve Bolton called Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education's decision last week to close the school buildings and return to fully remote learning "devastating" for students and their families. The retired teacher was the only board member who voted against returning to full remote learning amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in Ohio's third-largest school district. School buildings are shutdown to...

When the invitation came to Aftab Pureval, who had just been elected Cincinnati mayor, to visit the White House late last year along with other new mayors he wasn't sure what to expect. But Pureval went to the Dec. 14 meeting prepared, bringing with him a request for what he sees as Cincinnati's most pressing need from the federal government: A new Brent Spence Bridge. He did pitch that project th...

Enquirer executive editor Beryl Love and columnist Jason Williams discuss the biggest stories of 2021. Where does UC football making the College Football Playoff, Brood X cicada invasion and Aftab Pureval winning the mayor's race rank among the top stories?  Find out on "That's So Cincinnati." 

Cristian Pietoso takes pride in offering an authentic Italian dining experience at his four Greater Cincinnati restaurants. Early next year, guests at Downtown's Via Vite will have a new experience. They'll be able to watch up close the pasta-making process, a viewing area that'll be part of an upcoming remodeling at the Fountain Square restaurant. Via Vite is scheduled to temporarily shutdown on...

A decade ago, Chris Seelbach ran for Cincinnati City Council wanting to help stop the city's yearslong population decline. The trailblazing Democrat was personally doing his part. He purchased a condo in Over-the-Rhine for $125,000, $10,000 of it an inheritance his parents told him he was squandering on such a purchase. Seelbach, first elected in 2011, has watched his neighborhood thrive ever sinc...

Montgomery Inn partner Dean Gregory tells stories about his dad and the restaurant's late founder, Ted Gregory; his mom's secret BBQ sauce; how Bob Hope got involved; and the exploding cigar prank. 

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and former President Barack Obama have been friends since they were classmates at Harvard Law School 30 years ago. Their families have stayed in touch. Kearney and her husband, former state Sen. Eric Kearney, held fundraisers for Obama and worked on his campaigns. Did Lemon Kearney turn to Barack and Michelle Obama for political advice while r...

David Pepper first ran for office 20 years ago , the start of a career that now includes Cincinnati City Council, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman. Pepper, 50, of Indian Hill, pivoted in recent years to a new career: author, writing political thrillers. His newest book, Laboratories of Autocracy: A wake-up call from behind the lines, is a non-fiction to...

REDI Cincinnati is the region's leading organization charged with recruiting new companies and jobs. It played a big role in regional leaders' pitch to World Cup officials last week, and REDI President and CEO Kimm Lauterbach joined "That's So Cincinnati" podcast to discuss.

The Flying Pig is back, albeit it with a smaller field of racers and later in the year than usual.  But it will still be the same community-driven event that it was before the coronavirus pandemic forced Cincinnati races to be virtual last year, said Iris Simpson Bush, executive director at Flying Pig Marathon, Inc, which runs the marathon and several other races throughout the year.  "We're thril...

American soccer veteran Geoff Cameron is always outspoken about something. A few years ago, it was about his support of Donald Trump. Nowadays, though, it's more about how much he loves Cincinnati and the city's soccer fans. Cameron, in his first season with FC Cincinnati, spent time on his off day to chat with The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast partly about his decision to back away fr...