The Confluence Cast

Music is many things to many people but Mark Lomax would argue that it’s not enough. The Columbus-based composer and drummer has some ideas for how we should hear music, incorporate it into our lives, and why artists will define the future of Columbus. Shownotes: Dr. Mark Lomax II Gene Walker Hank Marr Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center Ohio State School of Music Messages from Water Jo...

It’s getting hoppy in here. We talk with Chris Davison, the head brewer at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, about sour beers, the brewing process, the brewing community, what other breweries in town you should be checking out, why Columbus is a young beer scene, and why that’s a good thing. Shownotes: Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Sour beer (as defined by Wikipedia) Red Legacy Watershed Distil...

We’re talking about capital in the capital city. VentureOhio helps to facilitate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our state and their annual VentureReport takes a detailed look at Ohio investment activity and the people and companies putting Ohio on the map. I sat down with VentureOhio’s CEO Falon Donohue and Brad Mascho, the co-founder of local startup CrossChx to talk about the repor...

All the world’s a stage… and one man in his time plays many parts. The artistic director of Actors’ Theatre is no different. On the occasion of their 36th season, Phillip Hickman sat down to talk about his role at the Schiller Park institution, how they put together their season each year, and the importance of accessible art. Shownotes Actors’ Theatre 2017 Season Classes Greater...

Face it, anybody can make pizza. It takes a vision to turn a slice of pizza into a brand. I sat down with Mikey Sorboro at the Columbus Podcast Festival for a casual conversation about how to start a business, the virtues (or lack thereof) of owning a foodtruck, and the importance of a branding experience. Shownotes: Mikey’s Late Night Slice Oddfellows Liquor Bar Columbus Podcast Festival Ca...

The Columbus Arts Festival is quickly approaching and their Sign Your Art installation is making a comeback. I sat down with organizer and artist Stephanie Rond to talk about the project, her work and background, and the thorns that she sees in the Columbus arts community. Shownotes Stephanie Rond Stephanie Rond on Columbus Makes Art Columbus Arts Festival Sign Your Art Columbus Open Studio and St...

Project manager, community builder, and writer Jay Clouse has experienced most stages of an entrepreneurial business in a short time. We sat down to talk about his experience, the similarity between comedy and entrepreneurship, and the importance of asking good questions. Shownotes Jay Clouse Create Columbus Commission StartUp Weekend CrossChx The Agile Methodology Jay’s Daily email You Made...

For the first time in their over-forty-year history, the Central Ohio Transit Authority is changing up its routes. I spoke with representatives from COTA about how the new system was designed and what the philosophy was behind it. We also learned more about COTA as a whole, some of their new initiatives that they are rolling out, and how you can find your way with the new system. Shownotes COTA&#8...

With the month of May quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about summer festivals. In this week’s episode, Columbus Underground co-founder and COO Anne Evans talks about what festivals are new this year, some of her favorites, and I interject my commentary on the end of Independents’ Day as we know it. Shownotes Columbus Podcast Festival Robert Mason Company AmeriFlor...

Three years ago, Columbus-native Stefan Thomas passed the bar, became an attorney, and embarked on a musical career as T.Wong. Having released four collections of polished work and worked with producers and industry professionals around the country, he’s certainly on his way up. On the eve of his next album, we discussed his work, his process, and the opportunities that the Columbus art scen...

This week, we’re talking about young professionals in Columbus. Specifically, the Create Columbus Commission. The group was originally chartered by Mayor Michael B. Coleman ten years ago to provide guidance on how to attract and retain young professionals to Columbus. Their grant program is in full swing for the year, with opportunities for social enterprise organizations, ideas, and artists...

The disparity between the tech job openings in Columbus and qualified candidates to fill them is vast. To help bridge that gap, coding bootcamps have been popping up around town. Tech Elevator co-founder and CEO Anthony Hughes talks about their program, who may be interested in it, and what makes Columbus a good market for them. Shownotes Tech Elevator Rev1 Ventures Drive Capital Skills Fund IC St...

As we embark on our semi-regular neighborhoods series, we went to the person tasked with creating a one-stop-shop for neighborhoods to access city-government services. In this week’s episode, Director Carla Williams-Scott discusses the various functions of the Department of Neighborhoods, the impetus for it, and what opportunities she sees in the diversity of our city’s neighborhoods a...

On the occasion of their upcoming showcase at SXSW, I sat down with Angela Perley of Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons to talk about their career trajectory, listen to a few tracks, and discuss why she calls Columbus home. Shownotes: Angela Perley & the Howlin’ Moons Spotify Vital Companies Music Videos: “ Athens ” | “ White Doves ” | “ Electric Flam...

Let’s get pumped up! The Arnold Sports Festival is coming to town and I sat down with the organization’s president, Bob Lorimer, to learn about how it got started, how Bob is carrying on the legacy of his father,  and I focus way too much on table tennis. Shownotes: Arnold Sports Festival Table Tennis Kids & Teens EXPO Schedule Volunteer opportunities Party with the Pros Photo Gall...

The art community in Columbus is a strong one. But there’s a large portion of it that you don’t see; specifically black art. Scott Woods created Holler to showcase the work of black artists across disciplines. In this week’s episode, Scott discusses Holler and the impetus for it, the Columbus art scene as a whole, and the importance of having a space to work. Shownotes Holler: 30...

Solving the immediate and long-term problems of Columbus is no small task. Thankfully, the Columbus Foundation is wielding both a large purse and a large influence. We spoke with Dan Sharpe, Director, Community Leadership and Nonprofit Effectiveness for The Columbus Foundation, about how their funds and initiatives strengthen and improve the capital city. Shownotes: Columbus Foundation The Big Giv...

How do you build a community around what you’re passionate about? This week, Adam Brouillette sat down to discuss Blockfort, the new gallery and studio space Downtown, and why he thinks Columbus is the best city for doers. Shownotes: Blockfort 400 West Rich The Vanderelli Room MINT Gallery 934 Gallery Millworks Art Studios Idea Foundry The post Blockfort appeared first on The Confluence Cast...

On the occasion of Columbus being named the highest in visitor satisfaction in the midwest by JD Power and Associates, host Tim Fulton moderated a panel at the Columbus Metropolitan Club to discuss the study, its impact, and how Columbus can capitalize on it. Shownotes: JD Power and Associates Press release on the award Columbus Metropolitan Club Experience Columbus Experience Columbus blog post o...

We all want to tell stories. Larry Smith, the creator of Six Word Memoirs helps people do that. We sat down to talk about the project, Larry’s background as a journalist and storyteller, and why he and his wife, noted author Piper Kerman, choose Columbus as their home. Shownotes: Smith Magazine Six Word Memiors Might Magazine POV Magazine The Moth Dick and Jane Project Musicologie Hot Chicke...

To kick off our neighborhoods series, we’re starting with one of Columbus’ largest, the Hilltop. On the occasion of their newly completed Camp Chase Trail,  Jody Dzuranin and Betty Jaynes sat down to discuss the new trail, the renaissance that they’re fighting for on the Hilltop, some of the sensitivities and perceptions that the westside faces, and what they’re doing to de...

This week, we explore the craft scene in Columbus with maker maven Megan Green who heads up the Midwest Craft Con and Craftin’ Outlaws. It’s a discussion about the business of craft, the many hats you wear in business, and the plethora of offerings the Columbus craft community has to offer. Shownotes: Midwest Craft Con  (Promo code: CRAFTCBUS) Craftin’ Outlaws Stinky Bomb Soap Wh...

To wrap up the year, I sat down with the co-founders of Columbus Underground to talk about the best-read stories of the year on the site, how they do their work, and why they got rid of the discussion boards. Shownotes: Episode on Issue One Short North Development Smart Cities Grant Transit Columbus Development at 15th and High IKEA Holy Chicken! Cat Cafe Hot Chicken Takeover investment Kiva Colum...

The terrible fire in Oakland, California sparked discussions in Columbus about the safety of our artist communities. Chris Sherman, the development director for the largest of those communities, 400 West Rich, sat down to talk about the history of the building, how they keep their tenants and guests safe, and why it’s important to keep having these conversations. Shownotes: 400 West Rich The...

Tis the season for a cocktail. Two of Columbus’ best mixologists, Joe Peppercorn from Little Rock Bar and Josh Rice from Bodega, talk about the bar scene in Columbus, what makes a good cocktail list, how to be a good patron, and the evolution of the Short North bar scene. Shownotes: Little Rock Bar Giuseppe’s Ritrovo Bodega Beatles Marathon The Tree Bar Basi Italia Curio United States Barten...