Brain Drain

You Will Do Better in Toledo — Part II: The Midstory

In the season finale, we talk to the minds behind Midstory — the ones who bubbled back up the brain drain and have dedicated nearly a decade of their life to this city. Throughout this podcast, we’ve talked about many of the tangible reasons people have left or stayed — opportunity, career, money, social life, culture, family ... the list goes on. But this episode will explore some of the more intangible reasons. Midstory didn’t come into existence because Toledo’s a promising place to start a nonprofit (it’s not), or even because some of Midstory’s founders grew up here. They didn’t start Midstory from trust funds or with the intention of padding their resumes. Midstory’s here for deeply personal reasons. Because maybe it’s not all logical. Maybe it’s not the rising job opportunities, the affordable housing market, the growing social scene, the ease of traveling from Toledo, and so on and so forth. Maybe it’s not the parks or the zoo, the museums or the concerts. Those things all help. But, there is still something more — something like a calling. Welcome to the final episode of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we call on three people who came back to help build Toledo’s tomorrow. Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.

You Will Do Better in Toledo — Part I: The Interns

In the last eight years, Midstory has brought over 200 bright, young people from across the nation to Toledo, Ohio, through our internship and fellowship programs. They're from the Harvards and the Princetons, the Northwesterns and the UCLAs. Some of them grew up here, some of them had never step foot in the Midwest (let alone Toledo). They're smart. They're visionary. They’re exactly the kind of young talent Toledo can't keep. They spent a summer imagining what a Toledo that included them might look like — and comparing that to the city that was in front of them. As you can imagine, their impressions didn’t always line up with the perspectives of proud Toledoans. They may only stay in the city for two months or a year — and their experiences may be limited — but maybe it’s the right time to hear what they have to say about our city. Because, whether you agree or not, their perspective is something we can learn from. Welcome to the first part of the season finale of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we bring the Midstory interns back into play to talk about what makes a city like Toledo worth living in and fighting for. Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.

I Am Going To Live Through This Even if It Kills Me

M*A*S*H’s beloved Corporal Klinger was a proud Toledoan, much like the actor who played him, Jamie Farr. He, along with his audacious wardrobe, would do anything to get back to Toledo. The role and the TV show gave the city a sliver of the national spotlight during the ‘70s and ‘80s, an era when Toledo’s reputation had already begun to slip. We’ve spent most of this season exploring some of the things that have led people away from Toledo — the lack of a vibrant social scene downtown, the pitfalls of a post-industrial economy and the appeal of more established cultural scenes in other cities have all caused young adults to pack their bags. But this week, we’re going to spend time with some of Toledo’s Klingers. Their perspective is still shaped by the exodus unfolding around them, but that awareness only strengthens their resolve. It makes them want to dig deeper, to keep insisting on Toledo’s promise and to encourage their friends and neighbors to work harder on behalf of this city. Still — how long can Toledo keep counting on its biggest advocates to swim upstream? Welcome to episode six of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we explore Toledo's current efforts to retain young people ... and if they're enough. Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.

I’m After Whatever the Other Life Brings

Toledo isn’t short on amenities. It's got a world-class art museum, an award-winning library system, a zoo that could rival any across the nation, and an ambitious parks system looking to revitalize the city's riverfront. That, coupled with the low cost of living, makes it — in theory — the perfect place for any young person to build the life they want to live. But many young people aren’t satisfied with ease and comfort and are still waiting for something more. Something that Toledo is working on, but might not have fully figured out yet. Research has shown that young people, in part because of their adventurousness, are more likely than their older counterparts to start new businesses, donate to charitable causes and advocate for social and economic justice within their communities [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GHEpDY4HEXHre2j6p6FOAj-qJw2arFJJqJacnBqyUs0/edit?tab=t.0]. If it’s a search for adventure that has led them away from Toledo, how could this city transform to provide that spark and excitement that so many bright, young minds are hungry for? Or is it enough that, one day, those very same people might find themselves looking for what Toledo already offers? Welcome to episode five of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we take a closer look at Toledo’s calling card and ask whether it’s enough to continue to define this city. Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.

(We Gotta) Fight for Our Right (To Play Smooth Jazz!)

Jake Vriezelaar loved being a creative in Toledo, but after a stint in LA, realized the scale of his ambitions in the film industry would lead him elsewhere. Now, he lives in New York. Alyssa Brutlag grew up in Toledo, and dreamed of one day being a professional dancer. School led her away and then COVID led her back home, but she ultimately felt the Glass City just didn't have a big enough appetite for dance. Now, she lives in Chicago. To be fair, Toledo is not a New York or a Chicago. It's Toledo. And the city has a long history of commitment to the arts — and artists. In 1941 [https://liveartstoledo.com/news/2025/12/03/tb-news/toledo-ballet-celebrates-85-years-of-the-nutcracker/], the city hosted the first American performance of the Nutcracker and has performed it without fail every year since. In 1977, it was the first city in Ohio to adopt the One Percent for Art Program, which requires 1% [https://theartscommission.org/public-art/about-public-art#:~:text=History,every%20neighborhood%20in%20the%20city.] of the city’s Capital Improvement Budget be set aside specifically to support public arts. In 2022, Toledo officially became home to the largest mural [https://www.midstory.org/siloed-reflecting-on-ohios-native-american-history/] in the United States Toledo is investing heavily in the arts, today, too. A newly released Ohio Creative Economy Report reveals that Northwest Ohio's creative sector supports [https://toledocf.org/news/building-vibrant-communities-through-public-art-and-cultural-investment#:~:text=October%208%2C%202025-,Building%20Vibrant%20Communities%20Through%20Public%20Art%20and%20Cultural%20Investment,spaces%20that%20foster%20neighborly%20bonds.] nearly 14,000 jobs, generates $789M in worker income and adds $1.2B in value to our regional economy. But is that investment making it easier for local artists to stay in town? Welcome to episode four of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we explore Toledo’s efforts to attract the workforce of the future. Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.