The Community's Conversation

A Conversation with Governor Mike DeWine

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine returns to the Columbus Metropolitan Club for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, policy, and Ohio's future. In discussion with veteran Statehouse News Bureau journalist Jo Ingles, Governor DeWine reflects on his long career in public service while exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping Ohio today and tomorrow—from education and literacy to economic development, public safety, technology, and support for children and families. Featuring: Mike DeWine, Governor, State of Ohio The host is Jo Ingles, Journalist and Producer, The Statehouse News Bureau. This forum was sponsored by Ian Alexander Photography, The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, The Ohio State University, The Robert Weiler Company, and The United Way of Central Ohio. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Profiles in Achievement: The Gifts, Quirks, and Foibles of Ohio's Best Politicians, by William L. Hershey (2021). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on May 20, 2026.

Turning AI Success into Columbus' Next Advantage

The AI economy in Central Ohio is creating entirely new businesses. At the same time, it's reshaping nearly every existing business. The key to both these upheavals? Visionary leadership of the human kind. Will Columbus lead, follow, or just watch the AI revolution from the sidelines? Innovative leaders are determined to do just that - lead - and are racing to harness the power of AI to stay ahead of the competition. Can key players team up in Central Ohio to create a fertile business ecosystem that fuels AI innovation and nurtures the next generation of AI thinkers? Featuring: Shereen Agrawal, Executive Director, Center for Software Innovation, The Ohio State University Alex 'Fro' Frommeyer, Founder and CEO, Stack Health, and Chairman, Beam Benefits Tim Grace, Managing Director, Techstars Columbus The host is Carrie Ghose, Senior Reporter, Columbus Business First. This forum was sponsored by Roetzel & Andress. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you'd like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading AI Startup Strategy by Adhiguna Mahendra (2023). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on May 13, 2026.

Who Holds the Keys to Economic Mobility?

As Central Ohio grows, the question isn't just how fast—but who benefits. In this timely conversation, leaders from economics, community development, and education explore what truly drives economic mobility, why generational poverty persists, and what it will take to create more equitable pathways to opportunity. From systemic barriers to promising solutions, we examine how Columbus can ensure prosperity is shared more broadly across the region. Featuring: Dr. Joyce J. Chen, Professor of Economics in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University Will Crossley, Executive Vice President, The Woodson Center and President, The Piney Woods School Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO, The Columbus Urban League, and Co-Chair, The Equity Now Coalition The host is Rodney Dunigan, Evening Manager and Anchor, WSYX ABC6. This forum was sponsored by The Oakwood Management Company and The Robert Weiler Company. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc., The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, and by Tom Bolon and Keith Jones. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "Poverty, by America," written by Matthew Desmond (2023). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on May 6, 2026.

Life After Cars: Redesigning Cities for People

What if the way we move is shaping the way we live — but not for the better? Join us with the authors of the new national bestselling book, Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile, and the hosts of the acclaimed podcast "The War on Cars" for a bold conversation about how automobiles have transformed cities, communities, and the climate — and what it might take to imagine a future beyond car dependency. Drawing on decades of advocacy, journalism, and urbanist insight, Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon unpack the costs of car culture — from divided neighborhoods and environmental impacts to public health and social inequity. We'll explore how transportation reform is central to building a more connected and livable society, and share stories of communities already leading the way. Featuring: Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, Co-Hosts, "The War on Cars" Podcast and Co-Authors, Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile (Published 2025 by Thesis, An Imprint of Penguin Random House) Devayani Puranik, Mobility Development Program Director, Central Ohio Transit Authority The host is D'Laveance Bert-Sims, Board Member, Transit Columbus. This forum was sponsored by Burgess and Niple, COSI, COTA, Ian Alexander Photography, and REALM Collaborative. CMC's forum partners were The Center for Urban and Regional Analysis at The Ohio State University, Columbus Underground, and the 2026 COSI Science Festival. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you finish Sarah and Doug's book Life After Cars, and you'd like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library also recommend reading Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World, by Henry Grabar (2023). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on April 29, 2026.

Ohio's Data Center Debate

Central Ohio has become a magnet for data center development, drawing global tech companies and fueling economic growth. But as these massive facilities expand, communities are grappling with big questions about energy demand, land use, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact. Leaders from industry, government, and academia explore the real trade-offs—and what it will take to balance growth with sustainability in one of the region's fastest-growing sectors. Featuring: Ryan Augsburger, President, The Ohio Manufacturers' Association Dr. Jeffrey Bielicki, Associate Faculty Director of Research, The Ohio State University Sustainability Institute Timothy Chadwick, Area Operations Manager for Ohio, Google Christopher Wyche, Columbus City Councilmember The host is Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, The Statehouse News Bureau. This forum was sponsored by The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and The Ohio Manufacturers' Association. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading The Dark Cloud: The Hidden Costs of the Digital World by Guillaume Pitron (2023). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on April 22, 2026.