Episode 3: What Welcome Looks Like: A Conversation with Emelia Sheeley

Episode 8: Beyond the Shelter Door: A Conversation with Shannon Isom (Part 1)

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 issue is about more than individual circumstances. It’s about housing, systems and the kind of community we choose to build. Join Michael and Shannon for part one of a thoughtful, eye-opening discussion that will challenge assumptions and deepen your understanding of what it will take to move forward. Stay tuned for part two of this conversation on June 16.

Episode 7: Beyond the Books: A Conversation with Dr. Cheryl Wyatt

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 offers fresh insight into the exciting work happening across Franklin County to create stronger futures for our students.

Episode 6: Stable Homes, Brighter Futures: A Conversation with Samantha Stewart

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 families, and keeping kids in school and hope within reach.

Episode 5: A Place to Call Home: A Conversation with Erin Prosser

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 place where opportunity is within reach for everyone. Tune in to hear from someone working on the front lines of one of our region's most pressing challenges and to understand what it will actually take to make sure a growing Columbus is a Columbus that works for all its residents.

Episode 4: Housing - The Foundation of Columbus’s Future

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 work can afford to stay here. Tune in to better understand the forces behind Columbus’s housing challenges and what it will take to keep our city vibrant and accessible for every resident. **Bonus story at the end of the podcast!