The Confluence Cast

A preview of the interviews still to come this week from candidates Hambley for Ohio and Allison Russo.

The Ohio Democratic Primary for Secretary of State With petitions filed and the 2026 statewide races now officially underway, a lot of the attention is on the governor's race — and understandably so — but there's a primary happening further down the ballot that deserves a real look: the Democratic primary for Ohio Secretary of State.

When we talk about regional planning, it’s easy to picture dusty binders, endless meetings, or vague talk about “growth.” But for William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the work is a lot more urgent and a lot more human. MORPC is the quiet engine behind how 90 Central Ohio communities prepare for what’s coming next, from housing pressures to transportation demand to environmental resilience.

In this conversation, William and I dig into the big swings—why LinkUS is finally moving from aspiration to implementation, how passenger rail could reshape the entire region, and what it really takes to support fast-growing communities with limited staff and resources. We also talk about the nuts and bolts: the data, the policy work, and the behind-the-scenes coordination that helps local governments make smarter decisions. And at a moment when Central Ohio is feeling both the excitement and strain of rapid growth, William makes a compelling case for why this region can get better as it gets bigger, if we’re willing to plan like it.

How MORPC Shapes the Future of Our Region - The Confluence Cast When we talk about regional planning, it’s easy to picture dusty binders, endless meetings, or vague talk about “growth.” But for William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the work is a lot more urgent and a lot more human.

Marathons are more than just races—they’re complex productions, community rituals, and, at times, catalysts for civic pride. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Darris Blackford, longtime race director of the The Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon. We discussed how the event evolved from a tourism initiative in 1980 to one of the country’s most respected independent races—and how Darris went from running it as an amateur to running it as a professional.

We explored the behind-the-scenes logistics of staging a 15,000-person race through multiple municipalities, what makes Columbus’s marathon structurally and financially unique, and how technology—from GPS watches to real-time runner tracking—has reshaped the race experience without replacing the purity of putting one foot in front of the other. Darris also shared insights on elite runners, nonprofit partnerships, and why fireworks beat flyovers every time.

Why the Columbus Marathon Works - The Confluence Cast Marathons are more than just races—they’re complex productions, community rituals, and, at times, catalysts for civic pride.

Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dollar to park near Brassica.

This week, and explore what’s resonating most in local media and what those stories reveal about the larger systems we’re all navigating.

From the rise of protests at the Statehouse to the ripple effects of new zoning policies, we covered how housing, development, and drone factories are shaping the future of Columbus. We unpacked the tension between growth and preservation, the impact of private equity on everything from chicken sandwiches to shopping malls, and why local progress sometimes depends on who’s still in the smoky back room.

Whether you care about affordable housing, have feelings about paid parking, or just want to understand why Columbus works the way it does, this conversation is a reminder that the local stories matter, because they’re not just local.

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An Off the Rails Roundup - The Confluence Cast Sometimes, the things that stir the most debate aren’t sweeping policy changes, but whether or not you have to pay a dollar to park near Brassica.