The Confluence Cast

Columbus Comedy Festival

by Tim Fulton | Jul 17, 2024 | Arts & Entertainment, Comedy, Episode | 0 |

Good comedy is a reflection of society. Next month, for five days, over 150 comedians will grace ten stages throughout the city for the inaugural Columbus Comedy Festival. On the occasion of the upcoming event, I sat down with Walker Evans, co-founder of Columbus Underground and the Comedy Festival, and Hannah Romes, co-owner of Hashtag Comedy. We discussed the impetus for and execution of the festival, the opportunities in the Columbus comedy scene, and their focus on increasing public awareness of the city’s abundant talent.

Donatos CEO Tom Krouse

by Tim Fulton | Jul 2, 2024 | Business, Episode, Food & Beverage, People | 0 |

Every piece is important. For Tom Krouse, the outgoing CEO of Donatos Pizza, this tagline is more than just a catchphrase. With his departure this fall, we sat down to discuss his journey at Donatos. We’ll explore the key strategies behind their expansion, including the decision to focus on franchising and the early adoption of online ordering technology.

Doodles & Digits

by Tim Fulton | Jun 24, 2024 | Business, Education, Episode, People | 0 |

Passions can take you on different paths. That’s true for Carolyn Farkas who transformed her passion for teaching into a successful series on PBS. We sat down to discuss her journey, the future of education, the need for engaging and relevant learning experiences, and the importance of better communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and the community as a whole.

OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance

by Tim Fulton | Jun 13, 2024 | Episode, Non-Profit, People | 0 |

Personal struggles can open our eyes to the needs of others. That is true for Tammy Adler Foeller, the co-founder of OpenDoor Women’s Recovery Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women transitioning out of incarceration or drug treatment. Tammy and I discuss her personal journey navigating her daughter’s battle with addiction, how it inspired her to help others, the organization’s volunteer-based support system, and where they are in their journey to grow capacity and combat stigma for those affected by the opioid epidemic.

The Sounds of Bustown

by Tim Fulton | May 3, 2024 | Arts & Entertainment, Episode, Music, People | 0 |

https://media.blubrry.com/confluence/p/content.blubrry.com/confluence/160_bustown.mp3Podcast: Play...

A Roundup of Renderings

by Tim Fulton | Apr 23, 2024 | Development, Episode, Journalism, Transit | 0 |

With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in our latest roundup of the biggest stories on Columbus Underground. Co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down to discuss everything from Liz Lessner’s influential legacy to the latest murmurs about when we’ll get passenger rail. There are plenty of renderings to peruse, too.

A City of Doers

by Tim Fulton | Apr 4, 2024 | Arts & Entertainment, Education, Episode, People | 0 |

As Columbusites, we examine the evolution and identity of the city from a singular point of view. That’s not a bad thing, but an outsider’s perspective is always helpful. Today, we hear from Mark Snyder, a former Columbus resident whose journey through writing and theater has woven a rich tapestry of experiences both in and out of Ohio’s capital city. Mark reflects on the essence of Columbus — the kindness, scrappiness, and the collaborative spirit that defines its culture. He shares his journey of rediscovery in a city that continues to evolve and challenge its own identity.

COTA Bus Transfer

by Tim Fulton | Mar 28, 2024 | Development, Episode, People, Transit | 0 |

The city’s transit system is going through a transformation. At least that’s the intention. On the occasion of an impending transfer of power and a sales tax issue on the ballot this fall to bulk up services, Columbus Underground reporter Brent Warren sat down with both the outgoing and incoming CEOs of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (or COTA) to discuss the shift in leadership, the transportation projects set to be on the ballot this fall, and what’s next for the former Greyhound station in Downtown.