Sound of Ideas

Ideastream Public Media
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The "Sound of Ideas" is Ideastream Public Media's daily flagship public affairs program focusing on Northeast Ohio.

  1. 1h ago

    Ohio Supreme Court candidates Brunner, O'Donnell on rule of law, public confidence in courts

    Ohio Supreme Court race between incumbent Justice Jennifer Brunner and former Judge Colleen O'Donnell Ohio has two state Supreme Court seats on the ballot in this year’s midterm election. In both cases, a sitting Justice is being challenged by someone would be a newcomer to the highest court in the state. The court balance currently sits at six Republicans and one Democrat. That lone Democrat is sitting Justice Jennifer Brunner, who is running for re-election against challenger Republican former Judge Colleen O’Donnell. "Sound of Ideas" host Stephanie Haney recently spoke with both of these candidates in prerecorded one-on-one conversations, and we’re sharing those interviews with you for Tuesday's show. These conversations are part of Ideastream’s Listen, Engage, Vote initiative, which involved staff going to libraries across the region this summer to hear what Ohioans care about ahead of this election. First, we'll bring you our conversation with Brunner, who was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2020. Prior to that, Brunner served as Ohio’s first female secretary of state from 2007 – 2011. She previously presided over the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County and as a Franklin County Common Pleas judge, where she founded their adult felony drug court, which is still running today. Following that conversation, we bring you our interview with O’Donnell, who served as a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge for nearly 10 years, from 2013 to 2023. Following that role, O’Donnell served as a federal immigration judge, assigned to Laredo, Texas. Guests: - Justice Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Supreme Court, Democratic candidate - Colleen O'Donnell, former Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge, Republican Candidate, Ideastream Public Media's Voter Guide is live now Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 6, which means Ohio voters will need to study up on the candidates in order to make informed decisions. This year, Ideastream endeavored to make information about candidates much easier to access through the creation of a Voter Guide, as part of our "Listen, Engage, Vote" initiative. On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," hosted by Stephanie Haney, Ideastream's Deputy Editor of News Andrew Meyer shares what you'll find in the guide, which you can access here: https://www.ideastream.org/ideastream-public-medias-2026-election-guide Guest: - Andrew Meyer, Ideastream Public Media, Deputy Editor of News

  2. 1d ago

    New documentary on Parma police parody case examines constitutional rights

    "Crime and Parody" This year, we've seen late night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert face scrutiny for political satire, something that is legally protected free speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution. A new documentary called "Crime and Parody" is airing at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival this weekend. It tells the story of a local man, Anthony Novak, who faced even more serious consequences for making a parody Facebook page mocking the Parma police department back in 2016. Novak's legal battle made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The documentary examines what happens when constitutional rights are tested, in Anthony's case and beyond. Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," hosted by Stephanie Haney, we'll learn more about the documentary from its director and a legal expert involved with the case. Guests: - Will Thwaites, Director and Producer, "Crime & Parody" Documentary - Patrick Jaicomo, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice The Sioux Chef Ohio has a deep Indigenous history. The name itself derives from the Iroquois word for "good river." At the heart of any culture is food, and that is no different for Indigenous Americans. But how many of us have actually tried the cuisine of the people who first resided on this land? Chef Sean Sherman, known as the Sioux Chef, is an Oglala Lakota chef working to reclaim Native American food and culture. He is speaking at The City Club of Cleveland this Friday at noon. Guest: - Sean Sherman, Founder & Executive Director, NĀTIFS; Co-founder, Indígena by Owamni; Founder & CEO, The Sioux Chef An Extraterrestrial Discussion People have long wondered whether we're alone in the vastness of space, or if is earth just one of thousands of nearby planets that has some form of life. It's a question astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson brings to Cleveland this Wednesday in an event at Playhouse Square. Tyson sat down with Ideastream science reporter Jeff St. Clair to talk about the "Search For Life In The Universe." To end the hour, we'll hear part of that conversation. Guests: - Jeff St. Clair, Science Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ph.D., Astrophysicist, Author

  3. 4d ago

    Amid rising fuel prices, Ohio's gas tax is suspended for 90 days | Reporters Roundtable

    A 90-day suspension of Ohio’s 38.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax and 47-cent diesel tax will go into effect on Sunday. The tax holiday is expected to cost the state $726 million, with the lost revenue covered by the state’s general revenue fund. The Senate passed the bill 26-5 and the House approved it 78-16. Gov. DeWine signed the bill into law on Thursday. Many lawfully present immigrants in Northeast Ohio no longer qualify for Medicaid under new federal eligibility rules, though green card holders are excluded from the changes. Those who lose coverage will be moved to a program covering emergency medical care, while local organizations such as Re:Source Cleveland work to connect affected immigrants with healthcare and other resources. The Cleveland Community Police Commission voted to pause the use of automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras, starting Jan. 1 unless the city adopts an updated policy after public review and community input. The commission cited concerns about data access, information sharing and immigration-related searches, while Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said the department is not aware of any illegal use of the technology by its officers. Gov. Mike DeWine has asked the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to begin the process of ending E-Check, the vehicle emissions testing program required every two years for drivers in seven Northeast Ohio counties. The Ohio EPA will hold a 30-day public comment period to allow for additional input from residents and stakeholders. Once the period ends, the Ohio EPA plans to submit its request to the U.S. EPA by the end of 2026. We'll discuss these stories and more on the Friday Reporters Roundtable hosted by Stephanie Haney, in this week for Mike McIntyre. Guests:- Kabir Bhatia, Senior Reporter, Arts & Culture, Ideastream Public Media- Michelle Jarboe, Reporter, News 5 Cleveland, WEWS- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

  4. 4d ago

    How will today's actions on AI impact our economic future?

    Future of the economy How will the actions and policies of today impact our economic future? From businesses investing heavily in artificial intelligence to increased government tariffs to the building of data centers and ensuing public backlash? Longtime public media fans will have heard David Brancaccio's voice for more than a decade as the host of the Marketplace Morning Report sharing daily updates on the economy, but his new role has him focused on the future as the "future effects" senior correspondent for Marketplace. Brancaccio is coming to Cleveland next week for a private Ideastream IdeaLeader event and joins host Stephanie Haney for Thursday's "Sound of Ideas" ahead of his visit to talk about this job change and recent reporting. Guest: - David Brancaccio, Future Effects Correspondent, Marketplace "Best of Cleveland" awards Last week, Cleveland Magazine announced the winners of the 2026 Best of Cleveland awards. Cleveland Scene shared their winners in July. The lists both honor city favorites - from shopping spots, to artisans, entertainment venues, and even local personalities across Northeast Ohio. Winners are chosen by both readers and editors. And they're teaming up for a Best of Cleveland party on Thursday, Oct. 15th at the Great Lakes Science Center. We'll highlight some of these winners on Thursday's show. We'll also talk to some food-related winners for this installment of our biweekly series, "The Menu" in collaboration with Cleveland Magazine. Guests: - Tyren Craemer, Vice President, Wax Mage Records, Design Specialist, Gotta Groove Records - Becky Hopp, Co-Owner, Grateful Heart Yoga and Wellness - Nick Robson, Owner & Founder, Ohio Pie Co. - Chris Nguyen, Co-Owner, Superior Pho - Dillon Stewart, Executive Editor, Cleveland Magazine

  5. 6d ago

    Ohioans brace for changes to Medicaid eligibility, work requirements

    Medicaid covers about a quarter of Ohioans and nearly 1 in 3 people in Cuyahoga County. The state and federal program provides health insurance to low-income people, people with disabilities, older adults and pregnant women and children, as well as some noncitizens who meet eligibility requirements. But starting Thursday, changes to the program will begin affecting who can qualify and stay enrolled. On Oct. 1, federal rules will change eligibility for some immigrants who are lawfully living in the U.S. and enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. Then, beginning Jan. 1, adults ages 19 to 64 who don’t qualify for an exemption will have to regularly show they’re working, in school or participating in community service for a total of 80 hours a month to maintain their Medicaid coverage. Some people will be exempt from these requirements, and states will be responsible for determining how the rules are applied. So, what do these changes mean for Ohio Medicaid recipients, and what should people know before the new requirements take effect? We'll discuss on Wednesday's "Sound of Ideas" hosted by Stephanie Haney. Guests: - Rea Hederman, Vice President of Policy, The Buckeye Institute - Daniel Skinner, Ph.D., Professor, Health Policy, Ohio University - Madelaine Matej MacQueen, Ph.D., Budget Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio - Kevin Gowan, Director, Cuyahoga County Department of Job and Family Services

  6. Sep 29

    Ohio Governor candidates on affordability, property taxes, data centers and more

    As Ohioans cast their ballots for who will become the next governor, the final result will make history, no matter who wins. If it’s Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, he’ll become Ohio's first Indian American and billionaire governor, as well as the first Hindu governor in the United States. If Democrat Dr. Amy Acton gets the most votes, she’ll become the first elected woman and Jewish governor of Ohio. And if Libertarian Don Kissick upsets the two major party candidates, he’ll become the first Libertarian governor of Ohio. "Sound of Ideas" host Stephanie Haney talked with each of the candidates in one-on-one prerecorded interviews lasting roughly 20 minutes each, and we’re sharing those conversations with you today. The questions came from research on the candidates, as well as conversations we had this summer with voters at libraries across Northeast Ohio as part of our Listen, Engage, Vote initiative. We also asked for input from "Sound of Ideas" audience members on social media. First, we’ll hear from Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, then Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, and then Libertarian Don Kissick. Guests: -Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Candidate for Ohio Governor -Amy Acton, M.D., Democratic Candidate for Ohio Governor -Don Kissick, Libertarian Candidate for Ohio Governor

  7. Sep 28

    Voting expert explains how to make your vote count ahead of Nov. 3 midterms

    Voting Q&A Next Tuesday, early voting begins for the important midterm elections, including many high profile races in Ohio, from U.S. Senator and Congressional seats that could change the balance of power in Congress, to a history-making governor's race no matter who wins that role, plus every statewide office, from Attorney General to Secretary of State, and even two Ohio Supreme Court seats. That's all in addition to local races and issues like school levies. Monday, Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote. Have you checked your registration status? And do you have everything you need to vote this election? On Monday's "Sound of Ideas," hosted by Stephanie Haney, we've invited Jen Miller, head of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, on to answer your questions about voting access ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Guest: - Jen Miller, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of Ohio U.S. Senate Race Candidate Interview The country is watching Ohio's U.S. Senate race closely this election year, as the November midterm election approaches. Vice President JD Vance left his Senate seat vacant, when he became second in command following President Donald Trump's win in 2024. Governor Mike DeWine appointed then-Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to temporarily take over that spot, and this year, Ohioans will vote on who fills the remaining two years left on that term. Husted is running on the Republican ticket, hoping the retain the seat. On the Democratic side, Sherrod Brown is hoping to rejoin his former colleagues in the Senate, after losing his re-election bid to current Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno in 2024. Two others have joined the contest, Libertarian candidate Bill Redpath and Independent candidate Gregory Levy. Host Stephanie Haney spoke with Sherrod Brown recently in a one-on-one prerecorded interview, and we're sharing that conversation with you today. We had an interview scheduled with Husted for last Thursday, but his spokesperson told us he needed to reschedule due to Senate business, and we are still working to secure a new date for that conversation. We do have interviews scheduled with Redpath and Levy. We'll bring you each of these conversations in October. The questions we're asking these candidates came from research on the candidates, as well as conversations we had this summer with voters at libraries across Northeast Ohio as part of our Listen, Engage, Vote initiative. We also asked for input from our audience members on social media. Guest: -Sherrod Brown, Democratic Candidate & Former Ohio U.S. Senator These conversations are part of Ideastream's Listen, Engage, Vote initiative. This summer, our staff went to libraries across Northeast Ohio to hear what people cared about ahead of the midterms. We're using those conversations with voters to help inform our election coverage.

  8. Sep 25

    Cleveland Orchestra musicians now on strike | Reporters Roundtable

    The Cleveland Orchestra are on strike after months of contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Musicians say they remain "far apart" from management on salary and health care costs, and they also want a greater voice in the audition process. A Friday concert in Michigan has been canceled, while musicians plan to perform free chamber concerts Saturday at Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights. If an agreement is reached by Sunday night, the orchestra could still leave Monday for a European tour. Ohio lawmakers will return to Columbus next Wednesday for a rare session focused on a proposed 90-day suspension of the state’s gas tax. The vote could cost the state more than $600 million in revenue, with the Ohio Department of Transportation potentially absorbing the loss. The proposal is backed by Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Democratic nominee Amy Acton, who both called for a gas tax holiday earlier this week. Nearly 209,000 Ohio voter registrations are scheduled to be purged from the voter rolls in January. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office says the registrations belong to voters who have moved, entered confirmation status or remained inactive for at least four years after receiving a confirmation notice. Voters can check the state’s Registration Readiness Database to see whether their registration is on the list, and no registrations will be removed before the November 2026 election. Eligible voters can prevent cancellation by voting, confirming or updating their registration information, or completing other qualifying voter activity. A Cleveland City Council member plans to introduce legislation Monday to repeal the city’s prohibition on recreational fires and backyard firepits. Councilmember Charles Slife says the 1977 ban was enacted over air-quality concerns, but Cleveland’s air quality has improved significantly since then. The legislation would still need to go through committee and a full council vote. We'll discuss these stories and more on the Friday Reporters Roundtable hosted by Mike McIntyre. Guests: - Glenn Forbes, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media - Andrew Meyer, Deputy Editor of News, Ideastream Public Media- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ideastream Statehouse News Bureau

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4.7
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About

The "Sound of Ideas" is Ideastream Public Media's daily flagship public affairs program focusing on Northeast Ohio.

Information

  • Creator
    Ideastream Public Media
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    618
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ideastream
  • Show Website
    Sound of Ideas

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