The Community's Conversation

Columbus Metropolitan Club
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Visionary speakers. Bold conversations. Meaningful connections. The Columbus Metropolitan Club cultivates big conversations, bold ideas, and meaningful connections that drive the region forward. For nearly 50 years, CMC has hosted weekly forums featuring visionary leaders — including CEOs, members of Congress, college presidents, UN ambassadors, artists, and other changemakers — sharing insights and discussion. Together, we examine issues that matter, exchange diverse perspectives, and forge connections that create a better Columbus. Whether it's a topic that impacts our local community, has global implications, or both, CMC participants leave our forums better educated, informed, and engaged. We invite you to join our community conversations each week. All CMC forums are recorded live in Columbus, Ohio.

  1. 2d ago

    A 50th Anniversary Conversation: The Future of Civic Dialogue

    For 50 years, the Columbus Metropolitan Club has brought Central Ohio together through moments of crisis and celebration, disagreement and discovery, grounded in the belief that dialogue matters. As CMC marks its 50th anniversary with this special forum, social psychologist Dr. Kurt Gray turns that tradition toward the future: Why do we fight so fiercely about morality and politics? What can help us find common ground? Drawing on his research into the moral mind, Gray explores why people across the political spectrum may have more in common than they think—and what the science of moral understanding can teach us about the next 50 years of civic dialogue. Featuring: Dr. Kurt Gray, Professor of Social Psychology, The Ohio State University, and Author, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground. CMC Board of Trustees member Carey Schmitt delivers opening remarks celebrating CMC's 50th anniversary, and Elon Sims, Chief of Staff to Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, presents CMC with a proclamation celebrating its 50th anniversary. Sophia Fifner, President and CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Club, makes remarks on CMC's future and interviews Dr. Kurt Gray.  The emcee is Matt Barnes, Morning Co-Anchor of NBC4 Today, and member of the CMC Board of Trustees. This forum was made possible by: Visionary Sponsors: Mary Lazarus, The Ohio State University Impact Sponsors: Columbus City Council, The Office of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, The Columbus Foundation & The Center for HumanKindness, The Robert Weiler Company Community Partners: Lynn Greer, Huntington Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Ambassador: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Advocate: Installed Building Products This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on September 9, 2026.

    A 50th Anniversary Conversation: The Future of Civic Dialogue

  2. Sep 2

    Raising the Curtain on Columbus' Cultural Future

    For 100 years, the Palace Theatre has evolved alongside Columbus, bringing generations of performers and audiences together in the heart of downtown. As the city continues to grow, what will it take to sustain a thriving performing arts ecosystem? Leaders from the Lincoln Theatre, Opera Columbus, CAPA, and BalletMet explore the future of Columbus' cultural life, the institutions and stages that support it, and how the performing arts can continue evolving in Central Ohio. Listen to this special Columbus Metropolitan Club forum recorded onstage at the historic Palace Theatre. Featuring: Suzan Bradford, Executive Director, Lincoln Theatre Julia Noulin-Mérat, General Director & CEO, Opera Columbus Chad Whittington, President & CEO, CAPA Remi Wörtmeyer, Artistic Director, BalletMet Your host is Amy Juravich, Host and Executive Producer of All Sides with Amy Juravich, 89.7 NPR News, WOSU Public Media. This forum was made possible by Carol A. McGuire Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund — Celebrating Arts and Culture. This forum was sponsored by The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Opera Columbus, Otterbein University, and WOSU Public Media. 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. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "The Secret Life of the American Musical," by Jack Viertel (2016).

    Raising the Curtain on Columbus' Cultural Future

  3. Aug 26

    Who's Watching? The Fight Over Flock Cameras

    Flock Safety's automated license plate readers are becoming a common sight across Central Ohio, helping police locate missing children, recover stolen vehicles, and solve crimes. But when does a public-safety tool become mass surveillance? With millions of ordinary drivers captured in these databases, how much privacy should Central Ohioans surrender for public safety? Can strong rules on warrants, data sharing, and searches preserve Flock's crime-fighting benefits while preventing abuse? Featuring: Trevor Chandler, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Flock Safety Gary Daniels, Legislative Director, ACLU of Ohio Nick Konves, Assistant Chief, Columbus Division of Police Emmanuel V. Remy, Columbus City Councilmember Your host is Anna Lynn Winfrey, Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream and promotional partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading We See it All: Liberty and Justice in the Age of Perpetual Surveillance, by Jon Fasman (2021). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 26, 2026.

    Who's Watching? The Fight Over Flock Cameras

  4. Aug 19

    From Long Lines to Logins: What Happens When Government Works Better for Everyone?

    People can order groceries, deposit checks, and manage their healthcare from a smartphone. So why does dealing with government still sometimes require paperwork, phone trees, waits, and multiple websites? Across Ohio and Central Ohio, that's changing. From the Ohio BMV's digital upgrades to COTA's "Tap to Pay" fare technology, local broadband efforts, and AI-enabled traffic management, public agencies are rethinking how government serves residents and businesses. The goal isn't just to digitize paperwork. It's to make public services more capable, faster, and centered on citizens. Who benefits when government goes digital? Can government funding be equally innovative across a huge spectrum of complex services? And what does it take to build public systems that are not only faster, but fairer? This week's forum unpacks how innovation, technology, and better design are helping public agencies earn trust, save time, lower barriers, boost Ohio's competitiveness, and even strengthen democracy. Featuring: Remard Colston, InnovateOhio Platform Administrator, State of Ohio Angel Mumma, Chief Administrative Officer, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; former Chief Financial Officer, COTA; and former Director of Finance, City of Dublin Daniel Poliquin, Principal, Digital Trust & Privacy / Government and Public Sector, Deloitte & Touche The host is Megan Kilgore, Co-Founder of BKC Group and Former Auditor for the City of Columbus. 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. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better, by Jennifer Pahlka (2023).

    From Long Lines to Logins: What Happens When Government Works Better for Everyone?

  5. Aug 12

    Designing a Democracy for the Next 250 Years

    America's experiment in democracy was designed and launched 250 years ago—and it hasn't stopped evolving since. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we reframe America's semiquincentennial not as a momentary celebration, but as a democratic handoff with a commitment to the future. Can the age-old promise of American democracy be refined, improved, nurtured, and preserved? With a panel of key thought leaders, we explore what the next era of democracy in America may demand, including ethical and corruption-free leadership, responsive institutions, stable and solid democratic norms, civic education, and redesigned systems and processes that better serve the public. Centering Ohio and Columbus as testing grounds, we ask how American communities can move from reflection to renewal—and what responsibility today's leaders and citizens have to future generations of Americans. Featuring: Robert Alt, President and CEO, The Buckeye Institute Rita McNeil Danish, Interim CEO, The Matriots Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Associate Professor of History, The Ohio State University The host is Lee Strang, Executive Director, Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, and Professor of Law, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University. This forum was sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co. CMC's forum partner was The League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus.  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. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World," by Jeremy Engels (2026) This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 12, 2026.

    Designing a Democracy for the Next 250 Years

  6. Aug 5

    Written in Stone: Ohio Women, Public Memory, and the New Statehouse Monument

    Public monuments tell us what a community chooses to remember — and who it chooses to see. For generations, the Ohio Statehouse grounds have honored presidents, governors, astronauts, and statesmen — but not actual women. That will change this fall, when the new Ohio Women's Monument is unveiled on Capitol Square, becoming the first monument on the Statehouse grounds to depict real women and their role in shaping Ohio's history. Ahead of the unveiling, we explore the story behind this landmark project: the women it honors, the artist bringing it to life, the public-private partnership making it possible, and the larger question of who gets remembered in the civic spaces we all share. As Ohio and the nation mark America's 250th birthday, we ask what it means to finally place women's courage, leadership, and fight for equality at the center of Ohio's public memory. Featuring: Brenda Councill, Ohio Women's Monument Artist and Sculptor Stephanie Kunze, Chair of the Ohio Women's Monument Commission, Capitol Square Foundation Board Member, and Former State of Ohio Senator Charley Moses, Capitol Square Foundation Board Chair The moderator is Charlene Brown, Co-Host, WOSU Public Media's "Columbus Neighborhoods" TV Series. CMC President & CEO Sophia Fifner delivers closing remarks.  This forum was sponsored by KeyBank. Our forum partner was the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus. 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. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. If you would like to dive more deeply into this topic, our friends at the Columbus Metropolitan Library suggest checking out "Buckeye Women: the History of Ohio's Daughters," by Stephanie Elise Booth, 2001. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 5, 2026.

    Written in Stone: Ohio Women, Public Memory, and the New Statehouse Monument

  7. Jul 29

    Racing to Build a New Midwest

    For generations, the Midwest built the products, industries, and institutions that powered America. Now we're racing to build what comes next: AI companies, advanced manufacturing ventures, health innovations, and more, all with new models of work and ownership. Across the region, founders are launching companies that are going to revolutionize how we manufacture, move, heal, learn, and live. What will this new Midwest look like? How can everyone contribute? How can more people benefit? Can Midwest cities collaborate instead of compete for the same talent and capital? Featuring: Brian Brackeen, Managing Partner, Lightship Anchor Fund Shannon McGhee, CEO, SEED SPOT Ted Velie, CEO, Midwest House, and Co-Founder, Start Midwest  Your host is Wolf Starr, Founder and CEO, Venture Atlas. This forum was sponsored by 614 Tech Week. CMC's forum partner was Midwest House.  The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The Idea Foundry. CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa. If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "Midwest Futures" by Phil Christman (2020). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Idea Foundry in Columbus, Ohio on July 29, 2026.

    Racing to Build a New Midwest

  8. Jul 22

    The Power of Showing Up: A New Case for Engagement

    Community need is growing while many people feel increasingly disconnected—from their neighbors, their workplaces, and even their sense of purpose. What if one solution could begin to address all three? In this Columbus Metropolitan Club forum, leaders from philanthropy, business, and the nonprofit sectors explore how volunteering and community engagement strengthen organizations, improve employee culture, and build healthier, more resilient communities. Featuring: Matthew Goldstein, CEO, Besa Carrie Maun-Smith, Assistant Vice President, Inclusive Culture, Change & Community Impact, Grange Insurance, and Foundation President, Grange Enterprise Gives Kerri Mollard, Founder and CEO, Mollard Consulting Your host is Janelle Coleman, President, American Electric Power Foundation. This forum was sponsored by The AEP Ohio Foundation, Besa, GBQ, Grange Insurance, Ian Alexander Photography, Installed Building Products, Mollard Consulting, and Taft Law. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch. This forum is 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 "Mastering Community: The Surprising Ways Coming Together Moves Us from Surviving to Thriving," by Christine Porath (2022). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on July 22, 2026.

    The Power of Showing Up: A New Case for Engagement
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About

Visionary speakers. Bold conversations. Meaningful connections. The Columbus Metropolitan Club cultivates big conversations, bold ideas, and meaningful connections that drive the region forward. For nearly 50 years, CMC has hosted weekly forums featuring visionary leaders — including CEOs, members of Congress, college presidents, UN ambassadors, artists, and other changemakers — sharing insights and discussion. Together, we examine issues that matter, exchange diverse perspectives, and forge connections that create a better Columbus. Whether it's a topic that impacts our local community, has global implications, or both, CMC participants leave our forums better educated, informed, and engaged. We invite you to join our community conversations each week. All CMC forums are recorded live in Columbus, Ohio.

Information

  • Creator
    Columbus Metropolitan Club
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2025 Columbus Metropolitan Club. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Community's Conversation

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