In 2022, the public media explored the political state of Ohio in the “Disconnected Democracy” series.

We live in a time of increasing party polarization. Back in May, we asked the people of Ohio where democracy works and where it doesn’t. As part of the Ohio Newsroom Collaboration: Democracy Disconnected, three public media stations including Ideastream, WOSU in Columbus, and WVXU in Cincinnati have teamed up to bring you a special program that dives deeper into some of the stories in this series, and We thought you’d like to listen again.

We know that Ohioans’ views on the democratic process are polarized. So earlier this year, reporters across the state asked ordinary residents about these issues. Where does democracy work and where does it not? Where is the common?

In this hour, we’ll take a look at the series as a whole, learn some of the lessons learned from the reporters involved in the project, and highlight some of the unique voices heard during the series.

WVXU will kick off the hour when we hear a conversation with people in the state who are trying to increase diverse representation in their local communities while maintaining civic engagement and preserving black history. WKSU will then take over and have a discussion with a Republican voter living in a blue district and a Democrat living in a predominantly red district about staying involved when your vote matters less. WOSU will then wrap up the show by talking to the series about the lessons learned from the state of our democracy in Ohio.

Tonight’s show is co-hosted by Rick Jackson, host of The Sound of Ideas at WKSU in Cleveland, Ann Fisher, host of All Sides with Ann Fisher at WOSU in Columbus, and Lucy May, host of Cincinnati Edition at WVXU in Cincinnati.

Guests:
– Rick Jackson, Host, The Sound of Ideas, WKSU Ideastream Public Media
– Ann Fisher, Host, All Sides with Ann Fisher, WOSU Public Media
– Lucy May, Host, Cincinnati Edition, WVXU Cincinnati Public Radio.
— Lauren Kelly, founder of Leaders for Change
-Dr. Tee Ford-Ahmed, Communications and Media Director, Mount Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society
-Michelle Weiss, Vice Mayor, University Heights
-Dr. Ed Singer, Retired Professor
-Shay Frank, freelance reporter
– Rene Fox, reporter, WOSU