PODCAST · news
Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson
by Jaden Jefferson Reports
The weekly Northwest Ohio public affairs show that brings nonprofit leaders, candidates, public officials, policy experts, and headlines into focus — the community focus. New episodes every Sunday at 11 a.m.
Episodes
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Community Focus: State Representative Elgin Rogers (D) OH-42
State Representative Elgin Rogers (D) OH-42 has joined the newly-formed Ohio Trucking Caucus and proposed bipartisan legislation to designate June as 'Male Wellness Month.' He's on this week's Community Focus to talk about both.
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Community Focus | Stephanie Metzger-Lawrence: Digital Producer, Ideastream Public Media
On this week's edition of Community Focus, I'm joined by Stephanie Metzger-Lawrence, a digital producer for Cleveland NPR affiliate Ideastream Public Media. We're discussing the potential for Medicaid cuts, as well as how the state — and individuals — are responding.
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Community Focus: Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski
Issue 2, the statewide ballot measure to allocate $2.5 billion in state bonds for local infrastructure projects, over ten years, passed this week. To understand how important those dollars are to Ohio's communities, I'm joined on Community Focus by Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski.
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Community Focus: Dr. Melissa Miller, Political Science Professor at Bowling Green State University
What does Bowling Green State University's April poll of Ohio voters reveal about their feelings toward the candidates for governor in 2026, Trump administration, and policy matters? Political Science Professor Dr. Melissa Miller lays it out, on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Harold Harris, (I) Toledo Mayoral Candidate
He's another independent candidate for mayor of Toledo: Harold Harris, a former Air Force veteran. Harris is often seen around town holding large signs, a prominently display of his view on the issues. He joins me on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, (D) Toledo
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz is seeking a third term in office. He joins me on Community Focus to make his case for another four years, provide a view of where the city is headed, and respond to ongoing challenges.
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Community Focus: Mayoral Candidate Roberto Torres (I)
Roberto Torres is an independent who's seeking the office of mayor in Toledo. He's my guest on this week's Community Focus, to discuss his previous experience, economic plans, on thoughts on the city's future.
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Community Focus | Pierce Reed: Director of Policy and Engagement, Ohio Innocence Project
How do wrongful convictions happen? In what ways are lives harmed by them? Why is it so difficult to legislate a fix to the problem? The Ohio Innocence Project's director of policy and engagement, Pierce Reed, answers these questions on Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Dr. Brittany Jones, At-Large Member of Toledo City Council
On this week's Community Focus, my guest is Dr. Brittany Jones, an at-large member of Toledo City Council. We're discussing her series of listening sessions, the issues residents are telling her need to be solved, and priorities she already has.
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Community Focus: State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, (D) OH-11
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D) OH-11. I'm asking her about the party-line disagreements surrounding Senate Bill 56, which would amend the recreational cannabis law that voters approved.
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Community Focus: Alona Matchenko, Toledo Helps Ukraine
Today marks year three of Russia's war in Ukraine. And on last week's Community Focus, to discuss her organization's humanitarian aid efforts, Alona Matchenko of Toledo Helps Ukraine joined me.
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Community Focus | Baldemar Velasquez: President, Farm Labor Organizing Committee
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids across the country, creating concern for undocumented workers. Baldemar Velasquez, president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, offers Northwest Ohio insight on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Dr. Ewart Skinner, Former Africana Studies Professor
Dating back to the early 90's, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have been engaged in a complicated power struggle. I'm discussing it with BGSU communications professor Dr. Ewart Skinner, who formerly taught an Africana Studies course.
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Community Focus | Julie Embree: Executive Director, Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board
On this week's Community Focus, Julie Embree — executive director of the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board — discusses the local trend regarding homelessness, need for affordable housing, and youth most-at-risk for becoming unhoused.
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Community Focus: Lucas County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi
It's a trifecta: the flu, COVID, and norovirus. To provide a regional look at what's most concerning out of the three, Lucas County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi joins me on Community Focus.
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Community Focus | Burma Stewart: Interim Director, Lucas County Department of Workforce Development
Lucas County currently has the highest unemployment rate in Ohio. However, the full story is a little more complex than that. Burma Stewart, interim director at the Lucas County Department of Workforce Development, offers clarity on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus | Mac Driscoll: At-Large Member, Toledo City Council
Toledo City Council At-Large Member Mac Driscoll, on this week's Community Focus, chimes in on the mayor's proposed budget for 2025 — and discusses what he's heard from residents.
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Community Focus: Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki
The Board of Lucas County Commissioners has passed the county's 2025 budget, though it wasn't without challenges. Commissioner Lisa Sobecki is my guest on this week's Community Focus, to discuss how the process played out.
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Community Focus: Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has pitched his 2025 budget proposal to Toledo City Council, and now, joins me on Community Focus to make his pitch to you. He also looks back on 2024's successes and shortcomings.
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Community Focus | Jason Hibbs: Producer & Reporter, 'Rethinking Jails + Justice' Podcast, WGTE
Jason Hibbs is the producer and reporter for PBS affiliate WGTE's 'Rethinking Jails + Justice' podcast, funded by a grant to explore safely reducing jail populations. Hibbs also hosted a second town hall on Thursday as part of the project, but before that, joined me for this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus | Dr. Melissa Miller: Professor of Political Science, Bowling Green State University
This week, Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown lost his reelection bid to Republican Bernie Moreno. And joining me on this week's Community Focus is Dr. Melissa Miller, professor of political science at Bowling Green State University, with her analysis. (Originally published at…
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Community Focus | Lori King: Editor-In-Chief, Toledo Free Press
What was once an institution in Toledo journalism is making a comeback. I'm chatting with Lori King, editor-in-chief of the new digital-only, donor-supported iteration of the Toledo Free Press, on this week's Community Focus!
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Community Focus | Thomas Winston: President and CEO, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
On the ballot for Lucas County residents is an $8 per year, for every $100,000 of home value, port authority levy. So what's behind the ask? Thomas Winston, president and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, joins me on this week's Community Focus with an answer.
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Community Focus | Chad Bringman: Exec. Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio
I had the pleasure of chatting with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio Executive Director Chad Bringman, last Friday, during the organization's radio version of a telethon (a radio-thon 😉). Here's this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus | Mona Shousher: Board Member, Cherished Friends of Ahava
What does a spa day do for someone fighting cancer? Mona Shousher is a board member for 'Cherished Friends of Ahava,' a nonprofit organization that provides just that. She joins me on Community Focus to offer more insight.
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Community Focus | Sonia Flunder-McNair: Executive Director, Urban Wholistics
Urban Wholistics in Toledo is part of a new pilot program in the state for youth farmers. The organization's founder and executive director, Sonia Flunder-McNair, joins me on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken (D)
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by the incumbent in the Lucas County commissioner's race, Pete Gerken (D). He's responding to his opponent's remarks on last week's show, while also discussing current challenges and progress.
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Community Focus: Tom Waniewski (R), candidate for Lucas County commissioner
A former member of Toledo City Council, Republican Tom Waniewski is now running to unseat Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken. He joins me on this week's Community Focus, to discuss how he'd lead in the position, if elected.
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Community Focus | Jessica Mack: Community Outreach Manager, Toledo Museum of Art
For this week's Community Focus, I took a trip to check out the latest exhibition at The Toledo Museum of Art — which exclusively features the work of artists over the age of 55. Community Outreach Manager Jessica Mack joins me to explain.
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Community Focus: Parker Hardy, Nephew of Dee Ann Warner
After three years of searches, an end to the mystery of what happened to Dee Ann Warner. Remains found on property owned by her husband, Dale, have been positively identified as Dee's. Her nephew, Parker Hardy, sits down for an interview on Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Lori Balogh, Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Today, I'm serving as a presenter — after also judging — for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities' CommUNITY Film Fest! But before I do that, Lori Balogh from the board joins me on Community Focus to discuss its mission.
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Community Focus | Rundown Edition: Election 2024 - Debates and the Midwest
I do it only every so often: a Community Focus Rundown Edition! In place of the typical interview format of Community Focus, I make sense of the news. And in the case of this show, developments in the presidential race.
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Community Focus | Martha Vetter: Founder & Trustee, Chicks for Charity
On this week's Community Focus, I sit down with the founder and trustee of 'Chicks for Charity,' Martha Vetter, to discuss what her organization is all about — as well as how it continues to evolve.
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Community Focus: Logan Sander & Ruth Chang of 'Midstory'
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Editorial Director Logan Sander and Creative Director Ruth Chang — both of 'Midstory' — to discuss their new exhibit on the regional impacts of climate change.
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Community Focus | Karen Kasler: Chief, Statehouse News Bureau
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by the chief of the Statehouse News Bureau in Columbus — Karen Kasler — to discuss the events of the Republican National Convention, as well as her reporting on the U.S. Senate race here in Ohio.
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Community Focus | McKaia Dykema: Legislative Research Manager, National League of Cities
On this week's Community Focus, legislative research manager for the National League of Cities, McKaia Dykema, discusses her group's differing perspective on the Supreme Court's ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson.
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Community Focus: Marcus Roth, Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that cities can fine homeless individuals who sleep in public. Marcus Roth, spokesperson for the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, joins me on Community Focus with his group's perspective.
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Community Focus | Caleb Hutton: Local News Editor, Daily Herald (Everett, Washington)
The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington recently had 12 members of its reporting team laid off, as new management aims to cut costs. But with this being a trend nationwide, the paper's union is fighting back. The paper's local news editor, Caleb Hutton, joins me on Community Focus.
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Community Focus (The Pre-Debate Show)
Did you hear? There's a presidential debate Thursday! And I'm getting you set, with the Community Focus Pre-Debate Show. From the rules of the debate to the candidates and the issues, I'll have you well-prepared!
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Community Focus | Eddie Campos: President, Northwest Ohio Realtors
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Eddie Campos, real estate agent and president of Northwest Ohio Realtors, to discuss the struggles of today's homebuyer, how the housing shortage will be solved, and tips he has.
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Community Focus: Kristy Gerlett, Former TV News Reporter
On this week's Community Focus, former Toledo TV news reporter Kristy Gerlett's own story. After traumatically witnessing her mother's death from a medical emergency, she now faces a probate court battle, which has taught her lessons she wants to share.
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Community Focus | Tricia Cullop: Head Women's Basketball Coach, Miami Hurricanes
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Miami Hurricanes Head Women's Basketball Coach Tricia Cullop, to discuss her time in the Glass City, reaction to having so much local support in her move, and starting fresh in South Florida.
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Community Focus (Rundown Edition) | Memorial Day Weekend
On this Memorial Day Weekend edition of Community Focus, just the headlines. From Trump's hush money trial 🏛 to Biden's Ohio ballot battle 🗳️ to a new poll on Americans' assessment of the economy 💴 to a group of Senators' letter to Canada 🇨🇦
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Community Focus | Savannah Marten: Executive Director, The Pregnancy Center (Bella Vita Network)
Mom's House is where mothers from The Pregnancy Center are, at times, referred to continue their journey. However, growing need has strained that relationship. But The Pregnancy Center's executive director has good news, on this week's Community Focus!
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Community Focus: Tim Shriver, Board Chair of Special Olympics & Nephew of JFK
His mother, Eunice (sister of JFK), visited Sunshine Communities in 1963. And now, in 2024, Tim Shriver — who serves as the board chair for Special Olympics (which his mother founded) — returns to NW Ohio for Sunshine's 75th anniversary celebration. I caught up with him before his remarks!
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Community Focus | Brooke Schlageter: Executive Director, Partners in Education
Partners in Education is a local nonprofit that understands schools and teachers are stretched thin, which is why they offer classroom solutions. I speak with Executive Director Brooke Schlageter, on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus | Sky Beckwith: Incoming Chair, Lucas County Democratic Party
The Lucas County Democratic Party, this week, announced its new chairwoman. Sky Beckwith sits down to talk her prior experience, plans for this big election year, and message for unenthused voters — on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus | Sam Nelson: Associate Professor of Political Science, The University of Toledo
Abortion? The economy? Immigration? Big issues for voters. Foreign policy? Depends on who you ask. That's why I'm asking questions to Sam Nelson, associate political science professor at the University of Toledo, on this week's Community Focus.
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Community Focus: Channon Craig of the Toledo Early Learning Coalition
On this week's Community Focus, I'm joined by Channon Craig of the Toledo Early Learning Coalition, to discuss the coalition's work and the benefits of having a community filled with learners who begin their journeys early.
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Community Focus | David Mann: President & CEO, Lucas County Land Bank
On this week's Community Focus, Lucas County Land Bank President & CEO David Mann joins me to discuss the land bank's latest project and the surprising things you may not know the land bank can do for you.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The weekly Northwest Ohio public affairs show that brings nonprofit leaders, candidates, public officials, policy experts, and headlines into focus — the community focus. New episodes every Sunday at 11 a.m.
HOSTED BY
Jaden Jefferson Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson have?
Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson currently has 184 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson about?
The weekly Northwest Ohio public affairs show that brings nonprofit leaders, candidates, public officials, policy experts, and headlines into focus — the community focus. New episodes every Sunday at 11 a.m.
How often does Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson release new episodes?
Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson publishes regularly with 184 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson?
You can listen to Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson?
Community Focus with Jaden Jefferson is created and hosted by Jaden Jefferson Reports.
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