The Other Side Podcast

In this special episode of the In Black and White podcast, we say goodbye and honor, co-host Dr. Terrance Dean. Dr. Dean passed away suddenly in 2022. Co-host, Scot Kirk, invites Dr. Dean's friends and colleagues including; Dr. Karen Powell-Sears, Amelia Robinson, Dr. Fareeda Griffith and Christopher Travers to talk about their memories of Dr. Dean and the impact he had on the community.  

Dr. Terrance Dean and Scot Kirk sit down with John H. Gregory, Founder of the National Center for Urban Solutions and National African American Male Wellness, along with Kenny Hampton, VP at African American Male Wellness Agency. The pair talked about the work that the organization does and Gregory reflects on his work throughout the years. Gregory says the reason for starting the organization was to curb Black male unemployment. However, they quickly realized that Black men's health issues were some of the primary causes of Black male unemployment. To create awareness about the health issues facing Black males the organization started an annual wellness walk. Gregory also says the organization is working hard to reverse the stigma of historically negative treatment of Black people by healthcare professionals. Hampton adds that COVID-19 exposed many of the underlying health issues affecting Black men. One of the goals of the organization is to encourage more men to prioritize their healthcare needs.

Dr. Terrance Dean and Scot Kirk talk to Columbus physician George W. Barnett Jr.,  who specializes in family medicine at OhioHealth Physician Group, about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare in the Black community.  Dr. Barnett says COVID exacerbated existing health disparities. With so many people unable to see a primary care doctor during the early months of the pandemic, those communities already disadvantaged in health care access saw higher death rates from COVID and other diseases. Historical factors that sowed distrust in the Black community towards health care providers have created another barrier to better health. Barnett also emphasizes the importance of having a good relationship with your doctor and finding a physician whom you can trust. 

Podcast hosts Dr. Terrance Dean and Scot Kirk speak with Dr. James Moore III, vice provost for diversity and inclusion at Ohio State University, about the impact of COVID-19 on Black college students living on campus. Moore talks about his work at the Bell National Resource Center for the African American Male and its mission to mitigate some of the barriers preventing Black men from being successful. Moore also says the classroom experiences faced by many Black men amount to "educational malpractice." 

A major change is coming to how Columbus chooses its City Council members. Two years from now, nine districts will be created, each represented by a council member, with winners for all of the districts chosen in a citywide vote. Candidates must live in the district they wish to represent. To explain the change, In Black and White podcast host Scot Kirk along with Dr. Terrance Dean talked to Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel Remy and City of Columbus legal counsel Niyah Walters.   

In Black and White podcast hosts Dr. Terrance Dean and Scot Kirk talk to Columbus artist Queen Brooks about her most recent works, which were inspired by the pandemic and by the current social and political turmoil in the United States. Brooks — whose works comprise drawings, paintings, print making and mixed media —  said she wants to create pieces that foster hope in these troubled times. She also reflects on her career as an artist, and why she finds inspiration in the talents of today's younger artists. Finally, Brooks gives advice on collecting art for those just starting out, or those who don't have a lot of money but want to expand their collections.

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, speak with Columbus City Council Woman, Shayla Favor, about the City of Columbus' eviction assistance program, which is part of the city's stable housing initiative. The Council Woman talks about some of the specifics of the program, such as how to qualify and what resources are available to renters.  Favor also talks about her passion for fixing the housing problem and how systemic racism disproportionately affects people of color when it comes to having adequate housing. 

Several high-profile incidents of racism have recently occurred in soccer worldwide. The Other Side host Scot Kirk talks to sports writer and author Edward Akinyemi about what's fueling the racism, and why Black soccer players so often find themselves the object of hate and abuse. Racist abuse comes from fans in the stands, other players on the pitch, game officials, sports writers and broadcasters, and online trolls. Contributing to the often toxic environment in soccer is how Black athletes are  stereotyped in the media, with their talents reduced to physical prowess, while white athletes are more frequently praised for having mental qualities like determination and strategic thinking. Finally, Akinyemi explains why soccer never took off in the U.S. like it has elsewhere and what can be done to increase the sport's popularity here.

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the killing of a George Floyd, a Black man, by a white Minneapolis police offer who knelt with his knee on Floyd's neck. The video shot by a bystander sparked worldwide outrage. Tens of thousands of Americans took to the streets to protest racial injustice, and a national awakening spurred a top-to-bottom look at racial equality and social justice. In this podcast, reporters and columnists from Ohio's Gannett newspapers come together to discuss the reaction in their own cities to George Floyd's murder. You'll also hear how the events of 2020 changed the way newspapers cover communities of color, as well as personal reflections from these journalists on their experiences and how they now approach issues of race and inequality in their reporting.

Dr. Terrance Dean leads a discussion with three Black scholars and intellectuals regarding the shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant, a teenage girl shot and killed by a Columbus police officer. Dr. Karen Powell Sears, Dr. Drexler James and Marcelius Braxton share their opinions on what the case means for young Black women around the country. Braxton, an assistant dean at Capital University's law school and the author of an op-ed column on the subject for the Dispatch, says that the Bryant case exposes a dirty secret in American culture — Black girls are often treated as if they are adults, and innocence is not afforded to them as it is to their white female peers. Powell Sears, a sociology professor at Denison University, attributes the cause of society's treatment of Black girls to racist tropes that have been perpetuated since the slave trade.  Drexler, a psychology professor at Denison, discusses how racist theories alleging Blacks are physically stronger, faster and larger than whites have also played a role in how society views Black girls. All the speakers refer to the term "adultification" — that Black girls who are still very much children are treated as grown-ups.

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk have a conversation with Jean-Philippe Dorval, Advocacy and Public Policy Liaison for the Prevention Action Alliance, regarding his op-ed column in the Dispatch about negotiating his Blackness.

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, discuss with Erik Farley, Senior Vice President of Equity and Inclusion for the YMCA of Central Ohio, the importance of getting residents from different communities and cultures to talk to each other. Farley says having a dialogue creates opportunities to build trust, and from that trust can develop plans of action to address inequities in our society. But it all starts from talking to one another, because that's the first step to allow individuals from different ethnic, racial, religious and cultural backgrounds to develop true empathy for their fellow human beings.

"The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, and Dr. Terrance Dean speak with Densil Porteous, executive director of Stonewall Columbus and CEO of the venture capital fund Pride Fund 1. Porteous has written an opinion column in The Dispatch on the lack of diversity in business leadership. As a Black queer man in the business world, Porteous says he needs to be visible so that others like him can see that success in a corporate environment is possible. But being present in the room is not enough, Porteous said. Those in positions of power also have a responsibility to speak up when they see a lack of diversity and inclusion in the businesses and organizations they manage.

Worthington Board of Education member Sam Shim — the first Asian-American elected to political office in central Ohio — tells The Other Side he is personally afraid and often looks over his shoulder after recent attacks in the U.S. against Asian-Americans. Some of the blame for this violence must be borne by political figures, Shim says, who sought to scapegoat Asian-Americans for the COVID-19 pandemic by using terms like "China Virus" or "Kung Flu." Shim says the attacks have created a cultural shift among Asian-Americans, who were traditionally reluctant to speak out about the racism they face. He believes that the Asian-American community must partner with allies such as the Black Lives Matter movement to push for racial justice and a more inclusive society.

The disruptions to schooling caused by the coronavirus pandemic made 2020 an especially difficult year for children and their parents. But what's it been like for the teachers? The Other Side talked to East Linden elementary kindergarten teacher Deborah Staples about her experiences as an educator during the COVID-19 outbreak. Staples says it was hard for her not being in the classroom with the children. Although she believes students do best when they are learning in-person, holding classes remotely revealed insights about her students and their situations that she might not have discovered otherwise. Staples shares what it's been like trying to get six-year-olds to keep their masks on, and the ongoing challenge of keeping them safe and socially distanced. And she opens up about concerns she had for her own safety after returning to the classroom. Finally, Staples offers advice for parents struggling to comfort and assist their children during this challenging time.

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, speak with Erin Upchurch, executive director of ​Kaleidoscope Youth Center, and Karen Hewitt, the center's deputy director. Together the two authored a op-ed column for The Dispatch on the racism and discrimination faced by Black queer and trans young people. Black queer youths experience disproportionate rates of school discipline, lower graduation rates, and lower academic achievement, Hewitt said. Upchurch believes Black queer young people often lack support from family and community, and they need a safe space where they can be themselves. And while Black queer youths face both racism and hate for how they express their gender and sexuality, Hewitt and Upchurch also discuss whether being Black, or being queer, poses more difficulties in contemporary U.S. society. >> Click here to listen to the entire series >> Read more: Opinion: Safe environment needed for Black transgender youth

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, talk to Kyle Strickland, senior legal analyst at Ohio State's Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity about his Dispatch op-ed column on confronting systems of power.  Strickland says we're living in an accountability moment. With the racial justice protests in 2020 and the focus on systemic racism in the aftermath, there has been a push for unity without addressing what accountability means. Strickland also believes we must speak truth to power and not allow disinformation to thrive in this society: we can't think one or two reforms are going to get us where we need to be as a nation. Column | In Black & White: Achieving racial equity requires confronting systems of power

Ohio State economics professor Trevon Logan joins Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host Scot Kirk to talk about Logan's recent column in The Dispatch on how policies enacted decades ago to keep neighborhoods segregated still affect cities today. Logan explains how decisions on where to build highways, zoning for new housing developments, and redlining of neighborhoods kept Blacks s in less desirable areas of cities and hindered them from accumulating the wealth that comes from home ownership. Logan also argues that since segregation is the result of deliberate policy decisions, that's why he supports reparations for African-Americans.

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, ask Antioch College history professor Kevin McGruder what an antiracist is and how all Ohioans can strive to be antiracist. McGruder mentions five ways we can support antiracist policies. McGruder also explains the history behind racist policies in Ohio, and how obtaining racial equality is in the interest not just of Blacks, but of all Ohioans. And he discusses whether Black people can be racist.

Marcelius Braxton talks to Scot Kirk — host of "The Other Side" podcast — and to Dr. Terrance Dean about Braxton's recent Columbus Dispatch op-ed column about Blacks being percieved as dangerous without cause.  Braxton, assistant dean of students at Capital University Law School, says the erroneous perception that Black people are dangerous is the source of many of the racial and equality issues facing the country today.  He also talks about how Blacks are regularly dehumanized in ways that whites rarely are and Braxton offers suggestions on how to combat the problem.

Dr. Terrance Dean and "The Other Side" podcast host, Scot Kirk, talk to Dr. Karen Powell Sears about her recent Dispatch op-ed column on systemic racism and white privilege. The Denison University sociology professor explains the history behind racist practices in the real estate and banking industries that were implemented to restrict Black home ownership. Even though some of those practices are now illegal, the legacy of those practices still hurts Black communities today. Powell Sears also explains why race is a construct, and why ignoring racism puts us at risk for repeating our mistakes.

In part 2 of The Other Side’s interview with former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, he talks about why he opposes calls to defund police departments, and why he remains optimistic about the country’s future despite recent tumultuous times. Coleman reminisces about seeing Dr. Martin Luther King in person, at a rally in Toledo when Coleman was growing up. Coleman also shares personal experiences with racism he faced even as mayor, including when a police officer refused to shake his hand. And he talks about whether he misses being the leader of Ohio’s largest city. Listen to Pt.1: Former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman on protests, police and racism 

The Other Side asks former Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman his take on the protests in the city sparked by the death of George Floyd, and how Columbus police and city officials reacted.  Coleman says police reform is needed, and change also needs to be embraced within the Columbus Division of Police as well as the police union if there is to be any trust between officers and communities of color. We also find out what Coleman means by "radical middle," and why he thinks we need more of it. The former mayor also shares his personal experiences with racism. Listen to Pt. 1: Former Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman on defunding police and missing his old job

The Other Side returns, interviewing two young Black journalists on their experiences amid the George Floyd protests. Tanisha Thomas and Gershon Herell, who are interns this summer at The Columbus Dispatch, describe their experiences studying journalism in college, and what schools can do to be more inclusive to students of color.They also speak candidly about what it was like covering the protests and how they were personally affected. And they also take a hard look at what The Dispatch can do to increase diversity in its own newsroom.

The Other Side talks criminal justice reform with Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. Klein explains why he decided to implement bail reform, is no longer prosecuting misdemeanor marijuana cases and why he instituted a diversion program. He also responds to a claim made by the Ohio Attorney General that Klein has created an “island of lawlessness” in Franklin County. Note: This episode was recorded in-studio prior to Ohio’s stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus.

Pranav Jani, an English professor at Ohio State, talks about his role in the protest, which led to the arrests of two Columbus Freedom Coalition members at January’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Breakfast. Jani explains why being disruptive is what protests are all about, and how, in his view, King himself would have opposed their arrests.  

In the final part of our interview with Columbus Board of Education member James Ragland, we debate whether tax abatements encourage gentrification and harm those families with kids in the Columbus City Schools. Ragland also shares his opinion on whether teachers should be armed, and he drops hints about future political plans.     Part 1: School board member looks to hold teachers accountable

In part 1 of a two-part series, James Ragland updates The Other Side guys on his priorities since joining the Columbus Board of Education a year ago. Ragland says the district has a problem with excessive teacher absences, and he’s unhappy that the district often hires contractors from the suburbs instead of companies based in Columbus. >> Part 2: School board member defends use of tax abatements

Rod Blough talks about how his life has changed since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He talks about what scares him the most as he copes with the disease, and how patients in the early stage of Alzheimer’s can prepare themselves for what's to come. We also hear from Tricia Bingham and Vince McGrail from the Central Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association about what their organization is doing to help both patients and their families.

William Hammond believes in carrying firearms and letting everyone know about it. And he says black people would be safer if more were openly carrying weapons and wearing body armor, like he did at a rally outside the Democratic candidates’ debate in Westerville in October.

Dr. Emily Krichbaum, founder of the nonprofit ‘Remember the Ladies’ organization, talks about the curriculum she’s developed to help school districts increase and improve the teaching of women’s history. Krichbaum believes young girls, and boys, need to learn about the influential roles women have played throughout American history. She also gives us her top picks for history’s most fascinating women.

What is “implicit bias”? Dr. Quinn Capers of The Ohio State University talks about how biases can can affect the quality of healthcare you receive. Dr. Capers explains why testing for biases in healthcare is essential and why having implicit biases doesn’t mean you are a “bad person.” He even goes over the results of Lucas and Scot’s own implicit bias tests. Click here to take the tests

Horsed Noor, director of Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center, talks to The Other Side about the chilling effects on the Somali-American community of the anti-immigrant sentiment stoked by President Trump. Noor discusses how the charged atmosphere is changing the way Somali families go about their lives, and he reveals what he says to his own children about Trump’s rhetoric.

The Reverend Frederick LaMarr, pastor of Family Missionary Baptist Church, talks about why it was important to arrange a meeting between a Columbus police officer and the man whom the officer punched, a punch that was captured on video. LaMarr, who holds traditional views about marriage and family, also discusses whether a gay presidential candidate could earn his vote.

Karim Ali, an African American LGBTQ law partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, sits down with the Other Side to give his perspective on being black and gay in the legal field. Ali also talks about why law firms often have difficulties finding minority job candidates, and he discusses whether blacks who work in white-dominated offices are tokens.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien talks to The Other Side to answer criticism that his office is biased in favor of police officers when allegations of police misconduct are raised. O’Brien also talks about drug sentencing reform and steps he has taken to improve the relationship between the prosecutor’s office and the black community.

Former NFL star and black conservative Burgess Owens talks to the Other Side guys about why he vehemently rejects the premise of reparations for African-Americans and why he believes that it is the Democratic party that should pay reparations if anyone has to, because of their treatment of blacks in America. Owens also talks about how reparations promotes an attitude of victimhood and why blacks should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

Humanists put their faith in human beings rather than a god, in this episode of The Other Side, we learn about humanism and what humanists believe. Nathan B. Weller and Ben Iten from the Humanist Community of Central Ohio discuss the humanist view of what happens to us when we die, and they explain the difference between humanism and atheism. They also talk about their own faith journeys, and how their beliefs have cost them relationships.

National dollar-store chains have proliferated in recent years, and so has controversy about whether the stores really benefit the neighborhoods where they are located. John Sherman Lathram III, vice-chairman of the North Linden Area Commission in Columbus, and Erica Thompson, assistant editor at Columbus Alive magazine, sit down with the Other Side to discuss the economic impact of dollar stores and how these stores affect nutrition in at-risk neighborhoods.

Jordan Johnson, a senior at Pickerington North High School, talks to the Other Side about a controversial Black History Month program organized by her and other students. Johnson says she was bewildered and saddened by the response of some parents, who accused the history program of criticizing police because it dealt with officer-involved shootings of blacks. Johnson says that, despite the controversy, the experience helped bring students at her school together. Plus, Lucas and Scot discuss whether slavery gets too much attention when American history museums create exhibits on the black experience.

Private investigator Cerise Allen joins the conversation via phone while on live surveillance, and attorney Sean Walton visits the studio to talk about the lives of two well-known Columbus activists who recently died. Rubén Castilla Herrera  —who appeared on the The Other Side in 2018 to talk about sanctuary cities and the plight of undocumented immigrants — died unexpectedly April 7, 2019. Amber Evans, the face of many community protests, went missing in January 2019 was found dead in the Scioto River on March 23. Both Allen and Walton express concern that Evans’ death may not have been given the level of attention is deserved by Columbus police. The episode closes on a lighter note with a trivia rematch between the hosts and Walton to find out who is really the trivia champion.

Alana Jochum, Executive Director of Equality Ohio, tells The Other Side how having only a patchwork of local communities that prohibit discrimination means Ohio’s LGBTQ community face having their civil rights in jeopardy on their daily commute to work or school. Jochum is pushing for the passage of the Ohio Fairness Act, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the laws that make discrimination illegal in the Ohio. We also talk about why Jochum believes current laws aren't enough and how the Ohio Fairness Act would affect employers and non-LGBTQ people.

Dawn Dickson, Columbus native and founder and CEO of 'PopCom' and 'Flat Out of Heels' shoes, sits down with The Other Side to talk about how she got her start in tech, her inspiration for a shoe vending machine, and how that has led to her owning multiple businesses and pursuing ambitious goals. Dickson also talks about women of color in the tech industry and how to encourage more kids to study science and math. She also gives would-be entrepreneurs some keen advice on finding funding and starting a business.

In part two of our interview with former Franklin County Auditor and Republican Clarence Mingo, he gives his take on Virginia's governor wearing blackface and why racism is not limited to Republican party. Mingo also says blacks should demand more from both political parties and that Republicans need to do more to court black voters. Finally, we talk about why he supports Collin Kaepernicks position on police abuse but condemns his method of protest.

Politicians aren’t usually so candid about sensitive issues, but former Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo doesn’t mind opening himself up to The Other Side. Mingo talks about the open racism and hostility he faced growing up and the health issues he attributes to his military service in the Gulf War. He also talks about his thoughts on being labeled a 'token black' in his party. Mingo also doesn't hold back regarding his feelings on President Trump and why he feels Trump is leading the Republican party in the wrong direction.

Achea Redd, wife of former Ohio State and NBA basketball star Michael Redd, sits down with The Other Side to share her personal struggles with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and how her own experiences led her to found an organization called Real Girls F.A.R.T. to help other women. Redd also talks about how being an NBA wife actually exacerbated her illness and why she's glad her son is a "momma's boy." Our chat wraps up with her thoughts on how to combat the stigma that keeps some in the black community from seeking treatment for mental health issues.

In the wake of renewed allegations that singer R. Kelly sexually abused young women and girls, Eastmoor Academy's girls basketball coach Charity Martin-King talks to The Other Side about protecting girls from predators and what measures she and her staff take to ensure her players are safe. Martin-King also discusses whether an artist's work should be judged separately from personal behavior, and Michael Jackson doesn’t get a pass.

We have put together some of our favorite interviews and clips from this year, plus some of our most popular episodes with listeners. We even included some never heard before segments.

Tyrone Smith, project director for the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio, tells 'The Other Side' why it's challenging for native people to feel connected to the central Ohio community. Smith also addresses the issue of people claiming Native American ancestry and why some do so for the wrong reasons. And he clarifies whether using the word "Indian" to describe native people is offensive.

'The Other Side' gets an update from Robert McClendon, who was released from prison a decade ago. DNA evidence exonerated McClendon after he spent 18 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit. McClendon, who had been featured in an award-winning Dispatch investigative series, talks about how he felt once he was free and what he has been doing since his release.   He also talks about his case and why he isn't bitter despite losing so many years of his life behind bars. Assault charge dismissed for man who had been wrongfully imprisoned