JUSTUS with Jack & Gonzo
Social justice means applying the law equally to all people. But in practice, that doesn’t always happen. We’re business and trial lawyers with over 60 years experience of practice. Together, we practice law, we seek social justice, and we reveal the conflict between the two. And in this podcast, we bring together guests from a variety of backgrounds to discuss the current issues surrounding social justice and the inequity between these issues and their relation to the legal system. Join with us, so that it’s not Just Us.
Mon, March 31, 2025
101. Governing by Executive Orders
President Trump has signed more executive orders in his first 10 days and in his first month in office than any recent president has in their first 100 days. Trump critics say the orders greatly exceed his constitutional authority . Those orders range from tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, to pauses on foreign aid and crackdowns on illegal immigration to bans on transgender people serving in the military and the use of federal funds for gender-affirming medical care for minors. Court challenges to Trump’s policies started on Inauguration Day and have continued at a furious pace since Jan. 20. The administration is facing some 70 lawsuits nationwide challenging his executive orders and moves to downsize the federal government. The Republican-controlled Congress is putting up little resistance, so the court system is ground zero for pushback. Judges have issued more than a dozen orders at least temporarily blocking aspects of Trump’s agenda, ranging from an executive order to end U.S. citizenship extended automatically to people born in this country to giving Musk’s team access to sensitive federal data. Executive Actions: 108, Executive Orders: 73, Proclamations: 23, Memorandums: 12 Mark Brown, Constitutional Law expert and professor at Capital University Law School talks with us about the constitutionality of executive orders. Mark holds Capital's Newton D. Baker/Baker & Hostetler Chair. He joined the faculty in 2003 after having taught at Stetson University, the University of Illinois and The Ohio State University. Mark has authored and co-authored works in various books and academic journals, including the Boston College Law Review, the Cornell Law Review, the Hastings Law Journal, the Iowa Law Review, the University of Illinois Law Review, the Ohio State Law Journal, the American University Law Review, and the Oregon Law Review, as well as others. Prior to academia, Mark clerked for the Honorable Harry Wellford, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He also served as a Supreme Court Fellow under the Chief Justice of the United States during the 1993 October Term. Mark's research interests include Constitutional Law and Constitutional Litigation, courses he also teaches. He has also taught Civil Procedure, Administrative Law, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure. His public interest litigation presently focuses on public access to the political process.
Wed, March 19, 2025
100. The Role of Religion in Politics
Most Americans go to church expecting to hear about salvation, morality and scripture. They don't anticipate hardball political endorsements. But some churches thrive on delivering politics from the pulpit. Sure, pastors are citizens, too. And so in other venues, such as op-eds, blogs, books, and other places of influence, a pastor may speak his mind. Even so, he must jealously guard that influence and always speak winsomely. As a gospel minister, he shouldn’t make politics more important than his pastoral duties. The tax code prevents religious institutions from serving as political machines, a concept in keeping with the separation of church and state our founding fathers envisioned. Pastors cannot make declarations to favor or oppose any candidate from the pulpit. They cannot take money from the collection plate and give it to support a candidate. And if they want to participate in any partisan activity in their personal capacity, they must make sure it is done in a manner indicating it is separate from their religious institution. The Rev. Dr. Timothy C. Ahrens began his ministry as Senior Minister of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in downtown Columbus on January 23, 2000. A church known for its witness to social justice since its birth as an abolitionist congregation in 1852, Rev. Ahrens is the fifth consecutive senior minister from Yale Divinity School and is a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Ahrens is a 1980 graduate of Macalester College with a double major in Religious Studies and Political Science. Since January 2000, under his leadership, First Church has doubled in membership during an era when seven downtown churches have closed their doors. Rev. Ahrens earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in May 2015. His thesis was entitled: “Young and Growing Stronger: Creating a Model of 21st Century Prophetic Witness Leaders with a New Generation.” He is currently working on two books.
Mon, March 10, 2025
99. Where the criminal justice system falls short
The judicial system moves at glacial speed, and it isn’t inclined to accept that it’s flawed. Its shortcomings are most glaring with criminal cases. If a convicted person is able to come upon new evidence that wasn’t available during the trial, no matter how significant the evidence may be, the process of getting a new trial is slow and doubtful. There’s no guarantee a new trial will be granted. The first step is for the trial court judge to just agree to a hearing on whether a new trial is warranted. And judges have the discretion to deny that hearing. Shouldn’t it be mandatory that a hearing on new evidence be granted? Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly has been an advocate for improving the system. He questions why prosecutors oppose a mandatory hearing. “They should welcome legislation like this because if the claim doesn't have any merit, they can demonstrate that at the hearing. So it's not something that should be feared.” Justice Donnelly also advocates a more transparent approach to plea agreements. Generally, these discussions are held with the attorneys and the judge in the judge’s chambers. No record is made, and the judge is not bound by anything agreed to by the attorneys. So, while the attorneys may think they reached an agreement on sentencing and that the judge is onboard with their agreement, the judge can award something completely different at the sentencing hearing. Perhaps worse is the disparity that exists in sentencing. “With the same lawyers and the same facts, you can conduct a sentencing hearing and walk out with an outcome of probation,” Justice Donnelly explains. “You could take those same lawyers and walk 15 feet across the hall in front of another judge, do it again, and have an outcome of 30, 40, 50 years in prison. And that's just a fact.”
Wed, February 26, 2025
98. Kevin Boyce, a Politician with integrity
Two hours before Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce was to be the keynote speaker at the Columbus VA annual MLK lunch, an organizer told Mr. Boyce he could not mention DEI topics or anything deemed "politically charged" due to President Donald Trump's executive orders limiting DEI in the federal government. Unwilling to compromise his values, Kevin withdrew from the event. “It was an insult to demand that I restrict my comments to not include equity and inclusion, I can’t separate diversity from the memory of Dr. King,” Kevin Boyce believes that the opposite of poverty is justice. With funding provided by Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the City of Columbus, the Rise Together Innovation Institute is on a mission to harness the collective power of people and systems to disrupt structural racism and issues of poverty. Kevin’s father was killed when he was just 7 years old. He credits his mother and grandmother for inspiring his success – and thanks teachers, coaches and his grandmother for convincing a judge to give him a stern warning, not time in juvenile detention, after a street fight landed him in court. He was 16. The brawl began with Kevin defending a bullied friend but ended with a charge of aggravated rioting. His unblemished record, accolades from teachers and coaches and a heart-felt letter from grandmother, resulted in a second chance. Today, Kevin's oldest son attends Brown University on a scholarship. “When I think that I grew up in a house that didn’t always have electricity or running water, and now I have a son attending an Ivy League school, I hope I can use my abilities to help other kids get the opportunities they need to succeed,’’ he said. Kevin became the first in his family to earn a college degree – a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo. It’s there he met political science professor Jack Ford, who would later serve as minority leader of the Ohio House of Representatives. Seeing Kevin’s affinity for public policy and passion to improve his community, Ford talked Kevin into coming to Columbus with him. He eventually rose to become Ford’s chief of staff.
Mon, February 17, 2025
97. The weath gap continues to expand
There’s an old English song, “It’s the rich what gets the pleasure. It's the poor what gets the pain.” The song holds true today. We talk with Bill LaFayette, the owner of Regionomics, about the expanding wealth gap in America. In 1980, the income of one percent of Americans was 23 times that of the other 90%. In 2022, the income of the top one percent was 69 times the income of the bottom 90%. In 1965, CEO compensation at the 350 largest publicly traded firms was 21 times the typical worker's compensation. In 2023, CEO compensation was 290 times a typical worker’s compensation. Some of the big differences between then and now was a much higher tax rate and more economic regulation. And then, things changed. Big business argued it was being hamstrung by regulations and persuaded Congress to loosen those regulations. Plus, we saw the birth of the trickledown theory, which benefitted the wealthy and did nothing for those of low income. The rich got richer, and the poor got left behind. Contributing to wealth inequality is the legacy left by discrimination. Low-income neighborhoods, largely populated by minorities, were redlined by banks, making it impossible to buy homes and accumulate wealth. Though redlining was declared unlawful in the 1960s, its vestiges remain. The neighborhoods that were subjected to redlining are often the same neighborhoods that remain impoverished today. Politicians don’t help. They’re influenced by those who can write checks, a luxury well beyond those at the bottom of the economic ladder. Adding to the problem: low-income workers are often maligned as either lazy or living off the government dole, when, in reality, many are disadvantaged because of their zip code; they live in neighborhoods that lack resources, opportunities, safety and other benefits most of take for granted. Listen to our conversation with Bill LaFayette.
Fri, January 31, 2025
96. We're entering an age of new robber barons
With billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos circling in President Trump’s orbit, we are witnessing a new age of extremely wealthy business owners seeking to expand their influence on the government. The robbers barons of the late 19th century—JP Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie—had nothing on these fellows. As we moved into the mid-20th century, the wealthy wanted to hide their wealth—as if they were like everyone else. When Fortune magazine first published its list of the wealthiest Americans in the 1970s, the people listed weren’t happy about it. They wanted that information kept private. Things are different now. Society, it seems, is on a new wave of revering people of great wealth, and wealth is seen as an indicator of wisdom and intellect, and men like Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy act as if they know everything, even when it comes to running the federal government. But the difference between running a business and running the government is huge. With a business, there is one goal: profitability. With government comes the obligation of doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. It's rare to see a business person who can make that kind of transition. Men like Musk and tech moguls Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen exhibit a libertarian ideology. They seem to think they don’t owe anything to anybody, never mind how they may have made their money or who helped them get their start. And they don’t want to be hampered in any way in how they do business, and so they resent government interference. These titans of business are poised to exert their influence in ways we haven’t seen before. Just take a look at who was seated closest to President Trump during his second inauguration. Listen to our conversation with Steve Conn, professor of history at Miami University.
Sun, December 22, 2024
96. The truth about immigrants in America
Are immigrants a drain on society, or does America benefit from their presence? It’s a hot topic, with Republic politicians telling lies during the last election about Haitians in Springfield eating dogs and cats—and telling these stories solely for the purpose of political gain. What was really stunning is that those lies resonated with some number of people, and Haitians were threatened with violence. We talk with Flannery Rokey-Jackson of Community Refugee & Immigration Services here in Columbus, Ohio, about two classes of immigrants. Because of the crisis in Haiti, the Haitians were granted temporary protection status by the U.S. government. Other immigrants have fled their homes because of race, religion, nationality, membership in certain social groups, or political opinion, and have met the criteria set by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to merit refugee status. Whether we’re talking about temporary protected status or refugees, these are people who want to integrate into society, educate their children and become productive citizens. Here’s a snippet of the conversation with Flannery: “So first, your first question about criminality, I've personally never experienced. Helping a family resettle here and then seeing them turn to any kind of crime, especially with refugees who … are required to apply for their green card after one year in the United States, and if they are commit any kind of crime, even a misdemeanor, that could jeopardize that ability to get their green card. “So, I have worked with families who won't even jaywalk across the street with me because they don't want to break the law. They're also so excited to start their new lives, and to join the workforce, get jobs, go to school, and become contributing members of society. “And of course, we see refugees using benefits more earlier on in their resettlement and then once they're, you know, 10 years after resettlement, they are paying back into the system quite significantly.”
Tue, December 03, 2024
94. Let's talk about police shootings.
Do police officers get it right more often than not when it comes to shooting a suspected threat? Are police trained adequately in terms of simulated scenarios and stressful situations? Are small police departments able to access the same level of training as police departments in large metropolitan areas? Do people suspected of a crime, who fail to comply with police commands, bear responsibility for being shot? We talk with retired police officer Bob Meader, who served as a commander at the Columbus Police Academy, about the challenges that come with police work. As Bob puts it, how many skills do you need to have to play a certain sport versus how many skills a law enforcement officer must have? Officers are tasked with dealing with myriad situations, ranging from intervening in an emotional domestic dispute to stopping an armed robbery in a convenience store. And then there’s the matter of stress… “You have the epinephrine dump, the heart becomes quicker, the breathing becomes more shallow, the pupils become constricted, and what goes is your finite motor skills, which you need to hit that target 50 feet away.” That’s a different situation than just shooting at paper targets.” Bob calls police work “the hardest job in America, and everything officers are doing today is recorded, and then guys like you and me get to sit in a temperature controlled office and hit rewind.” Complexities of the job aside, there are shootings where you scratch your head and say, “What in the world was that cop thinking? I didn’t see anything close to a threat.” Sure, officers face prosecutions for bad shootings and incarceration, but still we’re left with someone dead who shouldn’t be dead. And these are the stories that make the news. Do we judge police shootings fairly? Do we expect too much? Do we give officers more deference than we should. Listen to the conversation.
Fri, November 08, 2024
93. What's up with the U.S. Supreme Court?
Guessing the outcomes of cases brought before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) can be challenging, and, sometimes, the court's decisions leave you scratching your head. Jack and Gonzo discuss our current court’s propensity to rule in favor of popular conservative causes. If the casinos in Vegas took bets on how SCOTUS were to decide a case, the odds makers probably wouldn't give long odds, because you pretty much know how the justices will rule by their political affiliation. Oh, sure, the justices are supposed to look at each case objectively, but we’re all subject to subliminal inclinations and beliefs that guide us. Even the justices. Jack and Gonzo take a look at two cases to explain. The first concerns Marcellus Williams, a black man of humble means, who was convicted of murder. His attorney asked SCOTUS to stay Williams’ execution (legal speak, for temporarily stopping the execution) because of multiple problems with the case. It wasn't a matter of asking the court to overturn Williams’ conviction, just a pause. SCOTUS was asked to intervene so as to avoid the very real possibility that the state of Missouri might execute an innocent man. Even the prosecuting attorney for the county where Williams was convicted was advocating for a stay, and the family of the person who was murdered stated that Williams should not be executed. But a majority of justices (all appointed by Republican presidents) couldn't be bothered and didn’t grant the stay. And Williams was executed. The second case concerns how SCOTUS handled the Trump immunity case. With nothing in the constitution about presidential immunity—literally, not a single word or even an inference about immunity—the court held that presidents have immunity for just about everything they do. Respected constitutional lawyers were stunned. The court couldn’t be bothered to stay the execution of a black man who grew up in an impoverished and dysfunctional household, but the court went out of its way to protect a man of privilege. The two cases really make you question where the court is.
Thu, September 26, 2024
92. The First Amendment and FIRE
Does the First Amendment give us the right to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater? No, and this is one of the very few restrictions on free speech in America. Jack and Gonzo discuss the importance of free speech with Nico Perrino, Executive Vice President of FIRE. Founded in 1999 as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, FIRE has worked to advance the cause of free speech and the values of the First Amendment at our nation’s colleges and universities. In 2022, FIRE changed its name to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression to reflect its broader effort to protect and promote these values off campus as well. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of free speech and promotes a culture of respect for this right and provides the means to preserve it. FIRE’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought—the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE recognizes that colleges and universities play a vital role in preserving free thought within a free society. To this end, FIRE places a special emphasis on defending the individual rights of students and faculty members on our campuses, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, legal equality, religious liberty, and sanctity of conscience. In 2023, FIRE’s Policy Reform team won 43 victories at 22 schools affecting more than 215,000 students. Our guest, Nico Perrino, was Co-Director and Senior Producer of “ Mighty Ira ” (2020), a feature-length film about the life and career of former ACLU Executive Director Ira Glasser. He also worked as a consultant on “ Can We Take a Joke? ” (2015) and " The Coddling of the American Mind " (2024). Listen to our conversation with Nico and for more information, visit FIRE | Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (thefire.org) .
Wed, September 11, 2024
91. Your client has autism and is charged with murder. What to do?
Lawyers know how difficult it can be to represent a client with developmental disabilities and how ill equipped our justice system is to protect them. Our guest, McCracken Poston, Jr., is a practicing criminal defense attorney and former member of the Georgia House of Representatives. He just published his new book “Zenith Man: death, love and redemption in a Georgia courtroom,” the true story behind a controversial and unusual murder case. McCracken’s client, Alvin Ridley, who suffers from autism, was charged with murdering his wife in the late 1990s, only to be found innocent thanks to overlooked, peculiar evidence and the persistent efforts of his lawyer. Decades later, McCracken is retelling the story as a warning about prejudice, a rush to judgment, and how Americans who are different can be swept up unfairly in our justice system.
Wed, August 28, 2024
90. Zip codes—the most important social determinant of health
Ever think about the social determinants of health? At the top of the list: zip codes. Neighborhoods can differ dramatically in terms of safety, education, housing, green space, grocery stores, etc. When you lack these things—a world where options are limited—stress sets in, and the sole focus is just getting through each day; there’s no planning for the future. It shouldn’t be a surprise that good things happen when inner-city single moms and their children are given assistance in relocating to affluent suburbs. Listen to the conversation we have with Amy Klaben, president of Families Flourish, and Dr. Howard Levitin.
Sat, August 17, 2024
89. Losing Faith in the U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court has been in the news lately and not because of its popularity. The court’s recent decisions reflect more ideology than neutral analysis and a disregard for the ramifications of those decisions. Certain decisions are not supported by the text of the Constitution, even though some of the justices regard themselves as “textualists.” Some justices display an arrogance that is disquieting. How did we get here? Let’s remember, the justices were confirmed by a senate that is largely dysfunctional because of its own partisanship. Listen to what Jack and Gonzo have to say.
Wed, July 10, 2024
88. Patriotic Millionaires push for political equality, higher wages for working Americans, and a more eqitable tax system
Patriotic Millionaires is a group of high-net-worth Americans who are committed to making all Americans, including themselves, better off by building a more prosperous, stable, and inclusive nation. The group focuses on promoting public policy solutions that encourage political equality, guarantee a sustaining wage for working Americans, and ensure that millionaires, billionaires, and corporations pay their fair share of taxes. Listen to our conversation with Morris Pearl, former managing director of the investment firm BlackRock, who serves as the chair of Patriotic Millionaires.
Sun, June 23, 2024
87. Dr. Arthur James on Black infants and women and prejudice in the medical system
Dr. James, an OB/GYN and pediatrician, has spent his professional life trying to achieve equality in birth outcomes. Everyone should receive equal medical care, but that’snot the case in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s latest report on infant mortallity, babies born to Black women have teh hightest mortality rate. In addition, Black mothers report they aren’t treated as well as white women by medical professionals. Dr. James explains that achieving equity will require at least three things: (1) respecting all individuals and populations the same, (2) recognizing and rectifying past historical injustices, and (3) taking a targeted or proportionate universal approach; providing the most assistance to the groups experiencing the worst outcomes. A race-neutral approach will not result in achieving equity. This means we must improve the maternal and infant mortality rates for Blacks and other minorities at a faster pace while working to improve those rates for other groups, without slowing down our efforts to achieve the best birth outcomes for everyone. Listen to our conversation with Dr. James.
Wed, June 05, 2024
86. How the absence of humility hurts us all
Everyone regards humility as a virtue, but how many of us appreciate its importance or, more importantly, how the absence of humility impedes societal discourse and hurts personal relationships. When we allow overconfidence bias and the Dunning-Kruger effect to control us, we are far too quick to offer opinions, no matter how little we might know, and refuse to listen. It’s as if we’re spring-loaded to spouting an opinion and defending it, not matter how little we might know. The result: we spend much time arguing about things that may not be true and trying to convince others how wrong they are. Instead of seeking to learn from the other and figuring out a solution, we focus on suppressing the other person’s point of view. And with this comes resentment, distance, a breakdown in personal and professional relationships and ineffective government. Richard Rohr said it best: “Those who know, know they don’t know.” Listen to what Jack and Gonzo have to say.
Thu, May 23, 2024
85. A place for teens in crisis.
Where do teens in Central Ohio turn when they are scared and feel alone? A teen might have been booted from home after disclosing he’s gay. Sometimes parents are evicted and want a safe place for their daughter to stay. Anger, depression, mood disorders and myriad other problems drive teens to a dark place where they feel alone. Huckleberry House provides safety for teens in crisis. No matter the issue, teens receive shelter, counseling, compassion and hope. Listen to our conversation with Sonya Thesing, executive director of Huckleberry House.
Sun, May 19, 2024
84. Providing public health care in one of Ohio's poorest counties
Imagine life in Vinton County, Ohio—13,000 people spread across 450 square miles, with little in the way of resources. No Kroger, Giant Eagle or other big box stores, only Family Dollar and Dollar General stores. No emergency medical center. Just one health center with a single dentist who’s booked six to nine months out, and one or two primary care physicians. No behavioral care physician, no obstetrician, no optometrist. Why not solve the problem with telemedicine? Because much of the county doesn’t have sufficient internet, and many people can’t afford a laptop. The residents earn just enough to not qualify for Medicaid but not enough to be self-sufficient. Somehow, these people—endowed with resilience and grit—get by and largely because of a county health department that advocates for them. Margaret Demko, the county’s Family & Children First Coordinator and Help Me Grow program manager talks with us about how she identifies needs and then finds ways to provide the means to address those needs. It’s not easy work. Listen to what it takes to provide public health care in a county that has little.
Tue, April 23, 2024
83. The invisible shield of public health
There’s a little-known truth: public health saved your life today and you probably don't even know it. Public health makes our lives safer and helps us live longer, but its many successes largely go unrecognized. No small wonder it’s called “the invisibleshield” in a PBS documentary that aired last month. Former Director of the Ohio Department of Health, Amy Acton, M.D., discusses the important role Public Health plays in our lives. But underfunding and lack of public awareness are constant challenges. With Dr. Acton’s foresight, Ohio got through the Covid-19 pandemic, while politicians wanted to deny what science called for, which heightened the dangers brought by the disease. The question is, will we be ready for the next challenge?
Sat, March 30, 2024
82. Bill LaFayette on the minimum wage debate
Should the minimum wage pay enough so that workers can be self-sufficient? If not, why not? Large employers, like Walmart and Kroger, pay wages that exceed Ohio’s minimum wage but yet barely keep a person above the federal poverty level. Isn’t there a conflict between capitalism and society’s obligation to protect the most vulnerable workers? Listen to our conversation with Bill LaFayette, owner of local consulting firm, Regionomics.
Sun, March 17, 2024
81. Evangelicals use Christianity for political purposes
The terms “evangelical” and “Christian” have been co-opted by conservatives to push their political agenda. For this group, Christianity is less a means for spiritual enrichment and more a means to steer an ideology, as evidenced by the Seven Mountain Mandate, which urges Christians to take control of seven components of society. Instead of promoting social justice, respecting the dignity of every human being and seeing Christ in all people, the evangelicals use Christianity—and what they espouse as Christianity is far afield from the New Testament—in a coercive way to get what they want. Listen to our conversation with Rev. Vicki Zust, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Sat, February 24, 2024
80. What’s up with banning books?
Why is it we see a wave of people demanding that certain books to be banned? Are these folks voicing their own personal objections based on their own reading, or are they voicing a philosophical bent based on what they’re heard about books? And how is that parents who object to a certain book for their children want the book to be banned for all children? Since when do parents get to decide what’s best for someone else’s children? Donna M. Zuiderweg, chief community engagement officer for the Columbus Metropolitan Library, explains the process libraries use to select books and decide where to shelve them and how challenges can be made. She reminds us just how valuable a resource our library system is and how important it is to maintain it.
Sun, February 11, 2024
79. The appeal of selling drugs
When your options are limited, selling drugs is the answer. Our guest, Buddy, grew up in a low income, high crime Cincinnati neighborhood, with four siblings and a single mom who earned a modest wage. Selling drugs was the answer to getting what he needed—clothes, cash, security. Buddy started out by counting cash for established dealers and by 16 was running his own enterprise. And then at age 21, it came to an end. A competing drug seller told the police what was needed to send Buddy to prison for 30 years. After thinking about life for the first 20 years, Buddy obtained a GED, studied technical courses, and aligned himself with Kindway, a prison ministry that helps inmates transition to life outside the walls. Released in 2023, Buddy says with joy, “I paid for my sins” and is gainfully employed. Buddy may earn less than he did back in the day, but he’s at peace.
Sun, February 04, 2024
78. Citizens not politicians in Ohio should be drawing election maps
Why is it that elected officials can’t draw fair legislative election maps? Despite state constitutional amendments for redistricting reform approved by Ohio voters in 2015 and 2018, Ohio remains heavily gerrymandered because politicians disregarded the mandate they were given. Former Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court Maureen O’Connor struck down as unconstitutional multiple proposed maps. Now as part of Citizens Not Politicians, O’Connor is leading the effort to place a constitutional amendment on this year’s ballot. If the amendment is approved, a commission of 15 citizens—not politicians or anyone politically connected—will be created to handle the matter of drawing legislative districts. O’Connor explains why the 2024 proposed amendment will be the most important issue on the ballot for Ohioans, perhaps even more than who becomes president.
Thu, January 18, 2024
77. Juvenile detention centers—the last place where you want your child
In theory, juvenile detention centers are places where kids who have committed felonies are helped with their criminal tendencies and behavioral needs, but we’re hearing more about violence than anything else. These are high need kids. Many have suffered trauma—family members murdered, abuse, neglect. Plus, they’re kids; their brains aren’t fully developed. Adding to the problem, Ohio’s Department of Youth Services can’t fill all the openings it has for correctional officers, behavioral specialists and teachers. The system isn’t working. Listen to what award-winning journalist Laura Bischoff learned from her investigation.
Mon, January 08, 2024
76. Dr. Anthony Feinstein on the moral courage of investigative journalists
What makes journalists risk their lives in war zones or imprisonment by autocratic governments? Award-winning psychiatrist Anthony Feinstein offers his expert perspective on the moral courage investigative journalists exhibit and the post-traumatic stress they suffer. Listen to what Dr. Feinstein, author of Moral Courage: 19 Profiles of Investigative Journalists , has learned from treating journalists and studying their trauma.
Thu, December 28, 2023
75. Teaching men to be dads
You might think being a good dad is something that comes naturally, but you would be wrong. Fatherhood has to be learned, and too many men from low-income neighborhoods, where crime rates are high and stable marriages are few, never learn how to be dads. Many kids grow up without the stability of a caring family and good role models; all some kids learn is survival. David Fluellen tells us what his non-profit, Dads2B, does to teach men the kind of things they never learned, like getting involved in their partners’ prenatal care and listening to their partners’ needs, and then helps these men find meaningful work so they can support their children. Listen to the conversation.
Thu, November 02, 2023
74. Issues 1 and 2 take center stage on the Ohio ballot this November 7.
The big issues on the ballot in Ohio this November 7 are Issues 1 and 2. Both will likely make the national news. Jack and Gonzo discuss the proposed constitutional amendment protecting a woman’s right to have an abortion, and the citizen initiative proposing a statue to legalize recreational marijuana. Why are these issues on the ballot, and what are the pros and cons being advanced by special interest groups? Listen to the conversation
Sun, October 22, 2023
73. Forgiving the men who killed her son
Rachel Muha did what few of us could ever do: she forgave the two men who murdered her son, Brian, in 1999. After she was alerted by the police that Brian was missing, Rachel started to pray and decided that she had to muster up the strength to forgive the men who had abducted Brian. It wasn’t until days later that Brian’s body was recovered, and even after learning that Brian had been murdered, Rachel extended forgiveness to his killers. Rachel explains that forgiveness is a refusal to harbor ill will, anger and bitterness. It is an act of will that requires determination and the only way to achieve inner peace. For Rachel, justice is not a matter of exacting vengeance. Yes, the killers had to be held accountable, but justice for Rachel means trying to bring back the goodness that was lost when Brian’s life was taken, and she does that by helping inner-city children get the attention and love and support that Brian’s killers never had. And so Rachel started the Brian Muha Foundation, based in Columbus, Ohio. Listen to the conversation between Rachel.
Wed, September 20, 2023
72. Trump losing in court won't be enough to save democracy?
Is columnist David Rothfopf right—Trump losing in court won't be enough to save democracy? There are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of the future of democracy—gerrymandering, election finance, voter suppression, and politicians who will change the rules to achieve their goals. The recent campaign to amend Ohio’s constitution, Issue 1, is an example of politicians doing just that. Maybe people don’t want to live in a democracy. They want what they want and don’t care how they get it. Manipulating the system to achieve a goal is an acceptable strategy—do anything necessary to defeat the majority view. The proponents behind Issue 1—those who favor gerrymandering, gun right zealots and the anti-abortion groups—were willing change the rules to get what they want. Listen to the conversation between Jack and Gonzo.
Tue, September 12, 2023
71. A failed criminal justice system
What’s the purpose of our criminal justice system? Retribution or restoration? When we examine the system, we see racial disparities in sentencing and little effort to understand what caused an offender to engage in criminal activity. Being “tough on crime” is a popular slogan with politicians. Sentencing is conducted with little concern for the backstory of the offender. The system fails miserably when it comes to rehabilitation. Listen to our conversation with Sean Wilson, the Organizing Director of Dream.Org, who has 17 years of lived experience and direct involvement with the criminal legal system.
Sun, September 03, 2023
70. Challenging white supremacy and misogyny in the workplace (part 2)
We continue our conversation with activist Jon Melrod about his efforts in opposing racism, organizing rallies against the Vietnam War and activism in favor of unions.
Thu, August 24, 2023
69. Challenging white supremacy and misogyny in the workplace (part 1)
How often does a veteran white revolutionary author a book in which he describes a lifetime committed to waging war on white supremacy and misogyny? These two political struggles have been the focus of Jon Melrod’s organizing efforts since the 1960s. In his recently released book, Fighting Times: Organizing on the Front Lines of the Class War, Jon traces in a lively and humorous fashion his often dangerous life of political activism and the brutal realities of sexism and racism in the American workplace. Listen to our conversation with Jon.
Wed, August 16, 2023
68. From life inside the prison walls to life outside the walls (Part 2)
We continue our conversation with Paul Sparks about the keys for success in transitioning from prison life to life outside the walls. Even then, there are risks—getting into relationships too soon, drug and alcohol abuse, and financial issues—that can lead to a return to prison. Paul explains why Embark minimizes the chances of that happening.
Wed, August 09, 2023
67. From life inside the prison walls to life outside the walls (Part 1)
Transitioning from prison life to life outside the walls takes work. Columbus-based Kindway provides a path—the Embark program—for motivated men and women inmates to start the transition process well before they are released from prison. Paul Sparks, the men’s transition manager for Kindway, knows a thing or two about transitioning. He was incarcerated four times years and spent 13 years inside the walls. Getting connected with Embark is what made the difference for him. Listen to our conversation with Paul.
Thu, July 20, 2023
66. Vote no on Issue 1 (unless you like minority rule)
In a special election set for this August, Republicans in the Ohio statehouse and three special interest groups are advocating a change to the state constitution that can only be considered anti-democratic: future amendments will require a 60 percent vote. This amendment is all about suppressing the power of citizens who are pro-choice, against gerrymandering and in favor of gun control. Never concerned about hypocrisy, the Republican-controlled Ohio statehouse earlier this year banned August special elections because of the expense and low turnout. Now, all of sudden, an August special election is a good idea. Why? Because the proposed amendment will supposedly make it harder for special interest groups to get constitutional amendments passed. But the Ohio constitution was amended in 2015 to take care of that problem.
Wed, July 12, 2023
65. Why are trans kids under attack by Ohio's statehouse?
Is the recent wave of legislation concerning trans children focused on preventing harms or a way for politicians to prove their conservative bona fides? Take a look at these bills, and you’ll see it’s the latter. What’s stunning is that these bills—Ohio House Bill 8, House Bill 68 and House Bill 183—concern a small percentage of the population. Even more stunning is that these bills are supposedly designed to protect straight students but actually put LGBTQ children at risk. Listen to our conversation with Mallory Golski and Lalitha Pamidigantam.
Mon, July 03, 2023
64. Does Ohio’s EdChoice voucher system put public education at risk?
Is the Ohio constitutional mandate that government provide for “a thorough and efficient system of common schools” at risk because of the EdChoice voucher system? When it was started, EdChoice, which is funded by state revenue, was available only to students who attended lower performing public schools. Now the program is tied to income. Any family earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level ($75,000 for a family of four) is eligible, and there is a proposal to make EdChoice available for families earning up to 450% of the federal poverty level ($130,000 for a family of four), and another that proposes to eliminate any income limits. Is public education at risk? Listen to our conversation with Mark Weiker.
Sun, June 25, 2023
63. The failed experiment of charter schools
The creation of charter schools, also known as community schools, in Ohio is an experiment that has cost Ohioans billions and has provided little educational improvement for its students. Charter schools began as an experiment to provide more varied learning opportunities, but the experiment has not fared well due to the schools' flawed administrative structure. Our guest, Mark Weiker, explains why the experiment has not provided consistently good results.
Sun, June 11, 2023
62. How much more lying can we tolerate
People lie out of self-preservation—think Pete Rose lying about not betting on baseball—or to promote a political goal—President George W. Bush’s administration stating Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, when he didn’t. Besides lying, people often talk about things as if they know with certainty what they’re talking about, when, in reality, they’re just guessing. Why do people, mostly politicians it seems, behave this way? Because it works. Regardless of whether false statements are made knowingly or not, too many people rely on a speakers’ veracity and don’t bother to doublecheck what they hear. The result: people get duped. Spreading falsehoods is a divisive business and undermines the nation’s unity. Listen to the conversation between Jack and Gonzo.
Sun, May 21, 2023
61. Does Ohio Senator Cirino's proposed legislation promote or hinder academic freedom?
Ohio state Senator Jerry Cirino says he sponsored Senate Bill 83 because he wants students to be taught how to think, not what to think. The bill speaks about advancing free and open discussion, but when you read the bill, you see that Cirino and other state legislators want to control what can be taught. It’s frightening and likely inconsistent with our state’s constitution. Listen to the conversation between Jack and Gonzo.
Fri, April 21, 2023
60. Do teachers have to divulge a student's confidential statement about gender dysphoria?
When teachers believe a student suffers from abuse or neglect, they have to submit a report to a public children services agency or the police, but what obligation do teachers have when children talk to them in confidence about gender dysphoria? Are teachers allowed to keep this kind of information confidential? Attorney Josh Brown believes teachers should be required to tell parents about gender dysphoria. The law isn’t clear. Listen to our conversation with Josh.
Sun, March 19, 2023
59. Are Mike Gonidakis and Ohio Right to Life right about abortion?
Mike Gonidakis and Ohio Right to Life see abortion as a black and white issue. Every fetus deserves to be born. Period. But many Ohioans see it differently. There’s the matter of a woman’s right to autonomy over her body. There are economic and family problems that push women to abort. And low income women especially are affected by an abortion ban. It all comes down to an individual’s moral stance, doesn’t it? And if that’s true, then why should the government get involved? Listen to our conversation with Mike.
Sat, December 10, 2022
58. The threat of Christian nationalism
Christian nationalism speaks to a declaration of war against the enemies of God, but it is far removed from both Christianity and patriotism, and it’s sweeping the nation. We talk with Rev. Tim Ahrens about a divisive ideology that advocates a single acceptable point of view and hatred of anyone who is different and speaks of Jesus but fails to follow his example. Listen to our conversation about a movement that is both frightening and a threat to the nation.
Sat, November 26, 2022
57. How can I possibly make a difference?
After a career in health care and raising a family in Georgia, Connie Cheren decided to take up the challenge of providing health care services in Kenya, but she had no clue how to get started. So, she just said yes to the idea and then figured things out. Now, thousands of Kenyans benefit from safe water programs, mobility carts, computer schools and medical clinics. What’s at the heart of Connie’s approach? Listening. Listening to the people and together developing with them programs that improve lives. Listen to our conversation with Connie about Partners for Care.
Tue, October 04, 2022
56. Legislators disregard science when it comes to trans kids
Ohio lawmakers want to prohibit gender affirming care for children who are trans. Never mind what physicians, social workers and teachers might have to say about the needs of trans kids, lawmakers think they know better. Instead of focusing on the care trans kids needs, lawmakers fixate on problems that don’t exist. Our guest, Melissa McLaren, has a teenage child, Connor, who was born a boy but has identified as a girl from age 3 or so. Melissa explains the challenges that come when a child identifies with a gender that doesn’t match the child’s sex assigned at birth and the depression and anxiety that arise if a trans child doesn’t feel safe and secure. Without that safety and security, a child won’t thrive and learn. Melissa puts it well. “I’m really tired of legislative bodies trying to legislate bodies.”
Sun, September 18, 2022
55. Teachers can carry firearms, but teaching about the racial divide might be off limits
Ohio lawmakers recently passed legislation that allows teachers to carry firearms in the classroom with just 24 hours of training. Teachers, educators and law enforcement testified against the bill. Still, HB 99 passed. Why do our lawmakers think teachers should serve double duty as security guards—with minimal training? Ohio lawmakers have also proposed in HB 616 that teachers be prohibited from teaching “divisive or inherently racists concepts.” That sounds like a good idea, except the bill defines divisive or racist topics to include critical race theory and the 1619 Project. But these are theories that expose the dark side of our history and explain the racial divide America faces. Why are lawmakers trying to suppress honesty in education? Listen to our conversation with Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association.
Thu, September 01, 2022
54. What's up with election deniers and QAnon believers?
The human mind is not readily disposed to accepting facts as they are, which explains election deniers and QAnon believes. Our belief systems have great power in determining how we assess reality, and phenomena such as cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias and consensual validation determine what facts we accept and what facts we might disregard or manipulate. The mind is always in the process of framing, that is, giving meaning to the events before us so that they fit in with our belief system. All these things make possible for people to steadfastly believe in QAnon, a stolen presidential election and conspiracy theories. Our guest, Andrew Solovey, explains why.
Wed, August 17, 2022
53. The supreme court and its textualist approach to abortion and guns
In the Dobbs case, the U.S. Supreme Court found there is no constitutional right to abortion and that the issue of abortion is better left with the states, but state legislatures have gerrymandered their voting maps so that the power in party controls the vote. But that’s just one problem. Another is that the “textualist” approach favored by many of the justices on the court is dependent on an historical survey to determine what rights Americans have traditionally enjoyed, and the court has been selective about the history it relies on. In addition, our guest, constitutional law professor Mark Brown, tells us the founding fathers didn’t intend future generations to be bound by their intent. It’s for that reason, they never disclosed their notes.
Fri, August 05, 2022
52. No country for great statesmen
Remember the movie, “No country for old men?” America is becoming, “no country for statesmen.” John Glenn is one of the last great American heroes—combat veteran, astronaut, senator, statesman and a gentleman in every respect. Regrettably, the days when he served in the senate—when the paradigm was that country came before political party—are long gone. Political party demands now dominate, a problem exacerbated by Constitutional provisions enacted over 200 years ago to appease the southern states. Listen to our conversation with Dale Butland, who served as Glenn’s chief of staff in the senate.
Sat, July 23, 2022
51. More guns, more violence
The NRA tells us the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. How’s that working for us? Americans own more than 300,000,000 firearms, and we suffer over 40,000 gun homicides and suicides annually. Does the Second Amendment provide unbridled gun rights? Can limits be imposed without running afoul of the Second Amendment? Why doesn’t the background check system cover private sales? Why are legislatures putting the obligation of school safety on teachers? Does the ownership of more guns nationwide in and of itself lead to more gun violence? Listen to what Jack & Gonzo have to say.
Fri, July 01, 2022
50. The new political strategy—voter suppression
Why is voting in America difficult, and what’s behind the recent efforts by Republican controlled state legislatures to make it even more difficult? Barriers to voting and the common perception that voting results in little change create frustration and cause many to feel disenfranchised. Listen to our conversation with Jocelyn Armstrong, a Columbus lawyer who works to promote diversity and inclusion and produces the podcast “Inscribing Inclusion.”
Sat, June 18, 2022
49. The problem with police investigative stops—police abuse or citizen non-compliance?
What does the law say about a police officer’s obligations when stopping and questioning someone for possible criminal conduct? What does a police officer have to consider before making the stop? Does racial bias enter the equation? Are citizens required to comply? How is it that sometimes these stops end with violence, sometimes a shooting? Listen to our conversation with Robert Meader, a former career police officer and commander of the Police Academy for the city of Columbus, Ohio.
Sat, May 28, 2022
48. The U.S. Supreme Court has become an extension of politics
The U.S. Supreme Court is taking on the trappings of being a political body. By carefully appointing justices, a president and the senate can accomplish things they can't make happen through the legislative process. Recent decisions from the court reflect too closely what the Republican party wants. And the public is losing confidence in the court. Its approval rating has decreased from 62 percent to 40 percent in the last 20 years. Listen to Jack and Gonzo talk about how things are changing with the court.
Wed, May 18, 2022
47. The blind injustice of America's criminal justice system
We want to believe the criminal justice system convicts the right person and allows the innocent to go free. It’s a nice thought, but it doesn’t always work that way. Memories are malleable, eyewitness identification is often unreliable, witnesses and suspects can be manipulated, and sometimes the prosecution withholds important evidence. And judges and prosecutors are often blind to these problems. Listen to our conversation with Mark Godsey, a former federal prosecutor and now a law professor and author of “Blind Injustice.” Mark co-founded the Ohio Innocence Project in 2003, which has won the release of 34 men and women, who had been incarcerated for 665 years for crimes they didn't commit.
Wed, May 11, 2022
46. The crisis that comes with being homeless
Ever thought about what it’s like to be homeless? It’s not just a matter of having no place to call your own. It’s a state of crisis where your whole world is turned upside down. There’s no certainty in your life, no sense of security or well-being. You have virtually no control over your life. And being homeless likely means you had no one in your life to whom you could reach out for help before you became homeless. You’re alone in more than one way. Listen to our conversation with Michelle Heritage, Executive Director of the Community Shelter Board.
Fri, April 29, 2022
45. Democracy at Risk
Something’s not right in America. The democracy we should all cherish and want to protect is under attack. State legislatures, guided only by partisan politics, control the maps for congressional and state voter maps, meaning representatives pick their voters, instead of voters their picking representatives. States are passing laws to restrict voting access under the false premise that voting security is at risk. When confirming justices for the U.S. Supreme Court, senators are more concerned about a candidate’s political views than qualifications. And now, state legislatures are passing laws restricting what can be taught in schools. Is democracy at risk? Podcast hosts Jack and Gonzo give their assessment.
Fri, April 15, 2022
44. The barriers to employment ex-offenders face
After you finish your prison sentence and pay your debt to society, you should be eligible for work, right? Not exactly. If you want to work in a field where a license is required, you’ll likely hit a brick wall, as many licenses are not available to felony offenders. On top of that is the matter of company policy. As it turns out, paying your debt to society doesn’t mean you can get through the employment door. Listen to what William Perry has endured.
Fri, April 01, 2022
43. How America Criminalizes Black Youth
Often seen as a threat, Black youths are denied healthy adolescent development. They’re subject to suspicion and arrest for the most ordinary adolescent activities—shopping for prom clothes, playing in the park, listening to music, wearing the latest fashion trend. While research shows Black youths are no more dangerous or impulsive than their white counterparts, but there’s a tremendous difference in how Black youths are treated by school officials, the police and the criminal justice system. As a consequence, Black youth fear and resent the police and don’t have faith in the system. Law school professor and author of “The Rage of Innocence,” Kris Henning explains what’s going on.
Fri, March 25, 2022
42. Should you hire ex-offenders?
Why are employers reluctant to hire ex-offenders? Is that reluctance always justified? Can employing ex-offenders work out well for both sides? Turns out, ex-offenders are often good employees, have a good work ethic and a strong sense of loyalty. Find out what Evan Williams, president of Franklin International, and Joe DeLoss, president of Hot Chick Takeover have to say about the ex-offenders they hire.
Thu, March 17, 2022
41. Politics are getting involved in public education. And it's not for the better.
If you don’t know what critical race theory (CRT) is, don’t feel bad. Neither do the folks in charge of K-12 education in Ohio. In October 2021, the state board of education put the brakes on implicit bias training and, apparently guided by nationwide misconceptions, determined that CRT has “no place in K-12 education.” The board also condemned programs that promote “collective guilt, moral deficiency” to a “whole race or group of people.” As if this type of instruction is part of any curriculum. We talked with former board president Laura Kohler about how politics are getting involved in education. And it’s not for the better.
Wed, March 09, 2022
40. The Criminal justice system is rigged
Author and lawyer Bryan Stephenson says, “It’s better to be rich and guilty than poor and innocent.” A nice of saying the system is rigged. Find out what Stevenson means by listening to Tim Young, Ohio’s Public Defender, who has focused his career on protecting the rights of the indigent.
Thu, March 03, 2022
39. The Texas abortion Law—restrictive and cleverly drafted
The new Texas abortion law is controversial because it bans abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy, a time limit that is unprecedented. But the new law is controversial for another reason as well. It appears to have been purposefully designed to thwart a constitutional challenge. Listen to what constitutional lawyer Mark Brown has to say.
Tue, February 22, 2022
38. The gerrymandering battle in Ohio
Gerrymandering was supposed to end in 2021 for Ohio’s congressional and general assembly maps, by virtue of constitutional amendments approved by over 70 percent of Ohioans. But a Republican controlled general assembly has drafted maps the Ohio Supreme Court has held to be unconstitutional. Are the amendments unworkable, as Republicans argue, or are Republicans simply refusing to do what the law requires? Listen to what Jen Miller, executive director of the Ohio League of Women Voters, has to say.
Wed, November 10, 2021
Not all neighborhoods are equal
Columbus suffers from a lack of housing, and especially affordable housing, a problem that hits low income neighborhoods the hardest. Those same neighborhoods also lack resources–think libraries, YMCAs and community centers. How do we engage the residents of those communities to consolidate their voices to gain access to more resources, and how we get those in more affluent neighborhoods to be empathetic and get involved? Duane Casares, CEO of Directions for Youth & Families, and Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Impact at the United Way of Franklin County, talk about these challenges. Listen to the conversation. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Wed, October 27, 2021
Reforming a failed bail system
The majority of Americans who are behind bars are not serving a sentence; they’re awaiting trial. Many of these people were arrested for minor drug possession or driving with a suspended license and couldn’t afford bail. Micah Derry of Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy that seeks to minimize social injustices, talks with us about people spending an average of 28 days in jail while awaiting trial on minor misdemeanor charges. And while these people sit in jail, they lose their jobs, face eviction and confront other hardships. Proposed legislation, S.B. 182, would drastically the change the system for the better. We’re running a brief audience survey for listeners of the podcast, as the show continues to evolve and expand. If you’ve been listening to Lawyer Up for a year, a month, or even just the latest episode, we’d love to hear from you. Head to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey to share your thoughts on the podcast. Thank you.
Sun, October 17, 2021
Critical race theory–a subject of controversy and misinformation
Ohio State University Associate Professor Joni Acuff talks with us about what critical race theory actually is—as opposed to how it’s described by its critics—and gives examples of racial inequality being imbedded in society. The three of us discuss legislative efforts to ban critical race theory. Legislators say they want students to be presented with the facts and make their own decisions, but that’s not what’s really going on. Opponents of critical theory race actually want to suppress what teachers can present in the classroom and don’t want any discussion about racial bias being baked into the system. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Sun, August 29, 2021
The adolescent mind and bad decision making
Sara Denny, M.D., a pediatrician, talks with us about why teenagers and adults in their early 20s make bad decisions. It’s simple–their brains aren’t fully developed. As a consequence, they’re more vulnerable to pressure and stress and not thinking things through. If teens and very young adults are not wired to think maturely, what does that mean for how we should treat them in the criminal justice system? Listen to the conversation. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Sun, July 18, 2021
Gun violence–a pediatric surgeon’s point of view
A prior guest on our podcast, Jonathan Groner is a pediatric surgeon and the medical director of the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital who regularly treats Columbus children for gunshot wounds. For Groner, gun violence isn’t some distant problem to debate from the comfort of his home. For him, it’s very personal. Listen to him describe the prevalence of gun violence in low-income neighborhoods, the racial disparities associated with gun violence, accidental shootings in the home, and our state legislature’s indifference to the problem. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Sun, June 20, 2021
Former attorney general Jim Petro: repeal the death penalty
As a state representative, Jim Petro helped draft Ohio’s death penalty law in 1981. During his watch as attorney general from 2003 to 2007, the state of Ohio executed 18 men. But now, Petro thinks it’s time to repeal the death penalty. Listen and find out why. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Sat, May 29, 2021
Recognizing the humanity within the LGBTQ community
Why is it that some number of people want to deprive members of the LGBTQ community of the fundamental rights that everyone else enjoys? What’s so hard about recognizing the humanity of the LGBTQ community? Listen to Densil Porteous, executive director of Stonewall Columbus, talk about how he uses grace and patience to help people move beyond the social constructs they’ve learned and his efforts to change the hearts of those who think the LGBTQ community should be treated differently. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Sun, May 16, 2021
Inside the walls
Ohio houses some 50,000 men and women in its penitentiaries. Former warden Christine Money describes life inside the walls and an innovative program she now directs that helps inmates successfully reenter society. Some of these former offenders have been inside the walls for over 35 years, and almost all of them are doing exceptionally well.
Sun, April 25, 2021
Location a big factor in determining likelihood of success
It’s no secret that some parts of metro Columbus make it tough to succeed because of crime and lack of resources. Amy Klaben, project facilitator for Move to Prosper, tells us about the success 10 single mothers and their children are having now that they’re relocated from low-income, low-resource neighborhoods to neighborhoods that provide more opportunities. You really can move to prosper. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Thu, April 01, 2021
The death penalty–a physician’s point of view
Jonathan Groner is a pediatric surgeon and the medical director of the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, who has been vocal in his opposition to the Death Penalty. This isn’t just an academic exercise for Dr. Groner. He’s been to Death Row and examined Death Row inmates whose executions were botched. Listen to him describe the Hippocratic Paradox that medical professionals face when asked to assist with executions and explain why the Death Penalty should be abolished. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love to hear from you. Go to lawyerupcolumbus.com/survey and give us your input. It takes just two minutes–literally.
Mon, February 15, 2021
Protecting Civil Rights
Civil rights attorney Fred Gittes and three other law firms are suing the Columbus Police Department, alleging the police used excessive force in responding to last summer’s protests. What’s behind the problem, according to Fred? Racial discrimination. What’s at risk? Our First Amendment rights. We’re running a brief survey for our listeners, and we’d love … Continue reading Protecting Civil Rights →
Mon, January 04, 2021
The housing crisis for tenants
The COVID-19 pandemic has put millions of Americans out of work, which means tenants can’t pay their rent and landlords can’t pay their mortgage loans. The Centers for Disease Control has intervened with an eviction moratorium, and the feds have stepped with with financial assistance. Still, the crisis continues. Columbus Legal Aid attorney Holly Lovey … Continue reading The housing crisis for tenants →
Thu, December 24, 2020
Climate change—we’re at the tipping point
The air is warming, and the seas are arising. We’re heating up the Earth to a dangerous level, and the consequences are more hurricanes and forest fires, the dislocation of people who are abandoning their homelands because they’re turning into deserts, and our own national security. Listen to scientist Steve Rissing break down the problem … Continue reading Climate change—we’re at the tipping point →
Fri, November 20, 2020
The hunger problem in central Ohio. It’s getting worse.
Hunger is a big issue in central Ohio, just as it is nationwide. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective serves 780,000 people annually in 20 counties, and the need for food assistance is growing. In just the last eight months 45,000 people who never before needed food assistance now do. The problem? Wages aren’t keeping pace with … Continue reading The hunger problem in central Ohio. It’s getting worse. →
Mon, November 02, 2020
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin on Black Lives Matter, systemic racism and police reform
Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin discuss Black Lives Matter, systemic racism and police reform
Fri, October 23, 2020
You’ve been raped? Sorry, but tort reform favors your rapist in court.
Attorney John Fitch has taken on the cases of two women who were raped. One was 15 years old when raped, and the other was 11. The juries awarded $3.5 million and $20 million, respectively, in the two cases for the trauma these women suffered and still suffer. But state law caps the damages a … Continue reading You’ve been raped? Sorry, but tort reform favors your rapist in court. →
Tue, September 29, 2020
Allison Russo on HB 6, gerrymandering and dark money
State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) talks about how the movement to repeal HB 6 has slowed to virtual stand still. What’s the problem? In large part, gerrymandering and dark money.
Sat, September 19, 2020
Why you should be concerned about dark money
Paul Beck, political scientist and professor emeritus from The Ohio State University, explains what dark money is, why it’s so powerful and why it’s probably here to stay.
Thu, September 10, 2020
Are gun safety advocates trying to take your guns away?
Toby Hoover, founder and former executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, explains what it takes to reduce gun violence and why groups like hers are not trying to take away anyone’s guns.
Wed, August 19, 2020
Why do Blacks suffer a higher infant mortality rate than Whites?
Patricia Gabbe, M.D, explains why Blacks have such a high infant mortality rate and why racism is a public health crisis.
Tue, July 28, 2020
Is Ohio ready for the November elections?
Guest: Jen Miller, executor director, League of Women Voters of Ohio Jen discusses all things voting—voter guides published by the League, how our voting system is protected against fraud, and what Ohio is doing to get ready for the November 2020.
Wed, July 08, 2020
Police abuse—a few bad apples or a systemic problem?
Guest: Attorney James D. McNamara Jim McNamara has prosecuted civil actions throughout the state of Ohio on behalf of citizens who have suffered from police abuse. Based on the cases he’s handled over the course of 40 years, Jim explains why police abuse exists, the breadth of the problem, and what it takes to effect … Continue reading Police abuse—a few bad apples or a systemic problem? →
Mon, May 11, 2020
Drinking and driving—what might seem like a good idea never is
Guest: Attorney Jon Saia of Saia & Piatt Jon Saia’s practice is focused on OVI defense. He’s one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in Ohio on this area of the law. Not only an accomplished attorney, Jon is certified by The National Highway…
Tue, May 05, 2020
The DuPont story—one lawyer’s 20-year legal battle against a corporation’s pollution and cover up
Guest: Robert A. Bilott, partner at Taft Law. For years, DuPont had been dumping in a landfill in Parkersburg, West Va., a man-made chemical commonly known as PFOA, which was recently linked to cancers and other diseases. But DuPont knew as far back as…
Thu, April 16, 2020
Can a court order you to not have children?
Guest: Giovanna Scaletta-Bremke If you have 13 children by nine women and fall behind on your child support payments, can a court order you to not have more children? A trial court in Lorain County, Ohio, thought it had the power to issue such an…
Thu, February 20, 2020
Is it time to kill the death penalty?
Conservatives join the move to repeal Oho’s death penalty
Fri, February 14, 2020
Just Justice—an Interview with Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly
Guest: Justice Michael P. Donnelly
Fri, February 14, 2020
Prostitution and Human Trafficking
Guest: Hannah Estabrook
Fri, February 14, 2020
Why We Like Juries
We’ve created a system in which regular citizens are empowered to make important decisions as jurors. There are good reasons behind the jury system, as well as plenty of misconceptions.
Fri, February 14, 2020
Medical Malpractice
Guest: Eleana Drakatos and Medical Malpractice
Fri, February 14, 2020
Ending Your Marriage
Divorce, Dissolution, Annulment and more
Fri, February 14, 2020
Non-Compete Agreements
How to Handle Non-Competes as an Employee and Employers
Fri, February 14, 2020
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Adverse employment decisions and hostile work environments
Fri, February 14, 2020
Insurance: Why and How Much?
What’s Required and What’s Recommended
Fri, February 14, 2020
Arbitration
Do you want an arbitration clause in your contract?
Bonus · Fri, February 14, 2020
Real Estate Part Two
Purchase Agreements and Title Agencies
Fri, February 14, 2020
Real Estate
Do you need a lawyer for a real estate sale?
Tue, February 11, 2020
Tort Reform
Jack D’Aurora and John Gonzales on Tort Reform
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