Episodes

Lucas County Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski discusses Toledo's response to the coronavirus pandemic with John Damschroder.

Ohio citizen John McGory, quarantined in WuHan China where he was teaching english and then quarantined in the U.S. after being evacuated from China talks with John Damschroder about how both countries are dealing with the worst health crisis in 100 years. John McGory has seen life change in two countries and in six years has seen the relationship between the United States and China change greatly.

As Newspapers across the state including the Toledo Blade make cuts to staff and print production schedules, John Damschroder takes a look at the state of the newspaper industry with retired Ohio Newspaper Association President and Executive Director Dennis Hetzel. Dennis now has a consulting company called Fresh Angle Communications and has just completed extensive research on some new local digital news startups with great potential.

The founding Director of the United States Consumer Protection Finance Bureau, Richard Cordray has written a book on the experience; Watchdog-How Protecting Consumers Can Save Our Families, Our Economy and Our Democracy. Richard Cordray is the Former Attorney General and Treasurer of Ohio and was the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2018. Cordray's visit to In Focus comes as the United States Supreme Court is deciding whether the CFPB as an independent agency established by Congress is an unconstitutional encroachment on Presidential power.

Legislation examining the investment practices of the Ohio Public Pension systems, regulating the pay and bonuses for employees and requiring board meetings be made available live over the Internet, is being proposed in the Ohio House of Representatives.  Chief Sponsor Diane Grendell, a Republican from Geauga County joins John Damschroder to discuss the proposed oversight of Ohio's $200 billion pension funds.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz discusses the upcoming Issue One ballot issue with John Damschroder, focusing on the economic development impact Toledo's decision will have on the entire Northwest Ohio region.

In Focus-Jerry Austin:  Ohio Democratic Campaign strategist just back from the Iowa Caucus provides deep insight on the state of the Democratic race to oppose President Trump, the possibility of a brokered convention, the strength of candidates in the field and the candidate concentrating on the later contests with unlimited possible spending.

Who Stole My Pension......How You Can Stop the Looting--Co-Author Edward Siedle joins In Focus host John Damschroder for an expert evaluation of a problem hitting every public employee in Ohio bringing calls from state pension leaders for more taxpayer dollars to bailout the system, to the world-wide impact of high fee Wall Street investments being sold to retirement programs around the globe.  Mr. Siedle explains how Ohio pension beneficiaries can band together to investigate their retirement funds through social media funded campaigns.

Chris Tobe-Public pension expert, author of Kentucky Fried Pensions, detailing his experience as a board member of the Kentucky Public Pension System.  Chris has been quoted as an expert in countless publications and broadcasts as the crisis in public pension payments becomes to bring benefit cuts to many states including Ohio.  In Focus host John Damschroder discusses the state of state pension programs with nationally recognized expert Chris Tobe during the midst of deep proposed benefit cuts to the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System.

International Economic Development Council President & CEO Jeff Finkle talks with John Damschroder about the issues impacting business prosperity across the globe and how Northwest Ohio communities can compete effectively for attraction and retention of jobs.