Brian Suiter on Development in Central Ohio

Brandi Al-Issa, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, returns to Six One Forward to discuss the organization’s history in Central Ohio, its growing impact, and the future of affordable housing. From current housing projects and opportunities for community involvement to what’s missing from the broader housing conversation, Brandi shares her perspective on where Habitat is headed and how more people can be part of the mission. The episode wraps with a Q&A featuring local young professionals.

In this live episode of Six One Forward, Betsy sits down with Don Leonard for a wide-ranging conversation about his campaign and the people he hopes to represent. They talk about how the campaign is going, what people across Central Ohio are feeling, and what Don sees changing when he is elected. The conversation also gets into rebuilding trust, clarifying some of Don’s past quotes, and the role of data centers in Central Ohio, before opening the floor to questions from the audience.

Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt sits down to talk about the moments and influences that shaped her path into law and public service-from working in her father’s firm to finding her footing through early involvement in voting and civic work.She also shares why she’s been showing up more on social media and what she hopes her videos accomplish, along with her belief that real change depends on people taking action at every level. The conversation wraps with her perspective on the “Columbus Way.”

In this episode, we sit down with Brian to talk about his path into development and the projects that helped shape it. The conversation touches on his early days in development, what it takes to move a project from idea to reality, and the story behind The Mill on Flax Luxury Apartments in Delaware. Brian also shares how the development world has changed in recent years, the role partnerships play in getting projects done, and what he sees ahead for growth in Central Ohio.

This week on Six One Forward, Betsy sits down with "The Rooster," a fellow "Marionaire," for a wide-ranging conversation about the person behind the camera and the work that’s made him a familiar presence around Columbus.They talk about the path that brought him there, the routines and choices that shape his daily life, and how his approach to documenting politics has evolved over time. The conversation also touches on how his presence is perceived in those spaces, the role video has played in building the audience that now follows his work, and some of the bigger political stories and dynamics currently surrounding Central Ohio.

In this episode of the Six One Forward, Betsy sits down with Artist Jeremy Mangerchine alongside Cheryl Stauffer of Crimson Design Group and Brandi Al-Issa of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio for a conversation about art, community, and collaboration. Together, they talk about the power of creative partnership, the impact of working with a Habitat family on a custom piece, and what it looks like when art becomes something bigger than the canvas.After Cheryl and Brandi head out, Betsy and Jeremy continue the conversation and zoom out a bit. Jeremy shares how long he’s been creating, what the Columbus art scene has looked like from his perspective, how his path has evolved over the years, and what this upcoming show means to him.

In this episode, Betsy sits down with attorney and former Columbus City Council candidate Jesse Vogel for a conversation that picks up in the aftermath of an election and in the middle of a pivotal moment for our city.Jesse reflects on the close of his campaign, what the experience demanded of him, and how it reshaped the relationships and energy around local politics. While most candidates get a pause after Election Day, Jesse stepped straight into high-stakes work at CRIS, as Columbus began grappling with increased ICE activity and the fear and uncertainty that followed.They talk about what those early days felt like on the ground, how families are navigating detention, and how local leaders are coordinating to respond with urgency and care. The conversation closes with a forward-looking perspective on what comes next for Columbus, and how people across the city can stay engaged in shaping a community that looks out for one another.

In this episode I'm joined by Yohannan Terrell, AKA "Yogi." We talk through the experiences and early work that helped shape his creative direction, and how those lessons influence what’s being built today. That foundation opens a broader conversation about Columbus - its culture, its creative energy, and why the city is positioned to become a fashion capital in its own right. We also dive into The Loom, a new project led by Yogi designed to bring creators and retailers together under one roof, and what it means to invest intentionally in the future of your city.

In this episode, Betsy sits down with Mayor Jadwin to talk about Gahanna’s past, present, and future. They cover the history of Creekside, the vision behind the $100 million Creekside Reimagined project, Gahanna’s approach to housing, how Intel factors into the city’s growth, and what residents can expect from the new Civic Center and the city’s 10-year outlook.

In this episode, Betsy sits down with Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin to talk about his path in public service and the city he’s helping shape. Shannon reflects on growing up around City Hall, the milestones he’s proud of in his role, and his work bringing the LinkUS transit project to life.He also explores Columbus’s growth - celebrating new opportunities while addressing the challenges of displacement - and shares his vision for the city’s future. Plus, Betsy asks the question on everyone’s mind: Will he run for mayor?