Best Ideastream Public Media Podcasts (2025)

1
A bevy of scientists push back against Trump administration's climate change report 39:03

6h ago39:03

39:03

A local professor from Case Western Reserve University is one of dozens of scientists who are pushing back against a Department of Energy report.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Local history campaign chronicles long road to desegregation in Cleveland schools 36:47

1d ago36:47

36:47

Relay Cleveland, a public history campaign, takes its name from Cleveland’s historic “relay” policy — a system that split school days into half-day sessions in overcrowded, predominantly Black schools.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Cleveland airport director opposed to Browns stadium plan | Reporters Roundtable 51:16

4d ago51:16

51:16

Cleveland's director of airports talked to the media this week about his opposition to the Browns new stadium complex, which is planned for land near the city-owned Hopkins International Airport. Bryant Francis told reporters that he has not changed his mind about safety concerns he believes the new stadium, because its height encroaches 58 feet in…

1
Clinical trials and political will could mark new landscape for psychedelics 51:52

5d ago51:52

51:52

Psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine are being tested to treat disorders like PTSD and anxiety.By Ideastream Public Media

1
How Northeast Ohio organizations are protecting victims of human trafficking 51:38

6d ago51:38

51:38

Human trafficking may seem like a problem that only happens in places far away, but in reality, it happens here in Ohio. According to the United Nations' International Labour Organization, human trafficking impacts more than 27 million people worldwide. And though there's no reliable estimate of human trafficking in the U.S., according to the U.S. …

1
Reflecting on Ohio’s role in World War II and preserving the memories of veterans 51:13

7d ago51:13

51:13

We'll talk about the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the role Ohioans played in the fight against fascism.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Downtown Cleveland chase that killed bystander raises questions | Reporters Roundtable 51:26

11d ago51:26

51:26

A bystander was killed last weekend when a suspect being chased by Cuyahoga County Sheriff's deputies crashed into her car at St. Clair and Addison Avenue. It's raising anew questions about police chase policy and the sheriff’s downtown safety patrol. Sharday Elder, 37, was killed. She was the mother of two. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office for…

1
Museums and American history are new targets for President Trump 52:38

12d ago52:38

52:38

President Trump has taken aim at the Smithsonian Institution and with it, how America tells the story of itself, warts and all.By Ideastream Public Media

1
College of Wooster discuss academic freedom in new series amid changing political landscape 49:52

13d ago49:52

49:52

The "Democracy and Academic Freedom: A Forum" series kicks off on the College of Wooster's campus on Sept 3.By Ideastream Public Media

1
What comes next for South Euclid and Steubenville after colleges shut down? 51:25

14d ago51:25

51:25

In Ohio, financial problems eventually led to the closure of two institutions: Notre Dame College in South Euclid and Eastern Gateway Community College in Steubenville. Both shut their doors last year permanently. Coming up we will talk about what happens when a college shuts its doors. What about the students, faculty and vibrancy of the surroundi…

1
Sound of Ideas Community Tour: The Future of Shaker Lakes 1:33:51

15d ago1:33:51

1:33:51

The latest "Sound of Ideas: Community Tour" examined the possible future of Lower Shaker Lake, after the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District recommended it be drained to prevent flooding.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Construction permit denied for new Browns stadium over airport concerns | Reporters Roundtable 50:51

18d ago50:51

50:51

We learned more this week about the latest hurdle for the Browns' plans to build and move to a new covered stadium in Brook Park beginning in 2029. The Ohio Department of Transportation this month denied a construction permit for the stadium after Cleveland's top airport official said the current design would "permanently and negatively impact" the…

1
Trump administration cuts "Solar for All" program, impacting lower-income families in Ohio 51:52

19d ago51:52

51:52

The "Solar for All" program was designed to help low-income households by lowering pollution and utility costs in underserved communities. It funded initiatives across the country to expand access to rooftop solar panels, community solar farms and battery storage systems.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Analysis: How will Sherrod Brown's run for Senate impact the Ohio political landscape? 52:56

20d ago52:56

52:56

Sherrod Brown announced this week his intention to challenge Jon Husted next November in a bid to return to the U.S. Senate. Now that Brown has clarified his political ambitions, how does that affect other potential races?By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio organizations hope to turn food waste into 'food rescue' 52:04

21d ago52:04

52:04

Food waste is estimated to be about 30 to 40% of the food supply, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio organizations helping teens as youth mental health crisis grows 51:31

22d ago51:31

51:31

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Cleveland City Council to hold censure vote next month | Reporters Roundtable 51:24

25d ago51:24

51:24

Cleveland City Councilmember Joe Jones, stripped of his committee assignments in January for bad behavior, is now set to be censured by council after an investigation found credible allegations that he threatened the life of a staffer. Jones will face censure next month. Cleveland City Council has not censured one of its members since the 1970s. A …

1
Northeast Ohio attorneys help families, students navigate special education programs 51:38

26d ago51:38

51:38

The Positivity Spectrum launched a virtual legal clinic to help families in the autism community earlier this month.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Woman shares her health story living with rare condition, pulsatile tinnitus 50:48

27d ago50:48

50:48

For an estimated 5 million Americans, every beat of their heart can be heard in their ears as a constant "whooshing" sound making it difficult to sleep or concentrate and contributing to anxiety and depression. The condition is known as pulsatile tinnitus or P-T. Those who treat people with P-T say the condition can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed d…

1
Reassessing the classics and books that are required reading in schools 48:37

28d ago48:37

48:37

Educators at a variety of levels are re-examining the "literary canon" and bringing new works into the classroom. "Romeo and Juliet" and "Of Mice and Men" might be moved to make room for more modern, diverse voices.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio experts discuss advances and inequities in organ donation 51:19

29d ago51:19

51:19

Every day, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for an organ transplant, yet an average of 13 patients on the transplant list die each day. Experts in organ procurement and advocacy from Northeast Ohio will discuss the disparities and inequities in the organ donation system, and why some organs are going to waste.…

1
Coal subsidies paid as part of scandal-plague House Bill 6 to end | Reporters Roundtable 51:41

1M ago51:41

51:41

Ohio electric customers will soon stop propping up two coal plants with subsidies tacked onto their bills. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio voted to zero out the charges as of Aug. 14. The subsidies were part of the scandal-tainted House Bill 6 that also bailed out nuclear power plants. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former …

1
Northeast Ohio experts discuss homelessness and federal efforts to deter crime and drug use 51:16

1M ago51:16

51:16

President Donald Trump's executive order, "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets" aims to crackdown on homeless encampments and involuntarily place unhoused individuals in treatment for mental health and addictions. The efforts reverse the decades-old "housing first" policy, used locally and nationwide.…

1
Ohio marks first year of recreational marijuana sales 51:08

1M ago51:08

51:08

It’s been one year since Ohio began recreational marijuana sales for adult use. The launch of recreational products came less than a year after voters approved a citizen-initiated statute in 2023, paving the way for both recreational marijuana sales and home cultivation. The recreational market joined the state’s existing medical marijuana program,…

1
City officials, community leaders continue efforts to increase lead safe housing in Cleveland 51:42

1M ago51:42

51:42

Lead poisoning, an irreversible diagnosis, poses a significant threat to children under the age of six. Cleveland's lead-poisoning rates are nearly four times the national average.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Akron leaders organize to address incidents of youth violence 51:33

1M ago51:33

51:33

Several community groups in Akron are rallying to curb violence through events like the city's National Night Out program, which aims to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Major I-90 project on Cleveland’s West Side will impact commute through 2028 | Reporters Roundtable 51:03

1M ago51:03

51:03

Commuters on Cleveland's West Side had better have a mug of patience in the cupholder beside them: A $173 million dollar construction project starts Aug. 4 and will impact traffic on Interstate 90 through October of 2028. Earlier this week on that stretch of highway, commuters may have needed a pontoon. I-90 in Lakewood and Rocky River was under wa…

1
Federal cuts to fair housing programs could lead to increase in evictions, advocates warn 51:35

1M ago51:35

51:35

Four fair housing agencies, including the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research in Cleveland, have filed a class action lawsuit against DOGE and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, hoping to restore funding that it says helps keep residents in their homes.By Ideastream Public Media

1
MetroHealth announces layoffs for 125 non-medical workers | Reporters Roundtable 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

After losing $50 million last year and on track to go deeper in the red this year, the MetroHealth System announced yesterday that it's laying off 125 non-medical workers, freezing non-clinical hiring and scrapping an executive bonus program.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Federal deregulation efforts could impact workers and businesses in Northeast Ohio 51:58

1M ago51:58

51:58

The U.S. Labor Department unveiled a plan to deregulate industries and reduce employer compliance costs. The proposal targets rules affecting wages, safety and working conditions across sectors such as home health care, agriculture, construction and mining.By Ideastream Public Media

1
New head of Downtown Akron Development Corporation hopes to attract businesses and residents 52:09

1M ago52:09

52:09

Christopher Hardesty is the inaugural executive director of the Downtown Akron CDC, which aims to redevelop vacant spaces and help struggling businesses stay in place.By Ideastream Public Media

1
How the Scopes trial and controversies over evolution resonate 100 years later 52:05

1M ago52:05

52:05

Historians note that a famous trial from 1925 regarding the teaching of evolution still matters today, as the classroom is still a battleground for controversial ideas.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio millennials reflect on growing up amid rapid technological change 52:14

2M ago52:14

52:14

Local millennials push back on generational stereotypes and open up about what it’s really like to navigate adulthood in a dramatically changing world— from managing student debt and chasing career stability to redefining success and identity in the age of social media.By Ideastream Public Media

1
New housing projects in Northeast Ohio are tailored to seniors and aging veterans 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

Two development projects in Cleveland will include permanent supportive housing units for veterans experiencing homelessness as well as older adults and individuals with disabilities.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Free clinics brace for larger role with Medicaid cuts looming 52:47

2M ago52:47

52:47

Free clinics, a key safety net provider for people who are uninsured and underinsured, are likely to see a demand for their services increase in the coming years. We’ll talk to free clinics in Northeast Ohio about the plan to meet that demand.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Northeast Ohio researchers hope to fight misinformation by making science more engaging 51:41

2M ago51:41

51:41

Kirsten Ellenbogen, CEO of the Great Lakes Science Center, is one scientist who signed onto a paper about better communication strategies for scientists and researchers.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb signals end of fight to keep Browns downtown | Reporters Roundtable 50:37

2M ago50:37

50:37

Bibb said this week he is looking for ideas to develop the Downtown lakefront — without the Browns. Is the fight all but over?By Ideastream Public Media

1
Sound of Ideas Community Tour | CVNP at 50 1:12:21

2M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

The "Sound of Ideas Community Tour" stopped in Peninsula, at Happy Days Lodge, to discuss the 50th anniversary of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Changes to temporary protected status programs will impact Northeast Ohio communities 51:35

2M ago51:35

51:35

This month, the U.S. ended federal protections from deportation for thousands of migrants from Nicaragua and Honduras. This week, temporary protections were set to end for Afghani immigrants, but an appeals court temporarily blocked the effort.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Major changes to Medicaid could impact access to coverage for Ohioans 52:14

2M ago52:14

52:14

Policy changes are coming to Medicaid, the federally and state-funded health insurance program, including additional work requirements, and new eligibility checks every six months, instead of once a year.By Ideastream Public Media

1
A tale of two franchises, how the Haslams and Dan Gilbert differ in their Northeast investments 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

Dan Gilbert's Bedrock company is developing in Downtown Cleveland while the Haslam's are pushing for a new Brown's stadium in Brook Park; both hope it benefits the region.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Lawmakers look to override governor’s property tax vetoes in Ohio budget | Reporters Roundtable 50:52

2M ago50:52

50:52

Republican lawmakers will be back at work later this month, interrupting their summer recess, to consider overrides on three of Gov. Mike DeWine's budget line-item vetoes, all focused on property taxes. The governor used his red pen 67 times to strike out items in the massive $60 billion-dollar two-year operating budget. He signed off on the budget…

1
Cleveland Clinic’s long-range study looks to unlock biomarkers for brain ailments 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

The Cleveland Clinic is in the third year of a first-of-its-kind brain study that was launched in 2022. The aim of the study is to identify biomarkers for neurological disorders earlier and either slow the progression or stop the progression all together. It's estimated that 1 in 6 people worldwide live with a neurological disorder—a broad term tha…

1
Where does the opioid overdose epidemic stand in Cuyahoga County and Cleveland? 51:49

2M ago51:49

51:49

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost to the ever-evolving opioid overdose epidemic. We will discuss where Cleveland and Cuyahoga County stand with regards handling the crisis. Wednesday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll start by talking about where Northeast Ohio stands in the approach and treatment of those impacted by opioids. We'll also di…

1
Transportation experts urge caution on the road during busy traffic and construction season 51:18

2M ago51:18

51:18

AAA predicts that a record 72.2 million Americans will travel during the week of July 4, crowding the roads with extra traffic. Meanwhile, it's the so-called 100 deadliest days of summer -- the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the most traffic crashes occur.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Examining the new two-year Ohio operating budget and the governor's vetoes 52:40

2M ago52:40

52:40

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed off on the state's new two-year operating budget at the deadline late Monday night into Tuesday. The $60 billion dollar spending plan includes money for a new Browns stadium in Brook Park. The state will chip in $600 million taken from unclaimed funds held by the Ohio Department of Commerce. The budget also flattens Ohi…

1
Northeast Ohio experts discuss water safety following rise in drowning deaths 51:21

2M ago51:21

51:21

As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, water safety and drowning prevention guidance is crucial. In the last month, more than five people have died by drowning in Northeast Ohio and dozens more have been rescued on the Cuyahoga River.By Ideastream Public Media

1
S2E11: Hope in Akron 51:03

2M ago51:03

51:03

In this powerful final episode of this season of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up , co-hosts Marlene Harris-Taylor and Myesha Watkins turn their focus to Akron, Ohio — a Northeast Ohio city grappling with the harsh realities of gun and police violence. They sit down with community advocate Courtney Brown, founder of Winners and Leaders, and Taylin Ra…

1
Northeast Ohio experts discuss major Supreme Court end-of-term rulings 51:20

2M ago51:20

51:20

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that lower federal judges had overstepped their authority by imposing nationwide injunctions that blocked President Trump's executive order curbing birthright citizenship.By Ideastream Public Media

1
Ohio budget includes money for a Browns domed stadium and a flat income tax | Reporters Roundtable 51:08

2M ago51:08

51:08

Ohio's new two-year $60 billion operating budget is off to Gov. Mike DeWine. The budget passed through a reconciliation committee, and both chambers of the legislature this week. The budget is massive coming in at 5,000-plus pages laying out a mix of spending, tax cuts and policy measures. One of the most watched items: whether the state should pic…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ideastream Public Media Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide