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The Local Exchange Podcast

Jon Keske

The Local Exchange Podcast is a Lima, Ohio-based show where real conversations happen about the issues that matter most to our community. Hosted by Jon Keske, the podcast focuses on what’s happening in local school districts and townships, with a close look at Shawnee Township and the Shawnee School District. The show also explores topics across the region, including other school districts, community issues, local business development, and items that may appear on upcoming ballots. Each episode features in-depth discussions with local leaders, candidates, and community voices.

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  • 26 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 13 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S1 · E34
    Sunday · 1 hr 44 min

    Episode 34: Phil White - Bath School Board

    Phil White is a member of the Bath Local Schools Board of Education. He’s a chemical engineer and Engineering Manager at INEOS, moved to the Lima area in 1997, built his house in Bath in 2000, and was re-elected to the board in 2025. He reached out...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E33
    October 22 · 56 min

    Episode 33: Adam Preston - Vote No on Cable Rd

    Adam Preston, treasurer of the Vote No on Cable Rd campaign, joins us to break down the November ballot issue facing Lima voters. We cover who gets to vote, what the project actually proposes (center median, lane changes, sidewalks), the city’s crash...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E32
    October 19 · 57 min

    Episode 32: Justin Davis - Loud Music Fest

    Justin Davis has spent his life playing, promoting, and spreading music. From performing as Davis Unplugged across Northwest Ohio to organizing community events, he has dedicated himself to keeping live music alive and accessible.In this episode of...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E31
    September 25 · 42 min

    Episode 31: Car Taylor - The Lima Beane Chorus

    Episode 31: Carl Taylor – Lima Bean Chorus Carl Taylor has spent most of his life in barbershop and men’s singing groups and picked up multiple contest wins along the way. He talks about the Lima Beane Chorus, the Lima chapter of the Barbershop...

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  • S1 · E30
    September 16 · 1 hr 9 min

    Episode 30: Jeff Givan

    Jeff Givan is a first-time candidate for the Ohio House in District 78, which covers Allen County and part of northern Auglaize County. He is a co-founder of the Lima Pride Alliance. We talk about how the Ohio House works, school funding, healthcare,...

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  • S1 · E29
    September 7 · 1 hr 33 min

    Episode 29: Matt Hambleton

    Matt is back on The Local Exchange. We start with a little Shawnee football, then get into recent issues around Shawnee Schools. After that we talk through where things stand after the first round of the Chief Austin Miller hearing.The Local Exchange...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E28
    September 1 · 1 hr 12 min

    Episode 28: Lew Modic

    Lew Modic is the Democratic candidate for Allen County Commissioner, running against incumbent Brian Winegardner in the November 3, 2026 general election.In this episode of The Local Exchange, Lew talks about what a county commissioner actually does,...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E27
    August 5 · 1 hr 11 min

    Episode 27: Joe Wassink

    Episode 27: Joe Wassink – LifeWise, Faith, and the Lifewise 5KIn this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon sits down with Joe Wassink of Lima, Ohio. Joe serves with ACTS / TV44 and has been deeply involved with LifeWise Academy in Allen County for...

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  • S1 · E26
    July 29 · 1 hr 29 min

    Episode 26: Sov Savors

    In this episode of The Local Exchange, I sit down with Sov Savors — the Lima-area food reviewer who’s been making serious noise across greater Northwest Ohio.We dig into how he chooses the next restaurant, his process for creating high-quality review...

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  • S1 · E25
    June 27 · 2 hr 1 min

    Episode 25: Dalton Smith

    Dalton J. Smith (attorney who was part of the legal team representing Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller during last year’s proceedings) joins us to discuss the current situation. In this conversation we cover what can be shared publicly about...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E24
    June 22 · 1 hr 49 min

    Episode #24: Jake Eilerman | 419 Live

    In this episode, Jon sits down with Jake Eilerman - lifelong Lima resident, Director of Communications at 419 Live, and the man behind the camera who live-streamed the Shawnee Trustee town hall and Chief Miller’s first hearing, bringing vital...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E23
    May 28 · 1 hr 44 min

    Episode 23: Evan Skilliter

    Episode 23: Evan SkilliterIn this episode, Jon is joined by Matt — back for his first podcast since Episode 17 — as they sit down with Jon’s brother-in-law, Evan Skilliter. Evan is a Bluffton University alumnus, Assistant Professor of Sport...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E22
    May 22 · 1 hr 36 min

    Episode 22: Marc Bowker

    A long time ago in a podcast studio not too far away, Jon sat down with Marc Bowker - Lima’s own comic-book store owner, certified Heroic Coach, and real-life superhero of downtown revitalization.In this epic crossover, Marc steps out from behind the...

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  • S1 · E17
    May 16 · 54 min

    Episode 17: Stephanie Ernest

    In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Stephanie Ernest, a member of the Bath Local School District Board of Education, to talk about the proposed Bath High School project that is going to be on the ballot in May. We discuss how the...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E16
    May 16 · 38 min

    Episode 16: Chief Miller’s Hearing Results

    Matt and I react to the outcome of Chief Austin Miller’s termination hearing, where all charges were dismissed with prejudice. We share our thoughts on what the decision means for the fire department, the township, and the community moving...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E15
    May 16 · 39 min

    Episode 15: Chief Miller Lawsuit Reaction

    Originally posted 12/13/2025We share our thoughts on the federal lawsuit filed by Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller and discuss what it could mean for the township, the fire department, and the community. The conversation focuses on potential...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E14
    May 16 · 1 hr 8 min

    Episode 14: Chris Cross

    In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cross, Treasurer of Shawnee Schools, to discuss the financial landscape of the district. We cover the history behind Shawnee’s past deficit spending, the plan now in place to stabilize the budget, and what the...

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E13
    May 16 · 1 hr 54 min

    Episode 13: Todd Washam

    In this episode we sit down with Todd Washam, Vice President of the Shawnee School Board, to discuss the key issues facing Shawnee Schools. We talk about efforts to improve academics, classroom sizes, staffing challenges, the condition of current...

    • Transcript
  • May 16 · 35 min

    Episode 12: Shawnee Township Emergency Meeting Recap

    We recap tonight’s emergency meeting regarding Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller. We walk through what happened, what questions remain, and how this situation may impact the township moving forward.Originally Posted 11/26/2025

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E11
    May 16 · 58 min

    Episode 11: Mark Triplett

    In this episode, Matt sits down with Shawnee boys basketball head coach Mark Triplett to cover a wide range of topics, including his approach to the game, the challenges and rewards of developing young players, and what it means to be closing in on...

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes