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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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22 episodes
Avg 1 hr 15 min
English

Episodes 22

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S1 · E30
Yesterday · 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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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
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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...
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S1 · E10
May 16 · 50 min
Episode 10: Kelly Martino
In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt sit down with Kelly Martino, head of fundraising for the Shawnee Stadium Capital Campaign. Kelly shares the history behind the stadium project, how the effort began, and the challenges and teamwork...
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May 16 · 33 min
Episode 9: Election Results Recap
In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt break down the results of the recent Shawnee Township election — with Kenny Gross and Paul Neff set to take office as trustees in January. They look at voting trends, turnout, and how social media...
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May 16 · 1 hr 28 min
Episode 8: Tug Taviano
In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Tug Taviano, a long time Lima native, community connector, and event organizer known for bringing people together through faith, music, and service. Tug shares his personal journey, from his early...
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S1 · E7
May 16 · 1 hr 32 min
Episode 7: John Hollenbacher
In Episode 7 of Local Exchange, we sit down with John Hollenbacher, a Shawnee resident whose family has been deeply involved in local government for generations. John has been an advocate for positive communication, community engagement, and leading...
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