The Midstory Hour

Face the Future

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about the importance of tomorrow. You’ll hear the sixth and final episode of The Copperhead Conspiracy, an Ohio Humanities and Reckoning, Inc. podcast about a forgotten Civil War-era plot to overthrow the Union from within. Next up is the story of how electric aviation is taking off in the Miami Valley, the onetime home of the Wright brothers. Finally, hear about what’s behind a biotechnology boom occurring in some of Ohio’s largest cities.

“The Midstory Hour” is a weekly radio show by Midstory, a nonprofit organization dedicated to telling stories that inform, interpret and inspire for the region and to the world. “The Midstory Hour” spotlights the best of Midstory’s content, connecting regional stories into national dialogues and featuring behind-the-story conversations with Midstory’s writers from across the nation. Tune in to WGTE on FM91 or wgte.org every Saturday at 10AM ET for nuanced local and Midwest-wide stories told with authenticity and heart. Learn more at www.midstory.org.

By Land and By Sea

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” our stories span the elements — earth, fire, wind and air — showing how the natural world can bring both peace and danger. You’ll hear the fifth episode of The Copperhead Conspiracy, an Ohio Humanities and Reckoning, Inc. podcast about a forgotten Civil War-era plot to overthrow the Union from within. Next, learn about why the Midwest may be on track to become the country’s next rowing hotspot. Last up is a story about a small island in Lake Erie that was once owned by President Rutherford B. Hayes — and could now be yours.

Safe Havens and Wide Open Spaces

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about places of refuge. You’ll hear the fourth episode of The Copperhead Conspiracy, an Ohio Humanities and Reckoning, Inc. podcast about a forgotten Civil War-era plot to overthrow the Union from within. Then, learn about how an abandoned ammunition factory was turned into a thriving apartment community. Next up is a story about the return of bison to Northwest Ohio. Finally, hear about the Book Loft, a one-of-a-kind bookstore that builds community in Columbus.

Right Place, Right Time

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about getting things where they’re meant to be. You’ll hear the third episode of The Copperhead Conspiracy, an Ohio Humanities and Reckoning, Inc. podcast about a forgotten Civil War-era plot to overthrow the Union from within. Next is a story about how Ohio librarians use bookmobiles to increase access in the state’s most rural corners. Finally, hear about how Indiana embraced basketball — a sport invented in New England — and turned it into an iconic part of the state’s culture.

Something to Prove

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about showing your worth. You’ll hear the second episode of The Copperhead Conspiracy, an Ohio Humanities and Reckoning, Inc. podcast about a forgotten Civil War-era plot to overthrow the Union from within. Then, learn about the Heinz factory in Fremont, which produces more than a billion pounds of ketchup every year. Last up is a story about how the Lost Region Recovery Project is bringing the Midwest back into the academic spotlight.

Changing the World

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about moments that could have altered history. You’ll hear the first episode of The Copperhead Conspiracy, an Ohio Humanities and Reckoning, Inc. podcast about a forgotten Civil War-era plot to overthrow the Union from within. Next up is a story about how a gasholder building in Oberlin became a celebration of the city’s Black history. Finally, hear about Detroit’s nine bids to host the Olympics — and why they all failed.

New Beginnings

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about endings and beginnings. Listen to the season finale of Brain Drain, which looks at Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. Then, hear from journalist Dan Gediman about a forgotten Civil-War-era plot to overthrow the Union on a brand new podcast, The Copperhead Conspiracy, which will be released during the Midstory Hour beginning next week.

"Aim high. Be bold."

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about seeing our cities through new eyes. You’ll hear the sixth episode of Midstory’s newest original podcast, Brain Drain, which looks at Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. Then, hear about how a manufacturing nonprofit is giving new life to a public school in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland as part of a broader revitalization. Last up is a story about how Toledo’s hot housing market is driving a rise in homelessness, reversing a previous decline.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about changing landscapes. You’ll hear the fifth episode of Midstory’s newest original podcast, Brain Drain, which looks at Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. Next up is a story about a movement that aims to connect America through turning unused railroad tracks into recreational trails. Finally, hear what residents of Mill Creek, a watershed just outside of Cleveland, are doing to reconnect with this forgotten natural treasure.

Music to My Ears

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about craftsmanship and creativity. You’ll hear the fourth episode of Midstory’s newest original podcast, Brain Drain, which looks at Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. Next up, learn about one of architect Frank Gehry’s Midwestern masterpieces — and how this house’s unique history led to it leaving the Midwest for good. Finally, hear about some unique items that you may not know were originally Made in Toledo.

The Little Things in Life

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories about transforming the old into the new. You’ll hear the third episode of Midstory’s newest original podcast, Brain Drain, which looks at Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. Then, learn about the story of Toledo Pickle and how it turned a warehouse into a facility for one of the nation’s hottest sports, in the process helping to revitalize the riverside. Last up is the storied history of the Midwest’s favorite card game — Euchre — and the communities that are keeping the game alive today.

Home in Unexpected Places

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week on “The Midstory Hour,” we’re featuring stories of finding home in unexpected places. You’ll hear the second episode of Midstory’s newest original podcast, Brain Drain, which looks at Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. Next up is the story of how the Toledo School for the Arts made home in an automobile finishing plant, adapted from our documentary series on adaptive reuse projects across Ohio. Finally, learn about why the nation’s most prestigious coin collection is relocating from New York to Toledo — and how it all happened.

Our Story

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This week, listen to some hot takes about brain drain in Toledo, hear from the creators of NBC’s new show, “The Paper,” and dive deep into the state of local news in the Midwest. Tune in to WGTE on FM91 or wgte.org every Saturday at 10AM ET for nuanced local and Midwest-wide stories. Learn more at www.midstory.org.