The Sound of Ideas

Rand Laycock, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, has been dealing with the disease through new technology called "adaptive deep brain stimulation."

The average person will spend roughly a third of their life asleep, yet the importance of sleep is often overlooked. Sleep affects how we learn, work and maintain relationships, and poor sleep has been linked to a range of physical and mental health challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three adults in the U.S. doesn't get enough sleep on a regular basis, and experts attribute this to both lifestyle pressures and the growing presence of technology. At the same time, trends related to sleep and rest are growing in popularity on social media. On TikTok, some users view sleep as a time to allow skin and hair products to work overnight, a trend called the "morning shed." There's also "bed rotting," where people spend long stretches in bed scrolling online or watching tv. And sleep supplements like melatonin gummies are growing in popularity, as are "at-home" sleep remedies. Are these trends helpful or harmful to our sleep? We'll explore this question and more. Guests:- Nicoleta Olteanu, M.D., Adult and Pediatric Sleep Medicine, MetroHealth- Eric Yeh, M.D., Sleep Medicine, University Hospitals- Wendy Troxel, Ph.D., Senior Behavioral Scientist, RAND Corporation

For more than 30 years, Crain's Cleveland Business has been honoring young leaders across Northeast Ohio. Each year, the publication features 40 innovators to watch in diverse spaces, from mental and physical health, to sports and entertainment, the sciences, public service, policy development and beyond. The one thing they all have in common is that they're not even 40 years old. On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll introduce you to seven of this year's 40 under 40 honorees ranging in age from 27 to 38, including a psychiatrist, an events booker, a real estate professional, and an astronomer to name a few. Guests:- Brooke Lowery, Senior Vice President of Booking and Events, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Arena- Poojajeet Khaira, M.D., Psychiatry Resident Physician and Academic Chief Resident, MetroHealth- Carmen Daniel, Ed.D., Business and Community Engagement Specialist, Heights Career Tech Consortium- Ty Stimpert, Community Outreach Program Manager, Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute- Maryam Kiefer, Senior Director of Public Policy, United Way of Greater Cleveland- Kevin Moss, Senior Vice President, CBRE- Monica Marshall, Astronomer, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Over the past three months, the U.S. Navy has conducted airstrikes against numerous foreign vessels in the Caribbean, killing more than 75 people. Critics question its legality.

Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around food. But for many hardworking families and individuals in Northeast Ohio, there is growing uncertainty where to find that next meal. Then, we learn about Harry Houdini's war on spiritualism with Brad Ricca, local author of the new book "Lincoln's Ghost."

Shop local this holiday season After experiencing a large dip during the pandemic, holiday shopping has been steadily rising over the last few years, with a record 186 million people planning to shop from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday this year, according to the National Retail Foundation. While Black Friday is the most popular day to shop, 67 million people plan to shop specifically on Saturday, with 80% of those saying they want to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday. Ohio has more than 90,000 small retail businesses, who employ almost 180,000 workers in the state, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. We're going to devote Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas" to highlighting the entrepreneurs, makers and artists from across Northeast Ohio who rely on this time of year to keep doing what they love. Guests: -Mike Brighton, Owner, Gray Dog Comics -Corbin Wandling, Production Manager, Nosh Butters -Lori Parnell, Founder and Maker, Black Culture Candles -Dominic Caruso, Communications Director, Downtown Akron Partnership -Charlie Malta aka Guice Man, Artist -Tessa Lebaron, Artist -Maureen Ater, President and CEO, ArtsinStark

2025 Annual "Sound of Ideas" Friendsgiving With Thanksgiving just days away, people may be in the midst of gathering ingredients to pull together that perfect holiday feast. But what happens when the people around the dinner table can't eat the traditional dishes? Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll host our annual "Friendsgiving" show where we invite Northeast Ohio chefs to share food, cooking advice and Thanksgiving memories with us. This year, we're focusing on dishes that can be enjoyed by everyone, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and nut-free options. We've asked four Northeast Ohio chefs to share their inclusive dishes they've created and offer Thanksgiving cooking wisdom for home cooks. They'll also reflect on their personal journeys with plant-based living and share how they're navigating a changing restaurant landscape. Here's what the Northeast Ohio chefs prepared this year: Porscha Phillips (side):- Braised Greens with Smoked Jackfruit Adam Schwieterman (side):- Vegan Stuffing- Baked Kale and Quinoa Salad Teala Lewis (main):- Signature Soul Plate- Fried Oyster Mushrooms accompanied by Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens, and a Sweet Potato Cornbread Muffin- Seared Lions Mane- Mushroom over a bed of Red Skinned Garlic mashed Potatoes accompanied by steamed Broccolini. Caitlin Shea (dessert):- Maple Pecan Pie Guests:- Adam Schwieterman, Executive Director, Local Roots Market and Cafe- Porscha Phillips, Executive Chef, The Vegan Club- Teala Lewis, Owner, Garden of Soul- Caitlin Shea, Owner, Philomena Bake Shop

Ohio lawmakers put the pedal to the metal in Columbus this week, passing dozens of bills on a variety of issues, chief among them, property tax relief. Four bills addressing rising property taxes are on the way to the governor. Proponents say collectively the bills will save taxpayers $2 billion in the coming years. We will begin Friday's “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with the flurry of activity in Columbus. A six-member committee worked overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning on a bill that places restrictions on intoxicating hemp products -- eventually banning them -- and tweaked the existing recreational marijuana statute. The work on the bill, however, still needs a final vote in the Senate because that chamber adjourned long before work on the bill was complete. Another priority for Republicans in the marathon legislative session this week: Further tightening Ohio's election rules and voter registration. Senate Bill 293, which has received approval in both chambers, now goes on to Gov. DeWine, who has said previously that he doesn't see the need to sign off on more voting restrictions for Ohio voters. State regulators have ordered FirstEnergy to pay a quarter of a billion dollars -- most of it to its customers -- as penalty for its actions in the bribery scheme to pass the nuclear bailout bill also known as House Bill 6. The multi-million dollar bribery scheme resulting in the passage of the wide-ranging energy bill, which directed ratepayer money to aging nuclear plants and gutted renewable energy standards. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Republican state party chair Matt Borges were convicted and imprisoned for their roles. As the Haslam Sports Group moves forward with its plan to build a new covered stadium in Brook Park, Cleveland officials have set a deadline for the team to leave the current Downtown stadium. The Browns lease expires after the 2028 season but includes two one-year renewal options. Guests: -Glenn Forbes, Supervising Producer for Newscasts, Ideatream Public Media -Zaria Johnson, Environmental Reporter, Ideastream Public Media -Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV

The holidays are upon us, bringing a time for more gatherings, more shared meals, and more chances to be present with the people we love. But in a world wired to our phones, how do we make sure that being together really means being together? Thursday on the "Sound of Ideas," we're diving into how children can stay safe on the internet, how adults can navigate their own social media use and how devices, while powerful tools for connection, can also drive a wedge between us. On one hand, smartphones help us stay in touch, share memories and learn. On the other hand, they carry risks. A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that among preteens ages 11 to 12, having a phone in the bedroom was linked to shorter sleep duration and greater sleep disturbances. During the hour, we'll also talk about healthy digital habits and fostering spaces that feel friendly to both devices and intimate connection. And, we'll get into "phubbing," or phone snubbing. It's the act of ignoring those around us in favor of our screens. It's a real phenomenon, and its effects can be more than just annoying. Guests:- Maureen Kyle, Host, "Parenting Playbook," Fox 8 & Communications Consultant- Shane Tilton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Writing and Multimedia Studies, Ohio Northern University- Francesca Varga, Senior Prevention Coordinator, Community Prevention Services, Prevention Action Alliance

In August 2024, the city of Cleveland raised allegations against Cleveland and Columbus business owner Bobby George, including charges of attempted murder, rape, strangulation, kidnapping and felonious assault. More than a year later, on Nov. 3, that case was resolved when George pleaded guilty to attempted strangulation of a woman he was dating at the time. The case was handled by a special prosecutor from Jefferson county, Jane Hanlin, who was assigned the case after Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O'Malley recused himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict because he had accepted campaign donations from the George family. The difference between the initial charges presented and the final plea deal George entered into have raised questions about whether he was overcharged to begin with, or received a lenient deal due to wealth and influence. On Wednesday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll examine the case with the special prosecutor who handled it. We invited George's defense attorneys, Kevin Spellacy and Diane Menashe, to take part in the conversation, but they didn't return our requests for interviews. Guests:- Jane Hanlin, special prosecutor on the Bobby George case- Retired judge Michael Donnelly, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice and adjunct professor for Cleveland State University School of Law- Terry Gilbert, Criminal defense attorney If you or someone you know is in need of support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by phone at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), by texting "START" to 88788, and online at thehotline.org.

On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas, we'll explore the health insurance landscape, and why those who buy their insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace are seeing major spikes. Then, we will talk about public corruption and its impact. It's the focus of a cross-cultural dialogue happening in Cleveland this week. Health insurance premiums are rising nationwide The longest federal government shutdown in history finally ended last week after 43 days, but the matter at the center of the shutdown remains unresolved over the fate of the Affordable Care Act tax credits that help make health care more accessible for those buying insurance on their own through the marketplace. An extension of those tax credits was not included in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," approved by lawmakers in July, so those subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. A Senate vote has been promised for later this year as part of the deal to end the shutdown, but if there are no changes, millions of Americans are at risk of seeing very large spikes in their premiums or even losing insurance, if they can't afford it. On Tuesday's "Sound of Ideas," we're going to talk to experts about the cost of insurance going up for people on the marketplace, and even for those on employer plans. We'll also hear from people impacted by those costs and ask — where do we go from here? Guests: - Jaclyn Shlapack, Lorain Resident - Kathleen Cooke, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits, CBIZ - Taylor Wizner, Health Reporter, Ideastream Public Media - Emma Wager, Senior Policy Analyst, Program on the ACA, KFF Public corruption impacts economies and public trust It's estimated that trillions of dollars that would benefit the public are lost each year due to public corruption including bribery, embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion. Developed and emerging nations both must confront public corruption and the impact it can have on institutions and public trust. Tuesday in Cleveland, the topic of corruption and how to address it will be the focus of a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Council for International Programs USA. It's a nonprofit organization founded in Cleveland by Dr. Henry Ollendorf, a Jewish refugee, to help train German social workers after World War II. The organization has grown globally with a mission to promote international understanding through professional development and cross-cultural exchange programs. The meeting and panel discussion will be hosted by the law firm of Jones Day. Among those taking part in the panel will be a delegation of prosecutors from the Romanian National Anticorruption Directorate brought to the United States by the Congressional Office of International Leadership to give emerging leaders from post-Soviet states firsthand exposure to the U.S. system of participatory democracy and free enterprise. The Council of International Programs USA will be recognized at the meeting by the Congressional Office of International Leadership for its decades of hosting international delegations in Cleveland and other U.S. cities. Guests: - Justin Herdman, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio - Veronica Dragalin, former Chief Prosecutor, Anti-corruption Prosecution Office, Republic of Moldova

On Monday's "Sound of Ideas," we'll look at changes to sports betting in Ohio following the high-profile federal indictments of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on charges related to rigging bets on specific pitches, and explain the Cleveland Municipal Income Tax filing requirements that resulted in surprise audits for many longtime workers and residents in back-to-back "Law of the Land" segments. MLB, Ohio's Casino Control Commission and sports betting companies agree to regulation changes Federal indictments against two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have rocked Major League Baseball and the sports betting world. In response to these charges of rigging bets on specific pitches, MLB worked together with the Ohio Casino Control Commission and sports betting companies to come up with mutually-agreed upon new regulations governing what's known as microprop bets, limiting them considerably compared to what was allowed before. In this installment of our series "Law of the Land," on Sound of Ideas, we'll explain the sports betting regulation changes, and look at the other legal problems that have come up surrounding betting in Ohio in both the NFL, involving famed Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, and NBA, related to allegations of faking an injury to help gamblers win against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who is a former Shaker Heights High School basketball star, along with how and why the rules differ for college sports. Guests: - Joe Maloney, Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications for the American Gaming Association - Eric Chaffee, John C. Hutchins Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law - Joe Scalzo, Sports Business Journalist for Crain's Cleveland Business Cleveland Municipal Income Tax audits surprise longtime workers and residents Over the last several months, workers and residents in Cleveland received tax audit notices in the mail warning of potentially large fines from the Central Collection Agency, which is part of the City of Cleveland's Division of Taxation. The notices informed individuals they needed to submit income tax returns and other forms that many recipients had never heard of, telling them they may have earned income which is subject to Cleveland's Municipal Income Tax. We'll clear up the confusion on exactly what's required when it comes to paying and filing the city of Cleveland's employment and residence taxes, in Monday's installment of our "Law of the Land" series on "Sound of Ideas." Guest: -Mary Sasmaz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Accountancy at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management

The Guardians star closer Emmanuel Clase and starting pitcher Luis Ortiz were indicted this week, charged with throwing pitches that bettors wagered would happen and profiting from the bets. Clase is accused of engaging in the enterprise for years and even texting and talking on the phone with a co-conspirator about it during a game. The FBI took Ortiz into custody Sunday in Boston. Federal agents took Clase into custody Thursday in New York. Each has been released on bond after entering pleas of not guilty to federal charges. We will begin the Friday's “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with investigation into Clase and Ortiz and the impact it could have on sports as well as laws governing betting in Ohio.

Northeast Ohio plant-based food lovers discuss the growing popularity of vegan foods and goods in the newest installment of our biweekly series, "The Menu."

Connecting skilled workers with in-demand and available jobs in Northeast Ohio can be challenging for businesses. Each year, Team NEO, a private, non-profit economic development organization focuses attention on the demand and supply imbalance in the region's workforce. This year, Team NEO's "Aligning Opportunities" report looked specifically at K-12 students and young adults and how they could factor into closing the talent gap regionally. We're going to talk about the report and the workforce landscape for young people in Northeast Ohio to begin Wednesday's “Sound of Ideas.” Later in the hour, we will hear from Dr. Amy Acton. She's currently running for the 2026 Democratic nomination for Ohio governor.

Retired Shaker Heights pediatrician and grandfather Dr. Arthur Lavin founded Grandparents for Vaccines to encourage child vaccination by sharing stories about deadly but preventable diseases.

A bevy of new bookstores have opened across Northeast Ohio over the past several years, in line with a national trend of growing demand for local retailers.

The Cleveland school board will decide, likely at its Dec. 9 meeting, whether to approve a massive consolidation plan presented this week by CEO Warren Morgan. The plan calls for closing 18 buildings, ending leases on five others and operating 29 fewer schools in the district. Some schools will relocate. Some, like Collinwood and Glenville high schools, will merge. Morgan said consolidation is needed because of a 50% decline in enrollment since the turn of the century, massive projected budget deficits and a desire to offer better services for students in a more concentrated district. We will begin the Friday “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with the school consolidation plan and discuss the rest of the week's news as well.

The American Heart Association has new guidance on choking response for infants, children and adults, and for treating individuals with suspected opioid overdose.

We will recap the 2025 election results with some of the winners and discuss levy and school board results in Northeast Ohio districts.

The ongoing federal shutdown means that some Head Start organizations have run out of money and are cutting services.

The future of food stamp benefits is uncertain as the federal government shutdown continues into its second month. We'll hear how leaders in Tuscarawas County are preparing for increased food insecurity.

SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, for roughly 1.4 million Ohioans could run out on Nov. 1 if the government shutdown continues.

We'll talk to a national advocate and a leader from Cleveland's Joseph & Mary's Home about the challenges people experiencing homelessness face, and the organizations serving them.

Not all tariffs are created equally. Northeast Ohio business owners and an economics professor discuss the pros and cons of tariffs in the region.

Akron recently became the third city nationwide to join Work for America's "Spotlight City" initiative, a program aimed to hire displaced federal workers for jobs in local government.

This week, the Ohio House passed two property-tax related bills. Supporters say the bills will provide more than $2 billion in tax relief over the next three years and say the measures are the most significant property tax reform in decades. But according to others, the bills won't help all Ohio property owners and claim the bills do not go far enough in overhauling the current system. Separately another proposal from Ohio Sen. Andrew Brenner a Republican from Delaware County would completely reshape school funding. We will talk about the House bills as well as the proposal from Sen. Brenner to begin Friday's “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.”

Bibb is running against community activist Laverne Gore who declined to participate in a candidate interview.

Millions of K-12 students participate in afterschool and out-of-school-time programs nationwide. But, according to the DC-based advocacy group Afterschool Alliance, for every 1 student enrolled in a program, five more are waiting to be able to join. The Alliance spotlights the work and achievements of afterschool and out of school time programs, which also include summer programming, with the Lights On Afterschool nationwide event which will be Oct. 23. The programs, advocates say, are critical for Ohio's workforce, providing safe places and activities for students whose parents work. But some programs are concerned about the future of their funding. Later, we will talk with the Community West Foundation about its efforts to create a financial safety net for the nonprofit organizations providing a safety net for those in need.

The agriculture industry in Ohio is dealing with issues like an aging population, trade war over produce and big corporations wanting to buy up valuable farmland.

Just in time for Halloween, local historians chat about Northeast Ohio's many creepy corners, and cinephiles discuss their favorite horror films.

After a yearlong battle, the city of Cleveland and the Haslam Sports Group announced a deal this week in which the city ends its objections to the Browns move to Brook Park. The city will get $100 million over 15 years from the team, money to raze the existing stadium and to help Cleveland revitalize the lakefront without the Browns. The city dropped its lawsuit and its challenge to a permit allowing the new complex to exceed Federal Aviation Administration height restrictions. The story begins our discussion of the week's news on the Friday “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable.”

Kidney stones are a common ailment that affect 1 in 10 people in their lifetime.

The Ohio Domestic Violence Network recently reported a 37% increase year-over-year in domestic violence-related fatalities. Franklin and Cuyahoga counties lead with the most documented cases.

The two organizations entered into an operating agreement on Oct. 3 to switch the format of 89.3 WCSB to the new terrestrial home of Ideastream's 24/7 jazz service. The decision and communication to students has been criticized by fans of WCSB.

We'll discuss the latest impact of the shutdown on Northeast Ohioans with the congressmember and policy experts.

Gov. Mike DeWine took executive action this week to temporarily ban the sale of "intoxicating hemp" products in the state. DeWine said the products represent a consumer product emergency. The order bans the sale of unregulated products that contain THC derived from hemp including candies and drinks. THC is the psychoactive compound found in the cannabis family of plants. DeWine's executive order is for 90 days. We will begin the “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with the governor's executive action. The Ohio House this week passed -- with some support from Democrats -- two bills that proponents say will give property owners some tax relief. The two bills, which the Senate now takes up, make changes to how property taxes are determined and how schools and other local entities collect the money raised from levies. Eleven protesters have paid nearly $400,000 in restitution in a pretrial diversion program that, if all stipulations are met, will null charges they incurred while protesting the war in Gaza at Case Western Reserve University last year. The protesters, ages 20 to 25, splashed red paint on buildings and sidewalks. They were charged with breaking and entering, possessing criminal tools and vandalism. They spoke publicly last weekend, saying the university is making an example of them in order to quash pro-Palestinian protests. Early voting is underway for the November election. And in addition to levies and mayoral an council races, there is a robustly contested battle for four open seats on the Akron Board of Education. Eight candidates meet this week for a debate sponsored by the Akron Press Club in partnership with Ideastream Public Media, the Akron Beacon Journal and Signal Akron. Our Anna Huntsman was one of the journalists posing questions to the candidates. People are packing independent music venues. That's a good thing. But the venues aren't turning a profit. That's troubling. So says a new report from the National Independent Venue Association on the impact of small music clubs on the state's economy, which estimates the more than 300 clubs made $3 billion last year. Students, alumni and supporters of student-run WCSB college radio at Cleveland State University held a protest this week after the university announced an agreement with Ideastream Public Media to switch to an all-Jazz format programmed by Ideastream.

Local federal workers could miss paychecks and area organizations could see funding cuts because of the standoff in Washington D.C.

Over the summer, Edgewater Beach had to be closed to swimmers three times due to a discharge of untreated water and sewage into the lake after heavy rains. The release at the Edgewater outfall—a huge pipe at the back of the beach—happens when storm runoff and rain overwhelm the system. Cleveland's system is a combined one where stormwater and sewage are held in the same pipes before being treated. When runoff from torrential storms adds to the mix, the outfalls provide a release point to prevent the system from backing up and flooding houses and businesses. Now, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has developed a plan to eventually eliminate the outfall onto Edgewater Beach. It involves the construction of a new tunnel called the Edgewater Beach Surge Tunnel to divert away excess runoff and combined sewage. We will begin Wednesday's “Sound of Ideas” with a discussion about the project with the CEOs of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and the Cleveland Metroparks. Later, we'll talk about how pet waste, especially that left on the ground, can impact runoff and impact our groundwater and waterways.

Nutrition misinformation is spreading faster than ever, often disguised as expert advice. In 2022, more than 58% of adults turned to the internet for health or medical information. Today, experts explore how misleading claims gain traction and offer tips to help people separate fact from fiction.

In 2023, Ohioans voted to guarantee reproductive health care access in the state. Since then, lawmakers in the Statehouse continue to propose laws that advocates say are in conflict with what voters decided.

Ohio Auditor Keith Faber this week formally requested the state attorney general begin legal proceedings to appoint a receiver to oversee the finances of East Cleveland. A new state law approved as part of the last budget, and which went into effect Tuesday, allowed the move. East Cleveland is pushing back, accusing the state of cutting off local government funds to the city and saying a state commission meant to guide finances failed. We will begin our discussion of the week's news with East Cleveland's finances and what happens next between the city and state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five children in America has obesity. One new solution might be GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

Last fall, the NuPoint Community Development Corporation (formerly the Union-Miles Development Corporation) launched a neighborhood history project called Southeast Side Stories. The idea is to document the stories of the Union-Miles, Mt. Pleasant and Lee-Harvard neighborhoods and those in between as well. Using a mix of first-person interviews and multimedia, including vintage photographs and film, the project chronicles the deep roots families have built in the area across generations. Also on the show, we begin with an interview with the president of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar. She addressed the United Nations General Assembly last week in New York and then traveled to Cleveland. The city is home to the largest population of Slovenians outside of their country.