Creating The Future

Luke Dennis - WYSO

Luke Dennis is the President of Miami Valley Public Media and General Manager of WYSO 91.3 FM, based in Yellow Springs, Ohio. As a non-profit, community-owned public radio station, WYSO is committed to amplifying the voices of the Dayton region. Tune in to learn about how Luke is dynamically leading WYSO, dedicated to furthering its mission of serving the Miami Valley and beyond with information and inspiration that improves lives and builds community. 

Sierra Leone - Dayton's Poet Laureate

Sierra Leone is a writer, storyteller, and teaching artist whose voice has shaped Dayton’s cultural landscape for over 20 years. In 2025, she was named Dayton’s first Poet Laureate, a recognition of her leadership at the forefront of the city’s urban creative arts and spoken word poetry movement. 
In this episode, you’ll hear more about Sierra’s journey and the future she wants to create as Dayton’s poet laureate. Stay tuned until the end for two powerful readings she shares just for our listeners!

LIVE Panel at Omega CDC's "Get Your Bag Back" Financial Literacy Summit

This special episode was recorded LIVE at the "Get Your Bag Back Financial Literacy Summit" presented by the Omega Community Development Corporation (Omega CDC).  
Tune in to hear from a panel of four dynamic local leaders — Jackie Gamblin, Brandon Smith, Clarece Richardson, and Christian Jay Calloway — who each share their personal journey of starting a business, building financial stability, and using creativity to turn challenges into opportunities.
Jackie Gamblin is the Founder & CEO of JYG Innovations, a nationally recognized Woman-Owned Small Business.
Brandon Smith, also known as “Uncle Boof,” is the co-founder of The Ugly Duckling restaurant in St. Anne’s Hill and the creator of Uncle Boof’s World Famous Pancake Mix.'
Clarece Richardson is the Founder & CEO of Rich Taste Catering Services and Co-Owner of RF Food Group.
Christian Jay Calloway is a massage therapist and the Founder of Preventive Maintenance LMT.
Learn more about Omega CDC here. 

Jonathan McNeal - The Neon

Jonathan McNeal is a filmmaker, philanthropist, and General Manager of The Neon, Dayton’s non-profit, independent art-house movie theater. In this episode, Jonathan shares his journey from film student at Wright State University to film curator, his contagious passion for the shared experience of cinema, and the many innovative ways The Neon is connecting the Dayton community through art and placemaking.

Peter Benkendorf - Founder, The Collaboratory

Peter Benkendorf is the founder of The Collaboratory, where Dayton's dreamers and doers gather to move innovative ideas to transformative action. Listen to learn how community initiatives conceptualized at The Collaboratory — from Dayton Sewing Collaborative to Dayton Porchfest — are generating new economic, civic, and creative opportunities and value to promote a healthier, more thriving region.  

Jeff Graley - Mile 2

Jeff Graley is the President and co-founder of Mile 2, a Human Machine Teaming company operating at the intersection of people, technology, and work. Proudly based in Dayton, Ohio, Mile 2 builds custom software for a range of diverse clients, including startups, Fortune 500 companies, and the U.S. government.A former Air Force audiologist turned entrepreneur, Jeff leads with humility and collaboration. Hear more about his fascinating journey and Mile 2’s people-first approach to creating the future through cutting-edge tech.

Myla Cardona-Jones, Brunner Literacy Center

Myla Cardona-Jones is the CEO of the Brunner Literacy Center, empowering adults to live better lives through literacy. With over two decades of experience spanning the service, education, marketing, and legal sectors, Myla is recognized as one of the most dynamic leaders in the Dayton region. 
Listen to learn more about Myla’s personal journey and her passion for creating a brighter future in the Dayton region through the life-changing power of literacy.

Charlynda Scales – Founder & CEO, Mutt's Sauce

Charlynda Scales is a veteran, serial entrepreneur, author, and in-demand speaker. As the founder and CEO of Mutt’s Sauce, she turned her grandfather's secret recipe into a popular regional food brand. She’s also the Executive Director of the OH Taste Foundation and the 6888 Kitchen Incubator inside the Dayton Arcade, where she provides small food business owners the tools they need to succeed inside and outside of the kitchen. 
Listen now to hear how Charlynda’s personal journey fuels her passion for uplifting the next generation of entrepreneurs! 

Rodney Veal - Community Arts Liaison, ThinkTV/CET Connect

Rodney Veal is a multidisciplinary artist and one of Dayton’s most passionate advocates for the arts. In his role at ThinkTV & CET, he’s known for hosting the podcast Rodney Veal’s Inspired By and the TV series The Art Show, as well as co-producing the 2024 documentary Willis "Bing" Davis: Reach High & Reach Back. As a self-described “art nerd,” Rodney truly has his finger on the pulse of the region’s dynamic arts and culture scene. 
Tune in for this fascinating conversation to learn how Rodney has become one of the most influential arts voices in our region. 

Gabriel van Aalst - Dayton Live

Gabriel van Aalst is the President and CEO of Dayton Live, the region’s home for performing arts, culture, and live entertainment. With a journey that started in Australia and weaved through nearly every continent on the planet, Gabriel finally landed in Dayton, Ohio, in September 2024, lured to our city by our vibrant arts culture and passionate community support. 
Listen to learn more about Gabriel and his vision for fueling the next generation of the arts in Dayton.