Taking Initiative

Take a deep dive into the citizen ballot initiative process in Ohio — from roadblocks and challenges to what worked, and why.

Taking Initiative is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 23 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Taking Initiative, a news show with 23 episodes published.

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  Taking Initiative

  Neighbor by Neighbor: How People Build Power | Rev. Ray Greene, Freedom BLOC (S2 Ep2)

  Sep 14, 202632 min

  How does an everyday concern become a ballot initiative — and ultimately, a law? Rev. Ray Greene of Freedom BLOC joins Taking Initiative to share a remarkably straightforward organizing philosophy: listen to people, build relationships and start local. Greene takes us inside Freedom BLOC's work in Akron, where community conversations have helped shape citizen-led ballot initiatives addressing housing and public safety. But for Greene, winning at the ballot box isn't the only goal. The initiative process is also a way to help people discover their own power, develop new leaders and build stronger communities. His message: lasting change happens neighbor by neighbor — because organizing moves at the speed of trust. Learn more about The Freedom BLOC: Home | thefreedombloc Learn more about Ohio’s initiative and referendum powers: https://ohioballotprotection.com/ Taking Initiative Podcast: / @ohioballotprotection Code: Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: YOBJSSHXRUH3GHVM

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  Episode #1

  When the People Push Back: Chris Melody Fields Figueredo (S2 Ep1)

  Sep 7, 202626 minS2

  What happens when people use direct democracy to challenge power — and power pushes back? Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the BISC ( http://www.ballot.org ), joins Taking Initiative to explore the national landscape of citizen-led ballot measures and the growing fight to protect them. Chris takes us from Missouri’s recent defense of majority rule to Ohio’s unique role as a national testing ground for direct democracy. Along the way, she explains why citizen initiatives are about much more than winning an election: they give ordinary people the power and agency to shape their communities, challenge government and turn ideas into change. Because democracy is about more than casting a vote. It’s about what we do with the power we have. Learn more about Ohio’s initiative and referendum powers: https://ohioballotprotection.com/ Taking Initiative Podcast: / @ohioballotprotection Code: Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: AUZDBGMCY2DSUWY8

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  Taking Initiative

  The Power Is the People’s | Theodore Roosevelt, Ohio, 1912.

  Aug 26, 202610 min

  In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt came to Columbus to address the Ohio Constitutional Convention as delegates reconsidered how power should be shared between government and the people. In his landmark speech, A Charter of Democracy, Roosevelt argued that initiative and referendum should give citizens a direct path to act when representative government fails to represent them. Later that year, Ohio voters approved constitutional amendments establishing those powers. More than a century later, his message still resonates: “The power is the people’s, and only the people’s.” This special presentation of Taking Initiative brings Roosevelt’s words back to life—and reconnects Ohioans with the history behind one of the most important powers reserved to them in their state constitution. Voice of Theodore Roosevelt: Adam the Bull, host of The Bullpen with Adam the Bull. We are grateful to Adam for generously donating his voice and talent to this project. ️ Hear more from Adam: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBullpenwithATB Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: LT8MTIYJBXSIVGRF Learn more about Ohio’s initiative and referendum powers: https://ohioballotprotection.com/ Taking Initiative Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@OhioBallotProtection

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  Taking Initiative

  Spotlight: Conserve Ohio lawyers encourage local initiatives

  Aug 7, 202635 min

  What happens when a statewide citizen initiative hits a roadblock? Conserve Ohio attorneys Nick Owens and Austin Baurichter share how their movement is taking direct democracy local — helping Ohio communities use their own power to address mega data centers. Their work also offers a preview of what’s coming soon from Ohio Ballot Protection: a new toolkit to help Ohioans turn “What can we do?” into action. (Taped Aug. 6, 2026) YouTube music attribution: Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: PPTRE4UVUZBA019B, KT63OBP44I3OMBWB

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  Taking Initiative

  "What's in it for ALL of us?" Recap Season 1 with Laura and Pat

  Jun 29, 202632 min

  In this episode, Taking Initiative co-hosts Laura Lucarelli and Patricia Blackmon debrief on what they've learned while interviewing the changemakers in Ohio's direct democracy over the last few months. Plus, Pat turns the mic on Laura to learn how the podcast came to be. They talk about direct democracy, the importance of protecting the people's power, and "what's in it for all of us" by getting involved.

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