OM DENNE EPISODE
M*A*S*H’s beloved Corporal Klinger was a proud Toledoan, much like the actor who played him, Jamie Farr. He, along with his audacious wardrobe, would do anything to get back to Toledo. The role and the TV show gave the city a sliver of the national spotlight during the ‘70s and ‘80s, an era when Toledo’s reputation had already begun to slip.
We’ve spent most of this season exploring some of the things that have led people away from Toledo — the lack of a vibrant social scene downtown, the pitfalls of a post-industrial economy and the appeal of more established cultural scenes in other cities have all caused young adults to pack their bags.
But this week, we’re going to spend time with some of Toledo’s Klingers. Their perspective is still shaped by the exodus unfolding around them, but that awareness only strengthens their resolve. It makes them want to dig deeper, to keep insisting on Toledo’s promise and to encourage their friends and neighbors to work harder on behalf of this city.
Still — how long can Toledo keep counting on its biggest advocates to swim upstream?
Welcome to episode six of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we explore Toledo's current efforts to retain young people ... and if they're enough.
Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.
