Inside Northwest Columbus

If you’re already thinking about how to make the most of summer—this is the episode to listen to before your calendar fills up. On this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, we sit down with Kim Goodman, Executive Director of the McConnell Arts Center, to talk about the experiences, events, and creative opportunities happening right here in our community. From the Worthington Arts Festival to upco...

What if the most beautiful homes weren’t the most perfect—but the most personal? On this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, we sit down with Jessica Brugger, founder and principal designer of Dwell Well Design Co., to explore a shift happening in design—one that moves away from perfection and toward meaning. As the creator of Design Alchemy, Jessica shares how homeowners are rethinking their sp...

Remodeling a home is often approached as a checklist — timelines, budgets, and finishes. But for most homeowners, the experience is far more personal than that. Today on Inside Northwest Columbus, we’re talking with Tammy Yee and James Cooley, the team behind Cooley Construction. Based in Worthington, they’ve built their company around a different philosophy — one that prioritizes collaboration, c...

Divorce is one of life’s most difficult transitions — emotionally, legally, and financially. But one of the biggest decisions couples must face during the process is often the home. Should it be sold? Should one spouse stay? When is the right time to move? And how do you make these decisions while navigating attorneys, court timelines, and financial uncertainty? Today on Inside Northwest Columbus,...

Money used to be simple — at least in theory. You saved, invested, and hoped the markets cooperated. But today, financial decisions are more complex than ever. Taxes, insurance, retirement income strategies, estate planning, and constantly changing regulations all influence whether a financial plan actually works. At the same time, technology has made investing easier and cheaper than ever before....

Most homeowners don’t think about their trees or landscaping until something looks wrong — thinning leaves, leaning trunks, exposed roots, or visible decay. But by the time those signs appear, options can be limited. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with Elliot Smith, ISA-Certified Arborist and owner of Big Darby Tree Service, to talk about why proactive tree care matters —...

For eight seasons, Mike Mayers competed at the highest level of professional baseball — pitching for organizations including the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, and Kansas City Royals. Life on the mound demanded preparation, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Today, that same mindset fuels a very different pursuit. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit do...

As the days get longer and homeowners begin thinking about how they want to live outside this season — and for years to come — outdoor living has become more than a backyard upgrade. It’s become an extension of the home itself. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with Mike Chekanoff, owner of The Exterior Living Company, to talk about the evolution of outdoor living in our com...

You may know the name High Road Gallery — you may have driven past it, attended an opening, or heard it mentioned in conversation — but most people don’t truly understand what this gallery is, who it exists for, or why it matters. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with resident artists and gallery stewards Nicky Robie and Beth Heisey to explore the deeper story behind High R...

By day, Barrel & Bloom is a welcoming coffee house designed for connection, conversation, and community. At 2pm, the space transforms into Endeavor Brewing — a craft distillery producing small-batch gin, whiskey, and bourbon across two locations. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, we sit down with owners Jen Gerhard and Scott Talmage to explore how intentional design, time-based exp...

What if healing didn’t stop where traditional medicine draws the line? This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were told, ‘This is as good as it gets.’ In this powerful episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, host Lisa Federico sits down with Rebecca Milnes, founder of The Avenu Wellness Center, to unpack two therapies more people should know about: hyperbaric oxygen therapy and PE...

Most people have never heard of neurofeedback — and if they have, they often assume it’s “out there,” experimental, or too good to be true. But for families who have watched their children finally focus, adults who’ve seen anxiety loosen its grip, or individuals recovering from trauma and brain injury, the results can be life-changing. On this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, we’re sitting do...

If better sleep is on your wellness list this year — you’re going to love this episode. In our January Health & Wellness issue of Northwest Columbus City Lifestyle, we featured Rich and Kim Hanschu, owners of Sandman Sleep, a locally owned mattress showroom with a completely different approach to helping people sleep well. If you missed the article, you can read it at:   https://www.citylifest...

Yes it’s cold and gray right now in Columbus — which means it’s the perfect time to start dreaming about vacations, sunshine and your travel bucket list. If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling travel blogs, juggling flight options, second-guessing hotel reviews, or wondering if the “deal” you found online is actually a trap — this episode is for you. This week on Inside Northwest Columbus, I’m talki...

January is the month when so many of us finally decide it’s time to take our health seriously — to stop pushing through pain, stop ignoring the warning signs, and actually do something about the discomfort we’ve been living with. And if back pain, shoulder issues, or knee trouble has been slowing you down, this episode is exactly where you should start. This week on Inside Northwest Columbus, I’m...

This week on Inside Northwest Columbus, I’m sitting down with someone who is changing the way women experience midlife. Courtney Shihabuddin, founder of Empowered Wellness, has built a practice that speaks directly to women who feel like their bodies are shifting and no one is really listening. If you’ve ever wondered whether the exhaustion, mood swings, sleep issues, weight changes, or “something...

Ever feel intimidated walking into the wine aisle? Or wonder what glass to use—or if it even matters? In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, we’re uncorking the mysteries of wine with Noelle Lagusch, wine consultant with Scout & Cellar, a company known for its clean-crafted wines that are free from synthetic pesticides, chemicals, and unnecessary additives. Noelle joins Lisa for a laid-...

In this inspiring episode, Brad Griffith, Founder and President of Buckeye Innovation, shares how his Columbus-based software development firm partnered with researchers at The Ohio State University to bring an extraordinary idea to life. The result? VocFit — an AI-powered platform that helps people with disabilities discover meaningful career paths based on their unique abilities. By matching str...

When Anna Schraff was in her 30s, she got a wake-up call: lab results showed elevated protein markers indicating increased risk for heart disease. Instead of accepting the verdict, she committed to change — and she discovered the power of a Mediterranean-style approach not just for diet, but for overall life transformation. In this episode, Anna shares her personal journey of fear, resistance, and...

What happens when the foster system ends — but life hasn’t really begun? Each year, thousands of young people turn 18 and age out of foster care with no safety net. Many face homelessness, joblessness, and isolation within months. In this episode, host Lisa Federico sits down with Robin McCalister Zaas, founder of The Mirth Project, to talk about the real struggles these young adults face — and th...

When it comes to burgers, Worthington locals know there’s nothing quite like Stacked Burger Co. Founded by Jordan Lamatrice, this neighborhood favorite is more than just big flavors and hearty stacks—it’s about community, creativity, and a love for comfort food done right. From their signature STACK Burger to the inventive Braisy Daze topped with beer-braised brisket, Jordan has created a menu tha...

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but it’s also when many of us fall into old habits of excess: overspending, overeating, and overcommitting. In this episode, Jennifer Schrappe, founder of Heal Your Money and Chrysalis Enterprises, joins us to explore how we can approach the season with more grace—and less guilt. Through her work, Jennifer helps people heal the emoti...

Some stories are baked with love—and Lisa King’s is one of them. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with Lisa King, founder of Brownie Points, a local business that has grown from Lisa’s kitchen table into one of Columbus’s sweetest treasures. Known for their decadent brownies and creative gift packaging, Brownie Points has delighted our community for decades while also sprea...

In Worthington, Ohio (and across all Central Ohio neighborhoods) deer are everywhere—beautiful to watch, but tough on homeowners. From devouring landscaping to carrying ticks that put families and pets at risk, the local deer population is both loved and challenging. In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with Sarah and Jeri Lucco, owners of OhDEER Northwest Columbus, known local...

Food has a way of bringing people together, and no one understands that better than Tricia Wheeler, founder of The Seasoned Farmhouse in Clintonville. From seasonal menus to unforgettable travel experiences, Tricia has created a gathering place that blends food, garden, and community into something truly special. In this conversation, Tricia and I talk about her journey from graduating at the top...