Looking Forward Our Way

"And people kept saying to her, well, why don't we have something like that in Ohio? Why don't we have something like that in Ohio? And so she never intended to start a nonprofit organization, but she got enough feedback that people really wanted to have the option to at least start working on it." Molly McMahon Graziano - Director of Outreach for Ohio End of Life Options We’re talking about the s...

We shine a spotlight on one of Columbus’s newest community treasures: The Fran Ryan Center . Opened in January 2025 as part of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, this vibrant, creative arts and wellness hub sits just east of downtown and serves residents of all ages. We're joined by Kyle Farnbaugh, the center’s manager, who takes us inside the mission, innovative programs, and community...

We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Central Ohio as the region experiences rapid—yet manageable—growth. Our special guest, Adam Porr, the Research and Data Officer for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), joins us to demystify how strategic planning helps drive sustainable development in everything from transportation and housing to air quality and infrastructure. We’l...

Networking Tips: "If you connect with someone in a company that you're interested in working for, please don't ask them if they have any jobs available. What you're really asking is, what's it like to work for this company?" - Sharon Hamersley We are joined by career expert Sharon Hamersley, known to many as the LinkedIn and Resume Coach. Together, we talk about the complex world of job searching,...

The Healing Power of Songwriting: "I don't know how to write a song that doesn't have something to do with healing." - Eric Gnezda We sit down with the multi-talented Eric Gnezda—an award-winning singer-songwriter, storyteller, and the creative force behind PBS’s Songs At The Center . Broadcasting from Columbus, Ohio, and airing on over 400 PBS stations nationwide, Songs at the Center celebrates t...

The Importance of Values Over Goals: "That goal might shift or change a little bit as life circumstances change, but usually your values as a person are not changing. What is most important to you, your why isn't changing." Ben Hoeger We sit down with returning guest Ben Hoeger, Director at the Hedley Hoeger Group at Baird Private Wealth Management, to help us navigate the unpredictable world of p...

We welcome Charity Eilerman, manager of Senior Hunger Programs at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, to discuss the organization's remarkable efforts to support Ohioans facing food insecurity. Since 1980, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective has been a crucial part of the community, providing nourishing meals and supportive services to those in need. Charity shares her extensive background in social services a...

Here’s the heart of this episode in a nutshell: This “Looking Forward Our Way” episode is all about helping Ohioans make sense of their utility bills and understand their rights as utility customers. We sit down with Kathryn Metz from the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC)—basically the state’s watchdog and advocate for regular folks when it comes to utilities like electricity, gas, water, and even lan...

The Library Reimagined: "We're really talking about, how our library serves a diverse array of customer needs and in in different spaces and places. So that may not be just checking out a book in a branch, but what's the web presence? Right? What's what's the website like? How do we connect with this really growing area of usage with electronic content, ebooks, and especially digital audiobooks is...

"Tax Fairness for Homeowners": "We need to keep senior citizens in their homes or disabled folks or veterans so they get to keep their homes by doing something for the property taxes so they don't get taxed out of their houses." - State Senator Bill DeMora In this episode, we look into the pressing issue of the housing crisis and its impact on property taxes in Ohio. Joining us is Ohio State Senat...

In this episode we welcome back Tammy Wharton, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland , to give an update on the Dream Big initiative and the new STEM Leadership Center at Camp Ken-Jockety. Tammy shares the excitement surrounding the opening of the building and its functional purpose, emphasizing that it serves not only the girls but also the wider community and youth in Central Ohio...

Facing Retirement: "But isn't it interesting that once you retire, as we call it, right, and you leave that organization...you're faced with that "what am I gonna do now?" Well, what do I wanna do? Well, you haven't thought about it because remember, those thirty years, they were spent all about the organization, all about the next career move, the promotion, the stock options, the 401k." - Eric P...

Rethinking Retirement: "People now look at that phase of life after you leave your career, 65 or older, could be 55 or older, as an opportunity to live life differently than you have before." Mark Matson We sit down and talk with Mark Matson about transitioning into new phases of life and building a rewarding encore career while giving back to the community. As Mark nears 70, he finds himself with...

What steps should you take if you suspect your identity has been stolen? We are joined by guest Victor Russell, Operations Manager at Apprisen , to explore the pervasive issue of financial scams and how individuals can protect themselves. The discussion covers various scams, primarily targeting seniors, such as the "grandparent scam" where victims are manipulated into sending money continuously un...

Our focus is on VOICECorps , an essential service for individuals with visual impairments in Ohio. Featuring guests Mark Jividen, the Executive Director, and Dana Sims, the Marketing and Development Director, the episode explores the organization's impactful work, its adaptation to new technologies, and the crucial role of volunteers. Mark Jividen starts by discussing how the prevalence of blindne...

The federal government created individual retirement accounts (IRAs) in the mid-1970s as a retirement savings vehicle. Over time, the financial landscape has changed, impacting tax consequences and distribution rules for IRAs, especially inherited non-spousal accounts. We welcome expert Larae Schraeder from Schraeder Law to discuss Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and the associated financial...

"In Ohio, small businesses drive $1,700,000,000 of economic impact. And in 2023, Ohio jobs create or Ohio businesses small businesses created 10,747 new jobs in 2023." Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca invite Kelly Fuller, a seasoned guest expert and the Senior Vice President of the Columbus Chamber Foundation , to discuss entrepreneurship. Emphasizing local resources, Kelly provides a wealth of r...

We are thrilled to present an episode rich with insights for aspiring and current entrepreneurs, with tips from several local experts. Each guest brings a wealth of experience and valuable advice for those looking to start or grow their businesses in Ohio. We begin by discussing the significance of self-confidence and the myriad of questions that come with starting a business. Our first guest, Kat...

Welcome to the new year! We are celebrating our five-year mark as we enter 2025. We began during the COVID-19 pandemic and have since produced over 124 episodes. We appreciate our loyal listeners and enjoy making the podcasts. We emphasize the importance of having the right co-host and maintaining a good rhythm in their conversations. Our podcast focuses on interviewing experts to provide valuable...

How can the death of a spouse affect the surviving partner's financial stability and credit score, and what steps can be taken to mitigate these impacts? We discuss financial challenges facing Ohioans aged 50 and over, with a specific focus on surviving spouses. Featuring consumer law attorney Laura Nesbitt, the episode focuses on the financial instability that can arise after the death of a spous...

The latest episode of "Looking Forward Our Way" features an engaging discussion about the pivotal role of advisory councils in addressing the needs of older adults at the state and local levels. The episode brings together Anna Tobin and Melissa Owens, two prominent figures in the aging services sector, to share their insights and experiences. Grant Ames, Government and Community Relations Manager...

"This was a a really strong convening then for employers and education to to better communicate and then plan on how to improve that connectivity between graduating students and employment." We welcome guest experts John Hambrick , Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio, and Lauren Stowe Jones , Senior Director of K-12 Partnerships at Columbus State...

Employee resource groups (ERGs) are vital in providing support to veterans, helping them feel less isolated and more integrated into their new work environments. We sit down with Ronnie Bailey, the Human Resources Manager at Bullen Ultrasonics , to talk about a critical topic during this National Veterans and Military Families Month : the value of veterans in the civilian workforce. We explore the...

Empowering Voters: Understanding Campaign Financing, Fair Districting, and Poll Participation Brett and Carol chat with Jen Miller, the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters Ohio, about the nitty-gritty of ballot issues and voting policies. Jen talks about a cool bipartisan effort to draft a new amendment (Issue 1), mentioning notable figures like Maureen O'Connor and Yvette McGee Brown...

In this episode, we are joined by Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefit Group to discuss key changes and updates for Medicare Open Enrollment 2024, highlighting how these alterations might impact current and prospective enrollees. Josh Kinzel brings 18 years of experience, with a focus on Medicare for the past 16 years. He assists individuals with the often intimidating and multifaceted choice of Med...