Looking Forward Our Way

Harnessing AI for Better Recruiting: Balancing Efficiency and the Human Touch Chad Delligatti, CEO and owner of InnoSource , along with Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca, explores the world of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting. We cover the journey of recruitment technologies, the significance and challenges posed by AI, and how to balance technology with the crucial human element within...

How AI Can Accelerate and Improve Your Job Search Process Sharon Hamersley discusses how we can all make the best use of artificial intelligence (AI) during a job search. With AI now part of our daily lives at home, school, and work, it’s become an essential tool for job seekers and employers alike. Yet, for many, AI can also be intimidating, especially when it comes to writing resumes, preparing...

Meeting the Needs of Delaware County’s Growing Older Adult Population with SourcePoint We talk with Fara Waugh. Chief Executive Officer, LISW-S, CEO of SourcePoint , to explore how Delaware County, Ohio, is innovating to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population of older adults. As the county’s senior population doubles, SourcePoint stands out by offering a broad spectrum of services—from i...

How Values Shape Financial Success with Ben Hoeger In this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, we talk with Ben Hoeger, financial advisor and Director of Private Wealth Management at the Hedley Hoeger Group at Baird Private Wealth Management . Ben provides practical advice on navigating the often intimidating world of financial planning, especially during turbulent economic times. We begin by cele...

If you’re leading a business or organization and want to separate marketing myth from practical strategy, this conversation will give you the clarity—and courage—to build real momentum for growth. We sit down with returning guest Darlene Ziebell—an accomplished entrepreneur, business consultant, strategy specialist, and multi-book author—to unpack the real story behind successful marketing for sma...

Hear insights that will help you navigate the ups and downs of your professional life, strengthen your self-confidence, and embrace the winding paths your career might take. Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca are joined by Ken Lazar, CEO of Ability Professional Network and a seasoned recruiter in the community. They talk about today's challenging employment environment—covering everything from the...

Whether you’re anticipating a move, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for ways to give back, this conversation is filled with practical tips, community resources, and inspiring stories about how ordinary items can turn a house into a home of hope. Welcome to "Looking Forward Our Way." In this episode, hosts Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca discuss the sometimes daunting topic of downsizin...

Brett and Carol sit down with Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano for an in-depth conversation about the property tax process, skyrocketing home values, and the upcoming triennial property value update. As property tax concerns reach new heights alongside rapidly rising home valuations, Auditor Stinziano brings much-needed clarity on what his office does—and doesn’t do—when it comes to taxes...

If you’re job searching, making a career pivot, or just want some real advice from people who get it, this episode has you covered. Welcome, Jami Phillips from New Directions Career Center —who’s a pro at helping people tackle career changes and job hunts, no matter what curveballs the economy throws our way. Things definitely aren’t the same as they were five years ago, especially with technology...

Discover how each of us can contribute to keeping our neighborhoods cleaner, our environment safer, and our economy thriving—one recycled can, bottle, and newspaper. We are joined by Amy Densborn, Program Manager at SWACO—the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. While trash and landfills aren’t always easy or exciting topics, SWACO’s pioneering efforts are transforming what we throw away into re...

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply interested in how local banking can catalyze growth, this conversation is packed with real-world insight and actionable advice for anyone looking to bring their financial story to life. Hosts Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca sit down with Ashley Dick, Chief Retail and Community Development Officer at Fortuna Bank. Based...

Healthy aging isn’t just about years—it's about living well NOW to enjoy vibrant decades ahead! Or as we jokingly say in this episode, "two-steppin' your way to better health!" We had the pleasure of featuring Dr. Jacob Coffman of Optimize Chiropractic . The conversation isn’t just about pain relief; it’s about mastering mobility, building healthspan, and making sustainable changes for the long ru...

Whether you’re already an avid library fan or just looking for ways to explore Columbus on a budget, this episode has everything you need to know about unlocking incredible cultural adventures through your local library. We are shining the spotlight on one of Central Ohio’s most exciting community resources—the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Culture Pass program. Joined by special guest Stephanie...

Whether you’re passionate about the performing arts or curious about building community through creativity, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical ways to support and connect with the arts in Columbus. In this episode, hosts Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca sit down with Christy Farnbaugh, executive director of the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio. Columbus has long been kno...

Happy New Year—and thank you for being part of the journey! As we celebrate the show’s sixth year—and nearly a decade since our very first podcast together—we pause to express heartfelt gratitude to you, our dedicated listeners. We discuss the rapid growth of podcasting among adults over 50, the importance of feedback and topic suggestions, and the exciting changes introduced this year—including a...

This episode of Looking Forward Our Way is a special one for us as we sit down with our good friend Kelly Fuller, Senior Vice President of Workforce and Workplace Innovation for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. The conversation is bittersweet, as Kelly will be retiring from the chamber in early 2026. We’re grateful for her friendship and years of commitment to workforce development and Employment...

The True Purpose of Prenups - "I think people think of prenuptial as Just planning for divorce. But all marriages end in one of two ways, divorce or death. And so where I find that some agreements fall short is in planning for the second scenario, whichever it is." - Larae Schraeder Let’s be honest—talking about prenups with a partner, friend, or family member can feel uncomfortable and sticky. Th...

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Central Ohio tick—beyond the headlines and rumors—this episode is for you. We welcome Matthew Martin, Director of Community Research at The Columbus Foundation, for an in-depth look at the Benchmarking Central Ohio 2024 report. We dig into the strengths, challenges, and unique features that define our rapidly growing region and shed light on how data-driven resea...

Whether you’re a veteran, an employer, or someone who wants to support veterans in your community, this episode is packed with practical advice and up-to-date resources to help ensure our veterans thrive after service. Welcome to another episode of "Looking Forward Our Way." This time, we’re putting the spotlight on the unique challenges faced by military veterans as they re-enter the civilian wor...

Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, an educator, or simply someone interested in history and service, this episode offers a profound look at the enduring legacy of America’s veterans—and the power of storytelling to unite and inspire us all. Welcome to Looking Forward Our Way! In this special episode, hosts Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca take us inside the National Veterans Memorial and...

We sit down with former Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard for an engaging and insightful conversation about her impressive journey in public service, community leadership, and what lies ahead in her own encore career. From her early days working in librarianship and education to her breakthrough moment mobilizing the community for important school levies, Kim shares how her adaptability, collaborative s...

We welcome back Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefit Group for his sixth visit to the podcast. The focus of this conversation is on the upcoming changes to Medicare enrollment and coverage for 2026, as well as practical advice for those approaching or currently navigating Medicare options. Breaking Down the Medicare Alphabet Soup Josh walks us through the parts of Medicare and why understanding them...

We sit down with Arielle Galinsky, CEO and co-founder of The Legacy Project Incorporated . Arielle is not only a dual-degree graduate student at Yale Law and Harvard's Kennedy School, but she’s also a passionate advocate for intergenerational connections and storytelling. The Legacy Project, which now spans 25 college campuses, began from Arielle’s personal drive to preserve the life stories of ol...

The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare: "Community pharmacists are maybe the most trusted and most accessible health care provider. They're unsung heroes in our communities but rich with knowledge." - Dr. Taylor Reed We shine a spotlight on a vital resource in Central Ohio: the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio . For 15 years, this nonprofit has been dedicated to providing free, life-saving prescriptio...

Age Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies for Employers In this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, Brett and Carol are joined by Dr. Jennifer Crittenden, Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Maine and Associate Director for Research at the University of Maine Center on Aging . The focus is on the challenges and opportunities facing older adults as the...