Looking Forward Our Way

Are you curious about how Central Ohio plans to evolve its transportation network to support future growth? MORPC leads strategic transportation planning and coordinates the allocation of federal transportation dollars to local governments. Our guest, Maria Schaper, is the Transportation Study Director at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). The central focus is the upcoming levy and...

We are joined by career expert Sharon Hamersly to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) can be a crucial tool in the modern job search, while also emphasizing its limitations and the critical role of human input. **Crutch Words in AI Writing** A common issue with AI-generated content: the over-reliance on generic phrases and crutch words such as "consequently" and "furthermore." These phrases c...

**Disaster Preparedness**: "If we are separated and a disaster occurs, where's our meeting place a little bit away? Right? Where are those 2 or 3 meeting places in the 20 mile radius, 50 mile radius, where we know that you're gonna be if I can't reach you." — Cory Paul  We welcome Cory Paul, the Executive Director of the Greater Columbus Chapter of the American Red Cross . We discuss a range...

Aging Population Boom: "There will be more seniors than there are kindergarteners by 2030." — Chanda Wingo We're thrilled to have Chanda Wingo, Director of the Franklin County Office on Aging . She shares insights on an innovative blueprint aimed at understanding the impact of an aging community and guiding local stakeholders in allocating necessary resources. We explore the various programs and s...

"They can grab a cart, grab a clipboard, and essentially go shopping free of charge for whatever they need to support their program."— Eric Rutkowski We welcome Eric Rutkowski, the program director for Leveling The Playing Field Ohio . Eric shares his inspiring mission to support youth sports across Ohio by ensuring that programs in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati can share equipment and resou...

Consolidating Accounts and Legal Risks: "I think the biggest risk would be for the financial accounts because the person that does know the password that is the key to the kingdom may not understand where their control starts and where their authority ends, And just because they know the password to that bank account doesn't mean that the dollars sitting in that account are theirs or can be transf...

We have a special announcement: Employment Forward Seniors, a casualty of the pandemic, now finds a new home under the New Directions Career Center as Mature Works. Joining us are experts Kat Yamaguchi and Jami Phillips from New Directions Career Center. With rich backgrounds in nonprofit program development and job seeker support, they share insights on the unique challenges older job seekers fac...

The episode focuses on the challenges and solutions associated with ageism in the workplace, particularly concerning mature adults. With insights from experts Dr. Phillip Taylor and Dr. Phyllis Cummins, the discussion explores the importance of addressing age discrimination, rethinking job roles for older workers, and the benefits of intergenerational collaboration. Dr. Phyllis Cummins, Senior Res...

We are joined by tech experts Andy Landrum and Alex West from Nice Guy Technology . We dive into the importance of rebooting your computer, the crucial practice of backing up data, and the precautions you should take with USB drives. Andy and Alex share insights from their rich background, offering practical advice on diagnosing tech problems and differentiating between hardware and software issue...

In this episode, we look into a harrowing yet crucial topic—human trafficking. Joined by our special guest Theresa Flores, the founder of The SOAP Project , we explore the intricacies of combating this pervasive issue. Theresa, a survivor of human trafficking herself, shares her profound insights and the impactful work being done by her organization to rescue victims and raise awareness. We cover...

Garden For All blossoms with hope and inspiration as we explore the fertile ground of food security efforts led by our expert guest, Beth NeCamp, the executive director of Garden For All. Amidst the thorns of food insecurity, The Garden For All sprouted as a beacon of nourishment and education during the pandemic, founded by the compassionate duo, Catherine and Shawn Duffy in New Albany. Beth, wit...

Ben Hoeger, Director, Private Wealth Management – Baird, shares valuable advice on building a strong financial foundation. Hoeger stresses the critical role of referrals in selecting reliable financial advisors and advocates for a meaningful, almost friendly relationship with them for a successful long-term partnership. We discuss the shift from reliance on pensions and social security to individu...

In this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson sit down with guest Emma Strange , the mobility coordinator for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission ( MORPC ). The episode covers MORPC's role in developing a comprehensive regional mobility plan for Ohio's Department of Transportation's Human Service Transportation Coordination Region 6. This plan aims to...

In this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," the focus is on the opportunities for lifelong learning in Central Ohio and the specific Lifelong Learning Community (LLC) program at Otterbein University. Hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson are joined by guest experts Dana Viglietta, the executive director of engagement at Otterbein University, and Kevin Byrd, a member of Otterbein's LLC. The epi...

On this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson welcome expert Darlene Ziebell to share her strategies for turning around failing businesses and to dive into the challenges small business owners face. Darlene Ziebell, a seasoned strategist and consultant , begins by discussing the critical process of assessing a struggling business. She stresses the importance...

In this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson welcome Jennifer Bechtel , the program manager for geriatrics and gerontology at Ohio State University's College of Medicine. The discussion focuses on the challenges and opportunities in the field of gerontology, navigating healthcare for aging populations, empowering individuals to advocate for their own health...

In this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson are joined by expert guest Sharon Hamersley to discuss the crucial topic of career ownership within the job market. As a local expert in job searching and skill-building, Sharon emphasizes the importance of intentional networking and skill acquisition, catering to job seekers and those seeking to advance in their...

We welcome Christine Happel, the assistant director of the Age Friendly Innovation Center , to discuss the vital services and resources available to seniors in Central Ohio. Christine elaborates on the Senior Services Roundtable, a platform that connects seniors with essential resources and services in the community. The Roundtable's effectiveness is in promoting collaboration, networking, and res...

Looking Forward Our Way 99 Ohio's Workforce Evolution and Opportunities Ahead In this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson welcome Kelly Fuller, Vice President of Talent and Workforce Development at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce . This insightful conversation delves into the innovative strategies employed by businesses in Central Ohio to tap into underut...

Looking Forward Our Way 98 Signal Ohio is Bridging News Deserts and Fueling Civic Empowerment In this episode of "Looking Forward Our Way," hosts Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson welcome Rita McNeil Danish, the CEO of Signal Ohio , to discuss the transformative impact of nonprofit journalism in Ohio communities. With a focus on promoting civic engagement, fostering community involvement, and addr...

In the podcast episode "New Year Job Search Tips," Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson, along with expert guests Marilyn Bury-Rice, Sharon Hamersley, Rebecca Heslep, Jill Kulman, Darlene Ziebell, and Kelly Fuller, provide valuable insights and tips for job seekers. The episode focuses on various essential aspects of the job search process, from creating a strong resume to utilizing effective network...

Welcome to "Looking Forward Our Way," where we bring you the latest insights and expert advice on issues relevant to those 50 and older in Central Ohio and beyond. As we celebrate our 4th year of podcasting, we reflect on the past 3 years of providing over 100 episodes. With a focus on bringing valuable information and entertainment to our 50-plus Ohioans, we discuss our goal of highlighting diver...

We tackle a pressing issue that is impacting Central Ohio: the housing crisis. Joining us as our special guests are Michael Wilkos and Carlie Boos, who will shed light on the current state of affordable housing in the region and discuss potential solutions. We'll explore the allocation of funds for affordable housing, efforts to update zoning codes, and the impact of restrictive suburban communiti...

We had the pleasure of talking with Kimberly Schwind, Assistant Director & Training Programs Administrator, Ohio Traffic Safety Office for the Ohio Department of Public Safety. And Angie Wise, Ohio Statewide CarFit Coordinator for the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, about important initiatives to support the mobility and safety of older Ohioans behind the wheel. Here are 3 key takeaways fro...

We are joined by Russ Brand and Chad Greenwald, the passionate individuals behind this unique music education program that has been making waves in the community. Throughout the episode, they discuss the core values, transformative experiences, and the continuous growth of School of Rock Columbus. Passion and fun are the driving forces behind School of Rock Columbus . Russ and Chad believe that wh...