Looking Forward Our Way

We sit down with guest Ed Zirkle, a veteran and photographer. Ed begins by sharing that his involvement with a TED Talk on PTSD has led him to conduct extensive background research on the topic. He emphasizes that PTSD affects only a small percentage of people, particularly veterans, and is often considered an invisible wound. Ed's primary goal is to help people understand what PTSD is from both t...

What does it take to make live theater not just survive — but thrive? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Seven, Owner, Producer, and Director of Get Away With Murder — a traveling improv mystery comedy dinner theatre based in Ohio that turns every audience member into a suspect. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why live entertainment venues are struggling to fill seats — and what smart opera...

We are joined by guest Larae Schraeder, an attorney specializing in elder law and Medicaid eligibility and planning. Schraeder shares her expertise and personal experiences while discussing the intricacies of Medicaid and the importance of proper planning for long-term care. Larae emphasizes the need for strategic preparation when it comes to potential long-term care or assisted living needs. She...

Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefits Group is back in the studio to talk about the 2024 Medicare Open Enrollment. Josh starts off by explaining that when it comes to Medicare choices, you have some flexibility. You can go with a supplement and drug plan or opt for a Medicare Advantage plan. The decision really depends on your own risk tolerance when it comes to health insurance events. If you have...

Our featured guest, Anthony Santilli from the Fangs & Fur Podcast , talks about his personal journey feeding his pet, sharing how a crisis in the pet food industry compelled him to reevaluate his career path. Witnessing the transformative impact of real, fresh, and raw food on dogs' health, he developed a passion for promoting healthier diets for our four-legged companions. We delve into the c...

We have a very special guest joining us once again - Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano. Together, we will explore the hot topic of property tax reappraisal in 2023 and its impact on homeowners across the county. As we discuss the importance of modernizing the Homestead exemption and preventing property taxes from driving long-time residents out of their neighborhoods, we will also explore...

In this episode, we have two special guests joining us, Mason Landrum and Alex West from Nice Guy Technology . We delve into the dark corners of the internet as we discuss the dark web and the importance of cybersecurity. Mason and Alex share valuable insights and tips to help us navigate this digital realm safely. From the dangers of vishing scams to the hidden depths of the deep web, we'll explo...

We welcome Chuck Gehring , President and CEO LifeCare Alliance. Throughout the episode, Chuck emphasizes the goal of keeping clients independent in their own homes and off waiting lists, emphasizing the importance of preventative measures and education. He also touches on the challenges faced by seniors living on a limited income and their struggles with rising costs, especially during the summer...

On this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, we are joined by guest Sharon Hamersley to discuss the latest updates on LinkedIn. We discuss the recent addition of the "Open to work" feature which can help job seekers indicate their availability for job opportunities. Sharon also cautions listeners about the use of AI applications for content generation on LinkedIn which could lead to privacy concern...

On this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, we examine the issue of BBB scams with guest Lee Anne Lanigan, Director of Consumer Relations & Investigations - Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ohio. You are going to hear valuable tips on how to avoid scams and warn against buying into products and services that are "too good to be true." We urge listeners to use secure payment methods like...

In the latest episode of Looking Forward Our Way, we are joined by guest David Polakowski to discuss the Harding-Buller Foundation of Worthington (OH). Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode: - Harding Hospital, built in 1925, not only offered medical treatment but also focused on alternative therapies such as horticulture, music, and art therapy. - The Harding and Kellogg families were instrum...

On this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, we hear from Matthew Goldstein, the founder of Besa , a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce barriers to volunteering and connect people to opportunities to give back to their community. Matthew shares his personal journey of discovering a love for connecting with others through volunteering, and how Besa has grown to offer 50-70 volunteer projects...

Ken Lazar, CEO, of Ability Professional Network , and Frank Agin, Principal of AmSpirit Business Connections are our guests. They share their insights into the world of networking, emphasizing its importance in today's job market and business world. Listeners will learn about the critical practices for successful networking, such as adding value to others, being a good listener, and building trust...

Housing for seniors has become an urgent focus area in Central Ohio. Our guests are Frances Krumholtz , Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator · Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, and the Nesterly liaison. And Donald Wiggins, Executive Director at Village Connections . Nesterly is an intergenerational home-sharing platform that allows two or more people who are not related to share a home together....

Listeners will gain valuable insights on how job seekers over the age of 50 can overcome ageism and find fulfilling employment. Deborah Hope, an executive career coach and founder of the Massachusetts Library Collaborative 50 Plus Job Seekers Networking Group , shares her expertise on how individuals over 50 bring valuable skills and experience to the workforce, and emphasizes the importance of fi...

We welcome back Katie White, the new director of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, who shares her insights into the critical work that COAAA does to serve older Americans and individuals with disabilities in Central Ohio. With a focus on case management, education, and advocacy, COAAA provides essential services to thousands of individuals. However, Katie highlights the challenges the agency...

City Manager at the City of Upper Arlington, Steve Schoeny, shares his excitement about the new community center and its plans to become a hub for health and wellness for all age groups. With a focus on serving older adults, the center will offer a range of amenities and services, from traditional rec center fitness facilities to healthcare services provided by the Ohio State University Wexner Med...

Dan Sharpe, Vice President of Community Research and Grants Management for The Columbus Foundation, covers the nonprofit sector and how nonprofits are impacting the Central Ohio economy. He discusses the increasing importance of younger donors, how to engage your children in philanthropy, and the variety of ways to donate with The Columbus Foundation. Dan also shares insight into the data provided...

Over the past year, we have had some great opportunities to delve into the issues of small businesses in Ohio….who owns them, how to get them started, how to grow them, and how or when to close them! Small businesses are the “lifeblood” of our American economy. Yet, in today’s markets, small businesses are suffering. A few weeks ago, we were participating in an event with the Tri-Village Chamber P...

We welcome back Thea Ewing! She is the Chief Regional Development Officer and Senior Director of Programming, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). Continued growth in Central Ohio calls for research, planning, and execution of strategies for the infrastructure of the region. We talk with Thea about... How MORPC deals with many functions to support economic growth and improve lives, in a...

We welcome back to the podcast Kelly Fuller, Vice President Talent and Workforce Development at the Columbus Chamber. The need for skilled/qualified applicants to fill the Columbus pipeline is critical right now. We provide you with an overview of the current Central Ohio workforce (interviewing/hiring/retention), particularly since the pandemic. In today’s recruiting processes, what issues do spe...

Thank you for supporting the Looking Forward Our Way Podcast Program [LFOW]. We ask for your assistance in our future planning through the completion of this survey , which will take approximately 3 minutes.  Participation in this survey is voluntary; your answers and personal information will be kept completely confidential and cannot be linked back to you.   LFOW is the first...

Age-friendly projects have been created around the country. We talk with Marisa Sheldon, Director of Age-Friendly Columbus/Franklin County , and the Age-Friendly Innovation Center about the project's development here in Columbus. What is the current situation for older adults in Franklin County? What are their needs and requests? The role Age-Friendly has played for Central Ohio has become very im...

This year will be the year for small business growth. And we couldn't bring you a better expert on growing your small business than Darlene Ziebell , Prominent Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, and Business Strategy Specialist, and the author of “A Dozen Avalanches Threaten Small Business: Which One Will Bury You Alive?” In this episode, we will be providing information on the issues that challen...

We had an incredible year creating new and interesting episodes for Looking Forward Our Way podcast .   Here are some of our favorites: Transportation doesn’t sound exciting – but Thea Ewing from MORPC always has the most interesting details on what’s getting built in our community and of course when we can expect passenger trains. Larae Schroeder has brought incredibly important information...