The Looking Forward Our Way Podcast is co-hosted by Dr. Carol Ventresca, a recently retired Encore Careerist, who is expanding her horizons through a variety of opportunities. And Brett Johnson, owner of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants. He works with entrepreneurs, businesses, brands, and non-profits to plan, launch, produce, and implement podcasts into their marketing strategies. And he's affectionately known to his podcast clients as "My Podcast Guy."
Carol and Brett have been working together co-hosting this podcast, now in its "encore career," since 2017.
Recent Content
"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…
"This was a a really…
"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 Community College.John Hambrick, who moved to Columbus in 1998, transitioned from a background in education and restaurant industry work into non-profit roles, ultimately leading him to his current posi…
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 Hum…
Employee resource gr…
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 challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life. This includes the Stress of job loss and the Mental Health issues stemming from a perceived loss of importance. Ronnie shares h…
Empowering Voters: Understanding Campaign Financing, Fair Districting, and Poll ParticipationBrett and Carol chat with Jen Miller, the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters Ohio, about the …
Empowering Voters: U…
Empowering Voters: Understanding Campaign Financing, Fair Districting, and Poll ParticipationBrett 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. This amendment has some serious backing from a wide range of groups, including teachers' and nurses' unions, the NAACP, and even the Libertarian Party.The conversation takes a turn towards the topic o…
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…
In this episode, we …
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 Medicare plans, alleviating concerns without any charge for services.Open Enrollment for Medicare runs from October 15th to December 7th each year. The discussion underscores the complexity of Medicare an…
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 trans…
Are you curious abou…
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 its significance for the region’s future transportation and development needs.The upcoming levy aims to address long-term transportation improvements essential for Central Ohio’s growth and econom…
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 …
We are joined by car…
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 can result in writing that appears insincere or overly generic. **Outdated Free AI Models**The limitation of free AI models, which rely on data that is typically 2-3 years old. This means that recent inf…
**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, …
**Disaster Preparedn…
**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 of crucial topics including the Hero Care Network for service members and their families, training programs like CPR and first aid, and emergency preparedness.We unpack the Red Cross's comprehensive appro…
Aging Population Boom: "There will be more seniors than there are kindergarteners by 2030." — Chanda WingoWe're thrilled to have Chanda Wingo, Director of the Franklin County Office on Aging. She sh…
Aging Population Boo…
Aging Population Boom: "There will be more seniors than there are kindergarteners by 2030." — Chanda WingoWe'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 support systems the Office on Aging provides, such as the successful Senior Options levy program, which has been aiding seniors for over three decades.Director Wingo also sheds light on the critical is…
"They can grab a cart, grab a clipboard, and essentially go shopping free of charge for whatever they need to support their program."— Eric RutkowskiWelcome to another episode of "Looking Forward Ou…
"They can grab a car…
"They can grab a cart, grab a clipboard, and essentially go shopping free of charge for whatever they need to support their program."— Eric RutkowskiWelcome to another episode of "Looking Forward Our Way"! We are joined by 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 resources. We'll talk about the importance of community donations, the need for unrestricted funds, and the desire for an independent warehous…
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 w…
Consolidating Accoun…
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 transferred lawfully."— Larae SchraederIn this episode, we talk about the intricate world of digital estates with our expert guest, Larae Schraeder from Schraeder Law. As our lives become increasingly int…
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…
We have a special an…
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 face, such as transferable skills communication, navigating online applications, and balancing life responsibilities.We discuss the importance of in-person workshops, and the expansion of services to supp…
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 Cummin…
The episode focuses …
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 Research Scholar, Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, and Fellow for the Gerontological Society of America.Dr. Phillip Taylor, Professor, Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick…
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 …
We are joined by tec…
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 issues. We also explore how cloud services like OneDrive and Dropbox stack up against traditional backup solutions, and the benefits of using VPNs and secure Wi-Fi networks. Top Takeaways1. **Importance of …
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 th…
In this episode, we …
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 the operations and outreach efforts of The SOAP Project, from distributing millions of bars of soap labeled with hotline numbers to organizing large events in collaboration with local communities. Di…
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 th…
Garden For All bloss…
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, with her rich background in communications and community engagement, joins us to shed light on how their organization has cultivated over 8,000 pounds of fresh produce for area pantries, engaged over 250 …
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 financi…
Ben Hoeger, Director…
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 individual responsibility for Retirement savings. Plus, start financially sound habits early, especially for those within the gig Economy.Our conversation touches on the need for purpose-driven financial pla…
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). …
In this episode of "…
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 enhance transportation options and coordination for older adults, people with disabilities, new Americans, and low-income populations across nine counties – Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Lick…
For anyone interested in senior wellness and Innovation, this episode is a gold mine of insights—pun intended. Welcome to "Looking Forward Our Way," where we welcome Daniel Seltzer, executive direct…
For anyone intereste…
For anyone interested in senior wellness and innovation, this episode is a gold mine of insights—pun intended. Welcome to "Looking Forward Our Way," where we welcome Daniel Seltzer, executive director of Evergold at Home. Daniel shared how Evergold's Life Plan at Home program is revolutionizing the experience of aging, with wellness management and financial protection. From the empowering use of smartwatches to personalized care coordination, Evergold is crafting a future where seniors can remain independent and financially secure. We dissected the real challenges of senior housing and how p…