This week on the Wealthing Podcast, Alicia Castillo Holley is joined by Luke Hohmann—entrepreneur, technologist, game developer, and writer—whose unconventional journey from Buffalo to Silicon Valley reveals how creativity and community can shape a more equitable future.

Luke traces his path across startups, self-built ventures, and the world of game design, sharing how each chapter of his career informed his passion for collaborative budgeting and civic engagement. He and Alicia dive into the promise of participatory budgeting in schools, exploring how involving students and communities in financial decision-making can strengthen educational ecosystems—even as the pandemic posed unexpected hurdles to its implementation.

From community-driven resource allocation to a techno-optimist vision of technology as a force for good, this episode highlights the power of gratitude, resilience, and the choice to use one's professional skills in service of others. It's a conversation that inspires listeners to imagine what's possible when innovation and empathy come together.

About Luke: Luke is a four-time author, three-time founder, SAFe® Fellow, investor, and internationally recognized expert in Agile Product Management, Portfolio Management, and Software Development. Coming from Silicon Valley, he knows how to help founders and business leaders build sustainably profitable businesses, because it is only through sustainable profits that a business can thrive. He's also a game designer who especially enjoys bringing joy to people and organizations through play.

Connect with Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukehohmann/

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