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Hancock County's approach to mental health, addiction and recovery has changed dramatically over the past decade, and there are measurable results.

On this episode of Chamber Amplified, Doug Jenkins is joined by Zach Thomas of the Hancock County ADAMHS Board to discuss the county's behavioral health system, the decline in overdose fatalities, efforts to connect more people with treatment and recovery services, and how attitudes surrounding addiction and recovery have evolved.

They also discuss why access to behavioral health services matters to local employers and the workforce, the role employment can play in a successful recovery, and the reach of ADAMHS-supported prevention programs throughout Hancock County.

With a 1.3-mill ADAMHS renewal levy on the November ballot, Zach also explains how the organization is funded, what local levy dollars support and why those dollars provide flexibility that state and federal funding often cannot.

Learn more about ADAMHS and the levy at YourPathToHealth.org.

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What does a day in the life of an attorney really look like, and how does someone go from studying particle physics to practicing law?

In this episode of Chamber Amplified, Doug Jenkins talks with Pat Sadowski of Eastman & Smith as part of our Day in the Life series.

Pat shares his path into the legal profession, including studying physics and mathematics, conducting research at Columbia University and discovering that the career he originally envisioned wasn't actually the right fit. He also explains what his work in estate planning and transactional law looks like today.

The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence is changing the practice of law, why AI-generated answers still require context and professional judgment, and what Pat recommends to students considering a legal career.

It's a conversation about law, AI, career exploration and why you don't necessarily need to have your future figured out from the beginning.

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Is Inbox Zero really the goal, or are we measuring productivity the wrong way?

Dan Gonder of Strategic In/Sight Partners joins Chamber Amplified to rethink what efficiency should look like in the workplace. We talk about managing an overflowing email inbox, setting realistic expectations for response times, using AI to organize work and knowing when efficiency starts getting in the way of effectiveness.

The conversation also tackles a bigger productivity challenge: priorities. Dan explains why trying to do everything can contribute to burnout, how businesses and employees can create a framework for deciding what matters most, and why learning to say “no” or “not now” can ultimately lead to better work.

If you've ever ended a busy day wondering how you accomplished so much without getting to the things that really mattered, this conversation is for you.

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Food insecurity doesn't always look the way you might expect - and demand for food assistance across northwest and west central Ohio is now higher than it was at the height of the pandemic.

Tommie Harner of West Ohio Food Bank joins Chamber Amplified to talk about the growing need for hunger relief, rising food and transportation costs, and the important role businesses and volunteers can play in supporting their communities.

West Ohio Food Bank distributes between 8 and 9 million pounds of food each year across an 11-county service area, working with food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools and other community partners. Tommie explains how that network works, why an aging volunteer base is creating another challenge for nonprofits, and how businesses can help through volunteering, donations and connections.

We also talk about food insecurity among working families and seniors, creative partnerships involving agriculture and schools, and Hunger Action Month in September.

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AI can create a logo, flyer or social media graphic in seconds - but when everyone has access to the same tools, how do you keep your business from looking like everyone else?

Krystin Brecheisen, Senior Graphic Designer at AR Marketing, joins Chamber Amplified to talk about the rapidly changing relationship between artificial intelligence, graphic design and business marketing.

Krystin explains how AR Marketing uses AI as a productivity and brainstorming tool without allowing it to replace the human creative process. We also talk about why so much AI-generated design has developed a recognizable look, the importance of white space and simplicity, and why businesses shouldn't automatically settle for the first design AI generates.

You'll also hear practical advice for small businesses using AI and Canva, how better prompting can produce better creative work, why consistent branding matters, and what human designers still bring to the table that AI can't easily replicate.

Plus, are people already developing AI fatigue - and could distinctly human design become even more valuable as AI-generated marketing becomes more common?

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Best Of Chamber Amplified: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z can all bring different communication styles, expectations and approaches to work. So how can managers effectively lead a multigenerational workforce?

Doug Jenkins revisits a favorite conversation with Kristin Scroggin, founder of Gen Y Communication Strategies, about understanding generational differences in the workplace without falling into the trap of deciding one generation is better than another.

Kristin explains how different generations were shaped by the world around them and how those experiences can influence everything from feedback and management preferences to knowledge sharing and career expectations.

The conversation covers managing Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z; transferring institutional knowledge before experienced employees retire; why younger employees may need more frequent feedback and clearer expectations; what Gen Alpha could mean for workforce development, apprenticeships and skilled trades; and Kristin's simple “struggle time” technique for helping employees become more independent problem-solvers.

Whether you're a business owner, manager, HR professional or team leader, this episode offers practical ideas for building a workplace where multiple generations can succeed together.

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What does a financial advisor actually do all day?

In the latest installment of our Day in the Life series, Chamber Amplified sits down with Josh Robb of Hixon Zuercher Capital Management for a behind-the-scenes look at a career in financial advising and wealth management.

Josh explains why working as a financial advisor is much more relationship-driven than many people realize, how advisors help clients turn financial goals into a plan, and why building trust is especially important when starting a career in the industry.

We also discuss how technology and artificial intelligence are changing financial planning, including clients bringing AI-generated financial recommendations into meetings - and why the human side of financial advising still matters during market volatility and major financial decisions.

Plus, Josh shares his path from the nonprofit world into financial services and why financial advising can be a second career.

Topics include financial planning, wealth management, retirement planning, AI in finance, career development, networking, client relationships and building trust in business.

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Why are businesses still struggling to find workers when small-business confidence is improving?

Randy Galbraith of Hancock County Job & Family Services joins Chamber Amplified to break down what the local labor market actually looks like and why hiring remains such a challenge for Findlay and Hancock County employers.

Hancock County's unemployment rate sits at just 3.6%, while its overall labor force has barely grown in more than a decade. At the same time, new businesses continue to open and existing employers need more workers.

Doug and Randy discuss what's behind that mismatch, including the rising cost of transportation, the shortage and cost of childcare, workforce participation, changing employee expectations and the challenges facing employers in an extremely tight labor market.

Chamber Amplified is presented by the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

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There’s more happening in Findlay and Hancock County than you might realize - including more than 900 events over the next six months.

On this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Danielle Wilkin from Visit Findlay about how the Convention and Visitors Bureau is helping visitors, local residents and businesses discover everything Hancock County has to offer.

Danielle explains how VisitFindlay.com can help users find events, restaurants, shopping, attractions and family-friendly activities; build and share custom itineraries; and explore interactive experiences like the Findlay Mural Trail.

They also discuss the business side of tourism, including how sporting tournaments and major community events bring visitors into Findlay, how restaurants and retailers can prepare for those crowds, and how local businesses and organizations can get their events and information featured through Visit Findlay.

Plus, hear what's next for Visit Findlay's interactive trails, including a new history and heritage experience celebrating the people, places and stories that shaped Hancock County.

Whether you're visiting Findlay, looking for something to do close to home or trying to connect your business with more people coming into the community, this episode highlights resources you may not realize are available.

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Workforce continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today, but solving it starts long before someone submits a job application.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Tricia Valasek of Raise the Bar Hancock County about how local schools, employers and community partners are working together to introduce students to career opportunities, develop essential workplace skills and build the future workforce.

They discuss:

•  How YouScience helps students discover careers that match their strengths 
•  Why businesses should create a free employer profile 
•  The importance of internships and career exploration 
•  Why soft skills still matter in the age of AI 
•  The value of lifelong learning 
•  Why the conversation shouldn't be "college vs. workforce" 

Whether you're an employer looking to hire, an educator, a parent or simply interested in the future of Hancock County's workforce, this conversation offers practical insights and opportunities to get involved.

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