Aaron Westbrook shares how growing up with a limb difference shaped his confidence, problem solving, and commitment to creating better adaptive solutions. In this conversation, I trace his path from a curious student to the founder and CEO of Form5, with a focus on community, co-design, and leadership that puts lived experience at the center.We discuss how Form Five moved from one-off solutions to workshop-based innovation, why listening to people with limb differences changes everything, and how Aaron is thinking bigger about national impact, product scaling, and advocacy.

• Aaron’s early experience growing up in a two-handed world and how it made him a natural problem solver
• How his parents helped him build confidence by role-playing responses and teaching self-advocacy
• Why Aaron believes people with limb differences know best what solutions they need
• The origin of Form5’s approach: starting with listening, not assumptions
• How community connection changed his perspective as a teenager and became the anchor for his mission
• The Cofab workshop model, where people with limb differences co-design solutions alongside students, engineers, and mentors
• How Form5 grew from a high school senior project into a nonprofit that is preparing for its 10th anniversary
• Why Aaron sees the organization as bigger than prosthetics and now broader than limb difference alone
• The bike arm adapter story, including Jody’s goal of riding Pelotonia and how that experience helped shape Form Five’s growth strategy
• Aaron’s leadership philosophy: learn like a junior, lead like a senior
• His 2018 advocacy work on regulatory reform in Ohio to include 3D printing in prosthetic assistive technology language
• How Form5 uses community events, committees, and mentorship to build an ecosystem around disability innovation

• Cofab
• Alive with Five Blog
• Miles That Matter — Form5’s long-distance cycling fundraiser, if there’s a campaign or recap page
• Forbes 30 Under 30 

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Discover how a young innovator like Rhea Ojah harnesses her creativity and resilience to make a meaningful impact. From founding a nonprofit to navigating personal loss, she shares insights on embracing failure, exploring diverse interests, and shaping a future rooted in service.

Key topics 

• How Rhea views innovation as the intersection of creativity and community service
• The founding of the NeuroNext Foundation and its role in community engagement
• The importance of adaptability and exploring multiple interests in high school
• How experiencing loss fostered emotional maturity and artistic expression
• Lessons learned from overcoming setbacks, such as academic challenges and personal loss
• The empowering role of failure and resilience in personal growth
• The influence of community service on understanding diverse human experiences
• Rhea’s vision for a future in biomedical engineering to improve global healthcare access
• The need to challenge societal stereotypes and promote curiosity and empathy
• Practical advice for young people to take initiative and make a difference regardless of age

• https://neuronextfoundation.org/about/

• Rhea’s award winning artwork of her grandmother “Fear of Goodbye”

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Explore the critical aspects of healthy leadership, organizational culture, and fostering authenticity in workplaces. Dr. Christine Fonner shares insights from her extensive research on toxic leadership, radical care, and the importance of emotional intelligence, emphasizing how these elements can build more resilient, safe, and innovative environments.

Main Topics Covered:

• The prevalence and impact of toxic leadership, especially on women
• The concept of radical care and its role in effective leadership
• How decision-making rooted in love versus fear affects organizational health
• Cultivating psychological safety and trust in teams
• Practical strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback
• The influence of workplace culture on innovation and performance
• Leadership practices to combat toxicity and promote accountability
• The importance of integrating emotional and holistic approaches to leadership
• Early warning signs of eroding team culture
• One habit organizational leaders should immediately stop

In this episode:

• Dr. Fonner discusses her research findings that women in leadership face 65% more toxic experiences and how organizations can address this.
• The idea of radical care: caring authentically while holding people accountable for high performance.
• How fear-driven decisions undermine workplace safety and innovation.
• Costco’s example of how employee feedback led to tangible cost savings through small innovations.
• Tools and frameworks for fostering honest, respectful feedback, including the “Think” model.
• The challenges of holding leaders accountable without falling into retaliatory or dismissive behaviors.
• Practical approaches leaders can adopt to nurture their team’s growth while managing inevitable conflicts.
• The significance of leadership style diversity and cultural shifts towards more compassionate, holistic leadership models.

Resources & Links:

• Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan
• Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
• The Fellowship: Dr. Christine Fonner

Connect with featured guest, Dr. Christine Fonner, on LinkedIn

Connect with host, Kristy Venne, on LinkedIn

In this episode of Innovate Where You Are, Dr. Jenny Rankin shares her insights on communication strategies, the importance of listening, data storytelling, and embracing vulnerability to foster trust and innovation. Whether you're an educator, leader, or entrepreneur, the lessons here are invaluable for making a meaningful impact.

KEY TOPICS

• The non-linear journey of personal and professional growth, emphasizing following passions and random experiences.
• The critical role of communication in leadership, including understanding psychology to influence others positively.
• Strategies to improve listening skills, such as asking questions, listening to understand, and using motivational interviewing techniques.
• The significance of data storytelling: simplifying, contextualizing, and embedding empathy when presenting data.
• The impact of ego and implicit bias in workplace innovation and ways to mitigate these barriers through self-awareness and diverse engagement.
• Practical advice on preparing for public speaking, including having a clear bio and managing nerves with organization.
• The importance of flexibility, feedback, and perseverance, especially when facing setbacks or rejection.
• How authenticity, humility, and making concessions enhance credibility and trust in communication.
• Tips for communicating across diverse audiences: customizing messages and using hierarchy-appropriate language.
• The power of intentional social media presence and visual tools like Canva to amplify your message.

RESOURCES:

• Project Debater by IBM
• Implicit Association Test (IAT) by Harvard
• Canva
• Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
• Mistakes Were Made, But Not by Me by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson

Connect with Dr. Jenny Rankin - LinkedIn

Connect with Kristy Venne - LInkedIn

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that at buymeacoffee.com/kristyvenne

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Discover how creativity can transform education, community, and personal growth through the inspiring insights of educator Jason Blair. From childhood realizations to systemic changes, this episode explores how nurturing creative confidence can lead to more meaningful learning and living.

In this episode:

• Jason shares the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of creativity as a way of being.
• The importance of environment and relationships in fostering creative potential.
• How boredom and distraction hinder creative development—and how to combat them.
• The impact of societal efficiency demands on originality and imagination.
• Practical ways to cultivate creative confidence, including feedback phrases and structured processes like design thinking.
• The vital role of arts—and their marginalization—in a holistic education system.
• Examples from "Agents of Change" and other initiatives promoting student agency.
• The rise of third spaces for social connection and their influence on creativity.
• The relationship between emotional expression and problem-solving.
• Future challenges and opportunities with AI, neurodiversity, and integrated learning.

Resources & Links:

• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
• Deeper Learning in Schools — Joel Mehta & Sarah Fine
• IDEO’s Design Thinking Resources
• Agents of Change 

Connect with Jason Blair: LinkedIn

Connect with Kristy Venne - LInkedIn

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that at buymeacoffee.com/kristyvenne

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Embracing Change & Innovation at Any Age with Mark White

In this episode, Mark White shares his journey of continuous reinvention, emphasizing the importance of mindset, leadership, and culture in navigating change. Whether you're leading an organization, mentoring others, or personal growth, his perspectives on innovation, diversity, and resilience offer valuable guidance for all.

Key topics:

• The metaphor of surfing the waves to represent thriving through change and the importance of adaptability
• How to shift from surviving change to thriving in it and taking small versus big steps
• The role of culture, respect, and shared vision in fostering creativity and innovation
• The impact of generational differences on leadership styles, creativity, and communication
• Tips for leveraging diverse thinking, building cross-generational mentorship, and developing personal branding
• Strategies for creating momentum in organizations through communication, testing, and safe spaces for experimentation
• The changing landscape of attention spans, training, and meetings influenced by technology
• The importance of authenticity and humanity in an AI-driven world

Resources & Links:

• Mark’s website (find his books here!)
• Generation Nation Podcast (coming soon: link pending)
• Idea Flow by Jeremy Utley

Connect with Mark White: LinkedIn

Connect with Kristy Venne - LInkedIn

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that at buymeacoffee.com/kristyvenne

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Discover how John Born, a veteran public safety leader, is transforming law enforcement training through immersive virtual reality experiences at Ohio University. Learn about the collaborative efforts, innovative approaches, and impact of experiential learning on officer safety, trust-building, and community relations. Main Topics:

• The role of innovation within structured public safety organizations
• How cinematic virtual reality enhances law enforcement training
• Building trust and soft skills such as empathy through immersive experiences
• Collaborations across university and public service sectors
• The future of experiential learning and its broader applications in education

Key Insights:

• A crisis is a turning point balancing risk and opportunity; preparation and practice tip the scale
• Innovation often originates from the ground up, driven by employees and frontline workers
• Simple, cost-effective ideas, such as green windshield tags, can significantly improve officer safety
• Virtual reality reduces training time from hours to minutes while improving retention and realism
• High-quality storytelling and collaboration with professionals create immersive, impactful experiences
• Virtual reality builds empathy, soft skills, and trust, which are crucial for community safety and engagement
• Universities are uniquely positioned to lead scalable, research-based innovation in public safety training

Resources & Links:

• Ohio University Grid Lab
• Ohio 360 Initiative
• Scripps College of Communication

Connect with John Born - LinkedIn

Connect with Kristy Venne - LInkedIn

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that at buymeacoffee.com/kristyvenne

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Explore how Dr. Tiffany Crosby navigates health crises, transforms the accounting profession, and leads with purpose and faith. This episode offers inspiring insights on resilience, strategic leadership, and innovative thinking amid challenges.

Main Topics Covered:

• Hidden innovations in the accounting industry
• Addressing talent shortages through systemic collaboration
• Leveraging constraints to foster creativity and innovation
• Personal resilience through health crises and faith-driven leadership
• Building and nurturing future leaders within organizations

In this episode:

• Tiffany discusses the unexpected innovations happening within accounting, such as AI integration and strategic advisory roles.
• She shares how systemic collaboration and fact-based coalition-building can address industry shortages.
• The importance of working within constraints creatively, using challenges as opportunities for innovation.
• Tiffany recounts her remarkable health journey—brain aneurysm, strokes, and overcoming physical adversities—highlighting resilience and faith.
• Strategies for leaders to operate effectively on days of weakness include delegation, self-awareness, and emphasizing mindset.
• Her approach to leadership rooted in faith, dignity, and purposeful living.
• Practical advice for facing personal and professional challenges: viewing them as seasons and focusing on growth.
• The significance of habits, intentionality, and community support in shaping a resilient mindset.
• Reflection on trusting oneself and maintaining joy amidst adversity.

Resources & Links:

• The Power of Habits
• Ohio Society of CPAs

Connect with Tiffany Crosby:LinkedIn

Connect with Kristy Venne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyvenne/

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that at buymeacoffee.com/kristyvenne

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Discover how innovation thrives across industries and challenges, especially in high-stakes environments like space exploration. Join Kristy Venne and aerospace expert Dr. John Horack as they explore the messy, courageous, and long-term nature of innovation that starts right where you are.

Key topics:

• The universal nature of innovation – it’s a struggle everyone faces regardless of environment.
• Insights from NASA on pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight and safety.
• The importance of translating complex scientific research into everyday life, exemplified by GPS and space technology.
• Building resilient, long-term research initiatives in large institutions amid bureaucracy and political landscapes.
• Strategies to foster innovation in large organizations: saying yes, sharing ideas, embracing failure, and community support.
• The role of positivity, humor, and self-discipline in maintaining emotional resilience for leaders and innovators.
• Detail on Ohio State University’s STARLAB and the future of commercial space stations like Starlab.
• Protecting visionary ideas in large organizations by fostering a supportive, positive climate.
• Lessons from historical figures and modern scientists inspiring courage and perseverance.
• The exciting future of space research and the societal ripple effect of space innovations.

Links:

• NASA
• Starlab
• Ohio State University
• Voyager Technologies
• Mitsubishi Corporation
• VISTA Science Park

Connect with Dr. John Horack: LinkedIn

Connect with Kristy Venne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyvenne/

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can do that at buymeacoffee.com/kristyvenne

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What does it look like to choose growth—even when it’s uncomfortable?

In this episode, Abbi Failla shares her journey navigating a mid-career pivot into the logistics industry and what it takes to lead with courage in a space that’s constantly evolving. From building credibility in a new field to leading change inside organizations, Abbi offers a practical, grounded perspective on innovation, leadership, and continuous improvement.

For leaders, professionals, and anyone considering a career shift, this conversation explores how growth mindset, disciplined risk-taking, and systems thinking can unlock new opportunities—especially in industries undergoing transformation.

• Growth often requires stepping into discomfort—not avoiding it
• Career pivots can be a powerful form of innovation and reinvention
• Building credibility in a new industry requires intentional up-skilling and curiosity
• Small, disciplined innovation efforts compound over time
• Systems thinking helps translate skills across roles and industries
• Leading change requires alignment, communication, and trust
• Creating a culture of experimentation allows teams to learn from failure
• Women in male-dominated industries can lead with both strength and authenticity
• Continuous improvement is built through daily habits—not one-time shifts

Recommended by Abbi

• Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

Organizations Mentioned

• Ease Logistics

Connect

• Connect with Abbi Failla
• Connect with Kristy on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyvenne/

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