Looking Forward Our Way

We are celebrating 100+ years of public service by the WOSU team: journalists, directors, producers, editors, technical wizards, and the dozens of staff who provide solid information to Central Ohio! We welcome Mike Thompson, Chief Content Director of News & Public Affairs for WOSU!

Our goal for this episode is to delve into the reporting of elections. We support and encourage the need for an educated electorate – and we want to ensure that you, our listener, can find the information and resources you need.

There have been so many changes in the news media over the past decade. Voters are in a 24/7 whirlwind barrage of news. How do you see your role in the creation and delivery of news, particularly political and election news?

We know democracy is dependent upon fair and successful voting by the electorate. What do you think has changed in people’s attitude toward voting – why do so few vote?

Finance Reform is in the news again. Current financing strategies based upon “dark money” – literally spending millions of dollars for individual candidates or issues – have greatly affected election results. Congress cannot come to any conclusions and donors just keep sending money. Is finance reform a real issue?

Many legislators have charged local election boards with new policies. Ohio had been on the cutting edge of creating elections that were inclusive but kept our votes safe. What has changed – did we go too far accommodating all voters? Or, are we now cutting voters out of the process?

There are so many challenges for media owners/directors to maintain balanced reporting of news, while still making a profit. Are we able to maintain election stability and transparency when “news” is inherently one-sided?

Do you see media affecting different generations differently? And how have the various social media platforms – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. – changed WOSU?

Do you have advice for young journalists?

Be sure to check out Mike's latest podcast with co-host Steve Brown, Snollygoster.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

We welcome Mike Thompson, Chief Content Director of News & Public Affairs for WOSU to our podcast. In our next episode, you will find out more from Mike about the importance of voting, how to be an informed voter, and the value of voting in the future of our communities, whether it be on the local, state, or national level.

This "don't miss" episode will be in your podcast player Monday, October 31, 2022.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Learn how to coupon the easy way right here. Whether you’re a beginner or looking for fresh ways to save with coupons, this guide to couponing is about to become one of the most valuable things you’ll listen to all year.

You don’t have to be into extreme couponing to save serious money on household essentials, groceries, and apparel. And you don’t need to dedicate tons of time to find the best deals and coupon codes. Our guest has you covered.

Mandy Morckel, founder of LoveLiveSave Couponing Program and owner of Cantonology is our guest. The critical issue we cover in this episode is the financial stability of families in an inflationary time as we are experiencing. How can couponing help?

You'll hear the many ways for families to save. And how couponing can contribute to community needs!

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

You don’t have to be into extreme couponing to save serious money on household essentials, groceries, and apparel. And you don’t need to dedicate tons of time to find the best deals and coupon codes. Our guest has you covered.

Mandy Morckel, founder of LoveLiveSave Couponing Program and owner of Cantonology is our guest. The critical issue we cover in this episode is the financial stability of families in an inflationary time as we are experiencing. How can couponing help?

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday 10/17/22.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Medicare open enrollment for 2023 goes from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2022.

During the Medicare open enrollment period, you can make changes to your Medicare health and drug coverage that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

This enrollment period is only for existing Medicare enrollees who want to make changes to their coverage. Any changes you make during the 2022 Medicare enrollment period will affect your 2023 Medicare plan, beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

So what can you do during Medicare open enrollment?

During Medicare open enrollment, sometimes called the Medicare annual enrollment, you can change Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plans, including changing your coverage, switching between plan types and adding prescription drug benefits.

We welcome, now three years in a row, Josh Kinzel, Benefit Advisor, with Seniority Benefit Group. He is THE expert with 15 years of Medicare supplemental insurance knowledge.

You are going to hear very important information you can use during this year's open enrollment window. He is going to take the mystery out of Medicare and review some changes coming in 2023.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Medicare open enrollment for 2023 goes from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2022.

We welcome, now three years in a row, Josh Kinzel, Benefit Advisor, with Seniority Benefit Group. He is THE expert with 15 years of Medicare supplemental insurance knowledge.

You are going to hear very important information you can use during this year's open enrollment window. He is going to take the mystery out of Medicare and review some changes coming in 2023.

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday, October 3, 2022.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Your nest may be empty, but your life can still be full. Your kids may have left the family home for college, marriage, or a new job. You might find yourself with feelings of loss and sadness.

In this episode, we turn the microphone on co-host Brett Johnson, and his wife, Dr. Angie Beumer Johnson, and how they are working through empty nesting with their last child now entering his first semester of college.

How do parents adjust to an "empty nest" and how do kids perceive "home?"

What is empty nesting and does everyone go through it?

How has technology helped the transition for both parents and the college student?

What could current empty nesters do to make it through this family transition stage?

Why you shouldn't feel guilty about realizing it is now time to focus on you and your relationship with your spouse.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Your nest may be empty, but your life can still be full. Your kids may have left the family home for college, marriage, or a new job. You might find yourself with feelings of loss and sadness.

In our next episode, we turn the microphone on co-host Brett Johnson, and his wife, Dr. Angie Beumer Johnson, and how they are working through empty nesting with their last child now entering his first semester of college.

This full episode will be in your podcast player Monday 9/19/22.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

In this episode, you will discover how young girls in our community are learning not only leadership skills, nature, and outdoor living, but now they have opportunities to learn STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!

You are going to hear more about a new STEM program with our guest, Tammy Wharton, President, and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council.

You'll learn more about the changes to Girl Scouts from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000’s. Mothers remember Girl Scouts from a much different perspective than the programs of today.

Girl Scouts and the Importance of Community: How Girl Scout programs continue to provide leadership skills and community connections for young girls in need.

And how important this is for education equality for girls:

o The need for science education for young girls and young women

o Why STEM is important; need to impact young girls by 4th grade to move them toward science studies.

o Utilizing organizations that already serve this population to advance science education.

Girl Scouts and resources for young girls: How grandmothers and mothers can impact young girls in educational attainment and career trajectory. Often, they need resources like Girl Scouts to provide these opportunities.

Here are the resources we mention in the podcast.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Tammy Wharton is the President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, which serves more than 40,000 Girl Scout members. Her initial connection with the Girl Scouts began in 2001, when she led the organization’s fund-raising and public relations efforts. In 2005, Wharton left to become the executive director of the Columbus Literacy Council for two and a half years. In 2007, she was asked to return to the Girl Scouts to help lead the organization through the successful merger of three councils. Wharton became CEO of the newly merged council, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, in 2008.

In this episode, you will discover how young girls in our community are learning not only leadership skills, nature, and outdoor living, but now they have opportunities to learn STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!

You are going to hear more about a new STEM program with our guest, Tammy Wharton, President, and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council.

In your podcast player 9/5/22.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson