Looking Forward Our Way

In our next episode, we cover financial areas that are embarrassing to discuss. Debt understanding and planning, financial protection and stability, and most importantly – the counseling needed through major transitions like bankruptcy.

Our guest is Tasha Bishop, Director of Operations and Development for Apprisen. Apprisen is a non-profit organization committed to their clients' financial well-being. For over 60 years, they've been helping, empowering, and motivating people along their financial journey.

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday October 18, 2021. Here's a preview of what you will hear.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

Inspired by the advocacy needed later in life by her beloved grandparents, Larae Schraeder started Schraeder Law LLC, to specialize in estate planning and elder law. Larae focuses on helping clients of all ages plan for the later-in-life issues her own family faced without legal counsel.

Many of us have had to move through the difficult steps of making decisions with our parents regarding housing and downsizing. A more critical situation is determining the legal steps to be taken, whether they occur before or after the passing of a family member.

In this episode, we want to help you understand the important legal steps you should be discussing with family. And the ramifications should decisions not be made.

There are critical times we tend to avoid, even run from. Our aging parents, grandparents, or other family members need to live safe, healthy lives. If we educate ourselves on the resources available to us, we could avoid future crises. Yet we often wait too long and a crisis occurs. Larae explains how she talks her clients through the basic legal steps like wills and a power-of-attorney.

“End of life” is not the only transition we should prepare for. Sudden illness or accidents can require healthcare directives. Mental and behavioral health issues, such as Alzheimer’s, can certainly change the dynamics of a family. Larae talks about the various documents that can guide them through such situations. These include wills, trusts, estates, healthcare power of attorney, power of attorney and more.

It seems that the most important step a family can take is to communicate clearly with each other. These discussions can be very difficult. People are fearful of the future. Or “losing” – their home, their “things," their freedoms, or even facing death. Larae gives some advice on how family members can support each other, but make the decisions needed to secure their financial security along with safe living conditions.

Individuals will make decisions and hopefully their family will be supportive. However, there are issues which may be more difficult to understand. If a will is created, does Probate Court still step-in and why? And more importantly, if there is no will or estate, what are the ramifications?

There are other issues affecting older adults in our community. Those can include senior scams, elder abuse, and even age discrimination in the workplace. Although these are not areas that she normally assist, Larae has some great advice on who to contact.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

Elder law attorneys work primarily with seniors (and their families), taking a holistic approach to legal issues that people commonly face as they age. Especially with health, housing, financial well-being and long-term care.

Our guest on our next episode is Estate Planner and Elder Law Attorney Larae Schraeder.

Inspired by the advocacy needed later in life by her beloved grandparents, Larae Schraeder started Schraeder Law LLC, to specialize in estate planning and elder law. Larae focuses on helping clients of all ages plan for the later-in-life issues her own family faced without legal counsel.

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday October 4, 2021. Here's a quick preview of what you will hear.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

We speak with Rebecca Nelson. She is the community engagement strategic advisor for Columbus Public Health. We thought as we started to get a better hold on the pandemic and COVID-19, that it might be a good idea to visit the public health.

Many of us were not aware of all that is accomplished by Columbus Public Health. However, we have learned this department did not just “pop” out of thin air when the pandemic hit. Rebecca gives us the background of Public Health, the historic role it has played, and the mission and vision it encompasses today.

Many people likely assume that the only thing being done at Public Health is testing, tracing and vaccines for COVID-19. But there are many programs that target safety overall, not just “diseases." We're talking about safe drinking water, food safety, and safe workplaces.

We have the technology for vast educational programs today, to help families to overcome illness. Rebecca gives us a glimpse of the ways Public Health has attempted to better educate our citizens and the barriers they’ve had to shatter.

Public Health at the local, county, state and federal level has saved lives not only during this pandemic, but also for decades. It seems, however, that this situation was more confusing, particularly in the beginning. Confusion was created on what steps we should take, and what to expect.

Health care is not a straight line. We talk about the development of public health educational strategies. Updating and revising those strategies is critical so that providing information to citizens on health issues can be carried out.

When we are examining the health care system in the U.S., it seems to be critical that the various levels work together. Although it has been difficult to keep the virus in check, and there were a few bumps in the rollout, the vaccine implementation seems to be working.

Rebecca suggests numerous ways Central Ohioans can better work with Public Health. After all, we want the next health crisis to be more manageable! We need to educate ourselves, our family members and neighbors.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

In our next episode, we speak with Rebecca Nelson. She is the community engagement strategic advisor for Columbus Public Health. We thought as we started to get a better hold on the pandemic and COVID-19, that it might be a good idea to visit the public health.

How did your department get involved? What was the strategy?

The biggest lesson that we are learning is that we have an incredible amount of resources in our cities, our towns, our counties, our states. And sometimes you just need to ask the right health related question of the right person and you're going to get the information you need.

So Rebecca gives us a wonderful overview of what public health does, where it started, why it started. It actually started here in Columbus during another pandemic, when cholera hit back in the 1800's. And they started, what was then, a safety committee to make sure that the city was safe.

We talk about clean water, clean food, making sure our food supplies are correct, making sure that people understand how to install baby seats in cars...anything that affects our health. And how they have to engage with over 50 to maybe 80 different languages here in Columbus.

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday 8/16. Here's a preview of that episode.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

What Is CAPE Ohio?

As citizen advocates, they defend the concept of public education as envisioned by the nation’s founders. At the same time, they seek the transformation that will improve and advance learning so that all students thrive.

In this episode, we explore the issues facing our local school systems and why attempted reforms are failing. Ohio’s educational system has not been funded at the appropriate level, directed by the Ohio Supreme Court, for decades.

A free public education is a founding principle of the U.S., and the platform for our children to grow, excel, and succeed in a chosen career for decades. However, children spend too much of their class time studying for high-stakes state exams.

The questions surrounding our educational system are difficult, and the actions needed are critical.

Our guests are Dr. James Bishop, a retired educational administrator. He is the former Dean of Students Amherst College, former Director of Ohio State University’s Young Scholars Program, former interim President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of LeMoyne-Owen College, former Vice Provost for University Life at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bishop received his BS degree from LeMoyne-Owen College and PhD in Chemistry from MIT.

And Dr. Margaret Kasten, who is a retired mathematics educator. She served as a high school mathematics teacher and an elementary mathematics supervisor and was a mathematics consultant at the Ohio Department of Education. She was a faculty member at Ohio State University, as well as Director of the Ohio Resource Center for Mathematics, Science and Reading. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees are from the University of Missouri and her PhD is from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Bishop gives us an overview of the founding catalyst of CAPE Ohio. The members of the group are all educators in their previous careers.

The CAPE Ohio Vision statement discusses both the need for education to be adaptive, as well as the need for developing children as individuals. Dr. Kasten talks about a more comprehensive picture of this organization. It's purpose and what they hope to accomplish.

CAPE Ohio has 14 fundamental principles to guide school systems toward a new vision.

We review the basic changes CAPE Ohio addresses, such as why schools should not be viewed as a business, as well as education as a commodity.

The organization views schools as the place for children to grow their intellect and their potential, which will prepare them for their future. The background on these concepts are part of the 14 fundamental principles as well.

During this incredible year of pandemic disruption of our school programs, an outcry from many was to stop the assessment system, as children were doomed to failure. However, even before this pandemic CAPE Ohio believed that the assessment process was flawed. We talk about what assessments should look like.

Although funding is not CAPE Ohio's primary issue, it is a huge issue in Ohio.

For decades, Ohio’s legislative bodies have avoided the Supreme Court ruling on funding for our schools. CAPE Ohio addresses the issues of both equality of school programs across the state, but also equality of public school programs in comparison to charter school programs.

CAPE Ohio documents the many issues regarding the training and professional development of teachers and administrators, and the importance of continued learning/training. Both Dr. Bishop and Dr. Kasten provides a synopsis of what expectations we should have of educators. And what educators should be receiving from their school systems.

One item we cannot forget is the issue of accountability for the success of our children and the educational system. Parents want to be sure their children are learning, and taxpayers want to be sure the funding is properly utilized. What does CAPE Ohio suggest should happen to ensure such accountability exists?

We knew technology was an issue before the pandemic, but this crisis has brought the lack of technology and internet access in Ohio to the forefront. Particularly in our educational systems. CAPE Ohio not only embraces current needs, but also looks to technology for future change.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

What Is CAPE Ohio?

As citizen advocates, they defend the concept of public education as envisioned by the nation’s founders. At the same time, they seek the transformation that will improve and advance learning so that all students thrive.

Our guests for this upcoming episode are Dr. Margaret Kasten and Dr. James Bishop. They both give us a better insight into what this group is about, and how we can do better with our public school systems.

This episode will be in your podcast player on Monday September 6, 2021. Here is a preview of that episode.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

Sharon Hamersely is known to many as the “Resume Coach.” However, she’s been working with many small business owners in their need to further grow their company as the “LinkedIn Coach”.

Often, small business owners are so busy, social media is just an “evil necessity”!  Yet, with just a few steps, being active on LinkedIn could make significant changes in your business, finding great vendors or targeting new clients.

Sharon gives us the tips and tricks of utilizing the social media site LinkedIn as an excellent avenue for employers to build their business. And find the right candidates for their team.

She recently began a new program to assist small business owners grow their companies by using LinkedIn for recruiting, creating networks, identifying and communicating with clients. Additionally, she is helping her clients in building their role as an influencer. She shares with us her “philosophy” on the importance of small business growth and the impact of social media on companies.

Where should employers start in the journey of increasing social media? What’s the first step?

Businesses on LinkedIn can use that profile and develop “influence” help to build your business.

One more item that seems to always come up in social media. We no sooner know how to utilize the program and a dozen new items are created. For instance, “hashtags” are now utilized on Linkedin. What are some of the new benefits to LinkedIn and do you know of anything coming along later this year?

We would love to hear from you.

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.

Sharon Hamersely is known to many as the “Resume Coach.” However, she’s been working with many small business owners in their need to further grow their company as the “LinkedIn Coach”.

Often, small business owners are so busy, social media is just an “evil necessity”!  Yet, with just a few steps, being active on LinkedIn could make significant changes in your business, finding great vendors or targeting new clients.

Sharon gives us the tips and tricks of utilizing the social media site LinkedIn as an excellent avenue for employers to build their business. And find the right candidates for their team.

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday August 30, 2021.

We would love to hear from you.

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.

During this pandemic, our older adult population were under siege. They were the most vulnerable to the Corona virus. Their residential facilities were hotbeds for the disease. And many felt they were in a “locked down” prison at home or in a senior housing. They were unable to interact with their family and friends.

Our special guest in the episode is Dr. Krisanna Deppen with Ohio Health. Her specialties and certifications include both Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine.

Dr. Deppen gives us an overview of what symptoms she observed during this crisis, and how has it differed by age.

Depression and addictions are not new for older adults. Yet they are often marginalized, maybe ignored, in discussions of treatment options. Now, many patients are burdened by long-term substance use disorder, as well as loneliness. It seems to be setting up as a “perfect storm” scenario.

Opioids come to mind first in discussions of addiction. But alcohol addiction can be a stronger issue for older adults. They have had many more years of social drinking behind them.

Treatment can be difficult. Facilities are not readily available for older individuals. The Opioid epidemic surged, alcohol sales and consumption skyrocketed. Dr. Deppen gives us some insight on what has changed in substance use disorder therapies in recent years. And what she is witnessing or hearing about successful therapeutic programs to fight the conditions.

Unfortunately, because older adults are even more isolated, it is easier for them to “fall through the cracks”. Friends and relatives are not engaging with older individuals and likely not seeing the signs. We talk about the signs to look out for, and what we can do as a concerned family member or neighbor.

We have often touted the value of working into our later years. Whether it's full or part time. Or maybe just volunteering, or other social activities. The theory is to remain engaged and keep our brain thinking, learning, and expanding. Which could lead to a healthier lifestyle and increased years. This can also help for those who are battling substance use disorders. We need to encourage older adults to move into a larger circle of friends.

Dr. Deppen is extremely encouraged to see younger healthcare professionals into this field, and she talks about how these numbers have grown.

We would love to hear from you.

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.