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  • AI with Heart: How VocFit is Transforming the Way People with Disabilities Find Work

    AI with Heart: How VocFit is Transforming the Way People with Disabilities Find Work
    2025/12/17
    In this inspiring episode, Brad Griffith, Founder and President of Buckeye Innovation, shares how his Columbus-based software development firm partnered with researchers at The Ohio State University to bring an extraordinary idea to life.
    The result? VocFit — an AI-powered platform that helps people with disabilities discover meaningful career paths based on their unique abilities. By matching strengths to job requirements, VocFit is opening new doors to independence, confidence, and inclusion in the workforce.
    Brad walks us through how his fully remote team took a vision rooted in social good and turned it into an award-winning, life-changing tool — earning Buckeye Innovation a Gold Stevie Award for Assistive Technology.
    We’ll also explore how this Columbus company continues to use technology to uplift communities, modernize outdated systems, and remind us that innovation, at its best, has heart.
    For more information on Buckeye Innovation can build amazing apps or a website for you please visit www.buckeyeinnovation or reach out to Brad Griffith on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradgriffith/
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    39 分
  • Beyond Diet: Healing the Heart with Food, Lifestyle & Purpose

    Beyond Diet: Healing the Heart with Food, Lifestyle & Purpose
    2025/12/10
    When Anna Schraff was in her 30s, she got a wake-up call: lab results showed elevated protein markers indicating increased risk for heart disease. Instead of accepting the verdict, she committed to change — and she discovered the power of a Mediterranean-style approach not just for diet, but for overall life transformation.
    In this episode, Anna shares her personal journey of fear, resistance, and radical reinvention. We’ll talk about how she rebuilt her health one meal, one habit, one mindset shift at a time — and how she now helps others via Mediterranean for Life to reclaim vitality, balance, and long-term well-being.
    You’ll get a mix of science, strategy, and lived wisdom — from how to read your biomarkers, to the emotional challenges of changing deeply ingrained habits, to building a life that supports your heart in every way. Whether listeners are battling weight gain, inflammation, genetic flags, or simply seeking more health in their later decades, this conversation will offer clarity, tools, and hope.
    To connect with Anna, you can sign up for her substack site which will provide you with weekly tips and advice at https://mediterraneanforlife.substack.com/ or visit her website at https://mediterraneanforlife.com/ or @mediterraneanforlife
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    53 分
  • A Lifeline for Life After Foster Care - The Mirth Project

    A Lifeline for Life After Foster Care - The Mirth Project
    2025/12/03
    What happens when the foster system ends — but life hasn’t really begun?
    Each year, thousands of young people turn 18 and age out of foster care with no safety net. Many face homelessness, joblessness, and isolation within months. In this episode, host Lisa Federico sits down with Robin McCalister Zaas, founder of The Mirth Project, to talk about the real struggles these young adults face — and the lifeline her organization is building to help them thrive.
    From emergency financial aid to life-skills training and job opportunities, The Mirth Project’s “Net Program” offers the kind of support every young person deserves. Robin shares stories of transformation, lessons learned, and how Central Ohio can come together to build stronger communities for those who’ve had to grow up too soon.
    Tune in to hear how one woman’s mission is becoming a lifeline for life after foster care — and how you can help strengthen the net.
    Get involved with The Mirth Project - and contribute to their Capital Campaign!! Learn more or donate: www.themirthproject.org | givebutter.com/ywlf6D
    The Mirth Project’s “Safety Net” Capital Campaign funds programs that support youth year-round — from emergency housing and food assistance to holiday wish lists for teens in foster care.
    Every dollar raised brings joy and stability to a young person who deserves a future filled with hope, opportunity, and a little bit of mirth.
    Your contribution truly makes a difference in helping these young adults build a stronger, brighter future.
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    34 分
  • The Art of the Stack: How Jordan Lamatrice is Reinventing Worthington’s Burger Scene

    The Art of the Stack: How Jordan Lamatrice is Reinventing Worthington’s Burger Scene
    2025/11/26
    When it comes to burgers, Worthington locals know there’s nothing quite like Stacked Burger Co. Founded by Jordan Lamatrice, this neighborhood favorite is more than just big flavors and hearty stacks—it’s about community, creativity, and a love for comfort food done right.

    From their signature STACK Burger to the inventive Braisy Daze topped with beer-braised brisket, Jordan has created a menu that keeps people coming back for more. In this episode, we dive into his story: what inspired him to launch Stacked, how he balances quality with creativity, and why building a local gathering spot matters just as much as building the perfect burger.

    Listeners will walk away hungry for more than just food—they’ll gain insight into the entrepreneurial journey of creating a restaurant that brings people together, one burger at a time.
    Visit Stacked Burger and Jordan at 1089 Worthington Woods Blvd, Columbus, OH 43085 or check out their menu at https://stackedburgerco.com
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    35 分
  • Grace Over Guilt: Reclaiming Balance During the Season of Abundance

    Grace Over Guilt: Reclaiming Balance During the Season of Abundance
    2025/11/19
    The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but it’s also when many of us fall into old habits of excess: overspending, overeating, and overcommitting. In this episode, Jennifer Schrappe, founder of Heal Your Money and Chrysalis Enterprises, joins us to explore how we can approach the season with more grace—and less guilt.

    Through her work, Jennifer helps people heal the emotional and behavioral patterns that drive our relationship with money, food, and self-worth. She brings a compassionate, science-informed approach that bridges psychology, financial wellness, and mindfulness. Together, we’ll unpack how holiday stress can awaken old coping mechanisms, how to recognize when we’re slipping into “too much,” and how to return to alignment with intention and gratitude.

    Listeners will leave this episode with fresh awareness, emotional tools, and simple strategies to help them enjoy the holidays without the hangover—financially, emotionally, or physically.
    Jennifer works with local companies to offer programs to their employees to help with the stresses of life. If you are interested in hosting Jennifer at your company please reach out to her at healyourmoney.com
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    50 分
  • Lisa King: Baking Gratitude into Our Community

    Lisa King: Baking Gratitude into Our Community
    2025/11/12
    Some stories are baked with love—and Lisa King’s is one of them.
    In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with Lisa King, founder of Brownie Points, a local business that has grown from Lisa’s kitchen table into one of Columbus’s sweetest treasures. Known for their decadent brownies and creative gift packaging, Brownie Points has delighted our community for decades while also spreading joy to customers across the country.
    Lisa opens up about what inspired her to start baking, the early days of building her business here in Columbus, and how she’s kept her company grounded in kindness, family, and community—even as it’s expanded nationwide.
    Whether you’re a foodie, a local business supporter, or just someone who loves a good success story, you’ll walk away inspired by Lisa’s journey, her love for Columbus, and her recipe for building something meaningful.
    In this episode we'll cover
    A behind-the-scenes look at how a beloved local bakery grew from a passion project into a community staple.
    Inspiration from Lisa’s story of perseverance, creativity, and staying true to her values.
    An appreciation for how food connects people, creates memories, and strengthens community ties.
    Ideas on how to follow your own passion—whether in business, food, or life.
    A reminder that the sweetest success is rooted right here at home.
    To learn about Brownie Points and Lisa King please visit www.browniepointsinc.com
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    36 分
  • Worthington’s Deer Whisperers: Sarah Lucco of OhDEER

    Worthington’s Deer Whisperers: Sarah Lucco of OhDEER
    2025/11/05
    In Worthington, Ohio (and across all Central Ohio neighborhoods) deer are everywhere—beautiful to watch, but tough on homeowners. From devouring landscaping to carrying ticks that put families and pets at risk, the local deer population is both loved and challenging.
    In this episode of Inside Northwest Columbus, I sit down with Sarah and Jeri Lucco, owners of OhDEER Northwest Columbus, known locally as Worthington’s Deer Whisperers. They share how their business uses all-natural, humane deer, tick and mosquito repellents to protect yards, prevent ticks, and create safer outdoor spaces for families—without poisoning wildlife.
    We talk about why they started OhDEER here, how they’re helping families reclaim their backyards, and why giving back to nature is central to their mission. If you’ve ever struggled with deer damage, ticks, or mosquitoes in your yard, this conversation is full of practical solutions and community insight.
    In this episode you’ll discover:
    Why our deer population is both beloved and problematic
    How deer contribute to the spread of ticks—and why prevention matters
    The difference between humane repellents and traditional poisons
    How you can bring back roses, and other colorful landscape showstoppers you love and actually get to see some blooms!
    How OhDEER blends business with a mission to give back to nature
    Practical tips for protecting your family, pets, and landscaping year-round
    Learn more and schedule your free consultation by visiting https://oh-deer.com/northwest-columbus/ and mention the podcast to get 10% off your first treatment.
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    31 分
  • Where the Seasons Meet the Table: A Conversation with Tricia Wheeler

    Where the Seasons Meet the Table: A Conversation with Tricia Wheeler
    2025/10/22
    Food has a way of bringing people together, and no one understands that better than Tricia Wheeler, founder of The Seasoned Farmhouse in Clintonville. From seasonal menus to unforgettable travel experiences, Tricia has created a gathering place that blends food, garden, and community into something truly special.
    In this conversation, Tricia and I talk about her journey from graduating at the top of her class at the French Culinary Institute to building The Seasoned Farmhouse here in Columbus. She shares how the garden and changing seasons inspire her classes, why she believes the table is one of the most powerful places for connection, and how her culinary travels abroad shape the flavors and traditions she brings back home.
    You’ll discover:
    How seasonal cooking can change the way you experience food at home
    The behind-the-scenes story of building The Seasoned Farmhouse from the ground up
    Why connection, not perfection, should be the goal when gathering people around your table
    How travel deepens our understanding of food and culture—and why that matters for community
    If you’ve ever wanted to find more joy in cooking, bring more meaning to your table, or be inspired by a local entrepreneur’s story, this episode is for you.
    Connect & Learn More
    Explore upcoming classes, events, and culinary travel at The Seasoned Farmhouse
    Follow Inside Northwest Columbus for more conversations with the people shaping our community
    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more people discover the stories of our local leaders and creators
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    43 分