Good Neighbor Podcast: Cincinnati

“Meals on Wheels” sounds simple until you learn what’s actually happening at the front door of an older adult’s home. We’re joined by Natalie Koking, Director of Marketing and Communications for Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky (Wesley Community Services), to share the real story behind senior support in Cincinnati and beyond, and why the organization describes itself as “much more than a meal.”We talk about the wide range of human services that help older adults age with independence and dignity: home-delivered meals, congregate meals at senior and community centers, transportation, social and protective services led by licensed social workers, pet support, and programs built to reduce isolation through social connection. Natalie also clears up a common myth that Meals on Wheels is run entirely by volunteers. Cincinnati’s generosity shows up in thousands of volunteers, but a dedicated staff keeps meals, logistics, and care consistent day after day.You’ll also hear how the referral system works through partners like the Council on Aging and the Area Development District, why comprehensive assessments and case managers matter, and how caregivers can use Meals on Wheels as a starting point even when their need falls outside one specific program. Natalie shares how storytelling and marketing can “pull back the veil” on what healthy aging looks like on the ground, from the joy of a crochet class at the OTR Senior Center to being a true lifeline when needs become urgent.Learn more at muchmorethanameal.org and find them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a caregiver or neighbor, and leave a quick review so more people can find these local resources.

The wellness world is loud right now, and it can be hard to tell who is grounded and who is just performing. We sit down with Jimi Merk of Shine Remote Wellness to talk about what real support looks like when the goal is lasting change, not dependency. Jemi shares how his life experience, including profound personal healing, shaped a decades-long practice focused on helping people become the strongest version of themselves. We dig into how remote wellness coaching can work over Zoom without losing depth. Jimi explains his approach to getting to the root of issues, including inherited trauma, life experiences, and the beliefs that keep people stuck. We also talk about the mix of tools people ask for most, from hypnosis and intuitive readings to longer healing sessions and weekly personal development coaching built around lifestyle skills, self-trust, and real capacity. If you’ve been searching for trauma healing, spiritual coaching, or a practical path to personal growth, this conversation offers a clear framework for what to expect and what to avoid. One of the most useful parts is the myth-busting. Jimi names the red flags he sees in the wellness industry and gives a simple filter for choosing a healer: focus on how you feel in their presence, not the branding, outfits, or scare tactics. We also get a peek at the business side of Shine Remote Wellness, including referral-driven growth, teaching for free, and why “healing isn’t fast food.” Listen, share this with someone who needs steady support, and then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your biggest red flag when choosing a coach or healer.

You can usually tell within a few minutes whether a veterinary hospital is built on trust or just transactions, and the team at Kyle Veterinary Hospital makes their priorities obvious. I’m joined by Casey Smith and Dr. Drew Price for a warm, practical conversation about what pet owners in the Cincinnati area actually need from modern veterinary medicine and why preventive care is the difference between guessing and knowing when it comes to your pet’s health.We dig into common pet care myths that keep animals from getting timely help. If you’ve ever thought, “My pet seems fine, so we’ll go to the vet when something is wrong,” we explain why annual wellness exams are the baseline and why older pets may benefit from semi-annual visits. We also talk candidly about vaccines and parasite prevention for indoor pets, including why rabies vaccination still matters and how real-life cases challenge the idea that staying inside equals zero risk.You’ll also hear what makes Kyle Veterinary Hospital more than a clinic: a team culture rooted in compassion, plus boarding and daycare options that support safe socialization. We touch on how local businesses earn loyalty through word of mouth, and Casey and Drew share what they want neighbors to remember most: they care, and it shows in how they treat patients and people.If you’re looking for veterinary services in Cincinnati, you can find Kyle Veterinary Hospital at 11734 Conrey Road, call 513-469-7654, or visit kylevet.net. They’re also offering free first exams, which can make it easier to get started. If this conversation helped you, subscribe, share it with a fellow pet owner, and leave a review so more neighbors can find trusted care.

A private pickleball court where you don’t share space with strangers, control the music, and can actually hang out between games? That’s the idea behind The Pickle Mill, and it’s exactly what we dig into with guest Josh Heller. Josh has spent decades in the racket sports world, and he teamed up with longtime friend and business partner Ted Dahmus to build a completely different kind of indoor pickleball experience in the greater Cincinnati area.We talk through what “private indoor pickleball suite” really means: one high-end, super cushioned court plus a full entertainment setup including a lounge area, big screen TVs, a pool table, dartboard, and a kitchen and wet bar area. The twist is the staffless model. You reserve online, get an access code, walk in, and the space is yours for the time you booked. No membership required, no open play ladder, and no pressure to be a hardcore player. If you’re new to pickleball, Josh explains why it’s easier to learn than tennis and how you can have fun on day one.We also get practical about business and marketing. With no real blueprint for this kind of venue, Josh shares what they tested first, what they learned from signage and local visibility, how social media boosts and Valpak mailers performed, and why donating to charities and auctions helps build real community awareness. If you’re looking for indoor pickleball in Cincinnati, a private party venue, or a fresh corporate team building idea, this conversation will spark plans fast.Subscribe for more local business spotlights, share this with a friend who needs a fun night out, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the show.

A massage business where nobody has to touch you sounds like a contradiction until you hear how Shonn Piersol built it. We sit down with the founder of Zero Gravity Massage to unpack a private, locked, two-person suite experience powered by high-end massage chairs, calming ambiance, and a process that makes the whole visit feel simple, guided, and genuinely relaxing. If you’ve ever wanted deep relief but felt awkward about hands-on massage, crowded wellness spaces, or inconsistent quality, this conversation will click.Shonn shares his path from an MBA background to two decades in the massage industry, including the messy reality of running a large staff where quality control and hiring pressure never stop. That friction pushed him to explore “human-free” services that still serve humans, and after a lot of refinement, the massage chair model became the breakthrough. Then COVID forced an even bigger shift: away from group settings and toward private sessions that prioritize comfort, safety, and personal space. We also tackle the common misconceptions head-on, from “Is it safe to be alone?” to “Can a chair really work?” and why the results show up in thousands of reviews.For business owners and marketers, Shonn drops a practical local marketing strategy: start with targeted Facebook lead ads, earn early customers, and build enough Google Business Profile reviews to drive steady organic discovery. It’s a clear reminder that trust is the real product in local services and reviews are often the engine.If you enjoyed this, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a better way to unwind, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show.

A tee time at 2 a.m. sounds like a punchline until you hear how it actually works. We’re joined by Kevin O’Keefe, owner of Back Nine Golf in Montgomery, Ohio, to unpack the idea behind a 24/7, 365 indoor golf simulator that’s secure, self-serve, and designed for real schedules. Book online, get access instructions by text and email, unlock the door, and step into your reserved bay without needing staff on site. It’s simple, flexible, and built for golfers who can’t always play between 9 and 5. We also dig into the biggest misconception about indoor golf: that it’s just a novelty. Kevin explains how modern golf simulator technology has leveled up, including Full Swing simulators similar to what top players use for measurable feedback. We talk about practicing with purpose, using data to make tangible improvements, and why indoor sessions aren’t meant to replace outdoor golf, they’re meant to strengthen it. If you’re a beginner trying to learn faster or a serious golfer chasing a lower handicap, the structure and consistency can be a game changer. Finally, we get into what makes Back Nine Golf feel like a local hangout, not just a training room. The space includes three simulator bays plus a lounge with a pool table, shuffleboard, Golden Tee, and a big-screen TV, making it a family-friendly option for Montgomery and the greater Cincinnati area. Kevin shares how social media and Google help golfers discover the spot, and why fall and winter are prime time for indoor golf leagues, tournaments, and staying sharp when the weather turns. Subscribe, share this with a golfer friend, and leave a review to help more neighbors find great local businesses.

A nine-year-old learning to use the bathroom might sound like a narrow goal until you hear what it gave back to an entire family: the confidence to go out to dinner together. That’s the kind of real-world change we talk about with Aaron Solomon of April ABA, an Ohio-based ABA services provider supporting children on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and kids with other behavioral needs.We get into what applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) looks like when it’s done with care, patience, and a focus on independence. Aaron shares how he entered the autism services world from the business side, then stayed because the work became a “labor of love.” We also talk about why demand is rising, why Ohio families still face gaps in access, and how early support can help kids build everyday skills that matter at home, in school, and out in the community.We also clear up misconceptions about autism, including the idea that “the spectrum” means one thing. Aaron explains how broad ASD can be, from highly intelligent kids with social anxiety to children who need help with foundational life skills, and why getting support should feel like unlocking a door, not accepting a limitation. If you’re a parent in Cincinnati or anywhere in Ohio looking for ABA evaluations, autism diagnosis guidance, or a provider to walk you through next steps, this conversation points you toward practical options.If you find value here, please subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more families and neighbors can find these autism support resources.

Your floors can look “fine” and still be quietly losing the battle to grime, residue, and worn-down finish. We sit down with Jerod Martin from ReCoat Revolution of East Cincinnati to unpack a smarter path to floor restoration that does not automatically start with sanding and dust. Jerod explains how professional cleaning and recoating can breathe new life into old floors, sometimes in a single day, so you can get back to normal life fast with a tougher, better-looking surface.We get specific about what they work on: hardwood floors, engineered hardwood, laminate, LVP, parquet, bamboo, and other hard surface flooring. Jerod also clears up a big misconception around “buff and coat” or “screen and recoat” services. If contaminants are left behind, coatings can fail, and the floor ends up worse off. That is why the conversation keeps coming back to prep work: removing buildup from cleaners and products, getting the surface back to pH neutral, and using a commercial-grade polyurethane coating with an additional step that helps the new finish bond and seal.You will also hear how a local home services business earns trust today, from Google local search ads to the Facebook and Instagram videos people cannot stop watching, especially the satisfying moment of pulling polyurethane across a freshly prepped floor. We round it out with the human side of the work: family life, staying healthy for the long run, and the mindset of leaving every home better than we found it. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this with a neighbor who is putting off floor work, and leave a review with your biggest floor question.

If you’ve ever felt like your bank treats you like a ticket number instead of a person, this conversation is for you. We’re joined by Diane England from Christian Family Credit Union to unpack what “member-owned” and “not-for-profit” really mean in day-to-day banking and why a local credit union in Cincinnati can feel radically different from a big institution. Diane shares the story behind their recharter from the United Methodist Credit Union and how Christian Family Credit Union now serves a wider community while staying grounded in faith-based values. We talk candidly about the unique financial realities pastors and churches face, especially when income isn’t a neat, predictable paycheck, and how a credit union that understands church life can make borrowing and banking less stressful. We also clear up a major misconception: access. Even if you don’t live near a branch, shared branching connects members to thousands of participating credit unions, making it easier to manage money on the go. Diane explains how her business development role leans on community outreach, church events, and education, including practical scam prevention and identity theft awareness that many older adults urgently need. Finally, we get personal, from Diane’s nonprofit work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace delivering beds to kids who don’t have one, to the credit union’s commitment to answering the phone with a real human being. If you value personal touch banking, trust, and community-first service, you’ll want to hear this. Subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

Medical marijuana gets talked about like a controversy, but for a lot of Ohio patients it’s simply a path to relief. We sit down with Zach Reffitt from Ohio Green Relief to unpack what the Ohio medical marijuana card process actually looks like when it’s done virtually: patients upload records online, doctors review eligibility, and the consultation happens through telemedicine so people can get certified without bouncing around offices.Zach also shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a medical cannabis business in a space full of stigma and misinformation. He went from 18 years in mortgage lending to launching Ohio Green Relief with hands-on, local marketing and a lot of direct conversations. When COVID-19 pushed healthcare toward telehealth and Ohio approved telemedicine for medical marijuana recommendations, his model expanded statewide and reshaped how patients could access care.We talk candidly about myths and misconceptions, including what medical cannabis may help with, why many patients ask about chronic pain relief and PTSD support, and how options like tinctures, lotions, and patches challenge the stereotype of what “medical marijuana” means. We also get practical about growth: QR-code yard signs, dispensary relationships, referrals powered by trust, and a pricing approach designed to keep the process affordable and human.If you found this helpful, subscribe so you don’t miss the next local story, share this episode with someone in Ohio who has questions, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.

Druidry gets misunderstood fast, so we wanted a clear, local, human conversation that cuts through the myths. I’m joined by Shaina Huy from Raven Heart Hearth, a nonprofit religious group dedicated to Celtic spirituality in the Cincinnati area, and we talk about what their community actually looks like day to day: public meetups, group ritual, and online discussions designed for real people, not perfect experts. If you’ve ever felt curious about nature-based spirituality but worried you wouldn’t “fit,” Shaina explains why their approach is inclusive, low-pressure, and open to honest questions. We also dig into how Raven Heart Hearth formed as a seed group of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), and how a simple online conversation turned into neighbors finding each other a couple blocks apart. From there, the group grew, merged with another local Celtic spirituality group, and kept expanding its community presence. Along the way, Shaina shares the biggest misconceptions they run into, especially the idea that Druidry is closed off or dogmatic, and what they do instead to keep the door open to anyone who wants to learn. Community service and events are a major part of the story. We talk about the Daghda’s Cauldron annual food drive, plus upcoming ways to connect in person, including the Pagan Pride Picnic in Mount Airy on Saturday, September 12 from noon to 7 p.m. Shaina also shares details about taking over the Cincinnati Witches Ball on October 24 at the Leap and Lizard in Covington, along with where to find tickets and updates online. If you enjoy discovering local Cincinnati organizations, inclusive spiritual communities, and the people behind them, listen all the way through and then share it with a friend. Subscribe for more neighbor stories, leave a review, and tell us what you want to learn about Celtic spirituality or Druidry next.