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Innovate Where You Are

Innovate Where You Are

Written by: Kristy Venne
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About this listen

Welcome to Innovate Where You Are—a podcast about real people creating meaningful change, often without permission, certainty, or a clear roadmap.

I’m Kristy Venne, and each episode, I sit down with innovators from all walks of life and industries—leaders, educators, students, and entrepreneurs who are experimenting, learning, and building in real time.

We talk about the real journey behind innovation—the doubts, the detours, the failures, and the ideas that made it worth continuing. You’ll hear what our guests are most proud of, what they’re working on next, and what they’ve learned along the way.

2026 Kristy Venne
Economics Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • Reinventing First Responder Training with John Born
    May 12 2026

    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

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

    Know someone who would be a perfect fit for this show? Nominate them to be a guest here:

    https://forms.gle/m8jxdVBKtMmPstK16

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    59 mins
  • Leadership, Innovation & Resilience with Dr. Tiffany Crosby
    Apr 28 2026

    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

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

    Know someone who would be a perfect fit for this show? Nominate them to be a guest here:

    https://forms.gle/m8jxdVBKtMmPstK16

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Innovating Out of This World with Dr. John Horack
    Apr 20 2026

    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

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

    Know someone who would be a perfect fit for this show? Nominate them to be a guest here:

    https://forms.gle/m8jxdVBKtMmPstK16

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
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