About Ohio Living Guide
Welcome to Ohio Living Guide, a project created by two Ohio-based communication professionals. Perspectives on this site about life in Ohio are from those who’ve lived its stories—Ohioans themselves.
Jen Carroll
A native of Youngstown, raised in Salem, and now calling Canton her home, Jen has experienced Ohio’s transformation firsthand. Her background gives her a deep appreciation for Ohio’s Rust Belt history, including significant events like Youngstown’s Black Monday in 1977. This perspective has shaped her understanding of resilience and renewal within communities. As a descendant of immigrants, Jen brings her own narrative to the exploration of Ohio’s evolving identity, deeply influenced by her own family’s journey and the broader story of regeneration across the state.
Annalisa Hilliard
Though her roots began in Pennsylvania, Annalisa has embraced Ohio as her home since 2001. Her journey into Ohio living has been marked by extensive travels across the state, discovering its natural beauty, as well as cultural highlights she can appreciate. Annalisa’s transition from an outsider to a devoted Ohioan has equipped her with a unique lens through which she explores and appreciates the nuances of life in Ohio.
Shared Interests
Both of us love the outdoors, finding joy in hiking, biking, camping, and simply immersing ourselves in Ohio’s accessible natural landscapes. Despite wishing for larger mountains, we cherish the state’s many accessible nature spots. Our travels across Ohio have deepened our connection to its diverse regions, reinforcing our appreciation for the state’s distinct character.
We also value the relatively affordable cost of living in Ohio, acknowledging the economic shifts that are gradually affecting it. Our interests extend to learning, reflecting Ohio’s rich history in promoting education and the arts—a testament to Ohioans’ commitment to intellectual and cultural enrichment.
Ohio Living Guide Mission
Ohio Living Guide is more than a destination for tourism highlights; it’s a platform dedicated to unveiling the multifaceted experiences of living in Ohio—the good, the neutral, and the challenging. We prioritize stories that illustrate the impact of people, places, and events on the fabric of Ohio life, focusing on authenticity and journalistic integrity. While we leverage AI as a supportive tool, our commitment to humanity over technology remains unwavering. Our readers are encouraged to explore our technology statement for insight into our ethical use of AI.
Guiding Principles for Content
At its heart, Ohio Living Guide is a story of discovery, connection, and respect for Ohio and all its citizens. To achieve this, we’ve established a set of editorial and journalistic guidelines that ensure the integrity and authenticity of our work.
1. Commitment to Integrity
Even though Ohio Living Guide is not a news outlet, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. This means rigorous fact-checking (with links to vetted and trusted sources across the Internet), clear distinction between fact and opinion, and dedication to fairness in our writing. We believe that our credibility as a source of information is paramount, and we strive to earn and maintain the trust of our readers with every piece of content we publish.
2. Distinguishing Between Opinion and Fact
Ohio Living Guide celebrates the individual experiences and perspectives that contribute to the rich tapestry of Ohioan life. While we share personal stories and opinions, we commit to noting when content is based on our personal opinions and experiences. This distinction ensures that readers can navigate our content with an understanding of what is subjective and what is grounded in objective fact.
3. Striving for Balanced Content
In our articles where opinions are not the focus, we aim for a middle or balanced bias. Recognizing the inherent biases that all publications and writers may have, we make concerted efforts to present multiple viewpoints and to cover information in a manner that reflects the diversity of thought and experience within Ohio. Our approach is informed by respected sources on media bias, such as Ad Fontes Media, which advocates for awareness and mitigation of bias in journalism.
4. Supporting Journalistic & Writing Excellence
Ohio Living Guide champions writing excellence and celebrating journalists who excel at navigating the complexities of bias to deliver insightful, balanced, and engaging content. We are committed to supporting these professionals in their work.
5. Continuous Improvement and Education
Acknowledging that the landscape of content publications and journalism is always evolving, we commit to ongoing education and improvement of our practices. This includes staying informed about developments in media ethics, bias awareness, and fact-checking methodologies. We are dedicated to learning and growing in our capacity to serve our readers with integrity and respect.
In essence, Ohio Living Guide aims to be more than just a publication; we aspire to be a trusted companion on the journey of exploring Ohio. By adhering to these guidelines, we pledge to deliver content that not only enriches your understanding of the state but also reinforces integrity in communication.