Join us in this episode as we chat with Ken Elliott, a seasoned Professional Web Developer and Digital Brand Consultant from Columbia, SC. With over 20 years of experience, Ken has shaped creative brand concepts for 500+ clients at BKreative Media Solutions. Beyond his tech prowess, Ken is a community builder, founding a local creatives support group and co-organizing the Columbia WordPress Meetup chapter. Discover Ken's insights into web development, social media, and online marketing, and lear...
Nov 29, 2023•31 min
In this episode, we're joined by Ellen, the passionate owner of Crazy for Ewe, a knitting haven. Ellen takes us back to 1983, sharing her humble beginnings with brushed acrylic, aluminum needles, and a Woolworth's pamphlet. Despite an initial tight, matted creation, she was hooked on knitting's allure. Discover Ellen's love for custom-fit sweaters and vibrant accessories, as well as her fondness for intuitive stitch patterns and the oddly satisfying art of finishing touches. In 2002, after a hia...
Nov 22, 2023•25 min
Join us for an inspiring episode as our guest, Sherry Jones, shares her perspective and her mission to empower women globally. Discover the daily practice that transformed her life and learn how she equips women to break free from stagnation, embrace authenticity, and fulfill their God-given assignments. Explore the transformative power of words as Sherry applies biblical principles, addresses negative self-talk, and shifts mindsets. From impactful coaching services to inspiring messages on vari...
Nov 15, 2023•26 min
In this week’s episode, we’ve had the pleasure of talking with Joanna Rawbone MSc, the person behind Flourishing Introverts. Joanna created Flourishing Introverts with two main goals: (1) to question the preference for extroverts in business and education and (2) to empower introverted individuals to embrace their natural strengths without pretending to be someone else. She starts by helping quiet introverts discover and confidently use their strengths through group coaching programs and one-on-...
Nov 08, 2023•24 min
This week, we're incredibly honored to welcome an exceptional guest, Dr. Aida, fondly known as Doc A. 🌟 Dr. Aida is a renowned Global DEIB+ strategist, speaker, and certified personal & executive coach. With her passion for creating inclusive workplaces, she's been a guiding force in transforming the corporate landscape. As a remote work advocate and a staunch supporter of mid-managers, her insights are invaluable for navigating today's dynamic work environment. She is the CEO & Founder...
Sep 21, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 17
“Understanding pain changes pain” – Lorimer Moseley This week, I chat with Deana Tsiapalis, pain coach, about how pain works and what we can do to recover and heal. Join us this week as we discuss: Understanding how pain works Recovery & healing Managing pain Self-compassion & self-permission The biopsychological model of pain Connect with Deana at: https://pain2possibilities.com/ Deana, with her rich background in Physical Health, Education, and Lifestyle Management from the University ...
Sep 06, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Join me this week as I speak with author & executive coach, Gigi Gilliard. This week, we discuss: How to know your cup is empty Discovering your strengths Understanding where your strengths lie and what you need to display them Remembering your past successes The power of small beginnings Focusing on the one Author of The Loud Brown Round Girl, The Inclusion C.O.D.E. (2020) and Hello Beautiful, Get Well Soon (2021), Gigi Gilliard owns and operates her learning and organizational development ...
Aug 30, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 14
This week’s guest is Dayna Heckstall, Clinical Social Worker, and Founder of Ms. Well and Woke. She is on a mission to spread Mental Health Awareness from the Black Millennial perspective. Ms. Well and Woke creates a community of wellness aimed toward educating and motivating the masses. Dayna enjoys spreading her message of betterment through music, physical fitness, and therapeutic services. She describes herself as a plant enthusiast socialite who enjoys traveling and R&B music. On this w...
Aug 23, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 13
“Your goals need to be bigger than your fears.” This week’s guest, Julia C. Rock, provided that nugget of wisdom in this week’s episode and I could NOT GET ENOUGH! Julia C. Rock is a career and leadership development coach who has helped hundreds of ambitious Black and POC professionals break through career plateaus to secure six figure salaries and fulfilling job opportunities. Through her company Rock Career Development, she helps Black and POC former athletes and professionals in transition s...
Aug 16, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Abby Rose Green and Kat Herro co-own Pursuing HER Purpose, a business devoted to helping female entrepreneurs launch their own big ideas without losing themselves, their values, or their relationships along the way. They understand that our lives will look different and focusing on the titles that are important to each of us as we build our business needs to take priority. They offer online courses, coaching, guest speaking opportunities and a mastermind experience for collaboration and solidari...
Aug 09, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Co-Founder of ThinkDEI, Sushmita Kirkland is an accomplished DEI professional that provides astute & proven strategies and tactical visioning for organizations to shift their Diversity, Ethics & Inclusion journeys. Join us this week as we discuss: Feeling othered Global citizenship Defining success for yourself Leading with your why Using your why as a filter Sharing your story Sushmita is a published children’s book Author, TEDx speaker and a serial entrepreneur, that is never afraid to...
Aug 02, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Rena P. Dixon, PhD, MPH, MCHES has worked her entire career in the rural southeastern United States. Currently serving as the Director of Community Investment and Impact at Fact Forward, she oversees staff working on program development and implementation, evaluation and professional learning related to adolescent health. She has extensive experience on providing quality reproductive health services for adolescents and young adults. Join me this week as I talk with Dr. Rena Dixon about: Sexual h...
Jul 26, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This week’s guest is Erin B. Haag, the creator of Pricing Overhaul™️. This proven method helps her clients shift their mindset around money and math, overhaul their pricing for profitability, and make more money inside their businesses than they ever dreamed possible. She is a self-proclaimed “Math Nerd,” serial entrepreneur, full blooded Capricorn, mom of 2, and lover of travel, wine, & cheese. She has over 20 years’ experience working intimately with numbers, metrics, and pricing for both ...
Jul 19, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Download this week’s journal page here . Episode 7: Tell Your Story Authentically “Surrounding ourselves with others who pull greatness out of us is important.” Penda L. James describes herself as a writer, scribe coach, and creator. The gift for words is genuinely in Penda James’ DNA. When her beloved mother passed on, Penda discovered that she had written beautiful poetry in her youth and was considered by many to be the next Maya Angelou. A gifted Scribe Coach, she is highly adept at identify...
Jun 15, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Episode 6: Take the Leap with Jason Szczuorowski Download today’s journal page here Jason Szczurowski retired from the US Coast Guard after 24 years of service. After enlisting in 1999, he served in Telecommunications, Operations, Communications Security, Crypto Management, Search & Rescue, and Command Center, finalizing his career as a Chief Warrant Officer. He’s served throughout the US including VA, PA, NJ, CA, DC, and the Bahamas. He’s a huge Philadelphia Sports fan and enjoys staying ac...
Jun 07, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Check out this week’s journal page here Episode 5: Adrienne King - Create Your Own Party “I don’t believe in balance. Instead, I flex in & out of different spaces - putting my energy where I’m most needed at this time.” These wise words come from this week’s guest, Adrienne King. Adrienne has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years and has proven leadership in Quality, External Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Employee Business Resource Group, Diversity Equity & Inclusion and...
May 24, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Today's episode of part of my #MindfulMay series that I'm running on Instagram: Beth Ruffin | Inclusion Coach (@thebethruffin) | Instagram So what is mindfulness? Put simply - it’s being present in the moment, aware of our surroundings. Tune in to hear: 1. How I've made mindfulness a daily practice 2. How you can benefit from mindfulness 3. How to embody this practice into your self inclusion journey This week's journal page here Please remember to like, comment, and share! For any inquiries, se...
May 03, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 4
I'm super excited to chat with my daughter, Bella, in this week's episode about belonging as a teenager! While she is detailing her experience as a teenager, I think you'll find some helpful information that you can implement in your own life. If you haven't already, like & subscribe this podcast. Download this week's journal page: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643eefac46aaeb64ed6a0240
Apr 19, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This week, we’re going to discuss how being in a constant state of fight is harmful and how we can get out of it. Psychology Today Article: Are you thriving? Here is a checklist | Psychology Today For this week's journal page, click here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64355e3ffa28aa2f3031ffe2
Apr 12, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to the very first episode of You Belong Here with Beth Ruffin podcast! I’m so excited to have you here. Today, we’re going to learn about self-inclusion, a concept I developed to help you foster your own sense of belonging. Today, we’ll define self inclusion, talk about why it’s important, and briefly discuss my 5-step framework for implementing self inclusion. Ready, Set, Go! For this week's journal page, click here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6429a237a69c8edeb129c11f...
Apr 05, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Inclusion is a behavior. You must make the intentional consistent effort to include yourself. Implement and improve. Practice. It’s time to include yourself so you can be the best version of yourself. That goal you have. The dream you can’t shake. That passion you want to fulfill. The finish line you see in your future. It starts with including yourself. Start this week with these 3 tips. This Week's Journal Page You Belong Here with Beth Ruffin is a production of The Everyday Inclusionist and c...
Jun 16, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Do you ever find yourself questioning the impact you make on the world and asked yourself, 'What am I even doing?'? In this episode we explore this question and discuss how you can remove the unrealistic expectations you put on yourself to truly appreciate what you do and the impact you make. Click here for today's journal page You Belong Here with Beth Ruffin is a production of The Everyday Inclusionist and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow/subscribe, share, and leave ...
Jun 01, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Join me this week as I chat with Alexis Johnson about the inclusion of Blacks in the newsroom. In June 2020, Alexis sued her employer, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, alleging the news outlet was engaging in racial discrimination and illegal retaliation. On May 31, Alexis posted a tweet about the different ways Blacks and whites are portrayed after acts of property damage. After catching wind of the tweet, her editors told her she could no longer cover stories on the Black Lives Matters movement ac...
Aug 11, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Join me this week as I speak with Diversity Strategist Torin Ellis about the current state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, how you can own this work for yourself, intersectionality, microaggressions, covering, and some common myths about the DEI work! This week's episode is brought to you by my new book, You Belong Here: Your Guide to Self-Inclusion. You can get your copy here . Torin is a Diversity Strategist, Published Author, and workplace issues Host of Career Mix on SiriusXM where he d...
Aug 05, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Listen this week as I talk with legendary director, producer, and choreographer, Otis Sallid, about the inclusion of blacks in Hollywood and on Broadway. Otis Sallid is one of the most notable producer, director, and choreographer in theater, television, and film. His work spans decades in the entertainment industry and includes beloved classics such as School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Black Nativity, A Different World, Living Single, Sister Act 2, Fame, and the Wiz. Born and raised i...
Jul 30, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Canvases with Candace https://www.instagram.com/canvaseswithcandace/ https://www.facebook.com/CanvaseswithCandace/ Maria A. Martin works at PASOs of SC, a community-based organization that helps the Latino community and service providers work together for strong and healthy families. Born to Mexican and Puerto Rican immigrant parents, she has always sought to utilize her skills for the betterment of Latino populations. Maria is a social worker who has a heart for the work and understands how to ...
Jul 22, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Tune in this week as I talk with Brandon Brooks of Inventrify about small businesses. Brandon Brooks is an American Businessman and founder of the popular community oriented crowdfunding platform, Inventrify. Combining his hunger for the hustle and his passion to help others is the secret to Brandons’ success. Brandon is the true definition of an entrepreneur, but he does not focus on just creating opportunities for himself but is always looking for innovative ways to help other entrepreneurs al...
Jun 03, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Join me this week as Shanea and I talk about the queer community! Rev. Shanea D. Leonard, B.A., M.Div. (they/them/theirs) is a modern-day abolitionist, pastor, teacher, consultant, community activist, and justice warrior. Shanea has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for over twelve years. A native of Philadelphia, they received her their B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. They has been serving communities and congregat...
May 27, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Join me this week as I speak with Mandy Medlock about women in politics! Mandy Medlock - Marketing Manager with Genoa Healthcare, Mandy is a long-time mental health advocate in the Midlands community. She formerly worked as Executive Director for both NAMI Mid-Carolina & Justice 360. Mandy passionately advocates for those in the Eating Disorder recovery community as well as those recovering from alcohol and drug addiction; she serves on the SC Mental Health State Planning Council & is a ...
May 13, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Listen to this week's episode with Lester Young, Jr. as we discuss how to support formerly incarcerated people. Lester Young, Jr is a native of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. At the age of 19, Lester was given a life sentence (with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years). During his time in prison, Lester struggled with finding redemption and often wondered what his purpose was. While journaling he asked himself this question, “What is the footprint you want to leave in this world...
Apr 29, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 3
