You Belong Here with Beth Ruffin

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...

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 a...

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 neg...

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 q...

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-manager...

“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, w...

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...

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...

“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 co...

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 course...

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...

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 servic...

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, & chees...

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 c...

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 in...

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, Externa...

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 i...

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/643eefac46a...

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

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...

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 Wee...

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 E...

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...

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 i...

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,...