Real Talk With Ru

In January 2019, THE Market was founded where Katie is bringing Market vendors, makers and curators into one common location for a year round marketplace focused on strengthening local small businesses. Ms. Thompson believes in the strength of community and THE Market defines this strength; businesses supporting each other to elevate each other's potential.  A graduate of Western Illinois University (Bachelor of Business Management) and Lewis University (Master of Arts: Organizational Leadership and Coaching), she believes in the power of education. To stay fresh and "alive" Katie volunteers for Spring Forward Learning Center for the GIRL Squad (Girls Inspiring Real Leadership) program that she created in 2018

Samara Zelniker is dedicated to helping others transform into their healthiest versions of themselves. 

Samara's story to health and wellness started after years in the corporate workspace, where she was left feeling tired, unfulfilled and burnt out.  After a freak injury and life changing trip to Africa, Sumara began her own spiritual journey, she figured out that putting her health and happiness first was the key to success in all areas of her life. 

Samara offers coaching, wellness retreats, and more.

To learn more about Samara, please visit:  https://www.mindfulnessmatters.ca/about-me.html

Friends,  I went on a trip by myself! No husband, no three year old, no girls trip.  I went solo!  When was the last time you left the kids to take a trip for you and only you?  I highly recommend it!

How many of you feel stuck?  Like you are ready to make a change in your life  Health, relationships, work, finance?

In today's podcast, I share my experience attending Best Selling Author and Motivational Speaker Rachel Hollis' RISE personal development conference in Dallas.

I also share the ways that I continue to challenge myself daily to live on my edge, leaning into the uncomfortable; towards living my potential.  How do we know what we are capable of if we do not try?

It's time for a summer re-cap!  We are half way through 2019!  How are we doing with our yearly goals?  How are we navigating through the summer?  The kids are out of school, that means more activities, summer bbq's, family gatherings, wedding season and more! 

Are you getting the things that you need to get done done?  In today's podcast, I will discuss ways to re-evaluate old goals, how to stay on track with your personal goals, while juggling all of the things! 

Zachary Ritter received his Ph.D. in higher education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), focusing on Asian international students' cross-racial interactions. He is currently an adjunct professor at UCLA, La Verne, and Redlands, teaching social justice history. Additionally, he is a diversity and inclusion consultant for Organic Communications. He was most recently the interim associate dean of the Office of Institutional Diversity at Harvey Mudd College.  Before that, he was associate director of the Office of Campus Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Redlands.  He has taught intergroup dialogue courses at UCLA and is currently an adjunct professor at UCLA, Redlands, and La Verne, where he focuses on issues of social justice in higher education. He recently co-edited a book called Marginality in the Urban Center: The Costs and Challenges of Continued Whiteness in the Americas and Beyond.

• Zachary Ritter received his Ph.D. in higher education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), focusing on Asian international students' cross-racial interactions. He is currently an adjunct professor at UCLA, La Verne, and Redlands, teaching social justice history. Additionally, he is a diversity and inclusion consultant for Organic Communications. He was most recently the interim associate dean of the Office of Institutional Diversity at Harvey Mudd College.  Before that, he was associate director of the Office of Campus Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Redlands.  He has taught intergroup dialogue courses at UCLA and is currently an adjunct professor at UCLA, Redlands, and La Verne, where he focuses on issues of social justice in higher education. He recently co-edited a book called Marginality in the Urban Center: The Costs and Challenges of Continued Whiteness in the Americas and Beyond.

Julie Larson, CEO/President of YWCA QUAD CITIES, has been employed with the YWCA QUAD CITIES for over 20 years.  She served as Co-Executive Director for six years and assumed the role of CEO in 2005. 

Under Julie's leadership, YWCA QUAD CITIES' revenues increased from $300,000 in 1999 to $1.4M in FY18. 

Julie is an experienced grant writer and was recently awarded a three-year Federal Grant on behalf of the YWCA QUAD CITIES for theplace2b and Street Outreach Program. 

At the age of 25, Paul Rumler ran for Illinois State Senate Seat.

In 2015, Rumler was recognized as a "40 Under 40 Leader in Economic Development" by Development Counsellors International.

In April 2018, at the age of 38, Paul Rumler became the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce's new president and CEO.  Paul's goal was to reach the level of CEO at the age of 40.

Rumler is involved in several Quad-City chamber initiatives that the chamber sees as some of the region's greatest economic opportunities today, including the Manufacturing Innovation Hub, the regional 2030 plan, and passenger rail between Chicago and the Quad-Cities. His roles included talent attraction and retention, community development, public policy and economic development. 

Altease Ramsey, also know as alteasethepoet, Is a 22 year old writer and poet. He was born in Chicago and lived there until he was 8, months before his 9th birthday he and his family moved to Moline, Illinois. Growing up without a father and being the youngest of the siblings he had a great responsibility as being a care giver to the one who gave him life. On the third day of September in 2016, he lost his mother. Afterwards he fell in a major depression, where he seen days turned into weeks of barely eating and sleeping. He experienced months of not leaving the house and sulking in guilt and drowning in depression. After picking up a journal from the local dollar store he began pouring his heart out into the pages and began rhyming sentences he developed a love for song writing and poetry. Poetry became a coping mechanism for his pain and hurt. He now uses poetry to shine light on the darkest days he faced and inspires the people who lend an ear to listen.

Ravi Sharma's experience has predominantly been in structured finance and banking (e.g. Western Asset Management Company). He is also a repeat founder with exits in healthcare and cleantech. After having family struggle with mental health and losing a friend to suicide, Ravi has embraced the challenge to democratize mental healthcare.

OOTify is a mental health community that provides mental health support utilizing AI chatbots and telehealth technology and educational content.