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Are you ready to meet my coach? 
In this episode I share why I am inspired by my spiritual trainer, international speaker, educator and author Ruchi Koval- who cultivated a program designed to make me the judgmentally-leanest, non-meanest, finding-a-better-way-than-to-fight-machinist I have ever been!

In her book Soul Construction: Shape Your Character using 8 Steps From The Timeless Jewish Practice of Mussar, we embark on a soul-searching journey into exploring how our relationships can serve as compasses guiding us toward our best selves. Ruchi shares her profound insights on recognizing a wise friendship, the strength in accepting others, and the transformative power of taking ownership of our mistakes.

Our discussion takes a deep dive into the intricacies of mutual respect and admiration, while also shedding light on the tricky terrain of constructive feedback versus criticism that diminishes growth. Ruchi artfully guides us through these nuances, setting the stage for a better understanding of how to foster generosity and exercise restraint in our relationships. Our conversation takes an enlightening turn as we mull over the impact of our words, and the importance of silence as a counterbalance.

We conclude with a heartening exploration of the concept of happiness, and how refining each of these eight character traits enables us to work through the process to attain it. 

Ruchi is the Co-Founder and Director of the Jewish Family Experience in Cleveland, Ohio. She has written Conversations with God, Soul Construction and is in the process of completing her third book.

You can follow Ruchi on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and on her website  www.OutOfTheOrthobox.com 

You can purchase Soul Construction on Amazon https://a.co/d/fTby4Yo

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Back in the 1900s, when I was away at college, the first high holidays rolled around. It was such a schlep home, that I opted to stay on campus. 

Considering this was my first time not sitting beside my mommy at my parents' place of worship where I had grown up, I remember being excited to shop around. I had only *heard* of other denominations. And after 12 solid years of hardcore religious studies- plus a gap year in Israel- I was ready to explore.

I felt so much like Goldilocks attending service after service… For this I was too hard and for this I was too soft… But there was no place that suggested I was “just right enough.” And I wish there had been a place to engage in conversations- of all kinds!- while I was trying to figure it out, so that I could remain connected instead of pulling away. 

SO, should we provide spaces for young adults to build relationships around their spiritual differences in an effort to contribute to a future of unity?

And that is what we are going to tackle today….

My guest today is Matt Hartley, a career public educator, Christian faith leader with a passion for youth and young adult leadership development and Interfaith engagement. He is currently the Director of the University of North Florida’s Interfaith Center. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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(This episode was taped on May 16, 2023. ELECTION DAY in Jacksonville, FL and the results were unknown.)

I have a friend who has been seeing a therapist for about 15 years and one day she says, “I feel like this is all still here.” 

And the therapist responds, “it always will be.”

My friend becomes upset and she shouts, “how could you say that? I thought, after all, this time I would come to an aha moment and feel relief and it would be gone.”

The therapist replies, “I didn't say you would never come to that moment. I said all this stuff will always be there. This was the story of the life you lived. You just have to decide that you are not necessarily your story.”  *

When it comes to our story, perhaps we have to decide what we want to keep on thinking and bonding to? How do we see ourselves and what we went through? And that is what we are going to tackle today…

Are you ready to challenge your perspectives and change the world you live in? Brace yourself for an engaging Dialogue with David, my seasonal conversation with notable Jacksonville stakeholder, philanthropist, and Director of Optimism, David Miller. 

David shares his views on building a non-judgmental society that empowers every individual to reach their potential. His insights on the power of culture, empathy, and the value of asking questions will compel you to reconsider your viewpoints. We also explore controversial labels and discuss laws that are infringing on basic rights. I share why these matters trigger me as a third-generation Holocaust survivor, and why they should worry all of us.

In the latter part of our conversation, get ready to be inspired by David's reflections on his family values and their influence on his professional and philanthropic endeavors. We talk about the Sandy Miller Metrotown Institute, a project dedicated to nurturing character and leadership among the youth. We stress the importance of interaction to foster acceptance and appreciation across diverse communities. 

If you're keen to understand the importance of standing up for others and making a difference in the world, this episode is for you. David shares how his personal story drives his public interest . Tune in as we honor the spirit of a “Mensch”, a Yiddish term for a person of integrity.

*Mashal borrowed

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Back in the 1900s when I was a student, we learned something that was not history or social studies. It was called “Current Events.”
 
At the start of the 7th grade, I brought home a mimeographed permission slip that asked for cash or a check so that a copy of the New York Times would be delivered to my homeroom desk, Monday through Friday. I learned to love the sections... each day a different “special.” More importantly, I learned to love language. And while my grandparents read the Forvarts in Yiddish, and my dad brought home the Jewish Press each Friday- I had a well rounded view of my borough, my city, my country and the world.

Mrs. Goldman would assign us the task of reading the daily paper, choosing an article of interest and summarizing it by Friday. At the end of the year, one could reflect on the binder where we had cut out articles- underlined words to search for definition and summarized… And in my case, see a pattern.

I learned that the “opinions” (that I had too many of according to my family) was what made this prose legendary. And also because I met Russell Baker. Not literally. But I met the power of a voice and perspective. And it shaped mine forever.  And then I met Mark Woods- again, not literally- until now!

Mark Woods is the Metro Columnist for the Florida Times-Union, the Jacksonville, FL daily paper and a recipient of the Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship. He's the author of LASSOING THE SUN: A YEAR IN AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS, and awarded the gold medal for general non-fiction in the 2016 Florida Book Awards.

Purchase Mark's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Lassoing-Sun-Americas-National-Parks/dp/1250105897

Follow updates on his Twitter page, here: https://twitter.com/tumarkwoods?lang=en

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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In my very first episode I spoke about societal needs. The ones we know about… and the ones we are still learning to understand.
 
Sometimes just thinking about all that NEED is unbearable. And so I remember to think like Mr. Rogers and look for the helpers.

And then I remind myself that I’m not a bystander- I’m an upstander! So it is MY responsibility to be the change I wish to see… And I seek ways to become the helper. And if I’ve inspired someone else to try it too… Well then, that’s how we change our community, our city and the world…
And that’s what we are gonna tackle today…

Would you like to round up? We’ve all heard the question. Usually it depends on the cause. I’ve become very intentional with my “impulse give”- you know, the opposite of an impulse buy. But when I feel especially down, the New Yorker in me craves a slice of cheese pizza and the opportunity to do a mitzvah (a good deed)… which is how I met my guest today.

With a background in nonprofit program development and direct service, Jacklyn Overby joined V for Victory in 2019 and passionately supports families in need. Having experienced firsthand the deep impact a medical crisis has on the whole family, Jacklyn feels blessed to be able to offer much-needed support to local families. 

The mission of V for Victory is to provide everyday needed services to local families actively in treatment for cancer. Visit the website above to offer business partnerships, volunteer services or to make a donation. 

You can follow Jacklyn on LinkedIn here. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Back in the 1900s, after you took your SATs, colleges and universities would flood your parents ACTUAL, LITERAL mailbox with brochures and catalogs. 

While this sounds like a “barrage of garbage”… it was, in fact, very wanted and welcome because back then, the only other way to know about colleges was in your guidance counsellors office, the local public library, or if you bought the annual guide yourself. There was no “look it up online.”

The one that I was obsessed with was Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. As a city girl, the beauty of the buildings and the nearness to the beach in those glossy, full-color photos were the dream. I never even toured it. Until I was a local.

Before I got that brochure I had never heard of St. Augustine, and to be honest- I never even thought about it again. Until 2012, when I read a letter called “Why We Went.” And that’s what we’re going to tackle today…

Dr. Michael Butler is a Kenan Distinguished Professor of History at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. His work has appeared in many leading peer-reviewed academic publications, such as The Journal of American Studies, The Journal of Southern History, The Florida Historical Quarterly, and Southern Cultures. Dr. Butler has written over 40 book reviews and encyclopedias for various academic journals. View some of them here.

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In the early 2000s I worked near South Street Seaport in NYC. Each day I would take my lunch overlooking the East River- the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges visible from my office. A decade later, based on the upper west side, every day instead of lunch, I would lace up my sneakers, and run along the Hudson River. The water propelled me with its energy- its life. 

My father arrived by boat on it and Lady Liberty waved from it.  But what did I know about rivers... And how often did I think about taking care of it?
And that’s what we are going to tackle today...

It’s been nearly a decade since my arrival here, and the ICONIC St. Johns River serves as the heart of Jacksonville, providing both majestic views and purpose for both residents and visitors. As the state’s longest river, the St. Johns River is also a centerpiece connecting history, fishing, transportation, and more into the personality of Northeast Florida. 

As the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Lisa Rinaman- with her dedicated team- serves as the chief advocate and public’s voice for the St. Johns River. St. Johns Riverkeeper is a privately-funded, independent and trusted voice for the St. Johns River and the public to whom it belongs. They are a 501(c)(3) organization and rely on the support of members, donors, and volunteers to accomplish their mission. 

Stay up today with the St. Johns Riverkeeper on its events page here.

You can follow Lisa's week-to-week activity with the Riverkeeper on the organization's Twitter page here. 

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Back in the 1990s, my daily commute to downtown Manhattan had me shlepping past the Fulton fish market to my fancy office building with windows overlooking South Street Seaport. The Meatpacking District, Hell’s Kitchen, Harlem… Undesirable and not on a real estate listing anyone would touch. Until someone had the vision to see the possibility and make that investment. And once it started… Well, fish market became FiDi and Meatpacking was rebranded as the Highline and it all suddenly seemed so obvious...

So by the time I got to Jacksonville, the fourth fastest growing city in Florida, the options seemed endless. If downtown can be the Manhattan equivalent, well, Riverside, Springfield, Brooklyn are the local versions of Riverdale, Sunnyside and- well- Brooklyn. And I can see it clearly... So can my guest, she is third generation Jacksonville, a fixture in the local landscape of art, culture and entrepreneurship.

But I wonder, when we can’t see someone else’s vision, should we look harder or stop looking? And that’s what we’re going to tackle today...

Emily Moody is the Director of Community Engagement for Future of Cities where she's helping to co-create a vibrant arts and innovation community at Phoenix Arts District. She also owns Wolf & Cub, a brick-and-mortar concept shop and lifestyle brand in Downtown Jacksonville. 

Check out the latest events with Phoenix Arts District here: phxjax.com/events.

Stay updated with PHX news on Instagram: @phxjax.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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This season on Schmooze With Suze we are embarking on a tour of icons here in Northeast Florida. What makes here the place and now the time? 
Well, let’s start with what is an icon?

An icon is a person or a thing widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere. Do we need icons? 
And that is what we are going to tackle today…

Name dropping is a thing where I’m from. Who saw who at what spot? How one got a hookup for reservations or tickets to a show… 

But my new city is more substantive, news dropping is the thing here. And for my daily dose of catch up, it's the smooth stylings and medley of musings by the incomparable Melissa Ross that I 'sippa cup' to, to stay in the know.

First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross is an hour-long call-in program that features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, artists and people planning a variety of events across Northeast Florida. WJCT’s First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross has received multiple national awards from Public Radio News Directors Inc. for best call-in program. You can listen on weekdays LIVE at 9 a.m.; Rebroadcast at 8 p.m. on 89.9FM and online at https://news.wjct.org/ 

• Email: [email protected]
• Mention @MelissainJax on Twitter
• Comment on facebook.com/WJCTFirstCoastConnect

In addition to hosting First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, she also co-hosts the weekly Florida Roundup, which airs Fridays on NPR stations across the state. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Rise and shine!
It’s a beautiful day for a beautiful day.
Be happy. Be kind. Always do your best.
Think good and it will be good.
 
I sprinkle positive messages to my kids and myself throughout the day.
Why? Because studies show that we grow, flourish and thrive when that is our environment.   Alternatively, the effects of negativity- in environment, language and attitude can be permanently detrimental.
 
It is not always easy to find the rainbows between the raindrops… So what if you are presented with an umbrella to shield you from the storms so you can spot the beauty more clearly? And that is what we are going to tackle today…

Northeast Florida's nonprofits are an engine that builds a more vibrant and inclusive community! We all work towards making this a better place to live for everyone, Believe in the Good  is a campaign for our region’s nonprofits to use as they build community support, recruit volunteers, attract new supporters and highlight the good that happens when people become part of the nonprofit community. 

But honestly... Like, what IS a nonprofit? And why do they want my time, talent AND treasure? 

My guest is Deirdre Conner, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Evaluation of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.
www.NonprofitCtr.org
#BelieveintheGoodNEFL 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
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Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... 

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