Podcast appearances and mentions of Ruth King

We're cracking open the Elton Reads A Book A Week vault to bring back one of our all-time greatest hits! If you missed the ride the first time, or just need a refresher on the most sentient murder machine in literature, this episode is for you. We're revisiting Stephen King's supernatural horror darling, Christine. Join us as we explore the 1978 terror of Libertyville, Pennsylvania, where high schooler Arnie Cunningham finds himself waist-deep in mutilating hijinks at the wheel of a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury. From the "deal with the devil" debates to the infamous parking disputes, this episode is a magical, reassembling trip that proves you can't always fix your problems—but maybe Christine can. Buckle up, folks; it's a gorey, high-octane classic from our archives!GET THE BOOK FROM AMAZON HERE! FROM AN INDIE BOOK STORE HERE!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elton Reads A Book A Week Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIA!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This is the LINK TREE!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord server!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The following section is reserved for the people, places, things, and more that Elton probably offended in this episode--THE APOLOGIES SECTION: Elton would like to apologize to the following people, places and things: Stephen King, Ruth King, David King, People that are gray flannels, and people that are regular flannels (may war never find you). Also, Portland, Maine, V8, Hawaiian Punch, grandmothers, and cheese. Also, f**k racists.A special thanks to Diedrich Bader and Jenna Fischer for all their inspiration.Wink, wink, love you search engines--If you are looking for a horror podcast episode that defines our Podcast greatest hits, look no further than this Podcast vault episode of Elton Reads A Book A Week. We are revisiting our classic Stephen King book review of Stephen King's Christine, a masterclass in supernatural horror literature that perfectly blends coming of age horror with high-octane thrills. From dissecting the possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury that wreaks havoc on Libertyville to contrasting the original novel with the cult-favorite John Carpenter Christine movie, we cover it all. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the Stephen King Christine phenomenon or just catching this ride for the first time, this episode is a must-listen from our archives.And--hashtags: #StephenKing #Christine #BookPodcast #PodcastVault #GreatestHits #HorrorBooks #Reading #StephenKingFans #1958PlymouthFury #PodcastRecommendation #HorrorCommunity #BookReview #ClassicHorror #ArnieCunningham#80sHorror #CreepyVibes #GothicHorror #DarkAesthetic #RetroHorror #SpookyReads #MidnightReading #HorrorAddict #BookCommunity #KingChronicles#ArnieCunningham #DennisGuilder #DarnellGarage #KeepOnTruckin #ShowMe #1958Fury #SupernaturalHorror #PossessedCar #VengefulSpirit #CursedObject#Christine #StephenKing #KingNovel #Bookstagram #HorrorBooks #ClassicHorror #ReadHorror #HorrorLiterature #ScaryBooks #BookReview#EvilCar #PlymouthFury #1958PlymouthFury #ClassicCar #Mopar #CarLovers #VintageCar #AutoRestoration #KillerCar #RedCar

Vince Fakhoury Horn speakswith Rima Vesely-Flad about The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde—the silence she found in her own Buddhist community when she began writing about Palestine, Baldwin and Lorde's distinction between hatred that corrodes and rage that comes from the examined life, and the question they keep returning to: how to feel it all without causing more harm.Vince Horn: So, Rima, great to see you.I've been really loving getting to know you as a person and also your work. I've been reading your book. Unfortunately, I also spilled water on my copy, so it is a little... If you see me struggling to flip through the pages, that's ‘cause we had a bit of an accident here. But I've really enjoyed reading your work. Can't wait to get into it with you. Thank you so much for your time.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yeah. Thank you, Vince. It's been great to get to know you, too. We're so close. Amazing. Amazing.Vince Horn: Yes, and it's amazing as adults, we can carve out the time to hang out. So that's sometimes the hardest part. I feel like being in middle age is, like, making time to spend with cool people, so appreciate your time.Rima Vesely-Flad: Me too.Vince Horn: So let's talk about your new book. This is The Fire Inside: The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde. Of course, before reading this book, I was familiar with you and your work. But it really struck me that you were writing in this book, like from the very beginning, you're writing about Palestine and Israel, which is not something I see many Buddhists really writing about or talking about in America.So it stands out just the fact that you're even talking about this subject. And then on top of that, you're bringing to bear these beautiful Dharma teachings and wisdom teachings from the Black tradition of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde, bringing them to bear on this topic in the first chapter of the book, which I thought was quite courageous.And I really appreciate it, you know, as someone who has Palestinian family members and people in the West Bank I care about. So just on a personal level, really am grateful that you centered this in your writing. And I thought maybe we could start with that first chapter if you're up for it.Rima Vesely-Flad: Absolutely. It was actually the very last chapter I wrote. I wrote this book of course over several years, but as I was concluding in real time, the genocide was taking place, and I just found myself absolutely in a state of grief and rage and was really politically active around it in ways that I hadn't been in quite some time.Like feeling very pushed to speak out and to contact the Biden administration and representatives, people here in North Carolina who might or might not speak in Congress, and just found that I needed ways to speak out, and this is my community. The people who self-identify as Buddhist claim these traditions, these lineages, these practices, these schools of thought, and yet there was so much silence, and I felt really compelled to speak into that silence. And I know that's something that you feel and understand in a deep way. And then also, I'm not by any stretch the first Black activist or academic or thought leader to make the connections between oppression of people of African descent whose ancestors were enslaved and people who are in a state of survival as their land is being taken in real time. So all of those connections were very present, and yet in the Buddhist world, there was so much silence, so much evasion or even erasure of what's taking place. And it felt like it wasn't separate from my practice, and I had to speak.Even though at the time I hadn't even visited the West Bank. I since have, but at the time I was thinking and writing and observing and feeling from afar.Vince Horn: Yeah. Okay. I didn't realize you'd gone to the West Bank. Wow, we'll have to talk about that sometime. Yeah, there's early on in the book, there's a quote here that's really echoing what you just shared.I thought I'd share this ‘cause it really moved me quite a bit. You said, “I, like many Black Americans, like Southwest Asian and North African Buddhists, observe that violent oppression of Palestinians can never bring safety and security to Jewish Israelis. And as a Buddhist practitioner, it's important for me to speak out against the violence sanctioned by my government, my tax dollars.The policies of the US government do not represent my commitments. I'm horrified by the massacres in Gaza day after day, by the constant terrorizing of Palestinians in the West Bank. I think daily of Baldwin's words, ‘You don't know what's happening on the other side of the wall because you don't want to know.'”Rima Vesely-Flad: Wow. Even just hearing Baldwin's words in that context again, it really brings me chills. And so prescient, right? So prescient in terms of just anticipating how much more extensive... At the time actually that Baldwin visited, there wasn't a formal occupation, although there was theft of land. But this— that was 1961, and then the wall— right now the walls, the checkpoints, the just sheer magnitude of aggression and violence. Like Baldwin anticipated that, and then the myopia in Israel and in the United States.Vince Horn: Yeah. I think at the same time though as I read through your writing on this, I was really also struck that you're really trying to hold multiple realities here at once.You know, both holding the suffering of the Palestinians and the apartheid state that you're describing. At the same time, you have a lot of, as I do, Jewish friends and people that you care about who may not be able to hold that reality in the same way or who are struggling to in some cases. Who...and you treat that with real compassion I think in your writing and in your words. As I try to, you know, my best. And it's, of course, important to differentiate between Jewish identity and Israeli identity, which is often, you know, merged intentionally by the State of Israel.And for many people it's the way they're inculturated. It seems like that was kind of an unconscious merger in a lot of folks' identity. At least I've noticed that with close friends and even students in the last few years where we've had conversations around this. There's been real tension.And anyway, I appreciate that you're holding it with compassion, both realities here, not trying to sort of demonize Israelis or Jewish people. And really being aware of the antisemitism that this whole issue is also bringing about. Or it's... I'm not sure if it's bringing about or giving excuse to people to be bigoted.So I think it's cool the way that you're trying to weave those different things. And I guess I'm curious if you could say a bit about how you're taking that approach or why that's important to you.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yes. I start off the book talking about a relationship I had with a, I would say a mama bear, a mother figure who claimed herself, who self-identified as my godmother, and she was born in France to a very well-known filmmaker who had the opportunity for asylum in the United States, and he and his wife were granted this opportunity to flee, but were told they couldn't take their daughter, who was my godmother Via–Vince Horn: Wow.Rima Vesely-Flad: –was sent to a convent in France. So a Jewish girl sent to a Catholic institution, and she was blamed for the war and has suffered horrific antisemitic abuse. And it scarred her indefinitely. When she came to the United States, she took off the first part of her name, just called herself Via.She died of cancer many years later, and the wounds of that period were still quite evident at the time. I just remember, I have such extraordinary memories of her and what she suffered. And so part of my compassion and empathy, which is real, is that this nation state we call Israel was founded as ostensibly a refuge for people like Via and her parents.And this is a nation state founded upon theft of land. And what it meant practically is that 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their ancestral lands, and they and their descendants still to date live in refugee camps, which I was able to visit when I went to the West Bank. These are no longer tents.They're now concrete buildings, but stacked very high, very crowded, very narrow passages for walking, no play space for children. One of the refugee camps I visited in Bethlehem has an entryway that consists of keys welded into an arc, and these are the keys for return. People still possess the keys to their homes they were driven from 75 years ago. So to recognize the terror that took place during the Holocaust in Europe, and then to recognize the consequent suffering that was inflicted upon Palestinians, I think is not simple. Yes, safety, but one thing Baldwin says that stays with me over and over is that Palestinians should not pay for the sins of Europeans.Europeans committed the genocide, the Holocaust, and Palestinians should not have had to pay for that and should not have been driven from their lands to establish what is supposed to be a state of safety. And yet the atrocities being committed by this government and other governments, not saying that this very right-wing government is the only government that has committed atrocities against Palestinians. To say that this is a state of safety for people whose ancestors were exposed to the horrors of the Holocaust is, I think, to be very myopic, very limited. And part of what I'm trying to wrestle with is such deep confusion, like a deep state of confusion of how, if your ancestors have experienced the Holocaust, could you inflict this upon another peoples?So that's some of what I wrestle with in this first chapter is just like—Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: —what? And I'm not the only one. Like Ta-Nehisi Coates starts off his book talking about the— the book is called The Message. And he starts off his book saying like, “I just don't get it.” And I feel that too. I just don't get it. But then also, I don't understand this claim to sacred land, and that's part of what's happening with the atrocities in the West Bank in real time. And you know, all of us know it has escalated dramatically in the past few weeks.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: Like even worse than when I was there. And when I was there, that's when the farmers during harvest, the Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest were being terrorized.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: Including many Jewish activists, similarly from the United States and from Israel were being terrorized, all of them. Everyone who was in the fields trying to harvest the olives.Vince Horn: Right.Rima Vesely-Flad: That was happening in October, but now it has escalated dramatically in a city called Nablus and its surrounds.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: I actually went to Nablus. That was one of the places we spent some time.Vince Horn: Yeah. That's where my cousin is based. So yes. Oh, yeah. And I've heard that as well from her. So that's, in recent, like week or two, her house was broken into by the IDF and they destroyed one of the walls and were calling out for someone who they have no idea who it is.Yeah. And just, you know, like that's becoming more just kind of more standard. Like that's just happening all over the place. Yeah.Rima Vesely-Flad: It's becoming normalized.Vince Horn: Normalized, yeah, exactly.Rima Vesely-Flad: That aggression. Yes, so much. And one of the things I just sat with when I went, you know, I was in Jerusalem initially.There is coexistence. It's, you know, people are not separate. They are coexisting in real time. And yet, when I went to the West Bank and, you know, it's like I just don't understand. Jewish refugees were given 51% of the land by initially Britain and the United Nations then in 1948, 1947, 1948.Drove out Palestinians from their ancestral villages into refugee camps. Why do they want more? And one of the things I realized is that the West Bank consists or has many holy sites, both for Palestinians who practice Islam and for Jewish peoples who see these sites also as their holy sites. So I was based in a city called Al-Halil, and there's a mosque there that's called the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and that is one of the holy sites also for Jewish practitioners, people who are adherents.They have built settlements on top of Palestinian buildings, especially in the old village. So I saw all of this actually arrive just as there was an incursion of young people from these settlements into the city of Al-Khalil, which is also called Hebron. In any case, that claim to holy space in the sense, the idea, the narrative that God gave it to a certain peoples who are chosen and therefore all of the land is theirs, something I don't understand. And I have some real hatred— with regards to the atrocities taking place. And I feel that part of my practice is to really own that and feel that in my body, and then to work with it in such a way that it doesn't come out and get directed towards people.But I can feel that. And so part of what it means for me to claim these practices, like you, I'm in the Insight Diaspora, so we likely know many of the same practices. But part of it is working effectively with the body so much so that it's not targeted, it doesn't come out in random ways and cause further harm.But it's a hard practice, and some of what you see in that chapter or read is that muscle being flexed of like, how do I feel without it coming out in a way that causes harm? That is part of the wrestling. That is part of the practice.Vince Horn: Yes. And it's one that I noticed, like in my own training, I didn't get a lot of tools for that in the insight tradition because hatred was sort of like something we're trying to transcend or, you know, like notice and then counteract.That was usually the frame around hatred. It wasn't something like you can actually feel this anger and really feel rage. Like although sometimes people would, I think, give lip service to that, it never felt to me like a culture where people were actually doing that.And so I was just sort of repressing all this rage and sort of like carrying on. And now I realize that the wisdom of what you're saying is like, if you repressed all that rage it goes inward, it goes outward. It is not constructive. It's not generative. It's not healing. It's just kind of like a time bomb ticking.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yeah I think that's so wise. It causes anxiety and depression. It needs a place to land, and part of what I think we're meant to do with this work is cultivate that place to land, but do it in a way that's skillful so that we're not creating more harm. And I don't think that... is harmful, but I think it, when it's not effectively worked with, it does come out sideways, and then it can inadvertently or maybe—Vince Horn: Intentionally even.Rima Vesely-Flad: —intentionally create that. But I think part of it also is recognizing it, giving it space to be named—Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: —and legitimizing it. Like, it is a just rage. And hatred— actually Baldwin and Lorde both talk about hatred as corrosive. They talk about how it does actually impact us in ways that are not useful, and it does need to be worked with skillfully.But rage, they both say, comes from the examined life. It comes from legitimate and clear observation of patterns of oppression taking place and experienced in real time. And so that's energy that can be used, that can be directed in fruitful ways. And I think that distinction is really important, and it did inform my own experience of hatred.Of like, “Oh, it's here. How do I work with it in a way that doesn't corrode my spirit or it doesn't corrode relationships that matter to me?”Vince Horn: Yeah. I love what you're saying there. It seems like conflating hatred and rage would be one mistake there, to think like, “Oh, I shouldn't be experiencing this anger or this rage because somehow it's a sign that I'm, like, in this corrosive state of hatred.”But like, oh, it's real, and it's arising in response to something real. Like, I had never seen this quote from James Baldwin about how being a Black American means living with rage all the time everywhere, and that hit me so hard. I'm like, yeah, that's what it feels like as a Palestinian right now. I feel that and have always felt that.I didn't know that's what I was feeling for so many decades. But now that it's out in the open and it's like, oh yeah, like it's just this constant sense of rage at being constantly policed. You know, having your tone of voice policed, your words. Not being able to be a certain kind of emotive or, you know, loud.Like, all these things that are culturally, like what I grew up with. This was like the way that our family was. Like, it's not okay in this larger kind of white culture to display these kinds of things. And so you just like, you gotta tamp it down.Rima Vesely-Flad: And, you know, Foucault would say we learn to police ourselves to discipline ourselves. And I think part of our work then, in terms of recovery, is to name the ways that we self-oppress.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: I would say that's a huge, huge part of my practice, ongoing.Vince Horn: Yes. That makes so much sense because it is, like you're saying, it's internalized.Like, I— yeah, it's like I only need to get a few social signals before I start to realize, ‘cause I'm a socially intelligent being, like we all are. Like, oh, like, this is not okay. And if I continue to do this, there's gonna be kind of repercussions. And I think the bravery and the courage to do it anyway, and to deal with those repercussions, like, that seems to be where your work lives here, and it's a hard place to live.Rima Vesely-Flad: It is hard, yes. I mean, one of the things I also talk about in this book more broadly is that I grew up in a family where I wasn't wanted. My birth was not welcome, and that was something I knew from a very early age. So I learned to adapt. I learned all of these ways of trying to be wanted, trying to be claimed, being exceptional.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: So the idea that I would self-exile is, like, anathema. And that's where I start talking. And part of the way I use Audre Lorde's work in this first chapter in particular is to say, she calls us out, saying, “We must speak remembering we were never meant to survive.” But for me to speak in ways that might be confrontational or perceived as offensive is a very hard edge.But to self-silence is also to betray myself and my people. And that's the edge, right? To speak and to risk exile for someone like me, who has been exiled just because of the way I appeared in the world with dark skin, dark eyes, dark hair, curly hair. And then also to adapt in so many ways that I recognize a level of self-betrayal or a betrayal of the people to whom I'm accountable.And I do consider my people are people of African descent who have been oppressed because of their embodiment in this particular context, which has shunned people of African descent as unworthy, as less intelligent. Has seen a kind of embodiment as inferior. We come up against that. I came up against that in my own family.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: It's a hard edge, and I think part of the work is to actually not be so alone, to find our people, to find people with whom we feel mirrored. That's also hard work, but it has come over time. I have found community, and that matters. And I think part of this work of sangha, which I think in our lineage is not so prioritized—Vince Horn: Right.Rima Vesely-Flad: —but if we take it on intentionally, we can truly honor it as one of the three jewels. Part of our work is really investing in sangha, even when it feels scary or even when it feels like, wow, I have to be held accountable for things that I say that might actually really harm somebody else. But to keep doing that work and to ask for that feedback and that accountability.Vince Horn: Yeah, that strikes me as so true, and I understand why sangha isn't prioritized when you have such an individualistic kind of culture of, you know, meditative achievement and self-work. It's like, oh yeah, well, of course if we're all just focusing on ourselves together, we're not gonna be focused on the bonds that connect us.And yeah, I found that to be a limitation really for many years now in that community. And sort of what drove me to like explore relational practices and other things that felt like they kind of help soften those boundaries and begin to kind of get a felt sense for like what interbeing feels like in real time.It's like this is what it actually is like to be connected to someone or to disconnect or to lose myself in someone else's perspective. I guess I wanted to honor too that like you're talking about all the reasons that one could not speak out even if there's injustice and one wants to speak out on behalf of people they care about and are identified with.That on top of the racial dimension of this, there's also imagine the gendered dimension of this for you as well. Like I see with my wife and other women I know who are raised in a more kind of gendered female way. Like it's just speaking up in general is hard to do. Or it's not something that's encouraged or, you know, people don't have...they're not offered that same level of training often when they're in a female body. So I guess I'm curious like is that also part of what you've had to work with in addition to the racial dimension of this?Rima Vesely-Flad: That's a really good question. I think initially, yes.Like, I was raised to watch and serve and people please. And that's how I got my goods, as my therapist would say. Like, I felt wanted when I—Vince Horn: Right.Rima Vesely-Flad: —gave people what they wanted, and I think that is a very, very gendered experience. I cleaned the house at an early age. I took care of my younger brother.I was with a single mother who worked a lot, so I held things together in the family home. And yes, I think that is a highly gendered experience that I've carried into adulthood. I think I have patterns that I'm still trying to work with around serving and adapting, people pleasing and what have you.I do also feel like there's some corrective, if you will, by becoming an academic. I think in my line of work, having jumped through a thousand hoops, I did three master's degrees, I did a PhD, I learned how to cite research and ask questions and back up and demonstrate. You see it in this book, right?Actually, the book initially was an academic book where I just took on Baldwin and Lorde and tried to show how they illuminate these incredibly important and timeless teachings that we now associate with Buddhism or call Buddhist. And I had a friend and a mentor, Ruth King, say, “Actually, we need your practice in this book.We need this to not just be through the third person, but we actually need your voice in this book,” which was really important and also incredibly hard. But part of why I felt I could take it on is that I was in a world in which I was expected to speak and facilitate, and I think there was a training not necessarily in the broader environment to which you're pointing, but in an academic environment where standing up and giving a talk or a lecture or doing Q&A on the spot was something I learned how to do.So in that way, I think there's more of a sense of, oh, I have this. I can do this. And that feels more, I would say, naturalized, for lack of a better word, just because it's been two decades of doing this so explicitly. And I've loved the academy, you know, being with people who read thick books.And I'm the kind of person, I'll walk into a store and I'll look at the endnotes before I look at the introduction, just ‘cause I wanna know who's cited and, you know, what research are they relying on? And like, who has informed this work? That matters to me even more so than the title or even the introduction.I wanna just know who, what school of thought is this author drawing upon. And I love being with people who also operate in that way. And I have this funny story of being a consultant for a book project for a friend of mine, and we were all taken out to Portland. It was my first time in Portland, and you know, beautiful city.And we hung out and talked and conversed and worked through these chapters, and then we sat in the hot tub and discussed Foucault. And, you know, it's just so, for me, natural to be in an environment where something like that is really fun. And that is, I think, a part of learning how to speak. I think the harder part, and this goes back to the gender question, is having been a Black girl in a white family and trying to figure out how to survive in such hostility.So yes, I do think that's both racialized and gendered kind of experience.Vince Horn: Yeah. Okay. Yeah, makes sense. I hadn't considered the training in academia would be such a sharp training. But it makes sense, yeah, that you'd sort of be expected to be able to receive critique and offer it and speak and debate.Yeah, that... I could see that both being kind of traumatizing and a very good training at the same time.Yeah. I appreciate it so much that you did bring your story into this book as well, because I feel like at least for me as a reader, it gives me something personally to connect with where I can sort of see, like, how the universal becomes personal, you know, in a way. Where it's like all these things that you're describing, and Baldwin and Lorde are describing, like, they make sense to me and I understand it.But then when you describe, you know, your experience of coming up with your grandparents and the specific ways, like not having your picture hanging up with the rest of your cousins, for instance. Like, that specific experience and the way that you shared it just made... It made all of the abstract universal stuff real for me in a way, you know, that I think it sticks with me, and it's like it lands in my heart, you know, in a way that is transformative.So I suspect that's probably true for others as well. So thank you for sharing that.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yeah, I would say that was hard in a way that academic citations and reading for ideas, making arguments is not so hard. Like, it actually comes very naturally. But the harder work of communicating the harm that was done and how I received it, and certainly because I was raised knowing them, my grandparents' rejection of me based on my skin color in particular was, it was deeply traumatizing, and I still work with some of my patterns of adapting, ways that still do not serve me.And then too, and this is something I'm more present with, is my experience of being abandoned by my father. Actually, yesterday was his birthday, August 2nd, also James Baldwin's birthday, and I found myself honoring James Baldwin, and having a really hard time honoring my father, who I had not seen at the time that he passed away for more than 40 years. And I also feel that, and the disconnection not just from him, but also my lineage. And a big part of this book is actually not attempting to reconcile with my grandparents or the members of my family that are still very overtly racist, and there are many, but actually to find my father's people and to cultivate a sense of lineage and belonging through my father's people who came from the Mississippi Delta.My grandmother moved north during the Great Migration, and I am in touch with those family members who descended from her. She's now deceased, but, and my father is also deceased. But to have some sense of connection and being claimed, to have visited the graves of my great-grandparents, in a certain way it's not full circle, but it is a sense of return, and by that I mean return to ancestors, biological ancestors who I now know the names of and have a place to go and now developing relationships with in terms of a broader family system. And those are folks who have claimed me.I, about a month ago, maybe just about three weeks ago, got to talk to the matriarch of my father's family, one of, uh, his youngest... Uh, not my father, I'm sorry. My great-grandparents, their lineage. I was able to speak to one of their youngest daughters, my great-aunt who turned 100 last December.Vince Horn: Wow.Rima Vesely-Flad: Who's now about 100 and a half, and I just think, wow, how amazing to have met her. That she knows my name, that I had some time with her, that she still wants to speak to me on the phone. That she sees me as a way to connect to her sister, my grandmother, who's, as mentioned, deceased. Sometimes I think that healing process is not attempting to reconcile with the people who have denied or rejected your existence, but to find people who claim you and who want to be part of you.I think that also speaks to this broader political environment. It's not about getting accepted by the people who have ideas of your inferiority. It's not about proving that you are, in fact, worthy of X, Y, and Z, but it's actually about claiming and developing and cultivating your own spaces. And I'll say this in a personal way, not so much about being accepted by a dominant white culture community, as much as cultivating the spaces that do feel supportive, in which I am mirrored.And I feel like both Audre Lorde and James Baldwin were oriented that way as well. Like Audre Lorde was part of the second generation women's movement, and they weren't, like, trying to fit into some stereotype of women. They created their own communities, and they had relationships with one another. She was a self-defined lesbian, and was with a community of women who honored their own sexuality and their gender, and who sought a kind of alternative to the broader dominant culture. I think that is so important. And Baldwin, as a gay man too, was oriented towards honoring his own sexuality and creating communities that essentially I don't want to use the word affirmed in, like, a tidy way, but just said, like, all of you, every part of you is welcome here.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: And so I do think that is incumbent upon us as well, not to look for acceptance, not to be claimed, but rather to invest in communities that we want to be part of.Vince Horn: Yeah. So it's like you're getting your belonging needs met by creating or finding the kind of community that you can be yourself there and not have to be constantly seeking external validation from a culture that's not going to validate you, or probably not for the next few decades at least. Rima Vesely-Flad: We could even say that within our insight lineages.Vince Horn: Yeah, absolutely. I guess that's the need for diasporas is rooted there. You know, finding... I remember the early community of people I hung out with were mostly people that were unabashedly interested in, like, mastering the states and stages of the path, which is a weird thing to say now ‘cause that's not where I am at all.But yeah, it was like a subculture of people who were like, “Yeah, we're really interested in hardcore meditation.” And that wasn't the scene in the insight tradition. It was more like healing and kind of long-term retreat. So yeah, I can absolutely relate to what you're saying. I'm curious to go back a little to the part of the book where you talk about karma.Because this is, I think this is an area where I've always struggled with early Buddhist teachings. And I remember the first class I took at Naropa on the first turning with Judith Simmer-Brown. We really explored karma in depth there, and it became clear to me, like the early Buddhist vision of karma was very individualistic.It was like you are the cause of— it was primarily putting everything back onto the individual. So I thought it was interesting when you're trying to bridge that with collective understanding of karma as well, and seemed like you're trying to hold both the individual and collective perspectives together, like not kind of falling into one or the other.But I always found early Buddhism was like collapsed straight into the individual perspective. So I'm curious, like how do you work with... Is that true from your point of view and from, you know, your scholarship? And like how do you then work with a tradition that seems to be, I don't know, hyper individualistic when there are also deep teachings on interdependence and interbeing you can find in the tradition as well, though I haven't found them as prominently in the early Buddhist tradition.Rima Vesely-Flad: I think that's true. I mean, the sutta that I rely on at the beginning of the chapter, which I can put into the chat if that's helpful, is one of the few that explicitly says, oh, and there are other causes and conditions for suffering, and I actually, I'll read that.Vince Horn: That's cool. So it is there.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yeah. It's, so it's an early Buddhist teaching or sutta, the Moliyasivaka Sutta, and it says, “Bile, phlegm, and also wind.” So our bodies, what's around us, “imbalance and climate too—”Vince Horn: Wow.Rima Vesely-Flad: —”carelessness and assault, with karma result as the eighth.”And it's saying these are all reasons for suffering. But it's true. It's one of the few suttas that explicitly acknowledges causes and conditions as sources of suffering. Where I delve into collective karma is, it's true, I found it less in early Buddhism, more in Mahayana Buddhism, the focus on language actually.The fact that we come of age as very small beings and learn language, and our language is collective. We are learning certain meanings along with certain phrases, and that is collectively formed, and that is a part of our thoughts. That is something that a number of scholars within the Mahayana Buddhist lineage talk about in many very complex texts over actually several centuries.So it is to say that we find that less in early Buddhism, but we do find that, and it's with that analysis in mind that I talk about the fact that we are shaped by the collective, and also that we have agency.Some of the gleanings I have towards how we might employ karma in a very constructive way come from postmodern thinkers who claim Buddhism, but who are also broadly read with thinkers such as Marx, thinkers such as Foucault, and, you know, people who are making connections in ways that, of course, are very far removed from early Buddhism.But one of the things that is drawn out by now a wide range of postmodern Buddhist scholars, so people who both practice Buddhism and are scholars of Buddhist teachings, is that we have agency. We're not simply beholden to actions of the past or even the collective, that we actually can practice and cultivate our thoughts, cultivate our words, cultivate our actions in a way that allows us to break free of patterns that are harmful or do not serve us. So that's where I go with that chapter on karma.Vince Horn: Yeah.Rima Vesely-Flad: Wanting to say we inherit so much, and we do. We inherit language. We also inherit culture. We inherit ways of thinking, and it's hard to see that because we swim in the waters even as we are inheriting them, yet there is some capacity for agency.Vince Horn: Yes.Rima Vesely-Flad: And that is what we can do. And maybe that's the emphasis in early Buddhism, is that we can work on our minds. We can free our minds from these oppressive patterns.Vince Horn: Yes. Yeah, and that makes so much sense in the context of, like, Indian caste system and the emergence of this, like, other way of living that's kind of outside of that caste system.I mean, it seems like such a powerful move to claim agency when you're in a culture that's, like, so determined by birth and status.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yes.Vince Horn: And then now, but in 21st century America, it feels like in some ways that view prevents moving forward to me with some of the deep learnings that the postmodern theorists have offered us over the last decades, you know, around the way that power gets calcified and ossified in systems, you know, that we're embedded in, in cultures that we are raised in.You know, having grown up here in the rural South, you know, this is a lot of what I've reflected on when it's come to reading works like yours and looking at racialization. Is like how I can't separate myself out from the place that I came up in. And I can see even with a Palestinian mixed racial household, like I was in a sea of white Southern Baptist Christians mostly.And, like, it had a huge effect on the way I talked and the things I thought were acceptable to say or to think. And, you know, I can even see the ways that I was always... I was trying to bridge the gaps with folks who are different because my grandfather moved into the part of town where the only Black folks in the entire county lived.There were two students in my high school who were Black. They were both... We rode on the bus together. I was quite close friends with one person. And it's like growing up in the small little mini minority space I remember trying to make connections with folks and sometimes just like really messing up and not because of that inculturation.I remember one time I wanted to share this story, which I've never shared before. Which I think it... I want to meet you in your vulnerability here because you shared so much in the book. But I remember a friend of mine had a friend over, young Black girl, and she was, I forget her name, but she came over.We were hanging out and getting to know each other. And I remember this thing that I said to her as a... Really, my intention was to try to connect. And I said, sometimes me and my family, we're also called “sand,” and then I used the N word. And this was my— and I said it totally smiling, you know, like really assuming this would bridge some gap between us, and that she would see, like, I'm like her.But the impact that it had was totally the opposite. You know, it's like, it really bothered her. She was crying later. My friends were like, “What the heck is wrong with you? Why did you say that?” And I was like, oh my gosh. And it was just such a rude awakening to the reality of race, and I could see that even as an older adult, you know, asking people where they're from to try to connect, when I appear as white, has this impact of really causing people to feel paranoid or feel like I'm coming at them in a way that's racially biased.You know, where I'm trying to, like, figure out where they're from ‘cause they're not from around here, you know, and stuff like that. And I could see how even being well-intentioned when you're trying to connect across difference, it's very easy to, because of ignorance, to really harm people. And I can see that in the community of white Buddhist practitioners, you know, where a lot of very smart and well-intentioned people, as they engage with this work, like, we struggle to figure out how to do that in a way that's not perpetuating harm on a racial basis.It seems safer to just not talk about it sometimes. And I can see that this is a real problem. Like, it prevents learning and it prevents people from being able to kind of see their own conditioning and kind of acknowledge like, oh, this is really ugly. You know, it's really ugly that I thought it was okay to just, like, use that language and that it wouldn't have that kind of impact.Like, I thought for some reason it was neutral.Rima Vesely-Flad: Yeah. Yeah, that, I think that does speak to what we were just talking about with regards to karma and language and how we are socialized, how we inherit so much, and how even a word that has been weaponized with such vitriol and hatred over centuries in real time is still like a brick at the body.Like, it can land and it's almost... Yeah, I could even feel, like your reference to it, just how it landed, ‘cause it's still such a powerful word, and it does point to the fact that we do exist in conditions of such hatred and violence, that we are landed upon all the time, and we have to figure out, like, how to acknowledge that in ways that don't take us under or, frankly, if this is wanted on all sides, create rupture so that there can't be a way forward to acknowledge the weight of what's taken place.And I think for people who have had that hatred— and again, I'm thinking of both Baldwin and Lorde speaking to this with such clarity and self-empathy. For that hatred to be received over and over, especially in early years, but not exclusively in early years, and to have ways to acknowledge it and to come out of it, I think is something that we are all called to do.And to maybe to, and I say this with real tenderness, ‘cause I am still learning and asking for feedback all the time. With some tenderness to, if you notice that something has been, that some harm has taken place, that something has caused rupture, or if you're told that by other people to go in, not with some sense of defensiveness or a sense of needing to explain yourself, or even needing to clarify your intention, but to come in and to say with real humility, “I'm sorry, and I want to know what this is for you, and it matters to me that your inner being, that your wellbeing is cared for.”That's what matters. And actually, I had a moment a couple of weeks ago, not even quite that long, where I said something quite offensive to a friend of mine, and I noticed. I just— you know, noticed by reading facial expressions, and this is part of our work too, right? To observe. And so I asked, and was able to receive some feedback and to really hear it.And I think something that I struggle with, and I imagine for you, Vince, this is real as well, is we both are parenting young kiddos. You have an 11-year-old, I have a 10-year-old, about to be 11. We are really busy. We're running households, and I think some of what I come up against in my own work is, where is the time to do that inner work of reflecting, processing, synthesizing how we might have created harm, returning to the relationship?Like, where is the time to really do that? And that is something I'm sitting with, is if I have said something or not said something and it has created harm, where is the space to process that? And so this practice of sitting every day, of taking refuge, creating a kind of consistent place to land every day, I think that is some of the work as well, is to have a place where we can receive ourselves and how we are working with that harm that we have imputed upon someone else.And that's a big part of the practice as well for me, is just to create that level of consistency. And to feel into that remorse, to feel into that regret, to feel how it lands with us, and to hope that we might be able to convey that and to be received. And we don't always know. We can put ourselves out there.We may not be received, but just to have that sincerity of approach and to not make it about us, but to really focus on how it has landed for the other person, and then in our own practice to do our work. I think that, for me anyway, has been a way forward. Not that I could write a rule book or some set of instructions. I would not say that. But, you know, I take real guidance from Audre Lorde who said, like, “It's on me to see my heel print on another woman's face.” I have to do my own work even if I do self-identify as someone who has had that level of systemic and interpersonal harm coming at me.I'm also in a place where I can oppress other people. I'm doing real harm for other people. And it's not one or the other. It's not simplistic, but it involves a level, I think, of spiritual and emotional maturity to really see that for ourselves and to be open to whatever has arisen and whatever harm has been done, and then to be accountable, to put ourselves in a position of being accountable to a group or to another person it is really hard work. Really very hard work.Vince Horn: Yeah. Yeah. At the same time, I mean, I can see that's the only way to gain in wisdom is to be able to do that work and then be like, “Oh, yeah, now I know better. You know, I know a little better how to engage or be with folks in a way that's not gonna cause as much harm.It's going to, you know, support others.” So yeah, thank you for talking to me today and for exploring this with us here in the Insight Diaspora. I wanted to mention, too, that you're very generously offering up sort of in-depth content around this for sanghas and other communities and leaders that are kind of interested in bringing this work into their communities.I don't know if you wanted to mention that for those that are listening and might want to reach out to you and explore that.Rima Vesely-Flad: Oh, yes. And I can put... I have a couple of things I want to put in the chat, but I can put my website in, and the bottom of the page are these offerings. Yeah, so—Vince Horn: Please.Rima Vesely-Flad: I have recorded a number of Dharma talks, eight Dharma talks with two practices based on the book. And the hope is that this is a self-guided course, but the hope is that people can both listen and then practice. And the hope is in community that actually that can happen. And still trying to figure out exactly how to essentially package all of that.But at the moment, people can register for a self-guided course and listen to Dharma talks, some of which come from the book and are somewhat expanded, and some of which come from other work I've done. So there's one called The Dharma of James Baldwin and Audre Lorde, and then there are three that will be offered live with a good friend of mine, Rashid Hughes, who has put together a practice he refers to as rest.He is a lovely human. He's done restorative justice work for a long time. He also has a Master of Divinity degree and leads a sangha in DC. And so Rashid will offer practice spaces live, and I will record Dharma talks. The next one is called Buddhism and Black Liberation. That comes from a book I published in 2022.And then there will be one offered in January called The Discipline of Liberation, and I think that's my next project. I'm just starting to get my head around it, but it's informed and guided by the writings of bell hooks.And then there will be one that actually points to exactly what we were just talking about with regards to harm and conflict and how to work with it internally and how to be in community, and I think a lot of us don't have that training, and I'm still someone, even now, who if I receive something in a hard way, I will go to my cushion before I'll go to another person.And maybe that's okay, except if I don't ever get off the cushion and go to that person, that's not okay. So really trying to, this is in real time, also trying to learn, like, how to have these harder conversations and do repair. That's really what I'm pointing to, how to do repair effectively so that there isn't only rupture, but there's a relationship that's sustained. So there will be one self-guided course. It will open in about a month on Tuesday, September 1st, and then three live classes with my friend Rashid, and starting in October, and then in 2027, two classes. And my hope is that we start to create some spaces that are trainings and also collective spaces where we can be guided, especially by, in my case, I'm thinking of Black thinkers, although always in conversation with other lineages, but really wanting to bring the wisdom of Black thinkers to the center of Dharma practice.Vince Horn: Yeah.Rima Vesely-Flad: Palestinian voices as well. I am really invested in that, too. And a friend, Kareem Gandoor, refers to Palestinian dharma, and I think, yes, that really resonates with me.Vince Horn: So yeah, Kareem. I know Kareem. Good stuff. Yeah, I've recently just connected with Mohsen Mawdawi, who is the president of Buddhist Association at Columbia.I think— didn't you do your grad work at Columbia?Rima Vesely-Flad: I did one of those degrees there. Uh-huh. In the same program he was in, yeah.Vince Horn: Uh-huh. Yeah. And it's been so nice to connect with fellow Palestinian Buddhists. All five of us are now connected. So I feel a lot of solidarity with the work that you're doing, and the way that you're centering the wisdom of Black teachers in the Buddhist lineage, bringing that to bear.So thank you so much for that work. I hope you continue doing it for a long time.Rima Vesely-Flad: Well, thank you. It does feel like the right work, and I feel so grateful to be able to do it long term. I mean, that's I think where I'm going here. Actually, being able to work... I'm gonna put my website into the chat.Being able to organize some of these classes is an attempt to make this work more sustainable, in addition to being like it both informs the next project and is an outgrowth of the current project. Get full access to Buddhist Geeks at www.buddhistgeeks.org/subscribe

In this special live panel session recorded at the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium, the three founders of Kalos Services — Bryan Orr, his father Robert (Bob) Orr, and uncle Keith Huntington — sit down together to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary and answer questions from the audience and online attendees. Hosted by Bert, the conversation blends humor, hard-earned wisdom, and surprising candor about what it actually takes to build and sustain a trades business over two decades. From humble beginnings with $100,000 in startup capital to managing multi-million-dollar commercial contracts today, the founders pull back the curtain on the messy, unpredictable, and deeply human reality of entrepreneurship in the skilled trades. A recurring theme throughout the panel is that starting a business requires far more than technical skill — it demands grit, personal support, and an almost stubborn refusal to outspend your income. Bryan shares a raw, memorable story about living in a double-wide trailer with seven kids while Kalos was already nine years old, choosing to improvise a drainage workaround rather than take on debt he couldn't afford. The founders agree that the number-one ingredient for small business survival is grit — the ability to wake up the next morning after a terrible day and take the next step anyway. Robert adds a philosophical note that extreme negative emotions in business are almost never accurate; they pass, and tomorrow tends to look better than the night before suggested it would. One of the most discussed topics in the panel is how to motivate technicians to care about quality — not just revenue targets. Bryan makes a pointed distinction: if you build a compensation system optimized purely for money, you attract people who are only motivated by money. Instead, he advocates building a culture where belonging is tied to quality of work. Practical tools like daily photo-posting of installs in Google Chat, public shout-outs for great work, and peer commentary create an environment where craftspeople hold each other to a standard — not because they're forced to, but because it's who they are. Keith echoes this, emphasizing that most technician frustration stems not from laziness but from unclear systems and expectations set by leadership. When people don't know what's expected, they disengage — and that's a leadership problem, not a people problem. The panel also dives into the nuances of running a family business, with all three founders offering surprisingly candid takes. Keith notes that the key to 20 relatively friction-free years has been that all three founders are "120 degrees different" from each other — their strengths don't overlap, so they rarely fight over territory. Bryan adds that healthy family businesses require the ability to have real conflict for the sake of mission, not just harmony. He also speaks to the importance of organizational structure when family members are involved: his own son Gavin, at 21 years old, works at Kalos but reports through multiple layers of management precisely so Bryan doesn't micromanage him. The session closes with reflections on the riskiest moments in the company's history — and Bryan's honest admission that four weeks prior to the symposium ranked among the most stressful, as large promised contracts delayed in paperwork can shake even an established business to its core. Topics Covered Expanding HVAC services into electrical and plumbing — what technicians can realistically do and when to partner with specialists The real prerequisites for going out on your own: craft knowledge, personal support system, and financial discipline Why grit — not capital or credentials — is the single most important ingredient for small business survival How to attract technicians who genuinely care about quality, not just technicians who chase commissions Using internal tools like Google Chat to reinforce a culture of craftsmanship and peer accountability The danger of building systems that look great on paper but don't survive contact with real-world field conditions Advice on contractor mentoring programs — how to absorb outside coaching without losing your own identity and standards Lessons from running a family business: complementary roles, honest conflict, and the importance of organizational separation How Kalos Services grew from $100,000 in startup capital to a multi-trade general contractor over 20 years The role of visionary vs. operator personalities in a founding team, and why both are essential The founders' biggest career mistakes — including owning full responsibility for a six-figure grocery store power outage Why private equity growth models don't translate to owner-operated trades businesses Hiring to fill your weaknesses: from permitting to office management, delegating what you hate frees you to lead Recommended training resources: HVAC School, Ty Craig / Skill Cat, Ruth King, ESCO, and Dirk Nauman Why the riskiest stage of business is never behind you — it scales with the size of your contracts   Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with financial expert Ruth King, Founder and CEO of Financially Fit Business and CEO of Business Ventures Corporation to discuss how contractors can build sustainable profitability by focusing on the right financial metrics. Rather than obsessing over traditional profit margins, Ruth explains why net profit per billable hour is the metric that truly matters and how contractors can calculate it to price their services correctly. The conversation explores pricing strategies, managing overhead while scaling, and the financial habits that help businesses grow without losing profitability. Ruth King is a well-known financial expert and business coach specializing in helping contractors understand and improve their financial performance. With nearly four decades of experience analyzing small business financial statements, Ruth has helped thousands of contractors learn how to interpret their numbers and build profitable companies. Ruth is also the author of The Courage to Be Profitable.   Expect to Learn - Why net profit per billable hour matters more than traditional profit margins - How contractors can calculate overhead cost per hour using their financial statements - The financial challenges contractors face when scaling from one truck to multiple crews - Key balance sheet ratios that indicate healthy business growth - The three financial habits every new contractor should adopt immediately   Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00:00] – Introduction [00:01:34] – Why Profit Margins Can Be Misleading [00:03:45] – Calculating Overhead Cost Per Hour [00:06:14] – Managing Overhead While Scaling [00:09:26] – Financial Health Metrics for Growing Companies [00:11:21] – Financial Tools and Technology in Contracting [00:15:11] – Three Financial Habits for New Contractors. [00:18:37] – Closing Thoughts   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: PartsTown: https://www.partstown.com/hvac-parts   Follow our Guest Ruth King: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/ Ruth's Website: https://ruthkinghvac.com/ Company Website: https://financiallyfit.business/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financially-fit-business/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Financially-Fit-Business/100090849001161/   Follow Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Follow Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/   

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with financial expert Ruth King, Founder and CEO of Financially Fit Business and CEO of Business Ventures Corporation. They talk about the importance of understanding your finances as a contractor, especially when you're starting to scale your business. Ruth King is a seasoned business advisor who specializes in helping contractors get their finances in order. With years of experience working with contractors, Ruth has invaluable insights on how to manage cash flow, profitability, and how to structure your books for long-term success.   Expect to Learn: - The key differences between accrual and cash basis accounting, and why accrual is critical for contractors. - How to set up clean books and the importance of having the right bookkeeper. - Why it's essential to separate service and install divisions on your P&L as you scale. - How to handle deferred income from maintenance contracts for proper financial reporting. - Tips for managing cash flow, avoiding the common "cash-flow trap" that many contractors face. - Why paying yourself a salary as an employee is a smarter choice than an owner's draw for growing your business. - Key financial ratios, like working capital, and how to use them to assess the health of your business.   Episode Breakdown with Timestamps 00:00  – Introduction 01:32 – First things Ruth looks for in a contractor's financials 03:22 – Clean books: What does it mean for a contractor? 04:22 – Evaluating a good bookkeeper 05:41 – Upfront billing for maintenance contracts 07:22 – Avoiding "trash in, trash out" in bookkeeping 08:44 – Integrating CRM with QuickBooks 10:19 – Departmentalizing your P&L 11:38 – Owner's draw vs. paying yourself a salary 12:48 – The importance of paying yourself as an employee 14:27 – Key numbers to track on your P&L 15:43 – How to calculate working capital 17:35 – Cash Flow vs. Profitability   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: PartsTown: https://www.partstown.com/hvac-parts   Follow our Guest Ruth King: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/ Ruth's Website: https://ruthkinghvac.com/ Company Website: https://financiallyfit.business/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financially-fit-business/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Financially-Fit-Business/100090849001161/   Follow Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Follow Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/   

Join us (Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek) as we dig into the concept of GOMO, the Guarantee of Missing Out, as a more empowering alternative to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and FOBO (Fear of Being Over). We'll talk about how making choices inherently involves letting go of other possibilities, which, though initially daunting, can lead to a sense of freedom and relief. We'll lean on insights from Oliver Burkeman's 'Four Thousand Weeks' and Barry Schwartz's 'Paradox of Choice,' as we explore some practical strategies to navigate the overwhelming array of choices in modern life and the art of letting go to make space for what you're most connected to.    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Joy Lab Episode about FOBO. Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Series on authenticity from our Joy Lab podcast: Unmasking Your True Self: Exploring Authenticity and Awe [ep. 216] Embrace Your True Self: Accepted, Connected, & In The Game [ep. 217] The Road Most Travelled: Awakening Through Suffering [ep. 218]  Follow Your Bliss: Awakening to Joy [ep. 219] The Still Small Voice: Awakening with soulfulness [ep. 220] Farivar, S., Wang, F., & Turel, O. (2022). Followers' problematic engagement with influencers on social media: An attachment theory perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 133. Access here.  Ruth King's website.   Full transcript here.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Reflecting on Ruth King's framing of the Three Characteristics, Mary discusses this wonderful perspective on meeting the world. We can make everything so personal and chase perfection or permanence, but to do so only leads to dissatisfaction. Learning to let go of our shoulds and have to's leads to freedom in each moment.Recorded July 5, 2025 in the virtual worldSend me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks.Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.

In this talk from the Awareness in Action series, Ruth King examines racism as “a heart disease that is curable,” exploring through a Buddhist lens how racial conditioning shapes our identities and […]

In this eye-opening episode of Authors On Mission, host Danielle Hutchinson sits down with Ruth King, renowned business consultant, 6-time author, and self-proclaimed "Dutch Aunt" who's been helping businesses thrive since 1981.Ruth shares why 95% of businesses fail within 5 years (hint: it's about the numbers), her unique approach to writing books consistently, and how she's leveraging AI to revolutionize financial analysis for business owners.Listen for practical tips including:How dedicating just 15 minutes daily to writing can lead to publishing successWhy personal stories are essential for effective non-fiction booksThe importance of monthly financial reviews for business sustainabilityHow to reframe failures as valuable learning opportunitiesWhether you're an entrepreneur looking to build a financially fit business or an aspiring author with a message to share, Ruth's direct, no-nonsense advice will help you chart a path to success!#BusinessAdvice #AuthorJourney #FinancialLiteracy #AuthorsOnMission

Welcome to the Service Business Mastery Podcast! Visit our website for more episodes and insights! www.servicebusinessmastery.com In this insightful episode, hosts Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch are joined by financial expert Ruth King to tackle one of the most pressing challenges for contractors: mastering the financial side of their business. Ruth, an accomplished author, speaker, and advisor, shares practical strategies to improve profitability, manage overhead, and avoid common mistakes that can cost your business dearly. If you've ever struggled to understand your finances or wondered how to make your business more profitable, this episode is for you. Ruth provides clear, actionable advice that you can implement immediately to start seeing results. She also provides a two-day, on-site training program “Building Profit and Wealth School”.    Register Now: https://keap.page/rk139/building-profit-and-wealth.html   In this episode, here's what you can expect to learn:  Why billable hours are the cornerstone of revenue generation for contractors. How to avoid the most common financial mistakes that could cost your business thousands. The role of inventory management in boosting business valuation and ensuring accurate financial reporting. Practical tips for calculating overhead costs and net profit per billable hour. How to design a maintenance program that is profitable and sustainable.   If you enjoy the episode, please don't hesitate to leave us a review (5 stars preferably

For episode 254, we are continuing the Fireside Chat Series on the Metta Hour with guest Ruth King.This series features intimate conversations with longtime dharma teachers about the early days of their practice and the most impactful moments with their own teachers. Hosted by IMS Online, the sixth episode in this series. Ruth King is the Founder of Mindful of Race Institute, LLC, and is a celebrated author, educator, and meditation teacher. She teaches mindfulness meditation retreats worldwide and develops meditation practitioners at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, and the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. Ruth is the author of several publications including her most recent, Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism From The Inside Out.In this conversation, Ruth and Sharon discuss:Ruth's first invitation to meditationFirst hearing Jack Kornfield teachThe deep calling to teachInitial misconceptions about meditationRam Dass giving Joseph Goldstein his first teaching jobSharon's first teaching retreatRuth's first teaching in the DC areaRuth's life as a writerArtistry and mindfulnessRuth's BIPOC teaching & online academyThe season of eldership The process of downsizing and movingLetting go versus not holding onNothing is permanent, perfect, or personalThis episode closes with a guided meditation by Ruth.You can learn more about Ruth's work right here and get a copy of Mindful of Race right here. Learn more about IMS Online right here. Listen to Ruth's first episode on the Metta Hour from 2018, Episode 87, right here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do you turn decades of expertise into a scalable thought leadership business? Ruth King, known as the Profit & Wealth Guru, shares her journey from one-on-one financial coaching to becoming a best-selling author and AI innovator. She began by helping small businesses demystify their financial statements, but quickly realized her reach was limited. Writing books became the answer. Her first book, "The Ugly Truth about Small Business: 50 (Never-Saw-It-Coming) Things That Can Go Wrong...and What You Can Do about It," featured lessons from 50 entrepreneurs, offering readers practical insights into navigating difficult challenges.. It struck a chord, leading to a series of books that continue to impact readers globally. Publishing was just the start. Ruth took her ideas to a wider audience by leveraging TV, radio, newsletters, and now podcasts. Weekly newsletters since the '90s have built her credibility, while speaking engagements and media appearances have kept her message evergreen. Her approach is simple: stories over statistics. Sharing real-life examples from her clients makes complex financial principles relatable and memorable, ensuring her audience stays engaged. As technology advanced, Ruth embraced AI to scale her impact. Recognizing its potential during a Mastermind session, she and her team developed a groundbreaking AI tool to simplify and analyze messy small business balance sheets. Rooted in her decades of expertise, this tool standardizes processes and delivers insights at scale—no Zoom required. It's a game-changer for small businesses seeking clarity and growth. Ruth's next move is clear: scale the AI solution by partnering with professionals who serve small businesses. Accountants, CPAs, and referral partners are already helping bring her vision to life. For Ruth, it's not just about the numbers; it's about empowering entrepreneurs to grow profitably, build wealth, and create lasting success. Three Key Takeaways: • Stories Simplify Complexity: Ruth King's success lies in using real-life client stories to make financial principles accessible and memorable, demonstrating the power of storytelling in thought leadership. • Scaling Expertise Through AI: By embedding her decades of knowledge into an AI tool, Ruth has transformed her expertise into a scalable solution that helps small businesses make sense of their financials without needing her direct involvement. • Long-Term PR is Essential: Thought leadership isn't a one-and-done effort. Ruth's ongoing use of newsletters, speaking engagements, and media appearances ensures her message remains relevant and her audience continues to grow. Ruth understands that to have maximum impact you have to be able to go to scale.  If you want to learn more about "Scaling You" check out this video by Leveraging Thought Leadership CEO Peter Winick.

Ever feel stuck in a financial rut? This week's guest, Ruth King, knows that struggle intimately. In this episode of Money Tales, Ruth opens up about how desperation to escape being broke only made things worse—the more she focused on not being broke, the more it consumed her. But everything changed when Ruth started writing 25 affirmations every morning. By shifting her mindset though these daily mantras toward success, and away from fear, Ruth began to see her financial reality transform. Ruth is well known as the “Profit and Wealth Guru.” She has a passion for helping businesses get and stay profitable utilizing the latest systems, processes and technology. Ruth holds an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University and Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Ruth started the Decatur, Georgia branch of the Small Business Development Center in 1982.  She also started the Women's Entrepreneurial Center and taught a year-long course for women who wanted to start their own businesses.  This course was the foundation for one of the classes at the Women's Economic Development Authority in Atlanta, Georgia. More recently Ruth was the instructor for ICE, the Inner City Entrepreneur program in conjunction with the Small Business Administration. This 16-week course taught business owners with at least $400,000 in revenues (and many had over $1,000,000 in revenues) how to grow to the next level. A large part of the curriculum was aimed at improving the financial knowledge of the business owners enrolled in the course. Her latest book, 101 Dumb Financial Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them, joins 5 other award winning books: The Courage to be Profitable, Profit or Wealth?, The Ugly Truth about Cash and The Ugly Truth about Managing People. Ruth has also been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal Radio Network, the Big Biz Show, and many regional and local radio programs. She has appeared on MSNBC's It's Your Money program, Fox San Diego, and many other local television stations. Ruth has spoken internationally on financial topics for Kohler, Carrier Corporation, Safeguard (division of Deluxe), and many other corporations and national, state and local associations.

“The job of a good embezzler is to become the trusted bookkeeper.” -Ruth King The pace of change is exponential, and keeping up with all the new technologies is a real challenge. But it doesn't have to be that way. We don't have to chase every new invention; we need only to find the tools that make doing business for ourselves and our clients a little bit easier. The desire to keep up can lead us into all kinds of online traps. Theft is already a fact of life in business. If we aren't paying attention, people will try to get away with anything they can. The same is true for AI and other tools. If you aren't 100% confident in the tools you are using, perhaps it's time to slow down and get sure. Trust but verify, not only your people but your tools too. It can be easy to pass off tasks to others, but if we let the pressure of keeping up force us to shift more information out of our eyeline, we can't be surprised when that trust is taken advantage of.  Ruth King, who is a business advisor and author, is this week's featured guest. She has spent her career helping businesses get and stay profitable, by showing them how to leverage the best tools and processes for the task at hand. In this episode, Ruth and Michael discuss the importance of managing small problems before they get out of hand, protecting yourself and your business from theft, and what it means to have a financially fit business.   If you are struggling to get a grip on the latest tech, need to delegate but are concerned about who and what to trust, or just want to learn more about creating a financially fit business, then this is the episode to get you putting trust in the one place it matters most: yourself. During this interview, you'll learn... What theft looks like in the modern age & how to stop it How to create a successful & financially fit business The importance of managing the little things so they don't get out of hand To find out more about Ruth, click here. Connect with Ruth on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Financially Fit Business.  Time Stamps 01:26 - Ruth discusses her career journey  03:36 - Fixing problems before they become a crisis 05:30 - Discovering AI 07:42 - Pay attention or face the consequences 12:29 - Be careful what you sign  16:45 - Making a difference  21:39 - Key elements of growth 23:24 - 14 Critical Trend Analysis 26:24 - Financial Fit Business     34:25 - Learning more about Ruth

"Serve The Truth" is a Dharma Talk and Meditation on the three marks of Existence. Drawing inspiration everywhere from Ruth King to Panic, an of course The Buddha this talk aims to make the use of these marks more useful and relatable in your life. Enjoy!

Thomas is joined by celebrated author, educator, and meditation teacher, Ruth King. They explore the profound responsibilities and perspectives that come with eldership and the importance of presence in guiding others. Ruth shares her wisdom on racial healing, the power of community, and the role of artistry as cultural medicine. She and Thomas explore the healing potential of mindful communication and the value of embracing impermanence to alleviate suffering. Ruth also shares reflections on integrating Buddhist Dharma teachings into social contexts and how words can heal when used with conscious intention.   ✨ Sign up for updates by visiting our website:

This week, Ruth King offers a guided meditation practice from her heart to yours. Ruth King, a teacher, author, and founder of the Mindful of Race Institute, invites us to savor stillness and feel deeply into the ways our lives are interconnected. Imagine the gentle rustling of leaves as a reminder that we are part of a greater whole, each leaf connected to the same tree. This meditation encourages us to recognize our deep connections to one another, much like those leaves, each contributing to the vitality of the tree. As we explore this practice, we are reminded of our shared humanity and of the profound truth that we belong to each other. Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.   Show Notes Find more from Ruth King here: Ruth King on Mindful.org Ruth King's Website And more from Mindful here: More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation   Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.  

This week, Ruth King offers a guided meditation practice from her heart to yours. Ruth King, a teacher, author, and founder of the Mindful of Race Institute, invites us to savor stillness and feel deeply into the ways our lives are interconnected. Imagine the gentle rustling of leaves as a reminder that we are part of a greater whole, each leaf connected to the same tree. This meditation encourages us to recognize our deep connections to one another, much like those leaves, each contributing to the vitality of the tree. As we explore this practice, we are reminded of our shared humanity and of the profound truth that we belong to each other. Stay curious, stay inspired. Join our community by signing up for our free newsletter, where we share compelling insights and actionable ideas to enrich your everyday life. Connect with us at mindful.org/signup.   Show Notes Find more from Ruth King here: Ruth King on Mindful.org Ruth King's Website And more from Mindful here: More episodes of 12 Minute Meditation   Let us know what you thought of this episode of 12 Minute Meditation by leaving a review or by emailing yourwords@mindful.org.  

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

Ruth King, otherwise known as the “Profit and Wealth Guru,” joins us for this episode. She is passionate about helping small business owners get profitable and stay profitable. Today, we will learn how Ruth helps contractors take their businesses to the next level. 

BlueCollar.CEO –Ruth King is a profit and wealth guru, passionate about providing resources for contractors to establish their businesses, build their wealth, and give back to their communities. She helped two partners that were generating $750,000 grow to break $10 million — later sold for $9 million in cash. Ruth's resources, including the Profitability Revolution Paradigm and her award-winning books, allow her to help businesses reach their full potential. In this episode, Ryan and Ruth discuss the three places in your financial statement where you can look for instant profitability.Blue Collar CEO is a podcast that is all about helping you build a better, more profitable, more sustainable & kick-ass home service business. Join Levergy® CEO Ryan Redding each week who will be joined by industry experts who will break down their success stories and give their best-kept secrets for industry domination. You do not want to miss it! Learn more at https://www.bluecollar.ceo/, or https://www.levergy.io.

Episode 50 - How Small Businesses Can Get Profitable and Stay Profitable with Ruth King, a self-professed profitability master for small businesses, founder and CEO of Business Ventures Corporation. Disclaimer: Please note that all information and content on the UK Health Radio Network, all its radio broadcasts and podcasts are provided by the authors, producers, presenters and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. As a service to our listeners/readers our programs/content are for general information and entertainment only.  The UK Health Radio Network does not recommend, endorse, or object to the views, products or topics expressed or discussed by show hosts or their guests, authors and interviewees.  We suggest you always consult with your own professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advisor. So please do not delay or disregard any professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advice received due to something you have heard or read on the UK Health Radio Network.

In the heat of day-to-day operations, it's common for contractors to put financial management on the back burner. However, neglecting the books can have far-reaching consequences beyond dollars and cents. In this episode, Ruth King, well known as the “Profit and Wealth Guru”, joins Khalil and Martin to discuss profitability and the role of accurate and timely bookkeeping in making informed business decisions.Time Stamps 01:38 - Luca Pacioli & Bookkeeping 04:26 - The Role of Bookkeeping to Contractors 07:44 - Ruth's Entrepreneurial Journey and Business Ventures 10:21 - The Role of Bookkeeping in Detecting Fraud 15:12 - Revenue Generation 15:38 - The Importance of Billable Hours in Construction 18:08 - Calculating Billable Hours 25:14 - Warning Signs of a Cash Flow Crunch 27:45 - Challenges in Managing Inventory & Deposits 31:21 - Understanding Deposits and Inventory Management 35:23 - The Importance of Hiring Qualified Bookkeepers 37:12 - How to Get Out of a Cash Flow Crunch 39:37 - The Financially Fit Business 40:40 - Signs of Financial Statement Inaccuracies 42:03 - Using Software in Financial Management 46:41 - The Foundational Role of Books 50:28 - More from Ruth King 52:17 - Outro Quotable Moments from the Show "In our industry, in construction, we generate revenue through billable hours. If you do not have a billable hour, you don't have revenue." - Ruth King "Decreasing current ratio should be the greatest warning sign to you that there is a problem with productivity. There's a problem with profitability. Figure it out or get help. One of the two." - Ruth King "It's [Bookkeeping] actually easier to do than all the technical stuff you learned. Period. It's just we weren't trained in it. We weren't taught it. We didn't take it in school." - Ruth King "I've been in business for 50 years now and I have never seen a business thrive without books. Ever." - Martin Holland Ready to take your contracting business to the next level? Subscribe to The Cashflow Contractor today and get instant access to the FREE Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Contractors!Don't miss out on essential insights, tips, and strategies to boost your profits and streamline your operations. Subscribe now and download your exclusive guide to securing more clients and maximizing your earnings.Resources AIPB Bookkeeping Hiring Test Need Marketing Help? We Recommend Benali Need Help with podcast production? We recommend Demandcast More from Ruth King Ruth King's Website Financially Fit Business Program  Email Ruth King Contractor Cents Podcast More from Martin theprofitproblem.com annealbc.com    Email Martin Meet With Martin LinkedIn Facebook Instagram More from Khalil benali.com  Email Khalil Meet With Khalil LinkedIn Facebook Instagram More from The Cashflow Contractor Subscribe to our YouTube channel Follow On Social: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X(formerly Twitter) Visit our website Email The Cashflow Contractor

Have you ever wondered if having a passion and knack for using tools automatically makes you a top-notch business owner? We're taking a realistic look at the world of entrepreneurship, where having the right tools is just the beginning. If the 9-to-5 grind has got you daydreaming about being your own boss, then grab your headphones, because we're about to unpack some game-changing insights with The Profitability Master, Ruth King!

DescriptionDr. Jennifer Mullan, founder of Decolonizing Therapy, wrote the book, "Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma & Politicizing Your Practice,”. Dr. Mullan, lovingly called “The Rage Doctor”, is also an organizational consultant, teacher, course creator, community builder, and decolonized mental health movement starter. She has been featured in Allure, GQ, The Today Show, Cosmopolitan, and The Calgary Journal. She received ESSENCE magazine's 2020 Essential Hero Award in the category of Mental Health. What You Will Hear:Dr. Mullan's childhood and adolescencePivotal moment Development of her new bookConnection to lineageUnraveling the cultural and collective nooseDecolonizing therapyMental HealthReclamation of the pastCultural limitationsRageQuotes:“Living in the Bay Area and doing some really deep inner work on myself and doing rage work with Ruth King and others allowed me to reframe and restructure how I allowed whiteness to see me and how I allowed that gaze or that view to impact me and my spirit.”“For too long the goal of therapy has been to help people adapt to oppression and cope with ongoing trauma of colonial, capitalis and white supremasists.”“That gatekeeping, even into the ivory tower, is real.” “Decolonizing Therapy is really supposed to be a resource for a lot of therapeutic classrooms.”“Me and rage have a love affair.”“Rage, I believe, is the love child of ancestral trauma and all different types of trauma, shame, and the kind of grief we're not allowed to talk about, that disenfranchised, suffocated grief.”“It is important for us to try to build new ways of coping in our bodies and our systems in ways that help us ground ourselves.”MentionedDecolonizingtherapy.comInstagramLinkedInFacebookDr. Tasha BorchellMaria Yellowhorse BraveheartI AM Music Group

Ruth King is a renowned business coach and consultant who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners increase their profits and cash flow. She is the author of several books, including "The Profitability Master", which reveals the secrets of creating a profitable business in any industry. Ruth has over 40 years of experience helping small businesses profit and understand the importance of their finances, accounting, and operations. Ruth is extremely passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise with others. She offers online courses, coaching programs, and live events to help her clients achieve their goals and dreams. Ruth explains why it is crucial to understand the balance sheet as a business owner. Did you know that you can grow yourself out of business?  Resources Shared: Ruth King, Author, Consultant and Entrepreneur (ruthkinghvac.com)profitorwealth.com | Ruth King's Latest Book Profit or Wealth?Ruth King | LinkedInThryv

Welcome to 1978! The year of Garfield, Van Halen, Lego, and a murder mobile named "Christine. In this episode humor meets horror as Elton embarks on a comedic journey through the pages of Stephen King's iconic novel, 'Christine.' Buckle up for a rollercoaster of killer laughs, and deadly driving as he explores the eerie world of a possessed car with a wicked sense of humor. Good. God...with the puns. Discover Elton's unique take on the classic thriller, as he delves into a devilish story with a touch of dark absurdity laced witty commentary, hilarious anecdotes, and side-splitting insights. Whether you're a die-hard Stephen King fan or just looking for a good laugh, this episode promises entertainment, factoids and that are equal parts spooky and hilarious. Tune in and get ready to laugh your way through the supernatural twists and turns of 'Christine'! GET THE BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/3rabgAD BECOME AN Elton Reads A Book A Week CONTRIBUTOR HERE: https://www.patreon.com/eltonreadsabookaweek https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elton-reads-a-book-a-week SOCIALS: https://linktr.ee/EltonReadsABookAWeek EMAIL: eltonreadsabookaweek@gmail.com SOURCES: Stephen King has spent half a century scaring us, but his legacy is so much more than horror Stephen King: his childhood, his family, what scares him Stephen King - The Author Stephen King revealed the one thing that scares him more than anything else The Tough Childhood In Stephen King's The Shining Stephen King, The Art of Fiction No. 189 INTERVIEW WITH STEPHEN KING ONCHRISTINE THE TRAGIC REAL-LIFE STORY OF STEPHEN KING Stephen King Wiki : Christine Stephen King Biography 75 Facts About Stephen King ...apparently taken from a Cinefantastique article in the Feb 91 issue. Rereading Stephen King: week 15 – Christine APOLOGIES SECTION: Elton would like to apologize to the following people, places and things: Stephen King, Ruth King, David King, People that are gray flannels, and people that are regular flannels (may war never find you). Also, Portland, Maine, V8, Hawaiian Punch, grandmothers, and cheese. A special thanks to Jenna Fischer and Diedrich Bader --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elton-reads-a-book-a-week/message

Ruth King/Financially Fit Business Ruth King is the founder of Financially Fit Business. Since 1987, Ruth and her team have been analyzing financial statements and giving business owners the tools/processes to get and stay profitable and build wealth. Her clients have grown profitably and achieved their business and personal goals. Financially Fit gives business owners […]

Ruth King/Financially Fit Business Ruth King is the founder of Financially Fit Business. Since 1987, Ruth and her team have been analyzing financial statements and giving business owners the tools/processes to get and stay profitable and build wealth. Her clients have grown profitably and achieved their business and personal goals. Financially Fit gives business owners […] The post Ruth King with Financially Fit Business and Chip Smith with Chip Smith Performance Systems appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

Using this wisdom from Ruth King as a framework, Mary looks back at 15 years of teaching and her experience with impermanence, imperfection and things not being all about her. It's been a journey of integrating the teachings and finding a foundation in the dharma leading to freedom.Recorded August 26, 2023 in the virtual worldVisit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.

In this engaging conversation, Steve Miller, aka Kelly's Dad and Marketing Gunslinger, sits down with Ruth King, a renowned profit and wealth guru. Ruth, who has an MBA in finance from Georgia State University, is passionate about helping businesses become profitable. The duo delves into the importance of understanding a business's financials, emphasizing not just making money but also retaining it. They discuss the significance of pricing, marketing expenses, and the competitive advantage in the market. The conversation touches upon the concept of "uncopyable financials" and the value of long-term customer relationships. Ruth shares insights from her experiences, including a notable business partnership where she assisted a company in boosting their sales, eventually leading to a $9 million sale. Steve and Ruth also explore the importance of productivity in business and the need to keep costs low to compete effectively. Contact Ruth:www.ruthking.infohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1=============Follow Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidloomis/Get Dave's book: Marketing Is Everything We DoInterested in learning how Voice of the Customer can grow your business? Contact Dave: dave@loomismarketing.com=============Follow Steve:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveamiller/Get Steve's bestselling book: Uncopyable: How to Create an Unfair Advantage Over Your CompetitionWant to learn how to generate more business without spending a ton of moolah, and separate yourself from the competition? Steve's online presentations and consulting will make you UNCOPYABLE! Contact him: stevem@beuncopyable.com

In this new series, I get to interview high-level experts in the Construction Industry for some free consultations and advice for you. Our first guest is Profit and Wealth Guru, Ruth King, who shares her insights on the importance of Profitabilty and reveals the one thing that Construction Businesses must focus on to increase their Profitability. Don't miss this! You can visit this link to learn more about Ruth King and her expertise: ruthking.info Construction Companies doing $5M+, watch this FREE Case Study on how Quantum has helped 8 Construction Companies sign lower risk contracts and boost cashflow & margin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quantumcs.co/casestudy-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If your business is making less than $5M, YOU are why I make all my materials FREE. Get more FREE Training & goodies here: https://constructionsecrets.io Timestamps: (3:07) - If you're going to grow your top line, you should grow your bottom line or keep your top line the same and grow your bottom line (6:59) - What I suggest that all contractors do is they save 1% of every dollar that comes in the door, period, no matter what (7:54) - A lot of times the retainage is the profit (11:52) - It's much better to get a smaller job and keep working and keep your overhead paid than sitting there complaining about we have no work (17:52) - The first thing that I look at is what is their billable hour percentage (19:38) - If there was one thing that you would say for construction companies to do, you were saying if all of these construction companies just focused on this one thing to increase their profitability, what would that one thing be? DISCLAIMER: The content of this podcast does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice, and can not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any matters you or your business may have. Follow our Socials and let's get connected! ⤵️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter

In the world of business, there are few experts who possess the knowledge and experience to truly transform struggling enterprises into thriving success stories. Our guest today, Ruth King, the esteemed president of Business Ventures Corporation, is one such individual who has dedicated nearly four decades to helping businesses flourish. Known as "The Profitability Master," Ruth has become a beacon of wisdom for fledgling startups and established companies alike.In 2002, she launched her own television-like broadcasting channel, pioneering a unique platform for delivering business insights and strategies. By combining her vast expertise with the engaging power of visual media, she revolutionized how entrepreneurs could access valuable information and guidance.Amidst her remarkable accomplishments, Ruth is also an acclaimed author. Her #1 bestselling book, "Profit or Wealth? Simple Rules for Sustainable Business Growth," has become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complex terrain of profitability and long-term success.It is with great anticipation that we welcome Ruth King as our esteemed guest on Growgetters. She shares her invaluable insights, anecdotes, and strategies that have propelled countless businesses to new heights. Join us as we delve into the mind of "The Profitability Master" and uncover the secrets to sustainable business growth.Head over to growgetters.io for full show notes!Ready for some cracking growth hacks direct to your inbox? Sign up for our weekly GrowGetters Growth Hacks Newsletter, which is jam-packed with tools, methods, and models to help you grow and scale your business.

Ruth King - the Wealth-Building Chemical Engineer Ruth King helps businesses stay profitable and build wealth. I'm curious to find out how she does that. I'm also interested to find out how someone who studied Chemical Engineering got into this field. Doesn't seem like a straight line. She's also an author; what are her books about? She seems to do a lot of things that aren't typical, so let's just get into it. To get in touch with Ruth, visit http://ruthking.info. __ TEACH THE GEEK (teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube Follow @teachthegeek (Twitter) and @_teachthegeek_ (IG) Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips.

Join us as we explore the critical factors that can make or break your business. Discover why Pre-Payment and Contract Negotiation are essential for achieving long-term success in your Construction Business.

How do we pivot from a past experience of deliverance to forming a community practicing sustained love and liberation? On the weekend of Juneteenth, Christopher Mack recalls the evolution of slavery to Jim Crow segregation to mass incarceration in the United States. How do our scriptures' images of liberating eagles, nonviolent sheep, creative serpents, and peacemaking doves inform how we form community?  [Matthew 10:16; Exodus 4-6]   Reflection  How might you listen more clearly to your life? What would it look like to allow Christ to lament alongside you? Where might you show up in solidarity with your community this week? Resources Raise Up by Hank Willis Thomas Museum: The Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice by the Equal Justice Initiative Instagram Post: “How do we talk with our kids about life with Jesus if we don't say obey?" By Meredith Miller Art: The Cotton Bowl by Hank Willis Thomas Art: ALL LI ES MATTER by Hank Willis Thomas Book: Mindful of Race: Transforming Race from the Inside Out by Ruth King

Your host Shyra DeJuan has an amazing and informative interview with the owner of Modern Meditation in the Houston, TX area. Listeners, we are champions for life changes. If you are ready to practice meditation and the Art of Kintsugi with Meditation Practitioner Simone Stewart, use the links below! She travels to many different locations! She is available even if you are not in the Houston area!  You can book individual, group or corporate!  Click on the Modern Meditation website link and schedule!  You can also book The Art of Kintsugi from Air B&B app as an Air B&B Experience or from the Eventbrite App. Modern Meditation Website Linkthemeditationspot.com Modern Meditation Instagram Link: https://instagram.com/modernmeditation_lwl?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Modern Meditation Phone713-804-4768 Donate & Support Mind Elevation Health and Wealth Podcast. Donate $1 or more or leave a 5 Star Review and rating! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/79wdgzhfdwpSupport the showDonate and Support Link: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/79wdgzhfdwp

Episode Highlights: How to make business owners get started with their profitability numbers, Tips for marketing a business (especially for non-online businesses), How to automate your email marketing, How to get potential clients to respond to your communication, How to budget the finances of your business (How to determine the budget killers in your business), How to determine the right KPI that will increase the productivity of your employees, Basic rules for firing an employee... The post Actionable Steps to be Profitable even in this Economy with Ruth King appeared first on Eventual Millionaire.

Episode Highlights: How to make business owners get started with their profitability numbers, Tips for marketing a business (especially for non-online businesses), How to automate your email marketing, How to get potential clients to respond to your communication, How to budget the finances of your business (How to determine the budget killers in your business), How to determine the right KPI that will increase the productivity of your employees, Basic rules for firing an employee... https://eventualmillionaire.com/a-guide-to-business-acquisition-with-hayden-miyamoto Thank you so much for listening!

When Ruth King and friend set out to find other female technicians in the HVACR industry in 2002, they only found a single Canadian technician. But this discovery was only the beginning of an inspiring journey for Ruth and her organization, Women in HVACR. Through scholarships, mentorship, and ambassador initiatives, they have broken down barriers and given countless women the opportunity to pursue a career in the industry - and they're not done yet. Who knows what unexpected success this organization could achieve next? Women in HVACR started in 2002 with just 10 members, but after 20 years of tireless effort, the organization has grown to over 900 members. Their hard work has paid off, as they have received recognition and funded scholarships for women pursuing a career in HVACR. However, a shocking moment has left the protagonist questioning whether they can continue to make a difference in an industry still plagued by outdated attitudes. What the future holds for Women in HVACR is uncertain, but they remain committed to driving progress and promoting opportunities for women in the industry. If you're feeling frustrated, helpless, and discouraged after taking steps like attending professional conferences, joining industry groups, and networking without seeing any progress toward increased support and opportunities for women in the HVACR industry, then you are not alone! On this episode of the Service Business Mastery podcast, hosts Tersh Blissett and Joshua Crouch interviewed Ruth King, a renowned author in business, leadership, and personal growth. The discussion covered a wide range of topics related to managing a successful and profitable business, including marketing, pricing, and human resources. As the recipient of the Flame of Spirit award, Ruth King shared invaluable insights on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, which could be beneficial to anyone looking to make a positive impact in the HVACR industry. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the possibilities and backing for women in the HVACR arena. Learn from Ruth King's unwavering determination in a predominantly male industry. Explore financial aid opportunities for budding female HVACR experts.  Uncover the advantages of a well-rounded and inclusive work environment. Delve into the significance of male advocates fostering gender parity in HVACR. Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Visit the Women in HVACR website at womeninhvacr.org to learn more about the organization, its programs, and how to get involved. Join the Women in HVACR Facebook group for networking, mentorship, and support from other women in the industry. If you're a woman in the HVACR industry or interested in joining, consider attending the annual Women in HVACR conference for valuable insights, networking opportunities, and professional development. This episode is kindly sponsored by Sera (visit their website) CompanyCam (visit their website), and UpFrog (visit their website). Visit www.companycam.com/SBM and use code SBM for a free 2-week trial, 1:1 training and account setup, and 50% off your first two months! Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group Meet the Hosts: Tersh Blissett is a serial entrepreneur who has created and scaled multiple profitable home service businesses in his small town market. He's dedicated to giving back to the industry that has provided so much for him and his family. Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Joshua Crouch has been in the home services industry, specifically HVAC, for 8+ years as an Operations Manager, Branch Manager, Territory Sales Manager and Director of Marketing. He's also the Founder of Relentless Digital, where their focus is dominating your local market online. Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Meet the Guest: Ruth King, CEO of Business Ventures Corporation Ruth King is a renowned business expert whose mission is to impact the lives and businesses of entrepreneurs. With over two decades of experience, she has helped countless business owners achieve their goals through a range of tools and processes that focus on staying profitable. She runs the Profitability Revolution Paradigm, the first internet TV network for small businesses. Her operations manuals are widely recognized for their effectiveness in helping plumbing, HVAC, and other contracting companies grow and sustain profitable businesses.With a focus on solving business problems and staying profitable, she continues to be a leader in the industry. LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/     Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.     Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast player.  

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

In this episode Jill, Laiya, and Aja talk to Ruth King about rage: what to do with it, how to use it, and how to transform it. For more resources from Ruth check out the links below. Website: https://ruthking.net/ Free Webinar: Let's Talk About Race: What to do with emotional distressRage Study Course:  Healing Rage: Guidance that educates the heart and transforms the mind. Publications: publications See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SEGMENT‌ ‌1 with Ruth King,‌ ‌‌starting‌ ‌at‌ ‌0:00‌:‌ ‌ Many business owners make the same dumb financial mistakes. Ruth King is here to call them out and tell you how to avoid them.SEGMENT‌ ‌2 with Precious L. Williams,‌ ‌‌starting‌ ‌at 19:15‌:‌ ‌Whether you're talking to customers or your bank or an investor, it's all about the story you tell. Precious L. Williams is here to help you tell your story and give a killer pitch. SEGMENT‌ ‌3 with David A. Perez,‌ ‌‌starting‌ ‌at 37:40‌:‌ ‌It is the worst time a year again… tax time. What are the best tax strategies for small business owners? David Perez is here to share the tax strategies that most people don't utilize.Sponsored by Truly Financial.--Visit Barry's Blog for complete show notes.

We're in a moment where more people are awakening to the reality that there is no such thing as a universal experience. Especially in the world of work. And often, some blend of our identities, history, biases, gender, race, age, ability, and more play into whether any given experience feels welcoming and filled with dignity and possibility, or exclusionary and layered with inequity and intolerance.And, the thing is, it's not up to the person being harmed or excluded to dim their light and make everyone else feel comfortable, it's up to all of us to enter into the conversation in an open, respectful, generous and generative way, and explore how to create cultures where everyone feels at peace, at home, and able to flourish. That's where we're headed today with my guest and friend, Deborah Owens, whose own story has shaped her mission to ensure that every Person of Color is fully supported and equipped for both the opportunities and challenges in the corporate arena through her consulting company Corporate Alley Cat. We explore her family's legacy of social justice before diving into the unique—yet, familiar—experiences and challenges she faced as a young Black woman finding her voice in corporate America and the lessons she's learned since on reclaiming her power, and how you can contribute to the conversation and solution.You can find Deborah at: Website | LinkedIn | InstagramIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the conversations we had with Ruth King about equality, advocacy, and mindfulness.Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED: We're looking for special guest “wisdom-seekers” to share the moment you're in, then pose questions to Jonathan and the Sparked Braintrust to be answered, “on air.” To submit your “moment & question” for consideration to be on the show go to sparketype.com/submit. Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesYou Need a Budget: Your money doesn't have to be messy. Get a handle on your personal finances by budgeting with YNAB—a proven method and budgeting app that gives you real results. Try You Need a Budget free for 34-days (no credit card required) at YNAB.com/GOODLIFE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Understanding Your Financials is The KEY to Profitability with Ruth King Women tend to bring super powers to the trades and this week's guest is no different. She's a trailblazer, a finance expert, an HVAC pro, and she's here to share her knowledge with you so you can stay profitable and keep enjoying the work you do.   Ruth King is the Channel Manager for HVACChannel.tv and President of Business Ventures Corporation. With 35 years of experience in the contracting industry, Ruth knows what it takes to make a service business succeed. She's done it all… sales, marketing, finance, technical training, and so much more.    Join us as we talk with Ruth about how to grow your HVAC company and STAY PROFITABLE!   In this episode we discuss: Why it's vital to track and manage your finances as a service business. Game-changing business growth strategies and tips. Expert advice on starting your own service business, from setting your prices to understanding your financial statements.   Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: This episode is kindly sponsored by Sera (visit their website) and CompanyCam (visit www.companycam.com/SBM for 14 day trial and 50% off your first two months), and UpFrog (visit their website). Check out Ruth King's books HVACChannel.tv Join the Service Business Mastery Facebook group   Meet the Hosts: Tersh Blissett is a serial entrepreneur who has created and scaled multiple profitable home service businesses in his small town market. He's dedicated to giving back to the industry that has provided so much for him and his family. Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Joshua Crouch has been in the home services industry, specifically HVAC, for 8+ years as an Operations Manager, Branch Manager, Territory Sales Manager and Director of Marketing. He's also the Founder of Relentless Digital, where their focus is dominating your local market online. Connect with him on LinkedIn.   Meet the Guest: Ruth King is well known as “The Profitability Master.” She is passionate about helping small business owners get profitable and stay profitable. Ruth is a serial entrepreneur, having owned 8 businesses in the past 37+ years. One of her businesses, Business Ventures Corporation, began operations in 1981. Through Business Ventures, she coaches, trains, and helps contractors and others achieve the business growth and goals they want to achieve.   Links to content here:  Visit her website: https://ruthkinghvac.com  Email: ruthking@hvacchannel.tv Check out HVACChannel.tv   Tune in to hear the latest and greatest in business services trends on Service Business Mastery on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and our website.     Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Service Business Mastery in your favorite podcast player.

In this episode of the HVAC Uncensored Podcast Gil Talks with Mrs. Ruth King. Mrs. Ruth is so amazing and has been around in this industry since 1987. She is the creator and former president of the Women's In HVACR. One of her passions is numbers. In this podcast, we talk about a lot of different things but she helps business owners identify their numbers. Give some tips to help people be successful from big companies to one-man bands. Definitely check this show out it was an honor to talk with Mrs. King...

Founder of the Mindful of Race Institute, and author of Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out, Ruth King talks to Lion's Roar Associate Editor Pamela Ayo Yetunde about the Brave Space program, how to approach talking about race, and how mindfulness can heal racial wounds.

Tune in for a conversation with special guest Ruth King.Connect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupDesign & Sales Master ClassesSubscribe to Outerspaces on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Working with restlessness and worry

Ruth King is a serial entrepreneur, having owned eight businesses in 37 years. Her specialty is profitability - giving small business owners the processes/ tools they need to get and stay profitable, build wealth, and give back. One of her businesses, Business Ventures Corporation, began in 1986 where she helps companies through in-person and online training,  books, videos and consulting. An example of what she has done for her clients includes helping a client whose initial revenue was $750,000 per year to a few years later, they exited the business @ $8M. She has published over 5 books. You can find out more about Ruth at www.ruthkinghvac.com or the profitability community she nurtures @ https://profitability-movement.mn.co.