Best Ruth Abigail Smith Podcasts (2025)

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The UnLearnT Podcast LIVE: Enduring Leadership 1:09:58

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12h ago1:09:58

1:09:58

Send us a text We go live to name the weight of leading through hard seasons and offer practical ways to endure with hope, clarity, and integrity. We unpack how to recover from mistakes faster, re-categorize relationships, and reinvest in the vision without burning out. • defining enduring leadership and long faith • guarding inputs, language and c…

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(Re-Release) Unlearning Love and Basketball: What Monica and Quincy Got Wrong! 1:05:31

4d ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Send us a text Ruth and Jaquetta dive into the cult classic "Love & Basketball" as they kick off their summer series examining movies they had to unlearn from, breaking down the film's problematic messages about relationships, identity, and success. • Analyzing the movie in quarters, just like the film's structure • Unlearning identity limitations …

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What's Your Leadership Style: Unlearning Situational Leadership 1:04:23

10d ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Send us a text We explore situational leadership with clear lines between crisis control and season-long guidance, naming the hero trap, burnout, and how to build trust, culture, and vision by developing people. Practical tools include better questions, motivation cues, and when to let safe balls drop. • definition of situational leadership and cor…

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What’s Your Leadership Style: Unlearning Transformational Leadership 1:00:40

30d ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Send us a text We unpack transformational leadership through real stories, moving from identity and belief to sustainable action. We name the strengths, blind spots, and boundaries that keep charisma ethical and growth-centered. • defining transformational leadership and its core pillars • coaching belief before behavior using the be do have model …

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What's Your Leadership Style?: UnLearning Transactional Leadership 54:50

1M ago54:50

54:50

Send us a text We unpack transactional leadership—why it feels natural, where it works, and when it fails—and show how to pair it with relational styles so people and performance both thrive. Clear goals help, but autonomy, mastery, and purpose keep teams engaged and growing. • definition of transactional leadership and its roots in school rewards …

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What's Your Leadership Style?: Unlearning Servant Leadership 54:15

1M ago54:15

54:15

By Ruth Abigail Smith

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What's Your Leadership Style: Unlearning Laissez-Faire Leadership 53:04

2M ago53:04

53:04

Send us a textBy Ruth Abigail Smith

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What You’re Leadership Style? Unlearning Autocratic Leadership 1:04:28

2M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

Send us a text The autocratic leadership style, often misunderstood but sometimes necessary, provides clear command and control when building something new or navigating through crisis. • Autocratic leadership is marked by a self-appointed, self-governing style where the leader maintains full control • This leadership style produces explosive resul…

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What's Your Leadership Style?: Unlearning Democratic Leadership 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

Send us a text We explore the democratic leadership style, examining when this collaborative approach works best and when leaders need to pivot to different styles for effective team management. • Democratic leadership involves consulting with team members and valuing collaboration • This leadership style works best with highly skilled, experienced…

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Unlearning Gen Z in the Workplace w/ Jaquetta Ross 1:05:39

2M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

Send us a text Jaquetta Ross joins us to debunk common misconceptions about Generation Z in the workplace and shares insights from her 12 years of working with this young adult population. • Gen Z is often mischaracterized as entitled, naive, and lacking work ethic when they actually crave mentorship and genuine connection • They're exceptionally g…

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Unlearning Gen Z: The Secret World of Teenagers with Tanaya (Memphis College Student) 58:19

3M ago58:19

58:19

Send us a text In this candid conversation, host Ruth Abigail speaks with Taniya Adams, a college student she has known since third grade, about the unique challenges and perspectives of Generation Z. • Finding identity amidst social media's influence and the pressure to know your purpose early • Learning it's "okay to be not normal" and breaking f…

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The Life of Gen Z Entrepreneur with Savannah Brister (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not As Easy As Tik Tok Makes it Look 1:00:04

3M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Send us a text In this candid conversation, Ruth Abigail welcomes back musician Savannah Brister to discuss the realities of Gen Z, information overload, and navigating creative entrepreneurship in today's digital landscape. • How Gen Z is perceived: either as exciting innovators or as the generation that will "take us down" • The overwhelming natu…

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Unlearning Gen Z - Pastor Deon Byers 1:06:05

3M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Send us a text Pastor Deon Byers shares his decade of experience working with Generation Z, revealing what today's youth truly need from adults and how to build meaningful connections that transform lives. • Mentorship matters – Deon’s own life was transformed by an adult who showed him a world beyond his environment • Today's youth aren't fundamen…

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Unlearning The Gospel Music Industry Pt. 2 41:08

3M ago41:08

41:08

Send us a text Worship leader Darnell Moore unpacks the tension between following industry strategies and Spirit-led ministry in gospel music and church leadership. • The challenge of creating sustainable ministry while remaining faithful to God's leading • Using the metaphor of an exercise ball versus a lazy boy recliner to illustrate the tension …

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Unlearning The Gospel Music Industry (Was Maverick City's Manager Right or Wrong?) 34:25

4M ago34:25

34:25

Send us a text Link to Darnell’s episode on Unlearning Marriage: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cRfDyy6EqqfTWewDvXs7Q?si=oOHrilbERvqC7KONjgSlEg Darnell Harris joins us for a special conversation about the tension between industry success and spiritual authenticity in worship leadership. • The episode was prompted by a controversial podcast featu…

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UnLearning Lean On Me: What Kind Of Leader Are You? 1:12:03

4M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Send us a text We examine leadership through the lens of the 1989 film "Lean On Me," exploring how different organizational phases require different leadership styles and what makes a leader effective in each one. • Different organizational phases (startup, turnaround, realignment, acceleration, sustaining success) require different leadership appr…

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Unlearning The Devil Wears Prada 1:10:31

4M ago1:10:31

1:10:31

Send us a text We must learn to recognize how environments change us and evaluate whether our transformations align with our true selves. The journey of Andy in The Devil Wears Prada illustrates the tension between ambition and purpose. • Ambition has a shadow side that can reveal unexpected aspects of ourselves • The tradeoffs required when trying…

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Unlearning Drumline: One Band One Sound 1:12:32

5M ago1:12:32

1:12:32

Send us a text Drumline offers powerful leadership lessons through the journey of three key characters navigating conflict and change within a college marching band. • Dr. Lee represents tradition and structure, struggling to adapt to changing times while maintaining excellence • Sean demonstrates how middle-management leadership requires overcomin…

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Unlearning Toy Story 1:21:29

5M ago1:21:29

1:21:29

Send us a text We explore leadership lessons from Pixar's Toy Story in this episode of our Summer Movies series, examining how disruption and change affect team dynamics and leadership development. • Teams typically go through four developmental stages: forming, storming, norming, and performing • Disruption (like Buzz arriving) moves teams from no…

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Avengers Infinity Wars: What Happens When Power and Leadership Collide 1:24:47

5M ago1:24:47

1:24:47

Send us a text We examine the six Infinity Stones from Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War and extract powerful leadership lessons from each one that can help us become more effective, balanced leaders. • The Power Stone demonstrates the difference between personality-driven leadership and team-centered leadership • The Space Stone warns against taking…

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From Cub to King: The Circle of Leadership in The Lion King 1:16:36

5M ago1:16:36

1:16:36

Send us a text We explore leadership lessons from Disney's The Lion King, examining how this iconic film portrays the journey from youth to mature leadership through Simba's story. • The Circle of Life establishes leadership as a circle, not a ladder – emphasizing contribution over position • Young Simba focuses on benefits of kingship without unde…

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Remember The Titans: Do You Know When It’s Your Time To Lead and Your Time To Follow? 1:04:23

6M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Send us a text The Remember the Titans episode explores leadership themes, racial tensions, and community transformation through the lens of this iconic sports movie featuring Denzel Washington. • Sports movies powerfully utilize the underdog narrative to touch on deeper social issues • Coach Boone and Coach Yost represent different leadership styl…

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Millennials in Crisis: Navigating Life After The Storm 49:38

6M ago49:38

49:38

Send us a text When emerging from crisis, we must reorient ourselves to new environments with new mindsets, as the habits and perspectives that sustained us during difficult times may not serve us in seasons of abundance. • The storm truly ends when you change, not when your circumstances do • True forgiveness is an ongoing practice, not a one-time…

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Millennials In Crisis Pt. 2: What Do I do If I'm In A Storm Right Now? 52:33

6M ago52:33

52:33

Send us a text The second part of our storm series focuses on what to do during moments of crisis, offering practical guidance for navigating through life's most challenging seasons. We share wisdom on how to maintain your sense of self and purpose when everything around you seems to be falling apart. • Stop pretending about your situation and be h…

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Millennials In Crisis Mini Series: Preparing Your Crisis Kit Before the Storm 41:46

7M ago41:46

41:46

Send us a text We explore the essential components of a crisis toolkit for millennials and middle adults who are feeling squeezed by life's challenges and uncertainties. • Community is foundational—know who's around you and be aware of what gifts they bring to your life • Being rooted in the same values is different from simply being bonded to othe…

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Unlearning Parenting: The Challenge and The Blessing of a Blended Family 1:12:59

7M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

Send us a text The Gardners join us to share their journey as a blended family, revealing how they built a strong foundation through commitment, communication, and adapting to unexpected changes. Ty and Ruth Abigail discuss how their relationship evolved from online dating to creating a unified family, demonstrating that love makes room for the une…

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Unlearning Parenting: The Smith Family Episode 1:24:47

7M ago1:24:47

1:24:47

Send us a text The whole Smith family gathers for an intimate, multigenerational discussion about parenting approaches, examining what needs to be preserved and what should be unlearned for the benefit of future generations. • Jacqueline Smith (mother) shares how "more is caught than taught" when it comes to parenting • Rev. Rufus Smith IV (father)…

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Freedom Friday: When Life Squeezes You, Whatever Is Inside Will Come Out 13:39

7M ago13:39

13:39

Send us a text We explore how what comes out of us under pressure directly reveals what we've been filling ourselves with, just as squeezing a lemon produces only lemon juice because that's what's inside it. • Taking inventory of what we consume through our eyes, ears, and bodies determines what will come out when life squeezes us • Our digital foo…

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Unlearning Parenting: Divorce Made Me A Single Parent... Now What? 1:22:29

8M ago1:22:29

1:22:29

Send us a text Juanita shares her journey as a single mother parenting her now 18-year-old daughter from age four, offering wisdom on co-parenting, building resilience, and evolving from teacher to coach. • Transitioning from a two-parent household to single parenting requires choosing trust with both the co-parent and eventually the child • The sh…

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Unlearning Parenting: The Elder Millennial Perspective 1:24:11

8M ago1:24:11

1:24:11

Send us a text Erica Ramsey joins RA to discuss the profound transition from career-focused independence to motherhood and how she's navigating this unexpected journey while maintaining her identity and business. • Success in business doesn't automatically translate to feeling prepared for parenthood • Becoming a mother in the first year of marriag…

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Freedom Friday: God Didn’t Bless You for YOU! 9:58

8M ago9:58

9:58

Send us a text God is moving us from transactional mindsets to transformational encounters that prepare us not just to receive blessings but to become capable of holding and sharing them. The real test of faith comes not in waiting but in the moment God starts giving us what we've been asking for. • Distinguishing between transactional relationship…

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Unlearning Parenting: Your Adult Child’s Behavior is NOT Your Failure! 1:46:17

8M ago1:46:17

1:46:17

Send us a text Settle in folks! Patrick and Shemika Harrington share their wisdom on navigating the challenging transition from parenting children to parenting adults, discussing the generational differences between Gen X parents and their Gen Z children in today's rapidly changing world. • The difference between commanding children and conversing …

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Freedom Friday: You Won't Be Free Without Boundaries 14:10

8M ago14:10

14:10

Send us a text Freedom depends not on unlimited choices but on clear boundaries that enable focused attention and meaningful progress. • You cannot focus on something that isn't properly framed • Like picture frames, boundaries help eliminate distractions and highlight what's important • True freedom isn't chaotic—it's responsible, enjoyable and sa…

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UnLearning Parenting: The Hard Truths of Blended Families 59:17

8M ago59:17

59:17

Send us a text Eric Ballentine, Executive Director of Streets Ministries in Memphis, shares his journey through fatherhood, marriage, and ministry as someone who "jumped off the porch" at age 12 before finding his faith at 25. His powerful story reveals how his past experiences shaped his approach to raising children in a blended family and the les…

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Freedom Friday: Why Your Best Life is Waiting for You to Create Space 9:14

8M ago9:14

9:14

Send us a text The time has come to break free from limiting narratives that keep us trapped in cycles of stagnation and disappointment. We must dig deep to identify and extract the thoughts that make us believe nothing will ever change in our lives. • Stop building mental frameworks that support your old life • Understand that the way you speak ab…

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Freedom Friday: Working Hard Will NOT Get You Where You Want to Be! 13:02

9M ago13:02

13:02

Send us a text Hard work isn't enough to become a billionaire or reach your greatest potential - consistency and acquiring new knowledge are the true differentiators that create extraordinary success. • Billionaires don't become billionaires just by working hard - two other factors make the difference • Consistency requires discipline and making de…

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Talks With Middle Adults: Being Church Ain’t Enough! 1:22:02

9M ago1:22:02

1:22:02

Send us a text Gain courage to change your mind and experience more freedom as we explore unlearning what we thought we knew about the church. Our varied experiences reveal the importance of personal faith and community outside the church walls. • Emphasis on personal faith beyond church attendance • Importance of community in living out one’s beli…

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Freedom Friday: Go Get Your Dreams Back! 7:43

9M ago7:43

7:43

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the significance of dreams and the need to unlearn limiting beliefs that hold us back. By reigniting hope and leaning on faith, listeners are encouraged to revisit their aspirations and trust that with God, anything is possible. • Discussing the importance and value of dreams • Examining limiting beliefs a…

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“They Not Like Us”: The Conversation About Race That You Haven’t Had Yet 1:10:59

9M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Send us a text We welcome Megan back to the podcast for a crucial conversation centered around race. Through personal anecdotes and open dialogue, we explore the complexities and nuances of discussing race among friends from different backgrounds. - The importance of courage in changing perspectives - Creating safe spaces for honest discussions on …

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Freedom Friday: Stop Making Your Purpose So Complicated! 18:33

9M ago18:33

18:33

Send us a text This episode delves into the true nature of purpose and its often-misunderstood dimensions. We challenge listeners to distinguish their real purpose from people-pleasing, emphasizing that fulfilling one’s purpose can energize rather than drain. • The importance of purpose is often misunderstood • Central purpose: glorifying God above…

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Talks With Middle Adults: Grieving IS Living 46:22

9M ago46:22

46:22

Send us a text The episode dives deeply into the complexities of grief and loss, featuring insights from Joinne Chandler, author of "Life After Loss." Listeners are encouraged to embrace their emotions and understand that grieving is a personal and ongoing journey. • Importance of asking for help during grief • Unlearning the perception that grief …

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Freedom Friday: Your Old Routines Are Holding You Back! 9:50

9M ago9:50

9:50

Send us a text Listeners explore the swift movement of God and the importance of unlearning limiting routines that slow our spiritual and personal growth. This episode encourages an active evaluation of current habits and mindsets to embrace the profound changes God is ready to initiate in our lives. • Discussing the consequences of waiting and dev…

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Talks With Middle Adults: How NOT To Get Lied To On Valentines Day! 1:00:04

9M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the complexities of relationships, discussing the valuable lessons learned at the kitchen table and the transformative nature of love. By unlearning outdated beliefs about chemistry, commitment, and conflict, we encourage listeners to engage with their partners in a deeper, more meaningful way. • Discussin…

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Freedom Friday: One Good Reason To Stay Single! 11:23

10M ago11:23

11:23

Send us a text This conversation urges listeners to unlearn the idea that relationships should be easy, focusing instead on the sanctifying power of vulnerability and sacrifice in intimate connections. We discuss compatibility, the importance of personal gaps, and the intricate dance of mutual growth required in meaningful relationships. • Challeng…

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Talks With Middle Adults: Your Value Is Limitless...Even If Your Money Isn't! 1:18:29

10M ago1:18:29

1:18:29

Send us a text RA and Jaquetta explore the intricate relationship we have with money and the importance of redefining value over wealth. They share personal anecdotes that reveal common misunderstandings about finances, emphasizing that true fulfillment stems from recognizing one’s intrinsic worth rather than merely chasing higher paychecks. • Disc…

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Freedom Friday: If You Want To Be More Productive...Stop! 13:23

10M ago13:23

13:23

Send us a text This episode embraces the importance of taking time to sharpen our metaphorical axes, acknowledging that productivity improves significantly with a solid foundation of self-care and preparation. We discuss the struggles of managing busy schedules and the impact of neglecting our routines, encouraging listeners to find ways to invest …

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Talks With Middle Adults: Why Am I So Emotional? 1:18:41

10M ago1:18:41

1:18:41

Send us a text We explore the crucial process of unlearning harmful emotional lessons ingrained in us from childhood, emphasizing the importance of emotional vulnerability. This episode dives into the impact of societal expectations and the interplay between faith and emotions while encouraging listeners to confront their emotional baggage for true…

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Talks With Middle Adults: How to Overcome Your Giant of NORMAL 1:10:01

10M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

Send us a text The episode emphasizes the necessity of unlearning outdated norms that hinder personal growth and freedom. Co-hosts engage in conversation around adapting to changing societal expectations, sharing personal anecdotes, and discussing generational dynamics of normalcy. • Introduce the concept of unlearning from familial teachings • Dis…

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Freedom Friday: Breaking Generational Curses, Navigating Emotional Growth, and Embracing Freedom Through Faith and Leadership 1:18:50

10M ago1:18:50

1:18:50

Send us a text Kinah Burkes shares her profound journey of emotional growth and the realization of the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. Through candid stories from her past, she reflects on her struggles with emotional immaturity, the pressure of expectations, and the significance of confronting one's personal truths to achieve true fr…

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Talks With Middle Adults: Unlearning Hope in 2025 1:03:55

10M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Send us a text This episode emphasizes the importance of embracing change and consciously preparing for 2025. It encourages listeners to discern where to focus their energy and how to maintain hope amidst challenges, highlighting the necessity of both saying yes to what matters and no to distractions. • Preparing your soul for the changes of 2025 •…