Ep 14 | Finding Your Voice with Ruth Song

On Courage

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Ruth Song, a career coach and communications educator who shares her journey of self-discovery and courage beginning from a childhood of keeping her voice hidden.

Recounting her personal adversities, Ruth explains how she approached these challenges with self-compassion and resilience, reminding us that even the toughest times can be transformative. To overcome her own fears, Ruth has relied on 'exposure therapy,' a strategy that involves intentionally stepping out of her comfort zone to build confidence. Courage, she reminds us, is like a muscle that strengthens with practice and persistence.

Together we explore the significant influence that others’ opinions can have on our lives and the importance of filtering helpful advice from beliefs that limit us. Ruth emphasises the need to listen closely to our inner voice rather than allowing others to determine our life’s trajectory.

For Ruth, redefining failure has been a key part of her journey and she explains the power of choosing to "fail on your own terms." Ruth suggests setting growth metrics to track progress rather than perfection, helping to reframe disappointments as valuable parts of the learning process. Ruth also teaches us the powerful idea of tuning into your 'personal radio,' aligning with our unique voice and values rather than being distracted by external expectations.

To foster continuous growth, Ruth suggests using 'After Action Reviews' as a reflection tool; examining experiences and identifying areas for improvement, and turning every situation into a learning opportunity. She also recommends conducting small 'projects' as a way to try out new ideas, allowing for manageable risks and insights that help clarify one’s path.

We hope this inspiring and practical conversation with Ruth motivates you to redefine failure, face your fears and approach life with a renewed sense of purpose.

Guest Bio:

Ruth Song wasn't always the confident coach she is today. As a child, anxiety held her back, making speaking up a daunting challenge. But at 20, she defied expectations, not only launching her own radio show, but pioneering the English language section for a non-profit broadcaster.

This ignited a 20-year career empowering others. She's coached over 1,000 individuals to craft compelling narratives that showcase their value to potential employers, and helped students launch successful startups.

But Ruth's secret weapon isn't some magic formula. It's cultivating the "creativity muscle" through continuous learning and fearless action.

Her journey is a testament to courage. From battling childhood ovarian cancer to overcoming public speaking anxiety, she's embraced challenges and grown from them. Now, she inspires organizations like Deutsche Bank, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the National Council of Social Services in Singapore on the power of storytelling and collaboration.

Ruth Song LinkedIn

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Intro & Outro Music:
"Deep Ambient" by Coma-Media
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