Debra Ruh: We All Have Value To Share

Debra Ruh: We All Have Value To Share

Author: Chris Schembra October 6, 2021 Duration: 46:33
One billion people, or 15% of the world's population, experience some form of disability. Disability refers to the interaction between individuals with a health condition (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and depression) and personal and environmental factors (e.g., negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation or public buildings, and limited social support). Almost everyone is likely to experience some form of disability - temporary or permanent - at some point in life. But having a disability does not mean you don't have value to offer to this world. Debra Ruh fights to make sure everyone gets to share their value, regardless of their disability. Debra Ruh is a Global Disability Inclusion Strategist, Market Influencer, internationally recognized keynote speaker, published author, branding expert, successful entrepreneur, and exceptional mother. Debra is the host of a popular program: Human Potential at Work (Audience in 92 countries and 113 Regions). Proud to be the founder and CEO of Ruh Global IMPACT and the Co-founder and Executive Chair of Billion Strong. She is also an author of three books, Inclusion Branding (available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Voice via Audible), Tapping into Hidden Human Capital and Finding Your Voice Using Social Media. Debra Ruh received her call to action when she was told by so-called “experts” that her daughter, Sara, who was born with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), would never walk or talk. She refused to accept the prognosis and perception of this condition. Driven by her unshakeable faith in the power of human potential and the love for her daughter, Debra was determined to dedicate her life to create a path to empowerment and success for all those with disabilities. Her husband aged into disabilities due to a TBI sustained when he was hit by a drunk driver as a child. Sadly, his brain aged into Dementia due to the TBI. Debra had built a multi-million-dollar firm focused on ICT accessibility. Debra was convinced that "the real disability is being unable to see human potential" formed Ruh Global IMPACT. This social enterprise and think tank focused on Global Disability Inclusion Strategies, Digital Marketing, and Branding among many other services. Billion-Strong.org is a global identity organization focused on disability identity and empowerment. Debra consults with Multi-National and National Corporations and the United Nations. Debra is now internationally renowned global keynote speakers and travels the world inspiring and advocating for governments and corporations to include people with disabilities. In this episode, Debra shares her story and how she's changing the world.

Chris Schembra, known as the "Gratitude Guru" by USA Today and a columnist for Rolling Stone, hosts Gratitude Through Hard Times. For nearly a decade, he has traveled the globe facilitating meaningful human connection, work that extends directly from his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book of the same name. In this podcast, he moves beyond simple self-help platitudes, creating a space where ancient Stoic wisdom meets contemporary neuroscience and psychology. Each episode is a practical exploration of how to find genuine appreciation and resilience not in spite of difficulty, but because of it. Schembra acts as both guide and fellow traveler, using his experience as a dinner host and facilitator to frame profound questions and share conversations that dissect the mechanics of fulfillment. Listeners will hear a blend of personal narrative, philosophical insight, and actionable science, all aimed at reframing life's inevitable challenges. This isn't about blind optimism; it's about building a durable, grounded perspective that serves in both business and personal relationships, in moments of entrepreneurial stress and cultural shifts. The Gratitude Through Hard Times podcast provides a thoughtful, evidence-based toolkit for anyone seeking to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and connection in a complex world, proving that gratitude is a skill forged precisely when it feels most out of reach.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Gratitude Through Hard Times
Podcast Episodes
Brent Kenneway: Meaningful Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:16
Episode OverviewIn this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Schembra sits down with Brent Kenneway, National Group VP of Sales at UKG, for a conversation about the kind of relationships that aren’t transaction…
Julie Peck: Reclaim Your Humanity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:11
Podcast Show OverviewIn this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris Schembra welcomes back Julie Peck—a seasoned tech and growth executive and current CEO of Talent Neuron, a global leader in workforce intelligen…
Eric Stine: The Power of Saying Yes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:04
In a world obsessed with speed, optimization, certainty, and AI-driven answers, this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times offers a necessary pause. Chris Schembra sits down with Eric Stine, CEO of Sitecore, for a deep…
Katie Parla: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
Episode OverviewIn this rich, sensory journey through the Eternal City, I sit down with food historian, author, and Rome expert Katie Parla, a woman whose love affair with Rome began at sixteen thanks to her mother’s qui…
Sandra Campos: Experience Builds Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:59
Episode OverviewIn this deeply personal episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down in person with Sandra Campos, a trailblazing CEO, board advisor, and serial entrepreneur whose story spans gl…
Kirti Naik: Redefine Reputation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:29
Episode SummaryIn this deeply human and heartfelt conversation, Chris Schembra sits down with his longtime friend Kirti Naik, a powerhouse brand leader turned soulful storyteller, for an episode that moves beyond titles…
Drew Sullivan: From What to Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
Episode SummaryIn this special episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra welcomes Drew Sullivan, a purpose-driven dealmaker, speaker advocate, and Senior Vice President at APB Speakers, for a raw and h…
Mark Rix: Shared Language Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:06
Episode SummaryThis episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times is about one of the most important and misunderstood challenges in business today, how to build workplaces where people truly thrive.Host Chris Schembra welcome…
Julie Peck: The Gift of a Curvy Path [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
Episode OverviewSometimes the most remarkable leaders don’t arrive at the top by climbing a neatly planned ladder, they stumble, pivot, and rebuild along winding roads. In this deeply personal and unexpectedly funny epis…
Mattan Griffel: Optimism Is a Discipline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:55
In a time when the headlines are bleak and social feeds are filled with outrage, what does it mean to be deliberately optimistic? In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with return…