Piloting Piloting Pod

Today, we’re joined by Liz Ruf, Co-Founder of Scuppernong Group! Liz recently started a new company with her business partner that connects mission-driven businesses with fractional leaders for part-time leadership, planning, and project management expertise. In addition to this latest venture, Liz also has her own consulting company, sits on the board of a local nonprofit in North Carolina, organizes community Fuckup Nights events in her area, volunteers in marketing groups, and generally stays booked and busy! 
We had a great conversation this week, and Liz shared many lessons from her years of entrepreneurship, including:
- Pivoting from solopreneurship to a business partnership
- Building a big network as an introvert
- Juggling multiple work and personal calendars
- How burnout pushed her into a new career chapter
- Why she hates productivity
- What she misses about 9-5 life
- Overcoming her biggest failure
- Finding mentors
- and so much more!
Mentioned in the episode:
Scuppernong Group: https://scuppernong.group 
Elizabeth Ruf Consulting: https://elizabethruf.com 
Liz’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethruf/ 
Scuppernong Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scuppernong.group/ 
Scuppernong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scuppernong/ 
Fuckup Nights Raleigh: https://www.fuckupnights.com/city/raleigh 
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Email us: pilotingpod@gmail.com
IG: @pilotingpod

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“The Creative Act” is the #1 New York Times bestselling book by Rick Rubin. Rick is a nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer, who’s been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine and the most successful producer in any genre by Rolling Stone.
We loved that this book is less of a how-to and more of a manifesto about the creative life. This poetic book reminds us that everyone can be an artist, as it’s simply a way of seeing the world. We discussed the four stages of the creative process, why it’s important to remember that every rule is breakable, surrendering to the process, separating your ego from your work, and why you need to give yourself time and space to be creative.
It’s refreshing to remember that, regardless of our careers or jobs, we can all be artists. As Rick says, “Being an artist means to be continually asking, ‘How can it be better?’ whatever it is. It may be your art, and it may be your life.”
Mentioned in the episode:
“The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/ 
Godzilla Minus One: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23289160/ 
Amadeus: https://www.netflix.com/title/247351 
Package Free: https://packagefreeshop.com/ 
Book of the Month (Referral Link): https://www.mybotm.com/fev1maqjhf22zkt9
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Email us: pilotingpod@gmail.com
IG: @pilotingpod

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Some people may roll their eyes or call it silly, but there’s a lot of useful information you can unpack from a personality test – whether you prefer zodiac signs, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), love languages, or one of the hundreds of other assessments out there. Research shows that self-aware people are happier, have better relationships, and enjoy greater job satisfaction, so this week we indulge ourselves in how personality tests can be both fun and insightful!
We talk about how these tests help with self-discovery and self-management, why clarity from these assessments can be liberating instead of limiting, and how you can use your “personality type” to design a life that best suits you – from careers to relationships.
Mentioned in the episode:
“The Personality Brokers” by Merve Emre: https://www.merveemre.com/paraliterary 
Why Do We Need Personality Tests to Tell Us Who We Are?: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/why-do-we-need-personality-tests-tell-us-who-we-ncna914371 
Are Personality Tests Actually Useful?: https://time.com/6959682/are-personality-tests-useful/ 
16 Personalities (MBTI): https://www.16personalities.com/ 
Enneagram Institute: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ 
The Five Love Languages: https://5lovelanguages.com/ 
The 5 (Leadership) Voices: https://5voices.com/ 
National Institute for Play’s Play Personalities: https://www.nifplay.org/what-is-play/play-personalities/ 
Agent Nateur: https://www.agentnateur.com/ 
Andia’s Ice Cream: https://andiasicecream.com/ 
“The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/ 
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Email us: pilotingpod@gmail.com
IG: @pilotingpod

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We are celebrating our 50th episode this week! For this milestone episode, we’re chatting about abundance mindsets and scarcity mindsets, and how choosing abundance gives you the confidence and courage to chase what you want in this life.
Too many of us have scarcity mindsets, which are limiting beliefs and a form of self-sabotage that has us thinking small and focusing too much on what could go wrong instead of what could go right. This week, we explore inheriting certain mindsets from society or family (other immigrant kids might relate!), how representation helps us shift to seeing abundance, learning to see opportunities before risks, why you can’t expect that achieving success will change your mindset for you, and how abundance impacts our relationships, careers, and self-worth.
We also chat about why Melissa is excited for camping season and Renée’s reminder to switch out your skincare products with the change of seasons.
Mentioned in the episode:
Spring Skincare Tips Reel: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5JK4_Sr15u/ 
Shifting from a Scarcity Mindset to an Abundance Mindset: https://community.thriveglobal.com/shifting-from-a-scarcity-mindset-to-an-abundance-mindset/
Scarcity & Abundance: Two Sides of the Same Coin: https://magazine.thestriveproject.com/issue/oct-dec-2022/scarcity-abundance-two-sides-of-the-same-coin/ 
Reesa Teesa Is a Born Storyteller: https://time.com/6883150/reesa-teesa-interview-tiktok-who-tf-did-i-marry/
Horace & Friends: https://www.instagram.com/horaceandfriendss/ 
Early Bird Granola: https://earlybirdfoods.com/
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Email us: pilotingpod@gmail.com
IG: @pilotingpod

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We often hear about the 3 Ss that are bad for your health – smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and stress. This week, we’re talking about stress and how to manage it so it doesn’t get in the way of chasing meaning and living our best lives.
Melissa and Renée chat about the downfalls of living in survival mode all the time, the impact of stress on creativity, proactive strategies to get better at stress management, and fighting our brains’ tendency to always choose what’s easy, convenient, and in our comfort zone. We also dive into research about “good stress” and how perception plays a bigger role in stress than we realize.
Among our stress relievers this week are cheeky keyboard and mouse nicknames and the gift that is Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter.
Mentioned in the episode:
Beyoncé Cowboy Carter: https://music.beyonce.com/
4 Ways to Spark Creativity When You’re Feeling Stressed: https://hbr.org/2021/10/4-ways-to-spark-creativity-when-youre-feeling-stressed 
“The Power of One More” by Ed Mylett: https://thepowerofonemore.com 
“The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg: https://www.charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit 
How To Be Better At Stress: https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-deal-with-stress.html 
“How To Make Stress Your Friend” TED Talk by Kelly McGonigal: https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend 
“The Choice: Embrace the Possible” by Dr. Edith Eva Eger: https://dreditheger.com/the-choice/ 
Logitech LIFT FOR MAC Ergonomic Mouse: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/lift-vertical-ergonomic-mouse-mac.910-006471.html
The Good Trade’s Daily Good newsletter: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/the-daily-good/ 
“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/56955/all-i-really-need-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten-by-robert-fulghum/ 
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Email us: pilotingpod@gmail.com
IG: @pilotingpod

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There’s a lot of talk about being intentional with friendships and taking advantage of mentors and coaches…but what about masterminds? 
This week, we discuss mastermind groups – a small group of peers meeting regularly who are committed to mutual growth, support, and knowledge sharing – and how they can be a valuable addition to your social life and success plans. We dig into why you don’t have to pay for a mastermind, the ideal size for your group, how these differ from conversations with friends, the importance of weak ties, and some ways to find your own group.
In other news, we’re also celebrating Renée’s new interest in homemade sea moss gel and exploring Melissa’s adventures with decluttering and de-influencing – and her surprise ASMR treat!
Mentioned in the episode:
What is a Mastermind Group, and How Do You Find It?: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/business/mastermind-group/ 
What Is a Mastermind and Should You Join One?: https://startupparent.com/mastermind-groups-structure-value-benefits/ 
“The Strength of Weak Ties” by Mark S. Granovetter: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2776392 
“Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success One Relationship at a Time” by Keith Ferrazzi: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/227558/never-eat-alone-expanded-and-updated-by-keith-ferrazzi-and-tahl-raz/ 
How to Start a Mastermind Group (and 8 Reasons Why You Should): https://www.austinbollinger.com/blog/how-to-start-a-mastermind-group/ 
Dan Go on the 321 Method (X): https://twitter.com/FitFounder/status/1652673727568461825 
Siete Family Foods Mexican Wedding Cookies: https://sietefoods.com/products/mexican-wedding-cookies 
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Email us: pilotingpod@gmail.com
IG: @pilotingpod

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