Episodes

Balancing family and work is a challenge many of us face, especially in the empty nest stage of life. How do you carve out time for your God-given passions while ensuring your family’s needs are met? In today’s episode of the Authentic Online Marketing podcast, Ruthie Gray and her insightful retreat staff discuss these questions. Resources Sign up for the Next Steps Retreat Listen to Ep. 95: Faith-Fueled Leadership: Empowering Christian Women in Business and Social Media Listen to Episode 94: ...

Knowing when it’s time to quit can be hard, right? Today, I’m sharing how I said goodbye to a season and how this decision unfolded over time. If you’re contemplating a pivotal shift or quitting something to start something new, this episode is for you. Resources Purchase your copy of 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan Join the waitlist for the Empty Nest Entrepreneur Retreat in West Virginia in 2025 Purchase your copy of Empty Nest Awakening by Ruthie Gray Finding Peace in Letting Go Have...

As an empty nest entrepreneur, setting goals is essential for sustained growth and achievement. But how do you effectively set goals that encompass both short-term wins and long-term aspirations, say, three to five-year goals? And as many of you know, most of our listeners are in the empty nest, meaning we’re fifties, sixties, even seventies. And I want to point out, you may not have heard this, but it’s a well-known statistic that women in their sixties and seventies are just hitting their most...

We’re thrilled to have Linda Goldfarb on the podcast with us to discuss how to leverage your podcasting personality. Linda is an award-winning podcast host, author, actress, and audiobook narrator, renowned for her expertise in creating engaging audio content. In this episode, we discuss the art of podcasting, starting with Linda’s journey from guest to host, and uncovering the pivotal role that understanding your podcasting personality plays in your success. We’ll explore the four unique podca...

In our latest podcast episode about balancing writing and audience growth, I had the pleasure of welcoming Janet McHenry, a renowned national speaker and author of 27 inspiring books, including her latest release, “Praying Personalities.” Janet shared her invaluable insights on balancing the writing life with entrepreneurial endeavors. Resources Take Janet’s Quiz Praying Personalities Check out Janet’s website Use code AUTHENTIC20 for 20% off your next purchase on Janet’s website shop Follow J...

Today, we have the pleasure of conversing with Michelle Rayburn, an accomplished writer, podcaster, speaker, and author of several inspirational Christian living books. Known for her delightful sense of humor and knack for repurposing life’s challenges into teachable moments, Michelle joins host Ruthie to share her extensive experience in freelance writing, efficient work methods, and navigating the empty nest phase. With over 20 years in the field, Michelle reveals her secrets to staying produ...

Today we’re covering the top 5 episodes from year 4 of the Authentic Online Marketing podcast! Each year we cover the top episodes that you all love the most. This year we covered so many wonderful topics like learning to say “no”, self-publishing tips, and online marketing tools for entrepreneurs. Resources Sign up to listen to the private podcast 2024 Marketing for Creatives Listen to Ep. 85: 7 Online Marketing Tools for Entrepreneurs Listen to Ep. 91: 3 Reasons to Self-Publish Listen to Ep...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about effective email ideas and marketing strategies with special guest, Christa Hutchins from the Just One Simple Thing podcast. Ruthie and Christa discuss the importance of nurturing your audience through well-crafted emails, the pivotal role email plays compared to social media, and how consistent communication keeps you top of mind for your audience. They share practical tips, including maintaining a consistent brand voice, experimenting with different emai...

Amy Debrucque joins us on the podcast today to discuss the struggles of entrepreneurial focus. Amy brings a wealth of experience and insight into the world of Christian entrepreneurship. She’s not only a confidence coach and author of “Embolden,” but also a speaker, cancer survivor, host of the Life on Purpose podcast, and co-creator of the Focus retreat. Her journey and dedication are centered on helping women break out of their comfort zones and concentrate on what truly matters in their lives...

Everyone loves a good story, especially Instagram users browsing through their daily feeds. But here’s the catch: so many of us aren’t fully utilizing Instagram Stories. This episode is aimed at changing that. Here are 10 ways you can repurpose Instagram Stories by transforming them into valuable content across all of your neighborhoods — Reels, carousels, highlights, and even platforms like Pinterest and Youtube. Resources Get access to the private podcast Listen to Ep. 106: Deciphering Insta...

For the month of April, Ruthie is embracing an Instagram posting sabbatical and dedicating a whole month exclusively to Instagram Stories. In this episode, Ruthie is talking about deciphering Instagram analytics and how to repurpose content that truly resonates with your audience. Discover the significance of Reach, Replies, Link Clicks, and Profile Visits, and learn to tailor your content strategy like a pro. Resources Get access to the private podcast here Listen to why Ruthie is taking a sa...

In this episode of the Authentic Online Marketing Podcast, I announce my decision to take an Instagram sabbatical for the entire month of April and only focusing on Instagram Stories. But hear me out – this isn’t just about taking a break. It’s an intentional effort to explore the power of Instagram stories and share valuable story tricks of the trade with you. The thing is, we often get caught up in the overwhelming nature of social media, constantly worrying about losing followers or missing...

In this episode of Authentic Online Marketing, Ruthie talks with Suzanne, Cathy, and Jennifer about authentic Reels ideas that are unique to their message on Instagram. These Christian creatives shared their experiences with utilizing reels on Instagram to reach and authentically connect with their target audiences. Here are some key takeaways from our insightful conversation. Resources Follow Cathy, Suzanne, and Jennifer on Instagram for some Reel inspiration! Get access to the private podca...

Are you leveraging SEO keywords in your Instagram strategy? In a recent podcast episode on Authentic Online Marketing, we discussed Instagram SEO Simplified: the increasing importance of SEO keywords over hashtags to boost your visibility and engagement on Instagram. Resources Check out this article from SEO guru Neil Patel Get access to the private podcast, 2024 Marketing for Creatives Listen to Ep. 99: Instagram Trends for 2024 Listen to Ep. 100: Email Marketing Trends for 2024 Listen to E...

On this episode of Authentic Online Marketing, Ruthie helps Jennifer explore her journey in pursuing speaking opportunities and how to pitch for podcasts. From overcoming overwhelm to identifying her podcast content, we dive into practical steps and valuable insights. Discover how to pitch yourself as a guest on other podcasts, find your core message, and connect with the right audience. Listen now for actionable tips and inspiring stories to fuel your own marketing journey. Resources Get Ruth...

Do you have a new business or perhaps a newly revamped business, but not a website? You know you need one, but it’s just one more thing on the growing list of entrepreneurial duties, and somehow it always gets shoved to the back of the line. A one-page website might be the very thing you need to get started. Today we’re talking about how to create a simple 1-page website with my guest, website design expert, Lori Lyons of IgnitingYourBusiness.com and the Encore Entrepreneur podcast. Lori share...

In this episode we discussed the top 5 email marketing trends that will shape the landscape this year. As we enter 2024, it’s time to revamp our email marketing strategies to stay ahead of the curve. These tips will elevate your email game and create impactful connections with your audience. Resources Join the 5-day Instagram Growth Challenge starting Jan. 22, 2024 Listen to Ep. 99: Instagram Trends for 2024 Listen to Ep. 61: Combining Instagram and email marketing in 5 smart ways Listen to E...

In this episode, we’re thrilled to bring you an in-depth discussion on the 2024 Instagram trends, with my assistant, Sara Motes. This episode highlights the 2024 Instagram trends, including the domination of video content, the impact of short-lived content like Instagram stories, the growing significance of SEO over hashtags, the emergence of hybrid content incorporating AI, and the overarching theme of authenticity. We’re discussing the implications of these trends and provide valuable insight...

Every once in a while you hear of an unexpected Christmas miracle. Three years back, I received mine. You see, 25 years ago, I made a snap decision I would later regret. Resources Christmas gift idea: Ruthie’s book, Empty Nest Awakening Check out Authentic Online Marketing School (Self-Paced) A young wife with 2 kids and a baby, I was packing our house up for a job relocation back home. As is often the case, one accumulates tons of junk when raising little ones, so I feverishly off-loaded to ...

In the latest episode of the Authentic Online Marketing podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Jennifer Sakata to discuss her journey in content creation, attracting followers, and building an email list on Instagram. Discover how she overcame creative overwhelm and found a balance in her weekly schedule, prioritizing writing above all. We discussed the challenges of perfectionism and the value of consistency in building an audience. Resources Follow Jennifer on Instagram Visit Jennifer’s...

Are you looking to create a high converting content marketing plan in just 8 weeks? Look no further! Join me and a community of Christian creatives and entrepreneurs in Authentic Online Marketing School as we dive into the perfect blend of Instagram and email marketing. Authentic Online Marketing School is not just another course – it’s a supportive community and a game-changer for growing your audience and networking opportunities. Resources Join Authentic Online Marketing School (Self-Paced...

In this episode, Ruthie is joined by three entrepreneurs, Cathy, Suzanne, and Brenda, to discuss their experiences as women in business online. They each share their unique entrepreneurial journeys, from content creation on platforms like Instagram and Newsletter Marketing to selling products through social media and email marketing. These women reflect on their growth as entrepreneurs, the importance of community support, and the impact of authentic online marketing strategies. Resources Chec...

These Empty Nest Case Studies feature my amazing guests, fellow empty nesters, Suzanne, Brenda, Cathy, and Pat, discussing the various unique stages of empty nesting, from being a boomerang empty nester (what’s that?!) to fully retired. Each guest shares how they navigate this stage of life, whether it involves grandchildren, side gigs, or pursuing new passions. Resources Get your copy of Ruthie’s new book “Empty Nest Awakening” Follow Ruthie on Instagram Check out Authentic Online Marketing S...

In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to reverse engineer your launch. I recently launched my book, “Empty Nest Awakening: Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose,” and I’ve been sharing my tips for a successful book launch in the previous episodes. In our recent episodes, we’ve covered the world of book launches and the importance of building a solid platform beforehand. Today, I want to share with you 10 tips on how to reverse engineer your book launch for maximum success. These...