025 - Worthy Work

🎙️ Worthy Work – Midnight Cheesecake Style In this episode, Ruha and Bekah take us on a ride through the kinds of work (paid and volunteer) that really matter. Not the flashy stuff, but the kind that lifts people up, brings joy, and for better or worse, gives you all the reality of human connection. We kick things off with friendship bracelets, TikTok chaos (yes, there’s a viral video involving food poisoning and a canceled flight), and stories that make us laugh so hard we snort. Then we shift gears and get into the heart of it. Ruha talks about volunteering at senior centers and organizing music events that light up the room. Bekah shares stories from her caregiving jobs - working with folks in assisted living, kids, and people with disabilities. There’s a whole lot of love in the way she tells it. We don’t just talk about big, life-changing jobs. We zoom in on the little things too - like showing empathy at the grocery store or letting someone else take the close parking spot because maybe they’ve had a rough day. It’s about noticing, caring, and choosing kindness even when it’s hard. There’s plenty of absurdity along the way - spider webs, shopping trips, and family quirks that make us feel like we’re all part of the same messy mocumentary sitcom. Through it all, we keep asking: how can we bring a little more light into the world? We wrap things up with a sweet reminder: whether we’re changing diapers, singing carols, or just making someone smile, our work matters. And when we share those moments with each other (you included!) it feels like we’re building something good together. Doesn't it? So grab a treat (Cheesecake optional), and keep the conversation going. Message us to let us know what you think!   Links List: 🎧 The Canceled Flight Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@meghanreinertsen/video/7524181190245469471 🚗 Bekah's Car Shopping Adventures (Which one will she pick?) Nissan Kicks: https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/crossovers-suvs/kicks.html Nissan Rogue: https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/crossovers-suvs/rogue.html 📚 Kindness & Empathy Reads "Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving" by Angela Santomero (Bekah's current read) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43245554-radical-kindness “The Book of Simple Human Kindness” by Brian Doyle (a vibe match for Bekah’s current read): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23508961-the-book-of-simple-human-kindness 🎶 Volunteer & Community Joy  VolunteerMatch (for finding local opportunities like singing at senior centers): https://www.volunteermatch.org/ 🧠 Therapy & Mental Health Ruha's BetterHelp online therapy referral code (2 free weeks): https://www.betterhelp.com/rpc/5aa5a92998b51811-5-01?utm_term=ref_v2_dd   🍰 Find Ruha and Bekah Around These Parts INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/midnightcheesecake FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/people/Midnight-Cheesecake-Podcast/61577976430527 TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@midnightcheesecak (The 'e' wouldn't fit) EMAIL US: [email protected]   Chapters 0:05 Welcome to the Midnight Cheesecake Podcast 1:19 From Friendship Bracelets to Viral Stories 5:01 Uplifting Work in the World 5:34 Shopping Trips and Spider Webs 13:04 Reflections on Important Jobs 22:32 Volunteering and Its Impact 28:49 Finding Joy in Small Acts 32:07 Empathy in Everyday Life 37:40 Midnight Cheesecake Treats 40:30 Connection through Community Work