Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kirsten Rudberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kirsten, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I have to say that my optimism comes from the people I interview for my podcast, Byte Sized Blessings, every single day. Their stories of magic, of inexplicable events, events that have shaped and changed their lives? Each one reminds me that this universe, this world of ours, is intentional and miraculous. That some ineffable force has our backs and walks the journey with us. It’s not that I’ve had an entirely care-free life…my life has been challenging in so many ways, ways that might break other people…but somehow I’ve weathered the storms, and decided that one of my joys are the stories that people tell-of seminal events in their lives that have changed them irrevocably. I love giving them the opportunity to tell their tales, and in the telling, they remind others that this beautiful world is a precious place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I believe that we are all here to help make this world a better place. Whether it’s through volunteering for an organization, listening deeply to another who is struggling or simply telling someone their sweater is divine! Our acts and words have such a powerful impact on those around us, and I daily am mindful of that. I’m not perfect, by any stretch…I fail all the time, but I really want to leave this world a better place than when I came in. Thus, the podcast! Byte Sized Blessings is such a gift to me, because through these stories of magic, or miracles, I am reminded of the generosity of this world, and the humans in it! It lifts my spirits and reminds me that we all have infinite potential to change another’s world, but that also, there is so much going on around us that we cannot perceive. Magic abounds…and that should be my tagline…because it is so very true.
I also am a screenwriter, and author (my re-write of the Peter Rabbit series has just been picked up by George R.R. Martin’s bookshop) as well as podcaster (obviously!) I have multiple other irons in the fire, because I especially love collaborating with others. Lifting others up and including them in whatever I am doing is another way, for me, to helping make this world a better place.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am a voracious reader. I actually got kicked out of the library in 8th grade because the guidance counselor was afraid I wasn’t developing socially. Reading all those books helped me to learn about the world, and develop curiosity. Curiosity is a superpower, btw! With it, you can change worlds!
For some reason, the ability to work with words and ideas has always come easily to me. I am lucky in that way. And once an idea has set in, it really sets in, and there’s no getting around it. I have to get it down. My animated series, “Murder of 2,” about two crows sitting on a line and discussing humanity? It had been renting space in my mind for years, and then finally, I got it down! So I would have to say my ability to finish projects is a skill that is priceless.
It might be naive, but I believe in people. That they are wanting to be the best version of themselves, always. Yes, we fail, but my unwavering faith in others is another superpower. When I read bad news, or see something that deflates my spirit, I can always go back to my faith in others. It is unstoppable.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I have to say, growing up overseas as a child has shaped by life in such profound ways. I lived in both Guyana, South America, as well as Lahore, Pakistan. Being a kid surrounded by kids from all over the world really created this generosity of spirit that has never left me. I didn’t realize that it was such a profound gift until I entered Seminary and heard stories in my co-hort about my fellow classmates not being allowed to play with POC as children. I thought, “Wow. I was lucky, I met and played with kids from everywhere.” This experience allowed me to understand that people are diverse, have differing religious beliefs and customs, and that all the ways of interacting with the divine are legitimate. We humans are splendid and multifaceted creatures, and also full of imagination…so why wouldn’t we all find different a way to finding communion with that great force that moves the Universe?
Contact Info:
- Website: bytesizedblessings.com
- Instagram: byte_sized_blessings_podcast
- Facebook: Byte Sized Blessings
- Linkedin: Kirsten Rudberg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIz3UNDM6PQsjudJJE2RCSg
