May 13, 2025 • 34 mins
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Ralph Smithers Jr., journey from northeast Columbus through Mifflin High School and Ohio State University reveals the power of unexpected paths. Despite being a self-described "C student" and late bloomer physically (just 5'3" and 103 pounds in 9th grade), Ralph found his calling through service and relationship-building. Now leading inclusion, belonging and community engagement at Encova Insurance, he demonstrates how cultivating authentic connections creates ripple effects far beyond what we might imagine.
The conversation takes us through Ralph's foundational influences—parents dedicated to public service, a strong church community that anchored his faith, and the life-changing scholarship that allowed him to graduate debt-free and later create the "Bucking the Trends" scholarship for others.
What happens when your name is mentioned in a room you're not in? For Ralph Smithers Jr., this question represents the essence of personal legacy. "I hope that you know if my name is spoken in a place that I'm not at, it'll at minimum bring a smile to someone's face or it'll bring like 'hey, that's someone we can trust,'" he shares in this deeply reflective conversation on building a lasting impact.
What truly distinguishes this episode is Ralph's reflections on legacy-building beyond accolades. His approach to board service intentionally stretches him beyond comfort zones, allowing him to discover new passions while bringing diverse perspectives to each table. "I hope that people would say he saw things in me that I didn't see in myself, and as a result, my life is better," he says, capturing the essence of servant leadership.
Ready to rethink how you're building your own legacy? Join us for this conversation that will challenge you to consider: What will people say when your name is mentioned after you've left the room?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Our name is ultimately our brand.
I always say that if my name isspoken in a room that I'm not
in, I hope that it's notattached to a bunch of cuss
words.
You know that's the first thing, but I hope that you know if my
name is spoken in a place thatI'm not at, it'll at minimum
bring a smile to someone's faceor it'll bring like hey, you
(00:23):
know that's someone we can trust.
That's a place, just like abrand.
You know you want brands youcan trust that are going to
deliver for you and give you theresults that you need, and
that's what this association, Ihope, is.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Welcome to Be A Baller where we're building a
lifelong legacy for our families, communities and the world.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey.
On each episode, we'll betalking about how to be
intentional about building alasting legacy.
We'll be exploring what itmeans to leave a mark that goes
beyond just our lives but has apositive impact on those around
(00:58):
us and even generations to come.
So if you're looking forinspiration, guidance and
practical tips on how to build alasting legacy that makes a
difference, then you're in theright place.
So grab your earbuds, getcomfortable and let's dive in.
It's time to be a baller.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Welcome to Be A Baller podcast.
I'm your host, coach Tim Brown,and I'm excited to have in the
studio today a young man who's areal Ohio native, graduate of
Mifflin High School and also theOhio State University.
This is a Raph Smithers Jr.
He's a community leader andcorporate professional dedicated
(01:35):
to helping others become thebest version of themselves.
His role at Incova Insurance heleads efforts in inclusion,
belonging and communityengagement.
Covid insurance he leadsefforts in inclusion, belonging
and community engagement.
Ralph is deeply involved inCentral Ohio through multiple
boards and advisory roles andhas been widely recognized for
his leadership and service.
He lives in New Albany, ohio,with his lovely wife, pam, and
(01:56):
the proud father of three youngadult children.
Get ready to be inspired by aman who's building bridges,
creating impact and showing usall what it means to be a real
baller.
Let's welcome Ralph Smithers Jrto the show.
Wow, thank you.
You are a real baller man.
I read that bio I'm like, oh mygoodness.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I'll tell you what.
Since we met, I subscribe tothe podcast listen to everyone
that you've had.
I know that I subscribe to thepodcast Good good, listen to
everyone that you've had.
I know that I'm in the presenceof greatness and have very,
very big shoes to fill with allthe people that came before me,
and my goal is just not to messit up.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Well, I appreciate that You're right there in this
whole legacy concept.
You know, before we get intowhat you're doing now, I always
ask persons to take us back toyour roots.
Can you take us back to yourroots and what it was like
growing up in Columbus and howdid that shape who you are today
?
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Sure, so I grew up on the northeast part of Columbus
kind of where what we know nowas Easton but what I knew as
mostly farmland.
So it was much different thanmuch different then than what it
was today.
But, as you referenced, I'm analum of Mifflin High School, so
(03:14):
I'm really proud of being partof the Columbus public school
system.
I attended Cassidy and EnnisElementary as well as Mifflin
for middle school, junior high,and it was a very transitional
time.
I was in school when busingstarted, so we went from kind of
(03:36):
a segregated system to kind ofa new system and you know there
were definitely a lot ofwonderful experiences and people
that shaped my life.
But I'm just really proud to bea Columbus native and I've been
here my whole life and I lovethe city and I thrive in trying
(03:57):
to make it better.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Oh yeah, oh yeah.
You know who were some of yourearly influences.
Maybe some teachers that helpguide your values and sense of
purpose.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Sure.
So the first thing I want to dois give credit to my parents,
my parents and my family.
They are amazing and I feel Iknow that we talk a lot about
legacy here and I'm alwaysthinking about how I can live up
to the legacy that was set upfor me.
As you referenced, I'm a juniorand I always go out of my way
(04:29):
to say junior, because you knowRalph Sr.
He hada really great career incity government.
He was once the developmentdirector for the city of
Columbus.
He worked for a couple ofmayors right in the mayor's
office, and I know that wheneverI go out it's not just my name.
(04:53):
I've got to be conscious aboutholding up his good name too.
My mom was a teacher, so theywere very helpful to have that
kind of influence and a blessing, because I know not everyone
has that and I've got amazingaunts and uncles.
They've done great things too.
So that was my, my maininfluence, but certainly I can
think of various people that Imet along the way that had an
impact, especially coaches.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
What sports did you play?
Speaker 1 (05:17):
I was a football player, yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Now you would.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah Well.
So, um, my, my, my journey wasI didn't end up having a journey
that I that I had set out tohave.
Well, so my journey was Ididn't end up having a journey
that I that I had set out tohave.
This surprises a lot of people,but I was a very, very late
bloomer.
I didn't get my growth spurtuntil after I graduated from
high school up in ninth grade,at 5'3", 103 pounds.
(05:45):
I knew it wasn't going to turnout the way that I wanted.
And in fact, my freshman year Iopted to be a team manager
because I knew I wasn't going tobe able to work with that.
So I come back my sophomoreyear and I'm, you know, I
probably gained three pounds andit's still the same, but I
(06:07):
stuck with it.
And you know my junior year, Ithink my driver's license when I
was 16, it was like 5'6", 135.
I thought I was getting prettybig then, and now I'm 6'2" right
.
So go figure, but at least youknow, at least it let me.
I figured that was my lessonand I better focus on the books,
(06:29):
because I wasn't going to beplaying in the NFL, right.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
You know, I know also you're a strong man of faith.
Can you talk about your faithjourney and how that faith
foundation guides you today?
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Sure, so very, very blessed to have really grown up
in the church.
We used to fill a couple ofpews at St Paul AME.
Our whole family did so.
It was always a family affairand that was my mom's side of
the family was there and mydad's side of the family was
(07:01):
just a couple blocks away overat Mount Vernon AME.
So we had both sides of ourfamily were kind of in that same
mind and I think that, for me,faith is what keeps me glued
together.
There's so many disappointmentsand setbacks that life presents
(07:22):
and we all face them, but Ithink having faith is what keeps
us all glued together and keepsus sane.
And I think that that, for me,is my journey and I think it
also provides guidance into ourdecision-making.
You know, as they say, do theright thing.
You know we get confronted witha lot of decisions where if you
go one way you get one outcome.
(07:44):
You go the other way, you get adifferent outcome.
And you know, I think my faithjourney has helped keep me on a
road to keep me safe, keep meglued together and just try to
set a good example for others.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Good stuff.
You graduated from Mifflin HighSchool.
Then you went to Ohio State.
Were you an active member ofthe Minority Moral Scholars
Program?
What were some defining momentsduring that time?
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Yeah, that's a great question.
So, as we record this, we knowthat actually the moral program
is going to continue, but a lotof the programs that were in
place have been decimated withrecent cuts.
But two things about that.
First, I met on day one some ofthe very best friends I have in
(08:33):
my whole life that are still myfriends today.
And the very first day I walkedinto campus to the early
arrival programs that they hadback then and those are, you
know, my friends for life andhave had a huge impact in some
of the different things I'minvolved with even to this very
day.
But the other thing, and thegreatest blessing, was receiving
(08:56):
a scholarship, and I alwayscall that the great blessing of
my life because I was well, I'lljust say this, c's get degrees
right.
So you know that was definitelyme as a college student, you
know I have to just call it forwhat it is.
(09:19):
And even in high school, youknow, I was not a straight A
student.
I mean I probably could havebeen a better student than I
actually was.
But when I was accepted intothat program and I'm going to
pull out a name that youprobably know, kathy Espy was
one of the people interviewingme and I just remember her just
(09:41):
saying you know, you're reallyreally close to not being
eligible for this and I got thatmessage and I know, you know,
when a lot of my friends werejust doing whatever they wanted
their senior year, I wasbuckling down to make sure I
could get that so.
I count that as one of the greatblessings in my life.
But the way that that reallytranslates is that I was able to
(10:05):
graduate without any debt andthat can allow you to be a home
owner and do all those otherthings.
But even more importantly, Ithink that that was probably one
of the key things that happenedfor me that really made service
a priority, and this was not inany bio or anything, but one
(10:28):
thing that I had.
You know, since I was such aclose call, I said you know, one
day I'm going to pay them back,I'm going to pay them back.
I'm going to pay them back.
(10:53):
I'm going to pay back all thesescholarships with interest and
with a good friend of mine whostarted the Bucking the Trends
Scholarship at Ohio State, I wasable to pay that and you know.
Just going back to Kathy Espy,you know she passed away a few
years ago, but I just had.
I knew her, she's family friendand I happened to share that
story with her because I don'tthink she knew about the
(11:14):
scholarship part, and I justsaid I just want to thank you
for giving me a chance and thisis what I've done with it.
So I hope others can followsuit.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
You know you mentioned the name of the
scholarship Bucking the Trendand I'm sure there's a backstory
to that.
What inspired that name?
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Absolutely so.
The scholarship and you knowthis is in flux right now with
all the changes that havehappened but the scholarship was
awarded to young men who wereactive with the Todd Bell Center
at Ohio State.
So we were trying to get atyoung men that were just like
ourselves.
And you know the trend linesare not good for
(11:56):
African-American men, black menof color and the trends of.
You know we don't want anyoneto not be able to graduate,
having the ability but maybejust coming short on a few
dollars to get over the finishline or having the support
system to.
You know, when you run into alittle trouble, you're able to
go to someone that can, you know, help you out.
(12:18):
So the trend that we weretrying to buck were just all
those negative trends that wouldkeep people from being
successful.
You know, sometimes just alittle, you know, just throw a
little line out, there is allthat's needed and that becomes a
multiplier, you know, once theyget their degree and really
contribute to society.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
you know, once they get their degree and really
contribute to society.
That's good being at Ohio State.
Why did you choose to major infinance insurance, and how does
that field help you serve others?
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Yeah, that is a great question.
So I want to start out bysaying I had no idea what I
wanted to do.
I thought maybe I wanted to bein some sort of sports thing
like sports, medicine or maybeengineering.
But in my first year at OhioState I realized that I didn't
(13:10):
have the aptitude.
It was either aptitude orinterest or a combination of
both.
But I tell people that myfreshman year I pulled an
all-nighter pairing chromosomes.
We cut out pictures ofchromosomes and had to pair them
together.
I said I can't, I'm notinterested in this.
(13:30):
And then I took an engineeringclass and all we did was draw
renderings of bolts and thingslike that.
I'm like I don't care aboutthis.
So I just took a.
It was sort of a desperate moveat the time because I didn't
really have anyone that didanything in the private sector.
Those opportunities weren'tthere, so I just picked finance
(13:54):
because I thought it was thebroadest.
It gave me a lot of choices incase something else came up.
And at the same time this washappening, I just randomly
applied for a job at aninsurance company to work at a
call center.
So I've been in insurance sinceI was 19 years old and I
enjoyed it so much, I decided toadd insurance to my major, and
(14:18):
I'm still in that field allthese years later.
What a story.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
What a story we we're on the podcast we always talk
about.
You can't be what you can't seeRight Some of those areas you
were talking about.
If you don't see anybody, itlooks like you're just in those
areas, and so one of the thingswe try to do here is let young
people know, or people knowthere's different areas.
You know that, you know Now.
You know somebody in that areaRight Now.
You can do that.
(14:41):
You can do that thing.
You know, Ed and Colbert, youhave led inclusion and community
engagement.
How do you make sure thoseefforts have a real, lasting
impact?
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Yeah, that's hard to measure sometimes.
I think that you can alwayslook at certain data to see who
you're impacting and howrepresentation changes and if
people are getting promoted ordifferent things like that.
But our numbers are not realbig to begin with, so the
numbers don't move.
So I think that we just have torely on stories of impact.
(15:18):
Rely on stories of impact andyou know, for me it's helping
people maybe see in them thingsthat they didn't see themselves.
And sometimes if you're allalone and you don't have a place
to connect with other peoplethat have your same
sensibilities, you can easilyget lost.
(15:38):
So I think one of the things ourprograms do is help people
connect across the organization.
A lot of us are remote, so ithelps people even connect across
geography.
And when it comes to thecommunity, it's sort of the same
thing we try to through ourfoundation.
We try to support differentcauses and so forth, and just,
(16:03):
you know, I think, the impact.
You know money is great, butyou know there's not enough
corporate philanthropy to solveall the world's problems.
We would fall very short if we,even if we, pulled all the
funds together.
But you know, for me impact istaking time to get to know the
stakeholders, talking to them.
(16:23):
You know, sometimes serving onboards and, at the end of the
day, just being in a position tohelp Make connections.
A lot of times we run intoorganizations that are doing
almost the same exact thing andthey're not aware of each other,
so sometimes I can be aconnector and help them multiply
their impact.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
I know in the community.
You're very involved in thecommunity, serving on a long
list of community boards.
Why is that investment soimportant to you?
Why is it so important to youto be a part of those boards?
Why is that investment so?
Speaker 1 (16:56):
important to you.
Why is it so important to youto be a part of those boards?
Yeah, so, going way, way backto college or just coming out of
college, I was looking at myresume and I thought this resume
is not that good.
It's not going to get me to theplaces that I want to be and of
course, my resume was just thesame as any other college
student, so that was probablybeing harsh as any other college
(17:18):
students.
So that was probably beingharsh.
But way back when I just set agoal for myself that I'm going
to try to do one thing each yearthat is worthy of inclusion on
my resume, and I found thatservice has kind of been a way
to do that.
And one of the things about theboards that I've had a chance to
be on is that you'recontributing both time, talent
(17:39):
and treasure.
But if you are, you know you'rehelping that organization.
You know making sure they'rerunning right, helping them with
decisions, helping them makeconnections to the community,
meeting wonderful people thatare serving alongside of you,
and I've just found that to be agreat multiplier and find it to
be very rewarding.
And I think you know for mesometimes that kind of work can
(18:05):
help fill in gaps.
I've been doing that for a longtime.
There's times that you get intoyour career where I don't know
if I'm getting bored with my jobor I'm ready to do something
else, and sometimes all the timeyou get opportunities to do
things that you wouldn't get todo on your day job and it can be
a real career multiplier.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
You know.
I know you're being in aposition that you're in.
I know your phone rings off thehook for people.
I need help.
Can you do this for me?
He's on his board, you know.
The question becomes is whatguides your decision on where to
invest your time and energy?
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, that's great.
Well, the first thing I do andI have a few people that will
tell me that I need to do betterat this is I first I go till my
calendar gets full, which isn'tthe best way.
I try to help as much as I can,and that isn't the best thing
to do, but I try to get to knowand get involved with whatever
(19:02):
calls I might be approached todo and actually and this is a
little contrary to what a lot ofpeople might say a lot of
people will just jump intothings where there's their
passions align, and I havediscovered new passions by
stretching myself and gettinginvolved in things that I would
(19:24):
have probably not thought ofmyself doing.
So one of the things I do is Ilook at who else is on the board
and I'm like, hey, there mightbe some great people that I can
make connections with board, andI'm like, hey, there might be
some great people that I canmake connections with.
I also will look at my ownprofile and say where am I
deficient, what can I be betterat?
So I'll give you an example,and I've used this more than
(19:51):
once, even among my colleaguesI'm on the Lincoln Theater Board
and I love sports and if youask me about art I'm not really
the best representation.
So I said I have a deficiencyhere and an opportunity came to
serve on that board and Ithought this is a good stretch
for me and now I have a wholenew level of appreciation and I
can also bring sensibilities tothat room that I might take for
(20:16):
granted as a insurance financeguy in a room full of people
that are mostly artists.
So I can help bring a little Iguess diversity is how you
define that to those spaces tokind of make you know, enhance
outcomes.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Wow, just listening to you talk, it sounds like you
were made for that diversityrole, because that's kind of
what you do, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
As you just explained it, my career doing technical
insurance roles, so I probablyknow more about homeowners
insurance and auto insurance andthings like that than some of
the things I do now.
But it's nice to be able tohave that.
You know, have things change upevery now and then because it
(21:10):
gets boring after a while.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
You know you talked a lot about relationships and
building those relationships.
Can you share with some youngpeople, maybe listening, how
important those relationshipsare?
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Oh gosh, yeah, Thank you for asking.
So I have a couple of pillarsthat I sort of stand on and I
think one and a lot of peoplewho know me would agree I think
it is super, super critical tocultivate relationships.
When you meet someone you knowin my context, you know, I don't
(21:42):
just get a business card.
I will not only follow up,maybe with a connection
somewhere on LinkedIn or socialmedia, but let's sit down and
get coffee, let's learn abouteach other.
And get coffee, let's learnabout each other.
And I have found that,practicing that and doing that
hundreds and hundreds of timesover many years, you start to
get to know a lot of people andyou graduate from just
(22:06):
cultivating relationships, ofbeing a connector, because you
learn that, hey, this person hasthe chocolate and someone else
has the peanut butter.
Let's bring them together andwe'll have something special.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
That's good.
That's good Throughout yourcommunity work.
Can you share a moment when yousaw a breakthrough, a real
change that made you proud, whenyou say, yeah, I was a part of
that?
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Yeah, there's been a few.
I was on the Urban League boardfor two terms and I can
remember a time, especially whenI first got to the organization
, where it was hard just tryingto figure out how to get, not
(22:55):
just serve the people that wewant to serve, but just be
viable so we can keep going.
And I was part of that boardduring a very transitional
period when we had the annualconference but still had to deal
with some legacy challenges andit's really rewarding for me,
(23:17):
um, you know, not taking any anypersonal credit, but working as
a team with some other reallycommitted people to help.
You know help an organization,you know thrive.
You know where there's programsgoing on all the time and you
know people are being helped andyou know that's one that just
you know immediately,immediately comes to mind.
(23:37):
But I found similaropportunities in all the
different places where I've beenable to serve.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
I know you have a demanding schedule.
You know you got family board,leadership, wellness and all
those things.
What's your strategy forkeeping it all in balance?
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Well, there's a matter of debate how you know if
I'm really achieving that ornot.
But, as I suggested earlier,you know the first thing is my
calendar right.
So I am a real stickler aboutnot just putting things on the
calendar but managing mycalendar and not just operating
(24:16):
like, oh, I just got an alert,it's time to go to the next
place.
But sitting down on Sundayevening and okay, what do I have
to do this week?
And being strategic andpurposeful about what I can do
and one priority I have I tendto prioritize people over
process.
(24:37):
So if there's an opportunity toengage with people, I'll put
that up higher as a priority.
Obviously, we have to prioritizethe things that our employer
needs us to accomplish and Ialso try to prioritize things
that I can have the most impact.
I definitely say no.
(24:58):
People say I probably shouldsay no more often.
But I've also been reallypurposeful about trying to get
good at the art of making anappearance, because I think
being present is reallyimportant and there are times
where there are two or threethings happening in the same
(25:18):
time and you're like they allare pretty close.
How do I thread the needle,make it to all three and learn
how to plan that out andsometimes be able to show up in
three different places withthings that are happening all at
the same time and satisfy allthe stakeholders and go home and
know that you did your best.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Then you had to go home and see white Pam.
Now, yeah, she's on thecalendar, we're starting all
over again.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
That list All over again.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
All got that list.
You know.
As we come around the corner,let's talk about legacy and also
recognition, because youreceived numerous awards and
recognition.
What do these honors representto you?
Speaker 1 (26:02):
That's a great question.
So I don't get too it's alwaysappreciated any time that every
single case, any, yeah, everysingle case, any.
(26:38):
In fact, I always say that ifyou're going to try to give me
with an expectation of receivingsomething in return, do it
because you want to do it,because you believe in the cause
, but never do it because youexpect someone to do something
for you.
So I operate that way and inthose cases where you've just
done your best, you've given itall and you just say, well,
(26:58):
that's what I came here to do.
If someone wants to single youout and recognize you for that,
that is very, very, verymeaningful and you know it
really moves me.
But I certainly don't doanything with the intent for
something like that to happen.
But when it happens I'msurprised.
There's been a few cases wheresomeone says, hey, we want to do
(27:19):
this.
I'm like, are you sure?
You know, maybe you should talkto so-and-so or do something
like that.
But it's always a blessing tobe recognized when you really
intend just to do your best anddon't mind doing it in obscurity
.
When you really intend just todo your best and don't mind
doing it in obscurity.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Amen.
What does building a lifelonglegacy mean to you and what do
you hope your legacy will be?
Speaker 1 (27:46):
Great question.
So the first thing is it's myintent to be working and writing
this legacy until the last dayin writing this legacy until the
last day, so I may not bearound to see whatever last
little scratch I made in makingthat legacy.
That's going to be for othersto decide if it was worthwhile
(28:07):
or I just want to make sure I'mpushing constantly to do my best
.
But I suppose that a few thingsthat I would hope are an
outcome of all the efforts, fewthings that I would hope you
know are an outcome of all theefforts.
I hope that people would say,hey, you know, if I needed some
advice or I could go talk toRaul, he would take the time to
(28:27):
listen to me, he would listen.
He would listen withoutjudgment.
He would ask a few questionsand, you know, maybe a few
nuggets in there.
I would hope that people wouldsay, hey, he saw things in me
that I didn't see in myself andas a result of that, I pursued
that and my life is so muchbetter.
I hope that that would be.
(28:48):
I would hope that, you know, hewas really intentional about
his time, talent and treasureand the things that he invested
in and I hate talking aboutmyself in the third person, but
I think I have to do it that waythat he made an impact and we
(29:09):
appreciate that, and thenhopefully, my kids will be proud
of me.
Hopefully they can say, hey, wesaw what he did and we have an
example to follow, just like Ifeel, like I had.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Good, good.
Well, you've been reading mynotes, because my next question
was about the children.
Yes, you know, you talked aboutthe name earlier.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Yeah, yeah, I intentionally made sure that my
sons had a different namebecause it gets a little
confusing.
The first time I applied forcredit, my credit file and my
dad's credit file were allintermingled.
Thankfully, he paid his billsso it wasn't a problem for me,
but it can be a little confusingsometimes.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
Think about that name .
What do you want your childrenand their next generation to
remember about?
How have you added, I alwaystalk about in a book that I
wrote I remember about.
How have you added, I alwaystalk about in the book that I
wrote I talk about how importantthe name is.
I always tell young people youhave to add value to the name.
Right, you know someone likeyour dad, mom.
They bless you with that name.
Now you have to add value tothe name.
And then, secondly, you have toprotect the name, right, right,
(30:12):
you know you have to protectour name.
So what would you say to, uh,in regards to that?
Speaker 1 (30:17):
yeah, right, right thing.
But I hope that you know, if myname is spoken in a place that
I'm not at, it'll, at minimum,bring a smile to someone's face
(30:40):
or it'll bring like, hey, youknow, um, that's, that's someone
we can trust, that's that's aplace, just like a brand.
You know.
You want brands you can trustthat are going to deliver for
you and give you the resultsthat you need, and that's what
this association, I hope, is.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
You know, as we come around the corner.
Uh, I have talked to peopleabout you.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Okay, they didn't have a, hopefully.
They said nice things.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
This is what this is.
This is what they say about youthat you're.
You're a humble man, and I knowthat's real just from our
conversation at humility.
I think people really don'teven know the impact that you're
having in this community Causeyou're not out there.
You know, patting your chest orsaying I'm doing this, I'm
doing that, but very humble,service-minded, you know for
sure All about serving a servingleader, about serving people
(31:34):
and helping people and thenbeing a man that's a man of his
word.
You know that commitment.
People say I'm just tellingwhat people say about you, dad.
They say that if Ralph sayshe's going to do something, he's
going to do it, you know, andhe'll tell you.
If he can't do it, you know hecan't do it.
And then the last thing, themost important thing I've heard,
is that everything you do, youdo it in an excellent way, an
(31:56):
excellent way.
There ain't no half heart aboutit.
You know it's going to be done,done, done, done.
You know in the right way.
Did I get that right?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Well, I'm going to say this we might have to pause
this so I can compose myself.
That's, you know, that reallytouches my soul and you know I
never, ever want anything to beabout me.
I want things to be about theresult, and we can.
All you know, we just talkedabout branding we can choose our
(32:26):
brand.
You know, what do you want tobe associated for?
You want to be a winner or youwant to be a loser.
You want to be a person thatthey, you know, they hear you're
coming and they cross thestreet so they don't have to
deal with you, or they come tosee you.
So I'm very, very honored andflattered and I'm just going to
keep keep chopping, keep pushing, you know, and and not not try
(32:47):
to don't get caught up into that.
But I think that I get a lot ofreward, more, much, much, much
more reward about lifting otherpeople up, and if that's the
outcome, then I'll, I'll take it.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
You have to take it, cause that's what it is.
Okay, no getting around it.
We'll go with that.
No getting around it.
Well, rabbi, I want to thankyou for being on the show today.
I'm thanking you for sharingyour testimony and just how good
God has been.
You know how.
You're definitely a faithfulman, faith-filled man, who's
been directed by the Lord, who'sordered your steps.
You know, and I like, that seasget degrees.
(33:23):
Look at what God has done.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Look at what God has done.
I am really thankful.
I'm really thankful for you toinvite me, and when I saw the
roster of all the people thatpreceded me, I almost wanted to
say are you sure you?
want to do this, but hey, if youget the opportunity you got to
run with it, fake it until youmake it, if necessary.
But I just really want to thankyou for what you're doing, and
(33:56):
this is a great vehicle forpeople to learn, to be inspired
and to be part of.
This is a tremendous honor andI thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (33:59):
So that's all we have time for today.
So we want to thank our guestsand I pray that the audience
receive that wisdom, someintentional nuggets that they
can use on a daily walk.
So thanks again, always forlistening to Be A Baller Podcast
.
Don't forget to subscribe tothe show and continue being a
baller.
Thanks, brad.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
If you've enjoyed this episode, please share it
with family and friends.
The Be A Baller Podcast isavailable on all major podcast
platforms.
This podcast was created byCoach Tim Brown and recorded and
edited by the video productionclass of Worthington Christian
High School.
Be sure to come back next weekas we continue to discuss on how
to build a lifelong legacy.
(34:39):
Until then, don't forget to bea baller.
Our name is ultimately our brand.
I always say that if my name isspoken in a room that I'm not
in, I hope that it's notattached to a bunch of cuss
words.
You know that's the first thing, but I hope that you know if my
name is spoken in a place thatI'm not at, it'll at minimum
bring a smile to someone's faceor it'll bring like hey, you
(00:23):
know that's someone we can trust.
That's a place, just like abrand.
You know you want brands youcan trust that are going to
deliver for you and give you theresults that you need, and
that's what this association, Ihope, is.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Welcome to Be A Baller where we're building a
lifelong legacy for our families, communities and the world.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey.
On each episode, we'll betalking about how to be
intentional about building alasting legacy.
We'll be exploring what itmeans to leave a mark that goes
beyond just our lives but has apositive impact on those around
(00:58):
us and even generations to come.
So if you're looking forinspiration, guidance and
practical tips on how to build alasting legacy that makes a
difference, then you're in theright place.
So grab your earbuds, getcomfortable and let's dive in.
It's time to be a baller.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Welcome to Be A Baller podcast.
I'm your host, coach Tim Brown,and I'm excited to have in the
studio today a young man who's areal Ohio native, graduate of
Mifflin High School and also theOhio State University.
This is a Raph Smithers Jr.
He's a community leader andcorporate professional dedicated
(01:35):
to helping others become thebest version of themselves.
His role at Incova Insurance heleads efforts in inclusion,
belonging and communityengagement.
Covid insurance he leadsefforts in inclusion, belonging
and community engagement.
Ralph is deeply involved inCentral Ohio through multiple
boards and advisory roles andhas been widely recognized for
his leadership and service.
He lives in New Albany, ohio,with his lovely wife, pam, and
(01:56):
the proud father of three youngadult children.
Get ready to be inspired by aman who's building bridges,
creating impact and showing usall what it means to be a real
baller.
Let's welcome Ralph Smithers Jrto the show.
Wow, thank you.
You are a real baller man.
I read that bio I'm like, oh mygoodness.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I'll tell you what.
Since we met, I subscribe tothe podcast listen to everyone
that you've had.
I know that I subscribe to thepodcast Good good, listen to
everyone that you've had.
I know that I'm in the presenceof greatness and have very,
very big shoes to fill with allthe people that came before me,
and my goal is just not to messit up.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Well, I appreciate that You're right there in this
whole legacy concept.
You know, before we get intowhat you're doing now, I always
ask persons to take us back toyour roots.
Can you take us back to yourroots and what it was like
growing up in Columbus and howdid that shape who you are today
?
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Sure, so I grew up on the northeast part of Columbus
kind of where what we know nowas Easton but what I knew as
mostly farmland.
So it was much different thanmuch different then than what it
was today.
But, as you referenced, I'm analum of Mifflin High School, so
(03:14):
I'm really proud of being partof the Columbus public school
system.
I attended Cassidy and EnnisElementary as well as Mifflin
for middle school, junior high,and it was a very transitional
time.
I was in school when busingstarted, so we went from kind of
(03:36):
a segregated system to kind ofa new system and you know there
were definitely a lot ofwonderful experiences and people
that shaped my life.
But I'm just really proud to bea Columbus native and I've been
here my whole life and I lovethe city and I thrive in trying
(03:57):
to make it better.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Oh yeah, oh yeah.
You know who were some of yourearly influences.
Maybe some teachers that helpguide your values and sense of
purpose.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Sure.
So the first thing I want to dois give credit to my parents,
my parents and my family.
They are amazing and I feel Iknow that we talk a lot about
legacy here and I'm alwaysthinking about how I can live up
to the legacy that was set upfor me.
As you referenced, I'm a juniorand I always go out of my way
(04:29):
to say junior, because you knowRalph Sr.
He hada really great career incity government.
He was once the developmentdirector for the city of
Columbus.
He worked for a couple ofmayors right in the mayor's
office, and I know that wheneverI go out it's not just my name.
(04:53):
I've got to be conscious aboutholding up his good name too.
My mom was a teacher, so theywere very helpful to have that
kind of influence and a blessing, because I know not everyone
has that and I've got amazingaunts and uncles.
They've done great things too.
So that was my, my maininfluence, but certainly I can
think of various people that Imet along the way that had an
impact, especially coaches.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
What sports did you play?
Speaker 1 (05:17):
I was a football player, yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Now you would.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah Well.
So, um, my, my, my journey wasI didn't end up having a journey
that I that I had set out tohave.
Well, so my journey was Ididn't end up having a journey
that I that I had set out tohave.
This surprises a lot of people,but I was a very, very late
bloomer.
I didn't get my growth spurtuntil after I graduated from
high school up in ninth grade,at 5'3", 103 pounds.
(05:45):
I knew it wasn't going to turnout the way that I wanted.
And in fact, my freshman year Iopted to be a team manager
because I knew I wasn't going tobe able to work with that.
So I come back my sophomoreyear and I'm, you know, I
probably gained three pounds andit's still the same, but I
(06:07):
stuck with it.
And you know my junior year, Ithink my driver's license when I
was 16, it was like 5'6", 135.
I thought I was getting prettybig then, and now I'm 6'2" right
.
So go figure, but at least youknow, at least it let me.
I figured that was my lessonand I better focus on the books,
(06:29):
because I wasn't going to beplaying in the NFL, right.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
You know, I know also you're a strong man of faith.
Can you talk about your faithjourney and how that faith
foundation guides you today?
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Sure, so very, very blessed to have really grown up
in the church.
We used to fill a couple ofpews at St Paul AME.
Our whole family did so.
It was always a family affairand that was my mom's side of
the family was there and mydad's side of the family was
(07:01):
just a couple blocks away overat Mount Vernon AME.
So we had both sides of ourfamily were kind of in that same
mind and I think that, for me,faith is what keeps me glued
together.
There's so many disappointmentsand setbacks that life presents
(07:22):
and we all face them, but Ithink having faith is what keeps
us all glued together and keepsus sane.
And I think that that, for me,is my journey and I think it
also provides guidance into ourdecision-making.
You know, as they say, do theright thing.
You know we get confronted witha lot of decisions where if you
go one way you get one outcome.
(07:44):
You go the other way, you get adifferent outcome.
And you know, I think my faithjourney has helped keep me on a
road to keep me safe, keep meglued together and just try to
set a good example for others.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
Good stuff.
You graduated from Mifflin HighSchool.
Then you went to Ohio State.
Were you an active member ofthe Minority Moral Scholars
Program?
What were some defining momentsduring that time?
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Yeah, that's a great question.
So, as we record this, we knowthat actually the moral program
is going to continue, but a lotof the programs that were in
place have been decimated withrecent cuts.
But two things about that.
First, I met on day one some ofthe very best friends I have in
(08:33):
my whole life that are still myfriends today.
And the very first day I walkedinto campus to the early
arrival programs that they hadback then and those are, you
know, my friends for life andhave had a huge impact in some
of the different things I'minvolved with even to this very
day.
But the other thing, and thegreatest blessing, was receiving
(08:56):
a scholarship, and I alwayscall that the great blessing of
my life because I was well, I'lljust say this, c's get degrees
right.
So you know that was definitelyme as a college student, you
know I have to just call it forwhat it is.
(09:19):
And even in high school, youknow, I was not a straight A
student.
I mean I probably could havebeen a better student than I
actually was.
But when I was accepted intothat program and I'm going to
pull out a name that youprobably know, kathy Espy was
one of the people interviewingme and I just remember her just
(09:41):
saying you know, you're reallyreally close to not being
eligible for this and I got thatmessage and I know, you know,
when a lot of my friends werejust doing whatever they wanted
their senior year, I wasbuckling down to make sure I
could get that so.
I count that as one of the greatblessings in my life.
But the way that that reallytranslates is that I was able to
(10:05):
graduate without any debt andthat can allow you to be a home
owner and do all those otherthings.
But even more importantly, Ithink that that was probably one
of the key things that happenedfor me that really made service
a priority, and this was not inany bio or anything, but one
(10:28):
thing that I had.
You know, since I was such aclose call, I said you know, one
day I'm going to pay them back,I'm going to pay them back.
I'm going to pay them back.
(10:53):
I'm going to pay back all thesescholarships with interest and
with a good friend of mine whostarted the Bucking the Trends
Scholarship at Ohio State, I wasable to pay that and you know.
Just going back to Kathy Espy,you know she passed away a few
years ago, but I just had.
I knew her, she's family friendand I happened to share that
story with her because I don'tthink she knew about the
(11:14):
scholarship part, and I justsaid I just want to thank you
for giving me a chance and thisis what I've done with it.
So I hope others can followsuit.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
You know you mentioned the name of the
scholarship Bucking the Trendand I'm sure there's a backstory
to that.
What inspired that name?
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Absolutely so.
The scholarship and you knowthis is in flux right now with
all the changes that havehappened but the scholarship was
awarded to young men who wereactive with the Todd Bell Center
at Ohio State.
So we were trying to get atyoung men that were just like
ourselves.
And you know the trend linesare not good for
(11:56):
African-American men, black menof color and the trends of.
You know we don't want anyoneto not be able to graduate,
having the ability but maybejust coming short on a few
dollars to get over the finishline or having the support
system to.
You know, when you run into alittle trouble, you're able to
go to someone that can, you know, help you out.
(12:18):
So the trend that we weretrying to buck were just all
those negative trends that wouldkeep people from being
successful.
You know, sometimes just alittle, you know, just throw a
little line out, there is allthat's needed and that becomes a
multiplier, you know, once theyget their degree and really
contribute to society.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
you know, once they get their degree and really
contribute to society.
That's good being at Ohio State.
Why did you choose to major infinance insurance, and how does
that field help you serve others?
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Yeah, that is a great question.
So I want to start out bysaying I had no idea what I
wanted to do.
I thought maybe I wanted to bein some sort of sports thing
like sports, medicine or maybeengineering.
But in my first year at OhioState I realized that I didn't
(13:10):
have the aptitude.
It was either aptitude orinterest or a combination of
both.
But I tell people that myfreshman year I pulled an
all-nighter pairing chromosomes.
We cut out pictures ofchromosomes and had to pair them
together.
I said I can't, I'm notinterested in this.
(13:30):
And then I took an engineeringclass and all we did was draw
renderings of bolts and thingslike that.
I'm like I don't care aboutthis.
So I just took a.
It was sort of a desperate moveat the time because I didn't
really have anyone that didanything in the private sector.
Those opportunities weren'tthere, so I just picked finance
(13:54):
because I thought it was thebroadest.
It gave me a lot of choices incase something else came up.
And at the same time this washappening, I just randomly
applied for a job at aninsurance company to work at a
call center.
So I've been in insurance sinceI was 19 years old and I
enjoyed it so much, I decided toadd insurance to my major, and
(14:18):
I'm still in that field allthese years later.
What a story.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
What a story we we're on the podcast we always talk
about.
You can't be what you can't seeRight Some of those areas you
were talking about.
If you don't see anybody, itlooks like you're just in those
areas, and so one of the thingswe try to do here is let young
people know, or people knowthere's different areas.
You know that, you know Now.
You know somebody in that areaRight Now.
You can do that.
(14:41):
You can do that thing.
You know, Ed and Colbert, youhave led inclusion and community
engagement.
How do you make sure thoseefforts have a real, lasting
impact?
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Yeah, that's hard to measure sometimes.
I think that you can alwayslook at certain data to see who
you're impacting and howrepresentation changes and if
people are getting promoted ordifferent things like that.
But our numbers are not realbig to begin with, so the
numbers don't move.
So I think that we just have torely on stories of impact.
(15:18):
Rely on stories of impact andyou know, for me it's helping
people maybe see in them thingsthat they didn't see themselves.
And sometimes if you're allalone and you don't have a place
to connect with other peoplethat have your same
sensibilities, you can easilyget lost.
(15:38):
So I think one of the things ourprograms do is help people
connect across the organization.
A lot of us are remote, so ithelps people even connect across
geography.
And when it comes to thecommunity, it's sort of the same
thing we try to through ourfoundation.
We try to support differentcauses and so forth, and just,
(16:03):
you know, I think, the impact.
You know money is great, butyou know there's not enough
corporate philanthropy to solveall the world's problems.
We would fall very short if we,even if we, pulled all the
funds together.
But you know, for me impact istaking time to get to know the
stakeholders, talking to them.
(16:23):
You know, sometimes serving onboards and, at the end of the
day, just being in a position tohelp Make connections.
A lot of times we run intoorganizations that are doing
almost the same exact thing andthey're not aware of each other,
so sometimes I can be aconnector and help them multiply
their impact.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
I know in the community.
You're very involved in thecommunity, serving on a long
list of community boards.
Why is that investment soimportant to you?
Why is it so important to youto be a part of those boards?
Why is that investment so?
Speaker 1 (16:56):
important to you.
Why is it so important to youto be a part of those boards?
Yeah, so, going way, way backto college or just coming out of
college, I was looking at myresume and I thought this resume
is not that good.
It's not going to get me to theplaces that I want to be and of
course, my resume was just thesame as any other college
student, so that was probablybeing harsh as any other college
(17:18):
students.
So that was probably beingharsh.
But way back when I just set agoal for myself that I'm going
to try to do one thing each yearthat is worthy of inclusion on
my resume, and I found thatservice has kind of been a way
to do that.
And one of the things about theboards that I've had a chance to
be on is that you'recontributing both time, talent
(17:39):
and treasure.
But if you are, you know you'rehelping that organization.
You know making sure they'rerunning right, helping them with
decisions, helping them makeconnections to the community,
meeting wonderful people thatare serving alongside of you,
and I've just found that to be agreat multiplier and find it to
be very rewarding.
And I think you know for mesometimes that kind of work can
(18:05):
help fill in gaps.
I've been doing that for a longtime.
There's times that you get intoyour career where I don't know
if I'm getting bored with my jobor I'm ready to do something
else, and sometimes all the timeyou get opportunities to do
things that you wouldn't get todo on your day job and it can be
a real career multiplier.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
You know.
I know you're being in aposition that you're in.
I know your phone rings off thehook for people.
I need help.
Can you do this for me?
He's on his board, you know.
The question becomes is whatguides your decision on where to
invest your time and energy?
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, that's great.
Well, the first thing I do andI have a few people that will
tell me that I need to do betterat this is I first I go till my
calendar gets full, which isn'tthe best way.
I try to help as much as I can,and that isn't the best thing
to do, but I try to get to knowand get involved with whatever
(19:02):
calls I might be approached todo and actually and this is a
little contrary to what a lot ofpeople might say a lot of
people will just jump intothings where there's their
passions align, and I havediscovered new passions by
stretching myself and gettinginvolved in things that I would
(19:24):
have probably not thought ofmyself doing.
So one of the things I do is Ilook at who else is on the board
and I'm like, hey, there mightbe some great people that I can
make connections with board, andI'm like, hey, there might be
some great people that I canmake connections with.
I also will look at my ownprofile and say where am I
deficient, what can I be betterat?
So I'll give you an example,and I've used this more than
(19:51):
once, even among my colleaguesI'm on the Lincoln Theater Board
and I love sports and if youask me about art I'm not really
the best representation.
So I said I have a deficiencyhere and an opportunity came to
serve on that board and Ithought this is a good stretch
for me and now I have a wholenew level of appreciation and I
can also bring sensibilities tothat room that I might take for
(20:16):
granted as a insurance financeguy in a room full of people
that are mostly artists.
So I can help bring a little Iguess diversity is how you
define that to those spaces tokind of make you know, enhance
outcomes.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Wow, just listening to you talk, it sounds like you
were made for that diversityrole, because that's kind of
what you do, yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
As you just explained it, my career doing technical
insurance roles, so I probablyknow more about homeowners
insurance and auto insurance andthings like that than some of
the things I do now.
But it's nice to be able tohave that.
You know, have things change upevery now and then because it
(21:10):
gets boring after a while.
Speaker 3 (21:12):
You know you talked a lot about relationships and
building those relationships.
Can you share with some youngpeople, maybe listening, how
important those relationshipsare?
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Oh gosh, yeah, Thank you for asking.
So I have a couple of pillarsthat I sort of stand on and I
think one and a lot of peoplewho know me would agree I think
it is super, super critical tocultivate relationships.
When you meet someone you knowin my context, you know, I don't
(21:42):
just get a business card.
I will not only follow up,maybe with a connection
somewhere on LinkedIn or socialmedia, but let's sit down and
get coffee, let's learn abouteach other.
And get coffee, let's learnabout each other.
And I have found that,practicing that and doing that
hundreds and hundreds of timesover many years, you start to
get to know a lot of people andyou graduate from just
(22:06):
cultivating relationships, ofbeing a connector, because you
learn that, hey, this person hasthe chocolate and someone else
has the peanut butter.
Let's bring them together andwe'll have something special.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
That's good.
That's good Throughout yourcommunity work.
Can you share a moment when yousaw a breakthrough, a real
change that made you proud, whenyou say, yeah, I was a part of
that?
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Yeah, there's been a few.
I was on the Urban League boardfor two terms and I can
remember a time, especially whenI first got to the organization
, where it was hard just tryingto figure out how to get, not
(22:55):
just serve the people that wewant to serve, but just be
viable so we can keep going.
And I was part of that boardduring a very transitional
period when we had the annualconference but still had to deal
with some legacy challenges andit's really rewarding for me,
(23:17):
um, you know, not taking any anypersonal credit, but working as
a team with some other reallycommitted people to help.
You know help an organization,you know thrive.
You know where there's programsgoing on all the time and you
know people are being helped andyou know that's one that just
you know immediately,immediately comes to mind.
(23:37):
But I found similaropportunities in all the
different places where I've beenable to serve.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
I know you have a demanding schedule.
You know you got family board,leadership, wellness and all
those things.
What's your strategy forkeeping it all in balance?
Speaker 1 (23:56):
Well, there's a matter of debate how you know if
I'm really achieving that ornot.
But, as I suggested earlier,you know the first thing is my
calendar right.
So I am a real stickler aboutnot just putting things on the
calendar but managing mycalendar and not just operating
(24:16):
like, oh, I just got an alert,it's time to go to the next
place.
But sitting down on Sundayevening and okay, what do I have
to do this week?
And being strategic andpurposeful about what I can do
and one priority I have I tendto prioritize people over
process.
(24:37):
So if there's an opportunity toengage with people, I'll put
that up higher as a priority.
Obviously, we have to prioritizethe things that our employer
needs us to accomplish and Ialso try to prioritize things
that I can have the most impact.
I definitely say no.
(24:58):
People say I probably shouldsay no more often.
But I've also been reallypurposeful about trying to get
good at the art of making anappearance, because I think
being present is reallyimportant and there are times
where there are two or threethings happening in the same
(25:18):
time and you're like they allare pretty close.
How do I thread the needle,make it to all three and learn
how to plan that out andsometimes be able to show up in
three different places withthings that are happening all at
the same time and satisfy allthe stakeholders and go home and
know that you did your best.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Then you had to go home and see white Pam.
Now, yeah, she's on thecalendar, we're starting all
over again.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
That list All over again.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
All got that list.
You know.
As we come around the corner,let's talk about legacy and also
recognition, because youreceived numerous awards and
recognition.
What do these honors representto you?
Speaker 1 (26:02):
That's a great question.
So I don't get too it's alwaysappreciated any time that every
single case, any, yeah, everysingle case, any.
(26:38):
In fact, I always say that ifyou're going to try to give me
with an expectation of receivingsomething in return, do it
because you want to do it,because you believe in the cause
, but never do it because youexpect someone to do something
for you.
So I operate that way and inthose cases where you've just
done your best, you've given itall and you just say, well,
(26:58):
that's what I came here to do.
If someone wants to single youout and recognize you for that,
that is very, very, verymeaningful and you know it
really moves me.
But I certainly don't doanything with the intent for
something like that to happen.
But when it happens I'msurprised.
There's been a few cases wheresomeone says, hey, we want to do
(27:19):
this.
I'm like, are you sure?
You know, maybe you should talkto so-and-so or do something
like that.
But it's always a blessing tobe recognized when you really
intend just to do your best anddon't mind doing it in obscurity
.
When you really intend just todo your best and don't mind
doing it in obscurity.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Amen.
What does building a lifelonglegacy mean to you and what do
you hope your legacy will be?
Speaker 1 (27:46):
Great question.
So the first thing is it's myintent to be working and writing
this legacy until the last dayin writing this legacy until the
last day, so I may not bearound to see whatever last
little scratch I made in makingthat legacy.
That's going to be for othersto decide if it was worthwhile
(28:07):
or I just want to make sure I'mpushing constantly to do my best
.
But I suppose that a few thingsthat I would hope are an
outcome of all the efforts, fewthings that I would hope you
know are an outcome of all theefforts.
I hope that people would say,hey, you know, if I needed some
advice or I could go talk toRaul, he would take the time to
(28:27):
listen to me, he would listen.
He would listen withoutjudgment.
He would ask a few questionsand, you know, maybe a few
nuggets in there.
I would hope that people wouldsay, hey, he saw things in me
that I didn't see in myself andas a result of that, I pursued
that and my life is so muchbetter.
I hope that that would be.
(28:48):
I would hope that, you know, hewas really intentional about
his time, talent and treasureand the things that he invested
in and I hate talking aboutmyself in the third person, but
I think I have to do it that waythat he made an impact and we
(29:09):
appreciate that, and thenhopefully, my kids will be proud
of me.
Hopefully they can say, hey, wesaw what he did and we have an
example to follow, just like Ifeel, like I had.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Good, good.
Well, you've been reading mynotes, because my next question
was about the children.
Yes, you know, you talked aboutthe name earlier.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Yeah, yeah, I intentionally made sure that my
sons had a different namebecause it gets a little
confusing.
The first time I applied forcredit, my credit file and my
dad's credit file were allintermingled.
Thankfully, he paid his billsso it wasn't a problem for me,
but it can be a little confusingsometimes.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
Think about that name .
What do you want your childrenand their next generation to
remember about?
How have you added, I alwaystalk about in a book that I
wrote I remember about.
How have you added, I alwaystalk about in the book that I
wrote I talk about how importantthe name is.
I always tell young people youhave to add value to the name.
Right, you know someone likeyour dad, mom.
They bless you with that name.
Now you have to add value tothe name.
And then, secondly, you have toprotect the name, right, right,
(30:12):
you know you have to protectour name.
So what would you say to, uh,in regards to that?
Speaker 1 (30:17):
yeah, right, right thing.
But I hope that you know, if myname is spoken in a place that
I'm not at, it'll, at minimum,bring a smile to someone's face
(30:40):
or it'll bring like, hey, youknow, um, that's, that's someone
we can trust, that's that's aplace, just like a brand.
You know.
You want brands you can trustthat are going to deliver for
you and give you the resultsthat you need, and that's what
this association, I hope, is.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
You know, as we come around the corner.
Uh, I have talked to peopleabout you.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Okay, they didn't have a, hopefully.
They said nice things.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
This is what this is.
This is what they say about youthat you're.
You're a humble man, and I knowthat's real just from our
conversation at humility.
I think people really don'teven know the impact that you're
having in this community Causeyou're not out there.
You know, patting your chest orsaying I'm doing this, I'm
doing that, but very humble,service-minded, you know for
sure All about serving a servingleader, about serving people
(31:34):
and helping people and thenbeing a man that's a man of his
word.
You know that commitment.
People say I'm just tellingwhat people say about you, dad.
They say that if Ralph sayshe's going to do something, he's
going to do it, you know, andhe'll tell you.
If he can't do it, you know hecan't do it.
And then the last thing, themost important thing I've heard,
is that everything you do, youdo it in an excellent way, an
(31:56):
excellent way.
There ain't no half heart aboutit.
You know it's going to be done,done, done, done.
You know in the right way.
Did I get that right?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Well, I'm going to say this we might have to pause
this so I can compose myself.
That's, you know, that reallytouches my soul and you know I
never, ever want anything to beabout me.
I want things to be about theresult, and we can.
All you know, we just talkedabout branding we can choose our
(32:26):
brand.
You know, what do you want tobe associated for?
You want to be a winner or youwant to be a loser.
You want to be a person thatthey, you know, they hear you're
coming and they cross thestreet so they don't have to
deal with you, or they come tosee you.
So I'm very, very honored andflattered and I'm just going to
keep keep chopping, keep pushing, you know, and and not not try
(32:47):
to don't get caught up into that.
But I think that I get a lot ofreward, more, much, much, much
more reward about lifting otherpeople up, and if that's the
outcome, then I'll, I'll take it.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
You have to take it, cause that's what it is.
Okay, no getting around it.
We'll go with that.
No getting around it.
Well, rabbi, I want to thankyou for being on the show today.
I'm thanking you for sharingyour testimony and just how good
God has been.
You know how.
You're definitely a faithfulman, faith-filled man, who's
been directed by the Lord, who'sordered your steps.
You know, and I like, that seasget degrees.
(33:23):
Look at what God has done.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Look at what God has done.
I am really thankful.
I'm really thankful for you toinvite me, and when I saw the
roster of all the people thatpreceded me, I almost wanted to
say are you sure you?
want to do this, but hey, if youget the opportunity you got to
run with it, fake it until youmake it, if necessary.
But I just really want to thankyou for what you're doing, and
(33:56):
this is a great vehicle forpeople to learn, to be inspired
and to be part of.
This is a tremendous honor andI thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (33:59):
So that's all we have time for today.
So we want to thank our guestsand I pray that the audience
receive that wisdom, someintentional nuggets that they
can use on a daily walk.
So thanks again, always forlistening to Be A Baller Podcast
.
Don't forget to subscribe tothe show and continue being a
baller.
Thanks, brad.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (34:18):
If you've enjoyed this episode, please share it
with family and friends.
The Be A Baller Podcast isavailable on all major podcast
platforms.
This podcast was created byCoach Tim Brown and recorded and
edited by the video productionclass of Worthington Christian
High School.
Be sure to come back next weekas we continue to discuss on how
to build a lifelong legacy.
(34:39):
Until then, don't forget to bea baller.
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