October 16, 2024 • 31 mins
Restorative Justice & Healing: Ronnie Horns' Mission to Empower Through Therapy
In this episode of PASSIONEER Magazine The Podcast, we sit down with Ronnie Horns, LPC, a passionate mental health advocate and founder of Angel’s Den Counseling & Consulting. Ronnie shares her journey from Washington, DC, to Nashville, TN, and dives deep into her work in restorative justice, supporting vulnerable populations, and the importance of compassionate care in therapy.
Tune in to learn how Ronnie’s approach is making a lasting impact in the mental health field.
#MentalHealth #RestorativeJustice #TherapyAdvocate #VulnerablePopulations #CompassionateCare #WomenLeaders #FaithBasedCoaching #Entrepreneurship #PASSIONEERMagazinePodcast
In this episode of PASSIONEER Magazine The Podcast, we sit down with Ronnie Horns, LPC, a passionate mental health advocate and founder of Angel’s Den Counseling & Consulting. Ronnie shares her journey from Washington, DC, to Nashville, TN, and dives deep into her work in restorative justice, supporting vulnerable populations, and the importance of compassionate care in therapy.
Tune in to learn how Ronnie’s approach is making a lasting impact in the mental health field.
#MentalHealth #RestorativeJustice #TherapyAdvocate #VulnerablePopulations #CompassionateCare #WomenLeaders #FaithBasedCoaching #Entrepreneurship #PASSIONEERMagazinePodcast
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Passioneer Magazine, the podcast Well You're here, inspirational stories,
encouraging news, and in depth interviews with authors, influencers, CEOs
and thought leaders. Passioneer Magazine the podcast Bold Ideas, Brave Pursuits,
Boundless Inspiration.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hello, Hello, Hello, Thank you so much Monnie for joining
me here today on Passioneer Magazine the Podcast. I cannot
wait to introduce you to my listeners and talk about
your success journey, but also why you chose to get
into the fuels that you have. You've written a book,
(00:45):
all that good stuff, so I cannot wait to hear
more about your story. Now, before we get started, there
may be some folks that are unfamiliar with you, So
first question, tell us a little bit about yourself. What
makes you give?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
All? Right?
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Yes, my name is Ronnie Horns.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I'm from watching in DC, but I currently reside in Natural, Tennessee.
I'm a licensed professional counselor and I'm a respective justice
worker and an author. As you mentioned, I recently started
my own private practice called Angels Dance Counseling and Consulting.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
And I just I'm a person who love people.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I love assistant people, love doing acts of services and
also having a good time of like the travels, see
new things, things of that nature.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Absolutely, and I'm with you with the with the travel.
You know, I believe that everyone should get out of
not only their community, but get out of your state.
The United States alone has such a diverse landscape it
is it is a really great place to travel. And
of course if you can go to another country, then
(01:56):
do that, but at least get out of your comfort
zone and visits place different. I agree with you there. Now,
when you were a little girl, what did you think
you were going to be when you grew up? So
many of us, Oh, I'm going to be a ballerina,
a teacher, a judge. You know, we have we have
all of these ideas running through our heads and sometimes
(02:20):
we actually do that, other times we don't. What did
you think you were going to do?
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Yes, when I was younger, I thought I was going
to be an actress.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
I used to get comments all the time by family members,
by teachers, just people I come in contact with us,
like this girl is so dramatic, she's so animated, she's
so funny.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
So I just had my mindset on I'm.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Going to be an actress. I'm going to be in movies,
so I'm gonna be on TV shows. And then I
had an experience that kind of humbled me. When I
was going to high school in my city, they had
an arts school and you had to audition to get
into the school. And so I went to this school
(03:04):
to audition to become, you know, a member of their academy.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
And I did the Raisin in the Sun. I did
a portion from that from that movie, and I think
I was doing, you know, very well.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
But then when I looked up, everybody that like that
was their other teachers that was basically judging me. We're
just staring there, just staring at me with a blank face.
And so that was my first experience of stage fright.
So I mimicked them. I started staring at them.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Wasn't I was frozen that site.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
And so yeah, they told my mom, like, you know,
she's just need a little bit more work. We won't
be able to you know that, I wrote her in now.
So yeah, I've always thought I was going to be
on TV. I was going to be an actress. That
was my niche.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
And you know, I giggle because you know, life right,
life has a way. But handing us certain things at
certain times, and boy is it a life lesson. But
I find that so many people who like to help people.
We all have that bit of theatrics in us in
(04:22):
that we we understand the drama of life right, we
can spot it a mile away. We know what to
do to help end it, to curb it from happening
in the first place. So I think that we are
all given certain personality traits to really help us become
the people that we need to be. And especially as
(04:43):
an author, right, we need to have command of language.
So it's a different way of expressing ourselves. So I
think you were on to something. You just had to
refocus and redirect, you know, And I'm glad you did
because look now now you're talking to the masses, right,
So different different platform, but same results. I love it.
(05:07):
I love it. Now. With that being said, so many times,
as we go along our journey called life, there are
maybe one or two things along the way that really
helped direct us into what we are currently doing. Was
there anything that inspired you to take that leap of
(05:29):
faith into your career? Now this could have been one thing,
but was there another thing? As an adult? Was there
an aha moment Or was there a defining moment that says, yes,
I am going to be a counselor.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Yes. I wouldn't say that there was necessarily a defining moment,
but I think the personality traits the curtirists of a
counselor has always been embedded in me since childhood, just
you know, watching the female figures in my life, my mom,
my grandmothers, my stepmom aunts.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I grew up.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Surrounded by a lot of powerful women, even in like
the midst of their struggles. They were always so helpful,
always you know, caring, going out of their way to
eight and making other people experiences their life easier. I remember,
like my mom, one of our cousins ended up working
(06:31):
at a school that was a couple of blocks from
our house, and my mom would make her lunch and
take it down there, like several days out of the week.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
My cousin never.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Asked for it, probably didn't even expect it, but my mom,
being the supportive, considerate person she was, that was something
that she always did.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
My grandparents aunts opened their home to people, people in
the community.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
You know, they're not family, but they called them, you know, mom,
grandma because.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
They feel so comfortable.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
They provided a space where people can come to and
you know, really get support and give reassurance and get love.
And so being able to grow up in that type
of environment. Also being a female, also being you know,
a girl growing into womanhood, those things were already skills
(07:23):
that I possessed.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
So as I started to you know, make.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
My own connections and try to figure out what direction
I want to go in in life, it's like, use
what you already have. You already have these things, so
let's put put the work behind it. And so I
started to think about what fields will allow me to
be able to, you know, show my treasure, show the
things that I've learned, be able.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
To be.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Someone that someone else can depend on, you know, live
out the things that the people before me, the women
before me, have done.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
I could not agree with you more. And you know,
as someone who grew up what they would consider in
the South, I'm originally or a Native Virginian, there are
certain things that I love about, uh, the culture in general,
And you're right, it is that having that hospitable heart,
(08:24):
or as we would call it in the church, having
a deacon's heart, right, that person who is going to
always help. You know. I love that your mom decided
that that's how she was going to pour into that
family member. You know, a food is more than just
something to keep our bodies going, but it really and
(08:44):
truly is a way to express our love for others.
And you know I have grandparents.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Like that too.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
That meant, and it was, it was an open door
if you if you needed someplace to stay, you needed
a bed or a meal, you needed to love something, courage,
some advice, then you could always go to my paternal
grandmothers and she was there, ready and willing to help.
It is. It is a beautiful, a beautiful thing. Not
(09:11):
that we're knocking our husbands and our brothers and our grandfathers,
not at all. It's just that, you know, as women,
I think that we love to nurture others. We love
to take care of others. If that's what's within us,
then we like to extend that piece of ourselves to
others and let folks know that we care. I love
(09:31):
that so important too. I like how you said that
it was important for you to see that because that
encouraged you to do that with others. And you're and
you're doing that even professionally. I love it. I love it. Now,
how would you define the impact that your business has
(09:52):
had on those that you serve and what do you
think keeps you motivated? I'm hearing you know your family
member have had an impact on you as an individual.
I want to kind of look at the flip side
of that point. How do you think your business impacts
those that you serve with all that you have gathered
along the way, including those traits from your from your family.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
M M.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
I think my business greatly impacts the population I serve.
The individuals I work with have been impacted by trauma,
substance use, grief, and laws, and so me being able
to provide a safe space, that's a word that I
(10:38):
hear a lot from my clients, you know, and that's
that's something that we you know, aim to do.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
But to hear it, hear it.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Come back to you that I feel like this is
a safe space for me to come to, to process
my emotions, to talk about difficult things, to go set.
It don't always have to be, you know, something negative,
but you feel like this is a comfortable environment for
you to really, you know, process your thoughts and really
dig into some healthy decisions, decision making skills, and then
(11:09):
take the tool that you're learning and taking it back
to other people. So that's why I said it greatly
impacts the population because I can work with one person
and then that person can go and work with five,
ten other people and it just could continue to you know,
grow and reach the masses.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
M hmmm. It definitely. The things that we decided to
do definitely have a ripple effect in our community. And
like you said, when we are impactful with others, then
they are very happy to share that almost as equally
as ready to share that as when something goes wrong. Right,
(11:54):
we already know that people are quick to share the
disastrous things that happen, right to give that one star,
But I find that when we do something and it
is five star, people are also just just willing to
share that information, especially if you are helping them individually.
You're creating that safe space for them. And with everything
(12:17):
going on in the world right now, we need to
create more safe spaces for people to be able to
share with us professionally and unload so that they are
able to move forward. I am so glad that you
that you said them now for someone who is interested
(12:38):
in getting in the field of counseling or any type
of therapeutic modality. Do you have any bits of advice
for them as they start out on their journey of
being a counselor.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Yes, absolutely no.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
One advice is find your niche find you know, what
is your specialty in counseling in this field is so broad.
You know, you can work in the justice system, in
the medical field, clinical, in schools.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
There is such a broad range of things that you
can do.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
And like for myself, I did numerous internships volunteer experiences
in different areas for where I can, you know, find
out what was my calling? Where do I fit best?
I feel like I have a you know, two box
of twos, so I'm a very adoptri person. I can
(13:40):
kind of adapt into any situations. But it wasn't until
I heard this podcast and the guy on the podcast
he has said.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
He stated something on the lines.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Of you don't want to be caught up being a
jack of all trades and a master of none, and
with our field, you know, it's so broad.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
So I said, you have to find your.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Area, because you can be good in all these things,
but what are you excellent in what do you expel.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
In and you know, trusting the process.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Sometimes you may you know, start in one area and
then you may come to you know, terms that maybe
this isn't for me, and that's okay. Don't get discouraged,
don't say you know, don't give up, you know, try
something different, because like I said, there's many avenues, there's
different you know, ways that you can still impact mental health.
(14:35):
You can you know, still promote mental health in different areas.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
M H. I couldn't.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
I couldn't agree with you with you more.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
And I find that all counselors, all fields are absolutely needed.
As someone who's a pastoral counselor, my field is is
a little different from your field, which is a little
different from someone else's, which is a little different from
someone else's. But as diverse as the world is, there
is space for all of us, and everyone can find
(15:10):
their group that needs their assistance. So agree, don't don't
be afraid to step out and to help those people
that really and truly are your group, are your folks
that you want to help. I remember I was visiting
a particular location and they said, ooh, you're a counselor.
(15:33):
You should you should work with the youth, and I said,
I don't. I don't do children. I'm adults. You know,
I'm eighteen and I'm eighteen and over. And I said,
in fact, it's really more so like twenty five and older.
And they were like, oh, didn't realize there was a difference.
I was like, yeah, if you're looking for counseling children,
you might want to look at someone who actually specializes
(15:55):
in counseling children because there's certain things that you're looking for.
And you could see them have that aha moment. You
know that they brilliantly did not did not think about it.
So great advice, counselor. I love that you put that
into someone to know it. Now, as your work has evolved,
(16:16):
have there been any particular strategies that you've used to
stay true to your vision for what you want for
your practice and for your life.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Mm hmm. Yeah. I do a lot of.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Meditating, networking, and then also seeking advanced education. I think
those are my top three things that really keep me,
you know, on the straight and narrow with my vision
and making sure that I'm working towards my goal. Meditation
comes in because you know, sometimes we overthink you each overthinker,
(17:01):
which can sometimes be a blessing and a curse because
of course it's great to you know, think things through
process things, but when you start to dwell in it
and it start to kind of hinder, you know, progress
because you're so caught up on one thing, it kind
of you know, push you on the back end of things.
So I need to meditate to be able to calm myself,
(17:22):
be able to organize my thoughts and also reach the
healthier solutions, continue to move.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Forward from whatever that was networking.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Like I told you when I made the wh when
I told you about the.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Audition at the school, the stage frame.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
After that experience, I were, I was a little bit
you know, more sheltered, more nervous, more shy, standoffish. But
one thing that I noticed about this field about being
able to be you know, of service networking is so important.
We have to build partnerships like I you talked about,
you know, people needing different things. They come to us
(18:01):
for you know, specific things, but they may mention something else.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
We may not be the ones that specialize in that.
But I have a resource for you.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
I have this organization that I partner with that I
can you know, point you in the direction, you.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Know, being able to share information.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
And then also the world evolves every single day constantly,
so like I.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Said, seeking out advanced education, I make.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Sure I go to seminars that come across my own
maybe email or just end up falling into my life
and it may be something that I can use or
I can you know, touch up on this skill or
maybe I haven't you know, did that and no, while'll
let it go.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
Get a refresher.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
That way that I can make sure that I'm standing
on top of the information that i'm you know, and
taken for I can be informalive to other people, so
I can give out accurate things, up to dated skills
and certain things like that.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
And it is it is so important that that we
do that. Thank you for mentioning that, and that is
making sure that we are continuing to hone our skills. Now,
I have to admit, it took us forever to get here,
and I know someone's going, doctor Angela, are you really
telling me I need to take another class maybe you
(19:20):
know maybe or another certification or you just need to
make sure that you are taking a refresher class. And
like you said, there are so many resources and options
out there that can keep us abreast of what is current,
what is new. We do not want to just rest
(19:41):
on what we've learned five years ago. The world is
constantly changing and we want to know what are some
new options that we may or may not utilize them
for every single person because that might not be the
right thing. But for a certain person, you know that
comes to as it's like mm hmm, this is why
learn this new this new way of expressing this or
(20:03):
doing this for this client right here, and that is
that is so important. Thank you for that reminder. Now,
speaking of having people in our lives, has there been
that certain person that you can think of that has
really been that mentor for you, or that person that
has really been that a one cheerleader that has just
(20:28):
been in your corner, sometimes with constructive criticism, sometimes with
a whole lot of praise, but that person that has
really helped to guide you, either professionally or personally.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Yeah, I would say, going back to it earlier, is
the family.
Speaker 4 (20:47):
It was not just one person. It takes a village.
Some times you learn things from different people.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
So it's like I would say, more so instead of
the person, my experience is my observations.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Those are the things that really.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Kind of help shape me, you know, being able to
see how people create theirselves, see things different, learn from
other people, you know, experiences.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Do I like those things? Do I don't like those things?
You know?
Speaker 3 (21:21):
How can I then? If I was in this situation,
what would have been my viewpoint? How I have worked towards,
you know, doing something different and so being able to
learn from other people and see certain things. That's how
I That's where that's where most of my motivation kind
(21:45):
of comes from in a sense. But of course I
have my family, Like I told you, my mom and
she's actually no longer here, but biggest cheerleader, my dad
and my that mom, biggest cheerleaders. Well I'll come in
contact with even like strangers. Let you meet people, you
(22:06):
start to get people in your corner. Yeah, yeah, just
based on that person. Like I said, personal person connections
and then just seeing experience experience in life, seeing other
experiences and trying to learn from those things and process
those things.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Mm hmm mm hmmm. And like you said, I so
many times I think that people feel that a mentor
has to be this person that almost comes in in
like a professional way and says do this, then do that,
don't do this, but do this right where mentorship can
(22:46):
take all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it's the occasional interaction.
Sometimes it's you know, on a more scheduled basis, where
it might be once a week, more like an accountabilit
the account of partner type of relationship. But mentorship, I
think does change and evolve as we grow and mature
(23:08):
as well. We might need it one way when we're
in our teens or young adults, as opposed to where
we are right now, which may change even more, you know,
ten fifteen years down the road. Plus we at that
stage might even be the one being the mentor. So
are you are definitely definitely right about that?
Speaker 4 (23:29):
Now?
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Let me ask this last question of you when it
comes to leadership, when it comes to community, with the
all that you do and the people that you serve,
how do you see how do you continue with your
vision of contributing to the broader conversation of making sure
(23:53):
that there are community leaders, that there are women understanding
that they have a seat at the table, that their
voice should be heard, needs to be heard, and that
we want to hear from them. How do you contribute
your voice to that conversation and make room for others.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
M h.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
Yeah, So my work you know consistent prioritizing mental health
and finding healthy ways of promote processing emotions. I have
had held mental health days like seminars, conferences, panels, I
do table and events to try to get the you know,
wear it out. But leaders who prioritize their mental health
(24:37):
are more likely to develop, you know, self awareness.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Which is a key the key skills to have for
a leader.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
So when leaders are able to understand their own emotions,
understand their own mental states, they can approach challenges with
more clarity, but being open and.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
Honest about the things that they're you know, experience it
in that moment.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
In return, that can help build stronger bonds within their teams,
you know, be able to build like trust, credibility. Being
able to manage emotions effectively help leaders build resilience.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
They are able to be more equipped to.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Handle stress, setbacks, criticisms without becoming overwhelmed. A leader who
is able to process their emotions and healthy ways can
better understand and relate to emotions of others, which can
improve you know, communication in a workplace, team work, conflict
(25:43):
resolution and all of that in turns kind of foster
to a more supportive and inclusive environment.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
I couldn't agree with you with you more there that
I talk many times about being an emphasis leader and
how important it is to be the type of leader
that is authentic for who we are, and boy does
it make a difference in those that you are responsible
(26:14):
for that it is a team like in a professional setting,
or it is your client base that is utilizing your services.
Really figuring out what type of leader you are and
why it's important to have those traits and include them
in who you are is so important. Thank you for
(26:35):
that reminder. Now, I would be remiss if I did
not give you an opportunity to talk about your book.
And I know that we are almost out of time,
but I want to make sure that folks know that
they can go to Amazon or whatever books are sold
and pick up a copy of your book. Please, by
all things, tell us about this book that you have written.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
My book is titled Timeless Echoes Poetic Reflections on Love
and Laws. So it's a guided poetry journal helping you
kind of explore different emotions, whether positive and negative. The
book is crafted as a guided Poetry Journal because it
has poetry in their poems that I wrote myself. I
(27:23):
write poetry letters, so the poems is in letter forms.
But it takes you through a journey of just different
emotions and experiences.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
This book is dedicated to people.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Who you know is ready to embark on their poetic
journey and may need, may want, you know, creative ways
of being able to express their circumstances, their experiences.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
It serves as like a back end of.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Inspiration, offering solid reflections, deeper understanding of your experiences, and
then also giving you another way to express not Sometimes.
Speaker 4 (28:05):
We go through.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Certain things and we feel like maybe in that moment,
we didn't have a time to you know, express it,
and so now we feel like the time has passed,
so we want.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
To hold it in maybe to not ruffle in.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Any feathers, not to bring up something that other people
may think it's old.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
So but we still you know, need and all.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
That for ourselves because the precedent doesn't do anything but
where it's down. So this is as a way of
being able to get those emotions out, help you heal
and also you know, touch deeper into your emotions.
Speaker 4 (28:44):
It goes over several emotions.
Speaker 3 (28:46):
Some most people you know are caught up on the
main like five, mad, sad, happy, there different things like that.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
But emotions go deeper, you know.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
We feel, we feel hurt, we feel pain, there's such
there's so many different emotions, and I just feel like
this would really help you key into yourself and be
able to work through some of those things that we
kind of bottle up.
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Oh. I love it. I love it.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I love it now.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Of course it absolutely positively one thousand percent makes sense
since she is a counselor, that she should provide us
with this resource. But I love that it also taps
into that creative side of yourself, right that side that
still says, you know, there's a little bit of actress
in there, there's a little and to me, that is
(29:42):
just using the arts as a way to express your creativity,
and to me, literature is definitely a part of the arts.
So I do not find it ironic at all that
you have written a book that not only you with
something to read, but as a journal, provides you with
(30:04):
an opportunity to prompt some writing in yourself or express.
Speaker 1 (30:08):
Yourself and get in tune with who you are.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
I love it. I love it. I am so glad
but you followed your internal promptings and decided to step
out and provide that resource for others. I love it.
I love it well, Ronnie Horns. I have enjoyed my
conversation with you today. Thank you so much for coming
on and sharing with us. If someone wants to reach
out to you and connect with you, be it in
(30:34):
person or just online, what is the best way to
do that.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
Yes, you also go to my website at www dot
Andrews then dot org and it will have the booking
link and contact information, and that will give you to
all of my other websites.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
I love it. Thank you again, Ronnie for being a
guest on Passioneer Magazine the podcast. Thank you, Thank you
for listening to Passioneer Magazine the Podcast.
Welcome to Passioneer Magazine, the podcast Well You're here, inspirational stories,
encouraging news, and in depth interviews with authors, influencers, CEOs
and thought leaders. Passioneer Magazine the podcast Bold Ideas, Brave Pursuits,
Boundless Inspiration.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hello, Hello, Hello, Thank you so much Monnie for joining
me here today on Passioneer Magazine the Podcast. I cannot
wait to introduce you to my listeners and talk about
your success journey, but also why you chose to get
into the fuels that you have. You've written a book,
(00:45):
all that good stuff, so I cannot wait to hear
more about your story. Now, before we get started, there
may be some folks that are unfamiliar with you, So
first question, tell us a little bit about yourself. What
makes you give?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
All? Right?
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Yes, my name is Ronnie Horns.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I'm from watching in DC, but I currently reside in Natural, Tennessee.
I'm a licensed professional counselor and I'm a respective justice
worker and an author. As you mentioned, I recently started
my own private practice called Angels Dance Counseling and Consulting.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
And I just I'm a person who love people.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I love assistant people, love doing acts of services and
also having a good time of like the travels, see
new things, things of that nature.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Absolutely, and I'm with you with the with the travel.
You know, I believe that everyone should get out of
not only their community, but get out of your state.
The United States alone has such a diverse landscape it
is it is a really great place to travel. And
of course if you can go to another country, then
(01:56):
do that, but at least get out of your comfort
zone and visits place different. I agree with you there. Now,
when you were a little girl, what did you think
you were going to be when you grew up? So
many of us, Oh, I'm going to be a ballerina,
a teacher, a judge. You know, we have we have
all of these ideas running through our heads and sometimes
(02:20):
we actually do that, other times we don't. What did
you think you were going to do?
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Yes, when I was younger, I thought I was going
to be an actress.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
I used to get comments all the time by family members,
by teachers, just people I come in contact with us,
like this girl is so dramatic, she's so animated, she's
so funny.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
So I just had my mindset on I'm.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Going to be an actress. I'm going to be in movies,
so I'm gonna be on TV shows. And then I
had an experience that kind of humbled me. When I
was going to high school in my city, they had
an arts school and you had to audition to get
into the school. And so I went to this school
(03:04):
to audition to become, you know, a member of their academy.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
And I did the Raisin in the Sun. I did
a portion from that from that movie, and I think
I was doing, you know, very well.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
But then when I looked up, everybody that like that
was their other teachers that was basically judging me. We're
just staring there, just staring at me with a blank face.
And so that was my first experience of stage fright.
So I mimicked them. I started staring at them.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Wasn't I was frozen that site.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
And so yeah, they told my mom, like, you know,
she's just need a little bit more work. We won't
be able to you know that, I wrote her in now.
So yeah, I've always thought I was going to be
on TV. I was going to be an actress. That
was my niche.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
And you know, I giggle because you know, life right,
life has a way. But handing us certain things at
certain times, and boy is it a life lesson. But
I find that so many people who like to help people.
We all have that bit of theatrics in us in
(04:22):
that we we understand the drama of life right, we
can spot it a mile away. We know what to
do to help end it, to curb it from happening
in the first place. So I think that we are
all given certain personality traits to really help us become
the people that we need to be. And especially as
(04:43):
an author, right, we need to have command of language.
So it's a different way of expressing ourselves. So I
think you were on to something. You just had to
refocus and redirect, you know, And I'm glad you did
because look now now you're talking to the masses, right,
So different different platform, but same results. I love it.
(05:07):
I love it. Now. With that being said, so many times,
as we go along our journey called life, there are
maybe one or two things along the way that really
helped direct us into what we are currently doing. Was
there anything that inspired you to take that leap of
(05:29):
faith into your career? Now this could have been one thing,
but was there another thing? As an adult? Was there
an aha moment Or was there a defining moment that says, yes,
I am going to be a counselor.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Yes. I wouldn't say that there was necessarily a defining moment,
but I think the personality traits the curtirists of a
counselor has always been embedded in me since childhood, just
you know, watching the female figures in my life, my mom,
my grandmothers, my stepmom aunts.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I grew up.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Surrounded by a lot of powerful women, even in like
the midst of their struggles. They were always so helpful,
always you know, caring, going out of their way to
eight and making other people experiences their life easier. I remember,
like my mom, one of our cousins ended up working
(06:31):
at a school that was a couple of blocks from
our house, and my mom would make her lunch and
take it down there, like several days out of the week.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
My cousin never.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Asked for it, probably didn't even expect it, but my mom,
being the supportive, considerate person she was, that was something
that she always did.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
My grandparents aunts opened their home to people, people in
the community.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
You know, they're not family, but they called them, you know, mom,
grandma because.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
They feel so comfortable.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
They provided a space where people can come to and
you know, really get support and give reassurance and get love.
And so being able to grow up in that type
of environment. Also being a female, also being you know,
a girl growing into womanhood, those things were already skills
(07:23):
that I possessed.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
So as I started to you know, make.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
My own connections and try to figure out what direction
I want to go in in life, it's like, use
what you already have. You already have these things, so
let's put put the work behind it. And so I
started to think about what fields will allow me to
be able to, you know, show my treasure, show the
things that I've learned, be able.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
To be.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Someone that someone else can depend on, you know, live
out the things that the people before me, the women
before me, have done.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
I could not agree with you more. And you know,
as someone who grew up what they would consider in
the South, I'm originally or a Native Virginian, there are
certain things that I love about, uh, the culture in general,
And you're right, it is that having that hospitable heart,
(08:24):
or as we would call it in the church, having
a deacon's heart, right, that person who is going to
always help. You know. I love that your mom decided
that that's how she was going to pour into that
family member. You know, a food is more than just
something to keep our bodies going, but it really and
(08:44):
truly is a way to express our love for others.
And you know I have grandparents.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Like that too.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
That meant, and it was, it was an open door
if you if you needed someplace to stay, you needed
a bed or a meal, you needed to love something, courage,
some advice, then you could always go to my paternal
grandmothers and she was there, ready and willing to help.
It is. It is a beautiful, a beautiful thing. Not
(09:11):
that we're knocking our husbands and our brothers and our grandfathers,
not at all. It's just that, you know, as women,
I think that we love to nurture others. We love
to take care of others. If that's what's within us,
then we like to extend that piece of ourselves to
others and let folks know that we care. I love
(09:31):
that so important too. I like how you said that
it was important for you to see that because that
encouraged you to do that with others. And you're and
you're doing that even professionally. I love it. I love it. Now,
how would you define the impact that your business has
(09:52):
had on those that you serve and what do you
think keeps you motivated? I'm hearing you know your family
member have had an impact on you as an individual.
I want to kind of look at the flip side
of that point. How do you think your business impacts
those that you serve with all that you have gathered
along the way, including those traits from your from your family.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
M M.
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
I think my business greatly impacts the population I serve.
The individuals I work with have been impacted by trauma,
substance use, grief, and laws, and so me being able
to provide a safe space, that's a word that I
(10:38):
hear a lot from my clients, you know, and that's
that's something that we you know, aim to do.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
But to hear it, hear it.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Come back to you that I feel like this is
a safe space for me to come to, to process
my emotions, to talk about difficult things, to go set.
It don't always have to be, you know, something negative,
but you feel like this is a comfortable environment for
you to really, you know, process your thoughts and really
dig into some healthy decisions, decision making skills, and then
(11:09):
take the tool that you're learning and taking it back
to other people. So that's why I said it greatly
impacts the population because I can work with one person
and then that person can go and work with five,
ten other people and it just could continue to you know,
grow and reach the masses.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
M hmmm. It definitely. The things that we decided to
do definitely have a ripple effect in our community. And
like you said, when we are impactful with others, then
they are very happy to share that almost as equally
as ready to share that as when something goes wrong. Right,
(11:54):
we already know that people are quick to share the
disastrous things that happen, right to give that one star,
But I find that when we do something and it
is five star, people are also just just willing to
share that information, especially if you are helping them individually.
You're creating that safe space for them. And with everything
(12:17):
going on in the world right now, we need to
create more safe spaces for people to be able to
share with us professionally and unload so that they are
able to move forward. I am so glad that you
that you said them now for someone who is interested
(12:38):
in getting in the field of counseling or any type
of therapeutic modality. Do you have any bits of advice
for them as they start out on their journey of
being a counselor.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Yes, absolutely no.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
One advice is find your niche find you know, what
is your specialty in counseling in this field is so broad.
You know, you can work in the justice system, in
the medical field, clinical, in schools.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
There is such a broad range of things that you
can do.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
And like for myself, I did numerous internships volunteer experiences
in different areas for where I can, you know, find
out what was my calling? Where do I fit best?
I feel like I have a you know, two box
of twos, so I'm a very adoptri person. I can
(13:40):
kind of adapt into any situations. But it wasn't until
I heard this podcast and the guy on the podcast
he has said.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
He stated something on the lines.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Of you don't want to be caught up being a
jack of all trades and a master of none, and
with our field, you know, it's so broad.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
So I said, you have to find your.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Area, because you can be good in all these things,
but what are you excellent in what do you expel.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
In and you know, trusting the process.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
Sometimes you may you know, start in one area and
then you may come to you know, terms that maybe
this isn't for me, and that's okay. Don't get discouraged,
don't say you know, don't give up, you know, try
something different, because like I said, there's many avenues, there's
different you know, ways that you can still impact mental health.
(14:35):
You can you know, still promote mental health in different areas.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
M H. I couldn't.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
I couldn't agree with you with you more.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
And I find that all counselors, all fields are absolutely needed.
As someone who's a pastoral counselor, my field is is
a little different from your field, which is a little
different from someone else's, which is a little different from
someone else's. But as diverse as the world is, there
is space for all of us, and everyone can find
(15:10):
their group that needs their assistance. So agree, don't don't
be afraid to step out and to help those people
that really and truly are your group, are your folks
that you want to help. I remember I was visiting
a particular location and they said, ooh, you're a counselor.
(15:33):
You should you should work with the youth, and I said,
I don't. I don't do children. I'm adults. You know,
I'm eighteen and I'm eighteen and over. And I said,
in fact, it's really more so like twenty five and older.
And they were like, oh, didn't realize there was a difference.
I was like, yeah, if you're looking for counseling children,
you might want to look at someone who actually specializes
(15:55):
in counseling children because there's certain things that you're looking for.
And you could see them have that aha moment. You
know that they brilliantly did not did not think about it.
So great advice, counselor. I love that you put that
into someone to know it. Now, as your work has evolved,
(16:16):
have there been any particular strategies that you've used to
stay true to your vision for what you want for
your practice and for your life.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Mm hmm. Yeah. I do a lot of.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Meditating, networking, and then also seeking advanced education. I think
those are my top three things that really keep me,
you know, on the straight and narrow with my vision
and making sure that I'm working towards my goal. Meditation
comes in because you know, sometimes we overthink you each overthinker,
(17:01):
which can sometimes be a blessing and a curse because
of course it's great to you know, think things through
process things, but when you start to dwell in it
and it start to kind of hinder, you know, progress
because you're so caught up on one thing, it kind
of you know, push you on the back end of things.
So I need to meditate to be able to calm myself,
(17:22):
be able to organize my thoughts and also reach the
healthier solutions, continue to move.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Forward from whatever that was networking.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
Like I told you when I made the wh when
I told you about the.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Audition at the school, the stage frame.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
After that experience, I were, I was a little bit
you know, more sheltered, more nervous, more shy, standoffish. But
one thing that I noticed about this field about being
able to be you know, of service networking is so important.
We have to build partnerships like I you talked about,
you know, people needing different things. They come to us
(18:01):
for you know, specific things, but they may mention something else.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
We may not be the ones that specialize in that.
But I have a resource for you.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
I have this organization that I partner with that I
can you know, point you in the direction, you.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Know, being able to share information.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
And then also the world evolves every single day constantly,
so like I.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Said, seeking out advanced education, I make.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Sure I go to seminars that come across my own
maybe email or just end up falling into my life
and it may be something that I can use or
I can you know, touch up on this skill or
maybe I haven't you know, did that and no, while'll
let it go.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
Get a refresher.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
That way that I can make sure that I'm standing
on top of the information that i'm you know, and
taken for I can be informalive to other people, so
I can give out accurate things, up to dated skills
and certain things like that.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
And it is it is so important that that we
do that. Thank you for mentioning that, and that is
making sure that we are continuing to hone our skills. Now,
I have to admit, it took us forever to get here,
and I know someone's going, doctor Angela, are you really
telling me I need to take another class maybe you
(19:20):
know maybe or another certification or you just need to
make sure that you are taking a refresher class. And
like you said, there are so many resources and options
out there that can keep us abreast of what is current,
what is new. We do not want to just rest
(19:41):
on what we've learned five years ago. The world is
constantly changing and we want to know what are some
new options that we may or may not utilize them
for every single person because that might not be the
right thing. But for a certain person, you know that
comes to as it's like mm hmm, this is why
learn this new this new way of expressing this or
(20:03):
doing this for this client right here, and that is
that is so important. Thank you for that reminder. Now,
speaking of having people in our lives, has there been
that certain person that you can think of that has
really been that mentor for you, or that person that
has really been that a one cheerleader that has just
(20:28):
been in your corner, sometimes with constructive criticism, sometimes with
a whole lot of praise, but that person that has
really helped to guide you, either professionally or personally.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Yeah, I would say, going back to it earlier, is
the family.
Speaker 4 (20:47):
It was not just one person. It takes a village.
Some times you learn things from different people.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
So it's like I would say, more so instead of
the person, my experience is my observations.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Those are the things that really.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Kind of help shape me, you know, being able to
see how people create theirselves, see things different, learn from
other people, you know, experiences.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Do I like those things? Do I don't like those things?
You know?
Speaker 3 (21:21):
How can I then? If I was in this situation,
what would have been my viewpoint? How I have worked towards,
you know, doing something different and so being able to
learn from other people and see certain things. That's how
I That's where that's where most of my motivation kind
(21:45):
of comes from in a sense. But of course I
have my family, Like I told you, my mom and
she's actually no longer here, but biggest cheerleader, my dad
and my that mom, biggest cheerleaders. Well I'll come in
contact with even like strangers. Let you meet people, you
(22:06):
start to get people in your corner. Yeah, yeah, just
based on that person. Like I said, personal person connections
and then just seeing experience experience in life, seeing other
experiences and trying to learn from those things and process
those things.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Mm hmm mm hmmm. And like you said, I so
many times I think that people feel that a mentor
has to be this person that almost comes in in
like a professional way and says do this, then do that,
don't do this, but do this right where mentorship can
(22:46):
take all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it's the occasional interaction.
Sometimes it's you know, on a more scheduled basis, where
it might be once a week, more like an accountabilit
the account of partner type of relationship. But mentorship, I
think does change and evolve as we grow and mature
(23:08):
as well. We might need it one way when we're
in our teens or young adults, as opposed to where
we are right now, which may change even more, you know,
ten fifteen years down the road. Plus we at that
stage might even be the one being the mentor. So
are you are definitely definitely right about that?
Speaker 4 (23:29):
Now?
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Let me ask this last question of you when it
comes to leadership, when it comes to community, with the
all that you do and the people that you serve,
how do you see how do you continue with your
vision of contributing to the broader conversation of making sure
(23:53):
that there are community leaders, that there are women understanding
that they have a seat at the table, that their
voice should be heard, needs to be heard, and that
we want to hear from them. How do you contribute
your voice to that conversation and make room for others.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
M h.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
Yeah, So my work you know consistent prioritizing mental health
and finding healthy ways of promote processing emotions. I have
had held mental health days like seminars, conferences, panels, I
do table and events to try to get the you know,
wear it out. But leaders who prioritize their mental health
(24:37):
are more likely to develop, you know, self awareness.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Which is a key the key skills to have for
a leader.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
So when leaders are able to understand their own emotions,
understand their own mental states, they can approach challenges with
more clarity, but being open and.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
Honest about the things that they're you know, experience it
in that moment.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
In return, that can help build stronger bonds within their teams,
you know, be able to build like trust, credibility. Being
able to manage emotions effectively help leaders build resilience.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
They are able to be more equipped to.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Handle stress, setbacks, criticisms without becoming overwhelmed. A leader who
is able to process their emotions and healthy ways can
better understand and relate to emotions of others, which can
improve you know, communication in a workplace, team work, conflict
(25:43):
resolution and all of that in turns kind of foster
to a more supportive and inclusive environment.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
I couldn't agree with you with you more there that
I talk many times about being an emphasis leader and
how important it is to be the type of leader
that is authentic for who we are, and boy does
it make a difference in those that you are responsible
(26:14):
for that it is a team like in a professional setting,
or it is your client base that is utilizing your services.
Really figuring out what type of leader you are and
why it's important to have those traits and include them
in who you are is so important. Thank you for
(26:35):
that reminder. Now, I would be remiss if I did
not give you an opportunity to talk about your book.
And I know that we are almost out of time,
but I want to make sure that folks know that
they can go to Amazon or whatever books are sold
and pick up a copy of your book. Please, by
all things, tell us about this book that you have written.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
My book is titled Timeless Echoes Poetic Reflections on Love
and Laws. So it's a guided poetry journal helping you
kind of explore different emotions, whether positive and negative. The
book is crafted as a guided Poetry Journal because it
has poetry in their poems that I wrote myself. I
(27:23):
write poetry letters, so the poems is in letter forms.
But it takes you through a journey of just different
emotions and experiences.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
This book is dedicated to people.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Who you know is ready to embark on their poetic
journey and may need, may want, you know, creative ways
of being able to express their circumstances, their experiences.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
It serves as like a back end of.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Inspiration, offering solid reflections, deeper understanding of your experiences, and
then also giving you another way to express not Sometimes.
Speaker 4 (28:05):
We go through.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Certain things and we feel like maybe in that moment,
we didn't have a time to you know, express it,
and so now we feel like the time has passed,
so we want.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
To hold it in maybe to not ruffle in.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
Any feathers, not to bring up something that other people
may think it's old.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
So but we still you know, need and all.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
That for ourselves because the precedent doesn't do anything but
where it's down. So this is as a way of
being able to get those emotions out, help you heal
and also you know, touch deeper into your emotions.
Speaker 4 (28:44):
It goes over several emotions.
Speaker 3 (28:46):
Some most people you know are caught up on the
main like five, mad, sad, happy, there different things like that.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
But emotions go deeper, you know.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
We feel, we feel hurt, we feel pain, there's such
there's so many different emotions, and I just feel like
this would really help you key into yourself and be
able to work through some of those things that we
kind of bottle up.
Speaker 2 (29:16):
Oh. I love it. I love it.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I love it now.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Of course it absolutely positively one thousand percent makes sense
since she is a counselor, that she should provide us
with this resource. But I love that it also taps
into that creative side of yourself, right that side that
still says, you know, there's a little bit of actress
in there, there's a little and to me, that is
(29:42):
just using the arts as a way to express your creativity,
and to me, literature is definitely a part of the arts.
So I do not find it ironic at all that
you have written a book that not only you with
something to read, but as a journal, provides you with
(30:04):
an opportunity to prompt some writing in yourself or express.
Speaker 1 (30:08):
Yourself and get in tune with who you are.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
I love it. I love it. I am so glad
but you followed your internal promptings and decided to step
out and provide that resource for others. I love it.
I love it well, Ronnie Horns. I have enjoyed my
conversation with you today. Thank you so much for coming
on and sharing with us. If someone wants to reach
out to you and connect with you, be it in
(30:34):
person or just online, what is the best way to
do that.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
Yes, you also go to my website at www dot
Andrews then dot org and it will have the booking
link and contact information, and that will give you to
all of my other websites.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
I love it. Thank you again, Ronnie for being a
guest on Passioneer Magazine the podcast. Thank you, Thank you
for listening to Passioneer Magazine the Podcast.
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