Let's Circle Back to That

S2E23 — Diana Ruff: Judging, Running, and Starting Over- From the Courtroom to a New Chapter in Seattle

This week on Let's Circle Back to That, we sit down with Diana Ruff, one of Benton and Franklin Counties' Superior Court Judges, for a conversation about law, leadership, running, and the courage to start over. Diana shares her unexpected path from college rowing and sports law aspirations to becoming a prosecutor, handling felony and internet crimes cases, and ultimately serving on the bench. She pulls back the curtain on what Superior Court judges actually do, how court systems work, and the realities of carrying the weight of difficult decisions. We also dive into life outside the courtroom: running a solo marathon through her neighborhood due to COVID, hiking Badger Mountain, surviving Camelback Mountain, traveling with her family in Mexico, and why exercise has become an essential tool for balancing the emotional demands of her career. As Diana prepares to leave the Tri-Cities and begin a new chapter in Seattle, she opens up about the excitement—and uncertainty—of moving without a job, community, or clear plan. Plus, in Dear Abby Dear Heather & Dear Diana, we tackle listener questions about family guilt, political differences, and whether long-time friendships can survive disagreement. In this episode: • What Superior Court judges actually do • The difference between civil and criminal law • Prosecuting felony and internet crimes cases • Running a marathon entirely from home during COVID • Rowing, hiking, and finding flow through movement • Why exercise helps process difficult work • Living in Mexico before the world shut down • Leaving a successful career to start over in Seattle • The Seattle Freeze and building community as an adult • Friendship, politics, and navigating difficult relationships If you enjoy conversations about community, personal growth, leadership, and the stories behind interesting people, we'd love your support. Please follow, rate, review, and share the podcast with a friend—it helps new listeners discover the show.

S2E22 — Jason Fidorra: From Dirtbag Wildlife Biologist to Finding Home-Travel, birding, community, adventure, and building a sense of place

What happens when your dream life is living out of hostels, working wildlife jobs for almost no money, and chasing birds across the world… only to eventually realize you want roots? This week, Heather and Anne sit down with wildlife biologist Jason Fidorra for one of the most unexpectedly fascinating conversations of the season. Jason shares stories from: * studying migratory birds in Jamaica * reintroducing species on an island off California * sea turtle conservation work in Hawaii * backpacking and hostel-jumping across the country * leading birding tours in Panama and Costa Rica * and eventually finding community and home in Tri-Cities The episode explores: * the "dirtbag travel" phase of life * why fast food jobs build character * the surprising emotional connection people have to shrub steppe landscapes * how hobbies create community * why sense of place matters * and how difficult — and important — it is to build roots somewhere new There's also: * Olive Garden stories * tumbleweed discourse * bird phobias * backpacking vs. mountaineering * rowing clubs * middle age sleep injuries * and a passionate defense of Tri-Cities sunsets. If you've ever moved somewhere new, struggled to find community, dreamed about adventure, or wondered how people actually build a meaningful life — this episode is for you. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the episode, please rate, review, subscribe, and share it with a friend — it genuinely helps us grow. #PacificNorthwestPods

S2E21— Zanna Stone: You Don't Have to Pick Just One Life- Work-life Balance,Travel, Creativity, Career Pivots, and Building a Fuller Life

What if you didn't have to choose just one version of yourself? This week, Heather and Anne sit down with Zanna Stone — realtor, travel advisor, choreographer, former teacher, volunteer, and lifelong creative — for a conversation about building a life that fits who you are now… even if it looks different than the original plan. From teaching burnout and career pivots to exchange students, travel obsession, creativity, financial independence, and learning how to embrace the awkward phase of trying new things, this episode circles back to what it really means to create a fuller life. Inside this episode: * leaving teaching and navigating major career change * the realities of work-life balance * commission-based work and financial planning * why creativity matters for adults, too * choreography, volunteering, and helping beginners shine * travel stories from Egypt, Paris, Ireland, and beyond * exchange students and global connection * social media perfection vs real life * gym culture and filming etiquette * reality TV, British Bake-Off energy, and positive media * real estate hot takes, lighting trends, and Zillow obsession * why you should try things before you feel ready Plus: airplane travel clothes & compression socks, bath bombs with prizes, Michael Jackson nostalgia, French conversations in Paris, and Heather's ongoing germ-awareness era post-COVID. This episode is for anyone who's ever wondered: Can I want more than one thing out of life? 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. ⭐ Follow, rate, and review the show to help more people discover Let's Circle Back to That. 📲 Share this episode with someone navigating a new season of life.

S2E20 — Anne & Heather: Circle Back #3: Bloomsday, Hot Dr Pepper, Civic Pride & Millennial Internet Lore

Anne and Heather are circling back again—this time through Bloomsday stories, Girls on the Run joy, local pride, civic responsibility, sushi orders, snail mucin, Sandra Day O'Connor, fanfic, Catherine O'Hara, The Pitt, Hot Dr Pepper, and the deeply specific nostalgia of Our Best Bites-era internet. From "Linda Belcher-ing" runners up Doomsday Hill to asking what it really takes to make people feel ownership over their communities, this episode is funny, nostalgic, oddly educational, and very on-brand. Listen in for friendship, rabbit holes, local love, and the kind of conversation that somehow connects civic pride, K-beauty, Home Alone, and post-crab bingo.

S2E19— Craig Lukins: Building Leaders Coaching Culture, Weight Rooms, Youth Sports & Community

Coach Craig Lukins has spent more than 25 years building something bigger than sports. In this episode, Heather and Anne sit down with the longtime Liberty Christian football and baseball coach to talk about leadership, youth sports culture, parenting athletes, and why community only works when people are willing to actually show up and do the work. From coaching state championship teams to renovating "The Basement" into a thriving strength program called The Forge, Craig shares what it means to create a culture centered on caring, accountability, and long-term investment in people. The conversation dives into travel sports burnout, girls in weightlifting, overuse injuries, coaching philosophies, respectful rivalries, and why sports should still be fun. They also circle back to high school memories, old houses, football parents, fruit snacks, breakfast for dinner, and the reality that sometimes the best community builders are the people quietly doing the work behind the scenes for decades. Theme word: Legacy Topics include: * Youth sports culture and burnout * Multi-sport athletes vs specialization * Coaching with care and accountability * Girls in strength training * Parenting athletes * Building leadership through sports * The Forge weightlifting program * Tri-Cities sports culture * Community investment and long-term impact * Why actionable leadership matters If you love conversations about leadership, sports culture, parenting, fitness, and building strong communities, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. ⭐ Rate, review, subscribe, and share with someone who cares about kids, coaching, or community.