Empowered & Out with Guest Passion Rutledge

Rest, Belonging & Food Justice with Passion Rutledge

Guest: Passion Rutledge — Finance & Operations Director, National Farm to School Network; writer exploring healing, identity, and collective liberation.

In this conversation:

• Sabbaticals as transformation—rest as a leadership tool
• Raising a queer family in the South with joy and intention
• Unmasking as a Black, queer, neurodivergent leader
• Food & farming as pathways to healing and liberation
• Community power: why conferences and networks matter
• Integrating career, equity, and family values—beyond “balance”
• Writing as mental health, accountability, and self-awareness

Key Takeaways

• Rest is strategic: sabbaticals can reset values and sharpen leadership.

• Belonging is embodied first; structures help, but feelings drive it.

• Food systems are personal—what’s on the plate ties to justice, health, and community.

• Integration beats balance: lead with the same values at home and at work.

• Community accelerates impact—shared learning spaces move policy and practice.

Resources & Links

• 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference (Dec 1–4, 2025 • Albuquerque): https://www.farmtoschool.org/conference

Connect with Passion: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/passion-rutledge-1ab02528/

• National Farm to School Network: farmtoschool.org

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Credits

Host: Jonathan Barbe | Production: Empowered & Out