They Judged My Beginning, But They Didn't Know My Future | Judge Ruby Clark |TMC Ep. 69

People can form an opinion about you without knowing your full story. But their opinion doesn't have to determine your future. In Episode 69 of The Middle Child Podcast, Royal Boles sits down with Judge Ruby Clark for an honest conversation about overcoming judgment, unexpected life changes, personal growth, and learning to release the things that keep us tied to the past. Ruby reflects on the experiences that shaped her journey, including becoming a mother at a young age and hearing people question what her future would look like. Rather than allowing those opinions to define her, she continued moving forward — eventually building a career in law and becoming a judge. But this conversation isn't just about accomplishments. It's about what happens on the inside while you're becoming the person you were meant to be. Ruby shares the story behind her book, *Hearsay*, and why putting personal experiences into words required courage. She talks about the gossip and assumptions that followed her, the process of sharing her truth, and the freedom that came with finally telling her story. She and Royal also get into a topic many of us struggle with: forgiveness. What does it mean to let go of resentment? Can you move forward while still holding on to what someone did to you? And when does protecting your peace require you to stop carrying old hurt? Ruby also shares how her daughter encouraged her to consider law school, how faith shaped her journey, and how a path she never imagined for herself eventually led her to the bench. This episode is a reminder that people may remember where you started, but they don't know everything you've overcome, everything you've learned, or who you're still becoming. Your beginning is part of your story. It doesn't have to be the definition of your future. CHAPTERS 00:00 — The Story Behind Hearsay 01:11 — Welcome to The Middle Child Podcast 01:57 — Meet Judge Ruby Clark 04:44 — Why Ruby Shared Her Story 07:52 — The Meaning Behind Hearsay 09:34 — Learning to Forgive and Let Go 13:47 — How Grudges Affect Your Peace 16:41 — The Hardest Part of Writing Her Book 19:46 — The Unexpected Path to Law School 21:41 — From Attorney to Judge 23:19 — Faith, Motherhood & Life's Unexpected Turns 27:24 — Friendships, Hurt & Where Resentment Begins 31:57 — The Middle Child Question 36:17 — Becoming the Judge She Never Planned to Be 38:11 — Why Forgiveness Is for You ABOUT THE MIDDLE CHILD PODCAST The Middle Child Podcast with Royal Boles is the show where you are seen, loved, and appreciated. Subscribe for more honest conversations about life, identity, relationships, growth, and everything that happens in the middle. Website: https://underconstruxtion.com/ TikTok:   / theroyalboles   Instagram:   / theroyalboles   Instagram:   / theofficialmiddlechildpodcast   Facebook:   / theroyalboles   ABOUT JUDGE RUBY CLARK Judge Ruby Clark is an attorney, judge, author, and mother. Her book, Hearsay, explores her personal experiences and the impact of gossip, assumptions, and other people's perceptions. Follow Ruby on social media: Facebook:   / ruby.y.davis.3   TikTok:   / respectfullyyourhonor   Instagram:   / respectfullyyourhonor   #TheMiddleChildPodcast #RubyClark #PersonalGrowth #OvercomingAdversity #Forgiveness #LifeLessons #WomenInLaw #Hearsay #FaithAndGrowth #RoyalBoles