Earning Grey

Stephanie Garrett

Every grey hair has a story. Join Stephanie Garrett for true stories from work and life, told with humor, a little sarcasm, and the perspective that only experience can earn. Earning Grey explores what we believed while we were living it and what we understand now. From workplace missteps to unexpected turning points, each episode starts with one thought: “If I knew then what I know now…”

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Wife for a Week

    Cliff likes to say he only got a wife for about a week. There’s a story behind that. In this episode of Earning Grey, I’m sharing how an irritated evening outside a downtown club turned into a life together, complete with a backup apartment, a growing collection of animals, tattoo souvenirs, and an Asheville wedding filled with stones and pop culture. A week later, a faint line changed the direction of our relationship. It’s a story about finding love through shared interests, building a family, and discovering that having so much in common doesn’t mean you’ll approach every part of life the same way. Looking back, there were conversations I wish we’d had before learning some of those differences the hard way.

  2. Oct 31

    I'll Call You Back Later

    Some phone calls seem ordinary until you realize there won't be another one. In this deeply personal episode of Earning Grey, I share memories of my dad, a man with a contagious laugh, a love of terrible horror movies, and a talent for turning even poorly planned adventures into unforgettable stories. From childhood weekends and family vacations to one familiar voicemail I wish I'd saved, this is a story about love, laughter, loss, and the unexpected ways grief continues to show up as we grow older. Because sometimes, earning grey means realizing that you never really stop finding new reasons to miss someone.

  3. Oct 24

    A Foot in the Door and a Car That Wouldn't Start

    I love music. When I was fresh out of school, I landed an internship at a company that represents bands. Clearly, my music-industry career was about to begin…assuming my car cooperated. In this episode of Earning Grey, I revisit listening to demos, discovering a local band called Black Market Special, and an unexpectedly lasting introduction to Microsoft Excel. Along the way, I reflect on the guidance I needed fresh out of college and the questions I didn’t yet know to ask. Sometimes, the experience you gain takes you somewhere you never planned to go.

  4. Oct 18

    The Job I Was Bad At

    At 23, I became a manager at the UNC Library. There was just one problem: I wasn't particularly good at managing people. Difficult conversations? Avoided them. Shielding my team from unnecessary criticism? Hadn't figured that out yet. Navigating workplace politics? Let's just say I had some growing up to do. But somewhere between my managerial missteps, I discovered something unexpected: I was actually pretty good at other things. In this episode of Earning Grey, I look back at the job that taught me as much about my weaknesses as it did about my strengths, and how the skills I discovered more than two decades ago would quietly shape the rest of my career. Because sometimes the job you're not particularly good at is the one that teaches you the most. If I knew then what I know now...

  5. Oct 11

    Every Grey Hair Has a Story

    Every grey hair has a story. This is where mine begins. In the first episode of Earning Grey, I introduce myself and the idea behind the podcast: telling true stories from work and life, then looking back at what I believed at the time versus what I understand now. Expect humor, a little sarcasm, and honest reflection on the experiences that shape us. I’m Stephanie Garrett, and I’ve earned a few grey hairs. Here are the stories behind them.

  • 5 Episodes

About

Every grey hair has a story. Join Stephanie Garrett for true stories from work and life, told with humor, a little sarcasm, and the perspective that only experience can earn. Earning Grey explores what we believed while we were living it and what we understand now. From workplace missteps to unexpected turning points, each episode starts with one thought: “If I knew then what I know now…”

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Garrett
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephanie Garrett
  • Show Website
    Earning Grey