The Grounded Growth Podcast

Sarah Quast

The Grounded Growth Podcast is a calm space for reflection, self-awareness, and evolution. Each episode explores the real, often messy process of becoming — learning to root deeper while growing toward who you’re meant to be. Through honest conversations and soulful insights, we nurture personal development that feels grounded, gentle, and real. For anyone who’s ever outgrown old versions of themselves, this is your reminder: growth is beautiful.

  1. Oct 7

    Episode 49: Creating Space for Rest and Renewal

    Episode 49: Creating Space for Rest and Renewal What if rest isn’t something we earn after we’ve done enough? What if it’s actually part of what allows us to keep growing? In Episode 49 of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re talking about the importance of creating space for rest, renewal and simply being present with ourselves. Because life rarely reaches a point where everything is finished. There’s always another responsibility, another task, another person who needs something from us. So if we’re waiting for the perfect moment to rest…we may be waiting forever. We’ll talk about why rest isn’t the opposite of growth, how rest can become a boundary, the difference between rest and escape, and why we don’t have to wait until we’re completely depleted before we listen to what we need. Sometimes renewal isn’t about starting over. Sometimes it’s simply about coming back to yourself. You don’t need to eat rest. You don’t have to justify needing a pause. And you don’t have to wait until you’re running on empty. You deserve to experience your life — not just keep up with it. Journal Prompts from this episode. ​Where in my life do I need to intentionally rest and create space for renewal?​What practices bring me the most calm and energy restoration?​How does rest support my growth, clarity, and inner grounding?​What small daily or weekly rituals can I incorporate to prioritize renewal consistently? ​If this episode resonated, I’d love for you to share it and/or leave a review. Helping others prioritize rest, renewal, and grounded growth in their lives too.

  2. Sep 29

    Episode 48: Embracing Vulnerability as Strength

    Episode 48: Embracing Vulnerability as Strength What if vulnerability isn’t a weakness…but one of the strongest things we can practice? We often learn to protect ourselves by keeping things in. We hide the hard parts, pretend we’re ok when we’re not, avoid difficult conversations, and sometimes convince ourselves that needing help means we’ve failed. But vulnerability asks us to do something different. It asks us to be honest. To admit when we’re struggling. To say what we feel. To ask for help. To have the conversation we’ve been avoiding. To let someone see the parts of us we don’t always feel confident showing. And that can feel uncomfortable. But vulnerability isn’t about over sharing or giving everyone access to the most personal parts of us. It’s about having the courage to be real — with ourselves and with the people we trust. In this episode we’re talking about what it really means to embrace vulnerability as a form of strength. We’ll explore why being honest about where we can actually create more connection, how vulnerability can help us build deeper relationships, and why allowing ourselves to be seen doesn’t mean giving away our power. Because sometimes strength isn’t holding everything together. Sometimes strength sounds like: “I’m struggling”, “I don’t know”, “I need help”, “That hurt me”, “I’m scared…but I’m going to try anyway” There is courage in being seen exactly as you are. And maybe the goal isn’t to become someone who never feels vulnerable. Maybe it’s to become someone who lo longer believes vulnerability makes you less strong. Journal Prompts from this episode. ​Where in my life have I been holding back or avoiding vulnerability?​How could leaning into openness strengthen my growth in relationships?​What small steps can o take to practice vulnerability with compassion and trust?​How does embracing vulnerability change my perception of strength?

  3. Sep 22

    Episode 47 Nurturing Resilience Through Life’s Ups and Downs

    Episode 47 — Nurturing Resilience Through Life’s Ups and Downs Life is going to have ups and downs. There will be seasons that stretch us, moments that surprise us, and challenges we never saw coming. But resilience isn’t about never struggling. It isn’t about always being strong, staying positive, or pretending everything is okay. Resilience is something we can nurture. In this episode of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re talking about what it really means to build resilience in a way that feels grounded, compassionate, and human. We’ll explore the difference between simply pushing through and actually supporting ourselves through difficult seasons. Because sometimes resilience looks like getting back up. Sometimes it looks like resting. Sometimes it means asking for help, changing direction, giving yourself grace, or simply taking the next small step when you don't know what comes next. We’ll talk about how our difficult experiences can shape us without having to define us, and how we can begin trusting ourselves to navigate whatever life brings our way. You don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to be strong every single day. And you certainly don't have to pretend the hard things don't hurt. You can be struggling and still be resilient. You can be tired and still be moving forward. You can be uncertain and still trust yourself to find your way. Sometimes we don't realize how resilient we've become until we look back and realize: “Wow… I made it through that.” So wherever you are in your journey right now, I hope this episode reminds you that you are allowed to take life one step, one breath, one day at a time. Stay grounded, keep growing, and remember — you are capable of meeting this moment exactly as you are. 💙 Journal Prompts: ​What challenges have I faced that revealed my inner strength?​How do I currently respond to life’s ups and downs?​What practices help me feel grounded and resilient in difficult times?​How can I nurture resilience consistently, even during small daily challenges?

  4. Sep 15

    Episode 46: Embracing Patience in Your Journey

    Episode 46: Embracing Patience in Your Journey We live in a world that wants everything now. We want to know what’s next. We want to see results. We want to know that all the effort, healing, learning and growing is actually landing somewhere. But growth doesn’t always happen on our timeline. In episode 46 of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re talking about embracing patience in your journey - and what it really means to trust the process when you can’t yet see where it’s taking you. Sometimes we’re so focused on becoming the next version of ourselves that we forget to appreciate the version we’re living as today. Patience isn’t about sitting still and doing nothing. It’s about continuing to show up while allowing things to unfold in their own time. It’s trusting that the seeds you’re planting matter, even when you can’t see what’s happening underneath the surface. It’s understanding that some seasons are for blooming, while others are for growing roots. And maybe the slower seasons aren’t setting us back at all. Maybe they’re preparing us. We’ll talk about letting go of pressure to have everything figured out, releasing the need to compare our timeline to someone else’s, and learning to trust that progress can be happening even Feb it doesn’t look like progress. Because your journey doesn’t need to happen faster to be meaningful. You don’t have to rush your becoming. You don’t have to have all the answers today. You can keep moving forward while still giving yourself permission to take your time. So if you’re still wondering “Why isn’t it happening yet?” Maybe this episode is your reminder to breathe, keep going, and trust what’s unfolding. Your story is still being written🤍 Journal Prompts: ​Where in my life am I rushing or forcing progress?​How can I honour the timing of my growth more fully?​What small signs of progress have I overlooked?​How does practicing patience deepen my trust in myself and my journey?

  5. Sep 8

    Episode 45: Cultivating Daily Rituals for Growth

    Episode 45: Cultivating Daily Rituals for Growth What if growth isn’t about making huge changes, but about the small things we choose to return to every day? In this episode of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re talking about the power of daily rituals — and how the little things we consistently make space for can quietly shape the way we feel, think, and live. A ritual doesn’t have to be complicated. It might be your morning coffee in silence, a few minutes of journaling, stepping outside for fresh air, taking a walk, putting your phone down, listening to your intuition, or simply giving yourself a moment to breathe. These small moments can become anchors. Because growth isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s happening in the quiet repetition of choosing yourself, coming back to yourself, and creating little pockets of intention throughout your day. We’ll explore rituals, why consistency matters more than perfection, and how creating simply daily practices can help you feel more grounded and connected to yourself. You don’t need to completely reinvent your life. You don’t need a perfect morning routine. You don’t need to add 20 more things to your already full day. Maybe you just need one small thing that feels good, meaningful, and supportive—and the willingness to keep coming back to it. Because over time, those little moments add up. And sometimes the life you’re trying so hard to create begins with the smallest choices we make today. So grave your coffee (or tea), take a breathe, and join me for a conversation about creating rituals that can help you grow without losing yourself in the process. Journal Prompts: ​What daily practice would bring the most nourishment and grounding to my life?​How can I make space for this practice consistently?​Which rituals align with my values and support my growth?​How does consistency in small actions impact my mindset, energy, and evolution?

  6. Sep 1

    Episode 44: Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You.

    Episode 44: Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You. Sometimes growth isn’t about adding something new. Sometimes it’s about letting something go. As we grow and change, there are things we once needed that may no longer fit the person we are becoming. Old beliefs. Old patterns. Old expectations. Old fears. Old versions of ourselves. And sometimes, we hold into them simply because they are familiar. In this episode of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re talking about the quiet — and sometimes uncomfortable— process of recognizing what no longer serves us and giving ourselves permission to release it. Letting go doesn’t always mean walking away from a person or completely changing your life. Sometimes it means releasing the belief that you aren’t capable. Sometimes it’s letting go of the need to make everyone happy. Sometimes it’s accepting that something didn’t turn out the way you hoped. Sometimes it’s realizing that the version of you who survived a particular drain doesn’t have to be the version of you who enters the next one. And sometimes, the hardest thing to release is the idea that we need to keep carrying something simply because we’ve carried it for a long time. Growth asks us to become honest with ourselves. Does this still feel like me? Does this still support the life I’m creating? Does this bring me closer to myself— or further away? There is freedom in realizing that you’re allowed to outgrow things. You’re allowed to change your mind. You’re allowed to choose differently. You’re allowed to leave behind what once made sense. And you’re allowed to make space for something new without knowing exactly what that new thing will be. Because sometimes the next chapter doesn’t need more from you… it simply needs room. So in this episode, we’ll explore what it can look like to loosen our grip, release what has become too heavy, and trust ourselves enough to move forward with less baggage and more freedom. You don’t have to carry everything you’ve ever been through into everything you’re becoming. Somethings are meant to be lessons, not baggage. Journal prompts from this episode: ​What habits, beliefs, or patterns are holding me back?​Which relationships or commitments no longer support my growth?​How can I release these elements with compassion and gratitude?​What new space, energy, or opportunities can emerge when I let go?

  7. Aug 25

    Episode 43: Balancing Ambition and Presence

    Episode 43: Balancing Ambition and Presence What if you could be ambitious about your future without missing the life you’re living right now? In this episode of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re exploring the delicate balance between having dreams, goals and ambitions while still being fully present for the life unfolding right in front of us. It’s easy to become so focused on what’s next that we overlook what’s happening now. The next goal. The next milestone. The next version of ourselves. The next chapter. But what if constantly teaching for what’s next means we’re missing the moments we once wished we could have? Presence doesn’t mean giving up on your ambition. It doesn’t mean you stop dreaming, growing or wanting more. It means learning how to peruse what matters to you without sacrificing the moments that matter along the way. Because life isn’t something we get to pause while we build our future. The coffee you’re drinking. The conversation you’re having. The people sitting beside you. The ordinary Tuesday morning. The laughter you didn’t expect. This is your life too. In this episode, we’ll talk about finding that middle ground — how to keep moving toward your dreams while learning to slow down enough to actually experience the journey. Because success isn’t only about where you eventually arrive. It’s also about whether you were present enough to enjoy the road getting there. We don’t need to choose between ambition and presence. We can carry them both. To dream boldly while staying grounded. To work toward something while appreciating what already exists. To build a beautiful future without rushing past a beautiful present moment. Because one day, the life you’re so busy trying to create will become the life you’re living. Don’t forget to be there for it🤍🌿 Here are the journal prompts from this episode. ​Where in my life am I pushing too hard or rushing?​Where could I slow down and be more present?​How can I align my ambition with mindfulness and self-compassion?​What small steps today honour both my goals and my grounded presence?

  8. Aug 18

    Episode 42: Expanding Your Capacity for Joy

    Episode 42: Expanding Your Capacity for Joy What if joy isn’t something we have to find…but something we have to learn how to receive? In this episode of The Grounded Growth Podcast, we’re talking about expanding your capacity for joy — and what it means to allow yourself to experience more happiness, gratitude, pleasured connection, and lightness without immediately waiting for something to go wrong. Sometimes, after spending years navigating stress, uncertainty, disappointment, or simply trying to get through the next thing, happiness can feel unfamiliar. We may know how to survive. We may know how to work hard. We may know how to solve problems and prepare for what’s next. But so we know how to simply receive the good? How to sit in a beautiful moment without wondering when it will end? How to celebrate without feeling like we need to wait for the other shoe to drop? How to allow ourselves to feel genuinely happy without questioning whether we deserve it? Expanding your capacity for joy isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s about becoming more available to the beautiful moments that already exist within it. It’s about noticing the laughter. The morning coffee. The sunset. The people who make you feel easy. The unexpected good news. The little moments that make you stop and think, “Wow…this is my life.” And sometimes, expanding our capacity for joy means letting ourselves believe that good things are allowed to happen without immediately preparing ourselves for something bad to follow. Joy doesn’t have to be Barnes through perfection. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you can celebrate where you are. You’re allowed to still enjoy your life while you’re still becoming. In this episode we’ll explore what it means to make room for more joy, why receiving happiness can sometimes feel uncomfortable, and how intentionally noticing and celebrating the good can begin to change the way we experience our every day lives. Because the goal isn’t to create a perfect life. It’s to become someone who can fully receive the beautiful one that’s already unfolding. Journal prompts: ​What simple pleasures bring me joy right now?​Where in my life am I blocking or limiting my joy?​What small daily actions can I take to invite more light and happiness?​How does cultivating joy supper my growth and well-being?

About

The Grounded Growth Podcast is a calm space for reflection, self-awareness, and evolution. Each episode explores the real, often messy process of becoming — learning to root deeper while growing toward who you’re meant to be. Through honest conversations and soulful insights, we nurture personal development that feels grounded, gentle, and real. For anyone who’s ever outgrown old versions of themselves, this is your reminder: growth is beautiful.