Grit, Grace, Growth

Kim Carroll and Ken Sines
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Life doesn’t always go according to plan (and that’s exactly where the best stories begin). Welcome to Grit, Grace, & Growth, a podcast hosted by Kim Carroll & Ken Sines, where real people share real stories of adversity, resilience, and transformation. From career pivots and personal setbacks to rebuilding after heartbreak and finding purpose through struggle, each episode explores what it truly takes to keep going when life gets hard. This is a podcast about progress, the climb, and discovering that even when life breaks you growth is still possible!

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Conducting Your Own Symphony

    In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Beth Goldsmith, Second Vice President of Practice Management and Development at Ameritas. Beth shares an inspiring and deeply personal journey that spans music education, motherhood, leadership, and career reinvention. Originally beginning her professional life as a music teacher, Beth opens up about the unexpected path that led her into the insurance and financial services industry...and how saying “yes, and” became the philosophy that transformed her career and life. From starting in an entry-level customer service role to eventually becoming a senior leader helping independent financial professionals grow thriving businesses, Beth reflects on the power of humility, resilience, curiosity, and continuous growth. Along the way, she discusses imposter syndrome, stepping into opportunities before feeling fully ready, and why women so often underestimate their own qualifications and potential. But at the heart of this conversation is family. Beth vulnerably shares what it was like becoming a mother to six boys at a young age, balancing career ambitions with raising a large blended family, and learning that the moments children remember most are simply the moments you showed up for them. Warm, thoughtful, and full of wisdom, this episode is a reminder that growth rarely happens in a straight line—and that sometimes the biggest transformations begin when you’re willing to take a chance on yourself. In this episode, we talk about: A Mayflower-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” (with some surprising American history trivia)Beth’s early career as a music teacher and her love of performanceTransitioning from education into the financial services industryStarting over in an entry-level role to build long-term career growthThe “Yes, And” philosophy that shaped Beth’s professional journeyWhy women often wait until they feel overqualified before pursuing opportunitiesNavigating imposter syndrome and learning to trust yourselfLeadership, mentorship, and helping others become the best version of themselvesBalancing career growth while raising a large blended familyThe realities and rewards of becoming a stepparent at a young ageHow family, resilience, and consistency shaped Beth’s outlook on lifeWhy showing up for people matters more than perfectionConnect with Beth:AboutLinkedInConnect with Grit, Grace, Growth:Email: support@gritgracegrowth.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that success doesn’t have to be a straight line to still be the right one.

    45 min

  2. May 17

    Career Pivots - From Corporate Burnout to Consulting Freedom

    In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Holly Knoll, founder of The Consultant Code and host of The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast. Holly shares a raw and honest look at what it actually takes to build a career on your own terms. After starting her career at Accenture and working her way through major companies like Target Corporation, Sephora, and Taco Bell, Holly found herself in a breaking-point moment that forced her to rethink everything. Getting fired from a role that was never the right fit became the unexpected catalyst for building her own consulting business...one that’s now evolved into a thriving recruiting and placement firm in the tech space. Along the way, Holly opens up about navigating male-dominated industries, burnout, starting over (more than once), and what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. At the heart of this conversation is a simple truth that success isn’t linear and sometimes the hardest moments are the ones that push you exactly where you’re meant to go. In this episode, we talk about: A spring-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” (and why worms deserve more credit than we think)What a consultant actually does and why the term is so misunderstoodHolly’s early career in tech and project managementNavigating leadership as a woman in male-dominated spacesThe moment she knew a job wasn’t the right fit and what happened nextGetting fired and using it as fuel to start her own businessThe reality of entrepreneurship: risk, uncertainty, and resilienceHow mindset, energy, and alignment play a role in business growthSurviving the pandemic as a business owner (and starting over again)Pivoting from solo consulting to building a recruiting and placement firmWhy freedom is a driving force behind entrepreneurshipConnect with Holly:Podcast: The Everyday Entrepreneur PodcastInstagram: @hollyknollConnect with Grit, Grace, Growth:Email: support@gritgracegrowth.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that success doesn’t have to be a straight line to still be the right one.

    44 min

  3. May 3

    How Unconventional Plans Help Us Lead With Purpose

    In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Olivia McGraw, a wealth strategist with Unbridled Wealth whose story is anything but conventional. Olivia shares a powerful and wide-ranging journey that spans military college, international humanitarian work, and a complete career pivot into financial strategy. From attending The Citadel (one of the first generations of women navigating its male-dominated culture) to living in East Africa during and after periods of conflict, Olivia’s experiences have shaped a deeply resilient and purpose-driven perspective on life. After years working in the nonprofit sector and living abroad in places like Burundi and Rwanda, Olivia eventually found her way into the financial world in an unexpected way. What began as curiosity turned into a passion for helping others create long-term financial freedom through strategic planning and education. At the heart of this conversation is a theme of trust—trusting the process, trusting your path even when it doesn’t make sense, and allowing life’s detours to shape something greater than you originally imagined. In this episode, we talk about: A WrestleMania-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” (with some surprising celebrity trivia)Olivia’s experience attending The Citadel and navigating a male-dominated environmentLiving and working in East AfricaLessons learned from poverty, resilience, and global perspectiveTransitioning from nonprofit work into the financial sectorWhat it means to become a wealth strategist and help others build financial freedomThe concept behind “infinite banking” and alternative financial strategiesThe importance of trusting the process (even when you don’t have a clear plan)Building a life driven by purpose, adaptability, and growthConnect with Olivia:Visit: https://unbridledwealth.com/Connect with Grit, Grace, Growth:Email: support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.

    48 min

  4. Apr 19

    Rebuilding From Nothing: What It's Like to Start Over

    In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Monica Sample, global real estate advisor, team leader of the Monica Sample Group, and a woman whose story is the definition of "resilience". Monica shares a deeply personal journey marked by reinvention and perseverance. From growing up between Washington State and Pittsburgh, to battling addiction as a young mother and making the life-changing decision to move with nothing but her daughter and a duffel bag, Monica opens up about the moments that reshaped her life forever. She reflects on the courage it took to rebuild from rock bottom, the support of her family, and how motherhood became the catalyst for change. From there, her story unfolds through heartbreaking loss, including the death of her infant daughter Scarlet, the trauma of family grief, and the mindset shifts that allowed her to keep moving forward. Today, Monica leads a thriving real estate team, mentors new agents, gives back through Homes for Heroes, and continues building a life rooted in gratitude, purpose, and connection. Her story is a powerful reminder that where you begin does not determine where you’re capable of going! In this episode, we talk about: A baseball-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” icebreaker with Pittsburgh Pirates triviaMonica’s journey from Washington State to PittsburghHer early career as a hairstylist and salon leaderThe difficult reality of addiction and the moment she chose to leave that life behindReturning home as a single mother and rebuilding from the ground upThe role family support played in her recoveryMotherhood as the driving force behind transformationNavigating profound grief after the loss of her daughter ScarletHow faith, perspective, and gratitude carried her through devastating lossBuilding a successful real estate career from family roots in renovation and investingLeading a team, mentoring new agents, and stepping into leadershipGiving back through Homes for Heroes and community-centered philanthropyWhy Monica wants to be remembered not for one chapter, but for the way she loved peopleConnectVisit: https://monicasamplerealestate.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, follow, and subscribe! If you're interested in being a guest or have any questions, reach out to us at support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com

    50 min

  5. Apr 5

    From Adversity to Advocacy - How Mindset Can Change Your Life

    In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Allison Schaberg, owner and managing partner of Consolidated Planning Group, a holistic financial planning firm. Allison shares a deeply powerful and personal story shaped by advocacy and an unwavering commitment to her family. As a mother of four adult children (three with disabilities) her life has been anything but linear. From navigating cancer, complex medical needs, and major life transitions, to building a successful career in financial planning, Allison’s journey is a testament to perspective and purpose. Through both her personal experiences and professional work, Allison has dedicated her life to helping families facing similar challenges feel less overwhelmed and more empowered. She opens up about the realities of parenting children with special needs, the gaps in available resources, and why access to the right information can change everything. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful mindset shift: instead of focusing on what’s difficult, Allison chooses to focus on what’s possible—and why she still considers herself “the lucky one.” In this episode, we talk about: A fun spring-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” icebreaker (and why scurvy made an appearance) What holistic special needs financial planning actually means The hidden complexities families face when planning for lifelong care Why there’s no single roadmap (and how overwhelming that can feel) Allison’s personal journey as a mother navigating serious medical diagnoses The emotional and practical realities of raising children with disabilities Transitioning from pediatric care to adulthood—and the challenges that come with it The importance of having the right financial structures in place (and what can go wrong without them) Why hiring the right help can change everything How Allison turned her lived experience into a mission-driven career The creation of free educational resources to support families nationwide The mindset shift that helped her move from survival mode to empowerment Why she truly believes she is “the lucky one” Connect: Visit:https://www.consolidatedplanninggroup.com YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ConsolidatedPlanningGroup If you enjoyed this episode be sure to like, follow, and subscribe! If you're interested in being a guest or have any questions, reach out to us at support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com

    47 min

  6. Mar 15

    Trust the Process: Reinvention & Rocking the Party

    In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome their first guest, Gail Carey. She's the manager of Boston’s award-winning Hot Mess Band. Gail shares a remarkable story of reinvention (one that spans continents, careers, and unexpected opportunities). Originally from England, Gail’s life took a dramatic turn when her family moved to the United States for her husband’s job. What followed was a winding journey through immigration challenges, raising three daughters, navigating divorce, and rebuilding her life professionally. With no formal background in music, Gail eventually found her way into the entertainment industry, first booking bands and later partnering with Jason Silverman of Hot Mess. Her story is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line and that trusting the process can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. Along the way, Gail opens up about  the mindset that helped her turn adversity into opportunity. The podcast’s first guest and a new “Two Truths and a Lie” game (with surprising music trivia) Gail’s move from England to the United States and the immigration challenges her family faced  Being unable to work for years after arriving in the U.S. and how that shaped her path  Raising three daughters while navigating major life transitions Rebuilding financially after divorce and starting over with a small income  How Gail entered the music industry with no prior experience The evolution of Boston’s Hot Mess Band and building a recognizable brand in the events industry What it takes to deliver unforgettable live entertainment experiences Why “trusting the process” became Gail’s guiding philosophy Connect: Visit: https://hotmessrocks.com  Email: support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com  If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.

    38 min

  7. Mar 1

    Introducing Grit, Grace, Growth!

    Welcome to the very first episode of Grit, Grace, & Growth! In this kickoff conversation, hosts Ken Sines and Kim Carroll introduce the purpose behind the podcast: creating a space for real stories of adversity and transformation. Kim shares her personal journey...from teaching dance for 26 years to navigating divorce, financial instability, and rebuilding her life as a single mom. She opens up about what it really means to start over, push through fear, and discover the growth that comes from hardship. This episode sets the tone for what’s ahead: honest conversations, inspiring guests, meaningful lessons, (and plenty of humor along the way). In this episode we talk about: Why this podcast exists and what “grit, grace, and growth” really means The power of learning through hardship A fun “Two Truths and a Lie” icebreaker (goldfish, Caesar salad, and a very expensive pizza) Kim’s early career as a dance teacher and her love for performing arts The reality of divorce, survival mode, and rebuilding from the ground up Kim’s transition into banking and the moment she realized she could succeed The mentors and opportunities that shaped her career path Taking the leap into independent financial advising Why nothing is truly out of reach with planning and perseverance Kim’s pride in her children and their creative success! Special Mention Music featured in this podcast was composed by Ty Carroll, Kim’s son and a student at Berklee College of Music. Connect Learn more or schedule a conversation at www.kimcarrollcrc.com If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.

    55 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Life doesn’t always go according to plan (and that’s exactly where the best stories begin). Welcome to Grit, Grace, & Growth, a podcast hosted by Kim Carroll & Ken Sines, where real people share real stories of adversity, resilience, and transformation. From career pivots and personal setbacks to rebuilding after heartbreak and finding purpose through struggle, each episode explores what it truly takes to keep going when life gets hard. This is a podcast about progress, the climb, and discovering that even when life breaks you growth is still possible!

Information

  • Creator
    Kim Carroll and Ken Sines
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kim Carroll and Ken Sines
  • Show Website
    Grit, Grace, Growth