117 - Kaitlyn Carlson: Money, Power, and Your Heart

In this episode of Threshold Moments, Sarah Tacy sits down with wealth strategist and financial planner Kaitlyn Carlson for a deeply personal conversation about identity, integrity, and redefining success. Kaitlyn Carlson is the founder of Theory Planning Partners who once upon a time advised some of the wealthiest men in America, but stepped in a new direction to stay devoted to a way of higher integrity. After seeing how the biggest players in the game were positioned for exponential wealth creation, and the financial advisors making plans to benefit themselves, and the abuse she experienced as a woman in that field, she felt called to build a model rooted in greater transparency, deep care, and long-term stewardship. What begins as a story about an unexpected friendship unfolds into a powerful exploration of what it means to live beyond binary choices — between ambition and alignment, structure and intuition, achievement and freedom. Kaitlyn shares her journey from a fiercely competitive childhood athlete and national championship hockey player to a successful career in finance, revealing how early experiences shaped her belief in equality, resilience, and possibility. Along the way, she discovered that true wealth isn't just financial — it's emotional, relational, and deeply personal. Together, Sarah and Kaitlyn explore the idea of the "sacred third" — a path that exists beyond the traditional either/or choices many high-achieving women feel forced to make. This conversation dives into the psychology of money, the importance of representation and opportunity, and how integrity becomes the foundation for both financial freedom and personal joy. In this episode, we explore: Kaitlyn's journey from competitive hockey to wealth strategy Growing up believing opportunity should be equal — and living that belief How sports shaped resilience, confidence, and leadership The intersection of psychology and financial decision-making The concept of the Freedom Number and redefining wealth Integrity as a guiding principle in business and life Moving beyond patriarchal success models Creating a "sacred third" path between ambition and authenticity Connect with Sarah Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahtacyt Learn more about Sarah's work Join Sarah's email list Join Kate in the free 3-day workshop Good With Money (affiliate link) Connect with Kaitlyn Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram Connect with Kaitlyn