Grit, Grace, Growth

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: [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.

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 [email protected]

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 meansThe hidden complexities families face when planning for lifelong careWhy there’s no single roadmap (and how overwhelming that can feel)Allison’s personal journey as a mother navigating serious medical diagnosesThe emotional and practical realities of raising children with disabilitiesTransitioning from pediatric care to adulthood—and the challenges that come with itThe importance of having the right financial structures in place (and what can go wrong without them)Why hiring the right help can change everythingHow Allison turned her lived experience into a mission-driven careerThe creation of free educational resources to support families nationwideThe mindset shift that helped her move from survival mode to empowermentWhy she truly believes she is “the lucky one”Connect:Visit:https://www.consolidatedplanninggroup.comYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ConsolidatedPlanningGroupIf 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 [email protected]

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 transitionsRebuilding financially after divorce and starting over with a small income How Gail entered the music industry with no prior experienceThe evolution of Boston’s Hot Mess Band and building a recognizable brand in the events industryWhat it takes to deliver unforgettable live entertainment experiencesWhy “trusting the process” became Gail’s guiding philosophyConnect:Visit: https://hotmessrocks.com Email: [email protected] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.

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 meansThe power of learning through hardshipA 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 artsThe reality of divorce, survival mode, and rebuilding from the ground upKim’s transition into banking and the moment she realized she could succeedThe mentors and opportunities that shaped her career pathTaking the leap into independent financial advisingWhy nothing is truly out of reach with planning and perseveranceKim’s pride in her children and their creative success!Special MentionMusic featured in this podcast was composed by Ty Carroll, Kim’s son and a student at Berklee College of Music.ConnectLearn more or schedule a conversation at www.kimcarrollcrc.comIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.