In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome Alicia Barr, a real estate entrepreneur, mentor, and author of More Than a Secret: How a Mistress Broke Free From Her Affair.

Raised in small-town America with a strong foundation of faith and hard work, Alicia demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. She purchased her first house at 16, renovated another at 17, and has spent more than two decades flipping homes. After a failed livestock venture left her owing $35,000 as a teenager, she paid back the debt and committed to building a life without credit cards, car loans, or traditional real estate financing.

But beneath her professional success, Alicia was carrying a painful secret.

More than a decade ago, she entered a four-year affair that eventually brought her to rock bottom. What began as excitement and connection became a cycle of secrecy, shame, grief, and emotional turmoil. Alicia knew the relationship was no longer serving anyone, but walking away from someone she loved—and from a life that had become deeply intertwined with her own—proved far more difficult than she imagined.

A pivotal moment at a conference finally gave Alicia the courage to end the affair and tell someone the truth. She confided in her sister, began counseling, and committed herself to healing one difficult day at a time. When she searched for stories from women who had occupied the role of “the other woman,” however, she found very few resources offering honesty, accountability, or hope.

That absence ultimately gave Alicia’s pain a new purpose.

Drawing from years of journal entries, counseling, and personal reflection, Alicia wrote More Than a Secret for the woman she once was—the woman who knows she needs to leave but cannot yet imagine a life on the other side. By sharing her experience, Alicia hopes to challenge shame, create space for honest conversations, and remind others that no one was meant to live as a secret.

At the heart of this conversation is the reminder that healing begins with telling the truth. Although stepping into the light can be difficult, it can also offer the freedom, hope, and future that secrecy never could.

In this episode, we talk about:

• An air-conditioning-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” featuring movie theaters, Willis Carrier, and the White House

• Buying her first house at 16 and renovating another at 17

• Losing nine of 35 steers and owing $35,000 as a teenager

• Paying back that debt and committing to a debt-free life

• Building a successful career flipping homes without traditional bank financing

• How a painful experience within her church affected her faith and sense of belonging

• Entering a four-year affair and recognizing when excitement had become toxicity

• The emotional weight of secrecy, shame, and living a divided life

• The conference moment that gave her the courage to end the affair

• Why telling her sister became the first step in Alicia’s healing

• The importance of counseling and trusted support when navigating grief

• Turning years of journal entries into More Than a Secret

• Writing the resource she desperately needed during her own rock-bottom moment

• Finding purpose in pain and using her story to help others step into the light

  
  

Connect with Alicia:

Website: aliciabarr.com

Book: More Than a Secret: How a Mistress Broke Free From Her Affair, available wherever books are sold in print and audiobook formats.

Connect 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 healing begins with honesty—and that no one is meant to remain a secret.

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Erica Neal, co-founder of Infinity Investment Strategies, an authorized Infinite Banking Concept practitioner, real estate investor, and author of Mind of Gold: The Girlfriend’s Guide to Financial Freedom.

Erica shares the journey that took her from growing up in West Texas and buying her first “money pit” of a house to building a career focused on helping entrepreneurs take greater control of their financial futures. After beginning her career at a large investment firm, Erica started noticing a disconnect between the financial advice people were given and the outcomes they experienced particularly when hardworking clients reached retirement only to discover their money might not last.

That realization led Erica away from traditional investment planning and toward a more comprehensive approach centered on cash flow, real estate, business ownership, and creating financial strategies in which every piece works together.

Along the way, Erica opens up about surrendering the investment licenses she had tied to her identity and sense of worth, learning to trust a different path, and giving herself grace when that path didn’t unfold exactly as planned. She also discusses why financial education must feel accessible—especially for women who are capable, hardworking, and intelligent but may not feel confident asking questions about money.

At the heart of this conversation is the idea that growth begins when we stop waiting for permission, accept that the world has changed, and start taking action with the resources and opportunities available to us.

In this episode, we talk about:

• An August-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” featuring the dog days of summer, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Mount Vesuvius
• Growing up in West Texas and attending the high school featured in Friday Night Lights
• Buying and renovating her first house at 19
• Entering the financial industry without growing up around financial education
• Why Erica believes clarity creates confidence
• The inspiration behind Mind of Gold and its focus on helping women understand money
• Looking at financial planning as a puzzle rather than a collection of separate accounts
• The moment Erica realized traditional investment planning wasn’t showing clients the full picture
• Moving beyond saving and returns to focus on income and cash flow
• Investing in real estate, businesses, and other income-producing opportunities
• The difficult decision to surrender her investment licenses and redefine her professional identity
• Why financial advice that worked for previous generations may not fit today’s economy
• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who offer both support and accountability
• Erica’s vision for a collaborative financial hub serving entrepreneurs

Connect with Erica:

YouTube: @theericaneal
Social media: @theericaneal
Website: Infinity Investment Strategies

Connect with Grit, Grace, Growth:

Email: support@gritgracegrowth.com

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with someone who you think would like this episode.

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome Dana Walker-Jackson, breast cancer survivor, certified mastectomy fitter, and founder of Cinderella’s Closet Lingerie, a specialty boutique supporting women before and after breast cancer surgery.

Dana’s journey began in 2013 when she heard the words, “You have breast cancer.” While undergoing treatment, she returned to school and earned her bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing, graduating at the top of her class. Still, it would take a personal realization to reveal her greater purpose.

After experiencing firsthand the physical and emotional challenges that follow breast cancer surgery, Dana recognized a critical gap in care. Her doctors had worked tirelessly to save her life, but few people were addressing what came next: rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with her femininity, and learning to recognize herself again.

That realization inspired Cinderella’s Closet Lingerie, where women can receive personalized fittings for post-surgical garments, post-mastectomy bras, and breast prosthetics in a warm, welcoming environment. Dana opened the boutique on March 3, 2020 (just two weeks before the world shut down). Although she served only five clients during that first year, she used the unexpected pause to learn, secure insurance contracts, and build a strong foundation. Six years later, Cinderella’s Closet has supported more than 1,600 women.

At the heart of this conversation is the powerful reminder that our most difficult experiences can lead us toward our purpose and that while we may not simply “get over” life-changing challenges, we can discover courage as we move through them.

In this episode, we talk about:

• A 1976-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” featuring Jaws, Apple, and red M&M’s
• Dana’s breast cancer diagnosis and the words that helped quiet her fear
• Returning to school while undergoing cancer treatment
• How her personal experience revealed the emotional gap in breast cancer care
• Why beautiful, properly fitted post-mastectomy garments can help restore confidence
• Creating a boutique that feels like home rather than a clinical setting
• Opening Cinderella’s Closet just two weeks before the 2020 shutdown
• Growing from five clients in the first year to more than 1,600 women served
• Navigating insurance while ensuring clients receive compassionate care
• The importance of personalized fittings, conversation, and emotional support
• Dana’s plans to scale the business without losing its personal touch
• How her breast cancer journey ultimately led her to her purpose
• Why courage is forged in grit—and grace is essential along the way

Connect with Dana:

Website: cinderellasclosetlingerie.com
Instagram: @cinderellasclosetlingerie
Facebook: Cinderella's Closet (@WhereBeforeMeetsAfter)

Connect 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 even the most difficult journeys can lead us toward purpose, confidence, and meaningful growth.

In this special episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, the tables are turned as co-host Kim Carroll steps into the interviewer’s seat to shine a spotlight on the man usually asking the questions...Ken Sines.

What follows is an honest, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about the winding path that has shaped Ken’s life. From growing up in Pittsburgh as the child of young parents navigating difficult circumstances, to becoming the first person on his father’s side of the family to graduate from college, Ken shares a story defined not by a straight line, but by resilience, reinvention, and learning to pivot when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Throughout the conversation, Ken opens up about living with an ADHD mind before anyone really understood what that meant, struggling with confidence despite appearing outgoing on the outside, and learning to extend grace to both the people who shaped his story and to himself.

At the heart of this episode is a powerful realization that life doesn’t have to look the way you imagined for it to still be meaningful, joyful, and successful.

Through career changes, unexpected detours, personal disappointments, and countless pivots, Ken has discovered that sometimes the journey matters more than the destination, and that some of life’s greatest gifts come from learning how to adapt rather than trying to control the outcome.

In this episode, we talk about:

• A Ken-themed edition of "Two Truths and a Lie" featuring broken bones, college degrees, and lacrosse history
• Growing up in Pittsburgh with young parents and a nontraditional family story
• Being the first person on his father’s side of the family to graduate from college
• Navigating school and life with an ADHD brain before ADHD was widely understood
• The confidence struggles hidden beneath humor and extroversion
• Why "pivot" has become the defining word of Ken’s life
• Career changes across media, education, and nonprofit leadership
• Learning the difference between working harder and working smarter
• Extending grace to parents, friends, and the people who hurt us
• The grief and reality of building a life without children
• Finding joy in a life that looks different than the one you planned
• Why nobody really has life figured out, and why that’s okay
• Ken’s philosophy on luck, opportunity, and making the most of both
• The importance of appreciating the life you have while you're still living it

If you've ever felt behind, off course, or like your life doesn't look the way you thought it would, this conversation is a reminder that there is no single roadmap for a meaningful life.

Connect 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 a life that looks different isn't a life that went wrong.

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Jackie Capatolla, entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and creator of the 360 Wheel of Confidence Methodology.

Jackie shares the remarkable journey that took her from opening her first salon at just 27 years old to building multiple successful businesses and eventually stepping into a new calling as a confidence and business coach. After more than 30 years as an entrepreneur, Jackie reflects on the difficult decision to close the salon that had become part of her identity and how trusting her faith allowed her to embrace an entirely new chapter.

Throughout the conversation, Jackie opens up about navigating fear, reinvention, and the uncertainty that comes with leaving behind something you've spent decades building. She explains how her passion for helping people transform from the inside out inspired her signature coaching framework, which helps entrepreneurs strengthen not only their businesses, but also their confidence, mindset, relationships, and personal growth.

At the heart of this conversation is the reminder that confidence is something you build. Through faith, intentional action, and the willingness to trust your vision even when others don't understand it, Jackie shows how every season of life can prepare you for what's next!

In this episode, we talk about:

• A Cancun-themed "Two Truths and a Lie" (including serpent nests, underwater statues, and cool-to-the-touch beaches)
• Growing from beauty school student to successful multi-salon owner
• Navigating entrepreneurship through 9/11, the recession, and the pandemic
• Making the emotional decision to leave behind a 27-year career
• How faith shaped Jackie's biggest business decisions
• Why confidence is built,not inherited
• The inspiration behind the 360 Wheel of Confidence Methodology
• Reinventing your identity after a major career pivot
• Helping entrepreneurs discover their message, brand, and purpose
• Why taking imperfect action is often more important than waiting until you're ready

Connect with Jackie:
Website: jacquelineshouseofbeauty.com

Connect 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 your greatest transformation often begins when you have the courage to trust yourself and take the leap anyway.

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Ernesto Mandowsky, CEO of MDM, a CRM consultancy focused on helping people maximize relationships and create momentum in business and life.

Ernesto shares the unconventional path that led him from throwing a 2,000-person graduation party in Miami at 18 years old to building systems and strategies for entrepreneurs, business owners, and organizations across multiple industries. What began as a love for bringing people together evolved into a career centered around hospitality, relationships, and helping others create meaningful growth through connection.

Along the way, Ernesto opens up about the resistance he faced early on...from being told restaurants and hospitality weren’t “real careers” to navigating uncertainty, entrepreneurship, and the pressure of building something from scratch. Through every pivot, one thing remained constant: his belief that momentum matters more than perfection.

At the heart of this conversation is the idea that success isn’t linear. It’s built through persistence, creativity, adaptability, and the willingness to keep moving even when you don’t have all the answers yet.

In this episode, we talk about:

• An April showers-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” (featuring rain clouds, Hawaii, and Saturn’s moon Titan)
• Throwing a 2,000-person nightclub party at 18 years old
• Ernesto’s early passion for hospitality and bringing people together
• Being pushed toward “stable” career paths while pursuing entrepreneurship
• How systems engineering unexpectedly shaped his business mindset
• The evolution from restaurant operations to CRM consulting
• Why Ernesto believes relationships should be maximized, not just managed
• The five “recipes” behind his relationship-building framework
• Using systems and structure to create peace, performance, and profitability
• Entrepreneurship, uncertainty, and redefining success over time
• Why momentum matters more than perfection

Connect with Ernesto:
Website: /www.yourmdm.co/
Instagram: @momentum_ernesto
Connect 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.

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 performance
• Transitioning from education into the financial services industry
• Starting over in an entry-level role to build long-term career growth
• The “Yes, And” philosophy that shaped Beth’s professional journey
• Why women often wait until they feel overqualified before pursuing opportunities
• Navigating imposter syndrome and learning to trust yourself
• Leadership, mentorship, and helping others become the best version of themselves
• Balancing career growth while raising a large blended family
• The realities and rewards of becoming a stepparent at a young age
• How family, resilience, and consistency shaped Beth’s outlook on life
• Why showing up for people matters more than perfection

Connect with Beth:
About
LinkedIn
Connect 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.

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 misunderstood
• Holly’s early career in tech and project management
• Navigating leadership as a woman in male-dominated spaces
• The moment she knew a job wasn’t the right fit and what happened next
• Getting fired and using it as fuel to start her own business
• The reality of entrepreneurship: risk, uncertainty, and resilience
• How mindset, energy, and alignment play a role in business growth
• Surviving the pandemic as a business owner (and starting over again)
• Pivoting from solo consulting to building a recruiting and placement firm
• Why freedom is a driving force behind entrepreneurship

Connect with Holly:
Podcast: The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast
Instagram: @hollyknoll
Connect 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.