Podcast
Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen
Hosted by Matt Rosen · EN
This podcast is dedicated to exploring the untold stories of resilience, determination, and mental toughness from leaders in business and technology. Our mission is to inspire and empower listeners by delving deep into the journeys of those who have faced significant challenges and emerged stronger. Through authentic conversations, we uncover the mindsets, strategies, and lessons that have propelled these individuals to overcome adversity and achieve success. We aim to provide actionable insights and real-world advice to help our audience cultivate their own grit and navigate their personal and professional lives with confidence and resilience.
37episodes
Episodes
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From Blockbuster to Data Centers: Michael Carnes on Risk, Resilience & Reinvention (Ep. 5 Re-Release)
5d ago00:22:38Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to leave stability behind, bet on yourself, and build a career through uncertainty?In this re-released episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with data center industry veteran and entrepreneur Michael Carnes to discuss the lessons he's learned from nearly three decades of growth, setbacks, and reinvention. From leaving Blockbuster during its peak years to helping build one of the early pioneers in the data center industry, Michael shares how perseverance, calculated risk-taking, and strong relationships shaped his journey.Michael reflects on navigating the dot-com crash, overcoming financial uncertainty, launching entrepreneurial ventures, and adapting to the rapidly evolving world of data centers and AI. He also shares why networking, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with the right people can be the difference between surviving and thriving.Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or someone considering taking a leap of faith, this conversation offers valuable lessons on grit, resilience, and long-term success.
Transcribe →The Hard Truth About Success: From Startup Struggles to Selling Dialexa to IBM (Ep. 4 Re-Release)
2w ago00:30:52Tap to summarizeFor Scott Harper, grit isn't about avoiding failure—it's about learning from it, pushing through it, and staying in the game long enough to win.In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Scott shares the lessons that helped him build Dialexa from the ground up, navigate major setbacks, overcome near-disasters, and ultimately lead the company to a successful acquisition by IBM. He reflects on the role that hard work, resilience, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with great people play in building something meaningful. Scott also offers candid insights on maintaining perspective during difficult seasons, learning from failure, and why "embracing the suck" is often an essential part of the journey to lasting success.Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or working through your own challenges, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom on perseverance, leadership, and staying focused on the mission when things get tough.
Transcribe →Bet on Yourself: Scott Levy on Grit, Growth, and Team Alignment (Ep. 3 Re-Release)
3w ago00:27:05Tap to summarizeFor Scott Levy, grit is simple: keep betting on yourself and your team when there are plenty of reasons to quit. In this re-run episode, the founder of Result Maps shares how building a business while raising young children, managing demanding clients, and leading distributed teams inspired him to create a platform that helps founders stay aligned, build better habits, and scale with purpose.Scott also reflects on his family’s immigrant story—particularly his grandfather’s journey to America at age 15 with nothing—which continues to shape his perspective on resilience and adversity. A passionate supporter of the veteran community through Warrior Rising, Scott brings a powerful blend of leadership, perseverance, and service to everything he does.Whether you're working to strengthen your team, clarify your vision, or push through a challenging season, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration to help you keep moving forward.
Transcribe →Grit Is “Discipline on Steroids”: John Hudson on Leadership, Failure & Resilience (Episode 2 Re-Release!)
4w ago00:24:49Tap to summarizeIn this special re-run episode of The Grit Mindset, entrepreneur John Hudson shares his powerful definition of grit: “discipline on steroids.” Through decades of experience building a successful logistics company, leading teams, and even launching a gym during the uncertainty of COVID, John opens up about the realities of perseverance, failure, leadership, and knowing when it’s time to pivot.This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone navigating setbacks while chasing meaningful success.
Transcribe →Lessons in Grit with Michelle Johnson (Episode 1 Re-Release!)
May 2000:21:11Tap to summarizeSeason 1 of The Grit Mindset is complete, and before Season 2 launches, I’m revisiting the episodes that shaped the show most.There was no better place to start than Episode 1 with Michelle Johnson, former CIO at Freeman, with Fortium when we recorded, and now CIO at Associa. She took a chance on a brand new podcast with a host who had no idea what he was doing yet. She gave me two ideas in that first conversation that I've carried through everything since. The first: "It takes grit to quit." Not as a catchphrase. As a real observation. Sometimes the gritty move isn't to keep pushing — it's to walk away from what isn't working so you can put your energy somewhere it will. The second: "You learn how to do hard better." She was quoting the women's basketball coach at Duke. Not easier. Better. That's the whole show in one sentence. Grit isn't about life getting smoother. It's about getting more skilled at handling what's hard. Season 2 is coming. Until then, stay gritty.
Transcribe →Breaking the Ceiling: Season 1 Finale
May 1300:09:49Tap to summarizeAfter 60 episodes, Matt Rosen is putting the Grit Mindset on hiatus — not from burnout, but to break through a craft ceiling. In this Season 1 finale, he shares three specific lessons from three guests who changed how he thinks about interviewing, vulnerability, and the people closest to him. Plus: what's coming in Season 2, when the show returns, and how listeners can shape the next chapter. Stay gritty.
Transcribe →No Days Off: Forging a Legacy through Cancer, Career, and Caregiving
May 600:43:21Tap to summarizeCharacter isn't built in a boardroom; it’s forged in the quiet, grueling moments of showing up when it would be easier to stay down. On this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen pays tribute to the unwavering resolve of energy executive and close family friend Cindy Jaggi.Cindy’s journey is a masterclass in what it means to be steadfast—serving as the anchor for her family and her company through a decade of extraordinary trials. This is a story about the quiet strength required to 'soldier on' when the stakes are highest.In this episode, we explore:-The Early Foundation: How overcoming adversity in rural Missouri as a teenager prepared her for the high-stakes world of energy leadership.-The Corporate Climb: Navigating the ladder in a demanding industry with a persistent, "no-excuses" work ethic.-The Invisible Lift: Balancing the pressures of executive leadership with the daily demands of managing a household and raising two children.-Grace Under Fire: Navigating a ten-year battle with breast cancer—undergoing treatment without ever missing a day of work.-The Ultimate Partner: Supporting her husband through his medical challenges with transverse myelitis, proving that true grit is often a selfless act.Cindy Jaggi is living proof that your character is your most valuable asset. Her life reminds us that being 'unbreakable' isn't about avoiding the storm—it's about being the one who holds steady until it passes.
Transcribe →The 1% Rule: Melvin Bullitt’s Blueprint for Resilience & Growth
Apr 2900:28:31Tap to summarizeMelvin Bullitt didn't just walk onto an NFL roster; he fought his way from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl Captain for the Indianapolis Colts. But for Melvin, the gridiron was only the first half.In this episode of The Grit Mindset, the Texas A&M legend gets raw about the "silent season" following retirement and the mental fortitude required to pivot from professional athlete to elite entrepreneur. We dive into:-The Undrafted Mentality: How to outwork the "sure bets" when no one is looking.-The Post-Game Pivot: Navigating the identity shift and mental health challenges after the cheering stops.-The Bullitt Experience: How he’s scaling grit, leadership, and community through his premier training facility.-The 1% Philosophy: Why incremental daily wins are the only way to survive high-stakes environments.Whether you're an athlete, a business leader, or someone in the middle of a major life transition, Melvin’s story is a masterclass in staying dangerous when the odds are against you.
Transcribe →Strategic Discomfort: Why Your Comfort Zone is Killing Your 10-Year Plan
Apr 2200:35:20Tap to summarizeYour 10-year plan is likely taking too long because you’re staying too comfortable.In this episode, George Digianni joins Matt Rosen to break down the framework of “Strategic Discomfort”—the intentional pursuit of friction that transforms slow growth into massive momentum. George pulls back the curtain on his journey from a $487K first year to a seven-figure powerhouse, proving that scaling a business requires more than just a better strategy; it requires a harder mindset.In this conversation, we cover:Goal Compression: The tactical shift needed to turn a decade-long vision into a 12-month reality.The Grit Factor: Why hiring for core values and internal drive beats technical skill every single time.Navigating the Friction: How to handle the culture clashes and tough decisions that come with rapid scaling.Mission Alignment: Protecting your company’s soul while aggressively pursuing its growth.If you’re ready to stop avoiding the "tough stuff" and start using it as a catalyst for transformation, this episode is your blueprint.
Transcribe →From the Oval Office to the Agency: Lessons from the White House to Building a Photography Firm
Apr 1500:28:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with Grant Miller, CEO of Grant Miller Photography. Grant’s journey didn't start in a boardroom—it started with a passion for the lens that landed him a life-changing internship at the White House under President George W. Bush.But the real story is what happened after the West Wing. Grant discusses how observing leadership at the highest level provided the blueprint for founding and scaling a premier national photo and video agency.We dive deep into:- The High-Stakes Classroom: What working with a U.S. President teaches you about composure and professional excellence.- From Solopreneur to CEO: The gritty transition from being behind the camera to leading a national team.- The Psychology of Adversity: How to handle personal and business "dark moments" without losing your momentum.- Mentorship & Movement: Finding the right voices to help you build resilience and a "never-quit" culture.Whether you are a creative professional looking to scale or an entrepreneur navigating a high-pressure season, Grant’s unfiltered insights offer a masterclass in building a business—and a life—with absolute grit.
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