Breaking the Ceiling: Season 1 Finale

From Blockbuster to Data Centers: Michael Carnes on Risk, Resilience & Reinvention (Ep. 5 Re-Release)

What 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.

The Hard Truth About Success: From Startup Struggles to Selling Dialexa to IBM (Ep. 4 Re-Release)

For 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.

Bet on Yourself: Scott Levy on Grit, Growth, and Team Alignment (Ep. 3 Re-Release)

For 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.

Grit Is “Discipline on Steroids”: John Hudson on Leadership, Failure & Resilience (Episode 2 Re-Release!)

In 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.

Lessons in Grit with Michelle Johnson (Episode 1 Re-Release!)

Season 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.