From $5 an Hour to Six Figures: The Mindset That Changed Everything

Choosing Yourself & Getting Paid for Your Brain with Rainah Davis (The Unscripted Pivot: Brunch Series | Ep. 1)

What happens when the career script you spent years writing gets flipped entirely upside down? In this premiere episode of The Unscripted Pivot: Brunch Series, Career Architect Kristina B. Butler sits down with author, consultant, and DBA candidate Rainah Davis for a raw, unfiltered conversation about identity, resilience, and reclaiming your direction when life changes without your permission. From navigating unexpected corporate layoffs and managing the beautiful chaos of family (including seven grandkids!) to the silent weight of the "mom tax," Rainah pulls back the curtain on what it really looks like to shed an old identity when life requires something new — and how she transitioned from simply doing the work to getting paid for her thinking. Inside this conversation, we cover: * The Transit Metaphor: Why an unscripted pivot is simply the vehicle moving you from Point A to Point B — and why that reframe changes everything. * The Airplane Oxygen Mask: Learning the hard way how to choose yourself first in the middle of a life crisis. * Boundaries vs. Capacity: The exact language shift givers need to say "no" without guilt. * Productive Pain: How to redirect the sting of rejection, closed doors, and layoffs into multi-generational purpose. * Visionaries Plot and Plan Victories: Why you are the visionary of your own life — and how thinking in 90-day windows instead of 5-year plans changes how you move. * Paid More for Thinking Than Doing: The ultimate goal Rainah set for herself at 45 — and the strategic choices she has made every day since to get there. Grab your coffee or tea, pull up a seat at the virtual table, and let's dive into the middle of the pivot. 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: * Grab Rainah's Pivot Plan Goodies: https://adept-crafter-5616.kit.com/pivot [https://adept-crafter-5616.kit.com/pivot] * Connect with Rainah on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rainahmdavis [https://linkedin.com/in/rainahmdavis] * Join The Unscripted Pivot Community: https://kristinabutler.com/unscripted-pivot-community [https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/217532] * Secure your seat for all 4 episodes: https://kristinabutler.com/pivot-brunch-series [https://kristinabutler.com/pivot-brunch-series]

The Income Myth That Keeps High Performers Underpaid

For years, I believed the only way to earn more money was to manage people. That belief quietly capped my income. In this episode, I break down one of the most common career myths I see among capable professionals and explain why managing a team, getting another degree, or already working remotely is not always required to increase your income. As someone who has spent over 15 years in talent acquisition and HR, and who has sat inside hiring rooms making compensation decisions, I’m sharing what actually matters when organizations determine pay. You’ll learn: * Why people management is not the only path to higher earnings * The narratives that quietly limit income growth * How to research salary ranges strategically * What hiring teams really prioritize * The four moves that helped me increase my own income If you’ve been feeling underpaid, boxed in, or unsure of your next step, this episode will help you approach your career more intentionally. If you want access to the weekly remote opportunities I reference, you can join my email list here:→ https://kristinabutler.com/weekly-remote-jobs If you’re ready for personalized strategy, you can learn more about working with me here:→ https://kristinabutler.com/six-figure-clarity-session Subscribe to the podcast for grounded conversations about remote work, career alignment, and building income that supports your life.

How Grief Shapes Career Decisions (and What to Do About It)

Grief doesn’t stop at home. It quietly follows us into our careers. In this episode, Kristina Butler explores how grief impacts career decisions, timing, motivation, and clarity. Not just grief from losing a loved one, but the grief that comes from layoffs, lost roles, broken expectations, and versions of ourselves we thought we’d be by now. If you’ve ever felt unmotivated, disconnected, or unsure why a “good” opportunity didn’t excite you, this conversation will help you understand what might really be happening beneath the surface. This episode is about awareness, grace, and why you don’t need to force strategy when you’re not operating at full capacity. If this resonates: * Follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes * Share this with someone who may need to hear it * Explore the resources linked in the show notes when you’re ready for support → Join the email community for reflections, resources, and next-step guidance. https://kristinabutler.com/weekly-remote-jobs → Learn more about Clarity Sessions when you need a thoughtful space to think things through. https://kristinabutler.com/six-figure-clarity-session

The Career Advice No One Gave Me Until I Lived It

There was a season in my career where I was crystal clear on two things: what I wanted and what I absolutely did not. In this episode, I reflect on my journey through financial services, why I never chased the corner office, and how learning to define success for myself has changed the way I make career decisions and coach others today. After spending more than 15 years in talent acquisition, I’ve seen how often professionals feel pressured to pursue titles, visibility, or leadership paths that don’t actually fit who they are or the season they’re in. This conversation is about alignment, impact, and giving yourself permission to choose differently without guilt or explanation. If you’ve ever felt like your career should look a certain way but something about that path feels off, this episode is an invitation to pause and rethink what success really means for you. Next steps: If this resonated, you can join my email community for grounded career insights and aligned opportunities, or explore a Clarity Session if you’re ready to get intentional about what comes next. Join the community: https://kristinabutler.com/weekly-remote-jobs Schedule your Clarity Session: https://kristinabutler.com/six-figure-clarity-session

From $5 an Hour to Six Figures: The Mindset That Changed Everything

There was a time I was earning $5 an hour, pregnant, walking to work, and quietly telling myself, “This won’t be my forever.” I didn’t have a timeline.I didn’t have a step-by-step plan.And I definitely didn’t have proof yet. What I did have was a belief that if others were earning six figures, there had to be a path for me, too. In this episode, I share how I thought about money, career growth, and possibility long before the results showed up. I talk through the questions I asked myself, how I studied people who were already where I wanted to be, and why daily actions mattered more than confidence or certainty. This conversation is for you if: * You know you’re capable of more, but can’t see the full path yet * You’re navigating a career transition or income stretch season * You’re building forward before the evidence shows up Next steps: If this episode resonates, you’re welcome to book a Clarity Session using the link below. It’s a focused conversation designed to help you get clear on your next move and the process that fits you. You can also join my email list for weekly career guidance and remote opportunities. * Book a Clarity Session: https://kristinabutler.com/six-figure-clarity-session * Join the email community: Weekly career guidance and remote opportunities - https://kristinabutler.myflodesk.com/ * Share this episode with someone who’s in a transition season