Grit, Grace & Glitz with Erika Rothenberger

Latest Episodes:

The Grace in Mastering Ego, Embracing Humility, and Leading with Purpose with Andrew Paul Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Summary

In this episode of Grit, Grace & Glitz,Erika Rothenberger sits down with Andrew Paul, former Navy SEAL officer and leadership instructor with Echelon Front, for an honest conversation about resilience, leadership, humility, and what it really takes to keep moving forward when life gets hard.

Andrew shares lessons shaped by his military service, career transition, fatherhood, personal setbacks, and his journey from being out of shape after leaving the SEAL Teams to completing 100-mile ultramarathons. His story is a reminder that grit isn't about always feeling motivated—it’s about choosing to show up, especially when you don't feel like it.

The conversation dives deep into ego, humility, extreme ownership, complacency, personal growth, and the power of pressure. Andrew explains how ego can prevent us from seeing the truth, making better decisions, and taking responsibility for what we can control.

From the battlefield to business, relationships, parenting, and endurance sports, Andrew offers practical leadership lessons that apply far beyond the military.

Most importantly, his message is simple:

Keep going.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

Why pressure can be a privilege and how difficult experiences can shape who we become
How resilience is built by repeatedly stepping outside your comfort zone
Why ego can be one of the biggest obstacles to effective leadership
The difference between ego-driven leadership and quiet confidence and humility
How to practice extreme ownership without taking responsibility for things you cannot control
Why blaming circumstances can keep you from seeing what you can actually change
How complacency can develop through small shortcuts and overlooked details
Why self-awareness and constantly questioning your own assumptions matter
How consistency can turn a difficult starting point into extraordinary progress
Why action often has to come before motivation
How to balance striving for your next level with gratitude for what you already have
Why the most important leadership lesson may simply be: keep going

Episode Timeline

01:24 Advice to 25-Year-Old Andrew

03:06 The Value of Experience and Perspective

04:21 Building Resilience Through Stretching

05:16 Andrew’s Leadership and Grit on the Battlefield

08:37 Transition from Military to Civilian Life

12:19 Starting Ultra Marathons and Overcoming Physical Limits

13:43 The Power of Consistency and Hard Work

16:12 The Dangers of Ego in Leadership

18:20 Leadership in Action and Day-to-Day Reality

21:29 Ownership and Responsibility in Challenges

24:39 The Insidious Nature of Complacency

26:37 The Importance of Self-Awareness and Growth

30:20 The Power of Choice and Change

32:11 Keep Going: The Ultimate Leadership Mantra

33:42 Final Words and Call to Action

Where to Find Andrew

Website: https://theandrewmpaul.com/

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmpaul/?isSelfProfile=false

Connect with your host, Erika:

LinkedIn (primary)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikarothenberger

https://www.instagram.com/erikalearothenberger?igsh=MmhjeTRhbnB1aXM2

https://www.facebook.com/share/69wqEYVzFKKnci9u/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

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The Grace To Stop The Comparison Game & Start Believing in Yourself with Carrie Hunter Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Summary

In this episode of Grit, Grace & Glitz, Erika Rothenberger sits down with Carrie Hunter, CEO of It's Not That Serious, a women-led lifestyle brand and storytelling platform dedicated to celebrating, connecting, and uplifting women.

Carrie shares her journey from a successful corporate career in tech and construction to building a mission-driven business after surviving a life-threatening health crisis. Together, Erika and Carrie explore the reality that every woman carries unseen battles and why comparing your journey to someone else's only steals your confidence.

They discuss practical mindset habits—including journaling, gratitude, affirmations, and meditation—that help reframe negative self-talk and build lasting confidence. The conversation also dives into dealing with criticism, social media comparison, finding the right community, and embracing growth without seeking everyone's approval.

This episode is a reminder that resilience isn't about being perfect—it's about choosing yourself, honoring your story, and surrounding yourself with people who help you grow.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

Why everyone is fighting a battle you may never see.
How comparison steals confidence and keeps you stuck.
Simple daily practices to strengthen your mindset and self-belief.
The power of gratitude, journaling, and affirmations.
How to silence negative self-talk and replace it with empowering thoughts.
Why you don't need everyone's approval to succeed.
How to handle criticism, online negativity, and "haters" without losing your peace.
Why finding the right community is essential for personal and professional growth.
How investing in yourself and your purpose creates long-term impact.

Episode Timeline

02:17 The importance of feeling seen and supported

04:07 Carrie’s health journey and resilience

08:13 Building confidence in young women and adults

12:33 The power of manifestation and positive visualization

15:22 Handling negativity and criticism effectively

20:55 Dealing with social media negativity and haters

22:22 Choosing the right energy and relationships

24:36 Investing in oneself and business growth

26:52 Final thoughts and encouragement for women

Where to Find Ashley:

IN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriehunter/

Connect with your host, Erika:

LinkedIn (primary)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikarothenberger

https://www.instagram.com/erikalearothenberger?igsh=MmhjeTRhbnB1aXM2

https://www.facebook.com/share/69wqEYVzFKKnci9u/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

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The Glitz In Balancing Ambition, Wellness & Entrepreneurship with Ashley Novak Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Shownote

In this episode of Grit, Grace & Glitz, Erika Rothenberger sits down with entrepreneur and operations consultant Ashley Novak, founder of Polished & Prosperous and Glam on Demand. Ashley shares how her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship—and her diagnosis with lupus—changed the way she approaches productivity, wellness, and sustainable business growth.

Together, they discuss why entrepreneurs often struggle with overwhelm, the importance of boundaries, and how automation can simplify everyday life without sacrificing authentic client experiences. Ashley also shares practical productivity hacks, including time blocking, iPhone shortcuts, Notion workflows, and creating systems that support both business and personal well-being.

The conversation also explores authenticity on social media, balancing ambition with rest, and how surrounding yourself with the right community can become the catalyst for personal and professional transformation.

Whether you're building a side hustle, scaling a business, or simply trying to organize your life, this episode offers actionable strategies for creating success without burnout.

In This Episode, You'll Learn

How Ashley Novak built Glam on Demand into a thriving business before launching Polished & Prosperous.

Why systems and automation are essential for sustainable entrepreneurship.

How living with lupus reshaped Ashley's definition of wellness and productivity.

Practical ways to reduce overwhelm through time blocking and prioritization.

Ashley's "Top 3 Tasks" method for staying productive without burnout.

Easy iPhone shortcuts and automation hacks that save time every day.

Why AI should support your business—not replace authentic client experiences.

How to stay genuine and build meaningful engagement on social media.

The power of community, connection, and investing in yourself as an entrepreneur.

Episode Timeline