In this episode of Keep Growing, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Cyndi Thomsen—storyteller, coach, theatre director, author, and speaker—to explore what it means to listen to your inner voice, trust what you know, and continue growing through every season of life and work.

With more than 35 years of leadership experience and decades in theatre, Cyndi creates spaces where people can reclaim their voice, reignite their vision, and realign with what matters most. She is the host of The Creative Connection podcast and the Artistic and Managing Director of RBCC Players.

Cyndi shares three powerful lessons that have shaped her personal growth:

• Reclaiming Your Inner Voice — through presence, breath, and mindfulness, learning to quiet the outside noise, listen inward, and trust yourself more deeply.

• Reigniting Your Vision — staying connected to your inner storyteller and discovering new ways to express who you are through theatre, coaching, and empowering others to use their voices.

• Realigning With What Matters — intentionally creating spaces of connection and belonging, particularly for people whose voices and experiences have too often been overlooked.

She also shares three lessons that have contributed to her professional growth:

• Build Relationships With Like-Minded People — surrounding yourself with entrepreneurs and leaders who believe in collaboration, referrals, shared opportunities, and supporting one another.

• Become Intentional About Your Visibility — clarifying your message, strengthening your presence, and allowing people to recognize both your name and the work you are here to do.

• Develop Your Signature Message — creating a keynote and TED-style talk that allows your story and ideas to reach a larger audience.

Cyndi also opens up about the next chapter of her own growth: working with a TEDx speaking coach, seeking mentorship from someone who has already achieved the level of impact she is pursuing, and writing her second and third books.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder: growth doesn't always begin with having all the answers. Sometimes it begins by getting quiet enough to hear your own voice—and brave enough to follow it.

As Cyndi says:

“I believe growth requires both inner listening and outside support. I’m continuing to strengthen my voice while also seeking mentors who can help me carry that voice into larger rooms.”

This is a conversation about voice, vision, courage, connection, visibility, and becoming more fully who you are.

Keep growing. Keep listening. Keep using your voice.

In this episode of Keep Growing, RaeAnn Hall, Executive Director of Grow NOW, is interviewed by Laurie Hardie about the lessons, choices, and practices that have shaped her personal and professional growth.

RaeAnn shares three powerful lessons that have contributed to her personal growth:

• Take 100% Responsibility — owning your choices, your healing, and the direction of your life.

• Embrace Somatic Healing — learning to reconnect with the body, process what has been stored, and create space for genuine healing and growth.

• Be Gentle With Yourself — understanding that growth doesn't require perfection and that self-compassion can be a powerful part of becoming who you're meant to be.

RaeAnn also shares three lessons that have fueled her professional growth:

• Put Yourself Out There — opportunities often begin when you are willing to be seen, take a chance, and step outside your comfort zone.

• Continue Developing Your Craft — never stop learning, growing, and becoming better at what you do.

• Follow Through on Your Commitments — building trust with yourself and others by doing what you say you will do.

This conversation is a reminder that personal growth and professional growth are deeply connected. The more we understand ourselves, honor our healing, and keep showing up, the more confidently we can step into our purpose.

Keep growing. Keep learning. Keep showing up.

What happens when we learn to trust our own voice, embrace change, and stay present for the people who matter most? In this inspiring conversation, Celeste Race, SHRM-CP, shares the personal experiences and lessons that have shaped her approach to growth, relationships, and leadership.

With more than 30 years as a small business owner and experience in human resources and workforce development, Celeste brings a practical, people-centered perspective to professional growth. She shares why genuine relationships, curiosity, adaptability, and purposeful leadership matter—and how staying connected to our own strengths can help us navigate both personal and professional change.

From finding strength through loss to leading with purpose, Celeste reminds us that growth isn't about having everything figured out. It's about listening to your voice, staying open to change, and continuing to show up with intention, humor, and heart.

In this inspiring episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Sorelle Berger, a student passionate about psychology, personal growth, communication, leadership, and helping others.

Sorelle shares the experiences that have contributed most to her personal growth, including theater, therapy, and journaling. With a background in theater, she discusses how creative expression has helped her develop confidence, communication skills, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of herself and others. She also shares how therapy and journaling have provided valuable tools for reflection, emotional growth, and navigating life's challenges.

Sorelle is continuing her education in psychology with the goal of pursuing a career in counseling and working with children and teens. Her passion for helping others is rooted in her own experiences and her commitment to continued personal development.

The conversation also explores professional growth, with Sorelle highlighting the importance of work, money management, and volunteer work. These experiences have helped her develop responsibility, practical life skills, professional confidence, and a greater understanding of how she can contribute to her community.

Sorelle's journey demonstrates how personal growth and professional growth are connected. From theater and creative expression to education, employment, financial responsibility, and community service, every experience can become an opportunity to learn, develop new skills, and discover your purpose.

This episode is especially meaningful for students, young adults, aspiring counselors, psychology students, and anyone interested in personal development, mental wellness, leadership, communication, and making a difference in the lives of others.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation about self-discovery, therapy, journaling, psychology, career development, money management, volunteerism, communication, confidence, and using your experiences to encourage and support others.

Keep Growing. Keep Learning. Keep Serving. Keep Becoming.

In this inspiring episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Renae James, co-owner of Hometown Values Magazine, for a meaningful conversation about personal growth, professional development, community involvement, mentorship, and the power of saying yes to new opportunities.

Renae and her husband, Mark, have led Hometown Values for more than 22 years, connecting local businesses with families throughout the region. Through their quarterly direct mail publication, website, and app, Hometown Values helps local businesses build visibility and strengthen connections within their communities.

Renae shares the importance of being intentional about your circle and surrounding yourself with people who encourage, challenge, and support your growth. She also talks about the value of giving back, serving your community, and knowing when it's time to recharge and refocus. Her commitment to community is evident through her involvement with nonprofit organizations and the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.

When it comes to professional growth, Renae highlights the importance of mentorship, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and being open to learning from others. She encourages listeners to step outside their comfort zones, embrace new opportunities, and take the leap—just say yes!

This episode is a powerful reminder that personal growth and professional growth go hand in hand. Whether you're building a business, developing meaningful relationships, serving your community, or navigating your next chapter, Renae's story encourages us to surround ourselves with the right people, continue learning, give back, recharge when needed, and have the courage to say yes to the opportunities that can move us forward.

Keep Growing. Keep Giving. Keep Learning. And when opportunity knocks, take the leap and just say yes!

In this inspiring episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Reagan Jennings, a Grow NOW scholarship recipient and graduate student pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian, to discuss the personal and professional growth lessons that have shaped her journey.

Reagan shares how stepping outside her comfort zone has opened doors to opportunities she never imagined. She reflects on the importance of having people in your corner—mentors, family, friends, and supporters who believe in your potential and encourage you to keep moving forward, even during difficult seasons. She also talks about learning through change, embracing uncertainty, and discovering that growth often happens when life doesn't go according to plan.

On the professional side, Reagan offers an inside look at her path toward veterinary medicine, explaining how hands-on veterinary experience has strengthened her skills and confirmed her passion for caring for animals. She also discusses her work in scientific research and science communication, sharing how research has helped her think critically, communicate complex ideas effectively, and contribute to advancements in animal health.

One of Reagan's biggest pieces of advice is to take opportunities before you feel completely ready. Whether applying for graduate school, pursuing research opportunities, or gaining clinical experience, she encourages listeners to trust themselves, embrace new challenges, and recognize that confidence grows through action.

This episode is a powerful reminder that personal growth and professional growth go hand in hand. Through resilience, mentorship, lifelong learning, hands-on experience, scientific research, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone, Reagan demonstrates that big dreams become reality when you're willing to keep learning and keep growing.

Whether you're pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, graduate school, STEM, research, healthcare, or leadership, Reagan's story will inspire you to believe in yourself, embrace change, and seize opportunities that move you closer to your goals.

Keep Growing. Keep Learning. Keep Chasing Your Dreams.

In this empowering episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Celeste Pettijohn, personal stylist, entrepreneur, and cabi women's clothing stylist, to discuss the mindset shifts that have helped her build a successful business while empowering women to feel confident in their personal style.

Since 2013, Celeste has helped women simplify their wardrobes through wardrobe audits, seasonal styling, vacation capsules, and personalized fashion consultations. Her philosophy is simple: great style isn't about wearing one specific brand—it's about wearing clothing that reflects who you are, fits your lifestyle, and gives you confidence.

Celeste shares powerful lessons in personal growth, including learning to trust her own voice, becoming comfortable with being visible, and saying yes before feeling fully ready. She encourages listeners to embrace opportunities, step outside their comfort zones, and recognize that confidence often grows after taking the first step—not before.

The conversation also explores professional growth and entrepreneurship. Celeste explains why consistency is more important than perfection, how she has built a thriving business through authentic relationships rather than transactions, and why some of the greatest business opportunities come from everyday conversations. Her relationship-first approach has allowed her to create lasting client connections built on trust, service, and genuine care.

Whether you're building a business, growing your confidence, refining your personal brand, or simply looking for encouragement to take your next step, Celeste's story offers practical wisdom and inspiration. This episode is filled with insights on personal growth, entrepreneurship, women's confidence, leadership, networking, relationship marketing, visibility, mindset, and building a business with authenticity.

Keep Growing. Keep Showing Up. Keep Saying Yes.

In this inspiring episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Yenni Gaspar, a recent graduate of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), Seattle resident, and proud Grow NOW scholarship recipient, to discuss her journey of perseverance, personal growth, and professional development.

Yenni shares how the support and encouragement she received from family, mentors, and the Grow NOW community gave her the confidence to overcome challenges and continue pursuing her educational goals. She also reflects on learning the importance of self-care, recognizing that prioritizing her mental and emotional well-being has been essential to achieving balance and long-term success.

Another key lesson in Yenni's personal growth journey has been improving time management. As a college student balancing academics, responsibilities, and personal life, she learned practical strategies that helped her stay focused, organized, and committed to reaching her goals.

On the professional side, Yenni discusses how college, mentorship, and real-world experiences helped her develop valuable professional skills, prepare for the workforce, and become a more effective leader. She also shares how building confidence has empowered her to step outside her comfort zone, embrace new opportunities, and believe in her own abilities.

One of the most meaningful parts of Yenni's journey has been being part of a supportive community. She explains how Grow NOW's mentorship, encouragement, and relationships provided more than financial assistance—they gave her a network of people who genuinely believed in her success and celebrated every milestone along the way.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that personal growth and professional growth happen through support, self-care, confidence, lifelong learning, and meaningful relationships. Yenni's story demonstrates that when young adults are surrounded by encouragement and opportunity, they can overcome obstacles, earn their degrees, and build a future filled with purpose and possibility.

Keep Growing. Keep Believing. Keep Becoming the Person You're Meant to Be.

In this inspiring episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Catherine M. White—entrepreneur, speaker, author, and business strategist—to explore the powerful connection between personal growth and professional success.

Catherine shares how personal responsibility, resilience through adversity, and choosing growth over comfort have shaped her journey. As a single mother who raised four children while building multiple businesses, Catherine knows firsthand that meaningful success doesn't happen without challenges. Her story is a powerful reminder that we may not always control what happens to us, but we can take responsibility for how we respond, learn from adversity, and keep moving forward.

The conversation also dives into professional growth, including the importance of lifelong learning, building strategic relationships, and taking imperfect action. Catherine encourages entrepreneurs and leaders to stop waiting for everything to be perfect and instead take the next step, learn along the way, and turn their vision into action.

As the founder of Accelerated Results 365, Catherine empowers business owners to strengthen their teams, gain financial clarity, and build businesses that align with their goals, values, and vision. She is also the author of Beyond Breaking Even and the creator of the P.O.W.E.R.R. framework.

This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, accountability, personal development, entrepreneurship, leadership, lifelong learning, and the courage to take action—even when the path isn't perfect.

Keep Growing. Keep Learning. Keep Taking Action.

In this inspiring episode of the Keep Growing Podcast, the official podcast of Grow NOW, RaeAnn Hall sits down with Catherine M. White—entrepreneur, speaker, author, and business strategist—to explore the powerful connection between personal growth and professional success.

Catherine shares how personal responsibility, resilience through adversity, and choosing growth over comfort have shaped her journey. As a single mother who raised four children while building multiple businesses, Catherine knows firsthand that meaningful success doesn't happen without challenges. Her story is a powerful reminder that we may not always control what happens to us, but we can take responsibility for how we respond, learn from adversity, and keep moving forward.

The conversation also dives into professional growth, including the importance of lifelong learning, building strategic relationships, and taking imperfect action. Catherine encourages entrepreneurs and leaders to stop waiting for everything to be perfect and instead take the next step, learn along the way, and turn their vision into action.

As the founder of Accelerated Results 365, Catherine empowers business owners to strengthen their teams, gain financial clarity, and build businesses that align with their goals, values, and vision. She is also the author of Beyond Breaking Even and the creator of the P.O.W.E.R.R. framework.

This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, accountability, personal development, entrepreneurship, leadership, lifelong learning, and the courage to take action—even when the path isn't perfect.

Keep Growing. Keep Learning. Keep Taking Action.