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A Prayer Board, a Promise, and a Grammy | Susan Carrol

• Jasmine Edwards • Season 2 • Episode 5

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0:00 | 40:28

What happens when faith meets preparation?

Grammy-winning vocalist Susan Carrol joins the show to share the incredible journey from singing solos in church as a pastor’s kid in Fort Worth to standing on the Grammy stage.

In this powerful conversation, Susan opens up about the real story behind her breakthrough—including the viral “Let Go, Let God” clip that caught the attention of PJ Morton, the life-changing opportunity to sing with Jon Batiste, and the moment a quiet prayer board turned into a Grammy win.

We talk about:

• Growing up in church and discovering her voice
 • Breaking free from the “just a singer” label
 • Moving to Los Angeles and trusting God through isolation
 • Boundaries in relationships while pursuing purpose
 • How one repost changed everything
 • The prayer that predicted the Grammy win

Susan also shares the musical influences that shaped her sound—from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to The Clark Sisters, Kim Burrell, Brandy, and Musiq Soulchild.

If you've ever wondered how to follow a calling that doesn’t make sense yet, this episode will remind you that sometimes faith opens doors before you even knock.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired.

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Welcoming Susan Carroll

SPEAKER_00

Me. Me, me, me.

SPEAKER_02

Say the mic.

SPEAKER_00

Mike, check one, two. We gotta make sure the mics are on because y'all today on the PK Pod, we have a timeless voice. Okay, not mine, as y'all heard from that me. Um, but we have somebody legendary, someone so sweet, so soulful, so beautiful, and she is a Grammy Award-winning artist. Period. Only on the PK Pod. Y'all make some noise for Miss Susan Carroll.

SPEAKER_03

Hi, guys. I'm so happy to be here. Susan. Welcome to the PK Pod. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here. It's beautiful.

SPEAKER_00

Yay. So here on the PK Pod, we like to interview our PKs and our CKs, which are our church kids, because we all

Growing Up A Pastor’s Kid

SPEAKER_00

have platforms, but they may not be the pulpit. Like hello, somebody. And so we are so happy to have you here. So tell us. Miss Susan, big Sue. Come on. Okay. Like, tell us about your church journey. Like, you know, did you join a church young? Were you born into the church world? Like, give us the tea.

SPEAKER_03

So, little Sue. Little Sue. I was born into the church. My dad was a pastor. My mom was the first lady and the organist. And yeah, they fell in love. It's a crazy story, too. I'm like, I don't know if I should get that, dude. But tell me. Well, so my dad were my dad and my mom had a 43-year age difference, first of all. So yes. So it was like, but it was love. Like from what I saw, it was love. And it was just like, you know, it was beautiful. But yeah, so my dad was a pastor. We I was born into the church. It's um, and all of us do something. So my mom plays the organ. My siblings sing and play drums and play instruments, and I sing, and yeah, so we just do all the things. But yeah, I grew up in church. And then after that, my dad died when I was nine. So we went to another church. We just kept it in the church. Yeah. And my mom went on to like, yeah, get uh marry another pastor, so we just back in church. And we just, yeah, I just lived in church till I was about 17, and then I went on to college.

SPEAKER_00

But yeah. Wow. Okay, so you lived in church till 17. Mama was an organist. Yes.

SPEAKER_03

You don't play the organ? I can play, I can play instruments by ear. Like I picked up guitar and that randomly helped my career, but God was like, go get a guitar, and I did. And I can play keys, like if I'm witted a little bit, I can like pick it up and pick up the chords. But so it's like it's dormantly laying in there, and I do it when I can, but like we all kind of had our, and I think church is about like that way. It like kind of categorizes you, and then you're that thing. So when you try to like venture out from it, like I remember when I did pick up a guitar, my brothers and sisters was like, not you when like they still don't take me serious, like because that was Princeton's instrument or my little brother's instrument, you know what I mean? And I'm the singer, and my little sister sings. It's like, you know, so yeah, whenever I picked it up, they were just like, girl.

SPEAKER_00

Like, what you doing?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, but it ended up catapulting the thing that I was doing outside of when I went on my own, you know, and it just kind of helped. So it was beautiful, and it's beautiful to like it um, what is it, like realize the gifts as you get older, you know, and just be able to tap into all of them. But yeah.

SPEAKER_00

So you were singing in the church

Discovering Instruments And Identity

SPEAKER_00

from day one, yes, since I was since I was three years old.

SPEAKER_03

As soon as my mama, my mama said me and my mama and my dad were riding in the car, and my dad started singing uh Blessed Assurance. And so when he was like, This is my story, and I was in the back, like, this is my story. And my mom was like, Hold on, like she imagined it all, like she sounded kind of good, and then from then she kind of just I led every song. I'm just singing all the songs in church.

SPEAKER_00

Because all it takes is one home. Yeah, no, they hear that you can hum and hold a note that's in the choir.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, you can beat a drum, it's like you keeping the gum, get on the drums, you the drum. Nah, for real. That's the thing, though.

SPEAKER_00

Like, all parents, like especially pastors, like if you show any sign of you can do something, you go into that. You are going to be able to do that.

SPEAKER_03

That's how you realize the gift, though. Like the kid has to do it or just like even show interest. Even if you're just sitting around the piano too long, they like what you get up here and come see what you can see what you can do.

SPEAKER_00

You staring at these keys, you might as well hit the keys while you go over here. No, bro. That's amazing. Yes. Okay, so you have a very musically inclined family. Yes. You went to college, so you left home. What wait, where's home? Fort Worth? Yes. Okay, Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth, Texas. Went to school. What is what was like your major study? What was you attempting to study in my life?

SPEAKER_03

So I was about to say, because you thought music took over. Um, I so when I was younger, uh-huh before my dad died, because he was that's funny. My dad was older, so he got sick a lot. So it was just like he always was having something, and he was always in the hospital. So I was just like, Daddy, I'm gonna be a doctor and I'm gonna take care of you. Like, I'm gonna go to school. Like, that's what I my little Sue said I was gonna do. And so I was kind of following that track. And so I went to school to Texas and M for biology. And then I switched it to psychology. But looking back on it, and as I like grow mentally and spiritually and just get older, I'm like, I realized that my heart was to heal as a kid, and I was just like, oh, I see that it's in a different um realm. Like it's like I'm healing people with my voice, I'm healing people with the gifts that God has given me and the story, or whatever he's given me, it's like I'm healing people there. So I am a doctor still, but it yeah, but I went to school for biology and then psychology, and then I just went to music.

unknown

Wow.

SPEAKER_00

Dr. Sue.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it was Dr. Sue. It was about to be Susan, Dr. Susan Carol Lewis.

SPEAKER_00

I love that. Okay, so when

College Dreams And A Call To Heal

SPEAKER_00

did you know, like, all right, I need to pursue this music thing?

SPEAKER_03

When I when I was in college, because it took me from college, I didn't get to finish my degree. I went and then it was like it kept because the last thing I wanted to do when I went to school was sing, because I'm like, every time it was just like I always sang when I was growing up, and it was kind of like a forced thing. Like, I want to go play. I was a tomboy. I'm like, I'm trying to go get dirty. I don't want to be up here, but I gotta stay up because I gotta sing for all the things. And so I'm just like, the last thing I wanted to do was sing. And I loved it, but it was just like I'm a I already know how to do that, so I don't have to like study that or anything. And then so, yeah, but I always did it. Like when I was in high school, I was inquired and I did it. But like I said, when I went to college, that was the last thing that I wanted to do, and it found me. It's just like the friends that I had were just like, I don't know why they asked me if I could sing whatever we were singing, and we like they just found out I could sing. And then from there, they was like, Oh, you should be in this talent show. And then so I sang at the talent show, and then all the like for every organization was getting me to sing for their things or like performing. And then the school even got me to start doing the national anthem at a bunch of stuff. And so it was just like, okay, I'm back singing, and it just kept like it just kept music just kept pulling me to it, and I kept having to use my gifts. So I was like, clearly, this is what and this that where I would that's where I was getting the most like progression and success in the things. Not that I wasn't good at school, it was just like the thing that um ignites me and just like it feels right. It was always just it felt felt right. So I just went to music, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

And it so you were the sermonic soloist of the campus, basically, which is fantastic.

SPEAKER_03

No, it was beautiful, and it just reinforced, you know, like that's what you're supposed to be doing, but also it was just like, yeah, that's where all the love and all the things were. So I was just like, yeah, I'm trying to, I'm trying to go with it.

SPEAKER_00

I love that. So when did you start recording music?

SPEAKER_03

At the end of my college experience. I met some more, well, I had the friends that I had. It was like one of their boyfriends was like a DJ, and he was like, We, and then me and the girlfriend started writing songs together. And so she was just like, We should, we just recorded them on our computer. It wasn't nothing crazy, but we was like, we should record this. And he was like, we should put this out. Like when it was just like stuff like SoundCloud and like little mixtape websites and stuff, and so we just started putting it. And then people actually started wanting the music and requesting the music, and I started to perform the songs and stuff. So it was like, okay, like a music career kind of just rolls around me. Like, even now to this day, like I'm on this journey, but I didn't, I wasn't like, this is the journey. I'm going to go win a Grammy and win. It was just literally like God was like, move to LA. Uh go to here, like follow these things. And it was just like my

Music Finds Her On Campus

SPEAKER_03

heart always felt the things, the need to follow God. And I didn't know it at the time that it was God until you, you know, come back and you really seek him and figure it out. And then you're like, oh, that was you leading me the whole entire time. Like, I don't know why it was on my heart to move to LA. I don't know why it was on my heart to do all these things. But yeah, and yeah, so even today I'm like, I'm just following where God wants me to go. And if this is the level he wants me to go with this gift, I'm just gonna keep following.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, so we're going from uh Dr. Sue to evangelist Sue now because she just preached a whole word right there. Stay free to so many people they don't understand or recognize like how God is communicating with them, right? Because God talks to so many of us in different ways. Like for me, he talks to me in dreams, like there's just different ways, right? And so for you to say that it wasn't until you got to your season of seeking him that you realized that it was God leading you all the way is a bar.

SPEAKER_03

Because a lot of time we just feel like, oh, I just feel like, I just feel like oh I felt let my heart felt like I just, it was the energy, the vibe, and it was like, nah, like it was something deeper, like you know, and then it's like, oh, it was God. And he beautifully orchestrated all the things, and you just sit back. I find myself sometimes just sitting back, like, God, like, okay, like why I had to go through that, but also I see the intricate puzzle that you laid out for it to get here. And it was like I had to go through all these things to be able to learn, to be able to grow and be the person that you created me to be, but also like, yeah, like get here. You know, it's like if I hadn't went here and I didn't meet this person, and it was just like, wow. And you always see God at everything when you're looking for him, when you look back and you're looking for him and everything, you know. So it's just beautiful.

SPEAKER_00

I keep preaching and I'm making myself. See God at everything when you are looking for him. Come on, Evangelist.

SPEAKER_03

We love I'm like, I think that's my real good somewhere. Like, I think I'm gonna be a preacher later down the line, but I'm just you heard the verse on the pod. Literally because sing it for now, but I got the Lord got a word. Am I honestly?

SPEAKER_00

I will be right there in your amen corner because no, this is like real life.

SPEAKER_03

Bar, another bar. She don't even know what she's saying.

SPEAKER_00

Bar. I absolutely love it. Okay, so you followed the unction of the Lord, you moved to Los Angeles, which is completely different from Fort Worth, Texas.

SPEAKER_03

And I had never been like lived out of Texas my whole life. And I was like to this day, my family barely traveled. Like, we, it was like you stuck in, not you stuck in Fort Worth, but you kind of was stuck. And that was another reason I was just like, I gotta get away. And I was always like, I'm never going home. I don't care what I'm not going back. And it just like led me. I lived in Houston for some time, and then, well, college station, Houston, and I was around Texas or in Texas, but then it was just like, that's why I was just like, I know it was the Lord, because it was like, I don't even, I wouldn't even think the way I was raised, I wouldn't even think to be like, I'm about to move across the country, like I'm about to move out here. And it was just like, go, you gotta move to and he just kept putting it on my heart and kept like pressing it. And I was like, okay, I'ma just do it. And when I did it, it showed me why he wanted me to be here. It was like literally everything was just like, and I'm like, okay.

SPEAKER_00

Wow. Yes. Are you loving it here?

SPEAKER_03

I love it here so much. Yes, yes, it's beautiful, the people are beautiful,

Following God’s Lead To Los Angeles

SPEAKER_03

and just the purpose of why I'm here and like living in that is beautiful. So yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Have you found your community here? Yes. Because I feel like that's a big deal, like that that people don't realize is that LA can be transactional, unfortunately, because everybody's here trying to pursue their dream. Um, so it's like if you're not a day one, or if you're really not from LA, it's hard to find the genuine people. And so I like to ask people, like, how is it like because it it's a it's a trek to find community. It's like dating. You know what I mean? Like you really gotta find people, like my like-minded individuals. And so I was just curious, like, how has that been?

SPEAKER_03

It's really been a journey. I've moved here with my best friend from college. It was like a long-term friendship. And when we got here, it's crazy because it revealed LA can make you feel isolated, but also can reveal the nature of the people or the characters. And it was like, maybe I've grown to this point, but it was just like now I'm like, I feel like God is sending me my tribe, and he had to like kind of clear me out and clear everything, my mind said, my everything around me, and make me be by myself, isolate me all the way to the last atom, you know what I mean? And really rebuild it. And it's like the people that I've been meeting after the season of isolation and just like growth, it's like beautiful. And it's like, oh, I see you, I see God in the people, I see God in the connection, and I see again how that crazy orchestration happens, and it's just like, oh, yeah. And then they speak in the right language when you get around them, and it's not like this transactional or this like fluffy language or whatever it is. You is nothing, is it's what it's supposed to be, you know what I mean? But yeah, so I'm finding my tribe and it's gathering, I'm letting God send them, but I'm also not on a heavy circuit, you know, like where I'm just like, I have to have it's just like I'm with you, God, and the people that you bring, I trust it. And the people that you take, I trust it. Um I'm here. I know we're on this together.

SPEAKER_00

No, that's amazing. Um, I think that a lot of creatives, right, in the industry, they don't recognize the importance of uh seasons of isolation. So like because when you're isolated and you're allowing like God to communicate with you, he will really reveal to you like this person is a life for this person, is not this this person seasonal, and it's very important because a lot of times we try to hang on to all of our community and people that we thought was gonna be there because they know this about me. And but it's like, is that who's supposed to be with me in this season? And this giving no. Um and so I love that that is something that you have been able to identify and navigate, even in a town like Los Angeles, where everybody is somebody child. Like everybody's somebody here. So that's amazing. Okay, so now I'm gonna ask you, have you been dating in LA?

SPEAKER_03

I I have dipped a toe. Well, okay, when I first moved here, I was like, I'm I'm solely focused on this. It's like I've done enough of that when I was, you know, I wasted enough time and I know what that's gonna result in or what it's gonna give me. I'm gonna let me go do this. So I was really focused. And then maybe two years in, I was like, you know, situation drift, kind of talking to somebody, but then you just also learn in that. And I feel like it was intentional for God to take me through that with the restructuring of my heart so I can see because it's like the love that I was used to was toxic, and I was chasing this whatever idea of love it was, like, you know, and but I'm grateful for it because it made it helped me write a bunch of songs, and like I love when I can turn my pain into something beautiful, but also it was just like, no, that wasn't love. And you kind of go and

Isolation, Growth, And Finding Tribe

SPEAKER_03

figure out what love is, and God is love, so you kind of just figure that out, and then you can go back into it. So it's like I'm in this period of going back into it with the new heart, but it was yeah, a lot of situation stuff, situationship stuff and stuff that's like you see the transactional, you see it once you get in there, and it's like, oh, okay, so this is a thing. Men do this.

SPEAKER_00

So you like all men do it, yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_03

Literally. So you like, um, yeah. So I've just been just kind of like if God brings some love, I'm here for the love, and it'll be real, it'll be what God wants it to be. But other than that, I'm just like chilling.

SPEAKER_00

How hard do you think it is? Or do you feel like you have to have somebody that's aware of the industry or in the industry? Or do you feel like nah I should be able to be anybody because of that? You know, it's hard for artists, so I'm just curious like what your POV is.

SPEAKER_03

No, I feel like it should be somebody, just because I want somebody that understands, because it is a weird life that you like I can't explain it. And I've dated a regular man, or like even when I was beginning to become somebody, I was dating somebody and he gave me an ultimatum, like it's either this or this. And I'm just like, I would never choose that if I even if I I don't even want to be in a situation where I have to choose between what I'm supposed to be doing and love. Like, you know, I feel like they should go together. So that has made me want somebody who just understands and that in or around the industry, you don't have to be somebody that's just like doing what I'm doing, but also somebody that understands the life and the just all the things that come with it, you know.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, no, I think that's so important.

SPEAKER_03

I feel like if it is somebody out, I feel like God will give them the understanding to be able to understand me and whatever I got going on and be supportive and loving without feeling no type of way.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

So yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Basically, what evangelist Susan just said is if the man is giving you an ultimatum between purpose and love, that ain't the man for you.

SPEAKER_03

That is not the man for you.

SPEAKER_00

That's bar number 10 of the English brothers episode, okay? I absolutely love this. Okay, so you have to tell us how we got to the Grammy Award-winning song with the PJ Morton, another PK.

SPEAKER_03

I love him. That's my friend. Love P.

SPEAKER_00

He is literally a sweetheart, yeah, so down-to-earth, so loving, so giving.

SPEAKER_03

And support, like that was one of the things that made me like I grew up listening to him, and that was just like a full circle moment to be working with him, but it was just seeing the character and nature of his heart, and just like, he really wanted help. Like, you know, I'm like, I'm literally at the Grimms because of him and God, and I'm just like, he didn't have to reach back and give uh or put me on the side. He don't nobody know me. Like, you know what I mean? But it was the way, again, God orchestrated something, and it happened to get like when I tell you this, it's just like, I don't know how I got on the song, but I got on the song, and wow, that's how it happened. But okay, so I met him on it. It was like two things were happening at the same time, and then they kind of collided. It was like I had posted a video of singing Let Go, Let God, but I was like, I had a hat, and so well, it wasn't you really couldn't tell it was me, but you, and then it was like people was freaking out. But that video kind of went viral, and he like reposted it and things, but then that was that, and then it was like I was singing background for John Batiste at this time, and so we did live with Kelly and Ryan, and him and PJ

Dating, Boundaries, And Purpose

SPEAKER_03

have a song together, so he was the feature that day, and so we were just singing background, and it was just like I'm in the back, like, oh my god, like you know, like so lovely to meet you and all the things. And then, yeah, so we just did the show, and then after we were just talking and kicking it and stuff, and then we the me and the other two background singers, we posted a clip of us singing the song, the song they have together, whatever. But anyway, he went through and he heard, he was just like, I heard this raspy voice in there in the outside. He was like, I heard something, and I like went through all y'all pages and found the voice that I was looking for, you know what I mean? And it was like, oh, and then he was the girl that like he put two and two together. I was like, oh yeah, like you know, but then yeah, and then it was just like a friend relationship. And then one day he just was like, I have this song, and I all I hear is your voice on it, like you would be perfect for this song. And then when I heard the song, I was like, of course, like good morning, literally, it was perfect. And I'm like, I got that timeless vintage voice, like this is classic, like I loved it. And so yeah, and I laid my part in my room and sent it back to me. He was like, This is amazing. And then so yeah, he mixed it all, made the song, and then he was like, Oh, I'm releasing the song. And I'm like, okay, cool. And then maybe a few weeks later he was like, We're going to perform the no, he was like, Do you want to, we gotta shoot a video for the song? So I'm like, okay. And then a couple weeks later, he was like, We're going out on Jennifer Huston to sing the song live. And I'm like, okay, like it was just like it just kept getting bigger and bigger. And I was like, okay. And then he was like, I'm submitting it for Grammys. And I'm like, okay. And then at that time, it was just like, God told me. I don't know, and I don't know if it was at I didn't know it at the time, but it was just like, I'm, I was like, we're gonna win. I told him when he told me we was putting it in there, and I was like, oh, we're gonna win this Grammy, and I'm gonna go up there and I'm gonna give it a few, like, you know, all the things. And I was like, we're gonna go up there and da-da-da. And then yeah, so we he was like, we put it in there for the thing. And then he was like, oh, we got through the nominee. Because it's like a you gotta put it in to be nominated, and then the nominee, like, you know, and then he was like, Oh, we got nominated for the gripping. I was like, oh my God. So then that was the thing, just being nominated, and then I got to go to the grip. So I was just excited to be going and just be somebody with just a name on the thing. Like, you know, I'm like, I'm gonna get to see my name on the screen. But even in my mind, I was like, we gonna, I'm gonna win, I'm gonna win. And I just kept thinking, I was like, thank you, God, for the victory, it's already done, all the things. And I even wrote it. I got like these note cards, and I was like, I had made like a prayer board instead of a vision board at the top of the year, and I was like, I had put prayers in the envelopes and they were just like categorized, but it was just like that was one of the prayers in it. And I was like, Thank you, God, for the victory, it's already done. I'm a Grammy. It was just like crazy. And then, so yeah, so we got there. Well, leading up to it, I was just like, okay, I didn't know how I was gonna get again or like be the person I need to be to go the Grammy. I was like, I know I got a ticket, and I know.

The PJ Morton Connection

SPEAKER_03

I'm going. And I was like, God, if I'm supposed to really be in here, provide the thing. And he provided a beautiful stylist. Like, they just came to me and was like, Can I style you for the? And then they, I had a beautiful gown, the gown that I got to wear. It was just this whole experience was just unfolding. And I'm just like, okay. And then he, when I got, no, but leading up to the thing, it was just like, PJ was like, oh, um, first of all, I kept having dreams of me being on the stage, like seeing this, like how this kind of looks like the lights, and then it's like this big crowd, but it's not like specific thing. It was just like I see myself accepting an award, but I was just like, maybe in my life, it's just like God showing me a vision. But anyway, but it just kept being like, it kept looking like more and more that I was gonna have to be the one to go on stage to go get the thing. Because I was just like, oh, I get to go with him up there because it's our song. But then he was like, Oh, I'm gonna be in Africa, so I won't get to be there. So he was like, You gotta go up there and get it for us. And I was like, Oh, I'm gonna I wrote my script, like, okay, I'm gonna go up there, I'm gonna go get it. I'm gonna say this beautiful speech and I'm gonna write like all these things. And then he was like, Okay, and then yeah, so he got there the day of it, and I got to like do the red carpet, like all the things, and it was just beautiful. And then so we sitting on the thing. First of all, I was double working because I had already got asked to. So John Batiste was singing the background or the immemorial section on the other side of the Grammys. So it was like I'm being nominated over here in the earlier ones, and I had to like, I didn't know I was gonna, I mean, I knew I was gonna win, but I didn't know I was gonna win. But anyway, and then I had to run from underground and go over to be a background singer, like to change and go sing with them. So it was like I was practicing for that and also doing nominee stuff. So the day of it, it was like I'm over here being nominated and waiting to see if I won. And then they call them like, we camera blocking, like, where you at? You ain't here. And I'm just like, oh my bad, I'm up here. But anyway, so yeah, we were sitting here. I know these stories are it's it was crazy for me that day. But anyway, we sitting on the road and I had four friends or three friends with me. And it was my best friend at the time, and two, another one of my childhood friends, and then another one of our friends. And I was sitting the most in, if it was like a four, whatever, it was like I was here, and then they were blocking me in. And so I was like, I was just praying and I was telling God, I was like, I'm gonna sit, I'm not gonna sit all the way down. I was sitting like on the edge. I was like, I know I'm about to get up, I know I'm about to win. I need to be on the edge of my seat. So I was just sitting up the whole time. And then my friend at the end, she was in it at this moment, and she was just telling my other friends, like, y'all need to get up because she needs to be able to get up when she going. Like, she gonna have to get past y'all. And so we like, yeah. So anyway, we were sitting there, and then I was like, and the grammy goes too. And I just was like, we gonna win, I'm gonna win, I'm gonna win. And then it was just like he said my name, and I was like, Oh my god, I won't like and I just like I paused for a second, and then I like jumped up and I had to run because you only get like 40 seconds to say something or for the time before it started playing you off. And I was like, oh my God. And then so I just ran up there, and then I got to the thing, and it was like this little step, and I was like, good, all the way, I was in shock all the way into that moment, and then I just blacked out, and then it just became a thank you, God, thank you, God. Like I'm crying and just thanking God, and then I was like, I'm Susan, PJ not here, and thank you, God, and I'm just crying. And then when I went to the back, I just slid down the wall, I'm like very dramatic. But he was so dramatic. I was just like, girl, but but I'm like, oh, and I'm just crying. I was like, ma'am, are you okay? Do you need to go to the bathroom? I went to the bathroom, got myself together, and then you go through this winter circle thing underneath the underground. So again, I'm supposed to be over here singing background, but I'm like, I have to experience all this thing. So they just take you through different things, and they give you a Grammy of each thing, and you just do take pictures, and then you do interviews, and then you do like a press conference. It was like a whole bunch of stuff, and I was just like, oh my God, like the whole time in disbelief. Like, I don't know what is happening, but I'm here and thank you, God. Like, it was literally the most beautiful story of just like literally following God and having faith, unshakable faith, to where it's like, nah, I'm gonna win. Like, I don't even I can't even tell you why I felt like I was gonna win. And I'm not even that type of person. Like, we gonna, it's just like whatever God has for me, if it's for me, it's gonna be for me, that type of thing.

Prayer, Vision, And The Grammy Moment

SPEAKER_03

And it was just like, nah, we gonna win. And I remember texting Peach because he called me and he was like, What happened to your speech? And I was like, I don't know, God took over. I just don't know. I know I said I had a speech, but I don't. He was just like, bro, we went. It was just like, cause he had done it so many times, and he just like, I know the he was preparing me for if we didn't. And I was just like, kept telling him, like, we gonna win. But he was just like, I know you're saying that, but it's always that, you know, it's like you get this far and you think that, and then we actually won. And it was just like, bro, like, that's crazy. But yeah, and yeah, it was just a beautiful story of like, I was like, God hears me, he sees me, he knows if God knows your name, it don't matter who knows your name. Because the whole time I was feeling like, I'm I don't know, y'all don't know me, I'm here, and it was just like my name just kept being on all these things. It was like, Susan Carol, can you come see? And I'm just like, bro, this is crazy. But also, it was just like, again, if God you know your name and He wants you to be somewhere, He gonna put you there. No matter it can be the Grammys, like literally, He gonna put you there, He gonna make it for you to be there. Like that was not my, I mean, it was my award, but it wasn't my primary award, you know? And it's like if he was there, he would have gone and done it, maybe with his family. And I would have been, it was just like the way God orchestrated it again was just this is where I want you to be. You are supposed to be here, and this is yeah, and people need to see you and they need to feel me, because he knew I was gonna go up there and think. And I kept telling him, like, God, I'm gonna go up there and I'm gonna do what I'm supposed to do. And that was one of the main things that made me happy about the whole thing. I was just like, I did what I told God I was gonna do. I didn't get up there and not acknowledge him. I like that's the only thing I said, so y'all know who I believe in, who brought me here and what I believe.

SPEAKER_00

Like, you know, and it's like God is good, but it's so powerful because okay, so now we went from little Sue, Big Sue, Evangelist Sue, to now prophetess Sue because it was so many nuggets. Oh my God. I'm like, I'm like going crazy. Okay, you wrote a prayer board where you literally spoke, literally, you spoke it into existence. You were like, I'm going to win a Grammy. Like, you literally set your intention. You didn't doubt, you didn't waver, you literally spoke that over your life. And it's so powerful when we actually start decreeing and declaring things out of the word of our mouth. And I think we don't realize that literally what the Bible says, death and life is in the power of the tongue. And a lot of times we speak out of a negative lens because of we don't of the unknown of the fear of the unknown of I don't know. And I just and you like, I ain't never been before. But you knew it was like you weren't allowing anything to tell you otherwise. And God literally orchestrated it to where PJ was in Africa. So it was all eyes on Susan. Like literally, the world needs to know who Susan Carroll is because literally she is made in my image, and y'all are going to get to know who she is because I can trust her with this, right?

SPEAKER_03

And the one response, not to cut you off, the one response that I got from all the people that hit me up to say congratulations, they were just like, bro, you deserve it. When we watched you, we were crying with you because it was like we could feel your heart, and also you strengthened my faith that day. Like I it was just it was beautiful. It was like all the things that I wanted to accomplish from it, it happened. It was like people saw that story of faith, believed it, and it strengthened theirs and made them believe in God. Like I had a friend tell me, she's like, I don't really be doing that God stuff, but watching you up there that day and like seeing that and how he's working in your life. It was just like, I'm looking at her like, wow, like you know, like, and she was just like, bro, like I've been praying more. I've been like just having faith and believing. And I'm just like, that's so beautiful, and that's what I wanted. That's the light I'm gonna be. Like, I'm not, he was like, girl, you did something. No, like, girl, you changed me, you impacted me that day. And the people, everybody was like, everybody was crying. Like, my family calls me like, yo, brother and uncles that don't even cry was crying. And I'm just like, okay, bringing tears from everybody, period. But no, but God did that, and I'm just like, it's so beautiful to see him move on through me and on such a big scale. And it was like, even strangers, it was just everybody felt the same energy and same love of God. And I'm just like, bro, it's so beautiful. Thank you for choosing me.

SPEAKER_00

It's such a big moment. Like, oh, it was a huge moment, and I'm so glad that it was orchestrated just like that. Like, you deserve that, Susan. I love this. Period, poop.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, so we have the Grammy Award winning. Come on, because God said so. Hello.

SPEAKER_00

Um, literally. I'm curious. Like, like you said, your voice is timeless, it is classic. I feel like it reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald. Yeah. Um, but who are like your top three like influences of all time? Would you say like that you like?

SPEAKER_03

Okay.

SPEAKER_00

These are my girls or guys.

SPEAKER_03

I was about to say, because I grew up on music soul, child. And but then my gospel roots, of course, like the Clark sisters,

Faith Impact And Public Reaction

SPEAKER_03

Kim Burrell, the uh who I listened to Kimberrell, can't you tell? Right. You don't like it? You can go while we all watch that, and I was crying. I love him. But um, but yeah, and um Brandy, of course. I listened to a lot of Janelle Monet growing up, but influences, Ella Fitzgerald, uh, Billy Holiday. I love to sing summertime and like those jazzy things when I was growing up and younger. And my mama, because my mama can sing, like my mama and my daddy can sing, but it's just like my mama was just if I'm a drop, she's the whale that we all was drawn from, you know. And it's like she's just beautiful playing, beautiful singing, all the things. And I'm just like, well, but she was one of my influences as well.

SPEAKER_00

But yeah, I love that. Okay, so we're gonna play a game.

SPEAKER_03

Okay.

SPEAKER_00

Um, are you good at games?

SPEAKER_03

I am. I'm very competitive too. I'm like, are you good at games? I'm gonna win this game. I'm gonna win.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, I can. Um, okay. This is like more so just we want to know who you got. So this game is called Who You Got. I'm gonna give you some artists, okay, um, or some situations, and you tell me who what you got. Okay. Um, for example, if I say a 9 a.m. service or an 11 a.m. service.

SPEAKER_03

11 a.m. Because uh I need a little top.

SPEAKER_00

Period. Okay, all right. Are you ready? I am, I am okay. Um Leandria Johnson or Fantasia. We're starting hard.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, Leandria Johnson because I don't know. I don't know about mommy, you know. No, because she just the anointing and the but Fantasia, listen, she got there too though, and both of them be singing down accurately. But if I'm like listening to somebody and I'm like just trying to break them, Leandria.

SPEAKER_00

Leandria?

SPEAKER_03

Yes, okay.

SPEAKER_00

Um B Slade or Dietrich Hatton? B Slade. Easy, right? Sing. I like I don't like calling him B Slade. It has to be Tone. Can we just really be Tony?

SPEAKER_03

If you would have said something, I would have been wrong with you. I'm with you, I'm with you. Yes.

SPEAKER_00

We love you, B- Slate, but you'll always be Tony does. Yes. Um Kalante Gavin or Daryl Walls. Daryl Walls. Daryl is like an alien.

SPEAKER_03

That's what I'm saying. And that again, the accuracy, the tone, the all the things. Like Kalante got that, that church, you feel it. But then it's like Daryl got that church, and it's just like immediately or just like consistent saying face. Like you just like, why would you do that? Why would you do it? And why was it so perfect and beautiful?

SPEAKER_00

Like it never misses.

SPEAKER_03

That's what I'm saying. I don't think I've ever seen heard him

Influences And Vocal Roots

SPEAKER_03

lose. You know how you know how you can do it running, you're just like, oh, you almost no, not never, never, never. I'm never, it's always right.

SPEAKER_00

It should never lose its power, basically. Never lose its power. Um, okay, I'm gonna take it back. Shirley Caesar. Okay, or Albertina Walker.

SPEAKER_03

Ooh. I gotta go, Mother Shirley. I'm so sorry. Come on. Because she got that tone too. She just got that, and she's gonna get you, she's gonna take you to the to the Lord's feet. She's gonna take you to the cave. Every time.

SPEAKER_00

Like, I feel like I don't want her to ever retire because she like she just she's just good. I love her. Yes. Um, okay. Her frankly or Titra.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, it's a draw. Yes, yes, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, exactly, exactly, exactly. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah. Okay. It's a draw. It could be a draw. Okay. It could be a draw. Uh okay, one more. Uh-huh. Take six or the whinings.

SPEAKER_03

The whinings, they just got that tone that just like everybody just like a hug that carry you. It's just like a beautiful. I love them. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I love them too. Okay, you did good. We don't got your score is 10 out of 10. Okay, good. Highly, highly recommended. She she she conquered it all. Yes. Okay, so you have music out. I do. That we must talk about because it's amazing. Thank you. Tell us what has inspired you with the music you're putting out and all

The “Who You Got” Game

SPEAKER_00

of the things.

SPEAKER_03

Life. Yes. Love and God have all inspired everything that I write. Because it's always been like a therapeutic slash like expression for me. So it's like life always fuels it, no matter what I'm going through. Heartbreak, winning, whatever it is, it's like I'm I'm a write about it, I'm a sing about it, because that's what I gotta do. And yeah.

SPEAKER_00

We love it. Yes. We're so excited. Excited. Because it's gonna be another Grammy nomination.

SPEAKER_03

I'm like, I'm gonna be up there with like this. I'm gonna have a lot.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, you are gonna have a lot. I mean, I think it's it's really imperative for people to know that, like, honestly, like when God has called you to something, there are no limits. Like, there's no bounds.

SPEAKER_03

Like, he's huge. Like, we be trying to make God human-sized or like small-minded like us, or like as much as we can. There's like his thoughts are not our thoughts, his ways are not our ways. We can't even comprehend the things that he he created this whole world with a word. Yeah, and but it was so intricate and beautiful. So, like, you don't know the pain, you don't know. So, I'm like, I look forward to the beauty of the bigness of God unfolding in my life. And I'm like, whatever he wants to take, whatever he wanna do, I'm here and I'm a vessel to be able to be used to do what I'm supposed to do.

SPEAKER_00

I absolutely love it. Um, okay, back last question. What advice would you give to PKCKs that are trying to navigate the calling of purpose? Um family ties are on one side, people pleasing is on the other side, but they know they're supposed to be doing something else and following God's hand, but just can't quite find their footing. Like, what advice would you give them?

SPEAKER_03

First of all, find God for real. I don't know everybody's church experience, but I can feel like it's uh a universal type of way that they gave us God. So I would say find God for real and see, just lock in and let Him lead you and really follow and believe the path that He leading you and lead with love, always be a light wherever you go, and believe amongst all things, just like literally the faith is what's gonna take you and don't let nobody discourage you or put anything on you. Always know what you're supposed to be doing and keep doing it, and yeah, the rest is history.

SPEAKER_00

No, for real. We absolutely love it. Um, we can't not have you here and not have just a little snippet of your timeless voice, of the Grammy Award-winning voice. Of course. Will you share with us? Yes, of course. Okay, so Big Sue. Yeah, we're back at Big Sue now. Come on, Grammy Award winning Sue. Um, where can the people stay connected with you and

Writing From Life, Love, And God

SPEAKER_00

follow you?

SPEAKER_03

Okay, y'all can follow me on all social media: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, underscore Susan Carroll, S-U-S-A-N-C-A-R-O-L, like Christmas Carol. And yeah, Apple Music, all the things, Susan Carroll. Just yeah, go find me and find me in life and give me a hug.

SPEAKER_00

We will love to find her in life and give her all the hugs in the world because she's amazing. Susan, thank you for stopping by the PK Pod.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, thank you for having me.

SPEAKER_00

We love her so much, right? Praise and um, we're excited to continue to root you on and cheering you on as you continue to keep killing it.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00

Thank you, thank you. Really and truly. Yay. Yay! Yay! Hey friends, thank you for tuning in to the PK Pod, where we highlight incredible PKs who might have a platform, but it may not be the pulpit. Be sure to follow us on all social media platforms TikTok, Instagram, to stay connected to weekly episodes. We will release it here first. Make sure that you're connected.