For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

We're pressing the pause button for now.  But you can still connect with me at the links below. Let's Work Together: Book a 90-Minute Clarity Call Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault - your go-to resource for wedding pros who want to grow, connect, and thrive. If you're looking for expert education, a supportive community, and real-talk guidance to elevate your business, come...

If you’re heading into the final days of the year feeling more exhausted than "hyped," this episode is for you. As we wrap up 2025, the pressure to reflect, goal-set, and "hit the ground running" can feel like just another weight to carry. I’ll be honest - my brain and heart weren't ready for the traditional end-of-year checklist this time. So, I decided to ditch the preset questions for something...

If you are a high-achieving founder or leader, you know the feeling of hitting a level of success only to realize: The person I've become no longer fits the life I built. Maybe you're restless, feeling a deep pull toward what comes next, but you are stuck between the fear of getting it wrong and the clarity of your true intuition. Today we welcome Sara Anderson, an executive coach and communicatio...

If you’re a high-achieving woman who is great at every aspect of your business, but money still carries pressure, emotion, and a whole lot of avoidance, this episode is your permission slip to stop hiding. Today we welcome Rebecca Blankenship, owner of Snowdrop Bookkeeping Solutions, for a no-fluff Hot Takes conversation designed to move you from financial fear into confidence. We are tackling the...

It's Part 2 of our Social Media Hot Takes conversation with Shannon McKininstrie! Part 1: https://www.megangillikin.com/podcast/329-social-media-hot-takes-what-works-now-whats-overrated-with-shannon-mckinstrie Last week, we laid the foundation for content that truly connects. This week, we are moving from strategy to action, focusing on implementation, selling, and time-saving hacks that turn cont...

If social media has started feeling like a full-time job you didn’t sign up for, this episode is for you. I’m joined by social media strategist Shannon McKinstrie for a rapid-fire conversation on what’s actually working right now — and what’s completely overrated. This chat was so good and so packed with tangible advice, we had to split it into two parts. Get ready for Hot Takes on trends, reels,...

This episode is for you if you tend to struggle with caring too much as a leader. If I had to guess, I'd say that your caring too much has started to feel a lot like carrying too much. You're the one holding the emotional and operational weight of everyone - clients, team members, family, and friends. What started with the best intentions of leading has become the exhausting burden of managing eve...

This episode is for anyone who has ever hesitated to talk about their accomplishments because they don't want to come across as "too much." Today we welcome Alison Fragale, organizational psychologist, professor, and author of Likable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve , to challenge and unlearn the outdated beliefs that keep us quiet, small, and overworked. Alison uses behavioral scie...

Are you ready to learn the secrets to travel hacking? Our guest today is Megan Lanford, founder of Points Too Paradise, and she's here to reveal how you can turn your everyday spending into incredible travel experiences.  I've dabbled in this world herself, and let me tell you, after listening to Megan, I have to admit I've barely scratched the surface.  It's time to stop leaving thousands of doll...

If you've been feeling like you're always going, always behind, and tackling a to-do list that literally never ends, this episode is for you.  We're joined by The Planner's Vault COO Gina Johnston for a candid conversation about a lesson both Megan and Gina had to learn the hard way: the ROI of rest. In a world that praises the hustle and a culture that makes us feel guilty for slowing down, Megan...

Today we welcome Sara Abernethy, a performer-turned-hospitalitarian who's navigating the challenges of burnout, motherhood, and partnership struggles. This conversation isn't just about business; it's about what happens behind the scenes. Sara gets candid about the identity shifts of being in the wrong role, the toll it takes when business and marriage collide, and the resilience it requires to st...

What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the person you've become? In this episode, Megan talks to Amber Rae, who shares her story of a profound unraveling that began with a single, eye-opening moment, leading her to confront the truth about her marriage, her career, and the beliefs she had held for years.  If you've ever felt that quiet pull to make a change but has been too afraid...

Today we're talking about that moment so many high-achieving business owners encounter:  "What's next?" You’ve built something you're proud of, but a shift is happening. Maybe you’re craving more ease, simplicity, impact, or space and rest. The conventional wisdom tells us growth equals success, but the truth is, success gets to look different in every season and for every person. Sometimes, the b...

If you've been feeling that familiar drain of exhaustion, persistent brain fog, or like your body simply isn't keeping up with your high-achieving mind, this episode is going to hit home.  From blood sugar and sleep to your environment and that annoying inner critic, this episode is about tuning in, clearing the noise, and finding your way back to feeling like yourself again. In this episode, you'...

If you've found yourself stuck in overdrive, constantly pushing past empty, or saying "yes" when your body is screaming "no," this solo episode is for you. Megan explores the four crucial boundaries she had to implement after her own intense burnout season. This isn't theory; it's lived experience. Megan shares the raw truth about what changed, why it had to, and how these boundaries helped her re...

Are you caught in a loop of overthinking, over-planning, or playing it too safe? In this episode, Megan sits down with acclaimed psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona (Dr. Z) to explore how high achievers can break free from anxiety, over-analysis, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. This conversation is a must-listen if you're ready to untangle old patterns, create...

You’ve checked the boxes. You’ve followed the rules. And still, something feels… off. If you’re standing in the middle of success and wondering, “Now what?”, this episode is for you. Laura Gassner Otting - bestselling author, keynote speaker, and all-around truth-teller - joins Megan to talk about identity shifts, outgrowing your former self, and the surprising power of trusting your intuition. Th...

At the end of 2023, there was this phrase I kept hearing in my head on repeat.  "It doesn't feel safe to slow down." I'd end my days feeling completely depleted mentally, physically, and emotionally. And yet I'd still push myself to do more. Sometimes it was work stuff, sometimes it was home stuff.  But I had this constant, almost compulsive need to be doing something productive at all times.  Res...

Today I'm sharing something big.  It's a shift that's been a long time coming, one that mirrors the evolution that I've been going through behind the scenes for the last couple of years. It's part update, part story-time, and part love letter to you, to this podcast, and to what's coming next. ---- Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @...

For years, the events and hospitality industry has glorified burnout—long hours, nonstop chaos, toxic management—and called it passion. But what if there's a better way? Anthony Lambatos, CEO of Footers Catering and founder of Make It Better Every Day , joins us today to prove that you can build a thriving business and a culture people actually want to be part of. He’s created a workplace where fu...

Ever feel like you're stuck in a rut — low on energy, scattered, or just... kinda over it all? You're not alone, and today's episode is for you. After hitting a few of those "blah" moments myself, I found three small (but powerful) habit shifts that helped me recharge my energy, refocus my mind, and rebuild my CEO mindset — without needing a 17-step system, a new planner, or a $5K mastermind. 🙃 A...

If you’ve ever had that feeling about someone on your team—the subtle “something’s off” whisper in your gut—you’re not alone. In this episode, Megan is joined by her longtime COO and teammate of 14 years, Gina Johnston, to unpack one of the trickiest leadership challenges: knowing when to coach…and when to cut ties. Whether you’re leading a team of 10 or just thinking about hiring your first assis...

Ever feel like your business has taken on a life of its own—and you’re not sure if it still fits the version of success you’re chasing? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Megan Gillikin sits down with award-winning photographer, educator, and content creator Vanessa Joy, whose two-decade career has evolved from darkrooms to YouTube stardom and now… clean water wells in Kenya. This one’s about g...

Let's talk about fear. I don't mean the kind of fear you might feel when you're being chased by a giant bear, or fear of all those dang bees that hang around your house.  I mean the kind that shows up when you're about to raise your prices. Or finally launch that thing that you've been talking about for years.  Or the fear that comes up when you say no to a client that's not the right fit. Or that...

For years, Kristi Coulter climbed the corporate ladder at Amazon, working long hours, hitting major career milestones, and earning great money—but at what cost?  Eventually, she reached a breaking point, realizing she was living for her employer instead of herself. In her book, Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career, Kristi shares the eye-opening realities of hustle culture, bur...