Explore every episode of the podcast Lessons from a Quitter

I recently took a 6-month Sabbatical from my business. In this episode, I give an update of what the sabbatical was really like (the good and the bad) as well as what my next steps will be. 

In this final episode of the Burnout Breakthrough series, we wrap up six weeks of transformation by shifting from hard work to joyful living. After tackling boundaries, delegation, and saying no, this week focuses on the fun part—learning to live your dream life now. Goli challenges listeners to stop postponing happiness and start creating daily joy through simple exercises like crafting a "dream day" and building a "bliss list." You'll learn how to bring intention, fun, and presence back into your routine—because life isn't something to endure until it gets better. It's happening right now.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into one of the most powerful mindset shifts for breaking free from burnout in week 5 of the Burnout Breakthrough series: letting go of "manuals" for how others should act. We explore how much energy we waste trying to control people's behaviors—believing our happiness depends on them changing—and how freeing it can be to drop those expectations. You'll learn how to stop people-pleasing, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim your emotional peace by focusing on what you can control: your own thoughts and actions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to find calm and confidence in every relationship.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the often-overlooked emotional side of career change—grief. When we outgrow an identity, a job, or a dream, it's not just a pivot; it's a loss. I'm joined by grief coach Laverne McKinnon to unpack how letting go of who we thought we'd be can open the door to who we're becoming. We explore why it's essential to honor our grief rather than rush past it, how to rebuild self-trust, and how embracing the messy middle can lead to a more authentic, fulfilling next chapter in your life and career.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share Week 3 of my Burnout Breakthrough Accelerator. This session focuses on one of the biggest obstacles to rest and balance: guilt. We explore how guilt—often rooted in cultural, societal, or workplace expectations—keeps us trapped in burnout, pushing us to overwork, people-please, and ignore our own needs. I walk through how guilt feeds into shame, why it's used as a tool of control, and how to separate cultural norms from your own values. You'll learn practical strategies to redefine your beliefs and finally let go of unnecessary guilt.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I continue sharing my Burnout Breakthrough Accelerator series. We dive into the second pillar of moving past burnout: uncovering the impossible standards we set for ourselves. From work expectations like never making mistakes or always going above and beyond, to personal standards of being the "perfect" partner, parent, or friend, we explore how these unrealistic bars keep us stuck in exhaustion and self-criticism. Through exercises and real-life examples—including a powerful story from a client—you'll learn how to recognize these patterns and begin creating realistic standards that allow for success, joy, and sustainability.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I'm kicking off a special six-week series called the Burnout Breakthrough Accelerator. After years of coaching professionals through overwhelm, I've distilled the key steps to help you move from constant exhaustion to more clarity, space, and joy. In Week 1, we start with an honest self-audit—writing down every "should" that weighs on us in work, home, health, and relationships. This eye-opening purge reveals just how much pressure we pile on ourselves and sets the stage for reclaiming time, energy, and control from burnout.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore our cultural obsession with productivity and why so many of us struggle to truly rest. I share personal reflections from a recent trip abroad that challenged my deeply ingrained beliefs about busyness, urgency, and worth. We dive into how capitalism and hustle culture have programmed us to equate rest with laziness—and how to begin unlearning that. If you're feeling burnt out, this episode will help you reframe rest not as something to earn, but as something essential. Plus, I share practical steps to help you reclaim rest without guilt.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the root causes of burnout and why so many of us struggle to rest. Drawing from years of coaching, I break down how capitalism, schooling, religion, and cultural expectations tie our self-worth to constant productivity. We explore why slowing down feels uncomfortable, why rest is often judged as laziness, and how these beliefs keep us stuck in cycles of exhaustion. This episode challenges you to rethink worthiness, confront the discomfort of rest, and begin building a life defined by joy and ease—not endless busyness.

Here's what everyone gets wrong about work/life balance. 

You run around trying to change everything outside of you in order to try to gain a little "balance". 

If I worked less hours…

If I had more time at home with my kids….

If I could spend some time resting...then I'd feel balanced. 

But what happens as soon as you try to do those things?

Your brain ruins it.

You're at home with the kids and you're constantly anxious about how much work you still have to finish.

You're laying down to rest and you're berating yourself for not getting up to run all of your errands. 

You're trying to focus on your work deadline and you're feeling guilty about missing your son's soccer practice. 

It's no wonder you're exhausted all of the time. 

You cannot have balance until you learn that your worth is not attached to your productivity.

You cannot have balance until you learn that you deserve rest even when you have a full to-do list.

You cannot have balance until you learn that you'll never be perfect and it's ok to stop trying. 

Until you can manage your brain to drop all the guilt and shame, there is no magic formula that will create balance for you because you'll constantly be telling yourself you're doing it wrong.

This week on the podcast, I dive into how you can finally start working towards having some real balance in your life. 

The root cause of all of your problems is a lack of self-validation. Let me explain…

This isn't some self-love, woo-woo kind of thing. 

I want you to think about every one of your maladaptive behaviors: 

• People-pleasing - needing other people to be happy with you so that you can feel good about yourself 
• Perfectionism- needing everything to be perfect so that you can believe you're good enough 
• High-achiever- needing to keep achieving milestones to feel like you're worthy 
• Obsessing over what other people think of you - needing other people's approval so you can believe you're good.
• Imposter syndrome- insisting on believing you're not good enough when all of your achievements prove otherwise
• And on and on. 

Every. Single. One comes from your inability to validate yourself.

On this week's podcast, I'm taking you behind the scenes of all of my UNCERTAINTY and DOUBT around my new membership launch. You might be wondering: "Why are you doing this, Goli?"

Because I want you to stop thinking that other people have it figured out.Because I want you to see that the entire process is filled with fear and doubt. Because I don't want to just show you results; I want to show you the messy middle.

This week we talk all about discomfort. And I don't mean the dictionary definition of discomfort. I mean the feeling that you have when you are pushing towards your goals and you feel like you might throw up...or die. Yeah, that's discomfort. And if you're going to live the biggest life possible, you have to learn to get better at feeling it and not making it mean anything about you. In this episode, I dive into how you can get better at dealing with the inevitable discomfort and keep going!

In the latest episode of "Lessons from a Quitter," we dive deep into crafting a well-rounded Quit Plan. It all starts with an honest self-assessment—unearthing why you're itching to leave that job of yours. You know, those reasons you might not even want to admit to yourself. We begin by understanding the underlying motives for leaving our current situation. Next, I guide you to explore your dreams and paint a picture of the life you desire. This way, you can dissect your strengths and skills and start to explore various career options that align best with your true desires. I also help you break down your finances so you can calculate your financial runway once you do quit. Once we crunch the numbers, you can explore whether it's truly the cash or your thoughts about it that are keeping you stuck at your job. And all those doubts you've been harboring about quitting? I have you list your worries, confront them, and come up with a game plan for every single one. Trust me, it's empowering. Listen and work through the six steps for your personalized quit plan, one that's going to guide you to the life you've been craving.

On today's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we're diving deep into handling the guilt around quitting. It's a topic that resonates with so many of us, especially those of us who have been raised to prioritize making others happy. We often find ourselves ready to move on, with a clear vision of what we want to do, yet held back by the overwhelming guilt of leaving behind our bosses, coworkers, or even clients we've developed deep connections with. In this episode I want offer you a new perspective, recognizing your own needs and priorities while acknowledging the reciprocal nature of relationships. By learning to sit with discomfort and overcoming the fear of others' negative emotions, we can make choices that align with our true desires.

In this podcast episode, I explore the pervasive role of fear in our lives, particularly when pursuing dreams and change. Fear, often rooted in the fear of failure and negative emotions, can paralyze us. The key is to confront these fears by answering critical questions about the worst-case scenarios. Realizing that we can handle these emotions empowers us to take risks and move forward. Listen for the questions you should be asking yourself to face fear head-on and to get to where you want.

In the latest episode of "Lessons from a Quitter," we tackle the feeling of "being behind." High achievers often struggle with this thought, ironically, despite their accomplishments. We delve into why this thought persists and how it robs us of joy and happiness. Society's expectations and hustle culture play a significant role in creating this feeling of falling short. However, it's crucial to recognize that we are not on a predetermined, one-size-fits-all path. Everyone's journey is unique, and comparing ourselves to others only breeds unhappiness. We explore the importance of accepting where we are and finding joy in the present moment rather than constantly chasing an elusive future of achievement. Listen for concrete tips to take on the feeling of "being behind" and remember, you are exactly where you need to be. There's no need to rush to some imagined destination.

My biggest tip for success when you're quitting and starting something new: Get in the room with people doing the thing you want to do.⁠

This week, I talk about the benefits of surrounding yourself with a like-minded community and a few ways to find those groups.

In the latest episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I dive into the importance of dreaming bigger, especially as busy professionals who may have stopped dreaming in their twenties or thirties. Many of us settle into a day-to-day routine, resigned to incremental goals, fearing disappointment. I challenge you to break free from the small dreams that keep you stuck and explore what you truly desire. By giving yourself permission to dream without constraints, you can uncover hidden passions and set audacious goals that push you to grow. It's time to design the life you want, not the one society expects.

This week I want to talk to you about how to go after your dream life. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the past month. Taking this trip with my family is one way I'm going after my dream life. And the process is actually really simple, it's just two steps. I want to show you that the things you want are possible because whether you think you can or you can't you're right. So this week I'm sharing the two-step process for going after your dream life and how I'm applying that in my own life.

In this episode, we tackle the fear that prevents us from acknowledging our true desires. I share my personal journey from believing I had no idea what I wanted to discovering a wealth of buried dreams. We explore two major fears: the fear of disappointment and the fear of success. Admitting your desires is the first step to transformation. By confronting these fears, you can excavate your dreams and embark on a journey to create a more fulfilling life. Stop settling for "good enough" and embrace the possibilities of a fuller life.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I wrap up our burnout series by tackling one of the most common struggles high-achievers face: how to actually feel joy again. A listener asked, "What if I've been so focused on achievement that I don't even know how to experience joy outside of work?" We dig into how our culture conditions us to seek validation through productivity and how to rewire that programming. I share small, practical steps to reconnect with your body, rebuild curiosity, and rediscover what genuinely lights you up—so you can find joy in everyday life, not just achievement.

This week I want to talk to you about procrastination. I have so many people telling me I want to do this thing but I can't get myself motivated to do it. What I've found is that procrastination is not a time management issue, but an emotional management issue. This week I dig into why we procrastinate and how to start overcoming it.

That inner critic you have that drones on and on every day about how bad you are at being a human is NOT your voice. It was put there by society - capitalism, religion, patriarchy, white supremacy, school, religion - in an attempt to control you. And it's time we undo it. 

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series that will help you get rid of your inner critic. If you haven't listened to Part 1, definitely start there because the first step is truly becoming aware of what it is and where it came from and that's what I'll cover in this episode.

Part 2 will start giving you the rest of the steps to move you from a harsh inner critic to unshakeable self-trust.

That Inner Critic you have that drones on and on every day about how bad you are at being a human is NOT your voice. It was put there by society- capitalism, religion, patriarchy, white supremacy, school, religion- in an attempt to control you. And it's time we undo it. 

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series that will help you get rid of your inner critic. 

The first step is truly becoming aware of what it is and where it came from and that's what I'll cover in this episode.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we conclude our series on goal-setting by tackling the often-overlooked yet critical step: what to do after setting your goal. I share actionable tips to break your goal into manageable steps, focus on short-term milestones, and embrace the inevitable challenges along the way. You'll learn why expecting inconsistency is key, how to avoid all-or-nothing thinking, and the importance of weekly evaluations to adapt and improve. If you're ready to build momentum and finally achieve your goals, this episode will provide the tools and mindset shifts you need to succeed.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore the deeper purpose of goal-setting and how it transforms not just your life but those around you. It's not about checking boxes or achieving arbitrary milestones—it's about the ripple effects your growth creates. From setting an example for your family to overcoming fears of judgment, your goals help you become the person you aspire to be. We discuss why embracing challenges is essential for meaningful change and how to choose goals that align with your future self. Join us to redefine success and build a life you truly love.

This week on Lessons from a Quitter, we continue our three-part miniseries on redefining goal setting. We break down the pitfalls of traditional approaches to goals and advocate for focusing on just one priority per year. Learn how this strategy builds self-trust, minimizes overwhelm, and creates lasting habits. Whether you're juggling personal and professional ambitions or battling self-doubt, this episode will inspire you to set meaningful goals without sacrificing your well-being. Plus, hear more about the upcoming "Goals That Stick" workshop, a full-day event designed to help you master goal-setting for sustainable success.

If you're serious about achieving the many dreams you have for your life, you need to start getting serious about goal-setting. I know goal-setting, especially around New Year's, gets a bad rap. But I always find it laughable that people look down on New Year's resolutions. Because think about the logic:⁠ ⁠ ▪️ People use the New Year as a time to reflect and set new goals. -->⁠ ⁠ ▪️ Most people don't set goals the right way and so they give up on them quickly. -->⁠ ⁠ ▪️ And so everyone has now decided that the only way to solve this problem is to not set goals in the first place.⁠ ⁠ I'm sorry. WHAT?!? 🙃⁠ ⁠ I hate to break it to you but setting goals is not the issue in this equation.⁠ ⁠ Not setting the right types of goals and not having a plan to implement those goals is the problem.⁠ ⁠ And, sure, you don't need to wait until New Year's to set goals. In fact, you should be setting them every 90 days and re-evaluating them constantly.⁠ ⁠ But the New Year is a great time for new beginnings.⁠ ⁠ So don't give in to what the haters say. Spend some time figuring out what you want out of the new year and how you can show up as a better version of yourself.⁠ ⁠ And, to help, this week's episode is all about how to set goals the right way in order to actually achieve your dreams.⁠

WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

- Why you need goals

- Principles of Goal-Setting

- How to Set the Right Types of Goals 

- How to Plan Your Week So You Can Work on Your Goals

- and more...

In this deeply personal farewell episode, I reflect on seven years of Lessons from a Quitter as I step into a 2026 sabbatical—unsure what comes next. I share why this podcast was worth starting long before it was "successful," and how creating something scary reshaped my confidence, career, and life. We unpack letting go of metrics, redefining success, building meaningful community, and why you don't need to be an expert to begin. This episode is an invitation to honor your curiosity, trust the messy middle, and finally start the thing you can't stop thinking about.

In this deeply reflective episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share the 10 core lessons I wish I could tattoo on your brain before stepping away for my first sabbatical in seven years. This episode is about releasing shame, trusting your humanity, and letting go of the pressure to have life figured out. We talk about why burnout isn't a personal failure, why growth matters more than outcomes, and how changing your mind is a sign of wisdom—not weakness. If you're stuck between quitting and staying, this episode invites you to be gentler with yourself and redesign a life that actually fits you.

In this deeply personal episode, I share why I decided to take a sabbatical after seven years of building Lessons from a Quitter. I unpack what burnout actually looked like for me, the many possible reasons behind it, and why the "why" ultimately mattered less than listening to what I needed. We talk about uncertainty, privilege, identity, people-pleasing, and the fear of stopping when things aren't broken. This episode is an honest reflection on letting go of what's good, creating space to rest and rethink, and trusting yourself enough to pause—even without a clear next plan.

In this episode, we explore why so many of us rush through our lives believing happiness waits on the other side of achievement. As I prepare for a sabbatical, I share my philosophy of choosing one meaningful goal each year—not to fix yourself, but to deepen your experience of the life you already have. We talk about the trap of chasing "there," the shame cycle of over-goal-setting, and how slowing down helps you reconnect with joy, presence, and purpose. Instead of racing toward a future version of yourself, this episode invites you to savor the chapter you're in while intentionally shaping what comes next.

In this episode, we dive into the hidden reason so many of us stay stuck: the paradox of choice. In a world overflowing with career paths, business ideas, and "perfect" next steps, too many options can keep us spinning in fear of choosing wrong. I talk about why our brains get overwhelmed, how endless possibilities dilute satisfaction, and how this shows up when we're burnt out and unsure of our next move. More importantly, I walk you through building the skill of making confident decisions, embracing "good enough," and moving forward without regret so you can finally redesign a life you love.

In this week's episode, we explore one of the most important—and most overlooked—keys to redesigning a life you love: honoring your own capacity. As I prepare for my upcoming sabbatical, I reflect on why so many high-achievers feel broken when they can't operate like everyone else. Using stories from my son's soccer team and my own burnout, I break down how our brains, bodies, and nervous systems are uniquely wired. When we stop fighting who we are and start working with our natural rhythms, we can make clearer decisions, reduce shame, and build a life that actually fits.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we sit down with special guest Dinesh Melwani to explore how small, intentional shifts can completely change the trajectory of your life and career. We talk about delegating without guilt, reclaiming your time, and building confidence through consistent, incremental action. Dinesh shares how he's redesigned his own life—juggling law, real estate, coaching, a podcast, and now a children's book—by narrowing his focus, embracing seasons, and letting his day job fund his bigger dreams. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you don't have to quit everything to build a life you love.

Follow Dinesh Melwani at @dineshmelwani and check out his book on amazon.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into an unpolished but powerful reflection on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how understanding it can help us navigate uncertainty and reduce unnecessary suffering. We explore the difference between "clean" and "dirty" pain and how our brains are wired to always look for problems—even when life is objectively good. By recognizing where we are on the hierarchy, we can cultivate more compassion for ourselves, redirect our minds toward meaningful goals, and find gratitude for the structure and challenges that keep us grounded, even in seasons of self-doubt or transition.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we wrap up our burnout series with a powerful mindset shift — embracing The Happy Life of Mediocrity. We explore how our constant drive to be the best and to "have it all" often leaves us exhausted, disconnected, and unfulfilled. Instead of chasing perfection, we learn how to find joy and peace in being average, accepting that life is always 50/50. Together, we discover how letting go of unrealistic expectations allows us to slow down, appreciate what we have, and create more happiness in our wonderfully imperfect, ordinary lives.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share a personal experiment I've started in my own business: taking Mondays and Fridays off to create a three-day workweek. While it sounds dreamy on the surface, the reality has been much messier—and that's exactly why I wanted to bring it to you. We dive into how hustle culture and perfectionism make rest feel uncomfortable, why our brains resist slowing down, and how important it is to give ourselves permission to experiment. This conversation is about challenging old rules, embracing imperfection, and creating more space for what you truly want.

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I sit down with Beatriz (Béa) Victoria Albina—NP, MPH, SEP, somatic life coach, and host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast. Béa shares her expertise on breaking free from codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing, especially for those of us who've been conditioned to prioritize others over ourselves. We dive into how reconnecting with your body, regulating your nervous system, and rewiring your thoughts can help you step out of burnout and reclaim your joy. Béa also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book, End Emotional Outsourcing.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS 

• Website

• Book Website with pre-order details

• Instagram: @beatrizvictoriaalbinanp

• Podcast: Feminist Wellness

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I dive into one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make: rewriting the story you tell about yourself. Too often, we cling to old narratives—"I'm lazy," "I'm behind," "I've failed"—that keep us stuck, exhausted, and convinced we're not enough. But these stories are built on narrow evidence, ignoring the mountain of proof that shows our resilience, creativity, and success. I share my own journey of reframing a harmful story and the transformations I've witnessed in clients when they shift their self-concept. Nothing changes until your story does.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on why I decided to offer a 100% money-back guarantee for my new high-ticket mastermind for high-achieving women feeling unfulfilled. I share the thought process behind creating a safety net for participants, how it addresses trust issues in the coaching industry, and why I'm willing to take the financial risk. I talk about privilege, integrity, and how this decision pushes me to deliver the deepest transformation possible. Whether you're a business owner or not, you'll gain insight into making bold, values-aligned decisions that prioritize both client trust and personal growth.

In this powerful episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I'm joined by Ysabelle Allard for a vulnerable conversation about what it really takes to transform your life from the inside out. Ysabelle shares her journey of walking away from a successful corporate career, surrendering to deep grief, and ultimately learning to trust her inner voice. We explore what it means to slow down, invest in yourself, and step into the unknown — even when it's terrifying. If you've ever felt stuck, burnt out, or like you're being called to something more, this episode will speak straight to your soul.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share an exciting new chapter: the launch of Your Next Act Mastermind, a 6-month group program for high-achieving women in transition. If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or questioning what's next after "doing everything right," this episode is for you. I open up about my own evolving journey and why this mastermind—complete with one-on-one coaching and an in-person retreat—is the most aligned offering I've created yet. This is for those ready to release old identities and step into the next version of themselves with clarity, community, and courage.

In this mid-year solo episode, I share a deeply personal update on navigating a season of transition and uncertainty. From shutting down my membership to questioning what's next, I reflect on what it means to evolve without attaching self-worth to productivity or clarity. I talk about the emotional toll of global events, holding space for conflicting truths, and allowing open-ended exploration instead of forcing answers. If you're feeling unmoored, uninspired, or unsure about your next step, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to sit with the unknown and redesign your life with curiosity, compassion, and intention.

In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the fear that keeps us stuck. It's not the lack of information that holds us back—it's the "what ifs" and unanswered fears that paralyze us. I walk you through a powerful tool: answering the fear-filled questions your brain throws at you. What if you fail? What if they judge you? Instead of spinning in anxiety, learn how to map out worst-case scenarios, strategize solutions, and take back your power. Plus, I introduce a free quiz to help you figure out whether it's time to quit and what to focus on next.

We often waste precious time and energy arguing with reality – insisting that things should be different than they are. In this episode, I reveal the common pitfalls of waiting for a perfect, non-existent option C and explain why it's crucial to accept the 50-50 nature of life's choices. By letting go of the illusion of control and focusing on how we want to respond to the circumstances we face, we can gain clarity, make better decisions, and reclaim our power. Tune in to discover how to stop the exhausting cycle of arguing with reality and start moving forward with intention and purpose

In this week's episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore the powerful mindset shift of going all in—even when you know the current situation isn't your final destination. Whether you're in a job you plan to leave or building toward a dream that's still years away, living with one foot in and one foot out robs you of joy, growth, and fulfillment. I share personal insights and coaching that helped me reframe commitment, not as a trap, but as a choice to fully show up. Tune in to learn how to go all in, right where you are.