Title slide of a podcast titled 'For Real: A Podcast on Life, Leadership, & Unlearning' with white text on a black background.

For Real: Life, Leadership, and Unlearning is a top-rated podcast for high-achievers navigating growth in their careers, relationships, and identities. After years of chasing success, you might be realizing the old rules no longer fit… and you’re ready for something deeper.

Through candid conversations, expert insights, and raw, relatable storytelling, we unpack what it means to evolve without burning out. With over 250+ 5-star reviews, this is your space for real talk on leadership, life pivots, and success that actually feels good.

If you’re craving honest conversations and practical strategies for your next chapter, you’re in the right place.

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Smartphone displaying a podcast episode titled "317. Unlearning Overworking:" from the show "For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning" hosted by Megan Gildikin. The episode duration is 16 minutes and 23 seconds, with playback controls visible.

What You’ll Learn

How to Redefine Success (Without The Hustle Hangover)

Tired of chasing someone else’s version of success? It’s time to build a career and life that actually fits—without the burnout or second-guessing.


How to Lead with Confidence (and Fewer WTF Moments)

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting yourself. Learn how to set boundaries, make bold moves, and lead without losing yourself.


How to Unlearn the B.S. Holding You Back

Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and outdated rules? Yeah, they’ve gotta go. Let’s rewrite the script so you can step into what’s next—without the baggage.

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300+ Episodes

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260+ 5-star reviews

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350k downloads

A woman with dark brown hair and earrings smiling, sitting on a wooden floor with a notebook on her lap, holding a pen, with a sofa and pillows in the background.

Hey, I’m Megan (your go-to for keeping it real).

I’ve spent my career building businesses, leading teams, and unlearning a whole lot of B.S. along the way. I started in hospitality, scaled a luxury wedding planning business, and now I help high-achievers like you navigate the messy, in-between moments of growth.

I know what it’s like to chase success, burn out, and realize something has to change. So now? I’m all about redefining what success actually looks like—without the overworking, people-pleasing, or pressure to have it all figured out.

This podcast is where we talk about the real stuff—leadership, life pivots, and the mindset shifts that help you build a career (and a life) that actually feels good. Let’s do this.

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Recent Episodes

Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

333. The One Question to Ask Yourself As You Hide in the Pantry

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 slower and more real.

This is meant to be a pause in the middle of a busy season. I want you to know that for the next 10 minutes, you don't owe anything to anyone. Whether you're in your car or hiding in the pantry for a quiet moment, let this be a safe space to breathe and acknowledge exactly where you are - not where you think you should be.

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Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

332. The Jenga Game of Identity: Unlearning and Stepping into Your Next Chapter, with Sara Anderson

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 communication strategist who works with women leaders on presence, resonance, and personal power. Sara’s journey - from corporate tech to acting to coaching - gives her a unique perspective on the necessary, often uncomfortable work of stepping into a new identity.

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Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

329. Social Media Hot Takes: What Works Now & What’s Overrated with Shannon McKinstrie Part 1

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 Instagram and Tik Tok trends, reels, and content that truly connects.

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Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

324. Unlearning: Burnout, Motherhood, and the Midlife Awakening (How to Rewrite Success on Your Terms)

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 step back, reimagine, and pursue joy again.

If you've ever questioned whether the version of success you built is actually what you want, this episode gives you both the permission and the perspective to redefine it.

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Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

323. Unlearning: The Habit of Abandoning Yourself to Keep the Peace

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 to follow it, you'll want to tune in.

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Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

320. Unlearning: The Four Boundaries Every High Achiever Needs to Set (Before It's Too Late)

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 reset, reclaim her energy, and build a more sustainable life and business.

Will you take action to help you slow down and course-correct before burnout forces your hand?

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Unlearning Megan Gillikin Unlearning Megan Gillikin

317. Unlearning Overworking: Why Rest Feels Uncomfortable for High Achievers

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. 

Rest felt elusive, like this thing other people could do, once they'd earned it. For me, rest basically just meant sleep. It was a quick reset so I could get up and do it all over again.

Sound familiar?  Let's figure out how we can unlearn that habit.

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Over 250+ 5 Star Reviews

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