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.

In this episode, I share:

• Why I’m honoring my own deep-down exhaustion by skipping the typical year-end review.
• The reality of navigating the "ripple effects" of burnout and the heaviness of the world right now.
• My reflections on the big shift this year - not just the rebrand to For Real, but the realignment toward talking about the inner world behind our work.
• The one question I want you to sit with as we enter 2026.

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 join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The core limiting belief you need to unlearn: How to distinguish between authentic desire and what you think will make you look impressive.
• The power of reframing fear: Why feeling scared isn't "wrong," but a sign you are meeting your edge.
• The Jenga Game of Identity: How to approach major life transitions by making small shifts instead of forcing a full, disruptive overhaul.
• The importance of internal growth metrics over external praise (sales, likes, applause).
• Tactical ways to regulate your nervous system daily, even if you struggle with consistency or have ADHD.
• Why protecting your "baby ideas" from fear-based projections is critical for women leaders and recovering people-pleasers.
• The power of magnetism: How repelling the wrong opportunities and people is just as important as attracting the right ones.
• Why awareness without judgment is the key to escaping the perfectionist, all-or-nothing trap.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:03:00 – The initial belief you need to unlearn to step into your next version.
• 00:05:00 – The struggle to discern between fear and intuition.
• 00:08:00 – How to get out of your own way: Why the mindset that got you here won't get you there.
• 00:09:00 – Defining and using internal metrics of success.
• 00:11:00 – Simple, tactical ways to regulate your nervous system when you feel overwhelmed.
• 00:15:00 – How to approach major life transitions like a Jenga game (small shifts vs. overhaul).
• 00:18:00 – Navigating the friction when your network is accustomed to an old version of you.
• 00:22:00 – The shift from being polished and "good" to being authentic and magnetic.
• 00:25:00 – Final advice: Why the journey is forever, and why you should lead with compassion.

About Sara Anderson:
Website: https://saraanderson.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraanderson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara.anderson___/

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 join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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 outdated money myths and the costly avoidance strategies that are keeping your business small.

Get Ready For Hot Takes On:

• Why we feel so much shame when asking financial questions (and why your discomfort is valid).
• The worst money advice you hear women entrepreneurs being given.
• The myth that needs to disappear already: Why you are absolutely a "numbers person."
• The biggest mistake small business owners make: not understanding cash flow (and how to fix it).
• Why over-functioning with your books keeps your profits smaller (and how to outsource it).
• The critical difference between bookkeeping (looking backward) and CFO work (looking forward).
• The most overrated and most underrated business investments.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:03:00 – Why we feel so much shame when it comes to finances.
• 00:05:00 – The worst money advice you hear women entrepreneurs being given.
• 00:07:00 – The most common story women carry about money that holds them back.
• 00:10:00 – The biggest mistake small business owners make: not understanding cash flow.
• 00:16:00 – The most overrated business expense (and the hidden costs of easy buttons).
• 00:18:00 – The most underrated business investment (it’s not what you think).
• 00:22:00 – Why bookkeeping is more than taxes, and the value of having your finger on the pulse of your business.
• 00:26:00 – Bookkeeping vs. CFO work: Using data for a financial roadmap.
• 00:30:00 – Rebecca's money lesson learned the hard way (investing in insecurity).
• 00:31:00 – The final Hot Take: The distilled truth about women and money.

About Rebecca Blankenship & Snowdrop Bookkeeping Solutions:
Website: https://www.snowdropbookkeeping.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-blankenship/

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 join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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 content into clients. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The Four H’s content breakdown: Helpful, Heard, Happenings, and Humor—and the ideal mix for service providers.
• Why Stories are the cash register and the most underrated way to sell on Instagram.
• Shannon's simple three-story daily strategy to drive engagement, connection, and conversion.
• The quickest way to kill engagement on Stories.
• A genius, game-changing profile name field hack that helps local clients find you instantly.
• The content type most people are sleeping on.
• The social media practice you need to stop doing immediately (it involves analysis paralysis and a fear of rejection).
• Time-saving hacks for creating B-Roll content and why you should hire someone to do it.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:03:00 – Why Stories are essential and Shannon's simple three-story daily strategy.
• 00:08:00 – The quickest way to kill engagement on Stories (and how much is too much selling).
• 00:10:00 – The most underrated way to sell on Instagram (and why DMs are your cash register).
• 00:12:00 – The biggest mistake you see on people's profiles (and the game-changing name field hack).
• 00:15:00 – The content type most people are sleeping on: Behind-the-scenes and skits.
• 00:23:00 – The social media practice you should stop immediately (it’s about overthinking).
• 00:27:00 – Time-saving hack: The once-a-month B-Roll content day.

About Shannon McKinstrie: 

• Website: https://shannonmckinstrie.com/
• Podcast: Good Content - https://shannonmckinstrie.com/good-content-podcast

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 join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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, and content that truly connects.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:05:00 – The most overused trend on Instagram (and why you should sometimes use it).
• 00:07:00 – The "random thought reel" idea that always works when you are stuck.
• 00:13:00 – The worst advice you see about growing on Instagram.
• 00:15:00 – When to take down content that tanks (and why).
• 00:18:00 – The key language shift: Moving from "How To" to "How I."

About Shannon McKinstrie: 

• Website: https://shannonmckinstrie.com/
• Podcast: Good Content - https://shannonmckinstrie.com/good-content-podcast

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 join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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 everyone else's emotional load.

Megan shares the startling truth behind this pattern, including the data showing why women leaders report far more exhaustion than men. We unpack the true costs of this habit - physical, mental, and financial - and why over-functioning actually keeps your business small and your profits smaller.

This is an invitation to recognize the difference between caring (your superpower) and carrying (a burden). You'll learn how to lead with empathy without sacrificing your peace and how to manage the temporary discomfort of setting boundaries in exchange for long-term peace.

In this episode, you'll learn to ask:

• What is the cost of my emotional labor, and why is my body keeping score?
• Why does over-functioning keep my business small?
• How can I stop "fixing" everything and start developing my team?
• How can I handle the pushback when I finally put the weight down?

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:04:00 – The emotional load: Why we make ourselves uncomfortable to make others comfortable.
• 00:06:00 – The physical costs: What your body has been trying to tell you.
• 00:08:00 – The financial & career cost: Why over-functioning keeps your business small.
• 00:11:00 – Simple scripts to practice boundaries with your team and clients.
• 00:13:00 – The messy work: Dealing with the pushback that comes with change.
• 00:14:00 – The final invitation: What would it feel like to put some of that weight down?

Let's Work Together:
Book a 90-Minute Clarity Call
Join Our In Person VIP CEO Day

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 join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Feeling the pull to pause and realign? Join me October 27–30 in Ocean Isle Beach, NC for my Restore & Realign Retreat, only a few spots left! Reserve yours here: https://www.theplannersvault.com/restore-realign-retreat-application

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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 science and practical strategies to show you how to be both authentic AND strategic. These two concepts are not mutually exclusive - they're actually powerful allies in your career. 

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The core formula for introducing your business that highlights your capabilities and proves you care (solving a problem).
• Why "hiding your successes" to appear humble actually kills connection and makes people question your relationship with them.
• How to use experimentation to practice assertiveness without being terrified (and the danger of socialized "good girl" beliefs).
• The skill of making people curious about you and the powerful difference between a monologue and a polite discourse.
• Why reciprocity rules relationships and how to use it to get people to naturally talk you up.
• Alison's framework for rewriting your story when you're in a "messy middle" or career transition.
• Why other promoters can brag on you in ways you can't brag on yourself, and how to motivate them to pick up the microphone.
• The simple, two-minute investments you can make daily to build your network (like providing easy, valuable help).
• The vital message: Authentic and strategic are not opposites.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:02:00 – Alison's work: Evolving to help women use behavioral science for confidence.
• 00:04:00 – The struggle of self-introduction: How to talk about accomplishments without sounding boastful.
• 00:07:00 – The common mistake: Hiding successes and why it damages relationships.
• 00:11:00 – Using experimentation to lean into assertiveness.
• 00:16:00 – Mastering the art of making people curious about you.
• 00:21:40 – Advice for rewriting your story during a "messy middle" career transition.
• 00:29:30 – The power of other promoters and the three ways to get them talking about you.
• 00:36:00 – Simple ways to add value to your network within a five-minute bandwidth.
• 00:48:20 – The final takeaway: Why "authentic and strategic" is your new mantra.

About Alison Fragale: 

• Website: https://alisonfragale.com/ 
• Book: Likable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve Newsletter: The Upper Hand: Behavioral Science to Help Women Excel: https://alisonfragale.com/book/
• In-Person Event: Both Alison and Megan are speaking at the Women Lead NC event on November 13th in Raleigh, North Carolina. Grab your ticket here: https://ncchamber.com/event/women-lead-nc-raleigh/

For Real on Social Media: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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 dollars in points on the table and start playing the game smarter.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make and how a simple switch can earn you thousands of points.
• The secret to getting 2-3x the value out of your points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.
• Open up multiple credit cards?
• How to use the "Player 2 Method" to double your points with a spouse or partner.
• The difference between flexible point cards (like Chase) and co-branded cards (like Hyatt or Southwest).
• Does travel hacking increase or decrease your credit score?
• The best credit cards to start with and which ones to avoid

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:02:00 – A personal story of using credit card points to travel six times a year.
• 00:03:00 – The biggest mistake business owners make and how to fix it.
• 00:05:00 – The secret to 2-3x your point value and how to transfer points.
• 00:09:00 – Why one credit card may be holding you back and the strategy of opening new cards.
• 00:11:00 – How to keep track of multiple credit cards with the Travel Freely app.
• 00:19:00 – The Player 2 Method for doubling your points with a partner.
• 00:25:20 – Blackout dates, family travel, and the complexity of booking with points.
• 00:28:45 – Final advice for getting started and learning more.

About Megan Lanford & Points Too Paradise:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pointstooparadise/
Travel Points Lounge - https://pointstooparadise.com/travel-points-lounge?am_id=megan5551

Card Concierge - https://pointstooparadise.com/card-concierge?am_id=megan1610

For Real on Social Media: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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 and Gina unpack why taking breaks isn't a luxury - it's a leadership strategy. They get real about what it's like to run on fumes, the toll that decision fatigue takes on high achievers, and how to build in more margin without losing momentum.

This is a much-needed reframe, offering powerful insights and actionable takeaways to help you reset your nervous system, protect your energy, and come back to your business and life as a better, more present leader.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The profound impact of decision fatigue on your brain and body.
• Why "doing it all" and being constantly busy can actually limit your business's growth.
• The emotional toll of always being "on" and how it leads to burnout, resentment, and a depleted mental state.
• The importance of a pattern interrupt to break out of unhealthy habits and cycles.
• The surprising way your "hustle culture" can put pressure on your team and lead to their own burnout.
• A simple litmus test to know when you are in a low-battery state and in need of rest.
• The ROI (return on investment) of rest and why your next big idea won't show up in survival mode.
• Practical, bite-sized strategies for rest, like creating a Monday and Friday "buffer," and the power of getting out of your "natural habitat."

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:08:00 – The stat on daily decisions and the profound impact of "decision fatigue."
• 00:10:00 – How we use our phones to avoid rest and the cycle of doom-scrolling.
• 00:12:00 – The consequences of making big decisions when running on fumes.
• 00:15:00 – The human, shared experience of feeling stuck in "quicksand."
• 00:22:00 – The truth about why we're so anxious and depressed in today's fast-paced world.
• 00:26:00 – The "low battery mode" litmus test for knowing when to rest.
• 00:28:00 – How an intentional weekend away was the catalyst for Megan's second business.
• 00:30:00 – The power of a pattern interrupt and getting out of your normal environment.
• 00:32:00 – Modeling healthy boundaries for your team.
• 00:37:00 – Practical, rapid-fire examples of rest for different types of people.
• 00:41:00 – The challenge for you this week: finding a way to take an intentional break.

Feeling the pull to pause and realign? Join me October 27–30 in Ocean Isle Beach, NC for my Restore & Realign Retreat, only a few spots left! Reserve yours here: https://www.theplannersvault.com/restore-realign-retreat-application

For Real on Social Media: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Sara's journey from opera singer to restaurant owner and what it taught her about roles and identity.
• The painful reality of outgrowing a version of success you once chased.
• Why chasing "hard" as an entrepreneur can mask the ahas you need to hear.
• The surprising role that motherhood played in her "midlife awakening."
• Sara's rock-bottom moment and the powerful practice of asking, "What are we tolerating?"
• A step-by-step guide to "The Work" by Byron Katie, and how it helped Sara process resentment and find clarity in her relationship.
• How to pursue joy and delight in "tiny morsels" of your everyday life.
• The simple daily mantra that can help you find a sense of peace and pride in yourself.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 – Acknowledging that the life you built might not be what you want.
• 00:02:00 – Sara's journey: from performer to hospitalitarian and entrepreneurship.
• 00:05:00 – The identity shift from restaurant operator to CEO and the challenges it created.
• 00:09:00 – Hitting a breaking point and feeling like a "huge failure."
• 00:10:00 – How motherhood provided a necessary pause and led to an important realization.
• 00:15:00 – The struggle of constant ideas and discerning between joy and survival.
• 00:18:00 – A rock-bottom moment with her husband and facing the potential "fork in the road."
• 00:22:00 – Processing resentment and using "The Work" to find a path forward.
• 00:25:00 – Ascending to "founder land" and embracing the pursuit of joy.
• 00:27:00 – The power of "her seat at the table" and the vulnerability of shared stories.
• 00:36:00 – A final message: Why not everything you do has to be productive.
• 00:38:00 – What Sara is most proud of in this season of her life.

About Sara Abernethy:  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara.abernethy/ 
• Podcast: Her Seat at the Table (https://open.spotify.com/show/5rgHmPRjR3Nu8a4NcBdRR1) 
• Holiday Caroling Group, Sleigh Bells: https://www.instagram.com/sleighbellesnc/?hl=en

Local to North Carolina? Visit Sara's Restaurants: Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing & Glasshouse Kitchen

Feeling the pull to pause and realign? Join me October 27–30 in Ocean Isle Beach, NC for my Restore & Realign Retreat, only a few spots left! Reserve yours here: https://www.theplannersvault.com/restore-realign-retreat-application

For Real on Social Media: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForRealPodcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.