Less Than Expert

By Amanda Talmadge & Katie Herman

Less Than Expert is a podcast where curiosity meets candor. We explore life’s big (and not-so-big) questions with humor and heart.

... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Less Than Expert:

How many episodes does Less Than Expert have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.

Less Than Expert episodes:

May 01, 2026 Surviving the Layoff, Part 4: The HR Files
We did it. The final episode of our Surviving the Layoff series is here, and it's the one we've been building toward.
Getting HR reps to talk to us was not easy. They take confidentiality seriously (and honestly, we respect it). We still interviewed multiple HR professionals (anonymously) across advertising, software, and direct-to-consumer product industries and compiled everything they shared into this episode.
If you've ever wondered what's actually happening behind the scenes when layoffs go down, this is the episode.
In this episode, Amanda and Katie cover:
What's driving the current wave of layoffs and why companies are still reluctant to name AI as the reason
Warning signs to watch for (and why there may be none at all)
How layoff lists actually get made: the 3-6 month planning process, the legal review, and who has final say
Whether you can opt in to a layoff and when it actually makes sense to raise your hand
The WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) explained: which companies it applies to, what notice employees are owed, and how to check if your company has filed
The OWBPA (Older Workers Benefit Protection Act): your review and revocation rights if you're 40+ including the 7-day window you can never waive
Severance packages: what's standard, what's negotiable, and why HR reps say many people sign without reading the agreement carefully enough
What happens to bonuses, equity, and unvested shares and why you have to advocate for yourself
Unemployment in Texas: how it works, how it's calculated, how employers pay into it, and why your tax bill in April might surprise you
COBRA and health insurance: what the transition looks like and why missing enrollment windows is a costly mistake
Final advice from HR themselves: stay composed, don't post, don't burn bridges
Resources mentioned: Check your state's WARN Act filings at [dol.gov] and the layoff checklist available at lessthanexpert.com
Podcast Sponsors/Discounts:
Cozy Earth — 21% off with code LTE at cozyearth.com
Copper North — 15% off with code LTE at coppernorth.com
Zivo Life — 30% off with code LTE at zivo.life
Love Indus — 21% off with code LTE at loveindus.com
Tona Active — 16% off with code LTE at tonaactive.com
Akila Sunglasses — 10% off with code LTE at akila.la
Mantra Matcha — 15% off with code LTE at mantramatcha.com
Handful — 30% off with code LTE at handful.com
...more
44min
April 23, 2026Surviving the Layoff, Part 3: A Financial Advisor Enters the Chat
What does a financial advisor actually do when you're staring down a layoff...or trying to avoid one? In this bonus episode of our Surviving the Layoff series, Katie and Amanda sit down with Tina Hoang, a Northwestern Mutual financial advisor with over a decade of experience. Spoiler: she's part financial planner, part career coach, part therapist. Honestly, we could all use a Tina.
We talk through the money moves you should be making before anything goes wrong, what NOT to do the second you get that pink slip (put down the 401k, we mean it), and why Tina's approach to financial planning goes way beyond the numbers.
IN THIS EPISODE:
The financial basics everyone should have in place — layoff or not
How to figure out your "safe zone"
What mistakes people make after a layoff — and the 401k move that could cost you 40%
Whether you should negotiate your severance
How to evaluate a job offer beyond just the salary number
When to reach out to a financial advisor — and how to find one you actually click with
Why Tina calls herself a "saver from yourself"
The in-service distribution rule at age 55 that most people have never heard of
ABOUT TINA HOANG:
Tina Hoang is a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual based in Dallas, Texas. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in comprehensive financial planning — covering both the defensive side (insurance, risk planning) and the offensive side (wealth accumulation and investments). Before financial advising, Tina spent a decade as a personal trainer, which explains a lot about how she coaches clients through the emotional side of money.
CONNECT WITH TINA:
Phone/Text: 972-663-7237 Email: Tina.T.Hoang@nm,com
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) — borrowing against your home asset
401(k) in-service distributions at age 55
Roth IRA vs. pre-tax vs. after-tax contributions
The "mega backdoor Roth" and why most people are confusing it with something else
Myers-Briggs and culture index assessments
This episode is part of our Surviving the Layoff series. Catch up on all episodes at lessthanexpert.com.
AD PARTNERS: Use Code LTE
Botox in a Tube by Love Indus: 21% OFF https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA Sunglasses: 10% OFF https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North: 15% OFF https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth Bedding: 21% OFF https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear: 16% OFF https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha: 15% OFF https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful Sports Bra: 30% OFF https://handful.com/discount/LTE
...more
52min
March 31, 2026A-Ay Ay Ay: Our SXSW 2026 Recap
AI was everywhere at SXSW 2026, and honestly? A little “ay ay ay” was warranted.
In this episode, Amanda and Katie break down the biggest themes from the festival, including the rise of AI in branding, creativity, work, accessibility, healthcare, and infrastructure. From Amy Webb’s now-iconic funeral for the annual trend report to powerful conversations about the hidden environmental cost of data centers, this year’s SXSW made one thing clear: the future is moving faster than most of us are ready for.
The good news? Not every takeaway was bleak. We also found real examples of AI being used to make products better, experiences more inclusive, and creative work more human.
In this episode, we cover:
Why AI was the dominant theme at SXSW 2026
Amy Webb’s warning about the “unlimited workforce”
How AI is changing creativity, branding, and real-time marketing
The overlooked environmental cost of AI and data centers
Why accessibility and empathy need to be part of the tech conversation
The SXSW highs, lows, and weird logistical quirks
Bottom line: AI is here. The bigger question is what kind of world we’re building around it.
Read the companion articles: A-Ay Ay Ay and The Future of Health Is Connected: Skin, Brain, Microbiome on LessThanExpert.com
Panels mentioned in this episode:
Better Leadership Starts with Understanding the Stressed Brain
Featured Session: Amy Webb Launches 2026 Emerging Tech Trend Report
The Next Digital Wave Excludes Millions. Let’s Fix it.
Dirty Data: The Hidden Climate Cost of Our Digital Lives
Why Will AI Make Brands Feel More Human and Not Less
Discounts & Ad Partners: Promo Code LTE
Zivolife - Superfood! 30% OFF https://zivo.life/discount/LTE
Love Indus - 21% OFF https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA - Sunglasses, eyewear - 10% OFF https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North - Silk pillowcases - 15% OFF https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth - Bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more - 21% OFF https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear - Athleisure - 16% OFF https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha: Japanese Matcha - 15% OFF https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful - Sports Bras - 30% OFF https://handful.com/discount/LTE
...more
49min
March 03, 2026Surviving the Layoff, Part 2: Strategizing the Cut
Last week we talked about the emotional side of layoffs. This week? We’re talking strategy.
In Part 2 of our Layoff Survival Series, Katie and Amanda break down some of the latest layoff stats in corporate America, and get very honest about what’s happening inside our own jobs.
Then Amanda walks through exactly what she’s doing to prepare — financially, professionally, and mentally — in case the worst happens.
We also go down a small but important rabbit hole: Is AI replacing us… or repositioning us?
If you’ve ever thought, “Am I behind?” or “How do I prepare without spiraling?” This episode is for you.
No doom or panic. Just practical moves.
What We Cover
Quick recap of Part 1 of the Layoff Series
Recent layoff trends in corporate America
What we’re seeing inside our own roles
Amanda’s real-life preparation strategy:
Emergency fund upgrades
Resume refresh + quiet networking
Skill stacking
Income diversification
Mental reframing
The AI sidebar:
Is AI eliminating jobs?
Who is actually most at risk?
How to future-proof your skill set
Why doing nothing is the riskiest move of all
Visit lessthanexpert.com for more tactical steps and tips!
Discounts & Ad Partners:
Zivolife - Exclusive patented superfood!
Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://zivo.life/discount/LTE
Botox in a Tube - by Love Indus - Freedom of Expression: Erase your lines!
Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA - Sunglasses, eyewear
Get 10% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North - Silk pillowcases w/copper for skin/hair
Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more
Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear - Designer Gym Leggings
Get 16% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha: Blends With Benefits - Premium Japanese Matcha
Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful - All Day Flattering Sports Bra
Get 30% OFF | Promo Code: LTE
https://handful.com/discount/LTE
...more
46min
February 19, 2026Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The Personal Story
Surviving the Layoff, Part 1: The Personal Story
In Part 1 of our Surviving the Layoff series, we sit down with writer and career coach Allison McNearney to talk about what really happens after you hear, “We regret to inform you…”
Allison was laid off in 2024 — and while the experience was destabilizing, it was also clarifying. In this episode, we talk about:
The emotional whiplash of being laid off
How job loss impacts identity and self-worth
The financial fear that follows
What surprised her most about the process - including financial and healthcare watchouts
How she reframed the experience
The lessons she now shares with clients
What resilience actually looks like in real life
Whether you’ve been laid off, fear you might be, or want to support someone who has, this conversation is for you.
About Our Guest
Allison McNearney is a writer, editor, and creative mindset coach. She has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing for publications including The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and National Geographic. After experiencing a layoff herself in 2024, she brings first-hand experience to conversations about career pivots, identity, and rebuilding. In her coaching work, Allison helps writers, artists, and entrepreneurs discover their purpose and passion, move from stuck to creatively fulfilled, and tell more powerful stories. You can contact her at [email protected] or on her website: allisonmcnearney.com.
Ad Partners - use code LTE
ZivoLife — 30% OFF https://zivo.life/discount/LTE
Love Indus – 21% OFF https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA Eyewear — 10% OFF https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North — 15% OFF https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth — 41% OFF https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear — 16% OFF https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha — 15% OFF https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful — 30% OFF https://handful.com/discount/LTE
Podcast Resources
Unemployment Resources: https://www.usa.gov/unemployment-benefits
ATX Gastroenterologist: https://tddctx.com/lilah-mansour/
...more
59min
February 03, 2026The January Debrief
After an unplanned but much-needed January break, Amanda and Katie are back behind the mic for a check-in.
In this episode of Less Than Expert, we’re catching up on life updates, talking through why we took the month off, and sharing what we’re (loosely) planning for the year ahead…without the pressure of resolutions, reinvention, or pretending we have it all figured out.
Think: banter, reflection, recalibration, and a reminder that it’s okay to start the year slowly.
What We Cover
Why January didn’t go as planned
Life updates since we last recorded - the serious and the absolutely not serious
How we’re thinking about the year ahead
Who This Episode Is For
Anyone easing back into work or creativity
People who started the year tired instead of motivated
Listeners who like our banter more than the advice
Ad Partners
ZivoLife — patented superfood supplement 💰 30% OFF with code LTE https://zivo.life/discount/LTE
Love Indus – Botox in a Tube — topical wrinkle-smoothing cream 💰 21% OFF with code LTE https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA Eyewear — premium sunglasses & optical frames 💰 10% OFF with code LTE https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North — silk pillowcases with copper for skin & hair 💰 15% OFF with code LTE https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth — luxury bamboo sheets, pajamas & home goods 💰 41% OFF with code LTE https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear — designer women’s gym leggings 💰 16% OFF with code LTE https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha — premium Japanese matcha with functional blends 💰 15% OFF with code LTE https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful — all-day flattering sports bras 💰 30% OFF with code LTE https://handful.com/discount/LTE
Resources
@chaninicholas
@kirsty_gallagher_
@itsdrglutes
@benbrunotraining
@melissawoodhealth
Vanity Affair astrology reading article
https://thriveworks.com/ - therapy that accepts insurance!
...more
34min
December 31, 2025The Dreaded Episode 6: Where Podcasts Go to Die
Lessons Learned, Favorite Gear, and What’s Coming in 2026
Most podcasts don’t make it past Episode 6, but we're proud to say we're committed.
In this check-in episode of Less Than Expert, Amanda and Katie reflect on what it’s been like launching a podcast from scratch: what surprised us, what worked better than expected, and what we would not recommend.
We’re also sharing our favorite products we used this year (from mics to software to things we thought we needed… but didn’t), plus a sneak peek at what’s coming next as we commit to going well beyond this so-called “podcast death episode.”
If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to be an expert to keep going.
In This Episode:
Why Episode 6 is where most podcasts quietly disappear
What we’ve learned since hitting “record” for the first time
Our favorite podcast gear, tools, and platforms from the year
The products and processes that did not live up to the hype
How we’re thinking about sustainability and growth going forward
A sneak peek at upcoming episodes and themes for 2026
Ad Partners
ZivoLife — patented superfood supplement 💰 30% OFF with code LTE https://zivo.life/discount/LTE
Love Indus – Botox in a Tube — topical wrinkle-smoothing cream 💰 21% OFF with code LTE https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA Eyewear — premium sunglasses & optical frames 💰 10% OFF with code LTE https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North — silk pillowcases with copper for skin & hair 💰 15% OFF with code LTE https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth — luxury bamboo sheets, pajamas & home goods 💰 41% OFF with code LTE https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear — designer women’s gym leggings 💰 16% OFF with code LTE https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha — premium Japanese matcha with functional blends 💰 15% OFF with code LTE https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful — all-day flattering sports bras 💰 30% OFF with code LTE https://handful.com/discount/LTE
...more
30min
December 23, 2025Beating Burnout: Why Taking A Step Back Is The New Flex
In this episode of Less Than Expert, we’re talking about something that rarely gets celebrated at work: taking a step back on purpose.
We sit down with two women who chose to slow their careers down without walking away entirely. Instead of chasing the next promotion or following a prescribed ladder, they intentionally redesigned their roles to better support their lives, energy, and priorities right now.
We talk honestly about:
Why “more” isn’t always better
Letting go of someone else’s timeline and script for success
Redefining ambition outside of titles and promotions
The emotional and financial realities of stepping back
What it looks like to choose sustainability over burnout
This conversation challenges the idea that success only moves in one direction. Sometimes growth looks like less pressure, more clarity, and work that fits your actual life.
Whether you’re feeling burned out, questioning your career path, or just wondering if there’s another way to do work without blowing everything up, this episode is for you.
Because maybe the real flex isn’t climbing higher… It's choosing what works.
Ad Partners
ZivoLife — patented superfood supplement 💰 30% OFF with code LTE https://zivo.life/discount/LTE
Love Indus – Botox in a Tube — topical wrinkle-smoothing cream 💰 21% OFF with code LTE https://loveindus.com/discount/LTE
AKILA Eyewear — premium sunglasses & optical frames 💰 10% OFF with code LTE https://akila.la/discount/LTE
Copper North — silk pillowcases with copper for skin & hair 💰 15% OFF with code LTE https://www.coppernorth.com/discount/LTE
Cozy Earth — luxury bamboo sheets, pajamas & home goods 💰 41% OFF with code LTE https://cozyearth.com/discount/LTE
TONA Activewear — designer women’s gym leggings 💰 16% OFF with code LTE https://tonaactive.com/discount/LTE
Mantra Matcha — premium Japanese matcha with functional blends 💰 15% OFF with code LTE https://mantramatcha.com/discount/LTE
Handful — all-day flattering sports bras 💰 30% OFF with code LTE https://handful.com/discount/LTE
...more
57min
December 16, 2025Financially Ever After: Katie’s Post-Divorce Rebuild
In this episode, we get into the real numbers behind Katie’s post-divorce finances - what she kept, what she paid out, what’s left, and how she’s rebuilding from here. We talk net worth, budgeting after major life upheaval, the emotional side of financial resets, and the surprisingly empowering moment when you finally see everything on paper. Together, we build an action plan for getting Katie back on solid ground…and maybe inspire you to check your own numbers too.
What We Cover
Katie’s exact post-divorce financial starting point
What she paid, what she kept, and how she calculated her new net worth
The emotional whiplash of financial transparency
Rebuilding step-by-step: savings, retirement, debt, and future goals
Why starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch
Why Listen? If you’re navigating divorce, financial overwhelm, or just need a money reset, this episode walks through a real-life example with humor, honesty, and zero shame.
Disclaimer: This episode touches on divorce and financial stress. Nothing in this episode is financial advice.
...more
36min
December 08, 2025From Clueless to Compounding: Amanda’s Money Story
In this episode of Less Than Expert, Amanda takes you through the real story of how she went from knowing absolutely nothing about money to building a confident, intentional financial life. From early mistakes to slow wins, she shares how she learned to invest, what finally clicked, and why you don’t need to be an expert to build wealth.
We cover:
The moment Amanda realized she needed a plan
Some early money mistakes (and what she’d do differently)
The tools, habits, and mindset shifts that finally worked
How to build confidence with money even if it feels impossible
The emotional and practical sides of learning money
Tips for getting started today, even if you're overwhelmed
Perfect for beginners, late bloomers, and anyone curious about Amanda’s financial life behind the mic.
Follow along: Instagram: @less_than_expert Website: lessthanexpert.com
#LessThanExpert #MoneyStory #WomenAndMoney #MoneyConfidence #WomenAndWealth #FinancialWellness #PersonalFinanceJourney
...more
41min

FAQs about Less Than Expert:

How many episodes does Less Than Expert have?

The podcast currently has 12 episodes available.