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Artwork for For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

Megan Gillikin
Burnout
Entrepreneurship
Wedding Industry
Wedding Planning
Networking
Leadership
Personal Growth
Marketing
Self-Care
Work-Life Balance
Mental Health
Self-Improvement
Referrals
Personal Development
Budgeting
Energy Management
Social Media
Emotional Intelligence
Client Experience
Vendor Relationships

For Real is a top 1% podcast for high-achievers who look successful on paper but feel like they’re one group text away from burning it all down. Hosted by Megan Gillikin - serial entrepreneur, business coach, keynote speaker, and recovering people pleaser - this show explores burnout, boundaries, identity shifts, and the brave act of unlearning who you thought you had to be. With unfiltered conver... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes326Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipBusinessEducationSelf-Improvement

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

Latest Episodes

I have big news to share, and this is likely the last episode of this podcast.

Thank you to everyone who's listened to this show over the past 7.5 years!

Links:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/

Substack: substack.com... more

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 w... more

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 h... more

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 ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sara Anderson
Executive coach and communication strategist, specializing in presence and personal power for women leaders.
sarahanderson.co
Episode: 332. The Jenga Game of Identity: Unlearning and Stepping into Your Next Chapter, with Sara Anderson
Rebecca Blankenship
Owner of Snowdrop Bookkeeping Solutions
Snowdrop Bookkeeping Solutions
Episode: 331. Shame-Free Money Hot Takes: Mindset, Pricing, and Finally Feeling in Control with Rebecca Blankenship
Shannon McKinstrie
Social media strategist known for her expertise in content creation.
The Reels Lab
Episode: 330. Social Media Hot Takes: What Works Now & What’s Overrated with Shannon McKinstrie Part 2
Alison Fragale
Organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, professor, and author
Author of "Likable Badass"
Episode: 327. The Secret to Building Credibility and Referrals Like a Badass with Alison Fragale
Megan Lanford
Founder of Points Too Paradise, expert in travel rewards
Points Too Paradise
Episode: 326. Life: The Secret to Traveling Often Without Breaking the Bank
Sara Abernethy
Entrepreneur and former opera singer, co-owner of Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing and Glasshouse Kitchen
Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, Glasshouse Kitchen
Episode: 324. Unlearning: Burnout, Motherhood, and the Midlife Awakening (How to Rewrite Success on Your Terms), with Sara Abernethy
Amber Rae
Bestselling author and artist known for her work on emotional courage and self-love
Episode: 323. Unlearning: The Habit of Abandoning Yourself to Keep the Peace, with Amber Rae
Sarah Reilly
Functional medicine nutritionist and founder of Get Nourished.
Get Nourished
Episode: 321. Life: The Truth About Stress, Autoimmunity, and Healing for High Achievers with Sarah Reilly
Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona
An acclaimed psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker whose work centers on helping high achievers break free from anxiety, over-analysis, and perfectionism.
thisisdoctorz.com
Episode: 319. Life: When Self-Trust Feels Impossible: Breaking Free from Perfectionism with Dr. Z

Host

Megan Gillikin
Entrepreneur, business coach, and keynote speaker

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 313 ratings
  • Love the “unlearning” insight!

    This show is a gem! Love that Megan keeps it real in the episodes, her thoughtfulness when interviewing guests, and especially her focus on helping us “unlearn” what’s holding us back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sanderson30
    United States10 months ago
  • Love the rebrand!

    I’ve been a long time listener of the podcast and it’s been a really important part of my wedding planning business journey. I’m so excited to see you Megan branch out of the Wedding industry bubble and speak to folks as whole people outside of their business, in addition to talking about what it means to be an entrepreneur. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KristyAnnS
    United Statesa year ago
  • A Breath of Fresh Air for Unabashed, Authentic Life Tips

    I am loving each episode and impressed with the vulnerability to (finally?!) acknowledge that we aren’t supposed to have it all figured out. We are each a work in progress and how much better it is to do it while leaving on each other.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brooklyn65
    United Statesa year ago
  • A favorite!

    As a wedding venue owner, I enjoy listening to Megan. I have learned a lot of valuable tips and tools that I have implemented in my business! And she has the best voice… So enjoyable to listen to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    7germ
    United States2 years ago
  • Coaching (and podcasting) with a Passion

    Megan is REAL!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alp13q
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Practical business advice and actionable takeaways are a recurring draw, especially for wedding-industry owners and service providers.
Listeners appreciate the shift toward broader conversations about identity and personal growth alongside entrepreneurship.
Guests are valued for their expertise, and conversations are described as genuine, useful, and engaging.
The conversational delivery, humor, and personable tone make the advice feel approachable.
Listeners value Megan's candid, warm approach and her ability to pair encouragement with a gentle push.

Top Entrepreneurship Podcasts

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
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The Tim Ferriss ShowTim Ferriss: Bestselling Author, Human Guinea Pig
Aspire with Emma Grede
Aspire with Emma GredeEmma Grede | Audacy
Founders
FoundersDavid Senra
声动早咖啡
声动早咖啡声动活泼
My First Million
My First MillionHubspot Media
BigDeal
BigDealCodie Sanchez

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

331. Shame-Free Money Hot Takes: Mindset, Pricing, and Finally Feeling in Control with Rebecca Blankenship
Q: When should you consider hiring a bookkeeper?
When you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start or if you need guidance and support to manage your finances.
331. Shame-Free Money Hot Takes: Mindset, Pricing, and Finally Feeling in Control with Rebecca Blankenship
Q: What is the most common story women carry about money that holds them back?
Many women say they are just not good with numbers, but this can be learned and cultivated with the right support.
331. Shame-Free Money Hot Takes: Mindset, Pricing, and Finally Feeling in Control with Rebecca Blankenship
Q: What is the worst money advice women entrepreneurs are given?
The advice to just follow your passion without understanding the numbers, leading to unsustainable business practices.
331. Shame-Free Money Hot Takes: Mindset, Pricing, and Finally Feeling in Control with Rebecca Blankenship
Q: Why do we feel so much shame when it comes to our finances?
Many clients are fearful of asking questions about their finances because past experiences have made them feel stupid or intimidated.
330. Social Media Hot Takes: What Works Now & What’s Overrated with Shannon McKinstrie Part 2
Q: What is your best advice for a time-saving hack for creating B-roll content?
Schedule a monthly B-roll content day to capture clips that can be reused.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

What is For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Megan Gillikin hosts candid conversations and solo reflections for ambitious professionals navigating burnout, boundaries, identity shifts, and changing definitions of success. The format combines personal stories and practical coaching with interviews featuring specialists such as executive coaches, communication strategists, bookkeeping professionals, and social media strategists. Business topics remain part of the mix, including money management and marketing, but the focus extends beyond business performance to the people building those businesses. The shift from wedding-industry advice toward broader discussions of life, leadership, and unlearning gives the conversations a wider appeal while retaining a practical, entrepreneurial persp... more

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Which podcasts are similar to For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning?

These podcasts share a similar audience with For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning:

1. Wedding Pro CEO | Building Profitable Wedding Businesses
2. The Vendor Table - A Wedding and Photography Podcast
3. The Jasmine Star Show
4. The Power in Purpose: A Podcast for Wedding Pros
5. The Amy Porterfield Show

How many episodes of For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning are there?

For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning launched 9 years ago and published 326 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning?

Recent guests on For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning include:

1. Sara Anderson
2. Rebecca Blankenship
3. Shannon McKinstrie
4. Alison Fragale
5. Megan Lanford
6. Sara Abernethy
7. Amber Rae
8. Sarah Reilly

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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