Show overview
Lessons from a Quitter has been publishing since 2018, and across the 8 years since has built a catalogue of 383 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 220 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 26 min and 42 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Goli Kalkhoran.
From the publisher
It is never too late to start over. No matter how much time or money you've spent chasing degrees and jobs to get to your current position, if ultimately you're unhappy, then it is time to quit. Each week, Goli Kalkhoran, a fellow quitter, will interview inspiring guests who have quit lucrative careers to forge their own path and create a life they love. Get insight, inspiration, tools, and resources to help you quit what you hate and figure out what it is that you love.
Latest Episodes
View all 383 episodesThe Fear of Failure
Getting Good At Feeling Discomfort
Your quit plan
Handling Difficult Conversations Around Quitting
Handling Guilt Around Quitting

Ep 275Managing Fear
EIn 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.

Ep 263You are not behind
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.

Ep 164Finding Your Community
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.

Ep 286Replay: The Art of Dreaming Bigger
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.

Ep 208The Process of Going After Your Dream Life
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.

Ep 272Admitting what you want
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.
Ep 379How to Rewire Your Brain for Joy When You've Been Chasing Achievement
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.

Ep 189Procrastination
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.

Ep 223Getting Rid Of That Inner Critic - Part 2
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.

Ep 222Getting Rid of the Inner Critic - Part 1
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.

Ep 335You picked your goal...now what?
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.

Ep 334The side effects of your goals
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.
Ep 333REPLAY: Only pick one goal
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.

Ep 78REPLAY: How to Properly Set Goals to Actually Achieve your Dreams
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...
Ep 388Reflection on 7 years of podcasting
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.
