

Lessons from a Quitter
Goli Kalkhoran
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 19min
Mastermind Anouncement
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share an exciting new chapter: the launch of Your Next Act Mastermind, a 6-month group program for high-achieving women in transition. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or questioning what’s next after “doing everything right,” this episode is for you. I open up about my own evolving journey and why this mastermind—complete with one-on-one coaching and an in-person retreat—is the most aligned offering I’ve created yet. This is for those ready to release old identities and step into the next version of themselves with clarity, community, and courage.

Jul 22, 2025 • 31min
Mid-Year Check In
In this mid-year solo episode, I share a deeply personal update on navigating a season of transition and uncertainty. From shutting down my membership to questioning what’s next, I reflect on what it means to evolve without attaching self-worth to productivity or clarity. I talk about the emotional toll of global events, holding space for conflicting truths, and allowing open-ended exploration instead of forcing answers. If you’re feeling unmoored, uninspired, or unsure about your next step, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to sit with the unknown and redesign your life with curiosity, compassion, and intention.

Jul 15, 2025 • 25min
Replay: Managing Fear
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the fear that keeps us stuck. It’s not the lack of information that holds us back—it’s the “what ifs” and unanswered fears that paralyze us. I walk you through a powerful tool: answering the fear-filled questions your brain throws at you. What if you fail? What if they judge you? Instead of spinning in anxiety, learn how to map out worst-case scenarios, strategize solutions, and take back your power. Plus, I introduce a free quiz to help you figure out whether it’s time to quit and what to focus on next.

Jul 8, 2025 • 19min
Replay: Arguing with Reality
We often waste precious time and energy arguing with reality – insisting that things should be different than they are. In this episode, I reveal the common pitfalls of waiting for a perfect, non-existent option C and explain why it's crucial to accept the 50-50 nature of life's choices. By letting go of the illusion of control and focusing on how we want to respond to the circumstances we face, we can gain clarity, make better decisions, and reclaim our power. Tune in to discover how to stop the exhausting cycle of arguing with reality and start moving forward with intention and purpose

Jul 1, 2025 • 14min
Going All In
In this week’s episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore the powerful mindset shift of going all in—even when you know the current situation isn’t your final destination. Whether you’re in a job you plan to leave or building toward a dream that’s still years away, living with one foot in and one foot out robs you of joy, growth, and fulfillment. I share personal insights and coaching that helped me reframe commitment, not as a trap, but as a choice to fully show up. Tune in to learn how to go all in, right where you are.

Jun 24, 2025 • 15min
How a boring job could be a dream
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we challenge the myth that your job has to be your passion or purpose. Many listeners feel stuck in “boring” jobs, but what if those roles are actually your greatest asset? Goli reframes the narrative around fulfillment and productivity, arguing that a stable, low-stress job can free up time, energy, and resources to build a meaningful life outside of work. Whether it funds your creative projects, offers mental space to heal from burnout, or gives you clarity for your next move—your current job might be the launchpad you’ve been overlooking.

Jun 17, 2025 • 19min
What if no one had an opinion on your life?
Explore the journey of breaking free from societal pressures and embracing authentic choices. Discover how to stop letting the opinions of others dictate your life, whether it's taking a bold step or sharing your voice. Learn to build confidence, sit with discomfort, and trust your own instincts. It's a call to live fully, unapologetically, and to prioritize your personal desires over external judgments.

Jun 10, 2025 • 27min
What I learned from my trip to Iran
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share the powerful mindset shifts I experienced during a recent trip to Iran. From confronting my addiction to productivity to witnessing the deep-rooted value of community, the trip forced me to slow down and rethink how I want to live. I talk about embracing the 50/50 nature of life—how even beautiful moments come with discomfort—and how letting go of perfection allows for richer experiences. If you’ve been craving more connection, rest, and presence in your life, this episode is a gentle push to start redefining what success truly looks like.

Jun 3, 2025 • 31min
Produtivity Addiction
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore our cultural obsession with productivity and why so many of us struggle to truly rest. I share personal reflections from a recent trip abroad that challenged my deeply ingrained beliefs about busyness, urgency, and worth. We dive into how capitalism and hustle culture have programmed us to equate rest with laziness—and how to begin unlearning that. If you're feeling burnt out, this episode will help you reframe rest not as something to earn, but as something essential. Plus, I share practical steps to help you reclaim rest without guilt.

May 27, 2025 • 45min
Navigating Career Grief with Laverne McKinnon
In this powerful episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive deep into the often-overlooked grief that comes with career transitions. Joined by grief coach Laverne McKinnon, we explore how letting go of an old identity—especially one built around achievement and people-pleasing—can feel like a profound loss. We discuss how grief shows up in unexpected ways, why it’s a necessary part of transformation, and how embracing it can lead you back to your most authentic self. If you’re navigating burnout, a layoff, or a career pivot, this episode will help you understand the emotional side of reinvention. You can find Laverne at: Substack: https://moonshotmentor.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavernem/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWBuL2OWgglO_YHyFdJOGpg