What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the person you've become? In this episode, Megan talks to Amber Rae, who shares her story of a profound unraveling that began with a single, eye-opening moment, leading her to confront the truth about her marriage, her career, and the beliefs she had held for years. If you've ever felt that quiet pull to make a change but has been too afraid to follow it, you'll want to tune in. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why we are conditioned to ...
Aug 13, 2025•41 min
Today we're talking about that moment so many high-achieving business owners encounter: "What's next?" You’ve built something you're proud of, but a shift is happening. Maybe you’re craving more ease, simplicity, impact, or space and rest. The conventional wisdom tells us growth equals success, but the truth is, success gets to look different in every season and for every person. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is pause and redefine what success means to you, right now. This episode is f...
Jul 30, 2025•25 min
If you've been feeling that familiar drain of exhaustion, persistent brain fog, or like your body simply isn't keeping up with your high-achieving mind, this episode is going to hit home. From blood sugar and sleep to your environment and that annoying inner critic, this episode is about tuning in, clearing the noise, and finding your way back to feeling like yourself again. In this episode, you'll learn about: Sarah Reilly's personal, years-long journey with undiagnosed Lyme disease and how it ...
Jul 16, 2025•56 min
If you've found yourself stuck in overdrive, constantly pushing past empty, or saying "yes" when your body is screaming "no," this solo episode is for you. Megan explores the four crucial boundaries she had to implement after her own intense burnout season. This isn't theory; it's lived experience. Megan shares the raw truth about what changed, why it had to, and how these boundaries helped her reset, reclaim her energy, and build a more sustainable life and business. Will you take action to hel...
Jul 06, 2025•30 min
Are you caught in a loop of overthinking, over-planning, or playing it too safe? In this episode, Megan sits down with acclaimed psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona (Dr. Z) to explore how high achievers can break free from anxiety, over-analysis, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. This conversation is a must-listen if you're ready to untangle old patterns, create more ease, clarity, and alignment in your life, and finally trust yourself to navigate uncertainty. ...
Jun 18, 2025•55 min
You’ve checked the boxes. You’ve followed the rules. And still, something feels… off. If you’re standing in the middle of success and wondering, “Now what?”, this episode is for you. Laura Gassner Otting - bestselling author, keynote speaker, and all-around truth-teller - joins Megan to talk about identity shifts, outgrowing your former self, and the surprising power of trusting your intuition. This conversation is for the high achievers who are secretly exhausted. For the people-pleasers who ar...
Jun 04, 2025•43 min
At the end of 2023, there was this phrase I kept hearing in my head on repeat. "It doesn't feel safe to slow down." I'd end my days feeling completely depleted mentally, physically, and emotionally. And yet I'd still push myself to do more. Sometimes it was work stuff, sometimes it was home stuff. But I had this constant, almost compulsive need to be doing something productive at all times. Rest felt elusive, like this thing other people could do, once they'd earned it. For me, rest basically ju...
May 28, 2025•18 min
Today I'm sharing something big. It's a shift that's been a long time coming, one that mirrors the evolution that I've been going through behind the scenes for the last couple of years. It's part update, part story-time, and part love letter to you, to this podcast, and to what's coming next. ---- Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault , and...
May 21, 2025•13 min
For years, the events and hospitality industry has glorified burnout—long hours, nonstop chaos, toxic management—and called it passion. But what if there's a better way? Anthony Lambatos, CEO of Footers Catering and founder of Make It Better Every Day , joins us today to prove that you can build a thriving business and a culture people actually want to be part of. He’s created a workplace where fun and productivity go hand in hand, and where culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s lived and brea...
May 07, 2025•45 min
Ever feel like you're stuck in a rut — low on energy, scattered, or just... kinda over it all? You're not alone, and today's episode is for you. After hitting a few of those "blah" moments myself, I found three small (but powerful) habit shifts that helped me recharge my energy, refocus my mind, and rebuild my CEO mindset — without needing a 17-step system, a new planner, or a $5K mastermind. 🙃 And the best part? You can start them this week. They're free, they're simple, and they work. Today, ...
Apr 30, 2025•23 min
If you’ve ever had that feeling about someone on your team—the subtle “something’s off” whisper in your gut—you’re not alone. In this episode, Megan is joined by her longtime COO and teammate of 14 years, Gina Johnston, to unpack one of the trickiest leadership challenges: knowing when to coach…and when to cut ties. Whether you’re leading a team of 10 or just thinking about hiring your first assistant, this is the honest, behind-the-scenes conversation every business owner needs to hear. Because...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min
Ever feel like your business has taken on a life of its own—and you’re not sure if it still fits the version of success you’re chasing? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Megan Gillikin sits down with award-winning photographer, educator, and content creator Vanessa Joy, whose two-decade career has evolved from darkrooms to YouTube stardom and now… clean water wells in Kenya. This one’s about growth. But not the “scale at all costs” kind. We're talking about soulful evolution —the kind that h...
Apr 16, 2025•37 min
Let's talk about fear. I don't mean the kind of fear you might feel when you're being chased by a giant bear, or fear of all those dang bees that hang around your house. I mean the kind that shows up when you're about to raise your prices. Or finally launch that thing that you've been talking about for years. Or the fear that comes up when you say no to a client that's not the right fit. Or that fear that pops up when there's an opportunity in front of you that takes you off the path of what you...
Apr 02, 2025•16 min
For years, Kristi Coulter climbed the corporate ladder at Amazon, working long hours, hitting major career milestones, and earning great money—but at what cost? Eventually, she reached a breaking point, realizing she was living for her employer instead of herself. In her book, Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career, Kristi shares the eye-opening realities of hustle culture, burnout, and redefining success on her own terms. Have you felt the pressure to keep pushing, to say yes...
Mar 12, 2025•42 min
Today, I'm sharing three of the biggest, toughest, most game changing lessons I've learned in my 15 years of business. These are the things I want to share with you to help you realize and recognize them sooner than I did. --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @we...
Mar 05, 2025•23 min
Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, is so much more than just being good with people. It's about truly understanding yourself, reading the room, and fostering real, meaningful connections - whether that's with your clients, vendor partners, or even at networking events. EQ is a topic that can completely transform the way you navigate relationships in business and in life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The four pillars of emotional intelligence (EQ) and how to apply them in business ...
Feb 26, 2025•45 min
💡 If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, hit pause and go back to Episode 306 with Ian Ramirez first! Once a potential client fills out your inquiry form, the real work begins. Follow-up is where so many wedding pros lose leads—whether it's waiting too long to respond, overwhelming them with information, or blending into the sea of generic “Just checking in” emails. So how do you keep potential clients engaged without feeling like you're chasing them down? How can you use texting strategically ...
Feb 19, 2025•35 min
How many inquiries are slipping through the cracks because your contact form is actually pushing potential clients away instead of drawing them in? 🤯 Today, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked yet wildly important parts of your sales process—your contact form! My guest, Ian Ramirez, is a total genius when it comes to helping wedding venues (and really, all wedding pros) optimize their business operations. As the co-founder of Venue Help Desk and managing partner of Madera Estates, Ian ...
Feb 12, 2025•32 min
Alright, picture this—you’re newly engaged, stepping into a gorgeous venue, surrounded by wedding vendors, floral arrangements, cake samples, and a whole lot of decisions to make. Exciting? Absolutely. Overwhelming? Also yes. That was the scene at the Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh, where we attended a wedding vendor showcase to talk to real couples about their planning experience. We asked couples what they were looking for in vendors, what’s been the most surprising part of wedding p...
Feb 05, 2025•40 min
What does it truly mean to embrace your authentic self, even when it feels scary or uncertain? In this heartfelt episode, we welcome Don Mamone—photographer, speaker, author, and educator—to share their deeply personal journey of stepping away from societal expectations and living courageously outside the binary. Don’s story is one of vulnerability, courage, and redefining identity. From facing decades of repression to embracing their true self and becoming a powerful advocate for authenticity, ...
Jan 23, 2025•48 min
Let’s talk contracts, wedding pros! Are you confident that the clauses in your contracts truly protect your small business? Maybe you’re working off a template you bought years ago or piecing together bits you’ve found online. Or perhaps the thought of reviewing your contract gives you a pit in your stomach, and you’re not quite sure what some of the legal jargon actually means. If that’s you, this episode is here to help. From indemnity clauses to liability concerns to making your contracts wor...
Jan 15, 2025•38 min
It's that time of year where marketing is top of mind for small business owners! Except maybe you're frustrated because the marketing efforts you've been putting in aren't quite working, or maybe you're posting on socials hoping to stand out, but it feels like you're blending into that sea of sameness with wedding pros doing the exact same thing. Or, let's be real, maybe you're stuck in the analysis paralysis stage, where you're so overwhelmed with what to do from a marketing standpoint that you...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min
How are you currently using AI to lighten your daily load and your to do list? Have you felt overwhelmed by all the AI things and tech tools out there? Maybe you've bought in on a few, signed up for a few free trials here and there, but you don't have the time and capacity to dig in and explore what's really going to help you in your business. It's a lot. Well, today's episode is for anyone who's ready to simplify, streamline, and show up with more ease in their business and personal life by usi...
Jan 01, 2025•39 min
For the past five years, I’ve closed out each year with a special episode where I invite my husband to join me. Together, we’ve reflected on the learning lessons, wins, and everything in between. But this year, I’m doing things differently. I’m recording this solo, and with that comes a new perspective. This year has been transformational, and I feel called to reflect on it from a deeply personal place. I invite you to join me in looking back at the growth—both messy and beautiful—that this year...
Dec 18, 2024•22 min
Have you ever hit a wall? And I don't mean just a bad day, but a full on stop, like your body and your mind are just done if you've been there? Well today's episode is all about how you can tap into your energy while avoiding a complete stop burnout. ----- Connect with Erin King: Take the Energy Exam: https://info.theenergyexam.com/a/2147929576/eLXvc2XL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs.erin.king/ Website: https://erinking.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrserinking/ ------ (00...
Dec 04, 2024•53 min
As business owners, we’ve all been there—those million ideas a minute, right? Some of them make it through the "friends and family board of directors," and then we decide, let’s go for it! But here’s the thing: have you ever had an idea that felt amazing at first, only to later ask yourself, What the heck am I doing? Maybe you’ve poured time, energy, and resources into something you were sure would be a game changer, only to realize it wasn’t going to make the money you hoped—or maybe it didn’t ...
Nov 20, 2024•40 min
Last week, we gathered with 14 incredible members of The Planner’s Vault at our latest Workation retreat, held in a stunning lakeside home near Charlotte, North Carolina. As always, I was joined by my COO, confidante, and “work wife,” Gina, to lead our community through three transformative days of business-building, personal growth, and focus. In this special live-recorded episode, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look (and listen!) into the retreat as we answer questions straight from our member...
Nov 06, 2024•24 min
Clients don't just want great service. They value and prioritize experiences that stand out, that feel personalized, and that make them superfans of a brand or business. So how can you create unforgettable experiences that your clients will rave about to their friends? Today, Megan and Gina share some memorable experiences from the consumer side, and they share their tips on how it all relates to wedding pros. ---- Links Mentioned: Time-Saving Client Questionnaire Bundle: https://www.theplanners...
Oct 23, 2024•34 min
Should you expand your business to service new locations? It makes sense, right? If you have a business that's thriving in one area and you've already got an established brand, website and systems in place, it could probably work in another market, too, and everyone involved can make some more money. Yet it's not quite that simple. You personally can't be in more than one location at once. More markets also mean more team members, which means more logistical issues to navigate. So...should you d...
Oct 16, 2024•34 min
In part one of our conversation, Hannah Abad talked through the signs of burnout and how our nervous system reacts to stress. Today is a special mini-episode where she's giving you some actionable tips on what you can do when you're overwhelmed and sliding into panic mode. And I can tell you from experience that these strategies work. So let's take a moment to pause the chaos. ----- Hannah Abad Coaching @hannahabadcoaching Resilience Restoration Membership : --- Today's episode is brought to you...
Oct 11, 2024•14 min
