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

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.

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.