After an unplanned but much-needed January break, Amanda and Katie are back behind the mic for a check-in.

In this episode of Less Than Expert, we’re catching up on life updates, talking through why we took the month off, and sharing what we’re (loosely) planning for the year ahead…without the pressure of resolutions, reinvention, or pretending we have it all figured out.

Think: banter, reflection, recalibration, and a reminder that it’s okay to start the year slowly.

What We Cover

• Why January didn’t go as planned
• Life updates since we last recorded - the serious and the absolutely not serious
• How we’re thinking about the year ahead

Who This Episode Is For

• Anyone easing back into work or creativity
• People who started the year tired instead of motivated
• Listeners who like our banter more than the advice

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Resources

• @chaninicholas
• @kirsty_gallagher_
• @itsdrglutes
• @benbrunotraining
• @melissawoodhealth
• Vanity Affair astrology reading article
• https://thriveworks.com/ - therapy that accepts insurance!

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

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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.

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