332. The Jenga Game of Identity: Unlearning and Stepping into Your Next Chapter, with Sara Anderson

332. The Jenga Game of Identity: Unlearning and Stepping into Your Next Chapter, with Sara Anderson

From For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning by Megan Gillikin

December 17, 2025 · 41 min

About this episode

In this episode, Megan Gillikin talks with Sara Anderson about the challenges of unlearning and stepping into a new identity as a leader.

If you are a high-achieving founder or leader, you know the feeling of hitting a level of success only to realize: The person I've become no longer fits the life I built. Maybe you're restless, feeling a deep pull toward what comes next, but you are stuck between the fear of getting it wrong and the clarity of your true intuition. Today we welcome Sara Anderson, an executive coach and communication strategist who works with women leaders on presence, resonance, and personal power. Sara’s journey - from corporate tech to acting to coaching - gives her a unique perspective on the necessary, often uncomfortable work of stepping into a new identity. In this episode, you'll learn about: The core limiting belief you need to unlearn: How to distinguish between authentic desire and what you think will make you look impressive. The power of reframing fear: Why feeling scared isn't "wrong," but a sign you are meeting your edge. The Jenga Game of Identity: How to approach major life transitions by making small shifts instead of forcing a full, disruptive overhaul. The importance of internal growth metrics over external praise (sales, likes, applause). Tactical ways to regulate your nervous…

People in this episode

Host: Megan Gillikin

Guest: Sara Anderson

Topics covered

  • identity
  • unlearning
  • personal growth
  • leadership
  • fear
  • women empowerment

Keywords

  • identity
  • unlearning
  • leadership
  • fear
  • personal power
  • women leaders
  • coaching

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