67: Lindsay Zohni on Entrepreneurship, Overcoming Anxiety, and Building Self-Esteem
Release Date: 02/03/2026
67: Lindsay Zohni on Entrepreneurship, Overcoming Anxiety, and Building Self-Esteem
Big F*cking Dreams
What happens when your self-worth has been built on performance, achievement, and external validation — and then that structure starts to crack? In this episode, Hannah sits down with Lindsay Zohni, CEO of The Growth Option, former LinkedIn top performer, and entrepreneur, for an unfiltered conversation about anxiety, imposter syndrome, entrepreneurship, and decoupling self-esteem from success. Lindsay shares her journey from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship, unpacking the deep psychological and somatic work required to step away from “golden handcuffs,” confront financial...
info_outline
66: Hannah Hotline: "I Have Toxic Friends and Want New Ones"
Big F*cking Dreams
If you’re successful in your career but exhausted by your friendships, this episode of Hannah Hotline dives deep into why high-achieving women often attract toxic friends — and how to change the pattern. Hannah responds to a listener who is excelling in her corporate career but feels emotionally drained by toxic friendships. From people-pleasing patterns and the fawn trauma response to misaligned values and burnout, this conversation dives deep into why ambitious people often tolerate unhealthy dynamics — and how to change that without burning your whole social life to the ground. If...
info_outline
65: Jenny Child on Grief, Career Transitions, and Presence
Big F*cking Dreams
In this deeply human conversation, Hannah sits down with former Oroton CEO, Jenny Child, to explore what happens after the title, the success, and the carefully built career identity. Jenny shares her experience navigating grief, leadership, and major career transitions, and how learning to slow down, let go, and be present reshaped not just her work — but her sense of self. Together, they unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty, to grieve versions of ourselves we’ve outgrown, and to build a life that isn’t driven solely by achievement. This episode is for anyone who’s: -...
info_outline
64: Hannah Hotline: "My Boss Calls Me Every Night at 7PM. Help!"
Big F*cking Dreams
In this episode of Hannah Hotline, Hannah responds to a listener who feels trapped in nightly 7PM work calls that aren’t true emergencies — and are starting to take a real toll on her health, energy, and self-respect. On paper, everything looks great: a senior role, great pay, strong performance reviews. But behind the scenes, constant availability has become the expectation — and setting boundaries feels terrifying. This episode dives into how to tell the difference between what’s truly required in your role and what’s become an unhealthy pattern — plus how to stop apologizing for...
info_outline
63: Having an Investor Mentality
Big F*cking Dreams
In this episode, Executive Life Coach, Hannah Kissel discusses the importance of adopting an investor mentality in various aspects of life beyond just finances. She emphasizes the need for long-term thinking and balancing different areas of life, such as health, relationships, and career. By identifying with one's future self and shifting personal identity, individuals can create lasting habits and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The conversation highlights practical steps to invest in oneself holistically, leading to a more fulfilling life. You'll learn in this episode: -...
info_outline
62: Hannah Hotline: "I make great money but hate my job"
Big F*cking Dreams
In this episode of Hannah Hotline, Executive Life Coach, Hannah Kissel addresses a listener's struggle with career fulfillment, exploring the tension between a high-paying job and the desire for a more meaningful career. She discusses different career orientations, the psychological challenges faced by high earners, and practical steps for transitioning to a more fulfilling path. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose and the sacrifices that may come with pursuing it, ultimately encouraging listeners to reflect on their own career journeys and...
info_outline
61: 2025 Reflection & 2026 Intention Setting
Big F*cking Dreams
In this reflective conversation, Executive Life Coach Hannah and Cory explore their experiences over the past year, using the Wheel of Life as a framework to assess their satisfaction in various life categories. They discuss their career aspirations, community connections, health journeys, and the importance of fun and recreation. The dialogue emphasizes the value of reflection for personal growth and setting intentions for the upcoming year. Reflection is essential for personal growth The Wheel of Life helps assess life satisfaction. Career satisfaction can fluctuate and requires active...
info_outline
60. Hannah Hotline: "I Hate My Boss"
Big F*cking Dreams
Welcome to Hannah Hotline! In this episode of the Big F*cking Dreams podcast, we tackle a common challenge among high performers: dealing with a boss who is inconsistent, incompetent, and a people-pleaser. A listener is heading into a crucial meeting with their VP and is tempted to "throw their boss under the bus" to gain a leadership opportunity. Life coach Hannah Kissel breaks down the essential strategy you need to handle this situation without sabotaging your career. Watch this episode if you're "over it and aiming up" and want to elevate your career conversation In this video, you...
info_outline
59. A Guided Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) Meditation for High Achievers
Big F*cking Dreams
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Big Fcking Dreams podcast. This is a powerful, guided meditation designed to help you connect with and unburden one of your protective "parts" using the framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. For high-achievers, overthinkers, and perfectionists, learning to speak to these parts, like the Inner Critic, the Martyr, or the People-Pleaser, is the key to reducing stress, building self-compassion, and stepping into your true Self energy. Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and let's begin the work of healing and integrating....
info_outline
58. 5 Red Flags That Are Destroying Your Career Confidence
Big F*cking Dreams
Are you losing your edge, but can't figure out why? You're objectively exceptional, but you still feel like an imposter and you're shutting down in important meetings. In this episode of the Big F*cking Dreams, Life Coach Hannah Kissel breaks down the 5 red flags that are silently crushing your career confidence and giving you true imposter syndrome. She dive deep into how perfectionism and people-pleasing are linked to burnout, and why you feel like you have to overgive to prove your worth. If you are struggling with low confidence, self-doubt, or always comparing yourself to...
info_outlineWhat happens when your self-worth has been built on performance, achievement, and external validation — and then that structure starts to crack?
In this episode, Hannah sits down with Lindsay Zohni, CEO of The Growth Option, former LinkedIn top performer, and entrepreneur, for an unfiltered conversation about anxiety, imposter syndrome, entrepreneurship, and decoupling self-esteem from success.
Lindsay shares her journey from corporate leadership into entrepreneurship, unpacking the deep psychological and somatic work required to step away from “golden handcuffs,” confront financial anxiety, and rebuild a sense of worth that isn’t dependent on titles, income, or productivity. This episode is especially resonant for high performers who look successful on the outside but feel stuck, anxious, or quietly dissatisfied on the inside.
This is a powerful, honest exploration of what it actually takes to grow beyond survival-driven success — and into freedom, presence, and aligned ambition.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Becoming CEO & releasing imposter syndrome
02:00 – The fear of being “not enough” without a title
04:30 – Corporate validation vs. entrepreneurial self-trust
06:30 – Limiting beliefs: “I’m just a salesperson”
08:00 – Fighting the system vs. fighting yourself
10:00 – Losing the corporate feedback loop
12:00 – Primal fear, money, and entrepreneurship
13:30 – Financial dysmorphia explained
15:30 – When self-esteem is tied to achievement
17:30 – Decoupling worth from performance
18:30 – Why success doesn’t disappear when self-esteem heals
20:30 – Feeling stuck despite “having it all”
22:00 – Anxiety, meditation, and the beginning of deep inner work
24:00 – Emotional completion vs. forgiveness
26:00 – Somatic healing and releasing stored trauma
29:00 – Why behavior change alone doesn’t last
31:00 – Childhood beliefs still running adult lives
33:00 – “Wherever you go, there you are”
35:00 – Advice for professionals considering entrepreneurship
37:00 – Building self-trust and listening to what lights you up
39:00 – Lindsay’s big dream: heart-centered leadership
Key Takeaways:
- Self-esteem tied to success creates anxiety, not fulfillment
- Imposter syndrome often survives achievement
- Entrepreneurship requires self-trust, not just competence
- Financial anxiety can persist even when you’re objectively “safe”
- Healing internal belief systems unlocks calmer, more sustainable success
- Somatic work helps release patterns logic alone can’t solve
- You don’t need to destroy ambition — you need to transform it
- True freedom comes from internal safety, not external stability
Connect with Lindsay:
-------
Gain Access to the free Career Confidence Course: https://www.hannahkissel.com/careerconfidence
The Truth About Imposter Syndrome: https://open.spotify.com/episode/129YgMPuJWGLQK5VB9CncR?si=a352646dfec6411a
Follow Hannah Kissel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahmaekissel/
Connect with Hannah Kissel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkissel/
Quiz: Discover Your Career Alignment Score: https://hannahkisselcareerquiz.scoreapp.com
#entrepreneurmindsets #HighPerformers #careerdecision #ImposterSyndrome #anxietyrecovery #ceostories #selfesteemmatters #EntrepreneurshipJourney #hannahkissel