

Teach Me How To Adult
Gillian Berner
Adulting isn't easy, but we got you. Teach Me How To Adult is a smart, unfiltered podcast on everything you never learned growing up, because let’s be honest, no one prepared us for this. Between landing your dream job, crushing your love life, learning to invest, mastering your mindset and figuring out how to be happy along the way, there’s a lot to navigate.
Join host Gillian Berner every week for expert interviews and game-changing advice on how we can all live our best lives. There’s more than one way to adult, and it is not always linear. So follow along as we figure it out together.
Join host Gillian Berner every week for expert interviews and game-changing advice on how we can all live our best lives. There’s more than one way to adult, and it is not always linear. So follow along as we figure it out together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 1h 1min
If You’re Burnt Out Or Hate Your Job, This Is For You: The “Achievement Lie” That’s Ruining Your Career, with Top Career Coach Megan Hellerer
Feeling stuck in your career, burnt out, or questioning if it’s time to quit? This episode is for anyone navigating a career pivot or craving more purpose and fulfillment in their work
We’re joined by career coach, author, and former Google executive Megan Hellerer to unpack how to find an aligned career and make confident decisions about your next chapter.
We explore the truth behind the Achievement Lie, and why so many millennials feel anxious, lost, and burned out despite being successful. You’ll learn the difference between your “fear self” and your “true self,” why logic alone won’t lead you to the right decisions, and how to start making decisions based on what actually feels aligned.
After doing everything “right” — graduating from Stanford, landing a high-powered role at Google — Megan found herself deeply unfulfilled and ultimately quit away with no plan. She went on to develop her now widely recognized framework, Directional Living®, and wrote a popular book with the same name, helping ambitious but disconnected high-achievers (like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez!) rebuild careers that actually feel good.
Tune in for more on:
The “Achievement Lie” and how it keeps you stuck
How to know when it’s time to quit your job (vs. making changes to stick it out)
The difference between burnout from overwork vs burnout from misalignment
How to tap into your intuition and inner navigation system
The difference between your fear self vs true self in decision-making
Practical exercises to uncover what actually lights you up (even if you feel lost)
Why your curiosity and joy are so helpful
How to overcome fear, uncertainty, and decision paralysis
The 4 decision-making “omens” to avoid
Why there’s no single “right” career path — only what’s right for you right now
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 30, 2026 • 8min
ICYMI: The Psychology Of Getting Organized, And The Link Between Anxiety And Organization, with Megan Golightly
Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from one of our guests that you might have missed.
I'm moving this week, and in preparation, I've been listening back to our episode on organization so I can put systems in place to (finally!) start my new home with an organized framework.
For anyone itching to spring clean or tackle that "problem area" of your home, we’re throwing it back to the top questions to ask during your decluttering journey, neuroscience hacks to make organization a habit, and the psychology behind how you approach your belongings, with Megan Golightly.
Megan is a professional home organizer and founder of Simplified, which helps people organize, pack and unpack their homes. Megan blends her degree in psychology and passion for neuroscience research with practical organization strategies.
Listen to our full episode with Megan Golightly here.
Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes.
Follow Megan:
go-simplified.com
@gosimplified/
Organization Guides: go-simplified.com/guides
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 25, 2026 • 13min
This Quality Is The #1 Predictor of Success (And It's Not Talent Or IQ) | The Quickie
What if the biggest predictor of success isn’t talent... but grit?
According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, grit is: Passion + perseverance for long-term goals. It’s the ability to stay committed, even when things feel hard or uncertain. As Winston Churchill said: “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
In today's quickie, we’re breaking down the psychology of grit, and why your ability to stay consistent matters more than IQ, natural ability, or connections.
If you’ve ever felt behind, not “naturally gifted,” or unsure of your potential... this episode will reframe everything.
Tune in to hear more about:
Why grit is the #1 predictor of success
Angela Duckworth's groundbreaking studies on success
How to stop disqualifying yourself from your potential
The link between grit, resilience, and mental toughness
Why passion matters (and burnout happens without it)
When to quit vs stick it out
How to build grit in your own life
The connection between grit and happiness
If you want to measure your grit, you can take the official Grit Scale by Angela Duckworth:
👉 The Grit Scale Quiz
✨ I'm officially on Substack!!! It would mean the world if you could support my writing by subscribing to my Substack here!
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 23, 2026 • 10min
ICYMI: The Invisible Way ADHD Shows Up In Women, And What Happens In ADHD Brains, with Shanna Pearson (Founder Of The World’s #1 ADHD Coaching Company)
Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from past episodes that you might have missed.
ADHD in adults is often missed or misdiagnosed... especially in women. We're throwing it back to this insightful info from ADHD coach Shanna Pearson, on the science and brain chemistry behind ADHD, the three types of ADHD and how symptoms differ drastically across gender, and why so many women are diagnosed with anxiety before discovering they have ADHD.
Shanna Pearson is the founder of the world’s largest one-on-one ADHD coaching company, working with thousands of adults with ADHD every year, and the bestselling author of Invisible ADHD.
Follow Shannon and check out her book:
https://www.adhdcoaching.com/
https://www.invisibleadhd.com/
Listen to our full episode here.
Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes.
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 18, 2026 • 16min
The "Loathe Language" Theory: How Your Toxic Traits And Love Language Are Connected | Re-release
What if your biggest self-sabotaging habits are actually the inverse of your love language? We’re diving into the psychology of "loathe languages", and how your unmet emotional needs might be showing up in your toxic traits.
After seeing a viral idea about “loathe languages” (the shadow side of your love language), we’re unpacking how the very ways you need love might be the exact areas you unintentionally block it.
If you find yourself defaulting to isolation, negative self-talk, avoidance, deprivation, or burnout, understanding and interrupting your 'loathe language' can help you better meet your needs before you spiral.
Tune in to hear about:
The connection between love languages and self-sabotaging behavior
What your “loathe language” is and how it shows up in daily life
Why quality time types may isolate or withdraw from loved ones
How acts of service can turn into over-functioning, burnout, and refusing help
The opposite side of physical touch (avoidance, disconnection, neglecting self-care)
How words of affirmation can become harsh self-criticism and negative inner dialogue
Why gift-giving/receiving can manifest as impulse spending or restriction
Recognizing when you’re in a self-sabotage cycle
How to meet your needs in healthier, more aligned ways
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 11, 2026 • 18min
Your Brain Wasn’t Designed for This Much Bad News… How To Protect Your Mental Health When The World Is In Chaos
If the news is ruining your mental health, listen to this.
News anxiety is at an all-time high as we’re bombarded with breaking headlines and social media coverage of... every single shitshow that's simultaneously unfolding globally. And unlike previous periods of unrest throughout history, it's all delivered straight to our phones, 24/7, for us to worry about.
Washington D.C. therapist Steven Stosny coined the term "headline stress disorder" to describe the huge mental health impact of our nonstop news cycle. In this re-release, we explore how to stay informed and consume the news responsibly while protecting our mental health. Because we can't make an impact if we're operating in overwhelm and hopelessness.
Tune in to hear more about:
✅ How the 24-hour news cycle fuels anxiety & fear-based algorithms
✅ Ways to stay informed without feeling emotionally drained
✅ How to break free from doomscrolling & social media-induced panic
✅ Practical strategies to set news boundaries & curate mindful media consumption
✅ Why focusing on what you CAN control is key to mental resilience
✅ The importance of hope & positive news for your mental well-being
Looking for uplifting news sources? Check these out:
✨ Good Good Good
✨ Good News Movement
✨ Tank’s Good News
🔗 Read more on managing worry & anxiety at metacognitivetherapy.com.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 9, 2026 • 10min
ICYMI: If You Feel Shame, Guilt, Or Avoidance With Your Finances… Listen To This — with Jessica Moorhouse
Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from one of our guests that you might have missed.
Money can be a major point of shame, anxiety, guilt, and avoidance for a lot of us, so we're throwing it back to this deep dive with financial expert Jessica Moorhouse on the psychology of money and how to heal your relationship with it, so you can stop toxic financial habits and rewire your money mindset.
Jessica is a millennial money expert, speaker, Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada®, bestselling author of Everything but Money, host of the More Money Podcast, and a leading voice on personal finance and emotional literacy in financial wellness.
Listen to our full episode with Jessica here.
Check out Jessica's book, Everything but Money. Follow Jessica on Instagram, YouTube, and her website.
Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes.
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 4, 2026 • 18min
How To Stop Being So Judgmental (And The Judgments I’ve Had To Release) - The Quickie
Did you know that happy people are less judgmental? Nobody likes being judged… and for the judgmental ones, it doesn’t feel good either. We’ve all been judgy, and the truth is, being overly critical of others is often linked to insecurity, anxiety, perfectionism, and unhappiness.
Subscribe to my new Substack!
In this week’s quickie, we’re unpacking the psychology of judgment: where it comes from, why we do it, and how to become less judgmental in a world that fuels comparison and criticism about everything from how we parent, to how we look, to how we earn and spend our money.
Judgment usually says more about our own wounds than someone else’s behaviour. So we’re exploring the psychological drivers behind judging, and psychology-backed tools to shift into a more curious, understanding, and compassionate mindset.
Tune in to hear:
Why the ego needs to feel “right”
The link between perfectionism and criticism
How insecurity and comparison fuels judgment
The connection between self-judgment and judging others
Understanding the Fundamental Attribution Error
The blind spots I’ve had to confront in my own judgments
Using curiosity as the antidote to judgment
Challenging your assumptions and biases
Practicing self-compassion to reduce projection
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Mar 2, 2026 • 8min
ICYMI: Are You Stuck In One Of These Patterns Of Self-Sabotage? A Reset For Over-Achievers, with Leisse Wilcox
Welcome to today’s ICYMI, where we kick off the week with a quick game-changing tip from past episodes that you might have missed.
What achievement would feel like "enough" for you? Is there a level of success you'd ever be totally satisfied with? If you're an over-achiever that's always chasing what's next, this one's for you. We're throwing it back to this potent conversation with Leisse Wilcox, where we unpack the never-ending pursuit of more achievement, the 4 "P"s of self-sabotage (from perfectionism to people-pleasing) and how to actually feel like enough.
Leisse is a keynote speaker, leadership consultant, performance coach, emotional intelligence expert and two-times best-selling author. Known as “the Marie Kondo of your Unconscious”, She helps clients and businesses turns self-sabotage into success in each of life's cornerstone areas, combining strategic consulting and therapeutic coaching tools.
Follow Leisse on Instagram and check out her website.
Read Leisse’s bestselling books, To Call Myself Beloved and Alone: The Truth + Beauty of Belonging.
Listen to our full episode here.
Tune in every Monday for an expert dose of life advice in under 10 minutes.
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Feb 25, 2026 • 20min
Moving In With Your Partner? Money Conversations You Need to Have First, with Alyssa Davies
Moving in with your partner? Before you sign the lease, you need to talk about money.
As I prepare to move in with my partner for the first time (your girl’s growing up!), I revisited our practical and helpful conversation with personal finance expert and author, Alyssa Davies, about how to navigate your finances when you’re merging lives with your partner, and how to set yourself up for success when you’re moving in together.
We dive into the financial conversations every couple should have before moving in — from how to split rent and household expenses when your income is different, to structuring joint finances in a way that feels equitable and aligned with your shared goals.
Because merging lives means merging money — and that’s hella vulnerable.
Alyssa Davies is a 2x author and the mastermind behind award-winning Canadian personal finance website and YouTube channel, Mixed Up Money, where she dishes out financial content for women who care about their money.
Tune in to hear:
Alyssa’s advice for couples who are moving in together
The most important money conversations to have
Different ways to structure your joint and separate accounts
Equal vs equitable expense splitting (and how to divide rent when your incomes are different)
How to protect your assets if your partner moves in
What to do if you have different spending/saving habits
Saving for big milestones together (travel, home, wedding, investments)
Avoiding resentment around money and contribution
Tools for successful budgeting with your partner
Follow Alyssa:
mixedupmoney.com/
instagram.com/mixedupmoney/
Alyssa's Budgeting Templates: mixedupmoney.com/shop
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube


