The Goal Digger Podcast

After 968 episodes and nearly a decade, I'm pausing the Goal Digger Podcast. Season one is complete, and I'm so excited about what comes next. I've been searching for women who stepped back at the height of their careers not from crisis or failure but from peace, intention, and pure joy.

Jenna Kutcher announces she is pausing The Goal Digger Podcast after 968 episodes, marking the end of Season One. Rather than burnout or crisis, she steps away from a position of peace, intention, and joy—modeling a rare story of a woman choosing to leave something successful on her own terms. The through-line of her business has always been about reclaiming time, and this decision proves that her methods work: the business continues to thrive without her daily involvement. She shares what it feels like to expand rather than disappear, leaving the door open for a possible Season Two while still fully showing up for her community.

Jenna Kutcher sits down with her husband Drew for the first time in years to talk about what comes after the achievement timeline. With both daughters now in school, they're asking what they actually want—not what they're supposed to want. Drew reflects on becoming a stay-at-home dad with chickens, a garden, and a therapist, and they share how they're leading their marriage and family differently. The conversation covers intuition as a business strength, the power of slowing down, and what it really takes to grow together while growing individually.

Drew's back on the mic after a few years, and honestly, I wasn't sure what this conversation would uncover.

Becoming an entrepreneur is the most expensive personal development program you will ever pay for, and I'm not even talking about the money.

Jenna Kutcher reflects on the hidden personal costs of entrepreneurship, especially for women. She describes entrepreneurship as the most expensive personal development program—not financially, but in terms of the old self you must sacrifice. She shares her own journey of unlearning people-pleasing, permission-seeking, and the need to shrink herself. The episode revisits the rise and fall of the 'girl boss' era and hustle culture, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is ultimately about becoming someone who can handle the business, not just building the business itself.

Anna Malaika Tubbs is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and a leading voice in gender, race, and equity. Her newest book Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us is a wake-up call, one that challenges us to rethink everything from who gets remembered to who gets rewarded.

Jenna Kutcher talks with Anna Malaika Tubbs about how patriarchal systems thrive on self-doubt and erasure. Tubbs, author of Erased, explains that historical narratives have hidden women's contributions and conditioned people to question their worth. They discuss how reclaiming your full story and refusing to play small is an act of resistance. The conversation offers a framework for recognizing internalized narratives and stepping into visibility.

When you read the title of this episode, you may have thought that I’m here to tell you about the next app you need to download or the algorithm hack you're already late to. But no… Goal Digger, I'm here to tell you what I'm seeing beneath the surface.

Jenna Kutcher shares her top marketing predictions for 2026, focusing on the quiet, sustainable shifts that the smartest small business owners are already making. Instead of chasing new apps or algorithm hacks, she emphasizes building a business that you can sustain long-term—choosing presence over performance, saying no to the parts of marketing that are draining, and making strategic moves behind the scenes. This is not about adding more to your plate, but about exhaling and aligning with what's actually working beneath the surface.

Jenna Kutcher sits down with her mother Sue Shelerud for a candid conversation about motherhood, identity, and the quiet power of showing up deeply for others. They explore the differences between leading with presence versus performance, and what gets passed down across generations when impact is measured by connection rather than volume. Sue shares the wisdom gained from decades of shaping lives in classrooms and hospital hallways, offering lessons for anyone seeking to build meaningful influence.

Every time my mom comes on the show, you ask me to bring her back. You want her wisdom and her perspective, the way she sees straight through to what actually matters… and today, we’re giving the people what they want!

When I started this show, I was working from home, building a business in isolation, and I felt like an imposter in every room I tried to enter. I thought maybe a podcast could help me feel less alone. Maybe it could help me prove I had something worth saying.

Jenna Kutcher reflects on the unexpected transformations that came from consistently showing up for her solo podcast episodes. She shares how she overcame imposter syndrome and the fear of speaking alone, realizing that podcasting built her ability to hold space for ideas and connect deeply without an in-person audience. The episode offers encouragement for those considering starting a podcast, emphasizing that the real reward isn’t fame or downloads but the personal growth of giving yourself permission to speak your truth publicly.

Host Jenna Kutcher shares how she was stuck in a cycle of stress, exhaustion, and mystery symptoms until functional medicine dietitian Brigid Titgemeier helped her decode what her body was signaling. They discuss the top lessons from Jenna's health journey, updates in hormone health science, and actionable strategies for supporting the body through stress, perimenopause, detoxification, and energy recovery. Brigid explains the functional medicine approach to chronic symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, emphasizing root causes over quick fixes.

What if the fatigue, brain fog, or stubborn symptoms you’ve been brushing off are actually your body’s way of waving a red flag—one that could completely change your health if you knew how to read it? That’s exactly what happened to me a few years ago.

For nearly a decade, I've sat behind this microphone teaching strategies, sharing systems, and talking about how to grow a business that lasts. But beneath all of that has always been something deeper, and it has taken me years to find the words for what this work has really been about.

In a reflective solo episode, Jenna Kutcher pulls back the curtain on her decade of business-building to reveal a deeper purpose. She explains that beneath every strategy, pivot, and success was a single, unifying thread: the construction of a life that felt authentically hers. Starting from a small Wisconsin town with a $300 Craigslist camera, she traces the invisible through line of alignment, showing that the business was merely the vehicle for designing a life on her own terms.

Have you ever had a gut feeling that you ignored, only to realize months later you should have listened? Or maybe you're sitting in a decision right now, paralyzed, because you don't know if you can trust yourself anymore?

Jenna Kutcher talks with psychic medium and business coach Sheetal Story about why so many women entrepreneurs ignore their gut feelings and end up repeating painful patterns. They explore how to tell the difference between a needed pivot and a moment to push through, and how to let go of the guilt that comes when you want something different from the life you built. Story shares a perspective on intuition as a skill that can be relearned, even after years of being told you’re wrong. The conversation is a practical invitation to stop second-guessing and start trusting yourself again.

Jenna Kutcher delivers a comprehensive masterclass on email marketing, explaining why it remains a powerful and algorithm-immune channel in 2025. She covers how to start building a list from scratch, re-engage a stagnant list, and prepare for emerging trends that will shape the landscape through 2026. The episode serves as a step-by-step guide for beginners and experienced marketers alike.

In this episode, I'm giving you everything I know about email marketing: the timeless principles that have built my multi-seven-figure business, plus the emerging trends that will keep you ahead through 2026 and beyond.

Picture this: you're scaling your business without burning out. Actually, let me be more specific—you're scaling with the help of a team that never sleeps, never needs a vacation, and costs you almost nothing. Sound impossible? It's not. And today's guest is here to show you exactly how.

Emmy-winning media entrepreneur and futurist Natalie MacNeil joins Jenna Kutcher to discuss her AI Dream Team™ — a system of over 40 specialized GPTs for handling core business functions. She explains how entrepreneurs can delegate routine work to AI to scale without burning out, while still preserving a human touch. The conversation introduces her framework for integrating AI into a business with intentionality and strategy.

When you started your business, you probably thought it was going to give you freedom. More time. More flexibility. The ability to be present in your life, not just busy in your business. But somewhere along the way, it started to feel like the opposite. Like you're always on. Always behind.

Jenna Kutcher, host of The Goal Digger Podcast, shares the practical business systems she implemented to stop being run by her business. In a solo episode, she contrasts the initial promise of freedom in entrepreneurship with the reality of constant busyness, and explains how the right systems gave her back her time, energy, and life. The episode walks through the exact same systems that have kept her business consistent and low-stress for seven years, offering a realistic, non-fluffy approach to building a self-running business.

Jenna Kutcher flips the script as her VP of Operations, Marisa, steps into the interviewer's chair. In this candid conversation, Jenna reflects on the personal and professional shifts that have redefined her business, from leadership lessons to team changes. She shares what's stretched her, the concepts that have shaped her recent decisions, and how her relationship with her audience has evolved. The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the brand's future direction without giving everything away, inviting listeners into the messy, intentional process of building and bending a business.

What happens when the person who usually asks the questions… becomes the guest? Today’s episode is a little different, because the tables are turning on me.

I'm going to say something that might sound crazy: I spend less than an hour a week on one platform, and it drives over 20,000 visitors to my business every single month. No dancing. No trending audio. No desperate posting three times a day hoping someone sees it.

Jenna Kutcher shares her strategy for using Pinterest to drive traffic to her business with minimal time investment. She explains how she gets over 20,000 monthly visitors while spending less than an hour a week. She contrasts Pinterest's algorithm, which favors lasting content, with the exhausting demands of other social media platforms. This episode offers insights on making Pinterest work without dancing, trending audio, or constant posting.

In this coaching session, host Jenna Kutcher and high-performance coach Shilpi Zalani dive into the power of email marketing as a foundation for consistent sales. They explore how to build an email list from scratch—even without a large audience—by using lead magnets that genuinely convert. The conversation focuses on how to sell through email in a way that feels authentic and service-oriented, rather than pushy. Jenna contrasts the reliability of email with the volatility of social media algorithms.

If you’ve ever stared at your email list wondering why it’s not growing or if you’re not even sure where to start, this coaching session is going to light a fire under you.

In this solo episode, host Jenna Kutcher tackles the difficult question of when and how to speak up about personal beliefs on your platform. She shares her own journey from letting actions speak for themselves to more direct communication. The episode covers the real costs of using your voice, how to decide which causes are truly yours, a fresh perspective on 'staying in your lane,' and the art of leading imperfectly while building bridges. Kutcher encourages listeners to find their voice without sacrificing relationships or authenticity.

I know this keeps a lot of us up at night: When do we speak? What do we say? What if we get it wrong? And honestly, I've been wrestling with it too… From letting my actions speak louder than my words for years, to finding my voice in ways that feel more direct and meaningful now.

Nicola Jane Hobbs, a chartered psychologist and founder of The Relaxed Woman movement, joins Jenna Kutcher to challenge the myth that rest is laziness. They explore why ambitious women—especially entrepreneurs—feel guilty when they slow down and how the pressure to do it all leads to exhaustion. The conversation offers practical strategies to restore rest as a non-negotiable part of sustainable success.

We live in a world where rest has been branded as lazy. Where women, especially ambitious women and entrepreneurs, are expected to do it all: run the business, raise the kids, support the family, maintain friendships, and keep it all looking effortless. But beneath the surface?

There are things I’ve never said on this podcast… not because they’re secrets, but because no one’s ever asked. Today, I’m going to open that door, and my hope is that in hearing my answers, you’ll think differently about your own.

Jenna Kutcher opens up about things she’s never shared on the podcast—not because they’re secrets, but because no one has ever asked. In this solo reflective episode, she invites listeners behind the curtain by answering ten unasked questions, hoping the conversation will spark personal reflection and new ways of thinking.

Mei Pak, founder of Creative Hive, shares her journey from earning $3/hour to building multiple 7-figure handmade businesses by simplifying her approach and ditching the hustle mentality. She discusses her 'Sale-a-Day Strategy' that enables consistent sales without relying on social media or Etsy. The episode offers a permission slip to streamline marketing, focus on visibility channels that actually convert, and let go of the pressure to do all the things.

We’ve all been fed the idea that “more is more” when it comes to growing your brand… but what if doing less is actually the key to unlocking your next level? Mei Pak is the founder of Creative Hive, and she’s built multiple 7-figure handmade businesses while completely ditching the hustle mentality.

What if your life ran like your business? What if you had streamlined workflows, clear responsibilities, and built-in rest and rhythm not just in your work, but in your actual daily life? As an entrepreneur with ADHD, I've spent years building incredible systems in my business.

Host Jenna Kutcher, an entrepreneur with ADHD, shares how she transformed her chaotic home life by applying business systems and workflows — what she calls a 'life operating system.' The concept, introduced by friend Natalie Ellis, involves creating clear responsibilities, built-in rest, and structured rhythms at home, just like in a well-run business. The episode offers a practical framework for anyone feeling overwhelmed by household tasks.

Jenna Kutcher interviews Bianca Gates, founder of Birdies, the footwear brand known for stylish comfort and a devoted community. Bianca shares how she built a community-first brand from her living room, turning customers into advocates through authentic connection. They discuss the power of lean-in circles—small, trusted peer support groups—and how to start your own. Bianca emphasizes that the feeling of belonging and confidence, not just the product, drives brand loyalty and growth.

Ever bought something you loved so much, you had to tell your friends about it? What if your entire business could be built around that kind of energy; where your customers don’t just shop, they stick around, support one another, and become your brand’s loudest cheerleaders?

Everyone's wrong about podcasting. They're telling you it's too saturated, too late, too hard. But here's what they don't know: 91% of podcasts are basically dead. While everyone's scared to start, you're walking into wide open territory.

Jenna Kutcher challenges the belief that podcasting is too saturated, sharing that 91% of podcasts are inactive—making the field far less crowded than it appears. She draws on her own experience building a show to over 100 million downloads and helping students launch successful podcasts. The episode reframes the 'too late' narrative as a myth perpetuated by those who quit early, and argues that now is actually the best time to start.

Jenna Kutcher sits down with Stacy Smith, a full-time teacher, mom, and host of The Biking Wellness Podcast, to answer her questions about growing a podcast with limited time, staying aligned with values while marketing, and measuring success when numbers are slow. Jenna shares insights from her own experience and encourages listeners to start their own podcasts despite feeling overwhelmed. The conversation offers practical encouragement for side-hustlers who want to launch and sustain a show without a huge time commitment.

Have you ever thought about starting a podcast but then talked yourself out of it because it felt too overwhelming, too technical, or you worried no one would listen? You’re not alone, and today’s guest is proof that you don’t have to have it all figured out to launch something truly powerful.

Burnout can creep in when we least expect it, and most of us don’t recognize we’re burned out until it’s already taken a toll on our health, our work, and our joy.

Jenna Kutcher discusses the subtle, hidden warning signs of burnout that often go unnoticed until they've already impacted health, work, and joy. She emphasizes the importance of early recognition and shares approaches for reversing burnout before it becomes overwhelming.

Jen Hatmaker joins the Goal Digger podcast to discuss her journey through what she calls a "Midlife Renaissance." After her identity, roles, and life fell apart, she rebuilt from a more honest and aligned place. She reframes the traditional midlife crisis as an opportunity to reassess societal expectations about womanhood, worth, and success, and to create a life and business that truly feel authentic. This episode offers permission to let go of what no longer fits and start over on your own terms.

If you’ve ever looked at your business, your brand, even your personal relationships, and thought, “This used to feel right… but now I’m not so sure,” you are not alone, and you are not broken. Jen Hatmaker is no stranger to the hard and holy work of reinvention.

Your perfectionism isn't protecting your reputation… It's protecting your ego. And it's costing you real money, real impact, and real progress toward the life you want to build. After building my business over the last decade, I've learned this hard truth: perfectionism is selfish.

Jenna Kutcher argues that perfectionism is selfish, not protective: it protects your ego while costing you real money, delaying your learning from market feedback, and withholding value from the people who could benefit. She reframes the problem as a moral and financial one, urging listeners to ship their work before they feel ready because the cost of holding back is tangible lost revenue and impact.

Kate Kordsmeier joins Jenna Kutcher to discuss building a business without social media. They explore why creators are shifting from algorithm-dependent platforms to SEO-driven growth, how AI is affecting organic search traffic, and ways to future-proof your visibility. Kate shares practical steps for showing up sustainably and avoiding burnout.

Feeling burnt out by the social media hamster wheel? You’re not alone. Today’s guest, Kate Kordsmeier, is here to show us there’s another way to build your business… and it doesn’t have anything to do with the Instagram algorithm.

Jenna Kutcher argues that the typical year-end hustle leads to burnout, and instead proposes intentionally slowing down to finish with clarity and momentum. She guides listeners through identifying quiet wins, cutting energy-draining activities, and shifting routines before January so the new year starts from a place of alignment instead of exhaustion. The episode reframes 'finishing strong' as choosing bold, aligned moves over chasing many good but scattered ideas.

If you're feeling the pressure to squeeze every last drop out of the year even though you're already running on fumes, this episode is for you. I'm going to show you how to finish the year aligned, not burned out, and why your best move right now might be to slow down on purpose!

Jenna Kutcher coaches flower farmer and garden educator Jennifer Gulizia on how to transform a hyper-niche passion — growing dahlias — into a profitable online course. The session covers why tightly focused topics can attract deeply engaged buyers and how to market a seasonal, time-sensitive course without trying to appeal to everyone. Listeners hear concrete guidance on refining an offer, building an aligned community, and embracing the advantages of a “too small” niche instead of competing with broader programs. Jenna also shares how launching her own first course completely changed her business and life.

Think your business is “too niche” to succeed online? In this coaching session, I’m chatting with Jennifer about how to sell a highly specific online course to a small-but-mighty audience… and how to attract the right people to grow a business that feels deeply aligned!

When I think about those first few years as an entrepreneur, I see a woman who was so full of fire and determination, but honestly had no idea what she was walking into. And I love her for that!

Jenna Kutcher reflects on her early entrepreneurial years, sharing hard-won lessons about strategy, boundaries, and courage. She emphasizes that every misstep and pivot was preparation for growth. The episode is a heartfelt reminder that the difficult stages of building a business are not wasted time. The five specific mistakes aren't detailed in the show notes, but the themes of pattern recognition, burnout prevention, and visibility offer valuable takeaways for anyone in the messy middle of figuring things out.

Jenna Kutcher sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart to explore the brain science behind intuition, synchronicities, and the senses we rarely discuss. The conversation examines how gut feelings are rooted in neural processes, why noticing patterns might be more than coincidence, and how ancient wisdom aligns with modern neuroscience. Dr. Swart also discusses concepts from her best-selling book 'The Source,' bridging manifestation and brain training. The episode offers a fresh lens on decision-making, overcoming blocks, and reconnecting with one's full potential.

Have you ever considered that angel numbers, gut feelings, and “random” synchronicities weren’t just coincidences… but clues? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr.

What if the most transformative mastermind of your life didn’t cost a dime and didn’t require matching notebooks, a private chef, or a keynote speaker? A few weeks ago, I did a mastermind in Chicago, and I want to talk to you about what made it one of the most powerful days of my year.

Host Jenna Kutcher shares how a recent peer mastermind in Chicago became one of the most powerful days of her year. She explains what a mastermind actually is, how it differs from casual networking, and why self-organized groups can be as transformative as expensive retreats. The episode offers practical guidance on creating a free mastermind to build a meaningful business network.

AI is now ubiquitous in business, from writing emails to outlining courses, leading many to wonder if human expertise is still needed. In this episode, Jenna Kutcher talks with Amy Porterfield about how AI is actually helping course creators succeed, not replacing them. The conversation emphasizes that your unique story, experience, and voice remain the most powerful tools in your business. It also addresses the question of whether creating an online course is still worthwhile in 2025, offering a clear answer for aspiring creators.

AI is everywhere: writing emails, building sales pages, and even outlining courses. So does that mean your expertise isn’t needed anymore? Absolutely not!

What if you could count on consistent income every single month without hustling harder, chasing the algorithm, or launching yourself into burnout? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on five ways to finally make that happen.

Jenna Kutcher shares her approach to building consistent monthly income without constant hustle, drawing on personal experience and stories from other entrepreneurs. The episode promises five strategies to replace scattered schedules and unpredictable paychecks with systems that create financial predictability. It's framed as a path to peace, profit, and purpose without burnout.

Dr. Morgan Cutlip discusses the invisible mental load that disproportionately burdens women, leading to burnout even when partners or teams are 'helping.' She explains why naming and sharing this load is critical for relationships, business, and personal well-being. The conversation covers practical tools for couples to rebalance responsibilities and how to stay present at home while running a business.

Jenna Kutcher turns the mic over to her listeners for an AMA episode, answering their questions with honesty and depth. Topics include pivoting a business when fear holds you back, navigating grief while building something meaningful, recognizing and addressing burnout, and the practical system she uses to organize client testimonials. She also shares what she’s been doing outside of work that’s rekindled her energy and joy.

Jenna Kutcher interviews Harvard-trained economist and author Anna Gifty about her new book, The Double Tax. Anna explains the invisible economic penalties that women—especially women of color—face in business and daily life. The discussion covers how these hidden costs affect pricing, funding, time management, and generational wealth-building. Anna offers both a diagnosis of systemic barriers and actionable tools for women entrepreneurs to push back and advocate for themselves.

Host Jenna Kutcher explores how entrepreneurs can evolve their brand in step with personal growth without starting from scratch. She shares a practical roadmap—from recognizing the internal nudge that signals it's time for change, to rewriting your mission, auditing your content, adjusting your strategy, and most importantly, bringing your audience along on the journey. The episode emphasizes that brand evolution, when handled thoughtfully, can deepen audience connection rather than cause confusion.

Jenna Kutcher talks with brand and web designer Jen Olmstead about turning your website into a strategic asset that attracts clients and generates sales while you’re away from your keyboard. They explore the importance of blending design with conversion strategy, the freedom that comes from a site that works for you, and how using templates can shortcut the path to a professional online presence. The conversation is a practical guide for anyone tired of feeling like they have to be always on to keep their business running.