What happens when everything you’ve worked for starts to feel misaligned—but you’re too successful to quit and too scared to stay?
In this episode, Kelli Thompson, leadership coach and author of Closing the Confidence Gap, returns to the show to talk about the messy middle—what she calls the “Poop Soup” phase—when clarity hasn’t arrived, but your gut already knows it’s time for change.
Kelli shares the story of her own career pivot, the rejection that woke her up, and the internal unraveling that followed. We talk about why doubt is a feature, not a flaw, how to recognize the difference between fear and dread, and why some of the most important decisions in life come down to choosing peace over resentment.
If you’re stuck in limbo, secretly fantasizing about burning it all down, or waiting for someone to give you permission—this episode is for you.
Resources & Links:
📘 Kelli’s book, Closing the Confidence Gap
https://www.amazon.com/Closing-Confidence-Gap-Potential-Paycheck/dp/1637554206
🎙 More from Kelli Thompson
https://www.kelliraethompson.com/
📧 Grab Kelli's success toolkit
https://kelliraethompson.myflodesk.com/
Chapters:
00:00 The Rejection That Sparked a Career Change
06:18 What “Poop Soup” Feels Like
12:40 When Confidence Isn’t the Problem—Clarity Is
17:33 Choosing Peace Over Resentment
23:59 The Danger of But-First Thinking
31:21 What Happens When You Wait Too Long
38:05 Kelli’s Rule for Making Hard Decisions
42:47 Why Doubt Is a Sign of Growth
48:20 The Aftermath of Walking Away