The World Builders

Jenni Gritters & Lindsay MacMillan
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The World Builders Podcast is a conversation hosted by best friends Jenni Gritters and Lindsay MacMillan—both creatives, entrepreneurs and former corporate climbers. Together, they explore intuitive living, career reinvention, and creative expression for the new paradigm, tackling topics like manifesting your dreams, debunking the starving artist myth, choosing vocation over job, and channeling higher consciousness. Each episode blends candid interviews, listener Q&As, and soulful conversation to help ambitious, curious humans build lives of purpose, aliveness, and creative freedom.

  1. 2d ago

    How to deal when people don't understand your work

    This solo episode with Jenni answers a community member's question: how do you handle it when people don't understand what you're doing — especially when you're pivoting from practical, rational work into your soul's work? Jenni shares her own journey of shutting down her traditional coaching business (22 one-on-one clients, a group program) to launch World Builders, and the identity rollercoaster that followed. She shares four core truths: The soul's path takes time to acclimate to. Moving from rational, "makes sense to everyone" work into soul-led work isn't instant — expect a pendulum swing between overly esoteric and overly rational framing before you find center. Jenny describes swinging from pure "lore and poems" into business-model language and back again before landing somewhere in between.Your frequency is changing — and so, thus, is your audience. As your energy/vibration shifts, the people who resonated with your old work may stop resonating, while new people start showing up. Jenny's email list lost 60 subscribers one month and gained 60 new ones — same size, but a full turnover of who's actually aligned. The loss is painful but necessary; it's not rejection, it's recalibration.Honor the version of you that "can't come to the phone" anymore. The old identity (the one who needed to be liked, understood, and safe by fitting into a box) has to be let off duty — not erased, just retired with gratitude. Trying to keep operating as that old self in the new work creates dread and resentment.Being misunderstood is an invitation to heal in real time. The discomfort of someone not "getting" your work flares up old people-pleasing and over-explaining patterns. Choosing the brave, honest description of your work (instead of the easy, palatable one) is the actual growth work — and not being liked by everyone is reframed as freedom, not failure.The throughline: you're not responsible for being understood by everyone — only by the people who are in resonance with your current frequency. The rest is allowed to leave. Resources: Florence GivenChelsea DianeThe World Builders Collective– community space with workshops, open mics, and Builders Lab sessions (join now to access a two week free trial!)The Clearing – a free three-part money ceremony series happening Fridays in OctoberThe World Builders Councils – six-month cohort programs where do the work of helping you step into your fullest expression and power (applications now open for the Earth cohort, which starts end of October)

  2. 4d ago

    The great career awakening no one warned us about

    Jenni and Lindsay dig into the quiet career crisis so many of us are feeling right now — the sense of disillusionment, burnout, and "what the hell am I doing" energy showing up across careers everywhere. They trace their own breakdowns, from bathroom-stall meditation sessions at Goldman Sachs to the moment Jenni realized she didn't want her boss's job, and unpack why this isn't a personal failure but a generational shift in our relationship to work. They also consider that this might be more of an awakening than a breakdown, one that asks us to get curious first instead of immediately overhauling our entire lives. By the end, you'll feel less alone in your doubt and have real, practical ways to start listening to what your body and spark are already telling you. What We Cover: The "six-to-eight month cliff" — why new jobs feel exciting at first, then suddenly don'tMasking at work and the cost of hiding your true self to stay "safe"Jenni's moment of clarity: looking at her boss and realizing "I don't want her job"Lindsay's story of losing a friend to suicide and how it shifted her relationship to ambition and corporate lifeWhy this career disillusionment is generational, not personal — and the Maslow's hierarchy lens on why it's happening nowThe difference between liberation and empowerment over generationsWhy quitting dramatically isn't always the answer; the case for "mini pivots" and decentering your job as your identityHow to use curiosity (not a five-year plan) as your compass right nowLetting go of the idea that there's one "dream job" or destination that will finally make you feel okayWhy talking about this out loud, with other people, is the fastest way out of the spiralResources: Join The World Builders Collective — community and conversation for creatives navigating this exact shiftSign up for The Clearing, a 3-part money series (free) hosted by Jenni in October, which will ask you to get curious about how you make financial and career decisions

  3. Oct 1

    Audience question: How do I prioritize my creative work over my practical work?

    This week, Jenni and Lindsay answer an audience question they've received three times over: How do you prioritize creative work when "practical" work is demanding your time and energy? They break down why this is actually a false binary: creativity isn't separate from your business or career, it's the engine behind both. From writing books during nap times to drafting a novel in a single month, they share real, unpolished stories of how creative work has fit (imperfectly) into full lives, corporate jobs, and motherhood, and why nonlinear payoff doesn't mean it isn't worth prioritizing. They also get tactical by covering how to structure sacred creative time even with 45 minutes twice a week, how to identify whether you're in ideation, expression, or output mode, and why accountability, containers, and letting the first draft be "really bad" are essential parts of a sustainable creative practice. This episode is a permission slip to stop treating your creativity as a side project and start recognizing it as core to your life force, your business growth, and your ability to show up as your fullest self. Why creativity and "practical" work aren't actually oppositesHow to build sacred creative time into a packed schedule (even 45–90 min blocks)Identifying which creative phase you're in: ideation, expression, or outputWhy creative work often pays off nonlinearly — and why that's the pointUsing accountability and containers to stay consistent with creative projectsLetting go of perfectionism to protect your creative momentumHow creativity fuels productivity, promotions, and business growthManaging creative guilt and procrastination as a business owner or parentGetting family or partners on board to protect your creative timeWhy creative expression is essential to mental, emotional, and spiritual healthResources: Jenni's book, The Sustainable Solopreneur (check out the chapter on creativity)The World Builders Collective is now open: https://www.theworldbuilders.co/the-collectiveSign up for our October money ceremonies here (free!): https://www.theworldbuilders.co/the-clearingFollow Lindsay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lkmacmillan/Follow Jenni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-gritters-a4837329/

  4. Sep 29

    A candid behind-the-scenes chat about business pivots & what to do when your anxiety gets loud

    In this candid, unscripted update, Lindsay and Jenni pull back the curtain on what's really happening behind their businesses right now — the pivots, the panic, and the quiet anxiety neither of them expected to still be feeling. They talk openly about burning down and rebuilding a business model mid-year, outgrowing an offer that was finally working, and the strange grief of watching people unsubscribe or step away when you evolve. It's a real look at what it feels like to be a sensitive, intuitive entrepreneur navigating a "fire horse" kind of year — one full of big leaps, hard falls, and constant recalibration. This episode is for anyone feeling stuck, overstimulated, or like their inner critic has gotten louder lately. Lindsay and Jenni also share the practical tools, mantras, and mindset shifts getting them through — proof that growth rarely feels as clean as it looks from the outside. Why business pivots often come with unexpected anxiety and self-doubtHow to know when you've outgrown your current business modelNavigating the fear of losing clients or followers when your work evolvesSimple grounding tools for calming an overactive, anxious mindThe difference between building from wounding vs. building from purposeWhy "enoughness" is a moving target during seasons of growthPractical rituals for staying regulated during high-pressure transitionsRedefining ambition and success on your own termsHow isolation makes anxiety worse — and what helps insteadEmbracing uncertainty as part of sustainable, aligned growthResources: What's happening during Libra season & why it's the great re-balancing (Jenni's Substack)Jenni's Council program (next cohort begins end of October)The Visibility Vortex (co-hosted by Jenni and Lindsay, join by end of September to get access through The Collective!)The World Builders' Collective is now open to the publicJoin our free money ceremonies through the month of OctoberLindsay's 1-1 coaching is booking up

  5. Sep 24

    New paradigm publishing | Lindsay's thoughts on why influencers are walking away from book deals

    Lindsay takes a solo dive into "new paradigm publishing," unpacking four major shifts reshaping the book industry as the old traditional-publishing playbook collapses. She explores: why major influencers are walking away from big book deals in favor of creative ownership, why nonfiction sales are cratering under AI-saturation, why book deals are now happening in reverse (platform first, deal second), and why huge follower counts no longer guarantee a book deal. Drawing on her own journey — four traditionally published books, one self-published poetry collection, and a USA Today bestseller this year — Lindsay argues that authors must reclaim creative sovereignty rather than wait to be "chosen." The episode closes with three tactical takeaways: only write a book if it's truly spilling out of you, build your own platform regardless of publishing path, and trust your body/intuition over industry noise. Key Takeaways: Why are influencers refusing traditional book deals? Creative ownership, IP control, and the reality that six-figure advances net very little after publisher cuts.Why are nonfiction book sales declining? Market oversaturation, AI-written or AI-assisted books flooding shelves, and readers turning to podcasts/ChatGPT instead of 300-page books.How are book deals changing in 2025? Agents and publishers now approach authors after they've built a visible platform and proven demand — not before.Do social media followers guarantee a book deal? No — publishers have been burned by high-follower authors whose books didn't sell, so follower count no longer predicts book sales.What kind of nonfiction books are still succeeding? Ones with distinct personality, humor, and voice — not generic advice books that could've been a blog post.Should you write a book or choose another format? Only write a book if it's an undeniable soul-calling; otherwise consider Substack, podcasting, or short-form writing instead.What's the new author success formula? Build an audience first, self-publish or traditionally publish from a place of leverage, and use intuition — not trends — to guide the medium. Resources & References Mentioned: Jordan Younger's Substack — read her essay about returning a multi-six-figure book advance to self-publish insteadWorld Builders Collective — join us in community for a 30-day Visibility Challenge (2 weeks free) starting the 25th of September, including a kickoff call, weekly voice notes, and accountability pods Follow Lindsay's work: https://www.lindsaymacmillancreative.com/

  6. Sep 22

    Your creative compass & the AI quandary | Why does using generative AI make me feel hungover?

    Jenni and Lindsay dive deep into their personal, evolving relationships with generative AI, from early curiosity to a genuine "AI hangover" crisis Jenni experienced this spring when she let AI briefly drive her business strategy instead of her own intuition. They unpack the difference between using AI for operations (scheduling, transcription, budgeting) versus creative origination (writing, strategy, art), arguing that outsourcing the latter dilutes both the work and the creator's growth. The conversation then moves into bigger territory: the "oracle vs. robot" societal split, AI's spiritual/energetic hollowness, and the risk of AI becoming a tool of distraction and disempowerment, before landing on practical boundaries like calendar-blocking AI use, journaling rituals, and trusting your own creative compass. Key Takeaways : What is generative AI vs. background AI? Generative AI creates new content/strategy; background AI (search engines, accounting tools) just runs quietly in existing software.How to know if you're overusing AI in your business: Watch for anxiety, jaw-clenching, "scrolly" addictive pull, and launching too many ideas at once that don't feel like "you."Good uses of AI: Transcription, meeting/podcast summaries, PowerPoint/slide design (Gamma), budgeting math, recipe planning, competitive research synthesis, medical symptom research.Bad uses of AI: Writing books/poetry, generating business strategy from scratch, building "AI clones" of coaches, writing landing page/sales copy without a human voice.The "operations vs. art" framework: Automate logistics; never outsource origination or creative ideation.The "oracle vs. robot" path: A societal fork between analog/intuitive/community-based living and full AI/tech integration.Why AI-generated creative work feels "hollow": Studies show people don't retain AI-written content; it lacks human resonance and energetic exchange.Practical boundaries: Calendar-block AI use, protect a no-phone/no-AI creative window each morning, use AI only after checking in with intuition first. Resources: World Builders Collective: Join an AI-free 30-day content creation challenge within our community for $97/month with a 2-week free trial. Details here: https://www.theworldbuilders.co/the-collective

  7. Sep 17

    The seasonal recalibration framework: How to realign your life and business every 3 months

    In this solo episode, Jenni shares the exact framework she uses to recalibrate her life and business at every seasonal shift — inspired by dropping her kids off for their first days of preschool and first grade in the same week. After a summer of major internal shifts (pulling her kids from camp, simplifying her family's finances, and stepping into her first season of leading a team), Jenni walks through the three-part process she teaches clients: Foundational assessment (auditing your priorities, values, vision, commitments, and money);Identifying the gap between your calendar and your actual priorities;Eaking tiny, sustainable actions across six life buckets — body, spirit, creativity, relationships, work, and home. She shares real examples from her own recalibration, including her new hourly rate calculations, therapy scheduling, and a "friend date every two weeks" commitment, plus a case for why quarterly check-ins (timed to the equinoxes and solstices) — not New Year's resolutions — are the real key to sustainable growth. This episode is a practical companion to her book The Sustainable Solopreneur and a perfect listen for anyone feeling the pull of a new season and wondering how to actually act on it. Resources: 1-1 Seasonal Recalibration Sessions with Jenni: https://calendly.com/theworldbuilders/seasonal-recalibrationThe Visibility Vortex — the 5-week program starting September 22nd, co-led by Lindsay with Jenni as supporting coachEmail: hello@theworldbuilders.co for listener questions/topic requests

  8. Sep 15

    Too visible to ignore: The new rules of career visibility

    Join the Visibility Vortex before September 22nd: https://www.theworldbuilders.co/visibility-vortex Visibility is having a cultural moment and in this episode, Jenni and Lindsay unpack why so many creatives, entrepreneurs, and corporate professionals are feeling called to be seen right now, even when it feels deeply uncomfortable. They trace their own visibility journeys, from Jenni literally crawling under a table as a child to avoid attention, to Lindsay's public relations crisis after leaving Goldman Sachs, and explore why the old rules of "get picked, then get visible" no longer apply in today's creator economy. This episode is a candid, nervous-system-aware guide to showing up online without losing yourself. In this episode, we discuss: Our personal visibility origin stories — from childhood conditioning to corporate constraints, and how each of us learned to associate being seen with dangerThe old paradigm vs. the new paradigm of visibility — why "wait to be picked" is dying, and "too visible to ignore" is the new modelWhy AI is changing the visibility game — content overload means authenticity now outperforms polish and algorithm-gamingThe myth of the million followers — why 100 true super fans matter more than viral reach, and how to measure success by your ability to "fill a room"Navigating projection and hate — how to hold your center when your growing visibility invites both obsession and criticismCorporate visibility blocks — practical strategies for showing up authentically even when you fear professional consequencesThe belongingness wound — why chasing likes and shares often masks a deeper need for real-life connection and communityOur current visibility blocks — an honest look at what we're each still working through, from niching struggles to fear of being dislikedWhy visibility matters beyond ego — the case for creative and intuitive leaders stepping into the spotlight to help build a new, more values-aligned worldAn inside look at the Visibility Vortex — our new 5-week program (starting September 22) designed to help you build sustainable visibility without dysregulating your nervous system Resources & Links Mentioned: The Visibility Vortex program (5-week cohort, starts September 22, ends October 23)Email for questions: hello@theworldbuilders.coThe World Builders Collective (monthly membership): https://www.theworldbuilders.co/the-collective

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4.6
out of 5
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About

The World Builders Podcast is a conversation hosted by best friends Jenni Gritters and Lindsay MacMillan—both creatives, entrepreneurs and former corporate climbers. Together, they explore intuitive living, career reinvention, and creative expression for the new paradigm, tackling topics like manifesting your dreams, debunking the starving artist myth, choosing vocation over job, and channeling higher consciousness. Each episode blends candid interviews, listener Q&As, and soulful conversation to help ambitious, curious humans build lives of purpose, aliveness, and creative freedom.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenni Gritters & Lindsay MacMillan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jenni Gritters & Lindsay MacMillan
  • Show Website
    The World Builders

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