What if career freedom isn’t about walking away from work altogether, but about consciously redesigning how you work?
In this Outlaws Escapes episode, Kate and Shayla are joined by editor, book coach and founder of the Expert Author Academy, Kelly Irving, who shares how she radically restructured her business to avoid burnout, reclaim her time, and create a life that worked for her family.
A few years ago, Kelly and her family packed up their lives and travelled through 11 countries — all while she reduced her one-to-one workload and experimented with working just 20 hours across an entire year. In this conversation, Kelly unpacks what redesigning work actually looks like in practice, from delegation and community-led business models to letting go of perfection and the myth of indispensability.
Together, they explore career freedom, the courage to tolerate discomfort, and why bold change rarely comes from having a perfect plan — but often starts with simply naming what you want and beginning.
This episode is for anyone questioning traditional definitions of success, feeling the early signs of burnout, or wondering whether there might be another way to work, live, and lead.
In this episode, we discuss:
What career freedom really means (and what it doesn’t)
Redesigning work to reduce burnout and protect energy
Why working on your business matters more than working in it
Delegation, community, and letting others step up
Family travel as a catalyst for perspective and change
The power of intention, discomfort, and starting before you feel ready
More about Kelly Irving
Connect with Kelly at www.kellyirving.com or www.expertauthor.community
Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Nail your best book idea with the Book Canvas here.
If you loved this episode...
Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!).
Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us
Find out more
Website: www.outlawspodcast.com
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks
Connect with us
Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast
Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast
LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587
Email:
[email protected]
Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer