Gap Year: A Travel Novel about Empty Nesting (ft. Author, Lindsey Goldstein)

Host Vedant Akhauri welcomes author Lindsey Goldstein to discuss her debut novel, Gap Year (releasing February 3, 2026).This novel explored the journey of Jane, a 46-year-old CPA who faces the perfect storm when her husband leaves, her daughter goes abroad for a gap year, and she is offered a promotion she doesn't want. Instead of leaning in, Jane quits her job to climb the Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador - an adult gap year to reclaim the adventurous spirit she put on pause decades ago.We discuss: The Pivot from Non-Fiction: Lindsey discusses transitioning from writing personal essays for The New York Times Modern Love column to constructing a 320-page novel, and what she learned about the craft along the way.Indie vs. Big Five: An honest look at the realities of publishing. Lindsey shares why she chose the independent route with Egret Lake Books after navigating the agent query trenches, highlighting the creative control she retained over her title and cover. Second Chapters: The reality of figuring out what to do with your time and exploring forgotten parts of yourself as an empty nester.Career Burnout: Vedant doesn't claim to represent accounting or adjacent fields, but felt connected to the story after the surprise reveal that Jane's a CPA. Him and Lindsey dive into how the burnout common among CPAs compelled Jane's decision to take a gap year.Finding Levity in Loss: How to balance the heavy themes of divorce and empty nesting with humor. Lindsey and Vedant discuss the heartfelt comedy of a Gen X woman navigating hostel life with travelers twenty years her junior.Ultimately, it's a story about the psychology of second chapters and why Jane’s story is about self-discovery rather than just romance, despite the presence of a charming tour guide named Mark.Lindsey also teases her next project, described as Sliding Doors meets Stranger Than Fiction.Gap Year is available for presale now and releases officially on February 3, 2026.Pre-order the Paperback from Egret Lake BooksPre-order the Ebook on AmazonWebsite: lindseygoldsteinauthor.comSocials: Instagram @goldsteinlindsey TikTok @lindseygoldsteinauthor Substack: lindseygoldstein.substack.comIf you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to be notified of future episodes. You can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow us on Instagram @letstalkmediava.