Mel shares her journey from bartending and restaurant management to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and how an unexpected pregnancy and NICU experience completely changed the direction of her life. We talk about what it looks like to truly “fly by the seat of your pants” in your twenties, the pressure to have everything figured out, and why some of the most meaningful paths come from the least planned moments.

In this episode, we cover:
Mel’s journey from restaurants and marketing into the healthcare field
The unexpected life event that led her to nursing school
Her experience navigating pregnancy, the NICU, and her own mental health
Why women’s mental health—especially during pregnancy and postpartum—is often overlooked
The stigma around taking medication during pregnancy
What perinatal mental health actually looks like (anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression)
Why there is no “zero risk” decision—and how to navigate that
Taking a “fly by the seat of your pants” approach to your twenties
Why your twenties should be a time of exploration, not pressure
Starting a career later in life and realizing you’re not behind
Letting go of timelines and societal expectations
How identity gets tied to careers—and why it shouldn’t
The reality of being replaceable in jobs, but still valuable as a person
Why we’re here to learn, grow, and share experiences—not just follow a set path

Support Mel:
Follow along on Instagram: @psychmedmom

As always, thank you for being here. If you’d like to support The Twenty Something Podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, and follow along on Instagram.

In this episode, we cover:
Juanita’s journey from nursing to real estate to business development
Why so many people in their twenties feel pressure to have it all figured out
The fear of changing careers and being perceived as inconsistent
The difference between stability and flexibility in different career paths
Why your job is not your identity
How comparison shows up in your twenties (career, relationships, life timelines)
The internal work that comes with growth and figuring out who you are
Why trying different paths is necessary—not a setback
Letting go of the “timeline” and doing things your own way

Support Juanita:
Follow along on Instagram: @juani.wilson

As always, thank you for being here. If you’d like to support The Twenty Something Podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, and follow along on Instagram.

What does it actually look like to go to law school—and what happens after you graduate?

In this episode, I sit down with attorney Anna Catherine to talk about her journey into law, what law school is really like, and the reality of stepping into a career that so many people think they understand—but often don’t.

In this episode, we cover:

• How she became a lawyer (even though it was never the plan)
• The truth about law school—and why it’s not as scary as people make it seem
• What law school doesn’t prepare you for in the real world
• The difference between “Big Law” and finding the right fit
• What it actually looks like working as a lawyer day-to-day
• Navigating a career without family connections in the industry
• The pressure to have everything figured out in your 20s
• Learning who you are vs trying to fit into who you think you should be
• Why not having a clear plan can actually work in your favor

Support Anna Catherine:
Follow her on Instagram: @annacattaylor
Follow her on TikTok: @greenvillelawyer

As always, thank you for being here. If you’d like to support The Twenty Something Podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it 🤍