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 🤍

What does it really take to build wealth in your twenties? In this episode, I sit down with financial planner Patrick Rogers (SmartPro Financial) to talk about debt, discipline, risk, and the mindset shifts that make the biggest difference when it comes to money.

Patrick shares his journey from engineering to building his own financial planning business, the risks he and his wife took early on, and why so many people feel stuck financially in their twenties. We break down the difference between making more money and actually creating financial freedom, and why small, intentional decisions compound over time.

In this episode, we cover:
Patrick’s journey from engineering to financial planning
Why so many people in their twenties feel financially stuck
The simple formula for building wealth: buying and owning appreciating assets
Why margin matters more than income alone
Whether you should invest while paying off debt
The role discipline plays in long-term financial success
Why taking calculated risks in your twenties can change everything
The reality of side hustles, entrepreneurship, and building something of your own
Rethinking college, career paths, and traditional success

Support Patrick:
Learn more at smartprofinancial.com
Follow on Instagram: @smartpro_gvl

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 look like to pursue weight loss and health without falling into the all-or-nothing cycle? In this episode, I sit down with nutrition coach and mom of two Kristen Wyatt (Wyatt Wellness) to talk about simplifying weight loss, breaking the binge/restrict pattern, and shifting your mindset from “start Monday” to starting now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Kristen’s story: from lifelong weight struggles to losing over 100 pounds

• Why most diets fail (and how yo-yo cycles get created)

• “Ready is a decision” and how to stop waiting for the perfect time

• The simplest place to start: calories, protein, and daily movement

• Why walking matters more than people think (physically and mentally)

• Strength training for longevity, not aesthetics

• How social media trends (GLP-1s, fasting, “skinny” culture) impact body image

• The role of accountability and environment in staying consistent

• How to approach eating out without feeling restricted

Support Kristen:
Follow her on Instagram: @wyatt.wellness

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 happens when the path you’ve worked so hard for no longer feels like yours? In this episode, I sit down with Greenville photographer and studio owner Maggie McDermott to talk about leaving the “high-achiever” path, quitting her PhD program, navigating identity shifts in her twenties, and building a creative business from the ground up.

In this episode, we cover:

Leaving the traditional academic path and redefining success

The pressure of being a high achiever and learning to let go

Motherhood and how it reshaped her priorities

Starting a photography business from scratch

From free shoots to full-time entrepreneurship

Opening a studio and building a personal brand

Listening to your gut and trusting a new direction

Support Maggie:

Follow her work and connect on Instagram: @maggiemaephotos and @blankcanvascreativestudio

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 happens when the sport that shaped your identity ends? In this episode, I sit down with clinical mental health counselor and former college athlete Kaitlin Corkren to talk about athlete mental health, pressure, identity shifts, and navigating life beyond competition.

In this episode, we cover:
Life after sports and identity transitions
Mental health struggles unique to athletes
Performance pressure vs. personal well-being
Team vs. individual sport challenges
Breaking the stigma around therapy
Starting a private practice in your twenties

Learn more about her practice or connect with her here: https://www.corkrencounseling.com

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.

Year 4 of sitting down with you all to talk about another year of my life!

Thank you all for being here!

If you'd like to support this podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, follow on Instagram, and share with a friend!