What does “healthy living” actually look like when you’re just starting out in adulthood? Between work, social life, and just trying to keep your head above water, wellness can feel like one more overwhelming task on the to-do list. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this two-part mini-series, we’re breaking it down with guests Cara Chedid and Noah Tinker — two young adults who are passionate about fitness and wellness, and are figuring out what works for them in real life. Together, we explore how to make health less intimidating and more sustainable.

In part one, we focus on movement, routines, and small lifestyle shifts that actually make a difference. From finding ways to stay active without overthinking it, to building habits that stick (and forgiving yourself when they don’t), this conversation is about approaching wellness with balance, intention, and a little bit of fun.

Your twenties are often sold as the best years of your life—but for many of us, they’re also the loneliest. In this episode, Abby shares stories from moving back to London and a solo trip to Edinburgh, and digs into why so many young adults struggle with connection. From friendship drift to dating apps, she explores what makes this stage so isolating—and how to start finding comfort in both solitude and community.

What happens when your career path is anything but linear? In this episode, product designer Mareike Keller shares how she went from studying business administration, to working as a flight attendant, to returning to university later in life — before landing her role at Spotify. Along the way, we talk about the value of detours, how every experience builds transferable skills, and why it’s okay to take your time figuring things out. Mareike also reflects on the pressures to choose stability over exploration, and how staying open to change can lead you to your best opportunities.

In this episode, Abby Thayananthan speaks with guests Brennan Vacek and Kaushal Gokare to explore the complexities of navigating early career paths, job satisfaction, and the decision to leave a job. They discuss the importance of workplace culture, the balance between idealism and reality in work, and the role of personal values in shaping career choices. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-reflection and the need to evaluate one's job satisfaction regularly, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by many young adults in the workforce today.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Transition to Adulthood

03:08 Career Aspirations and Job Satisfaction

05:40 The Importance of Work Environment

08:41 Evaluating Job Expectations and Reality

11:32 Recognizing When to Move On

14:06 The Role of Relationships in Job Satisfaction

16:28 Balancing Work and Personal Life

19:22 Identifying Job Pros and Cons

21:56 The Quest for Fulfillment in Work

24:43 Personal Growth and Career Reflection

32:25 Intentional Time Management and Self-Reflection

33:48 Prioritizing Workplace Culture and Personal Growth

35:29 Navigating Career Changes and Expectations

37:41 Exploring New Career Paths: Law School Considerations

40:51 Embracing Career Flexibility and Life Changes

41:41 Finding Purpose Beyond Work

45:20 Recognizing the Gray Areas in Career Satisfaction

47:56 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Career Decisions

51:44 Navigating the Balance Between Work and Life

55:27 Identifying Signs for Career Transition

From her family’s refugee background to her acceptance at Harvard Law School, Abby shares the personal journey that shaped her transition into adulthood in this episode of The Grown-Ups Are Talking. She reflects on growing up in London, moving to the U.S., and navigating the uncertainty of figuring out who she is and what she wants. Through stories of education, identity, and shifting dreams—from a love of theater to a pursuit of law and podcasting-- with many unknowns still to come—Abby explores how we make sense of adulthood when the path forward isn't always clear. She also opens up about the origins of the podcast, its mission to facilitate honest conversations and encourage self-reflection, and the power of community in helping us feel less alone as we grow up.

In this episode, Abby introduces a new segment called 'Question Time', where she addresses listener questions about adulting. The conversation covers pivotal themes such as career transitions, the challenges and rewards of moving abroad, and the importance of networking in professional growth. Abby shares personal anecdotes and practical advice, encouraging listeners to embrace change and seek opportunities for personal and professional development.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction from LA: A New Segment Begins

02:38 Navigating Career Pivots: When to Stay or Go

11:26 The Journey of Moving Abroad: Independence and Growth

25:27 The Importance of Networking

26:05 Shifting Mindset: Networking as Relationship Building

27:15 Leveraging Existing Connections

27:36 Effective Online Networking

30:10 In-Person Networking Strategies

32:45 Maintaining Networking Relationships

33:32 Networking Do's and Don'ts

Links Mentioned

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2025/04/26/how-some-americans-have-found-a-clever-new-way-to-move-abroad/
• https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rBOS1SqyylJHB8eBKTVs9?si=7526f1fac7764240

In this conversation, Abby Thayananthan speaks with Al Zdenek, a wealth advisor, about the importance of personal finance for young adults. They discuss how to define financial success, manage your first paycheck, the significance of emergency funds, and the difference between good and bad debt. Al shares practical advice on credit cards, common financial mistakes, and the importance of financial literacy. He also introduces Cake Club app, an app designed to help young people manage their finances effectively.

Subscribe to The Grown-Ups Are Talking so you never miss an episode, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thegrownupsaretalkingpod.

00:00 Introduction to Personal Finance Challenges

07:39 Al Zdenek's Journey into Wealth Management

13:34 Defining Financial Success in Your 20s

20:40 Navigating Career Choices and Financial Stability

25:56 Practical Steps for Managing Your First Paycheck

27:49 Navigating Financial Independence

31:03 Mastering Credit Card Management

34:16 Understanding Debt: Good vs. Bad

39:16 Preparing for Graduate School Debt

43:18 Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy

48:36 Introducing Cake Club: A Financial Tool

This week on The Grown-Ups Are Talking, I'm flying solo with a more personal episode—because honestly, life has been lifing lately. In the midst of a big move (yes, I just left New York City!), I spent my final weekend in the U.S. on a camping-style retreat with a group of strangers-turned-friends. It was peaceful, emotional, soul-feeding, and deeply reflective in all the ways I didn’t know I needed.

In this episode, I share what it was like to open up around a fireplace with a group of 20-somethings about discernment vs. consolation, adulthood anxieties, and our hopes for the future. Plus, I read you parts of the letter I wrote to my future self—and talk through the surreal, tender weirdness of moving back in with my parents in my mid-twenties.

If you’re in any kind of transition—new job, city, relationship, or just figuring out what’s next—I hope this one resonates. It’s about finding meaning in the messy middle, and reminding ourselves that we’re not alone in the uncertainty.

🎧 Subscribe to The Grown-Ups Are Talking so you never miss an episode, and follow us on TikTok @thegrownupsaretalkingpod.

📩 DM me or send a voice note about what transitions you’re going through—I’d love to hear them, and maybe even share some in a future episode.