Kath Smith: Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving — Starting Over in Her 30s After Spending Her 20s as a Caregiver

Kath Smith: Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving — Starting Over in Her 30s After Spending Her 20s as a Caregiver

Most of us grew up being fed this idea that our lives have to be figured out by the time we’re 30 — house, spouse, kids, stable job, the whole checklist. But today’s guest, Kath Smith, dispels that mythical timeline. At 26 years old, Kath became a full-time caregiver to her then-boyfriend after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. She cared for him over the next 4.5 years as he underwent 66 surgeries. Then, after nearly 12 years together, the relationship ended. Suddenly, Kath found herself “starting over” in her 30s — rebuilding her identity and learning who she was again. In this episode, Kath opens up about what it was like to put her life on pause to become a caregiver in her 20s, going back to school and becoming an HR intern at 29, and everything in between— all while building a platform as a full-time content creator. Kath also shares why she now creates content about being 33 and figuring life out in real time: to remind people that there is no "deadline" for building a meaningful life, that you are never “too old” to make a change, and that some of the best chapters of your life can begin later than you expected. Follow Kath here: https://www.instagram.com/kathhsmithh/ [https://www.instagram.com/kathhsmithh/] https://www.tiktok.com/@kathhsmithh [https://www.tiktok.com/@kathhsmithh] https://www.youtube.com/@kathhsmithh [https://www.youtube.com/@kathhsmithh]

How To Love Someone Who's Falling Apart

We all know what it feels like to be lost, confused, and uncertain about life. But what it's like watching someone you love go through it in real time? Today, Anna sits down with the two people who have had a front-row seat to every “falling apart” moment she’s had over the last several years: her best friend of 7 years, Megan Davis, and her partner, Abtine Monavvari. From late-night panic spirals to weekly conversations about the same thing, they talk about what it means to love someone struggling through uncertainty, career confusion, identity crises, and the messy in-between. They also explore the ways to support someone experiencing these challenges: when to give advice versus when to simply listen, how to set boundaries without abandoning someone, and the challenge of supporting someone when there’s no clear solution to the problem. Megan and Abtine: Thank you both for being a light in all my darkest tunnels. This podcast exists because of your friendship, patience, and unwavering support.

I Love My Job. So Why Am I Struggling?

They say misery is reserved for those who hate their jobs, hate their careers, hate their colleagues, hate their bosses, hate their hours etc etc etc.... or is it? In this episode, Anna explores a different kind of struggle: what it’s like to genuinely love your job, believe in what you’re doing, and still feel like you’re falling apart underneath it all. The lows hit harder than you ever expected. Your anxiety is through the roof. Your identity becomes completely tangled up in your work. And because nothing is technically “wrong,” it becomes even harder to explain why you’re struggling so much. This conversation is for anyone who’s ever thought: “nothing's technically wrong… so why do I still feel this way?” Links to Articles Referenced: Two Types of Passion [https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/building-the-habit-hero/202008/two-types-passion-harmonious-vs-obsessive] Passion Study [https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2003_VallerancBlanchardMageauKoesnterRatelleLeonardGagneMacolais_JPSP.pdf]

Henna Choi: The Life-or-Death Decision to Quit Being a Lawyer

For Henna Choi, leaving her career as a personal injury lawyer was literally matter of life or death. For years, Henna tried to do everything “right.” She went to law school, built a successful career, and appeared to be thriving in the public eye. But behind closed doors, she was falling apart. In this episode , Anna sits down with Henna to talk about the hidden reality behind her viral “depressed lawyer” videos, her stint working as a barista after quitting law, and being diagnosed with autism in adulthood. Henna opens up about growing up in an immigrant household where success felt non-negotiable, masking her neurodivergence for years, and quietly struggling while appearing “high-functioning” on the outside. She speaks candidly about burnout, depression, suicidal ideation, and the loneliness of living a life that never felt authentic. Follow Henna here: https://www.instagram.com/18hens/ [https://www.instagram.com/18hens/] https://www.tiktok.com/@18hens [https://www.tiktok.com/@18hens] https://www.youtube.com/@18hens [https://www.youtube.com/@18hens]

Jules the Lawyer: Corporate Lawyer Turned Famous Person

How does a corporate lawyer become a famous person? Today, Jules Romano sits down with Anna to unpack the real story behind the transition—from billable hours to building a personal brand on the internet. What started as sarcastic, off-the-cuff videos quickly turned into a loyal following, a public identity, and a completely different career path. In this episode, Jules reveals the parts of her life and story that haven't been visible to the public. Join them as they talk about: burnout, internet scrutiny, and what it's actually like to live the "Hannah Montana" double-life as a lawyer and content creator. Also watch this episode if you want to know how she actually finds her best thrift gems (and how you can too). Follow Jules here: https://www.instagram.com/julesthelawyer/ [https://www.instagram.com/julesthelawyer/] https://www.tiktok.com/@julesthelawyer [https://www.tiktok.com/@julesthelawyer] https://www.youtube.com/@julesthelawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@julesthelawyer]