The Twenty Something Podcast

An Unplanned Path to Entrepreneurship w/Natalie McElwain

In this episode, we cover: * Natalie’s non-linear path through college, moving frequently, and taking 10 years to earn her degree * Her early career in hospitality and corporate marketing roles * How COVID impacted her career and led to unexpected change * The personal circumstances that pushed her to start her own business * Building The Social Circle from 1 client to 11 clients in just a few months  * The transition from doing everything herself to hiring a team * The reality of balancing time, money, and growth as a business owner * Why time is often more valuable than income when scaling * Finding a niche in a saturated industry * The importance of relationships and being hands-on with clients * Her perspective on timelines, feeling “behind,” and doing life differently * Advice for anyone in their twenties wanting to start something of their own Support Natalie: Follow along on Instagram: @thesocialcirclebynatalie Learn more: https://www.thesocialcirclebynatalie.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 share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

The “Fly By the Seat of Your Pants” Era w/ Mel Brown

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.

You're Allowed to Pivot w/Juanita Wilson

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.

The Reality of Law School and Life After w/Anna Catherine Parham

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 🤍

Debt, Discipline, and the Reality of Building Wealth w/Patrick Rogers

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.