To Buy or Not to Buy: First-Time Homeownership, Renting vs. Buying, and Real Estate in 2026

To Buy or Not to Buy: First-Time Homeownership, Renting vs. Buying, and Real Estate in 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018275/fan_mail/new] At some point in your late 20s and 30s, it feels like everyone around you is talking about real estate. Friends are buying homes, parents are asking questions, social media is telling you you're behind, and suddenly you're wondering if you're making the right financial decision. In this episode, Laura and Amanda sit down for an honest conversation about real estate, homeownership, renting, investing, and the pressures that come with trying to build wealth in today's world. Laura shares her experience as a homeowner and the realities that come with owning property, while Amanda shares why she hasn't bought and explores the questions many people have about whether real estate is still the right path. Together, they discuss: • First-time homebuyer fears and expectations • Renting vs. buying in today's market • The financial realities of homeownership • Cultural pressure and the "American Dream." • Building wealth beyond real estate • Feeling behind when everyone else seems ahead • Creating your own financial blueprint Because maybe the bigger question isn't whether you should buy a house. Maybe it's whether you're building a life that feels right for you. This episode is for those of you who find yourselves confused, caught in the middle of conversations about investing, or wondering whether buying a home is truly what's next for you. We came to the conclusion that there isn't one right answer, and that everyone should carve a path that aligns with their own goals, values, and vision for life. More than anything, we hope this conversation helps you feel more confident about where you are, releases some of the pressure, and reminds you that it's okay to move at your own pace. New episodes every Thursday. Wait... What's Next?  Host: Laura Alba  Co-Host: Amanda Brilhante Executive Producer: Lauren Atkinson Instagram: @waitwhatsnextpod [https://www.instagram.com/waitwhatsnextpod/], @lauraalbaz [https://www.instagram.com/lauraalbaz/?hl=en] & @amandakbril [https://www.instagram.com/amandakbril/] Email:  waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com [waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com]

The Subtle Art of Slowing Down: Finding Meaning in the Mundane

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018275/fan_mail/new] This episode is about finding meaning in the small stuff. Not the big TMZ moments of our lives, but the small, everyday experiences that, believe it or not, come with their own little in-between. No longer running on adrenaline and productivity hacks. Choosing peace and balance. Embracing the slower seasons of life and unlearning the idea that the highs and lows are our normal. Our center, our calm, and our inner peace are. If you’re navigating a life transition, questioning your pace, or simply deciding whether coffee will always outrun matcha, this one is for you. Let’s get into it. Wait... What's Next?  Host: Laura Alba  Co-Host: Amanda Brilhante Executive Producer: Lauren Atkinson Instagram: @waitwhatsnextpod [https://www.instagram.com/waitwhatsnextpod/], @lauraalbaz [https://www.instagram.com/lauraalbaz/?hl=en] & @amandakbril [https://www.instagram.com/amandakbril/] Email:  waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com [waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com]

Rock Bottom Isn’t Always Loud: Burnout, Identity Loss & Finding Yourself Again

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018275/fan_mail/new] What happens when you’ve drifted so far from yourself that you no longer recognize who you’ve become? This week’s conversation goes there. Fully, honestly, and without the polished version of healing we’re so used to seeing online. Amanda opens up about a relationship that became one of the biggest lessons of her life, but also one that slowly pulled her away from herself until she reached a point where she could no longer recognize the person she had become. She shares the difficult decisions, years of healing, and inner work it took to finally come back home to herself. I share a different kind of rock bottom. One that wasn’t caused by a breakup or a dramatic life event, but by a quiet internal voice that slowly became louder and louder until ignoring it felt impossible. Leaving my career and searching for my own “wait… what’s next?” moment wasn’t impulsive. It was the realization that I could no longer live disconnected from my own potential. Together, we talk about:  • identity loss and burnout  • heartbreak and emotional healing  • nervous system regulation and getting back into your body  • nature, self-care, and routines that helped us rebuild  • the messy middle that exists between breaking down and becoming someone new This episode is for anyone navigating a life transition, questioning their path, feeling disconnected from themselves, or quietly wondering if anyone else feels this way, too. You are not the only one going through it. And maybe this conversation will help you feel a little less alone in yours. 🎧 New episodes every Thursday. Follow, share, and join us in the in-between. Wait... What's Next?  Host: Laura Alba  Co-Host: Amanda Brilhante Executive Producer: Lauren Atkinson Instagram: @waitwhatsnextpod [https://www.instagram.com/waitwhatsnextpod/], @lauraalbaz [https://www.instagram.com/lauraalbaz/?hl=en] & @amandakbril [https://www.instagram.com/amandakbril/] Email:  waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com [waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com]

My First Solo Episode: Building a Podcast on the Side While Working a 9–5

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018275/fan_mail/new] This episode is a little different… my first solo episode. Because life happens. Showing up for your dreams doesn’t always look perfect. It looks like doing what you can with where you are. As the host of this podcast, that means continuing to build, to show up, and to stay committed to the community we’re creating, even when life, work, and everything in between try to get in the way. In this episode, I share a quick check-in. What it’s been feeling like behind the scenes, the moments of overwhelm, and practicing grace, which is just as important as staying consistent. I also touch on what we’ve been building lately, where the podcast is going, and the core idea that continues to guide everything we do. Bringing to light the real-life transitions that don’t always get a voice. This is a short, honest conversation. A one-on-one moment to pause, reset, and keep going. If you’re navigating your own transitions, building something of your own, or trying to stay on track, this one is for you. Listen in for a real, 1:1 chat with your Wait… What’s Next host. New episodes every week. Wait... What's Next?  Host: Laura Alba  Co-Host: Amanda Brilhante Executive Producer: Lauren Atkinson Instagram: @waitwhatsnextpod [https://www.instagram.com/waitwhatsnextpod/], @lauraalbaz [https://www.instagram.com/lauraalbaz/?hl=en] & @amandakbril [https://www.instagram.com/amandakbril/] Email:  waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com [waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com]

Coachella Recap, Bieber Fever & The Lessons We’re Taking With Us

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2018275/fan_mail/new] In this episode, we’re catching up on everything. A full Coachella recap, the energy, the moments, and yes… the Bieber fever that had everyone talking. But beyond the fun, we come back to real life and sit with what actually stayed with us. We revisit our conversation with Morgan Wijay and break down the relationship lessons, personal growth, and emotional shifts that hit deeper than expected. The habits you build when you feel strong, the way relationships shape who you become, and the realization that no matter how different our stories look, we’re all navigating similar transitions underneath it all. This episode blends culture, life updates, and honest conversations about growth, relationships, and self-awareness. It’s about taking moments that feel light and fun, and turning them into something that actually moves you forward. If you’re navigating life changes, relationship shifts, or simply trying to understand yourself a little better, this conversation will resonate. The Interview we refer to in this episode can be found on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pYsldaVHBO55LVe6bMzKF?si=0vBMo_IdSLCNUT9F20elZA] or Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wait-whats-next/id1634459591?i=1000762027783] New episodes every week. Follow, share, and stay connected. Wait... What's Next?  Host: Laura Alba  Co-Host: Amanda Brilhante Executive Producer: Lauren Atkinson Instagram: @waitwhatsnextpod [https://www.instagram.com/waitwhatsnextpod/], @lauraalbaz [https://www.instagram.com/lauraalbaz/?hl=en] & @amandakbril [https://www.instagram.com/amandakbril/] Email:  waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com [waitwhatsnextpod@gmail.com]