Sometimes life just feels… a lot. Big choices, new seasons, all the unknowns. And in the middle of it, I’ve realized I need anchors — the little and not-so-little things that keep me steady.

In this episode, I’m talking about mine: therapy sessions, finding a church, long walks, coffee runs that felt like survival, and friends who remind me not to take everything so seriously. Plus, how I even figured out that I needed anchors in the first place (spoiler: it wasn’t obvious).

If you’ve been in a season that feels messy or chaotic, this one’s for you.

(Music Prod. credit to Matt Monroe)

INSTAGRAM: @mandywecksten

YOUTUBE: @mandywecksten

When I got married, I didn’t have everything figured out — not where we’d live, when we’d have kids, or what my career would look like. (Honestly, I still don’t.) But I did know I wanted to build a life with Marcus.

In this episode, I’m talking about what it’s like to commit before you feel “ready,” why marriage hasn’t meant the end of figuring myself out, and how partnership can actually give you more room to grow, not less.

Because building a life with someone doesn’t mean you stop building your own — sometimes it’s exactly what makes you feel safe enough to keep becoming who you are.

(Music Prod. credit to Matt Monroe)

INSTAGRAM: @mandyweckstenYOUTUBE: @mandywecksten

Friendships in your 20s are… different. Until college ends, you’re kind of handed friends by default — people your age, in your classes, living right down the hall. But once real life starts, there’s no roadmap anymore. Suddenly you’re out in the world trying to figure out where to even meet people, and how to build real connections when life feels more scattered than ever.

In this episode, I’m talking about the real side of making friends as an adult, why it can feel a lot like dating (especially when you live abroad), and the reality of trying to fit into circles that already exist. I’m also sharing what it’s been like to keep up with my old friends from Texas while living overseas — the missed milestones, the moments of distance, and the ways we still find to stay close.

Friendships don’t look the same as they used to, but maybe that’s part of figuring out your 20s — learning how to build and hold onto the people who matter in new ways.

(Music Prod. credit to Matt Monroe)

INSTAGRAM: @mandyweckstenYOUTUBE: @mandywecksten

Making big choices in your 20s feels… impossible sometimes. You’re suddenly in charge of everything — where to live, what career to choose, what to do next — and every decision feels like it could set the rest of your life in stone. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of leaving Prague (a city I loved) for Finland (a city I wasn’t sure about) and what it actually felt like to make that call. Spoiler: it wasn’t clean, and I still don’t have a perfect system.

But maybe that’s the point — most of the time it isn’t one flawless decision, it’s just a series of small yes's that add up to something bigger. So if you’ve ever felt paralyzed staring at a choice, wondering how everyone else seems to know what they’re doing… this one’s for you.

(Music Prod. credit to Matt Monroe)

INSTAGRAM: @mandywecksten

YOUTUBE: @mandywecksten

You know all those posts about moving abroad that are full of packing tips and travel inspo? Yeah… this isn’t that. This episode is about the unspoken truths of life abroad : The reality of life, the big losses, and how it changes you in ways you don’t expect. It's everything all at once: The best thing you've ever done, and the hardest thing. Even if you’ve never left your hometown, you’ve probably felt some of this any time you’ve taken a big leap.

Find me on Instagram: @mandyweckstenWatch on YouTube: @mandywecksten

(Music Prod. credit to Matt Monroe)

You know that feeling when life doesn’t look like what you thought it would.. and you might start spiraling about it? Same. This episode is all about what it means to feel “off track” in your 20s, and how easy it is to compare your path to expectations you had of yourself years ago. I’m talking about timelines, identity shifts, and the moments that force you to rethink what progress actually means. If you’ve ever asked yourself am I doing this wrong?, this one’s for you.

(Music Prod. credit to Matt Monroe)

Let’s kick things off. In this episode, I’m sharing a bit about who I am, how I ended up living abroad, and why I wanted to start this podcast in the first place. This show has been on my mind for a long time, and it’s finally happening. If you’re into honest conversations about growing up, changing plans, and figuring out what a good life actually looks like — you’ll want to stick around.