The Twenty Something Podcast

In this episode, we talk about:

• Feeling lost and disconnected from yourself in your 20s
• Ali's experience with addiction, disordered eating, bodybuilding, and body image
• How a serious back injury ultimately changed the direction of her life
• Why she decided to become a chiropractor
• What Network Spinal care is and how it differs from traditional chiropractic care
• The connection between your spine, nervous system, stress, and the way you experience life
• What happens when your body gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode
• How past experiences can influence the way we respond to new situations
• Why we tend to fall back into old versions of ourselves when life feels uncertain
• Attaching our identity to the things we've been through
• Learning to ask, "Who am I without the things that happened to me?"
• The difference between discipline and constantly forcing yourself to push harder
• Learning to listen to what your body actually needs
• Why slowing down doesn't mean you're doing less
• Simple ways to reconnect with yourself and your body
• Ali's advice for anyone in their 20s who feels like they should have everything figured out

This conversation is such a good reminder that sometimes the answer isn't to work harder, push through, or find another thing outside of yourself to fix everything. Sometimes it's learning to slow down long enough to hear what your body has been trying to tell you.

Connect with Dr. Ali Harpp:Instagram: @emergechiropracticgvl

Thanks so much to Ali for coming on and sharing her story, her work, and everything she's learned along the way.

And as always, thanks for being here.

Whether you're planning a wedding, standing in one, or just curious about what actually happens behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insider stories, practical advice, and plenty of moments that will make you see weddings in a whole new way.

In this episode, we cover:

• Sydney's journey from corporate life to wedding planning
• Wedding planner vs. coordinator: what's the difference?
• What actually happens behind the scenes on a wedding day
• The biggest mistakes couples make when planning
• Where to save money—and where it's worth spending more
• DIY décor, wedding favors, and other budget traps
• Wedding food trends, late-night snacks, and guest experience
• Wedding weekends, welcome parties, and rehearsal dinners
• Building a business in a competitive industry
• Advice for anyone planning their big day

Connect with Sydney:

Instagram: @delightful_planning

Website: https://delightfulplanning.com

Podcast: The Wedding Buzz

Thanks for listening, and as always... thanks for being here.

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Megan Ayala, chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner, to talk about one of the most overlooked foundations of our health: the nervous system.

We dive into why so many women in their 20s are struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, gut issues, burnout, hormone imbalances, and feeling "off" without getting real answers. Dr. Megan breaks down what nervous system regulation actually means, why your body isn't working against you, and how getting back to the basics can have a bigger impact than chasing every wellness trend on social media.

We also discuss:

• Why your nervous system affects every part of your health
• Common wellness myths and misinformation online
• Gut health, inflammation, and what "leaky gut" really means
• The truth about parasite cleanses, detoxes, and supplements
• How stress impacts your body more than you may realize
• Practical ways to support your health without becoming overwhelmed
• Why wellness doesn't have to be complicated

Whether you're constantly feeling stressed, dealing with unexplained symptoms, or simply trying to build healthier habits in your twenties, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways that will leave you looking at your health in a whole new way.

Connect with Dr. Megan:Website: ⁠https://empowersnb.com⁠Instagram (Dr. Megan): @drmeganayalaInstagram (Empower Spine & Body): @empowersnb

As always, thanks for being here.

This episode isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions.

Whether you're interested in personal finance, economics, AI, business, philosophy, or simply understanding the world a little differently, this conversation will leave you with plenty to think about.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why so few people understand how money actually works
• Mortgages, debt, and the true cost of borrowing
• Credit cards, credit scores, and financial literacy
• The Federal Reserve and the modern banking system
• AI and the future of work
• Capitalism, incentives, and corporate culture
• Taxes, government, and the common good
• Why questioning systems matters
• The importance of curiosity and critical thinking

Connect with Ryan:
[Add Ryan's links]

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.

Follow The Twenty Something Podcast:
Instagram: @thetwentysomethingpodcast
TikTok: @gracepokela

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.

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.

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.

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 🤍

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.

What does it look like to pursue weight loss and health without falling into the all-or-nothing cycle? In this episode, I sit down with nutrition coach and mom of two Kristen Wyatt (Wyatt Wellness) to talk about simplifying weight loss, breaking the binge/restrict pattern, and shifting your mindset from “start Monday” to starting now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Kristen’s story: from lifelong weight struggles to losing over 100 pounds

• Why most diets fail (and how yo-yo cycles get created)

• “Ready is a decision” and how to stop waiting for the perfect time

• The simplest place to start: calories, protein, and daily movement

• Why walking matters more than people think (physically and mentally)

• Strength training for longevity, not aesthetics

• How social media trends (GLP-1s, fasting, “skinny” culture) impact body image

• The role of accountability and environment in staying consistent

• How to approach eating out without feeling restricted

Support Kristen:
Follow her on Instagram: @wyatt.wellness

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.