The Twenty Something Podcast

What happens when the path you’ve worked so hard for no longer feels like yours? In this episode, I sit down with Greenville photographer and studio owner Maggie McDermott to talk about leaving the “high-achiever” path, quitting her PhD program, navigating identity shifts in her twenties, and building a creative business from the ground up.

In this episode, we cover:

Leaving the traditional academic path and redefining success

The pressure of being a high achiever and learning to let go

Motherhood and how it reshaped her priorities

Starting a photography business from scratch

From free shoots to full-time entrepreneurship

Opening a studio and building a personal brand

Listening to your gut and trusting a new direction

Support Maggie:

Follow her work and connect on Instagram: @maggiemaephotos and @blankcanvascreativestudio

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 happens when the sport that shaped your identity ends? In this episode, I sit down with clinical mental health counselor and former college athlete Kaitlin Corkren to talk about athlete mental health, pressure, identity shifts, and navigating life beyond competition.

In this episode, we cover:
Life after sports and identity transitions
Mental health struggles unique to athletes
Performance pressure vs. personal well-being
Team vs. individual sport challenges
Breaking the stigma around therapy
Starting a private practice in your twenties

Learn more about her practice or connect with her here: https://www.corkrencounseling.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 follow along on Instagram.

Year 4 of sitting down with you all to talk about another year of my life!

Thank you all for being here!

If you'd like to support this podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, follow on Instagram, and share with a friend!

What starts as a side hustle doesn’t always stay that way.

In this episode of The Twenty Something Podcast, I sit down with Jamie, a full-time wedding content creator who took an unconventional path, trusted the leap before she felt ready, and built a career most people didn’t even know existed. In this episode we cover:

• Turning a side hustle into a full-time career

• Building a job that didn’t exist a few years ago

• Letting go of the “safe” path and trusting the leap

• What wedding content creation actually looks like behind the scenes

• Navigating fear, finances, and faith in your twenties

If you’re questioning your path, feeling pulled toward something different, or wondering if it’s okay to want more, this conversation is for you.

If you'd like to support Jamie be sure to follow her on socials @btswithbonfante and check out her website btswbonfante.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 follow along on Instagram.

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan, a financial planner and lifelong entrepreneur, to talk about what building real wealth in your twenties actually looks like, without hype or TikTok shortcuts.

In this episode, we cover:

• What building wealth really means in your twenties

• Why emergency funds come before investing

• How to start investing without feeling overwhelmed

• Roth vs. traditional IRAs, explained simply

• Why diversification beats trend-chasing

• The truth about TikTok finance and online money advice

• When (and why) to work with a financial planner

• Balancing enjoying your twenties while planning for the future

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.

Be sure to check out Jonathan's website for more info or if you would like to connect with him

https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jonathan.healey/

In this episode of The Twenty Something Podcast, I sit down with Britton Briley, founder and CEO of Ghost Brands, to talk about what it really takes to build a business from the ground up.

In this episode, we cover:

• Building a marketing agency from the ground up at 25

• The real sacrifices behind entrepreneurship

• Why real-world experience can matter more than a degree

• How to stand out in a crowded job market

• Branding basics and creating real value

• Advice for anyone looking to pivot, restart, or build something of their own

Support Britton and check out his work:
Website: https://ghostbrands.com

Instagram: @ghostbrands

If you'd like to be a guest on an episode or you know someone who would, please fill out this form!

https://forms.gle/nsMXn83TiE53sodN7

As always, thank you for being here. If you’d like to support this podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, and follow us on Instagram.

Dad is back on the pod, this time in person, for a more intentional, improved conversation.

In this episode we talk:

Money

Career

Health

Starting Over

Struggle

If you relate, leave a comment, I'd love to connect!

Thanks for tuning in!

If you are interested in being a guest please fill out this form. https://forms.gle/UMk7qs6BKD8JVFXCA

You can support me and my podcast by subscribing, leaving a review, following on Instagram, or utilizing any of the links here https://linktr.ee/gracepokela_

Welcome back to The Twenty Something Podcast.

I'm so happy you're here.

If you are interested in being a guest or you know someone who is, please fill out this form!

See you next week!

https://forms.gle/eB1Xw5w5rsxYX58KA

Big thank you to Dr. Alex for coming on today! Be sure to check her out @metaspine_chiropractic

And, as always, thank you for being here!

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode!

Go to betterhelp.com/gracep for 10% off your first month or use code gracep10 at checkout!

If you are interested in reading More Than Cash or following along with Julia you can find her on Instagram @jcancro or her website juliacancro.com

And, as always, thank you for being here :)

Thank you to better help for sponsoring this podcast. Go to betterhelp.com/gracep for 10% off your first month or use code gracep10 at checkout!