Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this short but sweet Christmas episode, Abby reflects on spending the holiday season in West Africa with her siblings and the unexpected turns adulthood often brings. She shares thoughts on embracing uncertainty, practising gratitude, and staying grounded in connection with loved ones- even when life doesn’t unfold as planned. Abby invites listeners to find moments of calm and joy during the holiday season and closes with a heartfelt thank-you to the podcast community for being part of the journey.
And if you’re watching the video too, let’s hope Santa brings me some better video equipment this year LOL- but this is the best I could do while abroad without my usual setup!
The biggest Christmas gift you could give me is subscribing to the podcast <3 Thank you so much for being here, and I hope you have a very merry Christmas!
As the new year approaches, goal setting can start to feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this solo episode, Abby breaks down how to set meaningful, sustainable goals for 2026 without pressure, burnout, or last-minute panic.
This episode is about reflection, clarity, and consistency. Abby shares the exact goal-setting framework she’s used to navigate early adulthood this year, including earning a promotion to Senior Analyst at her corporate law firm, reaching a major financial milestone, growing her podcast, and navigating unexpected career pivots- alongside research-backed insights on why goal setting is so powerful for mental health, motivation, and long-term success, especially for young adults.
You’ll hear:
Why New Year’s goals should be a moment for recalibration, not pressure
The psychology behind goal setting- and how it impacts wellbeing, anxiety, and self-esteem
Abby’s real 2025 goals: what she achieved (barring one, everything on her vision board came true!!!), what didn’t, and why both mattered
How to set specific, realistic goals using systems- not just wish lists
Why writing your goals down and visualising them actually works
Abby’s three tools for goal setting: clear goals, a vision board, and a word of the year
How to balance ambition with flexibility when life doesn’t go according to plan
Abby also walks listeners through her vision board process in detail- from photoshopping resumes and Spotify analytics to visualising lifestyle, relationship, and creative goals- and explains why consistency beats motivation every time.
Whether you’re feeling excited, stuck, anxious, or behind as the new year approaches, this episode is a grounded guide to reflecting on the year you’ve had and intentionally designing the one ahead.
If you’re navigating early adulthood, career uncertainty, creative goals, or personal growth, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to approach 2026 with clarity, optimism, and direction.
Almost two months ago, I handed in my notice at my corporate law job. Since then, everything has changed.
In this episode, I’m reflecting honestly on what life has looked like since leaving stability behind for a more creative path. I share what I miss (and what I don’t), how money fears and family expectations have shaped this transition, why I’m feeling more aligned than ever with the podcast- and the unexpected doubts that have come up around my decision to go to law school.
In this episode, I talk about:
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening. You can email thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com with feedback, questions, or suggestions- I’d love to hear from you! 💌
Winter hits differently as an adult: darker days, colder commutes, fading motivation, and that persistent urge to hibernate. In this cozy, honest episode, Abby dives into what it really feels like to navigate adulthood during winter, amidst lower energy levels, disrupted routines, social burnout, winter blues, and the pressure to “stay productive” when your body wants rest.
From a freezing early-morning run attempt in London to learning how to reframe routines seasonally, Abby shares practical strategies for surviving- and even romanticizing- the cold months. This episode is your permission slip to slow down, soften your expectations, and build winter habits that actually work.
Whether you’re struggling with motivation, feeling lonely during cuffing season, or just trying to protect your mental health when it gets dark at 4pm, you’re not alone. Winter is hard, and this episode meets you exactly where you are.
In this short but sweet Thanksgiving special, we explore the surprising ways the holidays reflect who we’re becoming as adults. From gratitude and friendship to routines, reflection, and the quiet realities of growing up, this episode breaks down 10 Thanksgiving-inspired lessons that hit differently once you’re navigating adulthood on your own.
We talk about:
Practising gratitude in a genuine, sustainable way
Friendsgiving and what it reveals about adult friendships
Why leftovers are basically the blueprint for meal prep
Learning to cook as a proxy for trying by doing
The holidays as a natural checkpoint for self-reflection
Winter routines, rest, and slowing down
And more cozy, grounding reminders for this time of year
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, these lessons offer a moment to pause, reflect, and acknowledge how far you’ve come since last year, and how much growth often goes unnoticed.
Let me know what you’re up to this holiday season and what you want to hear next!
Email thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com anytime with ideas, feedback, or suggestions.
If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow the show on socials to stay connected.
Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for listening!
In this conversation, Abby shares her journey for applying and getting accepted into Harvard Law School, but more importantly, how it clarified her philosophy for achieving major life goals. She talks about how it's not about innate genius or luck, but rather emphasises the importance of breaking down goals into accessible, achievable steps.
Let us know what you think! Email thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com with feedback, suggestions for future episodes, or general inquiries.
Applications to US law schools are skyrocketing-- up more than 30% this year alone. But as more twenty-somethings turn to law school for clarity and stability, the question remains: is it really the right move?
In this episode, Abby sits down with Velen, who recently dropped out of Columbia Law School, and Joshua, who just left his pre-law firm job after wrestling with the decision to apply. Together, they explore ambition, uncertainty, and how to know whether law school is the right next step… or just the default one.
Tune in for an honest look at what it really means to choose your path with intention and stay for the advice on how to find your why before you take the leap.
For more conversations about all things adulting, subscribe to the show. (Next week, Abby will walk through her own process applying to- and getting accepted- to Harvard Law School). Email thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com for feedback and suggestions for future episodes!
This episode started the way many of my podcast ideas do, from a real conversation with a friend. Over dinner, she admitted she was utterly terrified about what AI might mean for our futures. Will it take our jobs? Will there even be a place for us in the workforce ten years from now?
These questions stuck with me. So I spoke to Magan, the brains behind 'GenZBestie' and the most tech-knowledgable young adult I know, to understand whether we should be afraid of AI, and how we can prepare for what’s ahead.
What does this all mean for us, the generation just entering adulthood and trying to build meaningful careers? In this episode, we unpack how AI is reshaping the job market for young adults, why fear might not be the right response, and how learning to work with AI might just be the key to thriving in the future of work.
The takeaway: Those who combine human creativity, emotional intelligence, and AI literacy will be best positioned to succeed in this new era.
Email thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com with thoughts, feedback, and suggestions for future episodes.
It’s spooky season, and I'm here with a special treat. 👻
In this bonus Halloween episode of The Grown-Ups Are Talking, we’re not just talking costumes and candy. We’re talking about what Halloween means as adults. Somewhere between trick-or-treating and tax returns, many of us forgot how to have the kind of fun that’s silly, carefree, and completely unproductive.
I explore how Halloween (this weird, wacky, wonderfully over-the-top holiday) reveals something deeper about adulthood: connection, play, creativity, and the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously.
Because maybe growing up doesn’t have to mean outgrowing the fun.
🎃 Tune in for a playful, thoughtful take on adulthood, having pure fun, and why we all need a little Halloween spirit, no matter how old we are.
This week on The Grown-Ups Are Talking, I get personal about a big life decision: quitting my corporate law job. It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment choice — it was months in the making. In this episode, I share my journey from feeling stuck and dissatisfied, to finding inspiration in creative opportunities, and finally taking the leap into uncertainty and freedom.
We dive into:
Life working a corporate job and the challenges of balancing work, growth, and personal fulfilment
How past podcast episodes and conversations sparked a desire for a more creative path
The whirlwind of applying for a dream opportunity and what I learned from rejection
Trading financial stability for time, freedom, and a year to focus on what truly excites me
This episode is for anyone thinking about making a change, feeling stuck, or curious about what it’s like to take a leap and pursue something that really matters to them.
In this episode, Abby Thayananthan explores the common experience of feeling lost, particularly among young adults navigating their quarter life crisis. She discusses the signs of this crisis, the feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt that accompany it, and offers practical solutions for finding direction and purpose. Through personal anecdotes and insights from Reddit, Abby emphasizes the importance of reflection, self-discovery, and taking small steps towards meaningful change. The episode serves as a comforting reminder that feeling lost is a shared experience and can lead to personal growth and discovery.
Healthy living isn’t just about fitness — what you eat matters just as much. But in early adulthood, when life is busy and schedules are unpredictable, how do you actually make it work?
In this episode, I’m joined once again by Cara Chedid and Noah Tinker to talk about food and diet in early adulthood. We explore how to make healthy choices on the go, balance convenience with nourishment, navigate grocery shopping on a budget, and avoid the all-or-nothing mindset when it comes to eating.
This is Part 2 of our two-part series on healthy living in your 20s. If you haven’t already, make sure you listen to Part 1 on fitness and routines first.
Tune in, subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, and be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts, questions, and ideas for what you’d like to hear next.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does “healthy living” actually look like when you’re just starting out in adulthood? Between work, social life, and just trying to keep your head above water, wellness can feel like one more overwhelming task on the to-do list. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this two-part mini-series, we’re breaking it down with guests Cara Chedid and Noah Tinker — two young adults who are passionate about fitness and wellness, and are figuring out what works for them in real life. Together, we explore how to make health less intimidating and more sustainable.
In part one, we focus on movement, routines, and small lifestyle shifts that actually make a difference. From finding ways to stay active without overthinking it, to building habits that stick (and forgiving yourself when they don’t), this conversation is about approaching wellness with balance, intention, and a little bit of fun.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Your twenties are often sold as the best years of your life—but for many of us, they’re also the loneliest. In this episode, Abby shares stories from moving back to London and a solo trip to Edinburgh, and digs into why so many young adults struggle with connection. From friendship drift to dating apps, she explores what makes this stage so isolating—and how to start finding comfort in both solitude and community.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Abby Thayananthan speaks with guests Brennan Vacek and Kaushal Gokare to explore the complexities of navigating early career paths, job satisfaction, and the decision to leave a job. They discuss the importance of workplace culture, the balance between idealism and reality in work, and the role of personal values in shaping career choices. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-reflection and the need to evaluate one's job satisfaction regularly, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by many young adults in the workforce today.
Chapters
00:00 Navigating the Transition to Adulthood
03:08 Career Aspirations and Job Satisfaction
05:40 The Importance of Work Environment
08:41 Evaluating Job Expectations and Reality
11:32 Recognizing When to Move On
14:06 The Role of Relationships in Job Satisfaction
16:28 Balancing Work and Personal Life
19:22 Identifying Job Pros and Cons
21:56 The Quest for Fulfillment in Work
24:43 Personal Growth and Career Reflection
32:25 Intentional Time Management and Self-Reflection
33:48 Prioritizing Workplace Culture and Personal Growth
35:29 Navigating Career Changes and Expectations
37:41 Exploring New Career Paths: Law School Considerations
40:51 Embracing Career Flexibility and Life Changes
41:41 Finding Purpose Beyond Work
45:20 Recognizing the Gray Areas in Career Satisfaction
47:56 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Career Decisions
51:44 Navigating the Balance Between Work and Life
55:27 Identifying Signs for Career Transition
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From her family’s refugee background to her acceptance at Harvard Law School, Abby shares the personal journey that shaped her transition into adulthood in this episode of The Grown-Ups Are Talking. She reflects on growing up in London, moving to the U.S., and navigating the uncertainty of figuring out who she is and what she wants. Through stories of education, identity, and shifting dreams—from a love of theater to a pursuit of law and podcasting-- with many unknowns still to come—Abby explores how we make sense of adulthood when the path forward isn't always clear. She also opens up about the origins of the podcast, its mission to facilitate honest conversations and encourage self-reflection, and the power of community in helping us feel less alone as we grow up.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Abby introduces a new segment called 'Question Time', where she addresses listener questions about adulting. The conversation covers pivotal themes such as career transitions, the challenges and rewards of moving abroad, and the importance of networking in professional growth. Abby shares personal anecdotes and practical advice, encouraging listeners to embrace change and seek opportunities for personal and professional development.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction from LA: A New Segment Begins
02:38 Navigating Career Pivots: When to Stay or Go
11:26 The Journey of Moving Abroad: Independence and Growth
25:27 The Importance of Networking
26:05 Shifting Mindset: Networking as Relationship Building
27:15 Leveraging Existing Connections
27:36 Effective Online Networking
30:10 In-Person Networking Strategies
32:45 Maintaining Networking Relationships
33:32 Networking Do's and Don'ts
Links Mentioned
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this conversation, Abby Thayananthan speaks with Al Zdenek, a wealth advisor, about the importance of personal finance for young adults. They discuss how to define financial success, manage your first paycheck, the significance of emergency funds, and the difference between good and bad debt. Al shares practical advice on credit cards, common financial mistakes, and the importance of financial literacy. He also introduces Cake Club app, an app designed to help young people manage their finances effectively.
Subscribe to The Grown-Ups Are Talking so you never miss an episode, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thegrownupsaretalkingpod.
00:00 Introduction to Personal Finance Challenges
07:39 Al Zdenek's Journey into Wealth Management
13:34 Defining Financial Success in Your 20s
20:40 Navigating Career Choices and Financial Stability
25:56 Practical Steps for Managing Your First Paycheck
27:49 Navigating Financial Independence
31:03 Mastering Credit Card Management
34:16 Understanding Debt: Good vs. Bad
39:16 Preparing for Graduate School Debt
43:18 Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
48:36 Introducing Cake Club: A Financial Tool
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on The Grown-Ups Are Talking, I'm flying solo with a more personal episode—because honestly, life has been lifing lately. In the midst of a big move (yes, I just left New York City!), I spent my final weekend in the U.S. on a camping-style retreat with a group of strangers-turned-friends. It was peaceful, emotional, soul-feeding, and deeply reflective in all the ways I didn’t know I needed.
In this episode, I share what it was like to open up around a fireplace with a group of 20-somethings about discernment vs. consolation, adulthood anxieties, and our hopes for the future. Plus, I read you parts of the letter I wrote to my future self—and talk through the surreal, tender weirdness of moving back in with my parents in my mid-twenties.
If you’re in any kind of transition—new job, city, relationship, or just figuring out what’s next—I hope this one resonates. It’s about finding meaning in the messy middle, and reminding ourselves that we’re not alone in the uncertainty.
🎧 Subscribe to The Grown-Ups Are Talking so you never miss an episode, and follow us on TikTok @thegrownupsaretalkingpod.
📩 DM me or send a voice note about what transitions you’re going through—I’d love to hear them, and maybe even share some in a future episode.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.