The Grown-Ups Are Talking

This week’s episode is a little different- because it’s my 25th birthday!!! Instead of releasing Part 2 of our The Best of 2025 series (don’t worry, it’s coming next week), I wanted to pause and reflect on something that’s been sitting with me lately: time - how fast it moves in early adulthood, and what that speed might actually be telling us about how we fel about our lives. Since graduating, it...

2025 was a big year- and so were the conversations. In this episode, I’m taking you through part one of a best-of series, revisiting some of the most meaningful moments from The Grown-Ups Are Talking in 2025. From navigating mental health in adulthood, to love and dating, post-grad uncertainty, hobbies, long-distance relationships, and finding your footing as an adult, this episode brings together...

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and happy new year! In this episode, I’m back home in London, settling into a new video setup, and doing what has quietly become a tradition on this podcast: an end-of-year audit. Today’s episode is all about reflecting on 2025 and setting intentions for 2026 . I start by revisiting my reflections from this time last year- back when I thought 2025 would be “pea...

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 ho...

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, includ...

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- a...

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-m...

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, sus...

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 thegrownupsaretalk...

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. Toget...

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...

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...

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 corpora...

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 import...

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...

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...

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 solitu...

What happens when your career path is anything but linear? In this episode, product designer Mareike Keller shares how she went from studying business administration, to working as a flight attendant, to returning to university later in life — before landing her role at Spotify. Along the way, we talk about the value of detours, how every experience builds transferable skills, and why it’s okay to...

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 significa...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this conversation, I speak with startup founders Alfonso Velasco and Madeline Park to explore the complexities of adulthood, particularly in the context of entrepreneurship. They discuss the diverging paths young adults take in their twenties, the definition of adulthood as agency and responsibility, and the unique challenges and rewards of starting a business. The founders share their personal...

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself— is your career or the track you’re heading down really you ? Or did you fall into something stable, something familiar—maybe the path of least resistance, or one that’s been done before and promised success? Do you know how to network, or does that word feel icky and confusing? Do you feel confident in how to reach your goals in life, or do you not even know...