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

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.

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 journeys, emphasizing the importance of taking risks, learning through failure, and the transformative impact of startups on their self-identity and personal growth. They reflect on the balance between pursuing meaningful work and the sacrifices made in terms of stability and security, ultimately highlighting the value of resilience and conviction in navigating both personal and professional challenges.

I hope you enjoy the episode, and don't forget to subscribe to the show!

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 what they are?

In this epiosde, ’m joined by Magan, the amazing founder of yourgenZbestie, a platform that began as a TikTok account and is now growing into a full-blown startup helping Gen Z navigate big life choices. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by what comes after school, this one’s for you.

And before we dive in, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and follow us on TikTok @thegrownupsaretalkingpod for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a sneak peek at some very exciting things coming soon…

This week, we’re talking about something that often gets overlooked in the rush of adult life: hobbies. Not side hustles, not skills for your resume — just things we do because we like them. As we transition out of college and into full-time jobs, our relationship with fun and free time starts to shift. So how do we make space for hobbies again? And why does that even matter?

I’m joined by two guests at different stages of post-grad life — one wrapping up university, and one a year into the working world. We talk about the hobbies they’ve held onto, the ones they’ve rediscovered, and the challenge of making time for joy in grown-up routines. We also get into how hobbies can support mental health, shape identity, and remind us that not everything has to be productive to be valuable.

Whether you’re into journaling, bouldering, baking, or binge-watching, this episode is a reminder that it’s okay — even necessary — to do things just for fun.

🎙️ Plus, a quick announcement: I’m always looking for guests to join the pod! If you’re a young adult with something to say about growing up, or you’re really into a hobby and want to talk about it, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at thegrownupsaretalkingpod@gmail.com or message me on TikTok @thegrownupsaretalkingpod.

In this episode of The Grown-Ups Are Talking, we’re talking all about long-distance relationships—a reality for so many young adults navigating careers, school, and life transitions. Whether you're a few cities or entire time zones apart, maintaining a relationship while also trying to grow as an individual is no small feat.

Our guest Maya shares her experience of being in a long-distance relationship: the highs, the hard parts, and the lessons learned along the way. We unpack what it really takes to stay connected, how to communicate better, and why long-distance might actually make your relationship—and your adulting journey—stronger.

If you're in a long-distance relationship, considering one, or just curious how people make it work, this one’s for you.

Moving to New York City is often seen as a major step into adulthood—but does it actually make you feel like a grown-up, or just really, really tired? In this episode, we break down what it means to “adult” in one of the most exciting, expensive, and overwhelming cities in the world.

From sky-high rent and chaotic commutes to finding community in a city of millions, my guests Julian, Isaac and I talk about how NYC shapes independence, resilience, and our understanding of adulthood. Is the hustle worth it? Does the city make you feel more capable or defeated? And most importantly—do we see ourselves staying for the long haul?

Join us as we share the highs, the struggles, and the small wins that make city life worth it. If you're figuring out adulthood in NYC or another big city (or are just curious about what it's really like), this episode is for you!

For 20+ years, life had a clear structure—school, college, summer breaks. But after graduation? There’s no syllabus, no grades, and no set path forward. The uncertainty of post-grad life can feel overwhelming, and the pressure to have everything figured out only makes it harder.

In this episode, I’m joined by Michaela, a writer whose reflections on this transition resonated deeply with me. Together, we unpack the post-grad fog—why it feels so unsettling, how to navigate the unknown, and what it really means to build confidence when the future feels unclear.

If you’ve ever felt lost after graduation, this one’s for you. Tune in, and let’s figure it out together.