The idea of having kids while attending seminary and working full-time seemed impossible to Dru. He was “tapped.” And after four unplanned pregnancies in five years, he realized parenting was harder than feared. But for totally unexpected reasons. In this episode, we explore those unexpected parenthood anxieties with Liz’s former professor Dr. Dru Johnson, who admits, while his children certainly cause anxiety at times, his biggest parenting anxieties stem from an entirely different place:...

Co-hosts Laura and Liz, thankful for the incredible effort and teamwork that makes Unqualified Adults possible, celebrate the awesome accomplishments of Season 2 as they prepare to launch Season 3 in the fall.

While growing old is an inevitable part of life, the fact that our days are numbered rarely crosses our minds until the physical signs of old age begin settling in. And when they do, it’s often terrifying. It doesn’t help that our culture tends to mock and overlook the elderly. In this episode of unqualified adults, Susan Wickett-Ford will shed some light on the anxieties people struggle with as they grow older. We hope that hearing from Susan will prompt you to think differently about the...

What does it mean to build a personal legacy or brand? For many this is a question that hums constantly in the background of school, work, and life. But for Leonel Urcuyo, now on the brink of stepping down from leading a department, the concept never crossed his mind. In this episode we use one man’s story to explore the question: is there a gap in the way we think about how we are perceived between those just entering adulthood and those of an older generation?

Andrew writes upbeat music, but what most listeners can’t hear are the insecurities behind his work. An accountant by day and DJ by night, Andrew struggles with feeling like a kid and staying true to himself. And while he has found ways of coping, it’s never easy to stay in a good headspace. There is always someone to knock him right out of it.

Shortly after graduating from NYU, Anya’s dad became seriously ill from what was expected to be a routine knee surgery. While her mom continued working to pay the bills, Anya stepped in as her father’s primary caretaker. Watching a loved one suffer took a toll on her well-being and forced her to grow up in a way that she says may not have been for the better.

For Tahia, playing the comparison game is tempting—but she knows she’d drive herself crazy if she spent time wishing she was like her peers with American parents. Instead, Tahia has decided to embrace the differences between her American world and her Bangladeshi world, focusing on the privileges she has. But living in these two worlds often makes it difficult for Tahia to decipher her motivations. Gratitude, guilt, and the desire for stability influence her—and she often wonders: will I lose...

As the child of Bangladeshi immigrants, Tahia defines adulthood as responsibility. While overwhelmed with gratitude to her parents who sacrificed nearly everything to provide her with opportunities, Tahia feels caught in a tension. A tension between seeking her own happiness and building generational wealth for her family. Can these two goals become one and the same?

With the benefit of hindsight, Diane is able to look back at her life and identify patterns of things she would’ve done differently. She often felt like she wasn’t being an active participant in her own life. Diane’s advice to those just entering adulthood? Try to view points of change as opportunities to steer your life in the direction you want it to go, and not to be afraid to go against the expectations of others (though she admits this is easier said than done!).

Growing up in a big family, Diane often felt like she was disappearing. Her constant desire for attention and validation as a child followed her into her teen years when she was approached to be a model. But feelings of inadequacy and loneliness didn’t magically fade away once she started getting paid to look beautiful—quite the opposite. In fact, Diane came to understand that maybe loneliness is just part of the human condition.

Madeline has often struggled with the fear of being alone. And while she never imagined she would get married right out of college, her recent marriage has given her a new perspective on companionship. In this episode, Liz talks to Madeline about her journey to marriage, her expectations of relationships, and her ever-present fear of being forgotten.

Laura talks to Megan about the emotional tolls of taking on student debt. While loans can help pay tuition and day-to-day fees of student life, it can be daunting thinking about and making a plan to repay them. Megan opens up about how her financial obligations play a role in her decision-making and identity as an adult in ways she didn't expect.

Co-hosts Liz and Laura recap Season 1 by looking back at the highlights (and lowlights) of producing the first ten episodes. They also tease what’s coming up in Season 2.

Laura talks to Catalina about the challenges of converting to Judaism. Catalina compares her experience with conversion to the process of obtaining citizenship in the United States—both require immersion, assimilation, and going to great lengths to prove your dedication. For Catalina, it can be lonely, frustrating and awkward. But it is a small price to pay to join a community that embodies the core values that she came to cherish as a young adult.

Liz talks to Alexa about her challenges making ends meet and reaching her goals. Often with only a few cents in her bank account, Alexa explains how she feared failure and was simultaneously terrified to ask for help. This is the second installment in a two-part series from Alexa.


Liz talks to Alexa about some of the struggles of entering the workforce as a woman. It’s often unclear when and how to assert yourself, who to trust, and how to forge your own path. Alexa shares the wisdom she’s gleaned through, sometimes difficult and awkward, experiences as well as the wisdom of strong women in her life. This is the first installment in a two-part series from Alexa.


Liz talks to Peter, a recent graduate who is realizing that satisfaction in life requires more than being employed and having your life together. He explains what it is like to be that friend in limbo—jobless after college watching everyone start their careers. Peter wonders if his depression, sadness, and overall dissatisfaction isn’t unique to his experience. While being unemployed is a challenge, it’s given him a new perspective on life. 




Laura sits down with Micah, a recent NYU graduate. In college, Micah went through periods of drug abuse and mental illness while grappling with her gender identity. Having conquered this seemingly impossible struggle, the idea of finding a full time job after graduating felt more than doable for Micah. It felt like what would be her first foray into adulthood was practically in the bag. Now weeks after graduation with no job in sight, Micah’s confidence has come crashing down.

Liz talks to one of her mentors, Alyson Kanney, about how her perspective on adulthood has changed after living in New York City for nearly 40 years. While moving to the city was a dream come true, Alyson felt lonely and afraid. Though her anxieties have taken on new forms, she reminds us that life is a constant struggle, a process, not a destination. The anxieties don’t ever go away. However, wisdom comes with time and provides strength for hard times. 




Laura talks to El Salvador native, Mili Mena, about her tenuous (and ongoing) path to citizenship. Mili had ambitions to become a journalist when she came to the States for college, but after graduation she hit an all time low upon realizing finding a full-time job in her field of study that would also help her obtain a visa was going to be harder than she expected. Pushing aside feelings of discouragement, grief, and utter terror, Mili learned that part of becoming an adult and reaching your...

Liz interviews stunt man, Drew Reade, about how how embarrassing it is to be an anomaly when you're making career choices. Growing up, Drew felt constant pressure when he looked at his peers and realized he wasn’t book smart. Wasn’t as wealthy. And wasn’t the college type. Initially, he hid his passion: show business. It felt unusual—but after realizing that it was OK not to be built for the corporate world, he began to excel and enjoy his unique life openly. 



Laura interviews Woman on the Road, Amanda Kraley, about showing up for causes and relationships when you can't be physically present and why we should all give ourselves a little slack when it comes to making big decisions as new adults. In grappling with her own self-doubt, Amanda discovers there’s no “right” path to adulthood.

Liz interviews longtime friend and former classmate, Janice, about starting a business while struggling with debilitating health issues. Because Janice fixated on projecting an image of perfection, she never admitted weakness. When her life began falling apart, she felt terribly alone and ashamed. She sunk to a place so dark, she wasn’t sure how she’d bounce back. But she did. She opened up to others and found relief. Though still recovering, Janice has found strength in others and in her...

Co-hosts Laura and Liz introduce the podcast by discussing what it means to be nakedly honest about the unexpected challenges of adulthood and why it’s so important to do so. Through sharing their own stories, Laura and Liz invite others to join in the conversation and recognize they are not alone in their struggles.