Most of us grew up being fed this idea that our lives have to be figured out by the time we’re 30 — house, spouse, kids, stable job, the whole checklist. But today’s guest, Kath Smith, dispels that mythical timeline.

At 26 years old, Kath became a full-time caregiver to her then-boyfriend after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. She cared for him over the next 4.5 years as he underwent 66 surgeries. Then, after nearly 12 years together, the relationship ended.

Suddenly, Kath found herself “starting over” in her 30s — rebuilding her identity and learning who she was again.

In this episode, Kath opens up about what it was like to put her life on pause to become a caregiver in her 20s, going back to school and becoming an HR intern at 29, and everything in between— all while building a platform as a full-time content creator.

Kath also shares why she now creates content about being 33 and figuring life out in real time: to remind people that there is no "deadline" for building a meaningful life, that you are never “too old” to make a change, and that some of the best chapters of your life can begin later than you expected.

Follow Kath here:

https://www.instagram.com/kathhsmithh/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kathhsmithh

https://www.youtube.com/@kathhsmithh

We all know what it feels like to be lost, confused, and uncertain about life. But what it's like watching someone you love go through it in real time?

Today, Anna sits down with the two people who have had a front-row seat to every “falling apart” moment she’s had over the last several years: her best friend of 7 years, Megan Davis, and her partner, Abtine Monavvari.

From late-night panic spirals to weekly conversations about the same thing, they talk about what it means to love someone struggling through uncertainty, career confusion, identity crises, and the messy in-between.

They also explore the ways to support someone experiencing these challenges: when to give advice versus when to simply listen, how to set boundaries without abandoning someone, and the challenge of supporting someone when there’s no clear solution to the problem.

Megan and Abtine: Thank you both for being a light in all my darkest tunnels. This podcast exists because of your friendship, patience, and unwavering support.

They say misery is reserved for those who hate their jobs, hate their careers, hate their colleagues, hate their bosses, hate their hours etc etc etc.... or is it?

In this episode, Anna explores a different kind of struggle: what it’s like to genuinely love your job, believe in what you’re doing, and still feel like you’re falling apart underneath it all.

The lows hit harder than you ever expected. Your anxiety is through the roof. Your identity becomes completely tangled up in your work. And because nothing is technically “wrong,” it becomes even harder to explain why you’re struggling so much.

This conversation is for anyone who’s ever thought: “nothing's technically wrong… so why do I still feel this way?”

Links to Articles Referenced:

Two Types of Passion

Passion Study