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 reaso

Ready for Another Season?

Jul 12th, 2019 5m 32s

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.

“I actively disidentify…I’m not that old yet.” —Susan

Jun 21st, 2019 18m 22s

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

“If you’re happy...and you’re doing what’s best, isn’t that what matters?” —Leonel

May 31st, 2019 12m

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

“A lot of my songs and my music stem from my insecurity.” —Druu

May 10th, 2019

Druu writes upbeat music, but what most listeners can’t hear are the insecurities behind his work. An accountant by day and DJ by night, Druu struggles with feeling like a kid and staying true to himself. And while he has found ways of coping,

“It’s really confusing to have to parent your parents.” —Anya

Apr 26th, 2019 18m

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 su

“My life could have looked really different if my parents didn’t immigrate here.”— (Tahia Part 2)

Apr 12th, 2019 19m 10s

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

"Happiness [in work]…that's not a conversation you have in an immigrant household." —Tahia (Part 1)

Apr 12th, 2019 15m 15s

As a child of Bangladeshi immigrants, Tahia equates adulthood with responsibility. Her parents sacrificed nearly everything to provide her opportunities, and though Tahia feels overwhelmed with gratitude, she is caught in a tension. A tension b

“Oftentimes we do things based on other people’s expectations.” —Diane (Part 2)

Mar 15th, 2019

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 enteri

“People think if you’re a model, you know you’re beautiful and valued. It’s the opposite.” —Diane

Mar 1st, 2019 15m 18s

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 lonelines

“I thought marriage was going to be really dramatic…I expected to feel different.” —Madeline

Feb 15th, 2019 19h 22m

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 abo

"Realistically I have no idea when my loans will be paid off." —Megan

Feb 1st, 2019 20m 18s

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 fina

Get Ready for Season 2!

Jan 30th, 2019 5m 9s

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.

“It’s easy to just say I’m converting […] but it still feels like there’s a ways to go.” —Catalina

Jan 30th, 2019 24m 38s

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 length

“It was terrifying. The last thing I wanted to do was fail and say I need help." —Alexa

Jan 30th, 2019 16m 22s

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 install

"I think most women have been in a situation where they didn't know what to do." —Alexa

Jan 30th, 2019 18m 27s

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 diff

“It's odd to have so much and realize that you’re not satisfied with it.” —Peter

Jan 30th, 2019 14m 54s

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 sta

"[The pressure] comes from the confidence people had in me and [...] my failure to deliver." —Micah

Jan 30th, 2019 13m 33s

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

"I don’t define adulthood now as things that you do […] it’s more about who you are.” —Alyson

Jan 30th, 2019 15m 36s

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 anxi

“If I go home I just want to make sure I did everything that was in my hands to get a job.” —Mili

Jan 30th, 2019 16m 36s

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 fi

"I was so stuck on not knowing where I was supposed to be." —Drew

Jan 30th, 2019 15m 13s

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.

“I realized there’s no international standard for a normal life.” —Amanda

Jan 30th, 2019 15m 15s

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 gr

"I felt like a failure. That’s the word—failure. On all fronts." —Janice

Jan 30th, 2019 14m 17s

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 beg

Trailer

Welcome to Unqualified Adults!

Jan 30th, 2019 6m 38s

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 joi

Get ready for Season Two!

Oct 18th, 2018 5m 9s

In this episode of Unqualified Adults podcast, Laura and Liz talk through some highlights of Season One and what's in store for Season Two (and it's more than just podcast episodes)! Thank you for listening -- we can't wait to come back with