The Aspiring Adult Podcast

In this weeks episode of Consider the Source Sarah Smiles is joined by Sarah Maxey from Slate Social Management. Maxey's story of building her business from nothing: no clients, no marketing background, and no team to rely on. Sarah explains what hard work and grit truly means when starting a business; late nights wondering if it is all worth it, imposter syndrome and through it all finding purpose and striving towards a goal. Since Sarah works in social media she also calls attention to what it actually means to go viral, why building community is important and why social media can help grow your business.To follow along with Slate:TikTok: @slatesocialmgmtInstagram: @slatesocialmgmtPinterest: @slatesocialmgmtAs always if you love this episode please be sure to follow and subscribe as well as give us a 5 star review. I would love to hear from you!

In this episode Sarah hosts Vanessa Chang on Consider the Source to discuss AI. We've all been exposed to it in some form or another and the AI movement is often paralleled to the similar shift that was seen during the birth of the internet. However it is garnering a great deal more contention (Sarah doesn't actually know if it is more contentious as she was born in 1998 and does not remember the birth of the internet). Some topics that Sarah presses V on are: the big beautiful bill's relationship to AI, AI's relationship with climate change and energy demand, AI's affect on critical thinking, AI's ability to help minorities and often oppressed groups, AI's ability to help those with neurodivergence and much more. Where to find V:Subscribe to RE:Human — Weekly field notes for people making sense of AI Social Medias: LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram Explore Mosaek — Consulting, coaching, & strategy for AI-literate ops Book a chat — Strategy sessions, keynotes, provocations Speaking inquiries As always make sure to follow& subscribe, leave a 5 star review, and be sure to follow @sarahsmilesnetwork on all social medias.Guest inquiries please reach out to: theaspiringadultpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Teal and Sarah talk about what the water crisis is, what water rights are, and WHY YOU SHOULD CARE! Spoiler alert if we don't change our ways we might be in a very dire state in 5 years. If you love the outdoors, this is a must listen. If you don't know where your water comes from this is a must listen. Resources: Water Education Colorado: https://watereducationcolorado.org/Alex Hager, Colorado River Basin Reporter: https://www.kunc.org/alex-hagerShannon Mullane, Colorado Water/ Western Water Issues:https://coloradosun.com/author/shannon-mullane/Elise Schmelzer, environment reporter @The Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/author/elise-schmelzer/Teal's Social Media: @westernwatergirlPlease please please subscribe and leave a review- I would love to hear from you about how to make this podcast better! If you are interested or know someone who would be a good fit on the show please send me an email at theaspiringadultpodcast@gmail.com

Denver Female Owned Business Series!Feeling lost in your career and not really sure how to pivot or what you would be best suited to? Human Design has entered the chat. Human Design is a system that combines elements of astrology, the I Ching, the Kabbalah, and quantum physics to create a unique "blueprint" of an individual's energy and potential.... mmmmkay so what does that mean? Well I'd love to tell you, more specifically, Morrie, the Human Design expert and career coach would love to tell you! Morrie uses the system to help individuals understand their energy and make career decisions. She's a recruiter, and her Human Design insights are shared on her social media pages and you can actually request your chart and a reading from her on her website.Connect with Morrie Hudiburg:Website: https://www.careersinhd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careersinHDTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@careersinhdPlease please please: Rate this podcast 5 stars so there is more visibility for these incredible women and their businesses.If you are a woman who wants to share your story of your experience working in a male dominated field, becoming a business owner, or founding a company please send me an email at theaspiringadultpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Sarah and Hallie talk about what it is like to not only be a female welder, but a black, LGBTQ, female welder. Hallie's journey is incredibly insightful in understanding what it is actually like to work in the trade. She also clarifies what it more realistically is like to be a welder and provides tips on things that men don't really talk about like skin care, hair care, and what it is like to become a therapist for your male co-workers.

In this episode Sarah and Martina Ferrara talk about women's rights, the gender gap and how to remain hopeful in a time that seems quite bleak. Martina brings a refreshing perspective on women's rights being that she was born in Italy, grew up in France, went to university in the UK, and currently lives in Australia. From this discussion you'll learn how gender equality is an issue that exists in other countries that we Americans deem as "more progressive" than the US. Resources:https://now.org/https://www.plannedparenthood.org/Martina's TikTok: @ferrara_martinaSarah's TikTok: @sarahsmilesnetwork

BONUS EPISODE! With all of the talk about the, "Big Beautiful Bill" and Public Land the timeliness of this episode was extremely important. This week Sarah has on former National Park Ranger, Felicia, to talk about public lands, the NPS, impactful legislature, and how to remain hopeful in an time where is seems difficult to be. Felicia's TikTok: @ube_softserveResources:Find and contact your senators: Phone numbers for all U.S. Senate offices in Washington, D.C. can be found here: axios.com+12senate.gov+12facebook.com+12Local Senator Contacts (Key Western States):ColoradoSen. Michael Bennet: (202) 224‑5852Sen. John Hickenlooper: (202) 224‑5941 biologicaldiversity.orgUtahSen. Mike Lee (sponsor of land sale provision): (202) 224‑5444 economictimes.indiatimes.com+7washingtonstatestandard.com+7reviewjournal.com+7New MexicoSen. Martin Heinrich (Ranking Member, Energy Committee): info via senate.gov; (202) 224‑5521

This week on Consider the Source, Sarah is joined by Annika Mueller — former journalist turned NASM-certified trainer and founder of Aim Healthy. After spending a decade telling other people's stories, she now helps women rewrite their own through strength training, confidence-building, and taking up space in a gym that wasn't built for us.A truly inspiring story about overcoming the fear of "getting too bulky" (which is a myth that is debunked in the show), fueling your body instead of starving it (no more fad diets), and how to gain confidence in the gym as a woman!How to find and connect with Annika:Her webpage:https://www.aim-healthy.com/approachHer instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aim_healthy/If you have any requests of topics you would like to hear about or any guests that you think would be great to hear from please email me at theaspiringadultpodcast@gmail.com

We've all gotten advice before in our lives. Some good advice, some bad advice, some advice that feels like it really doesn't fit. I've come to realize that a majority of the time I am seeking advice from sources like my dad, my male engineering co-workers, or "successful male thought leaders" (whatever that means), and sometimes I feel like the advice just misses the mark. For example: I majored in engineering in college and all of my male classmates, my dad, brothers, professors were all telling me how easy it would be to get a job because I am a women.... yet that wasn't the case. I was so discouraged that I did something wrong, that I didn't come across as a strong candidate or even worse I was a terrible interviewee. Never for a second did I take into consideration the fact that all of these MEN said it would be easy, should I have asked a woman I would have likely gotten a more applicable answer. This is a podcast for people to hear the stories of women, learn from their successes and mistakes, and even find mentorship!

Everyone dreams of sipping Aperol spritzes on a sun-drenched terrace all day — but what's the real life behind the Instagram highlight reel?

In this must-listen episode, we sit down with Elise—a U.S. native who packed her bags, moved to London, and built an entirely new life across the pond ✨We chat about:

What's it really like to uproot your life and move to Amsterdam? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Emily Budd, who shares the unfiltered reality of navigating expat life, grad school, and housing chaos in the Netherlands.

In this deeply personal episode of Her Journey Home, Sophia Graniela takes us through the highs and lows of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. From navigating failure to embracing new beginnings, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path.

In this must-listen episode, we dive into: ✨ The shift in social media & community

In this captivating interview, we sit down with Arianna Likouris, the visionary creator behind the D'ari Collection. She takes us on her journey from bustling New York City to her surprising move to New Jersey, a transition that sparked a creative revolution.

In this episode, I sit down with @StylexAnna, a powerhouse personal stylist who transformed her passion for fashion into a thriving brand. We dive into her journey from navigating Denver's fitness and lifestyle scene to the luxury styling world of Nordstrom, and ultimately launching her own styling business, Style by Anna.Tune in as we discuss: ✨ Transitioning from college dreams to styling luxury brands at Nordstrom ✨ Adapting to the pandemic's impact on career paths ✨ Building a personal brand on Instagram and mastering social selling ✨ The golden goose phenomenon and creative selling strategies ✨ Balancing corporate vs. freelance life & finding harmony between work and passion ✨ The art of client acquisition, social media collaborations, and word-of-mouth success ✨ Navigating trends, defining personal style, and styling tips for everyone ✨ Rapid-fire fashion questions to uncover Anna's styling secretsWhether you're an aspiring stylist or just love fashion, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss!

Ever wondered what it really takes to go from a 9-to-5 to full-time content creator? This episode dives deep into the highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes of influencer life—navigating brand deals, balancing personal life with social media, and the surprising cost of organic food (yes, even the egg shortage).

Ever thought gardening was just for grandmas and backyard hobbyists? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with @GardenDaddyBrent

"MEOW CHICKS!" In this episode, Sarah Smiles sits down with MT (@thegoldcoastermt ), a multi-talented content creator, influencer, and fashion lover, to dive into her unique journey—from building a viral presence online to navigating the ups and downs of brand collaborations.

In this episode, Sarah Smiles sits down with Libby (@libbybonthelabel) to unpack her incredible journey—from navigating corporate life as an engineer to becoming a viral content creator and building financial independence.

Sarah invites Milo her live in maid, chef, and roommate back to AA to talk about sobriety and what his 22 years of it has consisted of- Sarah and Milo share each of their stories about sobriety and building healthy habits

In this episode Sarah Smiles asks Peepaw about how he defines success? As a man who is retired at 59, has raised 3 independent children, and is traveling around the world in a renovated Sprinter van

In this episode, Sarah has on her former schoolmate, Max! Max is an entrepreneur, engineer, real estate mogul, and is in his 20s. In this episode Max opens up on what it is like to wear all of these different hats and more on the podcast.

In this episode Sarah and Peepaw cover all of the important topics of retirement life, traveling to Alaska, getting an MBA in Europe, Costco memberships, protecting your peace and so much more

Sarah and Peepaw talk about 529 plans, Alaska, the glamorization of blue collar work, the pitfalls of being 26, and so much more

Meet Sarah's live in chef & maid! There's more to her new roommate than those titles go!

From Christmas stress and consumerism to modern day westward expansion, Peepaw is reporting in live from San Antonio and Sarah from Denver (per usual).

In this episode Sarah and Peepaw retire from recounting the past summer days. They instead explore new topics like generational wealth, hoarding, seasonal work for the geriatric, Milo's arrival in Denver, Sarah's ski plan for the season, communal saunas and everything in between :)

Got a lot going on in this episode. Lots of Peepaw yapping about his adventures of the west coast and Sarah talking about her final month on the ranch, plus some bonus content of career advice, retirement goals, the CCC, ideas for the future of transportation.

In this week's episode Peepaw hogs the mic to tell you all about his month of travel in July- From South Carolina to Texas to California and everywhere in between. Sarah talks about her month on the ranch and the rodeos that she went to out west.

WE'RE BACCCCCKKKK!!! After Sarah's summertime hiatus she is SO BACK.... and so is her dad? In this week's episode of The Aspiring Adult, Peepaw, from the Dad and Daughtering episodes is back on the podcast. In this episode you'll hear about Sarah's life on the ranch and Peepaw's life as an old man... jk he's just retired.

In this episode I interview Margaret who is a full time seasonal employee in Tahoe, California. Marge and I both went to Miami and studied engineering and both ended up in seasonal jobs BY CHOICE

In this week's episode I yap (verb To talk noisily or stupidly; jabber noun The mouth: Shut your yap) with Sofia, one of my childhood friends. In this episode we talk about changing careers, being in our childbearing years while being single, our relationships with our family, living in Ohio and pretty much everything in between .

Mental health is such an important topic that is extremely delicate to talk about. Nicole and I share our experiences around mental health, the stigmas around mental illness, and the importance of family.

Mother's Day was a day that I grew up celebrating my dad more than my mom- mostly because my mom wasn't there. In this week's episode I sit down with "the woman I used to hate" to have a discussion about the realities about being a parent, the struggles of finding an identity in oneself, abandonment issues, but most importantly healing.

In this episode Sarah brings on her boss, friend, mentor onto the show to discuss values, morals, and how to find others with similar values as you. What is The Aspiring Adult?"Aspiring Adult" is a podcast hosted by Sarah Smiles that explores various aspects of life, spirituality, and emotional intelligence. The podcast takes listeners on a journey of personal growth, incorporating humor and wit. Sarah fearlessly tackles the challenges and experiences of adulthood, sharing relatable stories that aim to make listeners nod in agreement, laugh, and perhaps even shed a tear. The show covers topics ranging from self-discovery to the how to do “simple” tasks as an adult, providing wisdom and insight in each episode. Whether listeners are seeking advice on navigating adulthood or a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, "Aspiring Adult" offers a blend of charm, enthusiasm, and valuable content. Each episode promises a mix of laughter, learning, and personal development. WELCOME TO AA!To request a topic or ask for advice fill out this google form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zsknheINmY6vIXqDo9jEUT32QX6u7AalRNxHrh60O9o/editIf you aren't already - you can connect with Sarah on Instagram and TikTok: @the_aspiringadult on all platforms! XO

In this episode of the Aspiring Adult, I answer my first letter from Dear Sarah and talk about what it is like to make friends in a new city... I mean after all I have moved from Boston to San Diego to Steamboat Springs all in the matter of a year... I would like to think I have gotten pretty good at making friends.

In this episode I answer questions that people dmed me on Instagram. Such as what does a work day look like for me, will I return to corporate America and more!

So you want to move across the country not once but twice in the span of six months?? Let me give you the masterclass.

After a two years in corporate America and taking life a little too seriously, and also putting a lot of my own value into work and what my salary and title are- I quit. In this episode I not only share why I quit but what I am doing next, because if not corporate America... what else is there??? What is The Aspiring Adult?"Aspiring Adult" is a podcast hosted by Sarah Smiles that explores various aspects of life, spirituality, and emotional intelligence. The podcast takes listeners on a journey of personal growth, incorporating humor and wit. Sarah fearlessly tackles the challenges and experiences of adulthood, sharing relatable stories that aim to make listeners nod in agreement, laugh, and perhaps even shed a tear. The show covers topics ranging from self-discovery to the how to do “simple” tasks as an adult, providing wisdom and insight in each episode. Whether listeners are seeking advice on navigating adulthood or a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, "Aspiring Adult" offers a blend of charm, enthusiasm, and valuable content. Each episode promises a mix of laughter, learning, and personal development. WELCOME TO AA!To request a topic or ask for advice fill out this google form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zsknheINmY6vIXqDo9jEUT32QX6u7AalRNxHrh60O9o/editIf you aren't already - you can connect with Sarah on Instagram and TikTok: @the_aspiringadult on all platforms! XO

In this episode Sarah talks about what her new series is going to largely be focused on. Which is going to require a lot of help from her friends, family and listeners to be successful! What is The Aspiring Adult?"Aspiring Adult" is a podcast hosted by Sarah Smiles that explores various aspects of life, spirituality, and emotional intelligence. The podcast takes listeners on a journey of personal growth, incorporating humor and wit. Sarah fearlessly tackles the challenges and experiences of adulthood, sharing relatable stories that aim to make listeners nod in agreement, laugh, and perhaps even shed a tear. The show covers topics ranging from self-discovery to the how to do “simple” tasks as an adult, providing wisdom and insight in each episode. Whether listeners are seeking advice on navigating adulthood or a deeper understanding of themselves and the world, "Aspiring Adult" offers a blend of charm, enthusiasm, and valuable content. Each episode promises a mix of laughter, learning, and personal development. WELCOME TO AA!To request a topic or ask for advice fill out this google form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zsknheINmY6vIXqDo9jEUT32QX6u7AalRNxHrh60O9o/editIf you aren't already - you can connect with Sarah on Instagram and TikTok: @the_aspiringadult on all platforms! XO

In this episode Sarah talks about her most recent experience of going to a Tarot card reader and what her life takeaways are from the reading

Solo. Party of One. Alone. Lonely? Being an extrovert I've notoriously had a hard time spending time alone. I grew up always needing to be around people, but now as an adult I spend a good portion of my time alone...

In this episode we're diving deep into the world of burnout, but with a twist. It's not just about the corporate grind – it's about the everyday challenges we all face in our lives.

Alright it was not exactly 365 days, but 12 months is close enough. In this episode I share what I learned about my mental well being but also my physical well being from my 12 month hiatus, and why my drinking habits will never be what they once were.

In this episode Sarah and her dad play the popular game. "We're Not Really Strangers" . Sarah learns a lot of not only her dad but how others perceive her.

In this episode Sarah's dad and her talk about Waffle House and the significance that it has to their family, their family group message, and "Dad-isms".

In this mini-series episode, Sarah's Dad takes the mic to ask Sarah questions about her personal growth, what her thoughts are on how he raised her and tells her what he is most proud of her about.

It is a wild concept to think that once you have kids you begin to lose yourself as you begin investing time and energy into your child(ren). In this episode Sarah and her dad talk about the proud moments of being a single father but also some of the challenges.

Since the announcement of this mini series it as been interesting to hear the feedback- some people can't believe that I am interviewing my dad every day of my road trip. It's dawned on me that people don't have conversations with their parents. They don't know there parents really at all. In today's episode and the rest of this miniseries I hope that it inspires you to ask questions to person in your life who raised you.

Explore the power of vulnerability in manifesting with the Law of Attraction!