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What I Wish I Knew in My 20s

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — This is a conversation you need to hear, packed with life advice that will change your future. It’s what Mel wishes she knew in her 20s and the insight helping her guide her kids right now. Today, Mel sits down with Dr. Meg Jay. Dr. Jay is a clinical psychologist, professor, and bestselling author of THE book about your 20s: The Defining Decade. The New York Times called Dr. Jay "the patron saint" of 20-somethings, and today, you’re getting a coaching session with her. This episode is a wake up call, one backed by research and real-life stories, that will help you stop panicking, start problem-solving, and take control of your future, no matter what age you are. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The best advice no one ever told you about your 20s -The biggest mistakes most people make in work and love—and how to avoid them -Why 30 is not the new 20—and what’s actually at stake when you wait to “figure it out later” -Exactly what to do to support any 20 something in your life -Specific advice for college students and parents of college students Whether you’re in your 20s, wish you’d done them differently, or love someone going through them, this episode gives you the wisdom and tools you need to build the life you want. The truth is that no matter what decade of your life you are in, you can make it the best one – and this advice will help you do it. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-315/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Meet the Guest 04:50 Why Your Twenties Are More Important Than You Realize 09:41 The College Mistakes That Could Cost You Later 13:51 The Myths About Your 20s That Are Holding You Back 20:54 What to Do When You Don’t Know No Idea What You Want Yet 35:09 The 20-Something’s Guide to Love, Marriage & Finding Your Person 43:19 How to Stop Believing You’re Unlovable 48:48 Are You Sliding Into a Relationship You’ll Regret? 01:03:32 Social Anxiety versus Uncertainty 01:09:04 The Most Important Skill You Need in Life — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Dr. Meg JayguestMel Robbinshost
Aug 11, 20251h 20mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
August 11, 2025
Duration
1h 20m
Channel
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — This is a conversation you need to hear, packed with life advice that will change your future. It’s what Mel wishes she knew in her 20s and the insight helping her guide her kids right now. Today, Mel sits down with Dr. Meg Jay. Dr. Jay is a clinical psychologist, professor, and bestselling author of THE book about your 20s: The Defining Decade. The New York Times called Dr. Jay "the patron saint" of 20-somethings, and today, you’re getting a coaching session with her. This episode is a wake up call, one backed by research and real-life stories, that will help you stop panicking, start problem-solving, and take control of your future, no matter what age you are. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The best advice no one ever told you about your 20s -The biggest mistakes most people make in work and love—and how to avoid them -Why 30 is not the new 20—and what’s actually at stake when you wait to “figure it out later” -Exactly what to do to support any 20 something in your life -Specific advice for college students and parents of college students Whether you’re in your 20s, wish you’d done them differently, or love someone going through them, this episode gives you the wisdom and tools you need to build the life you want. The truth is that no matter what decade of your life you are in, you can make it the best one – and this advice will help you do it. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-315/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Meet the Guest 04:50 Why Your Twenties Are More Important Than You Realize 09:41 The College Mistakes That Could Cost You Later 13:51 The Myths About Your 20s That Are Holding You Back 20:54 What to Do When You Don’t Know No Idea What You Want Yet 35:09 The 20-Something’s Guide to Love, Marriage & Finding Your Person 43:19 How to Stop Believing You’re Unlovable 48:48 Are You Sliding Into a Relationship You’ll Regret? 01:03:32 Social Anxiety versus Uncertainty 01:09:04 The Most Important Skill You Need in Life — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

SPEAKERS

  • Dr. Meg Jay

    guest
  • Mel Robbins

    host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Dr. Meg Jay and Mel Robbins, What I Wish I Knew in My 20s explores your 20s Aren’t Peak Life—They’re Training Camp For Adulthood Mel Robbins interviews clinical psychologist and author Dr. Meg Jay about why our 20s are not carefree "best years" but the most uncertain, developmentally critical decade of adulthood.

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