Full Send into Adulthood: A Podcast Supporting Young Adults

... and those we listen to and ask advice from? Our advisors and consultants ;).
What if adulting isn't about finally knowing how to do everything… but about realizing **we get to be the CEO of our own life?**
In this episode, we’re rethinking our roles and what it actually means to become an adult. Because the transition into adulthood isn't just about learning how to pay bills, make decisions, go to college, build a career, or figure out what we're doing with your life.
At the heart of adulting is a much bigger shift: We go from following everyone else's rules to creating our own rules.
This means, we get to treat ourselves like the “CEO” of our lives- trust ourselves as the 'Chief Adventure Officer' (my term and it makes me smile).
Also, a special shout-out to Sam Garcia, host of Regenerative Business, for the delightful term 'Chief Magical Officer.'
In this episode, we talk about:
✨ Why it's completely normal to not know how to “adult”
✨ The shift from follower to leader in adulthood
✨ How to treat yourself like the CEO of your life
✨ Why other people's advice can be useful without becoming your instructions or a mandate
✨ Making choices based on your values, priorities, and what actually works for you
✨ Permission granted to make decisions about your own life
✨ And why adulthood might be a little more fun if we treat it like an adventure
If you're a young adult figuring out college, career, relationships, independence, identity, money, or simply what the heck you're doing with your life- you are not behind. You're doing it right.
And the transition into adulthood is confusing, and long, and weird, and frustrating for all of us.
Welcome to being human. Welcome to adulting.... a whole lot of making friends with uncertainty.
👋 I'm Cielle Amundson, a life coach, educator, professor, and speaker who loves supporting y'all in having life feel more and more like it's yours.
 
📺 Full video on YouTube
💬 Instagram:@cielleamundson
And if this episode resonated with you, follow/subscribe and leave a rating or review. You might even be the first one. 😉

What makes a person valuable? Is it being successful? Attractive? Productive? Young? Accomplished? Having the right career, relationship, income, body, or life timeline?
I've been thinking about this for the past year and a half—and I've realized that a lot of the things I was taught made a woman “valuable” don't actually fit the way I want to measure my life anymore.
So I tried something different: I used myself as the barometer.
I looked at what mattered to the little girl I was, what teenage me hoped for, and what 21-year-old me wondered if I could become. And when I looked at my life through my own values instead of society's definition of success, I realized something I hadn't fully seen before:
I've already accomplished things younger versions of me hoped would be possible.
Then I started thinking about the thousands of students and people I've impacted through 25+ years of teaching, leadership, coaching, and simply being myself. What happens when we think about impact not as a single accomplishment, but as a ripple effect that keeps moving through families, classrooms, relationships, and communities?
Maybe our value doesn't decrease as we get older.
Maybe it compounds.
In this episode of Full Send Into Adulthood, I talk about self-worth, societal expectations, aging, women's value, success, purpose, impact, and what happens when we stop measuring our lives by someone else's definition of “enough.”
If you've ever wondered, “Am I enough?” “Do I matter?” “Am I making an impact?” or “Have I done enough with my life?”- this one may be for you.
And if you're a young adult figuring out what success, adulthood, purpose, and a meaningful life actually mean for you, I hope this gives you permission to use yourself as your own barometer.
You get to decide what matters most to you—and then live into that.

Feeling behind in life, school, relationships, or your career? You're not alone- and it might be a faulty premise. In this episode, life coach and professor of 25+ years, Cielle Amundson breaks down why "feeling behind" isn't actually about laziness or bad choices. It's usually about comparing your timeline to a made-up system that was never built for your specific life.
Cielle unpacks why college taking "four years" is completely arbitrary, why we 'roll credits' on young adults right after graduation with zero instructions for what's next, and why the tortoise-and-hare fable actually proves you can't be behind if no one's running your race. She also breaks down how jealousy- yes, jealousy- can point you toward what you actually want next, instead of being something to feel guilty about.
If you've ever scrolled social media and thought "am I doing life wrong?"- this episode is for you.
Follow Full Send Into Adulthood so you never miss an episode, and leave a rating or review if this one hit home.
🎥 Watch the video version and more on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tFMvU1lsLZU
📸 Follow Cielle: @cielleamundson
#FeelingBehind #LifeCoach #GenZ #Adulting #YoungAdults

Feeling like you're not "productive enough"? Like everyone else has some secret productivity code and you missed the memo? If so, this episode may be helpful.
In this episode, Dr. C breaks down the real definition of productivity and why the version most of us grew up believing isn't even ours. It turns out a lot of what we call "productive" is actually based on corporate and capitalist goals, not our own.
In turn, she offers the dictionary definition: productivity is simply taking action toward a goal that matters to you.
 
You'll learn:
✨ The actual definition of productive (it's simpler than you think)
✨ Why most "productivity" standards come from company goals, not personal ones
✨ How rest, sleep, connection, and even small steps count as productive
✨ Why you get to decide what productivity means for your own life
✨ How incremental progress- and not always hustle- also gets you to your goals
 
If you've ever felt behind, lazy, or "not doing enough" compared to everyone else, this conversation is here so that you know that you can define what is 'productive' for yourself- and that it is valid.
 
Chapters:
00:54 – Rethinking the definition of productivity
02:18 – Whose goals are we really chasing?
03:39 – How corporate productivity became a personal standard
06:28 – Defining productivity on your own terms
07:19 – Sleep, rest, friendships, connection, building confidence as goals
12:50 – Redefining productivity for your life
13:44 – Why small steps matter
14:25 – The ladder analogy: reaching big goals
 
🔔 Follow for more conversations on building a life that actually feels like yours.
🪩 Full Video is up on YouTube @DrCielleAmundson
📸 Find me on Insta and say hi: @cielleamundson

A student asked me "what are you an expert in?" and I froze. Like, stumped and confused. Took me six weeks to land on an answer- and it wasn't what I expected.
In this episode, I explore the often overlooked dimensions of expertise that can extend far beyond technical skills or subject matter knowledge. Turns out when we stop thinking about expertise as a subject (like knowing quantum physics) and start thinking about who we are and what we provide in the world, the answer gets a lot easier. At least it did for me.
In this episode:
Why "what are you an expert in" completely stumped me
The difference between subject-matter expertise and human expertise
What my husband said when I asked him what he thinks I'm an expert in
Why leading with care got weird reactions when I was a 26-year-old dean
My actual list of what I've realized I'm an expert in (slow mornings on my porch included)
How personal relationships and self-awareness constitute powerful forms of expertise
Now I'm curious, what do you see that you're an expert in? It doesn't have to be a subject. It could be a feeling you create, a way you show up, something you've hyperfixated on for years. Send me a message and let me know. I'd love to celebrate that part of you, even just a little.
 
This episode is also available as a video on YouTube.
Follow Full Send Into Adulthood for more on identity, purpose, creating meaning, relationships, and adulting your way
Connect with Cielle on Instagram: @CielleAmundson

In this episode, Cielle explores the concept of life as a game that often comes with no clear instructions. She encourages listeners to understand that each of us is playing our own unique game, which requires bravery, self-trust, and adaptability. The conversation dives into why many feel lost after traditional milestones like graduation and how to craft a life aligned with personal values and passions.
She breaks down the hidden “games” behind society’s expectations, the flawed instruction manual we’re handed, and why the rules are always changing. If you’ve been questioning success, feeling behind, or craving a life that actually fits you, this conversation will help you rethink what’s possible.
 
Key Topics:
➡ The societal "games" and how systemic systems are designed for others to win
➡ The illusion of a single, universal "instruction manual" for life
➡ The challenge and beauty of creating your own game and rules
➡ How graduation marks a false endpoint and the start of real self-creation
➡ The importance of embracing change and shifting life's game as we grow
➡ The mental shift from seeking external answers to internal guidance
➡ Finding joy, pride, and fulfillment in living on your own terms
 
Timestamps:
01:57 - Life as a game with unwritten rules
02:25 - Systemic games designed for others to profit, not for individuals to thrive
03:23 - The importance of understanding your game
04:21 - The lack of guidance after graduation and the challenge of creating your path
07:51 - The importance of understanding that each person’s game is different 09:31 - The power and responsibility of creating your own life
12:10 - Current financial and social challenges impacting older "rules" of success
16:14 - Recognizing that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions
19:26 - Recognizing that life’s "game" is always evolving
 
🔔 Subscribe/Follow if this felt helpful in any way
🎙️ Full Video on YouTube @DrCielleAmundson
🪩 Find me on Instagram: @CielleAmundson

At 21, Cielle froze at the thought of throwing her own graduation party because she had no idea how to show up as "herself" if all her different friend groups were in the same room at the same time. In this episode, she unpacks what that moment taught her about masking, authenticity, and why being fully herself around different people became important to her and is harder than it looks. Especially as a young adult still figuring out who you are and want to be.
Cielle is a professor, life coach, former wedding planner, and former professional ballroom dancer who spends her days answering the real questions young adults are actually asking her: about identity, authenticity, relationships, and adulting on your own terms. This episode is part personal story, part reflection on why we compartmentalize ourselves around different people, and an invitation to think about where you might still be masking up.
In this episode:
Why Cielle froze at the idea of merging her friend groups
The difference between adapting and masking
What it actually looks like to "be yourself" consistently across different relationships
A student's comment about authenticity that changed how Cielle sees her own growth
Prefer video? This episode is also available on YouTube, where new episodes drop most days.
Follow Full Send Into Adulthood for new episodes on identity, growth, relationships, and adulting your way.
Connect on Insta: @CielleAmundson

Y'all. If you've ever scrolled and thought "I must be doing this wrong" this one's for you.
I keep hearing this from my students and from young adults I coach... a default fear of being behind. Behind in school, behind on moving out, behind because you took a break, behind because life happened and you had to slow down.
AND... I just don't think it's true. "Behind" only makes sense if we're all running the same race- with the same starting point and the same finish line.
That's not how our lives actually work.
Other topics discussed:
- Going fast isn't always the win
- In the fable the tortoise and the hare- each animal could win depending on the finish line ;)
- How comparison and jealousy might actually be pointing you toward what you want next instead of something to feel bad about
 
If this brings up questions or concerns, tell me. This is the stuff I love talking through with you.
Comment with it and I can speak to it.
And if you like this content, please hit the subscribe or like button for more. 
 

Work-life balance often feels like an elusive formula- something outside of ourselves that we can’t exactly grasp, no matter how hard we try. But what if balancing life isn't about finding some universal answer, and instead, it’s about tuning into what truly matters right now? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the quest for 'balance' or ashamed for not yet figuring out what everyone else seems to know (pssst they don't), then this episode is your game-changer.
Cielle Amundson invites you to ditch the myth of a one-size-fits-all balance equation. Instead, learn to identify what’s missing in your life and what you’re doing too much of: simple questions that empower you to take back control. Through real talk and practical frameworks, she guides you to understand that your current balance is not fixed and can shift with your circumstances, priorities, and stages of life. Discover why so many of us feel out of sync, and how disconnection—whether from ourselves, others, or what fuels us—is often mistaken for imbalance.You’ll uncover:
The common misconception of a universal work-life balance formula and why it sets us up to fail.
How to pinpoint what’s truly missing from your day-to-day life, from laughter and community to rest and hobbies.
The importance of recognizing what you’re doing too much—whether it’s screen time, work hours, or people-pleasing—and how to start letting go.
Practical questions to reset your priorities and craft a more satisfying, authentic life that aligns with your current stage and needs.
The surprising link between feelings of disconnection and imbalance, and how reconnecting to yourself can transform your experience of life.
This episode is perfect for anyone craving clarity amid chaos, feeling overwhelmed, or stuck in the endless pursuit of balance. Whether you're navigating career changes, personal growth, or simply seeking more peace, these insights give you the power and the data to make changes that you want. Balance isn’t a fixed destination, it's a continuous, intentional dance that evolves with you. Tune in if you’re ready to reclaim your agency and start living more aligned, satisfying days. 
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Come say hi 👋
📍instagram.com/cielleamundson
🪩 www.cielleamundson.com
➡ www.youtube.com/@DrCielleAmundson

Summary
In this reflective podcast episode, Dr. Cielle Amundson shares her journey of reevaluating her self-worth and value over the past year, catalyzed by personal family experiences. She discusses the impact of relationships on her self-perception, the societal standards that challenge her worth, and the importance of recognizing her achievements. Cielle explains how her younger selves serve as a guide for her growth- and that she became the woman they hoped. She concludes with a hopeful outlook towards the future, embracing curiosity and the pursuit of financial abundance.
 
Keywords
self-worth, personal growth, relationships, family dynamics, societal standards, impact, coaching, value, emotional well-being, curiosity
Takeaways
Cielle reflects on her year-long journey of self-discovery.The catalyst for change was her father's health crisis.She realized the importance of treating herself as valuable.Cielle confronts societal standards of worth, especially for women.She uses her younger selves as a measure of her growth.The ripple effect of her impact on others is profound.Cielle acknowledges her achievements and their significance.She looks forward to embracing curiosity in her future endeavors.Financial abundance is a new goal for her personal growth.
 sound bites
"At what cost?""I have outgrown all of those."
Chapters
00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past Year02:32 Navigating Personal Value and Worth04:46 The Impact of Relationships on Self-Worth06:36 Redefining Love and Care in Family Dynamics07:47 Confronting Societal Standards of Worth09:01 Finding Value in Personal Achievements10:36 Using Younger Selves as a Barometer for Growth11:35 The Ripple Effect of Impact on Others13:42 Looking Ahead: Embracing Curiosity and Growth18:18 Financial Abundance and Future Aspirations