The Psychology of Your 20s — Episode 380: A Big Life Update...
Host: Jemma Sbeg | Release Date: January 31, 2026
Overview
In this special bonus episode, host Jemma Sbeg shares personal and professional news: The Psychology of Your 20s is now officially a Netflix podcast. Jemma walks listeners through the whirlwind behind-the-scenes journey of how this came to be, what changes (if any) listeners can expect, and her candid feelings about navigating such a monumental career milestone while also undergoing major life changes. This episode is an intimate, honest, and occasionally humorous reflection on growth, transition, and gratitude.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Big Announcement: On Netflix!
- Main News (03:00): The podcast is now available as a video podcast on Netflix (US and Canada only, for now).
- Impact on Listeners:
- No major changes for audio listeners.
- Video episodes have moved from YouTube to Netflix.
- “If you only ever listen to audio, this is basically just a bonus for you. Now you can watch it on like the most popular streaming platform in the world, but you can also listen on Spotify, Apple, wherever you are listening right now and nothing really changes.” (05:42)
2. International Availability & Listener Questions
- Availability Limitation:
- Currently, only available to viewers in the US and Canada.
- Jemma is not sure if/when it will expand to other countries.
- “I've had a lot of messages from people in Australia or in Thailand or in Italy. Being like, I can't see it. That's because as of right now, it is only in the US and Canada and I don't really know what their plans are to extend it. To be honest, I'm kind of out of the loop.” (06:47)
3. How It Happened: The Netflix Deal Story
- Jemma had never heard anyone describe what it’s like to land a Netflix podcast deal, so she shares the full, “juicy” details.
- Timeline:
- October, previous year: Living in Sydney, received a surprise call from her podcast agent about Netflix’s interest.
- Initially disbelieved it was real: “That is not funny. Please don’t joke with me like that.” (09:44)
- Told only four people to avoid jinxing it.
- “I’m so superstitious about not talking about things until they actually happen. I didn’t want to jinx it.” (11:04)
- A month of silence: No word from Netflix, assumed the opportunity had passed.
- Literally hours before moving to London: Received the contract to sign.
- Signed the deal, then boarded a plane with her life in flux.
4. Major Life Transitions Collide
- Moved to London around the same time as the Netflix deal finalized.
- Blunt honesty about instability:
- “I’ve literally signed this deal, being like, I’m going to be on Netflix, gotten on a plane, left my entire life behind … and realized I’m landing in a city where I don’t have anywhere to live.” (13:46)
- Immediate need to cancel a planned Paris trip to accommodate studio recording deadlines for Netflix.
5. The Grind, Sacrifice & Mixed Emotions
- Behind the Scenes:
- Had to work intensively on podcast episodes immediately after signing.
- Candid about self-doubt and impacts on episode quality:
“If you’ve noticed maybe a slight decline in, like, episode quality...that’s what it is. Like, I’ve just been working so hard and that has made moving to London difficult because I haven’t really had time to socialize or to make new friends.” (17:03)
- Did not celebrate as expected: “Sometimes the biggest moments in your career and the biggest moments in your life are incredibly anticlimactic and not very exciting, and you would expect them to be these marvelous, amazing moments.” (17:35)
6. Gratitude, Community, and Looking Forward
- Gratitude:
- Sees this success as a collective win:
“It really doesn’t just feel like my win. It feels like a win for everybody who works on the podcast. Behind the scenes, there’s like three people, but…all of them work so hard. Feels like a win for us. Like, the listeners.” (17:59)
- Sees this success as a collective win:
- Determined to keep the community spirit and provide value:
- Plans for more live events, meetups, and finding ways to give back to listeners.
- “This is an incredible moment. You guys did this for me, so. Wow. I’m thinking of all the ways that this year I can hopefully give back to you guys and make sure that this is still the tight knit Psychology of Your 20s community that we know and love.” (18:38)
- Commitment to transparency and ongoing updates about the Netflix experience.
7. Closing Interaction & Engagement
- Requests listener engagement:
- “Leave a comment down below what previous episode of ours do you most want to see on Netflix? But also what city are you in so I can add it to our tour schedule, to our meet and greet meetup schedule. I really want to meet as many of you guys as possible and get out on the town.” (19:56)
- Promotes new Substack feature for additional content.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I absolutely love our set. I think it is beautiful. There’s so many, like, little personal details housed in it as well, that feel really special to me.” (07:40)
- “You know, I have some time. Because I genuinely thought that this wasn’t going to happen until like the middle of the year… then suddenly … four hours before I get on the plane … I get this email from my lawyer being like, are you ready to sign this Netflix deal?” (13:29)
- “It is genuinely just like me and my researchers and, like, my producer who is in the US…. They gave me the keys to the city. And I don’t really know how to run it.” (16:53)
- “My overarching feelings are just…this is amazing. Thank you so much. I’m very excited and it feels surreal. And it feels surreal in a way that nobody could ever really prepare you for.” (17:29)
- “Until next time, you guys know the drill. Be safe, be kind, be gentle to yourself. Watch The Psychology of Your 20s on Netflix if you feel called to do so, and we will talk very, very soon.” (20:44)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:00 — Official Netflix announcement and initial details for listeners.
- 06:47 — International availability and limitations.
- 09:44 — The call from the agent: how Netflix interest was revealed.
- 13:29 — Signing the Netflix deal amid moving chaos.
- 16:53 — Reflections on handling this transition and feeling unprepared.
- 17:35 — The reality of career milestones feeling anticlimactic.
- 19:56 — Listener engagement and call for feedback on tour cities.
Summary & Takeaways
This episode offers a raw and relatable look into a major professional achievement, peppered with vulnerability and gratitude. Jemma brings listeners behind the scenes of her Netflix partnership, shares the logistical and emotional upheaval she experienced, and reiterates her dedication to maintaining the close-knit, thoughtful spirit of her podcast community. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to have your indie project make it big—and how it feels internally—this episode is candid, informative, and heartfelt.