Podcast Summary: "Who Is She?"

Title: Who Is She
Host: Danielle Walter
Episode: Season 2, Episode 6: "tiwik early 20's"
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Description: Who Is She serves as a guiding voice for women navigating their 20s and thriving into their 30s. Hosted by Danielle Walter, the podcast delves into topics ranging from dating and personal growth to pivotal life perspectives.

Introduction

In Season 2, Episode 6 titled "tiwik early 20's," Danielle Walter continues her mission to empower women in their early 20s by addressing the myriad challenges and decisions that define this transformative decade. This episode is part of a mini-series focusing on "Things I Wish I Knew" at various life stages, with the previous installment covering college years.

Personal Updates

Before diving into the core content, Danielle shares personal updates that set the stage for the episode's themes.

• Entertainment Insights:
  Danielle recently binged Ted Lasso and Severance on Apple TV, highlighting her engagement with contemporary shows. She remarks, “Ted Lasso seemed a lot like lighter hearted” (05:30) and expresses excitement about Apple TV's content offerings.

• Apartment Makeover:
  Danielle discusses the progress of her apartment furnishing, expressing enthusiasm about upcoming deliveries and the transformation into a "vintage, maximalist, grandma chic" aesthetic. She shares, “my content is going to be so freaking good once this place is decorated” (12:15), emphasizing how her environment influences her creative work.

Main Content: "Things I Wish I Knew in My Early 20s"

Danielle addresses a series of questions generated by ChatGPT, tailored to provide valuable insights for women aged 20 to 25. Below are the key topics discussed:

1. Trusting Yourself in Your Early 20s

• Key Points:
  • Early 20s mark the transition from structured environments like college to making independent life decisions.
  • Trust is built by consistently showing up for yourself and making intentional choices.
• Notable Quote:
  “Self trust is really rooted from showing up for yourself the best way that you can” (16:45).

2. What It Means to Find Yourself

• Key Points:
  • Finding oneself is an ongoing process of discovering and collecting pieces of your identity.
  • Embracing vulnerability and new experiences is essential.
• Notable Quote:
  “Instead of finding yourself many times, you're finding pieces of yourself” (18:20).

3. Feeling Behind and Overcoming It

• Key Points:
  • It's normal to feel behind due to societal pressures and unrealistic comparisons, especially fueled by social media.
  • Reframing the feeling of being behind into excitement for future accomplishments.
• Notable Quote:
  “If you feel behind, just reframe that in your mind to think about it… I'm so excited to accomplish this” (20:05).

4. Choosing the Right Career Without Clarity

• Key Points:
  • Recognize that it's rare to stay in a single career forever.
  • Embrace experimentation and be open to shifting directions based on evolving interests and experiences.
• Notable Quote:
  “The fact that someone told you to determine what you want to do with the rest of your life at this age is crazy” (22:30).

5. Advocating for Yourself at Work

• Key Points:
  • Maintaining professional boundaries while advocating for your needs.
  • Understanding that the worst outcome is being turned down, which is not personal.
• Notable Quote:
  “Practicing showing up for yourself in that way is something you need to do” (25:10).

6. Negotiating Your First Salary

• Key Points:
  • Conduct thorough research using resources like Glassdoor to understand market rates.
  • Approach negotiations with evidence and be open to discussing future raises.
• Notable Quote:
  “Locking in the guarantee or doing as much as you can that you're going to get a raise in a year” (27:05).

7. Understanding That Your First Job Isn't Forever

• Key Points:
  • Initial roles are starting points; careers evolve based on personal growth and changing interests.
  • It's acceptable to shift careers as your understanding of your passions deepens.
• Notable Quote:
  “Your first job is probably not going to be your forever job” (29:20).

8. Dealing with Imposter Syndrome in a New Career

• Key Points:
  • Overcompensating can be a temporary strategy to manage imposter syndrome.
  • Building self-confidence through consistent performance helps mitigate self-doubt.
• Notable Quote:
  “Self confidence and the self doubt and the imposter syndrome can't live at the same time” (31:00).

9. It's Okay Not to Meet Your Person in Your Early 20s

• Key Points:
  • Personal growth often changes what you seek in a partner.
  • Meeting someone early doesn't guarantee long-term compatibility as both individuals evolve.
• Notable Quote:
  “It's okay to not have met your person in your early 20s” (33:15).

10. Using Chemistry for Compatibility in Dating

• Key Points:
  • Recognize that immediate attraction ("chemistry") doesn't necessarily equate to long-term compatibility.
  • Prioritize qualities and values over superficial attractions.
• Notable Quote:
  “Men between the ages of 20 to 25 can very easily have chemistry with a lot of people” (35:40).

11. Setting Boundaries in Dating Without Scaring People Off

• Key Points:
  • Clearly communicate your needs and boundaries early in relationships.
  • Respectful partners will appreciate and accommodate your boundaries.
• Notable Quote:
  “If they're scared off by what you want, then they couldn't give you what you want anyway” (38:00).

12. The Role of Casual Dating: Does It Really Work?

• Key Points:
  • Reframe "casual dating" as deliberate dating with multiple partners to make informed decisions.
  • Exercise caution with physical boundaries to prevent emotional complications.
• Notable Quote:
  “I encourage you as a 20 to 25 year old woman to actually date, which means you go out with multiple people” (40:20).

13. Telling the Difference Between Love and Attachment

• Key Points:
  • Understand attachment theory to differentiate between genuine love and attachment rooted in seeking validation.
  • Make conscious choices to build relationships based on compatibility, not just emotional needs.
• Notable Quote:
  “When you are making decisions and doing things... that’s the difference between love and attachment” (43:10).

14. Avoiding Shrinking Yourself in Relationships

• Key Points:
  • Maintain personal boundaries and speak up for your needs to prevent losing your sense of self.
  • Authenticity in relationships fosters mutual respect and understanding.
• Notable Quote:
  “Show up for yourself... which then in turn is showing up for the other person” (45:30).

15. Spotting the Difference Between Real Friends and Party Friends

• Key Points:
  • Evaluate friendships based on meaningful conversations and mutual growth rather than superficial interactions.
  • Surround yourself with friends who support your aspirations and engage in enriching dialogues.
• Notable Quote:
  “The people that just want to talk about the crazy night they had... are typically not enhancing your life” (48:00).

16. Making New Friends as an Adult

• Key Points:
  • Transitioning post-college often requires proactive efforts to build new friendships.
  • Engage in activities and communities that align with your interests to meet like-minded individuals.
• Notable Quote:
  “I have an entire episode on how to make friends as an adult” (50:15).

17. The Role of Mentorship in Your Early 20s

• Key Points:
  • Mentors provide a safe space for reflection and accountability without imposing directives.
  • They can offer provocative questions that encourage personal and professional growth.
• Notable Quote:
  “The role of a mentor is a safe space in your early 20s” (52:40).

18. Surviving FOMO Without Going Broke or Burning Out

• Key Points:
  • Prioritize activities and relationships that truly matter to you.
  • Recognize your limits to prevent overcommitting and experiencing burnout.
• Notable Quote:
  “Know your body, know yourself” (55:05).

19. Outgrowing Friendships Without Guilt

• Key Points:
  • Accept that people evolve differently and it's natural to outgrow certain friendships.
  • Communicate openly about changing dynamics to maintain respect and clarity.
• Notable Quote:
  “You are evolving, and that's okay” (57:30).

20. Building a Support System from Scratch

• Key Points:
  • Start by being supportive to others without expecting anything in return.
  • Foster relationships based on mutual support and genuine connection.
• Notable Quote:
  “Building a support system is all about being supportive to other people first” (59:45).

21. Stopping the Hustle for Your Worth

• Key Points:
  • Understand that your worth is inherent and not solely tied to achievements or external validations.
  • Embrace your value through self-awareness and personal beliefs.
• Notable Quote:
  “Your worth comes from who God says I am” (1:02:10).

22. Balancing Ambition with Rest

• Key Points:
  • Adopt incremental progress by focusing on one achievable task each day.
  • Reward yourself for accomplishments to maintain motivation and prevent burnout.
• Notable Quote:
  “Do one thing a day, one incremental thing a day that will get you towards your goal” (1:05:25).

23. Enjoying the Process, Not Just the Outcomes

• Key Points:
  • Find joy in the journey towards your goals, not just the end results.
  • Cultivate a love for the daily activities that contribute to your aspirations.
• Notable Quote:
  “If you don’t want the outcome, you don’t want the process” (1:08:40).

24. Giving Yourself Permission to Change Your Mind

• Key Points:
  • Embrace the fluidity of interests and goals as part of personal growth.
  • Understand that changing directions is a sign of self-awareness and empowerment.
• Notable Quote:
  “Nothing is permanent and you are calling the shots” (1:11:55).

25. The Biggest Lie About Your Early 20s

• Key Points:
  • The misconception that you must have everything figured out.
  • Emphasize that uncertainty is natural and part of the learning process.
• Notable Quote:
  “The biggest lie is that you have to have everything figured out” (1:14:30).

Conclusion

Danielle wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to embrace their journeys with authenticity and self-compassion. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, setting boundaries, and building meaningful relationships. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for women in their early 20s, offering practical advice and heartfelt insights to navigate this pivotal decade.

Final Thoughts

"Who Is She?" Season 2, Episode 6, serves as an invaluable resource for young women seeking direction and confidence in their early 20s. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, expert advice, and reflective questions, Danielle Walter provides a roadmap for overcoming common challenges and embracing the journey of self-discovery.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “Self trust is really rooted from showing up for yourself the best way that you can” – 16:45
• “Instead of finding yourself many times, you're finding pieces of yourself” – 18:20
• “If you feel behind, just reframe that in your mind to think about it… I'm so excited to accomplish this” – 20:05
• “The fact that someone told you to determine what you want to do with the rest of your life at this age is crazy” – 22:30
• “Practicing showing up for yourself in that way is something you need to do” – 25:10
• “Locking in the guarantee or doing as much as you can that you're going to get a raise in a year” – 27:05
• “Your first job is probably not going to be your forever job” – 29:20
• “Self confidence and the self doubt and the imposter syndrome can't live at the same time” – 31:00
• “It's okay to not have met your person in your early 20s” – 33:15
• “Men between the ages of 20 to 25 can very easily have chemistry with a lot of people” – 35:40
• “If they're scared off by what you want, then they couldn't give you what you want anyway” – 38:00
• “I encourage you as a 20 to 25 year old woman to actually date, which means you go out with multiple people” – 40:20
• “When you are making decisions and doing things... that’s the difference between love and attachment” – 43:10
• “Show up for yourself... which then in turn is showing up for the other person” – 45:30
• “The people that just want to talk about the crazy night they had... are typically not enhancing your life” – 48:00
• “I have an entire episode on how to make friends as an adult” – 50:15
• “The role of a mentor is a safe space in your early 20s” – 52:40
• “Know your body, know yourself” – 55:05
• “You are evolving, and that's okay” – 57:30
• “Building a support system is all about being supportive to other people first” – 59:45
• “Your worth comes from who God says I am” – 1:02:10
• “Do one thing a day, one incremental thing a day that will get you towards your goal” – 1:05:25
• “If you don’t want the outcome, you don’t want the process” – 1:08:40
• “Nothing is permanent and you are calling the shots” – 1:11:55
• “The biggest lie is that you have to have everything figured out” – 1:14:30

Note: Timestamps are approximate based on the transcript structure.

Connect with Danielle Walter:

• Website: gmc.com
• Social Media: Follow Danielle on Instagram and other platforms to stay updated with new episodes and content transformations post-apartment makeover.