The 20 Effect

In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Silvas, a dear friend who had a profound impact on my life in my early 20s and post-grad transition. Now in graduate school for counseling, Amanda has worked closely with clients and developed a research project focused on self-esteem in women in their 20s. We unpack self-esteem during this pivotal season of life and explore why so many of us struggle with the way we see ourselves. We explore how your sense of worth evolves over time and why it’s so easy to tie that worth to external validation. Amanda highlights the power of positive self-talk, and how shifting your inner dialogue can move you from self-doubt to greater confidence, resilience, and a more grounded sense of self-worth. In a world that constantly tells us who we should be, building self-esteem from within can change everything.

Amanda Silvas Instagram: @iam_amandasilvas
Link to Research Study

In this episode, I’m celebrating a big milestone...one year of The 20 Effect Podcast! This past year has been full of growth, change, and self-reflection. Like many people in their 20s, I’ve experienced what I like to call a 'Quarter-Life Crisis': questioning my path, navigating uncertainty, and learning how to show up and improve just 1% each day. I reflect on the mountaintops and valleys of the past year, the seasons of change that forced me to take a hard look in the mirror, and the moments when I had to let go of what no longer served me. I also explore how facing failure can build real confidence, and how releasing unrealistic expectations allows you to grieve the life you once imagined for yourself. Ultimately, this episode is about giving yourself grace, trusting the process, and remembering that building a life takes time, and chances are, you’re doing better than you think.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brian and Cheri Beltramo, two incredible mentors that greatly impacted my life when I lived in Arizona. The Beltramos share their experience of working in Young Adult Ministry and helping guide 20 somethings through their most pivotal years. We explore why as humans, we get so caught up in the worry trap. In today’s fast-paced world, it's easy to become overwhelmed with worries about relationships, finances, jobs status, or our future. When we turn worry into worship this perspective shift can help alleviate the burden of worry and replace it with hope and faith.

In this episode, I'm joined by KayDianna Mackenzie Davis Garza, a sweet friend and such a truly authentic person. KayDianna and I met through my cousin, Camryn, and were bridesmaids together in her wedding. She shares her story of growing up a dancer and ultimately going on to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for four incredible seasons. We discuss how life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect, and more often than not, we find ourselves in the messy middle. We talk about what it looks like to grow through uncertainty, release the pressure to have everything figured out, and how to trust God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense. KayDianna opens up about how she’s walked through this season of her life and shares thoughtful advice for anyone navigating transition, identity shifts, or waiting on what’s next. This conversation is honest, encouraging, and a reminder that even in the silence, God is still working.

In this episode, I'm talking about a big life update...I moved to Austin, TX! I'm currently going through a big season of change and have been navigating the ups and downs that come with it. The past few months have been filled with incredible blessings, but also moments of doubt, uncertainty, and growing pains. I open up about what this move has looked like for me, what I've learned along the way, and how these seasons of change shape us into the next best version of ourselves. I share ways to remain grounded when everything around you is shifting, along with encouragement for anyone navigating transition, change, or the unknown. Sometimes it's about letting go and trusting that God is always going to show up and provide a way.