What College Didn’t Teach Me - An Interview with author Amanda Maggiore

Hey Girl Gang listeners! Today I’m really excited to do a recap of our interview with my dear friend, Amanda Maggiore, and her story on how she became a self-published author! This is also our first “Woman of the Season”. When we thought of our goals for the Girl Gang Podcast in 2025, I wanted to launch this idea of “Woman of the Season”. Each season, we will interview a woman who we are inspired by - maybe she’s an author, a business owner, or maybe she’s just a badass doing cool shit and we think she’s worth spotlighting. So this is it! This is the first and beginning of a way to showcase women all over the world who are making impact in people’s lives. Once we do an episode with this woman, we will follow up with an interview - QA style - so you can learn more about her background, fun facts, and we will dial into more of the topic we discussed in her episode. We will also plan to bring on Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to talk on different topics as well so we aren’t just limited to one woman each season. Let’s dive into our episode with Amanda:

What College Didn’t Teach Me Episode Recap:

In this episode of the Girl Gang Podcast, we delve deep into the heartfelt journey of Amanda, a woman navigating the complexities of life after her undergrad experience. Amanda shares her rich backstory, highlighting her early life in Denver, Colorado, her experiences as a student in St. Louis, and her bold move to Dallas, Texas. This isn't just a tale of independence; it's a narrative filled with vulnerability and the realization that life can take unexpected turns. Because of these unexpected turns in her life, she leaned into writing as a form of therapy, and eventually decided to publish her own book, “What College Didn’t Teach Me”.

As Amanda dives into the topics of her book, she explores the lessons that conventional education often overlooks. She critiques the educational system for not preparing students for crucial life skills like managing finances, navigating relationships, and dealing with the emotional nuances of adulthood. When I asked her if she would do it again - you know - go to college - she said absolutely. Because even though she felt like some skills were not learned, there were experiences she had in college she wouldn’t trade for the world. Kozy and Brandi resonated a lot with relationships and communications - especially when it came to roommates and romantic relationships. I on the other hand felt like I gained a lot of these life skills living in Chicago and having to look for my own apartments, pay utility bills, etc. Her book serves both as a personal narrative and a guide, filled with insights that resonates with many of us who might be doubting that typical college experience. Amanda’s candidness about her experiences with dating, friendships, and self-growth strikes a chord, especially for young women who may find themselves lost in similar situations.

Throughout the episode, our hosts and Amanda emphasize the necessity of open communication and understanding in relationships. Amanda shares her personal growth regarding setting boundaries and how important it is to speak up about one’s needs. Kudos to Amanda and Kozy stating I helped them learn how to set better boundaries because I certainly struggle with it in my own life.

For those on the brink of graduation or recently out of college, Amanda’s narrative is a potent reminder that growth is a process—often messy, often exhilarating, and always rewarding. She encourages everyone to seek knowledge beyond the classroom and to embrace the beauty and complexity of life. This episode is an essential listen for anyone feeling adrift in the post-college life, ensuring that they know they are not alone.

Listen now!

Chapters to check out:

0:00 Welcome to Girl Gang Podcast

2:48 Meet Amanda: Backstory and Friendship

7:19 The Process of Writing a Book

18:00 Topic that Stood out Most in Book

22:38 Resources Utilized

42:06 When Should You Read This Book?

43:31 Would You Go to College Again?

46:15 Support Amanda and Buy Her Book Today!

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Amanda’s Post-Episode Interview QA:

Now that you’ve caught up on the episode itself, let’s learn more about our author! I gave Amanda a set of interview questions so we could get to know her better, learn about some fun facts, and dive more into that self-publishing process that I’m sure many of us are curious about (especially me)!

The Basics

• Where did you grow up, and what's a fond memory you have from that time?

  Amanda’s Answer: Denver, Colorado.  It is very hard to pick a fond memory, but I would say spending time with my parents and grandparents. They truly mean the most to me in life, and I could not imagine life without them, especially growing up.

• How has your hometown shaped who you are today?

  Amanda’s Answer: I think the people that I was around within my hometown like my family, as well as my experiences with sports helped shaped me into who I am today. I think appreciating the outdoors and a beautiful state also made me realize that there are other beautiful places waiting to be seen and that has really charged my interest in traveling.

• Where did you attend college, and what did you study?

  Amanda’s Answer: Lindenwood University, Marketing

• Was there a specific professor, class, or experience that really stood out to you during your college years?

  Amanda’s Answer: Joining a sorority really helped shape my college years and made it so worth it.

• What sparked your interest in your degree?

  Amanda’s Answer: Professor recommended based on skills

• Where do you currently reside, and what do you enjoy about that area?

  Amanda’s Answer: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.  I love so much about the DFW area, but mostly love the opportunity to try so many different food places. There are an abundance of local restaurants and really cool experiences that are all around the area. The people also make Texas such a wonderful place and I am so happy to have found a place that I truly love to call home.

Fun Facts and Personality

• What's a hidden talent or hobby that most people don't know about?

  Amanda’s Answer: I enjoy paddle boarding when I can in the summer!

  Rachael comment: No way! That’s my favorite summer activity. Why haven’t we done this together before?

• What's a book, podcast, or movie you've recently enjoyed?

  Amanda’s Answer: I really enjoy the book When You Are Ready, This Is How You Heal. It is an excellent self-help book that really makes you think about your situation and more..

• What is your favorite way to spend a free day?

  Amanda’s Answer: I enjoy getting things done around the house, running the errands I need to, going out to eat, and possibly seeing a friend. 

Personal Journey & Empowerment

• Can you share a pivotal moment in your life where you felt empowered, or when you had to reclaim your power?

  Amanda’s Answer: One time when I felt extremely empowered was when I got the job with the company, that I'm currently at, at a very young age. I had originally applied for a lower position, and the manager had seen something in me that I had not, and truly believed in my skills and talent, and had me interview for a manager role that I did not feel like I was ready for. When someone saw something in me that I did not, it really made me feel on top of the world. Sometimes we really sell  ourself short, and don't believe in ourselves as much as we should. When someone that we don't even know sees our potential, it really goes a long way.

• What advice would you give to your younger self?

  Amanda’s Answer: I would tell myself that I am capable of doing more than I think and to always listen to my gut and values. I would tell her to keep the family close and always be kind even when it's not easy.

• How do you define success, and has that definition changed over time?

  Amanda’s Answer: Definition of success has changed a lot over time. When I was in college, I truly thought I wanted to climb the corporate ladder and make the most out of my career. I'm thankful to have a strong background and have people in my life that push me to do the best that I can do. However, I feel like success is measured by happiness and self growth. I think when someone is truly happy in the situation that they currently have, it is the best success because no one can take that away from you. When someone works on themselves and prioritizes themselves, I feel that is a success too. We only get one body and one life and if we do the most that we possibly can for it then I think that is the most successful thing. My success now is by surrounding myself with good people, treating my body with respect by what I do every day, eat every day, and how I manage everything that has brought my way. 

• How do you handle self-doubt or imposter syndrome?

  Amanda’s Answer: Self-doubt is hard because it's easy to hold yourself back and not truly believe in yourself. When I recognize myself going weak, when I should be strong, and know that I can get through whatever it might be, I tell myself I'm strong, and I am capable, and I can do this, even if it scares me.  We fear a lot in life and so I try not to think about the negatives and think about the positives that come out of the situation.

• What are some ways you prioritize your mental and emotional well-being?

  Amanda’s Answer: First, definitely moving my body. Whenever I am feeling down, stressed, unwell, whenever I move my body I always feel better. That is what works for me and I know that my body is a temple, and I need to treat it as such and take care of it. I always make sure I move any time that I can even if it is a short walk for that day. But I also listen to my body and ensure that I don't push it past its current limit and allow it to heal what it needs. For emotional well-being, I step away from things that are making me stressed or anxious. It's so important to take time away from work because a lot of us can get consumed with it. But if you dedicate a strong work-life balance, that will definitely keep your emotions in check. I also get together with people that make me happy and this really helps reset myself and put me into a great mood.

  I also try to do one exciting thing every single month whether it's big or small so I have something to look forward to. Even if that is just dinner with a friend or a trip coming up it's so important to do things that make you happy and try new things. You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Self-Publishing Journey

• What inspired you to take the self-publishing route?

  Amanda’s Answer: I wanted to do self-publishing simply, because I am selfish with my book. I did not want anyone else to own the rights to it, to tell me what I can and cannot say in it, and truly make it my own personal story. There are a lot of unique elements that I designed myself like the page numbers. The page numbers have two dots around each number and that symbolizes my love for polkadots when I was a child. I also added a quote at the bottom of each page that I thought fit that chapter. I really want it to be my story, and for me to not have any limitations.

• What were the biggest challenges you faced during the self-publishing process?

  Amanda’s Answer: Understanding how to do it. There are a lot of steps to this process but it is definitely worth it. I really wanted to get it right and make sure my book published on the appropriate websites. Also, there is an e-commerce website that was very difficult to work with when publishing a book. I won't name the name due to rights, but getting past some of the regulations that they put on there was also very challenging.

• How did you handle the editing and proofreading process?

  Amanda’s Answer: So, I did my own editing and proofreading with tools like Grammarly, and then I hired a contract editor. I was able to find somewhere you submit a portion of your story and people bid on editing it. I had a really good editor who had me rethink some parts, but didn't do a ton of proofreading. Looking back I wish I would've hired a second one just in case but regardless, I'm really glad that I did it and that I took the time to edit and proofread myself. 

• What platforms did you use to publish your book, and why?

  Amanda’s Answer: I self published on my own website that I created, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Etsy, and Google products.  Amazon is an obvious choice as many people go there for e-commerce items as well as digital books. I wanted to create my own website to drive traffic and be able to take the most profit from the sale. Google products was also a great way to get the book out there on a larger scale. 

• How did you handle the legal aspects of self-publishing, such as copyright and ISBNs?

  Amanda’s Answer: When you apply for for a copyright, you have to go through the  government. You submit the story into their portal and it takes some time for them to approve but it will get copyrighted. Then you also have to purchase ISBN for every version of the book that you create. So I had to buy three different ones for my digital book, printed book, and my Amazon version of the book.  48 HOURS books was an excellent tool  to use when you want to order your own books. 

• What tools or resources have you found most valuable in your self-publishing journey?

  Amanda’s Answer: Definitely self-publishing checklists. There are many out there and it's very helpful when you were going through the process because it allows you to keep track of what you need to do.  Plus, utilizing the ISBN website as well as other self-publishing websites that talk to you through the entire process. 

• What is your favorite part of the writing process?

  Amanda’s Answer: Getting to tell my story and then sharing it with others. When I hear someone say that they learned something from my book or that they didn't know something before reading my book, it makes me feel really special. 

Lessons Learned and Advice

• What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from self-publishing?

  Amanda’s Answer: Take your time and don't rush the process. You want to make sure that your book is the way you want it to be. Don't listen to outsider information and truly showcase your best self no matter what anyone says. 

• What advice would you give to aspiring self-published authors?

  Amanda’s Answer: I would say, make sure that you utilize a checklist as well as make connections after you have published the book. I truly believe that success happens in silence. When people know you are doing something incredible, they often shoot it down. Always hold it close to you until you are ready to it launch to the world. Make sure you tell your truth and don't leave out any parts that you feel are important.

• What are your future goals as a writer?

  Amanda’s Answer: I want to grow my book way more than I already have. It takes time and it takes a lot of effort and unfortunately, I have not put in what I have originally planned to. I want to see how this journey goes and then continue to write blogs about the book and give advice to people that are graduating college, because there's so much out there that people don't know or realize. I want to keep sharing my story, and as many ways as I possibly can. Maybe one day there will be another book. 

• Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?

  Amanda’s Answer: I would not step off the gas pedal. I would still be going full throttle and not have let myself neglect the book during a period of time when I got busy with other things in life. But I would not change any part of my process, besides hiring, one more editor to get different eyes on it. I loved my book and I love how much it has impacted my life.

• What do you wish you knew before you started the self publishing process?

  Amanda’s Answer: That it is actually easier than most people think and anyone is capable of doing it. I'm very glad that I did it even though it is more work on my end when it comes to marketing and selling my book, I wouldn't want anyone else having ownership over it. I'm so glad that I went this direction and just know the process is not as intimidating as it seems when you take it step-by-step.

Here are some cool photos of Amanda,

her book,

and some fun adventures we had in Dallas.

If you haven’t been to Dallas in the fall, it is great! The botanical garden does a great fall display and the state fair is there where you can get anything on a stick and also fried….YUMMM.

Thank you, Amanda, for being our first Woman of the Season!!

We hope you enjoyed this episode and our first spotlight of 2025. Do you know any women that we could spotlight as Woman of the Season or bring in as a SME? Text us your recommendations with the text option in our episode description!

So until next time - stay bold, stay empowered…

Rachael & the Girl Gang