If Not For This Podcast

The holidays don’t come with a manual, especially when blended families, shared custody, and big emotions are involved. 

In this episode, Jess and Jay unpack the real-life challenges of navigating family dynamics while keeping their children’s hearts at the center of it all. They share what it looks like to set aside their own expectations, embrace changing relationships, and create meaningful moments, even when circumstances aren’t ideal. With faith as the foundation and grace as the guide, Jess and Jay remind us that resilience, love, and connection can carry us through even the most complex seasons.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

00:18 - Finding Balance

09:38 - Returning to the Gym

23:49 - Navigating Christmas After Divorce

52:00 - Holiday Emotions and Family Dynamics

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

This week, Jess sits down with Emily Sharkey, key voice of the Shark Farmer media world, for a fast-paced, funny, and heartfelt conversation. Shark Farmer is a storytelling hub spotlighting the real, raw, and often hilarious lives of rural America, spanning podcasts, radio, TV, and a whole lot of Midwest charm. Em talks about career plot twists, the chaos-and-charm combo of motherhood, and the magic of embracing the unexpected.

Packed with plenty of laughs, real-talk moments, and a dash of “wait, how did we get here?”, this episode celebrates the messy, hilarious, heartwarming ride of figuring life out, with a little help from your people.

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

This week, Jess grabs the mic to take you right into the heart of her beautifully blended life, joined by her guest, co-parent, and husband, Jay. Together, they unpack the wonderfully weird dynamics of merging families, comparing their totally different upbringings and how those backgrounds still clash, or blend, into their everyday routines and parenting choices.

Jess gets real about what it’s been like learning to loosen her grip on control, while Jay tags in with his own take on navigating love, boundaries, and the chaos of step-parenting. Along the way, they share the surprisingly practical strategies, communication hacks, and mindset shifts that help stepparents and kids actually understand each other (or at least try to).

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

This week, Jess takes us on a wild ride through the messy, guilt-filled terrain of growing up Southern Baptist, where perfection was expected and mistakes were mortal sins. She shares how straying from those rigid expectations didn’t just ruffle feathers, it triggered a full-blown shame storm that left her questioning everything about faith, identity, and whether she’d ever be “good enough.” 

Through some brutally honest self-reflection (and a game-changing heart-to-heart with her pastor), she discovered that grace isn’t just a churchy buzzword, it’s real, and life-saving. 

Jess explores how the past doesn’t get to write the future, and that even in the middle of shame, chaos, or epic personal fails, redemption is totally possible.

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

In this episode, Jess sits down with her daughter Lily. They discuss Lily’s raw, real, and unexpectedly emotional journey into college life, the kind that doesn’t show up in the brochures. From the nerves of move-in day to a panic attack at a sorority picnic, Lily opens up about facing social anxiety head-on in a brand-new world. Jess offers an honest look at what it’s like to support your kid from the sidelines, proud, worried, and just trying to hold it together as your firstborn steps into the unknown.

Together, they walk us through the messy middle: the lonely moments, the quiet victories, and the surprising ways connection and resilience can grow.

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

On this episode, Jess chats with author and counselor Summer Butler about the ups, downs, and everything in between of blended families. They explore how love doesn’t get divided, it multiplies, and how kids can thrive across multiple homes.

Summer also shares her new children’s book, “Mallie’s Two Homes and a Deer Named Darla,” a comforting guide for kids navigating stepfamily life. Listen as Jess and Summer chat about resilience, connection, and growing stronger through life’s twists.

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

In this episode, Jess dives into the powerful connection between getting moving and feeling amazing, both physically and emotionally. She shares how working out isn’t just about muscles or stamina; it’s a secret weapon for clearing your mind, melting stress, and boosting overall well-being. Jess opens up about her own fitness journey over the past four and a half months, showing how sticking to a routine has transformed her day-to-day feelings.

She also breaks down the science, think endorphins, stress hormones, and all the brain-boosting magic that happens when you sweat it out. 

Progress doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs honesty, consistency, and a little self-care.

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

This week, Jess gets real about the power of vulnerability, the magic of genuine connection, and how both can completely change the way we experience life and relationships. She talks about moments of self-doubt and podcast jitters to the surprising clarity that came from honest conversations with the people who matter most.

Jess explores why opening up about our struggles isn’t weakness, it’s where healing begins. Jess also reveals an exciting new chapter for our community, one rooted in holistic wellness and the beautiful connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

06:06 - Navigating Vulnerability and Transparency

17:07 - The Power of Friendship and Support

28:09 - Clutter and Connection: A Journey of Rediscovery

32:40 - Emotional Release: The Power of a Scream

45:02 - The Journey to Holistic Health

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

What happens when two strong-willed “Alpha” personalities fall in love and try to do life together without (completely) driving each other bonkers?

Jess gets real about the sparks that fly, not just the romantic kind, but the occasional post-vacation tension that pops up when the bags are unpacked, but the emotions… not so much. Jay joins her and they explore big revelations, like how moments of friction can lead to a deeper connection if you're brave enough to face them.

If you've ever found yourself arguing over who left the hotel light on or questioning why your dream trip ended in a weird silence, this one’s for you. Jess and Jay remind us that love isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, staying curious, and doing the work together.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

04:00 - Alpha Dynamics in Marriage

12:05 - Understanding Triggers and Emotional Responses

28:22 - Communication in Relationships

40:26 - Unexpected Restaurant Drama

48:03 - Marital Clarity and Connection

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

In this episode, Jess opens up about what turning 45 has brought into focus for her, the beauty of self-acceptance, the power of imperfection, and the ongoing evolution that comes with age. She shares moments from her recent birthday and how they sparked deeper reflection on life, relationships, and the ways we show up for each other.

She talks honestly about the ups and downs of marriage,  especially the tough stuff like communication and unmet needs, and how those challenges can lead to greater understanding and growth. This is a conversation about embracing it all: the joy, the messiness, and the lessons we can learn from loving others and ourselves.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

00:58 - Reflections on Turning 45

11:34 - Navigating Relationships and Expectations

23:34 - The Complexity of Love and Relationships

39:56 - Connecting Moments: Embracing Family Bonds

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers!  With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again. 

Together, the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!