The Gen Mess with Tess

What if the greatest barrier to your success isn’t the world outside—but the silent story you keep telling yourself inside your own head?

In this compelling episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Dr. Ashok Bhattacharya, psychiatrist and founder of The Empathy Clinic, to explore why empathy isn’t just a “soft skill”—it’s the invisible glue shaping our relationships, workplaces, and personal growth. Dr. Bhattacharya reveals how early life experiences and powerful moments (sometimes as tiny as a single comment from a grade school teacher) can shape the narratives that define—and sometimes limit—us for decades.

Together, Tess and Dr. Bhattacharya dig deep into how we can unravel unhelpful stories, challenge survival-mode thinking, and truly transform how we connect with ourselves and each other. They break down the real difference between empathy, compassion, and kindness, and explain why even a little bit of genuine empathy can make or break a relationship, a workplace, or even your own self-worth.

Key highlights you’ll discover in this episode:

• The surprising childhood experience that led Dr. Bhattacharya to devote his life to empathy.
• Why your brain is hardwired to focus on failures—plus how perfectionism sneaks into relationships and work.
• The “jam jar” analogy that reframes why change often happens slowly—until it happens all at once.
• Why empathy is NOT about agreement—or imagining yourself in someone else’s shoes.
• How to raise emotionally healthy kids and support younger generations who face unprecedented pressures thanks to technology.
• Practical tools for leaders (and coworkers) to foster empathy at work—without needing hours of meetings or group therapy.
• The secrets of reciprocal empathy, especially in couples and intergenerational relationships.
• How embracing difference, not sameness, is the real key to bridging generational divides.

If you’re curious about how to actually practice empathy (not just talk about it), handle disagreement gracefully, or help your team, family, or yourself thrive in a messy, ever-changing world, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and heartfelt stories.

Timestamps Overview:

00:00 – Intro: The generational “mess” & Tess’s mission

00:31 – Dr. Ashok Bhattacharya’s origin story & why empathy matters

04:40 – How the stories we tell ourselves can cripple us

07:04 – Why falling down (in skating…or life) is harder to process than you think

10:16 – The amplified pressures of today’s tech-driven world for the younger generation

12:39 – Practice, failure, and shame: Why young people get “stuck”

14:40 – What empathy, compassion, and kindness actually are

16:28 – The real challenge of empathy and “getting out of your head”

19:46 – Can you be empathic with people you disagree with?

23:03 – Tess’s therapy work: The invisible ripple effect of empathy

26:57 – “Soft skills” and how small moments shape lives

31:16 – The privilege of being “with” someone as a therapist

32:37 – Why bridging generational divides requires empathy

34:59 – How generations value and practice empathy differently

39:08 – Practical steps for leaders and teams to actively use empathy

42:07 – Why “a little empathy goes a long way” in the workplace

44:08 – Empathy as a proactive force for productivity and trust

45:54 – Where to find Dr. Bhattacharya + his books on empathy and burnout

48:33 – The secret power of reciprocal empathy in couples

49:13 – Outro: Embracing the mess and learning to live in it

Listen in—and discover how empathy isn’t a luxury. It’s your greatest tool for navigating the messiness of modern life.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the American Dream your parents promised you was nothing but a myth? What if the payoff for all your hard work simply… never arrives?

In this eye-opening episode of the Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with writer, podcaster, and former writing professor Amye Archer to pull back the curtain on generational work myths, shifting values, and what’s really happening as Gen Xers raise Gen Z kids in a world that looks nothing like the one they inherited.

Key Highlights:

• Generational Real Talk: Tess and Amye dive deep into Gen X’s collective disillusionment—how growing up between two very different eras (Boomers’ trusting company loyalty and Millennials’ self-branding hustle) shaped their perspectives on work, creativity, and life.
• Gen Z’s New Playbook: Can you actually say “no” to crappy jobs and still end up ahead? Amye shares what she’s learned from parenting twin Gen Z daughters who refuse to settle for less, put work-life balance first, and are rewriting the rules the rest of us grew up with.
• Therapist Wisdom & Storytelling: How does a background in writing, teaching, AND therapy shape a successful podcasting career? Amye reveals the skills and mindset shifts that made her leap from academia to the unpredictable world of podcasting—plus how connecting with listeners has become her ultimate reward.
• Parenting Without a Playbook: From tales of “feral Gen X” childhoods to the anxiety of raising teens in an era of mass shootings and online drama, Tess and Amye compare notes on what surprises, worries, and inspires them about this new generation.
• Shaking Up the Workplace: What does managing (or parenting) Gen Z really require? Hear straight talk on how managers and parents need to let go of old rules, focus on personal connection, and embrace the flexibility, questioning, and self-respect that today’s young adults demand.

Whether you’re wondering how to deal with your Gen Z coworkers, trying to understand your kids, or facing your own career pivot, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to finally make sense of the generational mess—and maybe even be inspired by it.

Episode Overview:

00:00 – Introductions & Pop Culture Blindspots: Gen X vs Gen Z

01:16 – Work, Creativity & Gen X Disillusionment

04:09 – Gen Z’s Bargaining Power at Work

06:06 – Parenting Styles Then and Now

10:56 – Mental Health, Communication & Anxiety in Kids

11:20 – Building a Podcast Career Outside the Traditional Path

12:52 – How Writing, Creativity, & Therapy Fuel Podcasting

15:00 – Why Amye Started Little Miss Recap & Murder She Watched

16:13 – Leaving Academia and Lessons from Career Pivots

18:27 – Working With a Spouse in the Podcasting World

19:33 – Surprises in Raising Gen Z Daughters

23:42 – Gen Z, World Issues & Climate Anxiety

25:23 – Gen Z and Money, Work-Life Balance, and Defining Success

26:58 – Gen X, Boomers, and the Vanishing American Dream

29:14 – Advice Gaps: Why “Old” Solutions Don’t Fit New Problems

31:09 – Why Professors (and Managers) Are Burned Out

33:27 – What Gen Z Has Taught Gen X About Self-Respect and Boundaries

35:25 – Parental Concerns: Coddling vs. Independence

38:39 – The Importance of Modeling and Letting Kids Fail

40:13 – Advice for Managing Gen Z at Work

41:58 – Why Work Should Focus on Output, Not Hours

43:11 – The Need for Personal Connection in the Modern Workplace

45:14 – Wrapping Up & Amye’s Podcast Plugs

Press play to discover how to stop fixing the mess—and start living in it.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to skyrocketing your company’s profits isn’t better tech, but happier employees?

In this episode of Gen Mess With Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with powerhouse people & culture leader Jessica Holst (SpaceX, CAA, Mattel, Verve) to pull back the curtain on why traditional HR practices—and even today’s obsession with AI—are missing the real leverage point for business success: the emotional well-being and engagement of your team.

Jessica reveals why most companies are completely underestimating how much empowering employees (instead of controlling them) transforms productivity, innovation, and the bottom line. Through compelling stories from Hollywood’s notorious agency world to surprising data on what actually drives performance, Jessica and Tess dive into:

• The evolution of HR from “personnel police” to culture architects—and why most organizations are stuck in the past
• The science behind why emotions and a sense of belonging at work fuel profitability
• Why letting go of short-term thinking is essential in the age of AI (spoiler alert: robots can’t replace genuine human connection)
• The broken pipeline in Hollywood and other fields that keeps real talent and diversity out of reach—and how Jessica helped raise assistant pay industry-wide
• Navigating generational rifts, from Gen Z’s boundary-setting to Gen X’s “work-as-life” mindset, and what leaders need to realize about new definitions of success
• The tricky but critical difference between bringing your authentic self versus your whole self to work—and how to set healthy boundaries as a leader
• Practical, hard-won advice for building workplaces where people actually want to show up (and what happens when you finally give them a voice)

If you’re a business owner, manager, future leader, or anyone struggling with workplace “mess”—don’t miss this deep, frank, and refreshingly actionable conversation. You’ll walk away with new strategies (and maybe a few hard truths) for bridging generational divides, unlocking creativity, and making your company a magnet for talent.

Episode Overview

• [00:00] Intro & Jessica's unexpected leap into HR
• [00:04] From “personnel” to people strategy: reframing the HR function
• [00:07] Ritz-Carlton & Enterprise: The business breakthrough of empowering employees
• [00:15] Why can’t CEOs see the ROI of treating people well?
• [00:25] Hollywood’s diversity problem and the legacy of gatekeeping
• [00:36] What Gen Z and Millennials really want at work (and why)
• [00:43] Authenticity vs. Oversharing: Navigating boundaries in the modern workplace
• [00:54] How being a parent (and a manager) can make you better at both
• [00:57] Jessica’s consulting journey & how to create a workplace everyone wants to work for

Tune in for an episode that just might change the way you think about work—and how to make it work better, for everyone.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the biggest problem with your writing isn’t your grammar or structure—but the way you think?

In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with her personal writing coach, Brian Morgan, founder of Think Deeply, Write Clearly, to reveal the transformative link between writing, thinking, and the human condition. Get ready to reconsider everything you thought you knew about creativity, communication, and the very process of making sense of the world.

Brian shares his unconventional journey from struggling actor to billion-dollar report editor, ultimately landing as a leading expert in sense-making through writing. Together, Tess and Brian dive into:

• Why most writing problems are actually rooted in muddled thinking—and why most schools do a terrible job of teaching this.
• The surprising truth about creative careers: Do most artists really want to be artists, or just famous?
• The dangers of trusting leaders who speak in conclusions instead of thoughtful frameworks (with spicy commentary on today’s political climate!)
• Why Gen Z and today’s college students are falling behind in critical thinking and communication—and how our current education structures are failing them
• The one daily practice that can immediately make you a clearer thinker, communicator, and human being

Whether you’re a business leader, educator, or someone wanting to bridge the generational communication gap, this episode is packed with vulnerable stories, tough truths, and actionable takeaways for thriving in the modern world—mess and all.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 – Tess introduces the Gen Mess with Tess and welcomes Brian Morgan

00:01 – Brian’s background: From acting to editing billion-dollar contracts to writing coaching

00:07 – Are artists really after creative mastery or just fame?

00:14 – What acting teaches about observation, sense-making, and writing

00:17 – Why most writing “problems” are actually thinking problems

00:22 – The danger of conclusions without sense-making frameworks; politics and business examples

00:29 – Is it our individual job to make sense of the world? Stories of self-reflection, failure, and growth

00:43 – The crisis in education: Why today’s students struggle with thinking and writing (COVID-19’s impact and beyond)

00:50 – Rapid fire: Brian’s top writing/communication tip you can use right now

00:53 – Free resource: How to join Brian’s 90-day prolific writing program

Listen, reflect, and discover how you can clean up your own “gen mess”—one clear thought at a time.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the American Dream was never really meant for everyone? And what if today’s younger generations are reinventing it into something healthier and more meaningful?

In this thought-provoking solo episode, Tess Brigham dives headfirst into the messy legacy of the American Dream—exposing who it really served, how it shaped generations, and why Gen Z and Millennials are outgrowing the old rules. Tess peels back the glossy myth of "work hard and you’ll have it all," uncovering the hidden realities of racial, gender, and economic exclusion. Through personal anecdotes, cultural observations (from Bake Sale Betty to Barbie to Mad Men), and data-driven insights, Tess reveals how younger generations are rewriting the dream: prioritizing enough over excess, values over grind, and happiness over hustle.

Tune in to discover:

• The untold limitations of the post-war American Dream—even at its peak
• How today’s economic realities stack the odds against traditional milestones
• Why Gen Z is rejecting burnout culture and chasing a new vision of “enoughness”
• What companies must change to attract and keep the next generation of talent
• The surprising truth about what really drives our pursuit of success

If you’ve ever wondered why “kids these days” have different aspirations—or if you’re struggling with your own feelings about work and self-worth—this episode will help you see the American Dream in a whole new light.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Show intro and the American Dream: myth vs. reality
• 02:16 — Who actually got access to the American Dream post-WWII
• 04:27 — Bake Sale Betty: Redefining business success and work-life balance
• 08:50 — The American Dream today: College debt, housing prices, and wage stagnation
• 12:20 — Gen Z’s new dream: Mental well-being and purposeful work
• 14:19 — Pop culture shifts: From Barbie to Mad Men
• 15:57 — A Dream of “enough”: What if fulfillment is the goal?
• 17:59 — Wrap up: Living with the messy, evolving American Dream

Subscribe for more real talk with Tess Brigham, or visit tessbrigham.com to learn how Tess can help your organization thrive across generations!

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to true influence is saying “no” more often than saying “yes”?

In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Brad Hoos—CEO of The Outloud Group and founder of Musk Ox—to unravel the myths and realities behind the influencer industry, generational shifts at work, and what it really takes to lead with authenticity.

Brad didn’t set out to become an influencer marketing expert—in fact, he’s a self-described “recovering engineer” and ex-management consultant. But after an unlikely twist in his career, Brad now leads an agency representing top creators on YouTube, TikTok, and beyond. Together, Tess and Brad dig deep into:

• The science of influence: Can you “fake” true influence, or is it rooted in trust and authenticity? And why is it often the creators who turn down brand deals who drive the biggest results?
• Generational insights: How Gen Z and millennials are changing the digital landscape, why “YouTube famous” now simply means “famous,” and whether being an influencer is just a masked quest for connection and self-acceptance.
• The CEO’s balancing act: Brad reveals how he protects his mental health amid chaos, the productivity hacks that actually work, and the surprising lesson that changed everything about how he leads.
• Company culture that sticks: Hear how Outloud Group centers success on personal growth and emotional intelligence, and how radical direct communication keeps their workplace free of toxic gossip.
• The power of saying no: Why knowing when to walk away—from brand deals, tasks, or even outdated life advice—might be the ultimate “growth hack.”

Plus, Tess and Brad open up about parenting across generations, living in the chaotic mess of life, and what today’s rising leaders are getting right (and wrong) about carving their own paths.

This episode is a must-listen whether you’re an aspiring influencer, people leader, or simply navigating the generational dynamics at work and home.

Timestamped Episode Overview:

00:00 – Tess introduces Brad Hoos and the evolving generational “mess”

01:09 – Brad’s unexpected journey from engineering to influencer marketing

03:50 – Why consulting shaped his approach to data-driven, people-first campaigns

05:46 – The Super Bowl, Kendrick Lamar, and the myth of “faking” influence

06:48 – How trust and authenticity drive true influence online

09:06 – The power of creators saying “no” and the perils of commercial oversaturation

12:02 – Brad’s daily routines and mental health as a CEO

15:09 – Productivity hacks that actually work (and those that don’t)

18:42 – Why subtraction is the real path to sanity for leaders

21:58 – Outloud’s unique definition of success and growth-focused culture

25:37 – Building a company around emotional intelligence and radical candor

28:05 – Brad’s pivotal moment learning to stop carrying leadership’s emotional weight

32:37 – Parenting, presence, and finding joy in living fully “in the moment”

36:53 – How millennials and Gen Z have redefined influence, fame, and advocacy

44:27 – Why Gen Z’s drive for purpose and connection is changing everything

50:41 – Is the influencer dream a search for real community?

Don’t forget to subscribe, and if you’re ready to bridge your own generational gaps, check out Tess’s work at tessbrigham.com or connect with Brad and his team at outloudgroup.com!

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your favorite ‘90s sitcom is actually an aspirational fantasy—and today’s TV is a brutally honest mirror?

In this unexpected solo episode, Tess Brigham dives into the wild evolution of 20-something life on TV, revealing what Friends got right (and wrong) about young adulthood, and why the new FX series Adults hits closer to home for Gen Z.

Tess shares her own Hollywood background before she became a therapist and coach, unpacking how pop culture doesn’t just entertain us—it reflects our deepest worries, hopes, and the messy realities of growing up. Using Friends and Adults as cultural bookends, Tess explores how economic stability, rent prices, college debt, technology, social media, and discussions around identity and mental health have radically reshaped what it means to "grow up" over just 30 years.

Key highlights include:

• The jaw-dropping gap between ‘90s economic realities and today’s housing and job market for young adults
• Why Friends never tackled race, sexuality, or student debt—and how Adults puts those issues front and center
• How social media has blown up the scale of comparison and anxiety for today’s 20-somethings
• Surprising universal truths: no matter the decade, everyone in their twenties feels lost, unsure, and desperate to find their people
• What both older and younger generations can learn from these shows

Whether you grew up wishing you could hang out at Central Perk or you’re hustling in your parents' house in Queens, this episode asks: What does adulthood really mean—and how do we redefine it together?

Timestamped Episode Overview:

00:00:01 – Intro & show mission; Tess shares her Hollywood background

00:01:33 – Why pop culture is a “mirror” for our lives

00:02:02 – Comparing FX’s Adults and Friends: then vs. now

00:03:38 – Economic realities for young adults in the ‘90s

00:04:51 – Tech, social media, and how comparison has changed

00:05:31 – How Adults depicts modern realities: housing, healthcare, and job insecurity

00:07:59 – (Ad break) Tess discusses her work with organizations

00:08:45 – Diversity, privilege, identity: from invisible to center stage

00:09:31 – Universal truths of young adulthood that never change

00:10:59 – Today’s heightened pressures: rent, debt, and fragile economy

00:12:11 – Technology amplifies awareness—and anxiety

00:13:18 – Why comparing the two shows matters for every generation

00:14:16 – What each generation can learn from Friends and Adults

00:14:58 – The enduring importance of friendship and connection

00:16:25 – Closing thoughts & where to find more from Tess

Don’t miss this episode if you’ve ever felt caught between nostalgia and reality—or want to understand how every generation tries (and struggles) to make sense of this “gen mess.”

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to manifesting the life you want isn’t just about thinking positive thoughts—what if it’s about understanding how your mind, heart, and healing all work together?

In this episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with transformational speaker and life coach Billy Giannouloudis (aka Billy G), and the conversation is full of surprising wisdom, down-to-earth insights, and a fresh, spiritual take on both coaching and therapy.

Billy shares the profound turning point in his life when everything seemed to fall apart—family, relationships, career plans—only to realize that this mess was exactly what led him to his true calling. He opens up about his coaching journey, including his training with Tony Robbins, and reveals how real transformation happens when we blend action-based coaching with deeper therapeutic healing.

Key highlights include:

• The shocking way Billy found his life’s purpose when everything else collapsed.
• The “doorknob effect” in coaching, and why the biggest breakthroughs often come right at the end of a conversation.
• Billy’s core approach: mastering your thoughts, words, and beliefs—the three things everyone can control.
• Demystifying manifestation: Why most people get it wrong, and how manifesting is actually happening all the time, even when you’re asleep.
• A candid discussion about generational shifts, technology, and how Millennials (and younger generations) are rewriting the rules for personal growth, emotions, and healing.
• Tess and Billy’s practical advice for both skeptics and enthusiasts: how to make change stick, bridge the generational gap, and move from “fixing the mess” to thriving in it.

Whether you’re curious about what really works in life coaching, trying to rewrite your own mental script, or just looking to finally “get” manifestation without the hype, this episode brings the real talk and actionable steps you need.

Episode Overview (Timestamps):

• 00:00:01 – Intro and Tess welcomes Billy Giannouloudis
• 00:01:25 – Billy’s origin story: from psychology to rock bottom to life coaching
• 00:03:13 – Mixing therapy with Tony Robbins’ coaching: What stuck, what changed
• 00:05:27 – How to make borrowed wisdom your own—becoming the first you, not the next someone else
• 00:07:52 – Billy’s practical process for helping high performers and everyday clients get unstuck
• 00:11:49 – The “three things you control”: thoughts, words, and actions/beliefs
• 00:17:01 – What most people misunderstand about manifestation (and why it’s not just about repeating affirmations)
• 00:24:19 – How generational experiences—from 9/11 to tech—shape Millennials and beyond
• 00:32:43 – Answering skeptics: Can younger coaches help older clients? (Billy’s answer might surprise you)
• 00:36:36 – Where to find Billy online and wrap-up with Tess

Listen in for a truly fresh conversation that blends the pragmatic, the spiritual, and the real challenges we all face living in the “mess” of modern life.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your job was just a hobby—and not your entire reason for existence?

On this episode of “Gen Mess with Tess,” host Tess Brigham sits down with Katie O’Brien, a Gen Z professional working abroad at a multinational company, who’s redefining what it means to build a career in a world overflowing with choices, expectations, and the ever-present pressure of comparison.

Together, Tess and Katie dive into the most surprising realities of starting out in today’s workforce—not just the freedom to pivot and explore multiple paths, but also the unexpected paralysis that comes from “too many options.” Katie opens up about the struggles of decision making in an age of social media highlight reels, the burden of being compared to previous generations, and her candid take on why Gen Z refuses to let work define their entire lives.

Other key highlights include:

• Katie’s revelation that most people don’t just have one career anymore—and why that realization can be liberating (or terrifying)
• Why Gen Z is often misread as “not wanting to work,” when really they’re just setting boundaries and craving growth beyond the day-to-day grind
• A deep dive into the anxieties sparked by constant comparison (think: friends traveling, buying homes, or switching careers), and how Katie manages that voice in her head telling her to do it all
• The power of managers sharing their own stories—and how generational conversations at work are evolving
• Katie’s best advice for managers: every Gen Zer is different, so don’t assume what works for one will work for another
• A refreshingly honest reminder: Adulthood and working life is “hard, but not impossible”—and why we all need to be a little kinder to ourselves (and each other)

Whether you’re trying to figure out your next move, manage Gen Z employees, or just want to know how today’s young professionals are navigating their own “gen mess,” this episode will give you insight, practical advice, and maybe even a little relief knowing everyone’s just figuring it out as they go.

Episode Overview:

• 00:00 — Introduction & Katie’s background: work isn’t what it used to be
• 03:00 — The myth of one career path and the overwhelm of too many choices
• 06:00 — Facing generational judgment at work
• 09:30 — The importance of supportive managers and generational perspectives
• 11:00 — Skills over degrees: Why backgrounds don’t always matter
• 16:00 — Taking advice with perspective & learning to filter feedback
• 19:00 — Social media’s impact on decision making and comparison
• 24:00 — The quest for life balance, happiness, and living intentionally
• 31:00 — Gen Z trends: Work as a hobby, not an identity
• 34:00 — What older managers should know about Gen Z
• 36:00 — The real talk: Adulthood is hard, and that’s okay

Listen in for an authentic, cross-generational conversation about what it really means to make sense of the mess today.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you thought you knew about yourself—and the world around you—was just one small piece of a much bigger, messier puzzle?

In this deeply personal solo episode, host Tess Brigham pulls back the curtain on "The Gen Mess with Tess," revealing major changes to the direction of the show. Tess opens up about her journey from focusing solely on generational differences to confronting the deeper, messier questions about identity, purpose, and making sense of a confusing world. She candidly shares why she’s expanding the scope of the podcast, explains the real meaning behind the term “mess,” and how embracing life’s gray areas can bring more peace and self-acceptance.

Listeners will get an inside look at:

• The pitfalls of labeling entire generations and why Tess is stepping away from that as her only angle
• The story behind “Messy Tessy” and learning to embrace the messiness in life
• How sitting with uncertainty and discomfort is essential to personal growth
• A preview of richer, more honest topics coming up—from grief and work transitions to relationships, creativity, and everything in between

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or overwhelmed by a world that doesn’t make sense, this episode offers comfort, clarity, and an invitation to explore life’s uncertainties together.

Episode Overview & Timestamps:

• [00:00:01] Tess introduces the episode and shares her original purpose for the podcast
• [00:01:23] Criticisms facing young generations and the generational narrative in the media
• [00:03:21] Realizing the need for a new direction and what Tess wants from her own listening experience
• [00:04:37] The desire to make sense of the world, and the importance of embracing uncertainty
• [00:05:12] Expanding beyond generations—introducing wider topics and personal stories
• [00:08:30] The meaning of “The Gen Mess” title and Tess’s journey embracing her own “messiness”
• [00:09:50] Accepting that life is messy and finding peace in the gray areas
• [00:10:20] What’s changing in the show’s format and the invitation for listener feedback
• [00:11:28] Tess closes with gratitude and excitement for what’s next

Tune in and get ready to find comfort—and maybe even answers—in the messiness of being human.

Follow for weekly episodes, and be sure to visit tessbrigham.com to learn more about Tess's work as a licensed therapist and certified coach.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.