The Hess Mess with Jodi Hess

Doing this podcast solo has been harder than I expected, and I’m getting honest about finding my groove. Then we’re getting into something that’s been on my mind: What happened to basic human kindness? Why are people so comfortable being mean for absolutely no reason?

Plus, a guest is joining me next episode! Who else would you like to hear from, and what topics should we tackle? Send me your ideas.

To everyone still listening while I figure this out: Thank you. Seriously. Your support means more than you know.

Hey, Messy Besties! This week on The Hess Mess, we’re talking about the little things that help us relax and the everyday annoyances that can test our patience in about two seconds.

From finding time for ourselves to those “why the hell does this bother me so much?” moments, we’re getting real about trying to find a little peace in the middle of life’s mess. Grab your coffee, get comfortable, and come hang out with me!

What’s your favorite way to relax, and what little thing drives you absolutely crazy?

For the final episode of Life’s Messes with the Hess’s, it’s just me, getting honest about boundaries, being everyone’s doormat, and learning that being forgiving doesn’t mean giving people unlimited chances to hurt you.

I catch you up on my weekend and share why I originally started this podcast, including the shame, fear, and embarrassment I felt after my son’s accident and how scared I was to run into someone affected by it.

I also talk about the name I’m considering and my plans for taking this podcast into a solo season two. You can keep following right here. The name will change, but you won’t need to hunt down a new show.

Messy Besties, thank you for every listen, every message, and every bit of support. I hope you’ll stick around for what comes next. If this is where we part ways, thank you for being part of this chapter.

This week, Jodi tags along to Betty’s 30th reunion, and the conversation takes a turn into judgment, spirituality, and organized religion. We share our disgust at the idea of livestreaming a firing squad execution and question how that moves us forward.

We also read an anonymous listener’s story about sexual assault and the harmful relationship she escaped a year ago. Thank you to the listener who trusted us with her story.

Plus, Betty might officially be a grandma by the time you hear this!

Messy Besties, come join us! We’re recording LIVE on November 8 at Friends Corner Coffee Shop, and we’d love to see you there.

Content note: Discussion of sexual assault, relationship abuse, and execution. Please listen with care.

This week, we’re pissed. Our main conversation centers on the sexual assault allegations against the “Cornell 7,” the handling of the case, and our hope that the renewed investigation brings justice and accountability.

Betty shares her experience with physical abuse, and we talk about refusing to compete for a man’s love. If you have to fight for him to choose you, he’s not the one.

We also get into eating right, the humiliation of having to cancel your gym membership in person, Betty’s insurance denying her GLP-1 medication, and Jodi’s two years of unexplained right flank pain despite scans, procedures, and having organs removed.

And there’s something to celebrate: Betty’s upcoming Bahamas trip! From her ticket and passport to vacation outfits, we talk about her plans and how damn proud Jodi is of how far she’s come.

Content note: Discussion of sexual assault and physical abuse.

We need to talk about Grandpa Joe. Jodi has some strong opinions about that suddenly dancing motherfucker, and Betty has never even seen Willy Wonka.

Then we get into Betty’s feelings about staying single and we discuss why leaving a shitty relationship can make “better than before” feel like enough, even when you deserve more. We also revisit keeping your independence, having your own resources, and always having a way out.

A little childhood movie slander, a little relationship talk, and the usual mess with the Hess’s.

This week, we're a little all over the place, which honestly feels pretty accurate for life lately.

Jodi open up about struggling with sleep, adjusting medications, and the grief she's still carrying over Peyton and Levi. She shares why she recently reached out to some of Levi's friends to explain her absence from their weddings and other special occasions and the realization that sometimes you can love people, be happy for them, and still not be ready to watch life move forward.

We also talk about Jodi's idea for a podcast centered around something that isn't talked about nearly enough; what it's really like to love someone who is incarcerated and the emotional, financial, and everyday struggles their families carry too.

They Betty brings us back to regular life chaos with the story of missing her granddaughter's sonogram after her car battery died with the windows down, her dad troubleshooting over the phone with Dobson's and a friend who came to the rescue to get it changed.

Heavy hearts, dead batteries, missed sonograms, weekends, grief, friends there when you need them, and trying to keep moving forward when life refuses to slow down.

Basically...another week of life's messes.

What if everything we’ve been taught about “rock bottom” and helping someone with addiction isn’t quite right?

This week, we sit down with Amber Hollingsworth of Put the Shovel Down for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it really looks like to support someone you love without losing yourself in the process.

Amber shares her background and breaks down concepts like Invisible Intervention and emotional currency, why waiting for someone to “hit rock bottom” can be a dangerous misconception, and how families can use their influence differently when someone they love is struggling with addiction.

Betty also opens up about her own sobriety, bringing a personal perspective to the conversation about recovery, support, and the complicated emotions that come with loving someone through addiction.

We also talk about something families desperately need permission to hear: supporting someone does not mean putting yourself in an unsafe situation. You can love someone deeply while still setting firm, healthy boundaries that protect you and your family.

This conversation is about addiction, but it’s just as much about the people who love someone struggling with it — and learning where support ends and self protection begins.

Also, because it wouldn't be Life's Messes with the Hess's without a few messes. We did experience some technical difficulties, so it may sound glitchy in a few areas, and the also it explains the weird abrupt ending. It wouldn't be us without a little mess!

Guest: Amber Hollingsworth, Put the Shovel Down

This week, we’re all over the damn place again. We revisit the Lindsey Clancy case and continue our conversation about postpartum depression, mental health, and what can happen when someone is struggling far beyond what people on the outside can see.

That leads us into a bigger conversation about why we shouldn’t automatically believe everything we hear or read at surface level. Sometimes you have to ask questions, dig a little deeper, do your own research, and actually understand the full story before forming an opinion.

And because we apparently can’t stay serious for an entire episode, we somehow end up talking about those weird fake pony shows and Jodi declaring that she might just disown her kid if they ever decided to become a competitive human pony. 

Plus, we’re getting ready for our upcoming interview this Saturday, and we cannot wait to see where that conversation takes us.

Mental health, misinformation, fake ponies, and absolutely no shortage of opinions. Just another week of Life’s Messes with the Hess’s.

This week was a little bit of everything  Betty’s daughters joined us with plenty of giggles and background commentary while we caught up on the baby shower, family time, and the weekend in general.

We also talked about Illinois’ new menopause legislation, Betty’s doctor appointment and the beginning of her GLP-1 journey, Jack being sick, and whatever else popped into our heads along the way.

No real theme. No real plan. Just life, laughs, kids in the background, and the usual mess. Basically, a very on-brand episode of Life’s Messes with the Hess’s.