Boo fam!!! WE ARE SO BACK. In the Season 3 premiere of Peaking, Jess looks back on her start as a podcaster, and how far she's come since her last episode 2.5 years ago. Now, she's at a crossroads, and she's using this space as a testing ground. Should she go full force at her passion project? Is this thing even on? Tune in for monthly episodes where she shares her innermost thoughts on side hustling, then hears from guests on how they're building their own businesses. Plus stay til the end for a reality TV rant you won't want to miss.

Today's guest is Nora McConnell-Johnson, the co-founder of Chicago's new Babe's Sports Bar. Nora is a former educator and public policy professional who recently entered the bar industry after noticing a gap in the market - there's legit nowhere to watch women's sports! Jess and Nora chat all things making a risky pivot, breaking ground on a new business, and redefining success. It's a peaking story that’s sure to make herstory.

~Credits/Links~

Meee: @jzdebakey

Podcasts: @peakingpodcast @not4everyonepod

Guest: @babesinchicago @noramcjo

Editor: @abinewhouse

Logo/Brand Design: @magiceightstudio

Photography: @thelocalnomads_

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

Jess is still not a Swiftie, though the contents of this special announcement episode have been in the vault for a couple of months now. Amidst her usual rambles, distractions, and stream of conscious feelings, Jess is ecstatic to share with the boo fam the launch of a brand new podcast (co-hosted with her friend and former guest Caroline Winkler): Not For Everyone.

Go support her growing podcast dreams by following on Instagram @not4everyonepod, and look out for the first episode on December 8th, 2022!!! She couldn't have done it without y'all and looks forward to popping into Peaking every now and again for continued connections with her day ones.

Peaking IG: @peakingpodcast

Not For Everyone IG: @not4everyonepod

Jess's Personal IG: @jzdebakey

Caroline's Personal IG: @thegoodsitter

Caroline's YouTube Channel: @Caroline_Angelica

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Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

LOLOLOL right when you thought you had me allllll figured out. "That Jess, she got a a new job and suddenly doesn't have time for us anymore." THINK AGAIN! I may not have time (read: energy/patience/motivation) to edit a highly polished episode for you, but I always have tons to say. So here's a random Jess Thots episode on a Tuesday morning* because THERE ARE NO RULES.

Anyway. I don't know the next time you'll hear from me, but I promise I'll be back soon. Preferably when you least expect it again - like a dude you just got over who's craving attention because the girl he usually texts finally found a guy that treats her right, and his mom is busy at a conference or something.

*Correction: Monday night

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

🚨FIRST COLLAB ALERT🚨

In this episode, Jess takes part in her very first podcast collab! She was thrilled when the ladies of In Bed With Books (Bethany and Melissa) reached out to guest on each other's shows, even though that meant she'd have to read. Connecting with new people seems to supersede that for her - noted!

The ladies discuss all things celebrity crushes, astrology, and of course peaking. Bethany and Melissa share about their time moving abroad for the grad program where they met, a particularly challenging time for them both but for very different reasons. Before getting into it with her guests though, of course Jess had to bring you some of her trademark chaotic energy, giving the boo fam an update on her new job and ongoing existential crisis.

You can find In Bed With Books on Instagram @inbedwithbookspod and check out their YouTube channel for full videos of their episodes (including the one with Jess!). Or, if you're more of an audio purist, go find it on Apple, Spotify, or Google Podcasts - it's the May 2, 2022 episode.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

Back to the OG "interview" format, in this episode Jess goes deep with her fitness coach and friend, Alex Martinez. Alex opens up about his journey coming out as trans, from those little moments growing up that started to accumulate all the way through to his post-transition life and how he's turned his authentic self into his superpower. This episode is full of breakthroughs, pushes both of them to uncomfortable places of growth and learning, and of course hinges on the innate connection between two water sign brethren (Alex the Pisces to Jess' Cancer). It was a gift to have him on the show.

Alex is the owner of Above the Bar (ATB), a personal and small group training gym in Chicago that works with clients holistically in the gym, kitchen, and their lives. All are welcomed, empowered, encouraged, important & respected at ATB. And, if you decide to pop in, you may see your very own Jess (or JZ as she is known when lifting heavy weights) cracking jokes and getting those gains. You can find him on Instagram @abovethebar.life.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

So, Jess lied when she said there wouldn't be another Jess Thots anytime soon. After pushing her Peaking schedule back and taking a week of rest, she felt it was time to ~address the public~ and fill the boo fam in on what's gotten her so drained lately. Her realization? You can be burnt out from things other than a full-time job, and you can even be burnt out from things you love to do! Wild. Also, a much anticipated update on her job search, and some TV recommendations for those days when you're screening everyone's calls.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

In this new wave version of Jess Thots, Jess opens up her internal monologue to a guest: her cousin (not first) Aleka Farha. In this cousin kiki, they have a raw conversation about the ambiguity of their Middle Eastern heritage, commiserating over shared experiences around microaggressions and racial identity in a post 9/11 America. Ultimately, they just wish the boxes on a standardized test or job application would leave room for them; or, how about the wild concept of getting rid of those boxes altogether?

Aleka is an independent consultant, an activist, and the host of her own podcast - What in the Actual Factual (WITAF). You can follow WITAF on Instagram for all things current events, social justice, and more.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

In this Valentine's adjacent episode of Peaking, Jess chats with her friend and soon-to-be licensed family and marriage therapist (LMFT) Natasha Peavy. They talk all things relationships: couples counseling, content vs. process, attachment styles, and even some questions submitted by the boo fam on cultural differences, finances/gender roles, and family. They resolve that it all comes down to self awareness and values, and each share what some of that looks like in their own lives. Basically, it's never actually about the thing you think you're fighting about, and also, don't bring up a heavy conversation while driving through a snowstorm or after 2am.

Natasha is a fellow Hopkins Blue Jay, a fellow water sign (Scorpio to Jess' Cancer), and a fellow Enneagram 2/9 depending on the day. It's an honor to have the next Esther Perel on the show!

Finally, in the episode we make reference to the book "Attached" by Amir Levine. Highly recommend if you are interested in understanding attachment styles to improve your relationships, and as always, Peaking stands by how normal and underratedly powerful it is to go to therapy - whether alone or with your partner.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid