The Grateful Podcast with Jack Wagoner
Episode 88
Guesting Jess Prudhomme
At 35, Jess Prudhomme had checked every box: corporate success, a polished identity, a picture-perfect marriage. But beneath the surface was a quiet ache — the haunting question, “Is this really me?”
In this raw and powerful conversation, Jess shares how her greatest detours — divorce, quitting her job, walking away from security — were not breakdowns, but breakthroughs. Together, we explore:
- Letting go of identities that no longer fit
- Why ambition can be a mask for fear
- How to follow a gut feeling without a plan
- Why success is nothing without alignment
- How to trust yourself when everything feels uncertain
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Self-Discovery
03:05 The Courage to Pivot: Leaving the Corporate Grind
05:57 Unraveling Identity: Who Am I Without My Job?
08:57 The Importance of Being Present
11:27 Navigating Relationships and Friendships
14:38 Fear-Driven vs. Purpose-Driven Ambition
17:28 The Role of Therapy and Introspection
20:33 Embracing Stillness and Rest
23:45 The Power of Gratitude in Life's Detours
26:36 Transforming Adversity into Growth
29:34 The Journey of Self-Reclamation
32:28 Trusting Your Gut: Making Decisions for Yourself
35:30 The Art of Letting Go
38:34 Celebrating Non-Traditional Success
41:24 Finding Fulfillment Beyond External Validation
44:25 Exploring Life's Possibilities
47:12 Inspiring Others Through Vulnerability
50:08 The Duality of Gratitude and Ambition
53:11 Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Ahead
Jess is the host of The Great Detour Podcast, and her story is a reminder that you are not your job, not your title, and not your performance. You are enough — even in the in-between.
🎧 Follow Jess:
Instagram: @thegreatdetour
Website: https://thegreatdetour.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGreatDetourPodcast
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📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/r1N4agSN0k0
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🧠 More from Jack:
Newsletter (Magic, Meaning & Momentum): https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/aa6b0945-43aa-43c8-b320-0fde6998f852?email=%7B%7Bemail%7D%7D
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/
1:1 Coaching & Dream-Chasing Guidance: jackcwagoner@gmail.com
💬 If you found this conversation meaningful, send it to a friend and leave a review. It really helps more people find this kind of soul-nourishing content.
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🎙️ About Jack:
I’m an 18-year-old high school student with a big dream: to show the world that you can be grateful and ambitious at the same time. Through The Grateful Podcast, I explore what it means to live a meaningful life—one deep conversation at a time.
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