The Great Detour

What happens when you realize the life you’ve worked so hard to build doesn’t actually feel like yours? In this episode, Jess talks with Leah Brathwaite—soul advisor, founder of The Live Free Lifestyle, and author of A New Way of Life: A Guide for Transformation From Living a Lie to Freeing Your Soul—about the courage it takes to stop performing, start listening, and build a life rooted in truth.

Leah shares the moment everything sh...

This conversation is about what happens when life veers off course before it even begins.

In this episode, Jess sits down with her friend Nick Bragman to talk about living with Crohn’s disease and the unexpected detour that reshaped everything. Diagnosed at 12, Nick spent his teenage years pushing through discomfort, chasing achievement, and following the plan he believed would lead to success. But just six weeks into college, a sur...

If you’ve been feeling stuck, burnt out, or like you’re just going through the motions, this one’s for you.

In this episode, Jess is joined by Dr. Wendy O’Connor—a Stanford-trained clinical psychologist who now coaches women on how to create lives they truly love. After building a successful private practice and navigating life as a mother of three young children, Dr. Wendy realized she was running on autopilot. That turning point l...

In this honest and deeply reflective episode, Jess is joined by Colleen Avis—integrative life coach, mindfulness mentor, and author of the Sacred Spaces: Subtle Shifts for Mind, Body, and Home Transformation series. Their conversation covers everything from identity, healing, and the quiet, powerful process of coming home to yourself.

At just 16, Colleen’s life was upended when her father suddenly disappeared—abandoning her, her you...

What happens when your heart suddenly stops — and everything you’ve built your identity around no longer fits? In this episode of The Great Detour, Jess talks with Jeff Luther — a father, athlete, and host of the All Can, No Can’t podcast — whose life changed in an instant during a CrossFit workout with his teenage son. Jeff experienced sudden cardiac death, losing his pulse for eight minutes before being revived. He was later diag...

In this episode of The Great Detour™, Jess is joined by Kera Sanchez, a high school dean, mother of two, Navy wife, and the founder and editor-in-chief of Get Griefy Magazine. Together, they explore the complex terrain of grief — not just the heaviness, but also the creativity, community, and surprising ways we can carry loss without being consumed by it. 

Kera shares her deeply personal story of navigating profound grief after the ...

In this episode of The Great Detour™, Jess speaks with Ray Martin—entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, and author of Life Without a Tie. At the height of his career, Ray experienced a profound unraveling: the end of his marriage, the loss of his father, and a decision to step away from the company he co-founded with his partner. What began as a six-month sabbatical turned into a 14-year journey across 28 countries and four ...

In this episode, Jess is joined by Elle Davis — mother, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and author of The Art of the Bounce Back. In 2014, Elle’s life changed overnight when she became a widow at 36, left to raise her two-year-old daughter on her own. What followed was a season of deep grief, transformation, and unexpected growth.

Elle shares how she navigated solo motherhood, created space for healing, and slowly found her way forward ...

In this week’s episode of The Great Detour™, I sit down with Jake Bushman, host of the Journey with Jake podcast, to explore how life’s unexpected turns can lead to meaningful new paths. Jake opens up about his career detour during the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle of losing stability, and how that experience ultimately led him to discovering his passion for podcasting and storytelling.

We talk about navigating uncertainty, embrac...

In this episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess speaks with Isabel Melgarejo, founder of Tum Coeur, an organization dedicated to guiding family caregivers through the challenges of caring for loved ones. She is also the host of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, a show focused on caregiver support. 

Jess shares her personal journey of navigating her father's health challenges, while Isabel reflects on becoming a caregiv...

In this episode of The Great Detour, Jess welcomes guest Janel Gonzalez, founder and host of The Rising, a podcast and community for personal transformation and self-discovery. Together, they explore how life's challenging moments can serve as catalysts for growth, discussing the importance of embracing vulnerability, navigating periods of solitude, and trusting your inner wisdom. Janel shares her journey of reclaiming inner p...

Divorce is often seen as an ending, but what if it’s actually a new beginning?

In this episode, Jess sits down with Lulu Rios-Hollmann, a woman whose journey through divorce led her to self-reclamation, courage, and a deeper sense of purpose. Together, they explore the emotional, mental, and even societal challenges of ending a marriage—and how that moment of loss can ultimately be the catalyst for growth, confidence, and a renewed ...

Navigating the ups and downs of a career can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an incredible opportunity for growth. In this episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess is joined by Diamond Mullings, career coach and CEO Tailor Made Growth, for a candid and empowering discussion about career transitions—whether by choice or by force.

Diamond shares her insights on how to strategically approach career pivots, why clarity is a win worth...

In this powerful episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess shares the inspiring story of her friend Dan Carazo, a dedicated endurance athlete who has transformed his life through perseverance and resilience. Dan opens up about his battle with addiction, the toll it took on his life, and the pivotal moments that sparked his journey to recovery.

Through endurance sports and triathlons, Dan found a new purpose that became central to h...

In this solo episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess shares her personal journey through solitude and self-discovery. Reflecting on her experiences of spending New Year's Eve alone and the transformative period following her divorce, Jess delves into the importance of being comfortable with oneself, the challenges of loneliness, and the growth that comes from spending time alone. She talks about the 'cocoon chapter&apo...

In this heartfelt episode of The Great Detour,™ Jess sits down with Wanda Richardson, a private chef whose life has been anything but linear. Wanda shares her incredible story of navigating love, loss, and career pivots with grace and resilience. From the devastating loss of her soulmate to a bold career shift in her 40s, Wanda takes us on a journey of transformation and self-discovery.

Wanda opens up about how she turned her pain i...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess talks with her close friend, Jaime Maldonado. Jaime shares her journey of navigating life’s detours, from her experiences with infertility to rediscovering passions that light her up, including dancing, yoga, and empowering women through her travel business, SipSoulSavor.

In this episode we dive into Jaime's unique journey, including: 

• How life’s chal...

In this episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess speaks with Matt Carnaghi, founder of Dubset Running Collective. They explore the importance of community and movement in navigating life's transitions. Matt shares how he transformed his passion for running into a collective that supports personal growth and the local community. They discuss the impact of Dubset on its members, celebrating personal achievements, and the inclu...

In this episode of The Great Detour™ podcast, Jess welcomes Vanessa Dias, Co-founder and CEO of Able Athletics, a nonprofit that creates inclusive sports opportunities for children with high support needs. Vanessa shares her personal journey through her daughter's rare genetic diagnosis, how it inspired her to build a community focused on acceptance and empowerment, and the significance of teaching inclusion. Jess and Vanessa ...