December 12, 2023 • 30 mins
Jessica gets a turn in the spotlight as she talks about her origin story as a Yooper, a nerd, and apparently someone who does not swear (or at least when not under the influence of Karmen). Let's journey behind-the-scenes on what makes this podcast what it is (what is that exactly?) It's part 2 in a celebration of two incredible years of laughter, insights, and unforgettable moments. Tune in as we share favorite memories and toast to the amazing community that we are a part of. Don't miss your exit! Cheers to two years!
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Follow us:
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Introducing, the exciting partnership between BLUEVIEW Footwear and the 19 Media Group Network. Just visit BLUEVIEW to start your sustainable style journey. Let us know if you purchas and we'll give you a shout out on our next show!
SFX by ZapSplat
Follow 19 Media Group:
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https://www.19MediaGroup.com
Discover our favorite podcast gear and support the show—shop our studio must-haves on our Amazon Affiliate page! https://www.amazon.com/shop/19mediagroup
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
I'd love shoes, And sometimes Ido feel bad because I buy a lot
of shoes and I know they're probablygoing into a landfill somewhere or they're going
to end up in the ocean eventually, you know, and it makes me
feel bad. And that's why Iwas so happy to wear these Blue Views.
And they're cute. Yeah, theylook cute with my dress, they
look cute with shorts, a cutecolors, and you know, I was
(00:24):
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a pretty color blue. And thennot only that, I have a lot
of shoes, and these ones theywere so comfortable, Like I'm wearing them
everywhere because they're so comfortable, They'reso light, they're so breezy. They
you know, Yeah, I willdefinitely, and I'll wear them in the
winter with socks, Don't get mewrong, I will. I'm happy to
(00:46):
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(01:07):
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(01:30):
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(01:53):
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Heck yeah, I'm wearing mine rightnow. Navigating to small town Usaha.
(02:17):
No shoel markers for one on ones? Are we Italian? Hello Jessica,
(02:39):
Hi Carbon, how are you.Oh? I'm doing good. I'm
trying to stay warm. I feelweird saying that in Arizona, but I've
just been very chilly lately, soI know it was like what seventy degrees
today? It was I know,old bir I know with the wind shill
(03:01):
it was like sixteen nine. Yeahfor sure. Yeah, Hey, I
know this is your favorite season,but I'd like to take a break from
regular. Since we did a littlehighlight of my life, I think we
should do the same for you.I'm gonna ask you maybe some of the
(03:21):
same questions, but I'm gonna throwin some different ones too. Okay,
but you're going to start with whereare you from? It's a loaded question,
I feel like, but I wasborn in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,
which is very close to Lake Superiorand Canada. The Upper Peninsula Michigan.
We refer to that as the Upbecause it's the Upper Peninsula to shorten
(03:46):
it, and it's not really ashort a shorter word called we're called u
burs up there ups. So ifyou're from the Upper Peninsula Michigan, the
Up, you're a uper. That'sa bad term. We don't want to
be a uper. Oh they changedit to a yuper. That is that
is where you're from. I'm I'ma Uper. So do you think people
(04:08):
from Uranus are called urina? Sites? I don't know. No, I
grew up there and I was bornin uh Marquette, Michigan, which is
the largest town in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. And we're actually not connected
to the Lower Peninsula at all.And we call people in the Lower Peninsula
trolls. And the reason we callthem trolls is because there's a bridge that
(04:30):
connects the up to the Lower Peninsula, and you know, trolls live below
the bridge. So yeah, they'retrolls. Unfortunately, you guys are pretty
nice and friendly up there, exceptto trolls. Except no, we love
everybody. We're actually very friendly.You know, we're very comparable to Canada,
and you know everybody in Canada ispretty friendly, and so yeah,
(04:53):
we're very nice people up there.We let people, you know, cut
in line all the time. We'revery friendly. I was one of market
but I was raised in ish Pamine, Michigan. And Ishpam Michigan is a
very very small town up there.There's a lot of fun and interesting stories.
But uh, that's a longer storyfor another time about ish Pamine,
(05:14):
Michigan. Maybe we'll do a ishPamine special and we'll go up there.
I have some that I really wantto try out. Oh yeah, yeah,
we could. We could definitely dothat. I got a cabin log
cabin up there, probably on thelake, and no, I don't really.
I bet I know people. Iknow people. Well. I'm sure
at certain times of the year wecould probably just break in. But I
(05:36):
bet I'm betting everybody up there hasa gun, right. Uh. For
the most part. I will alwaysremember that in high school. I went
to Westwood High School. You know, during deer season, it was not
uncommon for everybody to bring their gunsand keep them in their course. Yeah.
I grew up in rural Colorado thefirst part of my life, and
(06:00):
we all had to take hunter safetyoh uh huh. And I'm like,
I'm not gonna hunt you so hadto take it because every house had guns
and you had to to be aroundfirearms safely. Yeah. Absolutely, yep.
So there's that. If you couldvisit any country tomorrow, where would
(06:20):
you go? The first one thatcomes to my mind would be England or
Great Britain. I guess as atotal everything there because it's just I've never
been I mean, I haven't beenoverseas, I haven't been over the Atlantic
at all. So I would wantto see everything I could. But for
some reason, that's the first onethat comes to my mind. I just
(06:41):
want to see what it's like.I just want to get a feel of
it. But I also have thisreal big desire to like go around the
Mediterranean and see all those beautiful sitsin that blue Mediterranean sea. You know,
it's just you see those pictures oflike Greece and Italy, and I
just want to see history. Iwant to see like really really old history
compared to what we're used to seeingin our history books here in the US.
Right, And those dulce and cabanaads, My god, they're so
(07:04):
sexy, just aren't they beautiful?Yeah, I'm sure it's all like that
over there too. I mean,yeah, everybody Insquito's just so, who
is the one person, dead oralive that you admire most? That is
such a hard question. Not countingme, not counting me dead or alive,
(07:27):
right right, not killing me.You know, I don't even have
a really good reason why. ButI really loved I really love Princess Diana.
I do, and I just Iyou know, and now that everything's
kind of come out about her becauseof all the you know, publicity,
with the new shows and everything.I was pretty young when it happened,
you know, it was in thenineties, right, Yeah, I was
(07:49):
in the nineties, Okay. Iremember the impact she had because of like
when she died, then all ofa sudden things the world stopped. Previous
to that, she actually had donea lot of political work for the good
of people and humanity, and Ijust really admired that part. There's a
lot of people that I admired,don't get me wrong, here in the
US and all over the world.But for some reason, when you said
(08:11):
that, that's the first person thatpopped in my mind because of all her
humanitarian work on top of all thecrap she got constantly from the public.
You know, she put that asideand she was still able to get a
lot done, more than the Queenand the King of England could have ever
done. And her husband at thetime, you know, she was able
to do that. So I reallyadmired the power that she had in that
(08:33):
she continued to do those things untilshe died. That was not humanitarian aid
just to kiss that frog of ahusband. I mean, how many days
did she wake up and go,oh my god, he's still a frog,
but she just put on a braveface and went to Africa. And
I mean she was instrumental in theAIDS crisis, like yes, and helping
(08:56):
start programs and using money for peoplewith AIDS and yeah, it just goes
to show that if you have thatmuch popularity, you have the world's attention,
that you should use it for good. And she's one of those people
I really felt like did use itfor good. So now we got to
just convince Taylor Swift, you know, to do the same. Yeah,
(09:18):
Oh my gosh, I know.I know. What would you say is
your spirit animal? I probably belike a bird of some sort. I
feel like I love birds in general, So got owl or like something really
soft but swift at the same time, you know how owls are very You
can't hear them when they're they comeby, but they're very powerful when do.
(09:39):
They have a lot of strength tothem, and they can see a
lot. They have good observation skills. You know, they can see.
I'd like to think I can.I can observe what's around me. I
think that's like me a lot whereI'm very you know, I'm soft,
but I can come in really,I don't know what the right words strong?
Strong, Yeah, I guess you'rea pretty strong woman. Yeah.
(10:01):
People might not understand that about me. I think that's a good disguise,
you know, when people underestimate theswiftness of you or anybody like you do
have a very gentle, soft spokensort of approach to things, and you're
so kind and and forgiving. Butyou know, they say, like,
always watch those people because their yangis going to be equally fierce. So
(10:28):
you have this tremendous kindness, soyour other side will probably equally fierce.
I don't think I fuck with you. Maybe I have no reason, Jessica,
I love you. So what iswhat do you think has changed the
most for you in the last year. I think that I have definitely had
(10:52):
this time this last year specifically tolook at what I want to be doing
in my passions and my life,and I've been able to reflect a bit
and develop in those areas that Iwant to I understand now what my purpose
is, what I want to begoing towards, what I want to work
towards in my life. You know, there's a lot of in the past,
(11:13):
there's a lot of imposter syndrome inmyself. I feel like I know
a lot of people suffer from impostersynder at least one point in their life,
if not currently, I definitely havedecided to surround myself with the people
who are supportive and they challenge mein a good way and to go after
my goals. And that was reallyimportant to me to do to be able
(11:35):
to move myself forward towards this goals. Okay, so I already know this,
but I'm going to ask you anywaybecause I'm going to give you the
opportunity to just talk about this.What is your favorite season of the year.
Oh well, we are definitely init right now. I love the
holiday seasons. So between fall andwinter, that's just a really good time
(12:00):
for me. I don't know whatit is. It's that feeling of like
comfort and family and being able tobe excited about something that's coming, because
I you know, I'm not reallyexcited about the spring necessarily all the time.
I'm not really excited about the summer. To be able to share in
so many people's joy, that mightbe fun. Yeah, maybe you like
(12:24):
this season too, because people area little bit softer, a little bit
more gentle. Unless you're looking forthat special toy. Yeah, that's true.
You know, the craziness. Eventhough it does get crazy, it
doesn't really bother me in a waythat it would in another time of year.
So you know, when it's liketraffic, it's like, oh,
this is holiday traffic or you know, so you have an excuse for it
(12:48):
kind of. But I used toreally enjoy waking up on Black Friday or
really early. I know, it'sa weird thing to you know, and
being out. And it wasn't thatI needed anything in particular, because I
don't remember a year that I actuallysought after something like I wanted this.
I just wanted to be around everybodyelse having that same experience. I have
(13:09):
a lot of fomo too, justso you know, like I want to
be a part of everything. Idon't like missing out at all. No.
I like Hallmark too, you know. So I think watching Hallmark,
especially in this time of year,you get a lot of the warm and
fuzzies and you want to be apart of that. So to me,
(13:30):
that's really what maybe this is allabout, trying to find the hide to
emulate Hallmark movies, finding your ownHallmark. That's okay. I mean there
are worse things people could be doing. Honestly, like, yeah, I
am more into emulating a bear,So I like you. You're hibernating right
(13:52):
now. I like to sleep andeat a lot and growl at people.
What would you say is the biggestchallenge you've ever overcome in your whole life?
I remember when I asked you thisquestion, and you knew immediately I
was thinking about which one it wouldbe. I would say, there are
(14:13):
a few years ago, there werea bunch of challenges that happened. They
all kind of happened at once.You know, I don't know what it
is with the universe sometimes where it'slike it just keeps giving you things right.
And so there had been a bunchof things leading up to this already,
and I was already in a placeof just kind of feeling kind of
crazy, kind of stressed about everything. Family, my dog had just died
(14:39):
on top of everything. You know, I was up for this promotion,
went through this long interview process andI didn't get it. And then about
a month after I didn't get thispromotion, my position was eliminated suddenly.
And so I think that year wasa very challenging year, first of all,
(15:00):
and then when You're in a positionwhere you feel like you're you're in
top of the world. You're almostgetting this leadership position, senior leadership position,
and they just eliminate it after youryou know, runner up. Didn't
seem right, didn't seem fair.Having to go from this nice, secure
job to like zero job was reallyscary, and it was something that I
(15:24):
just felt like I was in avery low, low place. But the
great part was that I had myfamily and my you know, my friends
were very supportive of me during thattime, and it was really cool because
I had people in my community startedto understand that I was actually I didn't
have a job, and people startedpulling for me and offering me positions,
(15:48):
you know, and realizing that,hey, I do have like a specialty.
I have this niche you know thatpeople want and desire. Actually took
about a month before I stepped inany role, and that that time it
was the pandemic as well, soto throw that on top of everything at
that time, I actually took thatand reflected on my family and my daughter
(16:14):
and realizing how much time I duringthe last year I had spent working instead
of with her, reflected on thatI was able to spend that whole month
then with her without a job andfiguring out next time I get a job,
I'm not going to do that tomyself. I'm going to put her
first. And that's it, youknow, the job. I want to
(16:37):
be passionate about what I do,and I'm going to be picky. I'm
going to take my time and bepicky about the next thing that comes up.
So and that's what I did,and is that has kind of resounded
through the rest of my last threeyears to make sure that I don't do
that to myself and that I reallyam being picky about my career and my
passions and not putting that above myfamily. For you, good for you,
(17:00):
Yeah, it takes. I'm gladthat you you realize that early in
your life and early in your yourdaughter's life, because for me it was
it was much too late. Andyou know, I always I could always
give good advice, like, oh, you know, this job is not
always going to be here, butyour kids will. And but you know,
(17:22):
I was in positions where I couldn'ttake that advice and or I didn't
and you know, I missed outon so much. And I'm so glad
that you took that moment of growth, you know, and you turned what
could have been a real hardship youknow, and all you know, a
(17:44):
pile on of other things and turnedit into a real growth opportunity for you
and your family. But that's kindof who you are, you know,
so well, you know, II think it's I think you're right.
It's important because the things you're doingat work, you know, unless I
(18:06):
would say, even as a presidentof the United States, right, the
things you do at work, itcan wait till the next day. It
can you know, things can happenthe next day. And I think sometimes
we get so wrapped up in ourwork that we don't realize that it'll get
done, that thing will get done, that might get turned in. You
know, what's the difference between seveno'clock at night and eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
(18:27):
Nobody's going to read that email,So just put it away, you
know, or whatever it is,right, So I understand, and it
just you just get wrapped up andthen somehow you've spent like all these years
at your desk and you didn't evenrealize it. So yeah, so what
would you say is your biggest accomplishmentin your life so far, so far,
(18:51):
Oh gosh, well, so professionallyand personally are definitely different things.
Yeah, And you know, mybiggest accomplishment so far is my daughter,
and I'll you know, that's numberone, you know, making sure that
she grows into a strong and brave, loving, kind young woman. I
(19:15):
think she's headed that way and soI'm very very proud of her. And
she's only six years old, right, but we got a lot of way
to go, but you know,she's by far the greatest accomplishment and will
always be. And professionally, Iwould say that, you know, making
an impact, hopefully, even ifit's a small impact at the moment,
(19:37):
making an impact on people, peoplewith disabilities. You know, that's my
professional role is to help make surethat they have the same rights as you
and I in the workplace and makingsure that they get paid equally and that
they're finding jobs. And you know, there's awareness about people working and earning
(20:00):
at least minimum to prevail and prevailingwage, I mean, just like anybody
else, like you or I,because a lot of people are paying less
than minimum wage right now and it'sjust not right, just not right.
They're doing a job so Yeah,I do feel like I've made an impact.
I feel like I've helped agencies,you know, employment agencies help make
those impacts and lead people to dothe same and have those same emotions,
(20:23):
the same feelings to want to dogood and to want to help others find
jobs, regardless of your background,regardless of your abilities find work. You
know, real work equals real pay. So I think we've really kind of
got into your little not your littlesoul, but into a little bit into
(20:45):
the depths of your soul. Isthere anything else you want to share with
us? Oh? When was yourlast period? Ask me some funny things,
Ask me some funny things. Ifeel like we're serious. I feel
like we've been doing it isn't funny. Okay, what's the most embarrassing thing
(21:06):
that's happened to you this year?This year? Oh, this year?
Oh god, I don't even know. Okay, well, you go back.
I'm going to go back, because, you know, other than texting
the wrong person and sending those wrongemails to people and replying all, I
mean, that's something that's embarrassing.But so when I was younger, this
(21:30):
is the first thing comes I've hadplenty of embarrassing moments, But this is
the first thing that comes to mymind. I grew up in music,
actually was going to I went tomusic school. I played piano for thirty
two years, and i've top pianoand voice. So I thought I was
going to be a musician if that'seither be a music teacher or performer or
whatever. So I was really reallyinterested in being on stage and doing theater
(21:53):
and music and things like that.And I surrounded myself my whole childhood with
music and theater in college as well. And so one time we were at
a concert and they were allowing somepeople. I don't remember how we got
involved. I really don't know howwe got involved. Some are we involved
(22:14):
with the concert and it was inthe morning, and it was like we're
welcoming people in, welcoming the band, welcoming whatever it was. And I
remember getting up on the stage andI had to like say a couple of
things. But in the beginning,I thought I'm gonna get them going.
I'm going to be like hey,because it's so early in the morning.
So it was up on stage.I don't know how many people were there,
(22:37):
but it was an ice arena thatthey were using for the concert opened
up and they said, and Isaid, oh, hey, how y'all
doing tonight? You know, Ido it tonight. And I was like,
I can't hear you better scream,Lauder, how y'all doing tonight?
And then I didn't even realize thatwhat I was saying. And then I
read when he used to write,read, you know, and announcement.
I need to announce. And Igot off and my friends were all like,
(23:00):
Jessica, it's eight o'clock in themorning, like, and I was
so embarrassed that I had just donethis in front of a bunch of people.
Yeah, that that one definitely screamspretty embarrassing. But I for sure
have done some major embarrassing things inmy adult life too. So you got
(23:21):
off lucky. You got off soeasy with y'all do it tonight? Oh
my gosh, that's like, that'smild. I thought, you know,
maybe there was gonna be like anecessary change of pants or something. Well,
I mean, I was, youknow, growing up, I was
like a dork. I was amajor a dork growing up. I I
(23:45):
loved, you know, I wasin the band, I was in jazz
band, I was in choir,was in morning choir, got up earlier
than school to be in choire.I wasn't like a super a student either.
I was pretty pretty average. ButI really did follow in kind of
with the crowd that got picked ona lot, I would say, and
I did. I got picked ona lot, bullied, not to the
(24:07):
extent where I felt like I didn'twant to go to school, but I
didn't love it. I didn't loveit. I love being in the theater,
and I love being in the musicclasses and the music programs after school
and all those things. And itwas really a part of my identity.
I could put on like whoever Iwanted to be and do what I wanted
to do in that moment. Itdidn't matter. You know. That was
(24:30):
really fun. Anyways. I waskind of a nerd. I was also
in the Bible study at school duringlunchtime. So if you know those kids,
please make sure you're nice, becauseI think that was another reason,
you know, I think I waspicked up. I used to eat lunch
with them, and it was aclub. And you're going to really love
(24:51):
this. This club's name because we'redorks. Remember we're really like, we're
dorks. We're nerds now, nerdis like sexy. Back when I was
in school, wasn't very sex seeto be a nerd, I don't feel
like. And so our name forour club where Bible Club was Jello.
We were called Jello and it stoodfor Jesus even loves losers. Oh oh,
(25:17):
that's really pathetic name to have.And so I'm like, my god,
no wonder it's bullied. I wouldn'thave bullied you, but I wouldn't
have had lunch with you either.So I used to get up early so
I could head down to the busstop and smoke cigarettes with cute boys.
(25:41):
My god, I have a differentthing. You know. Another fact about
me that probably nobody else knows isI've never ever done drugs ever. I
mean other than I'm obviously now.I've drinking, drink drinking, drinking.
Maybe I am right now. It'sbeen a little drinking right now, Jessica,
you know you know I drink now, but I never I've never smoked
(26:07):
weed. Nothing, I've never doneit. I also have uh, never
had a cigarette, nothing like thateither. I don't look badly on people
who do. It's just not aparent's dream, you know. I was
just kidd I've never. I've neverdone any of that stuff either. Karen.
You know this is that I don'tswear really at all. I know
(26:27):
you don't swear, and but Ido swear enough for both of us.
Yeah, that's true, that's true, but it's and again it's one of
these things that's like, I don'thave a problem with people swearing. I
don't, not at all, butit's really unnatural when it comes from me.
So before we sign off, canyou just give the I know,
(26:48):
come on, we won't do theunnatural or even come on, just say
the S word s h. It say it, come on, so
when I do say you know,when I do say it, it's way
more meaningful when I do when I'mlike, I just want you to say
it in a sentence, because I'veheard you use the word and you don't
(27:10):
use it appropriately. I know,I know it's really bad, a normal
Jessica sentences. What in the shitis happening? That's one time maybe I've
heard that in the course of threeyears. I think, I mean,
I you know, I didn't evensay shut up very much sometimes, you
know, I think I it wasjust something that was instilled in me as
(27:30):
a kid and my mom didn't likeMy mom didn't even like the word fart,
you know, so it was justtoo harsh. So uh yeah,
I just didn't swear. And thenI never got out of that, you
know. And and right now,if you were to classify me, if
you were to know those things aboutme growing up, I don't think people
would relate that to me how Iam today, you know, Like,
(27:52):
would you have ever known that Iwas like in a Bible study in high
school? Yes? Okay, okay, maybe I do an all that.
No, I'm gonna just tell you, Jessica, you look like a pastor's
wife. You do? You do? You look like the perfect pastor's wife.
And you also play the piano,you sing your great mom like you're
(28:14):
a pastor's dream. But I don't. I don't think I can ever live
that life. Yeah, yeah,you're lucky. You almost got looped into
it. I'm sure there was somebodyin Jello that was like, I'm gonna
marry her. She's gonna look goodin a bonnet. Oh my god.
No, okay, Jessica, thankyou for sharing yourself with all of us.
(28:45):
Will you please to s H IT one time before we go,
give me a phrase say what isthis ship? Oh my godnes is gonna
be so awkward, Just do it. What is this ship? Oh yeah,
(29:06):
here's one of my favorites. Iwant you to repeat after me.
Okay, fucking fuck? Oh mygod? Do I say that right now?
Do you know how often I saythat word? Carmen, it's almost
christ. Have you ever heard mesay that? No, I've never heard
you. I've never heard you sayit. Yeah, So what the fuck?
(29:34):
And that's all, folks. Hopefullyher elf on the shelf wasn't listening.
Thanks everyone for joining us today onsmall Town USA. If you want
to hear more small Town hit subscribenow, go ahead, I'll wait.
(29:55):
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now now leaving Smalltown USA. SmallTown USA is a production of nineteen Media
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(30:18):
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(02:17):
No shoel markers for one on ones? Are we Italian? Hello Jessica,
(02:39):
Hi Carbon, how are you.Oh? I'm doing good. I'm
trying to stay warm. I feelweird saying that in Arizona, but I've
just been very chilly lately, soI know it was like what seventy degrees
today? It was I know,old bir I know with the wind shill
(03:01):
it was like sixteen nine. Yeahfor sure. Yeah, Hey, I
know this is your favorite season,but I'd like to take a break from
regular. Since we did a littlehighlight of my life, I think we
should do the same for you.I'm gonna ask you maybe some of the
(03:21):
same questions, but I'm gonna throwin some different ones too. Okay,
but you're going to start with whereare you from? It's a loaded question,
I feel like, but I wasborn in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,
which is very close to Lake Superiorand Canada. The Upper Peninsula Michigan.
We refer to that as the Upbecause it's the Upper Peninsula to shorten
(03:46):
it, and it's not really ashort a shorter word called we're called u
burs up there ups. So ifyou're from the Upper Peninsula Michigan, the
Up, you're a uper. That'sa bad term. We don't want to
be a uper. Oh they changedit to a yuper. That is that
is where you're from. I'm I'ma Uper. So do you think people
(04:08):
from Uranus are called urina? Sites? I don't know. No, I
grew up there and I was bornin uh Marquette, Michigan, which is
the largest town in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. And we're actually not connected
to the Lower Peninsula at all.And we call people in the Lower Peninsula
trolls. And the reason we callthem trolls is because there's a bridge that
(04:30):
connects the up to the Lower Peninsula, and you know, trolls live below
the bridge. So yeah, they'retrolls. Unfortunately, you guys are pretty
nice and friendly up there, exceptto trolls. Except no, we love
everybody. We're actually very friendly.You know, we're very comparable to Canada,
and you know everybody in Canada ispretty friendly, and so yeah,
(04:53):
we're very nice people up there.We let people, you know, cut
in line all the time. We'revery friendly. I was one of market
but I was raised in ish Pamine, Michigan. And Ishpam Michigan is a
very very small town up there.There's a lot of fun and interesting stories.
But uh, that's a longer storyfor another time about ish Pamine,
(05:14):
Michigan. Maybe we'll do a ishPamine special and we'll go up there.
I have some that I really wantto try out. Oh yeah, yeah,
we could. We could definitely dothat. I got a cabin log
cabin up there, probably on thelake, and no, I don't really.
I bet I know people. Iknow people. Well. I'm sure
at certain times of the year wecould probably just break in. But I
(05:36):
bet I'm betting everybody up there hasa gun, right. Uh. For
the most part. I will alwaysremember that in high school. I went
to Westwood High School. You know, during deer season, it was not
uncommon for everybody to bring their gunsand keep them in their course. Yeah.
I grew up in rural Colorado thefirst part of my life, and
(06:00):
we all had to take hunter safetyoh uh huh. And I'm like,
I'm not gonna hunt you so hadto take it because every house had guns
and you had to to be aroundfirearms safely. Yeah. Absolutely, yep.
So there's that. If you couldvisit any country tomorrow, where would
(06:20):
you go? The first one thatcomes to my mind would be England or
Great Britain. I guess as atotal everything there because it's just I've never
been I mean, I haven't beenoverseas, I haven't been over the Atlantic
at all. So I would wantto see everything I could. But for
some reason, that's the first onethat comes to my mind. I just
(06:41):
want to see what it's like.I just want to get a feel of
it. But I also have thisreal big desire to like go around the
Mediterranean and see all those beautiful sitsin that blue Mediterranean sea. You know,
it's just you see those pictures oflike Greece and Italy, and I
just want to see history. Iwant to see like really really old history
compared to what we're used to seeingin our history books here in the US.
Right, And those dulce and cabanaads, My god, they're so
(07:04):
sexy, just aren't they beautiful?Yeah, I'm sure it's all like that
over there too. I mean,yeah, everybody Insquito's just so, who
is the one person, dead oralive that you admire most? That is
such a hard question. Not countingme, not counting me dead or alive,
(07:27):
right right, not killing me.You know, I don't even have
a really good reason why. ButI really loved I really love Princess Diana.
I do, and I just Iyou know, and now that everything's
kind of come out about her becauseof all the you know, publicity,
with the new shows and everything.I was pretty young when it happened,
you know, it was in thenineties, right, Yeah, I was
(07:49):
in the nineties, Okay. Iremember the impact she had because of like
when she died, then all ofa sudden things the world stopped. Previous
to that, she actually had donea lot of political work for the good
of people and humanity, and Ijust really admired that part. There's a
lot of people that I admired,don't get me wrong, here in the
US and all over the world.But for some reason, when you said
(08:11):
that, that's the first person thatpopped in my mind because of all her
humanitarian work on top of all thecrap she got constantly from the public.
You know, she put that asideand she was still able to get a
lot done, more than the Queenand the King of England could have ever
done. And her husband at thetime, you know, she was able
to do that. So I reallyadmired the power that she had in that
(08:33):
she continued to do those things untilshe died. That was not humanitarian aid
just to kiss that frog of ahusband. I mean, how many days
did she wake up and go,oh my god, he's still a frog,
but she just put on a braveface and went to Africa. And
I mean she was instrumental in theAIDS crisis, like yes, and helping
(08:56):
start programs and using money for peoplewith AIDS and yeah, it just goes
to show that if you have thatmuch popularity, you have the world's attention,
that you should use it for good. And she's one of those people
I really felt like did use itfor good. So now we got to
just convince Taylor Swift, you know, to do the same. Yeah,
(09:18):
Oh my gosh, I know.I know. What would you say is
your spirit animal? I probably belike a bird of some sort. I
feel like I love birds in general, So got owl or like something really
soft but swift at the same time, you know how owls are very You
can't hear them when they're they comeby, but they're very powerful when do.
(09:39):
They have a lot of strength tothem, and they can see a
lot. They have good observation skills. You know, they can see.
I'd like to think I can.I can observe what's around me. I
think that's like me a lot whereI'm very you know, I'm soft,
but I can come in really,I don't know what the right words strong?
Strong, Yeah, I guess you'rea pretty strong woman. Yeah.
(10:01):
People might not understand that about me. I think that's a good disguise,
you know, when people underestimate theswiftness of you or anybody like you do
have a very gentle, soft spokensort of approach to things, and you're
so kind and and forgiving. Butyou know, they say, like,
always watch those people because their yangis going to be equally fierce. So
(10:28):
you have this tremendous kindness, soyour other side will probably equally fierce.
I don't think I fuck with you. Maybe I have no reason, Jessica,
I love you. So what iswhat do you think has changed the
most for you in the last year. I think that I have definitely had
(10:52):
this time this last year specifically tolook at what I want to be doing
in my passions and my life,and I've been able to reflect a bit
and develop in those areas that Iwant to I understand now what my purpose
is, what I want to begoing towards, what I want to work
towards in my life. You know, there's a lot of in the past,
(11:13):
there's a lot of imposter syndrome inmyself. I feel like I know
a lot of people suffer from impostersynder at least one point in their life,
if not currently, I definitely havedecided to surround myself with the people
who are supportive and they challenge mein a good way and to go after
my goals. And that was reallyimportant to me to do to be able
(11:35):
to move myself forward towards this goals. Okay, so I already know this,
but I'm going to ask you anywaybecause I'm going to give you the
opportunity to just talk about this.What is your favorite season of the year.
Oh well, we are definitely init right now. I love the
holiday seasons. So between fall andwinter, that's just a really good time
(12:00):
for me. I don't know whatit is. It's that feeling of like
comfort and family and being able tobe excited about something that's coming, because
I you know, I'm not reallyexcited about the spring necessarily all the time.
I'm not really excited about the summer. To be able to share in
so many people's joy, that mightbe fun. Yeah, maybe you like
(12:24):
this season too, because people area little bit softer, a little bit
more gentle. Unless you're looking forthat special toy. Yeah, that's true.
You know, the craziness. Eventhough it does get crazy, it
doesn't really bother me in a waythat it would in another time of year.
So you know, when it's liketraffic, it's like, oh,
this is holiday traffic or you know, so you have an excuse for it
(12:48):
kind of. But I used toreally enjoy waking up on Black Friday or
really early. I know, it'sa weird thing to you know, and
being out. And it wasn't thatI needed anything in particular, because I
don't remember a year that I actuallysought after something like I wanted this.
I just wanted to be around everybodyelse having that same experience. I have
(13:09):
a lot of fomo too, justso you know, like I want to
be a part of everything. Idon't like missing out at all. No.
I like Hallmark too, you know. So I think watching Hallmark,
especially in this time of year,you get a lot of the warm and
fuzzies and you want to be apart of that. So to me,
(13:30):
that's really what maybe this is allabout, trying to find the hide to
emulate Hallmark movies, finding your ownHallmark. That's okay. I mean there
are worse things people could be doing. Honestly, like, yeah, I
am more into emulating a bear,So I like you. You're hibernating right
(13:52):
now. I like to sleep andeat a lot and growl at people.
What would you say is the biggestchallenge you've ever overcome in your whole life?
I remember when I asked you thisquestion, and you knew immediately I
was thinking about which one it wouldbe. I would say, there are
(14:13):
a few years ago, there werea bunch of challenges that happened. They
all kind of happened at once.You know, I don't know what it
is with the universe sometimes where it'slike it just keeps giving you things right.
And so there had been a bunchof things leading up to this already,
and I was already in a placeof just kind of feeling kind of
crazy, kind of stressed about everything. Family, my dog had just died
(14:39):
on top of everything. You know, I was up for this promotion,
went through this long interview process andI didn't get it. And then about
a month after I didn't get thispromotion, my position was eliminated suddenly.
And so I think that year wasa very challenging year, first of all,
(15:00):
and then when You're in a positionwhere you feel like you're you're in
top of the world. You're almostgetting this leadership position, senior leadership position,
and they just eliminate it after youryou know, runner up. Didn't
seem right, didn't seem fair.Having to go from this nice, secure
job to like zero job was reallyscary, and it was something that I
(15:24):
just felt like I was in avery low, low place. But the
great part was that I had myfamily and my you know, my friends
were very supportive of me during thattime, and it was really cool because
I had people in my community startedto understand that I was actually I didn't
have a job, and people startedpulling for me and offering me positions,
(15:48):
you know, and realizing that,hey, I do have like a specialty.
I have this niche you know thatpeople want and desire. Actually took
about a month before I stepped inany role, and that that time it
was the pandemic as well, soto throw that on top of everything at
that time, I actually took thatand reflected on my family and my daughter
(16:14):
and realizing how much time I duringthe last year I had spent working instead
of with her, reflected on thatI was able to spend that whole month
then with her without a job andfiguring out next time I get a job,
I'm not going to do that tomyself. I'm going to put her
first. And that's it, youknow, the job. I want to
(16:37):
be passionate about what I do,and I'm going to be picky. I'm
going to take my time and bepicky about the next thing that comes up.
So and that's what I did,and is that has kind of resounded
through the rest of my last threeyears to make sure that I don't do
that to myself and that I reallyam being picky about my career and my
passions and not putting that above myfamily. For you, good for you,
(17:00):
Yeah, it takes. I'm gladthat you you realize that early in
your life and early in your yourdaughter's life, because for me it was
it was much too late. Andyou know, I always I could always
give good advice, like, oh, you know, this job is not
always going to be here, butyour kids will. And but you know,
(17:22):
I was in positions where I couldn'ttake that advice and or I didn't
and you know, I missed outon so much. And I'm so glad
that you took that moment of growth, you know, and you turned what
could have been a real hardship youknow, and all you know, a
(17:44):
pile on of other things and turnedit into a real growth opportunity for you
and your family. But that's kindof who you are, you know,
so well, you know, II think it's I think you're right.
It's important because the things you're doingat work, you know, unless I
(18:06):
would say, even as a presidentof the United States, right, the
things you do at work, itcan wait till the next day. It
can you know, things can happenthe next day. And I think sometimes
we get so wrapped up in ourwork that we don't realize that it'll get
done, that thing will get done, that might get turned in. You
know, what's the difference between seveno'clock at night and eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
(18:27):
Nobody's going to read that email,So just put it away, you
know, or whatever it is,right, So I understand, and it
just you just get wrapped up andthen somehow you've spent like all these years
at your desk and you didn't evenrealize it. So yeah, so what
would you say is your biggest accomplishmentin your life so far, so far,
(18:51):
Oh gosh, well, so professionallyand personally are definitely different things.
Yeah, And you know, mybiggest accomplishment so far is my daughter,
and I'll you know, that's numberone, you know, making sure that
she grows into a strong and brave, loving, kind young woman. I
(19:15):
think she's headed that way and soI'm very very proud of her. And
she's only six years old, right, but we got a lot of way
to go, but you know,she's by far the greatest accomplishment and will
always be. And professionally, Iwould say that, you know, making
an impact, hopefully, even ifit's a small impact at the moment,
(19:37):
making an impact on people, peoplewith disabilities. You know, that's my
professional role is to help make surethat they have the same rights as you
and I in the workplace and makingsure that they get paid equally and that
they're finding jobs. And you know, there's awareness about people working and earning
(20:00):
at least minimum to prevail and prevailingwage, I mean, just like anybody
else, like you or I,because a lot of people are paying less
than minimum wage right now and it'sjust not right, just not right.
They're doing a job so Yeah,I do feel like I've made an impact.
I feel like I've helped agencies,you know, employment agencies help make
those impacts and lead people to dothe same and have those same emotions,
(20:23):
the same feelings to want to dogood and to want to help others find
jobs, regardless of your background,regardless of your abilities find work. You
know, real work equals real pay. So I think we've really kind of
got into your little not your littlesoul, but into a little bit into
(20:45):
the depths of your soul. Isthere anything else you want to share with
us? Oh? When was yourlast period? Ask me some funny things,
Ask me some funny things. Ifeel like we're serious. I feel
like we've been doing it isn't funny. Okay, what's the most embarrassing thing
(21:06):
that's happened to you this year?This year? Oh, this year?
Oh god, I don't even know. Okay, well, you go back.
I'm going to go back, because, you know, other than texting
the wrong person and sending those wrongemails to people and replying all, I
mean, that's something that's embarrassing.But so when I was younger, this
(21:30):
is the first thing comes I've hadplenty of embarrassing moments, But this is
the first thing that comes to mymind. I grew up in music,
actually was going to I went tomusic school. I played piano for thirty
two years, and i've top pianoand voice. So I thought I was
going to be a musician if that'seither be a music teacher or performer or
whatever. So I was really reallyinterested in being on stage and doing theater
(21:53):
and music and things like that.And I surrounded myself my whole childhood with
music and theater in college as well. And so one time we were at
a concert and they were allowing somepeople. I don't remember how we got
involved. I really don't know howwe got involved. Some are we involved
(22:14):
with the concert and it was inthe morning, and it was like we're
welcoming people in, welcoming the band, welcoming whatever it was. And I
remember getting up on the stage andI had to like say a couple of
things. But in the beginning,I thought I'm gonna get them going.
I'm going to be like hey,because it's so early in the morning.
So it was up on stage.I don't know how many people were there,
(22:37):
but it was an ice arena thatthey were using for the concert opened
up and they said, and Isaid, oh, hey, how y'all
doing tonight? You know, Ido it tonight. And I was like,
I can't hear you better scream,Lauder, how y'all doing tonight?
And then I didn't even realize thatwhat I was saying. And then I
read when he used to write,read, you know, and announcement.
I need to announce. And Igot off and my friends were all like,
(23:00):
Jessica, it's eight o'clock in themorning, like, and I was
so embarrassed that I had just donethis in front of a bunch of people.
Yeah, that that one definitely screamspretty embarrassing. But I for sure
have done some major embarrassing things inmy adult life too. So you got
(23:21):
off lucky. You got off soeasy with y'all do it tonight? Oh
my gosh, that's like, that'smild. I thought, you know,
maybe there was gonna be like anecessary change of pants or something. Well,
I mean, I was, youknow, growing up, I was
like a dork. I was amajor a dork growing up. I I
(23:45):
loved, you know, I wasin the band, I was in jazz
band, I was in choir,was in morning choir, got up earlier
than school to be in choire.I wasn't like a super a student either.
I was pretty pretty average. ButI really did follow in kind of
with the crowd that got picked ona lot, I would say, and
I did. I got picked ona lot, bullied, not to the
(24:07):
extent where I felt like I didn'twant to go to school, but I
didn't love it. I didn't loveit. I love being in the theater,
and I love being in the musicclasses and the music programs after school
and all those things. And itwas really a part of my identity.
I could put on like whoever Iwanted to be and do what I wanted
to do in that moment. Itdidn't matter. You know. That was
(24:30):
really fun. Anyways. I waskind of a nerd. I was also
in the Bible study at school duringlunchtime. So if you know those kids,
please make sure you're nice, becauseI think that was another reason,
you know, I think I waspicked up. I used to eat lunch
with them, and it was aclub. And you're going to really love
(24:51):
this. This club's name because we'redorks. Remember we're really like, we're
dorks. We're nerds now, nerdis like sexy. Back when I was
in school, wasn't very sex seeto be a nerd, I don't feel
like. And so our name forour club where Bible Club was Jello.
We were called Jello and it stoodfor Jesus even loves losers. Oh oh,
(25:17):
that's really pathetic name to have.And so I'm like, my god,
no wonder it's bullied. I wouldn'thave bullied you, but I wouldn't
have had lunch with you either.So I used to get up early so
I could head down to the busstop and smoke cigarettes with cute boys.
(25:41):
My god, I have a differentthing. You know. Another fact about
me that probably nobody else knows isI've never ever done drugs ever. I
mean other than I'm obviously now.I've drinking, drink drinking, drinking.
Maybe I am right now. It'sbeen a little drinking right now, Jessica,
you know you know I drink now, but I never I've never smoked
(26:07):
weed. Nothing, I've never doneit. I also have uh, never
had a cigarette, nothing like thateither. I don't look badly on people
who do. It's just not aparent's dream, you know. I was
just kidd I've never. I've neverdone any of that stuff either. Karen.
You know this is that I don'tswear really at all. I know
(26:27):
you don't swear, and but Ido swear enough for both of us.
Yeah, that's true, that's true, but it's and again it's one of
these things that's like, I don'thave a problem with people swearing. I
don't, not at all, butit's really unnatural when it comes from me.
So before we sign off, canyou just give the I know,
(26:48):
come on, we won't do theunnatural or even come on, just say
the S word s h. It say it, come on, so
when I do say you know,when I do say it, it's way
more meaningful when I do when I'mlike, I just want you to say
it in a sentence, because I'veheard you use the word and you don't
(27:10):
use it appropriately. I know,I know it's really bad, a normal
Jessica sentences. What in the shitis happening? That's one time maybe I've
heard that in the course of threeyears. I think, I mean,
I you know, I didn't evensay shut up very much sometimes, you
know, I think I it wasjust something that was instilled in me as
(27:30):
a kid and my mom didn't likeMy mom didn't even like the word fart,
you know, so it was justtoo harsh. So uh yeah,
I just didn't swear. And thenI never got out of that, you
know. And and right now,if you were to classify me, if
you were to know those things aboutme growing up, I don't think people
would relate that to me how Iam today, you know, Like,
(27:52):
would you have ever known that Iwas like in a Bible study in high
school? Yes? Okay, okay, maybe I do an all that.
No, I'm gonna just tell you, Jessica, you look like a pastor's
wife. You do? You do? You look like the perfect pastor's wife.
And you also play the piano,you sing your great mom like you're
(28:14):
a pastor's dream. But I don't. I don't think I can ever live
that life. Yeah, yeah,you're lucky. You almost got looped into
it. I'm sure there was somebodyin Jello that was like, I'm gonna
marry her. She's gonna look goodin a bonnet. Oh my god.
No, okay, Jessica, thankyou for sharing yourself with all of us.
(28:45):
Will you please to s H IT one time before we go,
give me a phrase say what isthis ship? Oh my godnes is gonna
be so awkward, Just do it. What is this ship? Oh yeah,
(29:06):
here's one of my favorites. Iwant you to repeat after me.
Okay, fucking fuck? Oh mygod? Do I say that right now?
Do you know how often I saythat word? Carmen, it's almost
christ. Have you ever heard mesay that? No, I've never heard
you. I've never heard you sayit. Yeah, So what the fuck?
(29:34):
And that's all, folks. Hopefullyher elf on the shelf wasn't listening.
Thanks everyone for joining us today onsmall Town USA. If you want
to hear more small Town hit subscribenow, go ahead, I'll wait.
(29:55):
Make sure you check out the linksin the description of this podcast for our
Twitter and Instagram count don't miss yourexit like, share, and follow us
now now leaving Smalltown USA. SmallTown USA is a production of nineteen Media
Group. If you would like tofeature your small town in an episode or
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