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 (cohosted 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

Episode Title Lyric: "Mastermind" by Taylor Swift

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

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IG: @peakingpodcast

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

Episode Title Lyric: "New Rules" by Dua Lipa

🚨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

Episode Title Lyric: "Dreams" by The Cranberries

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.

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IG: @peakingpodcast

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

Episode Title Lyric: "Freedom" by Jon Batiste

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

Episode Title Lyric: "Perfectly Lonely" by John Mayer

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.

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IG: @peakingpodcast

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

Episode Title Lyric: "Family Business" by Kanye West

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

In this edition of Jess Thots, your girl muses on how her anxiety has morphed into another seasonal flu to add to the list. Where this type of vaccine at?!

In all seriousness, Jess has recently had a breakthrough around the habitual nature of her anxiety, and she's working on breaking the pattern by asking "what?" instead of "why?" She references the podcast Ten Percent Happier when describing this approach, and recommends the January 26, 2022 episode entitled "How to Break Your Anxiety Habit | Judson Brewer" for those who want more food for thought on this topic.

As always, please remember that Jess is your friend - not a professional. If you are struggling with your mental health, she encourages you to seek the help you need <3 

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IG: @peakingpodcast

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

Episode Title Lyric: "Positions" by Ariana Grande