A Beautiful Jess Podcast

Thanksgiving 2023

Join Chey and Jessica for a lighthearted episode where we talk about Thanksgiving traditions, football and Chey's cooking adventures on TikTok. We are keeping it short and sweet this week as we head into the Thanksgiving holidays. As always, thank you for listening!

Mental Health with Kristen - Part 2

As I share this episode, I want to issue a content warning. In this episode, Kristen and I will be discussing topics related to suicide and mental health. We understand that these subjects can be sensitive and may be triggering for some listeners.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we encourage you to seek support. Reach out to a mental health professional, a counselor, or a trusted person in your life. The suicide hotline is 988.
Remember, you are not alone, and help is available. We care about your well-being, and we want all our listeners to prioritize their mental health. Most of all, we want you to know that God loves you and cares about you. When you feel like no one will understand, He does. 
I am incredibly pleased to bring you this week's episode with Kristen. 
Kristen is a licensed master social worker and speaks to her own experiences and how they shaped her heart for others and how God has used those experiences to connect her to people who need to see His love through her testimony. I share some of my own journey through mental health and how different therapies have helped me at different points in my life.
We get deep into topics that have held stigma and judgment for so long and hopefully will open up discussions and education. We talk about how these struggles brought us closer to God and how medication is a personal choice based on many factors. Our hope is that this episode reaches someone who may be struggling and that it encourages them to keep going, to reach out for help and know that God does not abandon us when we struggle with our mental health. 
If you are touched by this podcast, please consider sharing it. You never know who may be going through something, we are all so good at putting on a smiling face during our darkest hour.  So many people are hurting and broken while also putting their best effort into their day to day lives because it's not an option to not keep that going. God may be calling you to speak to someone, please listen to that still, small voice, and don't be discouraged by thinking that you have nothing to offer, or that someone seems to have it all together, so why should you reach out to them.
We are also introducing our first ad partner, Mod LifeWear! I can personally attest that their customer service and commitment to quality are unmatched. They offer beautiful, modest skirts that are appropriate for any occasion. Use the code ABeautifulJess at check out to get 10% off your order at ModLW.com.

Mental Health with Kristen - Part 1

Join us this week as we get to know my friend, Kristen. Kristen felt a call to find a deeper relationship with God and joined Victory Church after meeting her husband in high school. We talk about the culture at Victory and the strong friendships we both have developed there and different ministries we have been blessed to be involved in.
Situations that she went through in her life eventually led her to complete several degrees focusing on mental health. Over the course of several colleges and universities and about 13 years she now has a graduate degree and is a social worker in the foster care system. Kristen shares how it took a village to help her achieve these goals. 
There is a small break in our chat with a message to protect your own mental health as we discuss the topic of suicide that may be sensitive for some listeners. 

Changing the Measure of Success with Olivia

Olivia takes us on a wild ride as she discovers what she thinks is appendicitis, then a twisted ovary and ultimately a film-like cancer over most of her internal organs. She endures as she has to pass quickly through the stages of realization, acceptance, treatment and healing.
We are thankful for such a positive outcome for Olivia and we hope you enjoy listening as she shares her story of how this life event changed the measure of success in her life and altered her view of what God might see as successful in His kingdom. 

*SPECIAL EPISODE with Geralyn Nolan

Geralyn Nolan has been on the CSISD School Board for six years and brings that experience back to the table as she runs for re-election. Geralyn has poured her heart into serving our district and advocating for the kids, teachers and our public school system! 
Also in this episode we discuss the CSISD School Bond that is on the ballot under four propositions. Vote YES for all four! Our schools continue to be a source of pride for all members of our community and with your vote this election we can keep meeting a high standard of excellence for our students.
Link to CSISD: https://www.csisd.org/
Donate to Geralyn's campaign: https://secure.anedot.com/geralyn-nolan/contribute

Episode 2 - Tough as a Mother!

Monica is back on the podcast to share some of her story and how it coincided with the host, Jess. From college to moving to being married with kids and then returning to college as a mother with three boys and pregnant with her daughter, it's a journey as we see how God works things out in her life. 

Meet the host, Jess!

Welcome to the debut episode of the A Beautiful Jess podcast! My friend, Monica, helps you get to know me and why I'm taking this huge leap into the world of podcasting and sharing our stories, life experiences and anything else we pick up along the way.