Life's Messes with the Hess's

Doing this podcast solo has been harder than I expected, and I’m getting honest about finding my groove. Then we’re getting into something that’s been on my mind: What happened to basic human kindness? Why are people so comfortable being mean for absolutely no reason? Plus, a guest is joining me next episode! Who else would you like to hear from, and what topics should we tackle? Send me your idea...

Hey, Messy Besties! This week on The Hess Mess, we’re talking about the little things that help us relax and the everyday annoyances that can test our patience in about two seconds. From finding time for ourselves to those “why the hell does this bother me so much?” moments, we’re getting real about trying to find a little peace in the middle of life’s mess. Grab your coffee, get comfortable, and...

For the final episode of Life’s Messes with the Hess’s, it’s just me, getting honest about boundaries, being everyone’s doormat, and learning that being forgiving doesn’t mean giving people unlimited chances to hurt you. I catch you up on my weekend and share why I originally started this podcast, including the shame, fear, and embarrassment I felt after my son’s accident and how scared I was to r...

This week, Jodi tags along to Betty’s 30th reunion, and the conversation takes a turn into judgment, spirituality, and organized religion. We share our disgust at the idea of livestreaming a firing squad execution and question how that moves us forward. We also read an anonymous listener’s story about sexual assault and the harmful relationship she escaped a year ago. Thank you to the listener who...

This week, we’re pissed. Our main conversation centers on the sexual assault allegations against the “Cornell 7,” the handling of the case, and our hope that the renewed investigation brings justice and accountability. Betty shares her experience with physical abuse, and we talk about refusing to compete for a man’s love. If you have to fight for him to choose you, he’s not the one. We also get in...

We need to talk about Grandpa Joe. Jodi has some strong opinions about that suddenly dancing motherfucker, and Betty has never even seen Willy Wonka. Then we get into Betty’s feelings about staying single and we discuss why leaving a shitty relationship can make “better than before” feel like enough, even when you deserve more. We also revisit keeping your independence, having your own resources,...

This week, we're a little all over the place, which honestly feels pretty accurate for life lately. Jodi open up about struggling with sleep, adjusting medications, and the grief she's still carrying over Peyton and Levi. She shares why she recently reached out to some of Levi's friends to explain her absence from their weddings and other special occasions and the realization that some...

What if everything we’ve been taught about “rock bottom” and helping someone with addiction isn’t quite right? This week, we sit down with Amber Hollingsworth of Put the Shovel Down for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and what it really looks like to support someone you love without losing yourself in the process. Amber shares her background and breaks down concepts like Invisibl...

This week, we’re all over the damn place again. We revisit the Lindsey Clancy case and continue our conversation about postpartum depression, mental health, and what can happen when someone is struggling far beyond what people on the outside can see. That leads us into a bigger conversation about why we shouldn’t automatically believe everything we hear or read at surface level. Sometimes you have...

This week was a little bit of everything  Betty’s daughters joined us with plenty of giggles and background commentary while we caught up on the baby shower, family time, and the weekend in general. We also talked about Illinois’ new menopause legislation, Betty’s doctor appointment and the beginning of her GLP-1 journey, Jack being sick, and whatever else popped into our heads along the way. No r...

This week was a full blown rant session. We talked about the Lindsay Clancy case and how postpartum mental health still is not taken seriously enough. We discussed how cocaine and crack are the same drug consumed differently, yet crack has historically carried harsher judgment and criminal consequences because of systemic racism and its introduction into poor Black communities. We are not judging...

Episode 25 is a little bit nostalgic, a little bit serious, and—as usual—all over the damn place. We’re diving into childhood memories, swimming, Betty’s legendary pool handstands, and the high school crush who apparently still holds a special place in her heart. Betty shares stories about growing up in Texas and Mexico, and we talk about those rare friendships that can survive years apart and pic...

This week we’re all over the place—in the best way. We talk about our call with Amber Hollingsworth and our upcoming podcast collaboration, visiting family, veterans benefits, and why nobody should have to go broke just trying to get the care they need. We get into systems that are way harder to navigate than they should be, give an update on the upcoming float trip, and—as usual—laugh, ramble, an...

Episode 32 is all over the damn place and honestly, what else is new? We debate whether a float trip with a group is the same thing as going as a group, lol. Like we're just a group of people who decided to do the same thing at the same place at the same time, so is that really a group? We bitch about taxes and where the hell our money actually goes, complain about shitty drivers and road rage...

We all have that one opinion, pet peeve, or hill we're willing to die on. This week, we're sharing some of ours, we're also catching up on Betty's exciting employee spotlight, talking about her Jorge and Miranda's upcoming baby shower, and as always, seeing where the rest of our conversation takes us. We would love to hear from all of our messy besties about your one thing. Wha...

Sometimes the best conversations are the ones that don’t go according to plan. This week, we catch up on our weekends, from Jodi’s trip with Jack to Betty’s baby shower planning, time with friends, and a spontaneous Sunday road trip. As always, one story leads to another. Somewhere along the way, we found ourselves talking about the routines of everyday life, feeling stuck on autopilot, and wonder...

Sometimes you just need to get something off your chest... but when does venting become plain old complaining? This week we dive into the difference between healthy venting and constantly focusing on the negative. We talk about why people vent, when it's helpful, how endless complaining affects the people around us, and how to recognize the difference in ourselves. As always, we share our own...

What really makes someone family? Is it DNA, shared history, or the people who choose to stand beside you when life gets messy? This week we're talking about the different ways family is created and what that word means to us. We also take a moment to acknowledge two years since Levi's accident. We discuss our 4th of July plans and Betty's upcoming birthday. As always, it's an hone...

In this episode, we're asking a simple question: why do some people their good time matters more than everyone else's? We dive into the frustration of being told to quiet down and make ourselves smaller, because apparently existing loudly is a crime now. We also discuss the internet frenzy over Bunnie and Jelly Roll, and why we think she deserves way more credit than she gets. From there,...

No outline. No game plan. Just two cousins catching up. From wedding weekends and live music to the realities of blended families, we're taking you along for one of those conversations that starts in one place and somehow ends somewhere completely different. Thanks for hanging out with us through the chaos!

We spend a lot of time chasing the idea of "having it all," but what does that actually mean? In this episode, we discuss what our version of "all" looks like. Is it financial freedom, a fulfilling career, a happy relationship, good health, more time, less stress, or all of the above or none of the above? We explore the dreams we have for our lives, the obstacles that seem to s...

In Episode 24, we're talking about what it means to be unapologetically yourself in a world that always seems to have an opinion. From people pleasing and self doubt to embracing our quirks, flaws, and strengths, we're sharing our thoughts on learning to stop shrinking ourselves to make others comfortable. This conversation is honest, relatable, and full of the kind of real talk you've...

This week the messes are diving headfirst into the world of double standards, and trust us, we have thoughts. From the things women get judged for that men get a free pass on, to the expectations that somehow still exist in 2026, nothing is off limits. Of course, we couldn't ignore the Summer House Reunion Part 1 drama either. We break down the season, without spilling the tea on the reunion....

Episode 22 is basically what happens when conversations take a hard left, forget where they were going and somehow still end up entertaining. From random thoughts and side quests to "how'd we even get here?" moments, this episode is chaotic in the best way. Of course can't get by without a little trauma right. No direction, no outline, just real conversations, laughs, opinions no...

This week is pure chaotic energy from start to finish. We talk about Jodi and Jack's Nashville trip, Betty's family cookout adventures, and then somehow spiral directly into affairs, serial cheaters, emotional cheating versus physical cheating, and whether "situational cheating" is just a fancy excuse for bad behavior. Add in some weird OCD habits and random side tangents, and ho...