The Gen Mess with Tess

What if the greatest barrier to your success isn’t the world outside—but the silent story you keep telling yourself inside your own head? In this compelling episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Dr. Ashok Bhattacharya, psychiatrist and founder of The Empathy Clinic, to explore why empathy isn’t just a “soft skill”—it’s the invisible glue shaping our relationships, workpla...

What if the American Dream your parents promised you was nothing but a myth? What if the payoff for all your hard work simply… never arrives? In this eye-opening episode of the Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with writer, podcaster, and former writing professor Amye Archer to pull back the curtain on generational work myths, shifting values, and what’s really happening as Gen Xers...

What if the secret to skyrocketing your company’s profits isn’t better tech, but happier employees? In this episode of Gen Mess With Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with powerhouse people & culture leader Jessica Holst (SpaceX, CAA, Mattel, Verve) to pull back the curtain on why traditional HR practices—and even today’s obsession with AI—are missing the real leverage point for business succe...

What if the biggest problem with your writing isn’t your grammar or structure—but the way you think? In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with her personal writing coach, Brian Morgan, founder of Think Deeply, Write Clearly, to reveal the transformative link between writing, thinking, and the human condition. Get ready to reconsider everything you thought...

What if the American Dream was never really meant for everyone? And what if today’s younger generations are reinventing it into something healthier and more meaningful? In this thought-provoking solo episode, Tess Brigham dives headfirst into the messy legacy of the American Dream—exposing who it really served, how it shaped generations, and why Gen Z and Millennials are outgrowing the old rules....

What if the secret to true influence is saying “no” more often than saying “yes”? In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Brad Hoos—CEO of The Outloud Group and founder of Musk Ox—to unravel the myths and realities behind the influencer industry, generational shifts at work, and what it really takes to lead with authenticity. Brad didn’t set out to becom...

What if your favorite ‘90s sitcom is actually an aspirational fantasy—and today’s TV is a brutally honest mirror? In this unexpected solo episode, Tess Brigham dives into the wild evolution of 20-something life on TV, revealing what Friends got right (and wrong) about young adulthood, and why the new FX series Adults hits closer to home for Gen Z. Tess shares her own Hollywood background before sh...

What if the secret to manifesting the life you want isn’t just about thinking positive thoughts—what if it’s about understanding how your mind, heart, and healing all work together? In this episode of Gen Mess with Tess , host Tess Brigham sits down with transformational speaker and life coach Billy Giannouloudis (aka Billy G), and the conversation is full of surprising wisdom, down-to-earth insig...

<aside> Show Notes What if your job was just a hobby—and not your entire reason for existence? On this episode of “Gen Mess with Tess,” host Tess Brigham sits down with Katie O’Brien, a Gen Z professional working abroad at a multinational company, who’s redefining what it means to build a career in a world overflowing with choices, expectations, and the ever-present pressure of comparison. T...

What if everything you thought you knew about yourself—and the world around you—was just one small piece of a much bigger, messier puzzle? In this deeply personal solo episode, host Tess Brigham pulls back the curtain on "The Gen Mess with Tess," revealing major changes to the direction of the show. Tess opens up about her journey from focusing solely on generational differences to confronting the...

Ever wondered why your business feels stuck in chaos—no matter how innovative your big idea is? Here’s the shocker: The real bottleneck might be you. In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Jhana Li, operations expert and founder of Spyglass Ops, who shares how even the most visionary entrepreneurs can unintentionally hold their businesses back. Jhana re...

What if everything you thought you knew about “American culture” was invisible—to you, but glaringly obvious to everyone else? In this revealing episode of Gen Mess with Tess , host Tess Brigham sits down with Lanie Denslow, renowned cultural translator and author, to break down the unspoken rules and quiet revolutions shaping generational and cross-cultural dynamics in the modern workplace. Toget...

What if the biggest obstacle to workplace harmony isn’t lazy young workers or out-of-touch bosses—but a silent, generational “stalemate” that’s sabotaging both sides? In this solo episode of Gen Mess with Tess , host Tess Brigham takes you behind the scenes of a revealing conversation with a group of seasoned law firm owners—mostly Gen Xers—who are struggling not with legal cases, but with the rap...

What if the biggest reason you hate your job isn’t YOUR fault—but a 150-year-old management system designed to treat you like a cog, not a human being? That’s exactly what gets uncovered in this episode of Gen Mess with Tess , where Tess Brigham sits down with workplace revolutionary Jason Lauritsen. Jason shares his compelling journey from Iowa farm kid to corporate HR leader and bestselling auth...

What if the generational "mess" at work isn't just about age—it's about culture, communication, and what no one ever tells you on your first day? In this revealing episode of Gen Mess with Tess , host Tess Brigham sits down with Tracy Ward, award-winning HR executive and corporate culture strategist, to unpack the real dynamics that shape our workplaces. Together, they dive deep into Tracy's uniqu...

What if your company’s employee benefits plan could be the secret weapon that keeps your top talent loyal—and even attracts new superstars through the door? In this enlightening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with powerhouse employee benefits strategist, Sirena Dimas, to pull back the curtain on what really makes benefits matter in today’s rapidly changing workplace. Ke...

What if your “common sense” approach at work is actually causing a generational divide you don’t even see? In this thought-provoking episode of Gen Mess with Tess , host Tess Brigham sits down with leadership coach and author Rachel Burr for a refreshingly honest and practical look at why generational misunderstandings are so rampant in the workplace—and how leaders (and employees!) can finally st...

What if fear isn't your enemy, but actually your greatest secret weapon? In this powerful episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with the dynamic Jacqueline Wales—TEDx speaker, author, coach, and all-around powerhouse—to unpack how fear runs (and often, ruins) our lives, across every generation. Jacqueline, whose inspiring journey includes overcoming childhood trauma, financial...

What if your career achievements are actually the least memorable thing about you at work? In this captivating episode of "Gen Mess with Tess," host Tess Brigham sits down with John Garrett, a former Big Four CPA turned stand-up comedian and award-winning keynote speaker, to dig deep into the messy world of generational workplace dynamics—and why bringing your whole self to work is your biggest as...

What if the real reason your team is struggling isn’t just about generational clashes—but about whether your employees feel seen, heard, and valued at work? On this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Dr. Ryan Warner, award-winning consulting psychologist, military leader, and Fortune 500 organizational strategist. Together, they dig beneath the surface of g...

What if everything you think you know about addiction and recovery is wrong? In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with Shirley Wantland, cofounder and principal of Recovery Consultants LLC, to dismantle the conventional wisdom around substance abuse, mental health, and healing. Shirley argues that no one is born an addict—and that true recovery comes from...

Is Empathy the Missing Link in Bridging Generational Divides? In this captivating episode of "The Gen Mess with Tess," we dive deep into the world of generational dynamics with Katherine Manning, an authority on leading with empathy when it matters the most. Ever wondered how understanding and transparency can shift the way generations interact in both personal and professional spheres? Prepare to...

Have you ever considered that the real communication problem might not lie with the younger generation, but with us—the ones who should know better? In this eye-opening episode of "Gen Mess with Tess," host Tess Brigham dives into a thought-provoking conversation with Jeffrey Klubeck, a master of motivation and communication. Together, they challenge conventional wisdom about generational communic...

What if you could learn the secrets of reputation management from a Navy officer turned PR expert with nearly three decades of experience? In this episode of "Gen Mess with Tess," host Tess Brigham welcomes Dave Oates, a marketing and PR aficionado, to explore the intricacies of crisis communications and the ever-evolving world of public relations. Join Tess and Dave as they uncover Dave's unique...

Could the key to revolutionizing workplace culture lie in unlocking personal biases and silencing the noise in our minds? In this eye-opening episode of "The Gen Mess with Tess," Tess Brigham invites bias mitigation expert Matthew Cahill from The Percipio Company to unravel the intricacies of generational dynamics and biases at work. Matthew reveals actionable insights into how biases like "like m...