What happens when two high school besties grow up, grow families, and still find time to laugh (and cry) through it all?

In this episode, Jess and her soul-sister Amber take a walk down memory lane—complete with awkward teen moments and heartfelt confessions. From navigating the beautiful chaos of blended families to learning how to show up for each other in big life transitions, they crack open what it really means to hold space for someone over the years. It’s refreshing, raw, and a little ridiculous—in the best way.

This one’s for the ride-or-dies, the sister-friends, and anyone who knows that friendships like this don’t come around often.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

11:46 - Memories of Friendship and Growth

20:26 - Life Changes

31:00 - Confronting Addiction and Seeking Change

45:52 - The Evolution of Family Dynamics

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!

Think: less “perfect morning routine” and more “how do I keep going when life is messy and motivation ghosts me?” Jess and Meg are diving deep into the beauty and struggle of caring for our bodies, minds, and hearts, especially in a world full of noise and distractions.

Through some soul-baring stories and laughter, Jess and Meg explore the magic that happens when we stop doing it all alone. From gym fails to quiet wins, they unpack the power of connection, community, and showing up for yourself even when it’s hard.

If you’ve ever felt like you're fumbling your way toward feeling good—physically, emotionally, or spiritually, this one’s your sign that you’re not alone. Jess and Meg are here to remind you: your journey is yours, it’s beautiful, and it’s worth celebrating.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

11:10 - Transitioning to Deeper Conversations

16:40 - Starting the Journey Towards Health and Wellness

30:04 - Understanding Lipedema and Its Impact

55:00 - Exploring Connection: A New Chapter in Our Lives

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years, and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!

This week, Jess gets real about what it’s like to return to her farming roots while juggling home renovations, self-doubt, and the ever-complicated world of family dynamics. From planting multiple varieties of corn (because why do things the easy way?) to learning the art of patience and communication, she shares the highs, the lows, and the unexpected lessons the land keeps teaching her.

But this episode isn’t just about farming—it’s about the messy, beautiful tension between chasing personal dreams and showing up for the people around us. It’s about the loneliness that can creep in when you feel like you don’t quite fit in and the power of finding (or building) a community that truly sees you.

So, whether you're knee-deep in your big life transition or just here for the ride, this one’s for you.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

05:21 - Returning to Farm Life

11:26 - Turning a Page: The Storm After the Storm

26:39 - Navigating Life's Questions

37:35 - The Importance of Leaning Towards Each Other

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!

Ever feel like you’re starring in a movie written by your parents? In this episode, Jess and Courtney dive into the messy, beautiful journey of personal growth—unpacking how childhood experiences shape who we become (for better or... let’s be honest, sometimes for worse).

They’re getting real about fear, expectations, and those sneaky inherited narratives that hold us back. But don’t worry, it’s not all deep dives and existential spirals—they’re also celebrating the freedom that comes with rewriting our own stories. Because let’s face it: breaking cycles isn’t just for us; it’s for the generations that come after. Join Jess and Courtney for plenty of laughter, aha moments, and reminders that we’re all just figuring it out as we go.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

06:40 - Reflections on First Impressions

14:07 - Navigating Change and Personal Growth

30:12 - The Complexity of Adult Relationships

39:47 - Parenting Challenges

01:00:41 - Navigating Family Dynamics: Communication and Relationships

01:29:13 - Taco Bell Memories

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!

This week, Jess and Jessie get real about the magic of community and connection—because let’s be honest, life would be pretty dull without it. They both share the weird and wonderful ways they have built deep friendships despite living miles apart, and how opening up (even when it’s terrifying) has led to some of their most meaningful relationships. Jess and Jessie also geek out about how the internet, for all its chaos, has been a surprising lifeline in bringing kindred spirits together.

Listen as Jess and Jessie remind us that if not for the relationships we cultivate, our lives would lack the richness and depth that come from genuine interactions.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

09:39 - The Journey to Lisbon: A Midlife Reckoning

17:04 - Navigating Language Barriers and Cultural Adaptation

28:31 - Navigating Parenthood and Connections

49:33 - Awkward Encounters in the Kitchen

01:01:33 - If Not for This Podcast: A Journey of Connection

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!

This week, Jess is digging into the lore. She gets real about how personal memories shape who we are—especially when it comes to motherhood and healing deep emotional wounds. Jess shares a story about her son that haunted her for years, a time when depression had her drowning in shame and self-doubt. It wasn’t pretty. But through therapy, self-reflection, and an unexpected reality check from her own kid, she found a way to break free from that weight.

This is a raw, unfiltered look at how our connections with others can heal us in ways we never see coming. So, grab a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, and let’s unpack those defining moments together.

Chapters

00:04 - Intro

12:35 - Facing the Past: A Journey Through Therapy

15:39 - Healing and Memory

28:58 - Emerging from Darkness: A Journey of Transformation

31:47 - Finding Hope in Unexpected Places

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!

Welcome to a messy, heartfelt, and slightly chaotic season premiere of the If Not for This Podcast! In the first episode, Jess gets real about why she hit "record" in the first place. She opens up about past struggles—relationships, identity, and the general rollercoaster of life—and how storytelling became her way of making sense of it all.

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a safe space for anyone feeling a little lost, a little curious, or just in need of some honest conversation. So, grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s navigate this wild ride together.

Chapters

(00:00) Introducing Jess

(05:04) The Birth of the Podcast

(08:23) A New Show

(20:57) Finding Purpose in Community and Connection

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller and seeker of meaningful connections in Texas by way of Baton Rouge, LA. Geaux Tigers! With a passion for humor and authenticity, she explores life’s complexities and embraces each experience with wild grace. You can find Jess rearranging her room for the third time this month, designing the perfect outfit for an upcoming rodeo, or hugging a friend for way too long! She has been married to her Texas farmer for eight years and the two have blended a beautiful crew of five children, ages 12-19. You can hear all about their marriage and world over at their joint podcast, Moving On Again.

Together the duo has set out to get ALL of the goodie from this life they have graciously been given! Deeper connections with themselves and others, an even stronger family, a bulletproof marriage, and a life you have to recover from in the end! Giddy up!

Connect

Website: https://jessrushnorman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_rush_norman/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessrushnorman?lang=en

Got thoughts you'd love to share? Put them in the comments below!