Life In Bloom with Jess

After 13 years of chasing my dreams in radio, I’m learning that sometimes following your dreams also means being willing to change where you chase them.In this episode, I open up about my decision to leave the show, why Life in Bloom went quiet, and what really led Gerald and me to pack up our life in Maryland and move to Vegas. I talk about the burnout, people-pleasing, loneliness, and the realization that comfort isn’t always the same thing as happiness.I don’t know exactly what comes next, but I know I’m finding my way back to myself.If you’ve ever found yourself torn between the life you’ve built and the life your heart is asking for, this one’s for you.

This week, I’m the guest.For the first time on Life in Bloom, I’m turning the mic on myself—asking the same questions I’ve asked the incredible women in my life, as a way to check in, reflect, and create something I can look back on.In this episode, I open up about the fears that once held me back, the moments that shaped me, and how I stopped letting pain and past trauma dictate my path. I talk about what it means to not settle, to make space for the life that’s meant for you, and the ongoing journey of self-love and healing.I also share reflections on my first year of marriage—what I’ve learned, what I’m proud of, and how Gerald and I continue to build the life we've always wanted together.It’s honest, raw, and a little nerve-wracking—but it’s me. Let's grow through this together.

In this vulnerable episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Bekah Manning, and have a heart-to-heart about love, growth, and transformation.Bekah shares her journey of self-discovery and what it’s taken to truly feel beautiful in her own skin for the first time. We talk about the hard but necessary healing that comes before deep love, and what it means to become the version of yourself you’ve always dreamed of being.She also shares the raw and emotional story of her relationship—how she made the difficult decision to end it, the personal work she had to do to grow and heal, and the courage it took to reach back out and rebuild trust from the ground up.We also dive into her mental health journey, living with ADHD, depression, and anxiety, and how she continues to navigate it all while pursuing peace in her everyday life.This is a conversation about resilience, reflection, and choosing yourself over and over again.This is Bekah.

In this deeply honest and emotional episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Desiree Quinones, for a powerful conversation about healing, growth, and finding purpose through pain.Desiree shares her journey to sobriety—including her time in rehab, rebuilding trust with her family, and the moment she knew she needed to take her life back. Now, as the manager of a sober living home and a Reiki practitioner, she’s dedicated her life to helping others find their own path to recovery and peace.We also talk about grief, as Desiree vulnerably opens up about losing her father as a young adult, and the lifelong impact of that loss.This episode is a raw and transparent look at what it means to rebuild, and to find the strength to reclaim your life on your own terms.I’m so incredibly honored to know her, this is Des.

A conversation with my Auntie, someone who’s been a guiding light for me since I moved in with her at 18.We talk about strength, motherhood, and what it means to keep going when life falls apart. She opens up about facing depression for the first time, leaning on her husband in a whole new way, and choosing to parent with honesty—letting her kids see all of her, even when it’s hard.This one is full of truth, tears, and so much love. I hope it leaves you feeling seen.This is my Auntie Sal, Salina Dutra.