Peaking

Latest Episodes:

S3E6: What If Work Was Never The Problem (Jess Thots Vol. 8) Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Buckle up, fam... In a rare reincarnation of the original Jess solo ramble (i.e. Jess Thots), our girl is back with a vengeance, stream of conscious-ing her way through several meaty topics. An analysis of her love of corporate content turns into a good long look in the mirror about her relationship to work/life balance and results in a realization that she did not expect. Along the way, she reflects on her learnings from conversations with her five amazing guests this season, as Peaking Season 3 comes to a necessary close (albeit perhaps an abrupt halt, depending on who you ask). Jess is burning out and it's neither work nor the podcast's fault, yet somehow it's also both, so needless to say she's gotta figure that out. It won't take her that long - talk sooner than you think, boo fam <3

Chicago boos! Come support me at CHIRP's storytelling event Wednesday December 17 at Martyrs' - tickets here.

~Credits/Links~

Edited by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jzdebakey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@peakingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@not4everyonepod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logo/Brand Design: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@magiceightstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Photography: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thelocalnomads_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S3E5: Making Space for Your Worth with Founder and Fitness Coach Amanda Campos Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

You're gonna wanna be seated for this one, boo fam. Over the years on Peaking, Jess has live processed her evolving relationship to weight and body image. Well in this episode, she gets even more honest about how that struggle shows up in her day-to-day life. From believing that she's worthy of good things to working up the motivation to get back in the gym after a long break, it follows her. But the good news (!!) is: she found something recently that helped.

That something is her guest, and the community she's created around fitness for people in big bodies. Amanda Campos, NASM CPT is a certified fitness coach who is determined to help fellow plus-size folks feel comfortable in a gym, and after attending one of her classes, Jess can confirm it's working. Big Bodied Baddies is taking Chicago by storm, hosting multidisciplinary fitness classes at partner studios around the city and growing a passionate fandom online. It's a testament to just how badly this type of space is needed, and Jess talks with Amanda about her journey to make it happen.

Finally, Jess closes with a Reality Rambles segment that is really more of a friendship red flag than it is a dissection of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. That being said, please go watch RHOSLC.

~Where to find AMANDA~

@a_camptoast on IG

⁠@big_bodied_baddies on IG⁠

@big_bodied_baddies on TikTok

@abovethebar.life on IG

~Credits/Links~

Edited by: ⁠⁠@abinewhouse⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jzdebakey⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@peakingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@not4everyonepod⁠⁠⁠⁠

Logo/Brand Design: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@magiceightstudio⁠⁠⁠⁠

Photography: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thelocalnomads_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S3E4: Say Yes and Keep Going with Creator and Baker Danielle Molina Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Another episode of Peaking brings another introspective intro from Jess, this one exploring her complex relationship with the concept of hard work. She breaks down what she thinks entrepreneurs and celebrities really mean when they reference hard work as one of the ingredients to their success, because honestly, she's never quite bought it at face value.

This opening on hard work was heavily influenced by the conversation that follows, a chat with content creator and baker Danielle Molina (who epitomizes work ethic, as far as Jess can tell). Danielle has had wild success growing her side hustles - saying yes to every opportunity and taking on too much at every turn. Still, her love for her craft remains evident, and Jess is fascinated by this sustained drive coupled with an almost obsessive need to keep learning and improving. How does one person have this much energy? Passion, even? Time to take notes, boo fam.

Finally, Jess rounds out the episode with Reality Rambles, this time on everything The Bachelor Franchise is and isn't doing right.

~Where to find DANIELLE~

@bbiscooking on IG

@bbiscooking on TikTok

+ her famous cats @luanneandbaby

~Credits/Links~

Edited by: ⁠@abinewhouse⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jzdebakey⁠⁠⁠

Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠@peakingpodcast⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@not4everyonepod⁠⁠⁠

Logo/Brand Design: ⁠⁠⁠@magiceightstudio⁠⁠⁠

Photography: ⁠⁠⁠@thelocalnomads_⁠⁠⁠

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S3E3: Giving Up On Purpose with Author and Neuroscientist Charlotte Cramer Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

In this month's edition of Peaking, Jess gets right into it with her guest, skipping her typical "diary entry" intro knowing that their conversation got right to the core of everything she's been feeling lately about work, passion, and fulfillment. And what a perfect guest to help her make sense of it all.

Charlotte "Charley" Cramer is a writer, neuroscientist, and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping others translate their inner world into words. As best-selling author of The Purpose Myth and founder of Authorship, which provides coaching for writers aiming to write their first nonfiction books, Charlotte brings an expert lens to storytelling, healing, and fulfillment. So naturally, she and Jess dissect Jess's own career crossroads, ending up somewhere that neither of them expected.

And it wouldn't be the home of the boo fam if Jess didn't conclude with a highly theoretical gesticulation on reality dating shows. A very scientific episode indeed.

~Where to find CHARLOTTE~

https://charlottecramer.substack.com/

https://www.charlottecramer.com/

https://www.authorship.club/

@authorship.club

@charleycramer

~Credits/Links~

Edited by: @abinewhouse ⁠⁠@jzdebakey⁠⁠

Podcasts: ⁠⁠@peakingpodcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@not4everyonepod⁠⁠

Logo/Brand Design: ⁠⁠@magiceightstudio⁠⁠

Photography: ⁠⁠@thelocalnomads_⁠⁠

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S3E2: Unlearning the Creative Grind with YouTuber and Artist Gabi Lee Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

This one finds Jess in her natural habitat: fresh out the shower (FOTS) and in desperate need of alone time. Cozy and turbie twisted, she talks about projecting her need for personal connection onto her partner, and how she is approaching solo hobbies for pure enjoyment. After all, she can't derive everything from reality tv, though stay until the end of the episode for her thoughts on this season of Love Island UK.

Then Jess is joined by Gabi Lee (yes, THEE @tofugoob), a Chicago-based YouTuber, artist, and dancer who Jess had her eye on long before they became friends. Gabi has a refreshing and deeply needed perspective on all things creativity and fulfillment. After 3 years splitting her time between a career as an NBA dancer and a day job as an engineer, Gabi pivoted into art and YouTube, eventually quitting corporate to pursue her passions full-time. She lasted 6 months. Now, Gabi is leaning into the simplicity of a 9-5... a turn of events that Jess is particularly interested in.

This one is for all the high-achieving creative types that care too much what other people think and don't know how to chill. Sound familiar, boo fam?

Check out Magic Eight Studio for all of your branding, website, and small business glow-up needs.

~Where to find GABI~

https://www.tofugoob.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@tofugoob

https://www.patreon.com/tofugoob

~Credits/Links~

Edited by meee: ⁠@jzdebakey⁠

Podcasts: ⁠@peakingpodcast⁠ ⁠@not4everyonepod⁠

Logo/Brand Design: ⁠@magiceightstudio⁠

Photography: ⁠@thelocalnomads_⁠

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S3E1: Playing the Long Game with Women's Sports Bar Owner Nora McConnell-Johnson Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Boo fam!!! WE ARE SO BACK. In the Season 3 premiere of Peaking, Jess looks back on her start as a podcaster, and how far she's come since her last episode 2.5 years ago. Now, she's at a crossroads, and she's using this space as a testing ground. Should she go full force at her passion project? Is this thing even on? Tune in for monthly episodes where she shares her innermost thoughts on side hustling, then hears from guests on how they're building their own businesses. Plus stay til the end for a reality TV rant you won't want to miss.

Today's guest is Nora McConnell-Johnson, the co-founder of Chicago's new Babe's Sports Bar. Nora is a former educator and public policy professional who recently entered the bar industry after noticing a gap in the market - there's legit nowhere to watch women's sports! Jess and Nora chat all things making a risky pivot, breaking ground on a new business, and redefining success. It's a peaking story that’s sure to make herstory.

~Credits/Links~

Meee: @jzdebakey

Podcasts: @peakingpodcast @not4everyonepod

Guest: @babesinchicago @noramcjo

Editor: @abinewhouse

Logo/Brand Design: @magiceightstudio

Photography: @thelocalnomads_

Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S2E10: Finally Met My Match (Announcing Not for Everyone!) Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Jess is still not a Swiftie, though the contents of this special announcement episode have been in the vault for a couple of months now. Amidst her usual rambles, distractions, and stream of conscious feelings, Jess is ecstatic to share with the boo fam the launch of a brand new podcast (co-hosted with her friend and former guest Caroline Winkler): Not For Everyone.

Go support her growing podcast dreams by following on Instagram @not4everyonepod, and look out for the first episode on December 8th, 2022!!! She couldn't have done it without y'all and looks forward to popping into Peaking every now and again for continued connections with her day ones.

Peaking IG: @peakingpodcast

Not For Everyone IG: @not4everyonepod

Jess's Personal IG: @jzdebakey

Caroline's Personal IG: @thegoodsitter

Caroline's YouTube Channel: @Caroline_Angelica

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S2E9: Perfectionism Comes Here to Die (Jess Thots Vol. 7) Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

LOLOLOL right when you thought you had me allllll figured out. "That Jess, she got a a new job and suddenly doesn't have time for us anymore." THINK AGAIN! I may not have time (read: energy/patience/motivation) to edit a highly polished episode for you, but I always have tons to say. So here's a random Jess Thots episode on a Tuesday morning* because THERE ARE NO RULES.

Anyway. I don't know the next time you'll hear from me, but I promise I'll be back soon. Preferably when you least expect it again - like a dude you just got over who's craving attention because the girl he usually texts finally found a guy that treats her right, and his mom is busy at a conference or something.

*Correction: Monday night

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S2E8: Changing Through the Seasons with In Bed With Books May 05, 2022

Show notes

🚨FIRST COLLAB ALERT🚨

In this episode, Jess takes part in her very first podcast collab! She was thrilled when the ladies of In Bed With Books (Bethany and Melissa) reached out to guest on each other's shows, even though that meant she'd have to read. Connecting with new people seems to supersede that for her - noted!

The ladies discuss all things celebrity crushes, astrology, and of course peaking. Bethany and Melissa share about their time moving abroad for the grad program where they met, a particularly challenging time for them both but for very different reasons. Before getting into it with her guests though, of course Jess had to bring you some of her trademark chaotic energy, giving the boo fam an update on her new job and ongoing existential crisis.

You can find In Bed With Books on Instagram @inbedwithbookspod and check out their YouTube channel for full videos of their episodes (including the one with Jess!). Or, if you're more of an audio purist, go find it on Apple, Spotify, or Google Podcasts - it's the May 2, 2022 episode.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

S2E7: Saying It Out Loud with Alex Martinez Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Back to the OG "interview" format, in this episode Jess goes deep with her fitness coach and friend, Alex Martinez. Alex opens up about his journey coming out as trans, from those little moments growing up that started to accumulate all the way through to his post-transition life and how he's turned his authentic self into his superpower. This episode is full of breakthroughs, pushes both of them to uncomfortable places of growth and learning, and of course hinges on the innate connection between two water sign brethren (Alex the Pisces to Jess' Cancer). It was a gift to have him on the show.

Alex is the owner of Above the Bar (ATB), a personal and small group training gym in Chicago that works with clients holistically in the gym, kitchen, and their lives. All are welcomed, empowered, encouraged, important & respected at ATB. And, if you decide to pop in, you may see your very own Jess (or JZ as she is known when lifting heavy weights) cracking jokes and getting those gains. You can find him on Instagram @abovethebar.life.

www.peakingpodcast.com

IG: @peakingpodcast

Intro/Outro Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid

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