Personal Growth | Entrepreneurship | Comedy.
Tune in as Jess DeBakey chats with her guests (and herself) about low moments in life that are actually opportunities to grow.
Follow @peakingpodcast @jzdebakey on IG for more ~times~
S3E6: What If Work Was Never The Problem (Jess Thots Vol. 8)
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 (https://firsttime.chirpradio.org/).
~Credits/Links~
Edited by: (https://instagram.com/abinewhouse)@jzdebakey (https://instagram.com/jzdebakey)
Podcasts: @peakingpodcast (https://instagram.com/peakingpodcast) @not4everyonepod (https://instagram.com/not4everyonepod)
Logo/Brand Design: @magiceightstudio (https://instagram.com/magiceightstudio)
Photography: @thelocalnomads_ (https://instagram.com/thelocalnomads_)
Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid
3 Nov 2025
S3E5: Making Space for Your Worth with Founder and Fitness Coach Amanda Campos
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 (https://www.instagram.com/a_camptoast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)
@big_bodied_baddies on IG (https://www.instagram.com/big_bodied_baddies?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)
@big_bodied_baddies on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@big_bodied_baddies?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc)
@abovethebar.life on IG (https://www.instagram.com/abovethebar.life?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)
~Credits/Links~
Edited by: @abinewhouse (https://instagram.com/abinewhouse) @jzdebakey (https://instagram.com/jzdebakey)
Podcasts: @peakingpodcast (https://instagram.com/peakingpodcast) @not4everyonepod (https://instagram.com/not4everyonepod)
Logo/Brand Design: @magiceightstudio (https://instagram.com/magiceightstudio)
Photography: @thelocalnomads_ (https://instagram.com/thelocalnomads_)
Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid
6 Oct 2025
S3E4: Say Yes and Keep Going with Creator and Baker Danielle Molina
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 (https://www.instagram.com/bbiscooking)
@bbiscooking on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@bbiscooking)
+ her famous cats @luanneandbaby (https://www.instagram.com/luanneandbaby)
~Credits/Links~
Edited by: @abinewhouse (https://instagram.com/abinewhouse) @jzdebakey (https://instagram.com/jzdebakey)
Podcasts: @peakingpodcast (https://instagram.com/peakingpodcast) @not4everyonepod (https://instagram.com/not4everyonepod)
Logo/Brand Design: @magiceightstudio (https://instagram.com/magiceightstudio)
Photography: @thelocalnomads_ (https://instagram.com/thelocalnomads_)
Music: "Have Mercy On Us" by Air Kid
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
734,925
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
63 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
51
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