A Conversation with My Best Friend Stephanie

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.

In this episode I sit down with my best friend, Stephanie Sidela—a woman who has been a constant in my life for over a decade since our early days in radio. We reminisce about the beginnings of our friendship, the shared dreams, and the paths we’ve walked together.She opens up about her inspiring journey from working as a professional dancer to becoming the Executive Producer of the Mercedes in the Morning show in Las Vegas on Mix 94.1.She shares the pivotal moments that led her and her husband from being just friends to taking a leap of faith into true love.Her story is a testament to trusting one’s instincts, embracing change, and finding the confidence to follow your own path.This is my best friend Stephanie, but you can call her Steph.

In this episode, I sit down with my 22-year-old little sister — someone I’ve known her whole life, but who shared things with me here for the very first time.We talk about our childhood, our parents, and she opens up about the quiet pressure she's carried comparing herself to me in the past. We discuss the expectations she's put on herself to have life figured out — all while giving herself the space to explore, to change her mind, and to find herself without the weight of rushing it all.It’s a vulnerable, beautiful conversation between two sisters, ten years apart, learning from each other in real time. Meet my little sister, Makayla Dutra (a.k.a Butter)

Welcome to the very first episode of Life in Bloom with Jess! I couldn’t think of a better way to begin this journey than by sitting down with the woman who shaped me—my mom.In this heartfelt and unfiltered conversation, we talk about motherhood, identity, growth, relationships and what it’s like watching your daughters grow up, mess up, and bloom. She shares wisdom from her own life, stories from my childhood, and a few truths I didn’t even know I needed to hear.This one’s for the daughters, the mothers, and anyone trying to find their way.

Part 2 of our Wedding Week Breakdown! We discuss our vows, the gifts we gave to one another, ALL the wedding mishaps, and the moment Vivian from Disney Channel's Out Of The Box SHOWED UP TO OUR WEDDING and soooooo much more!

We're officially HUSBAND & WIFE!! We're doing a 2 part Wedding Week Breakdown because there is soooooo much to cover! In part one we discuss everything leading up to our wedding day! How Vivian from Disney Channel's Out Of The Box ENDED UP AT OUR WEDDING, Garage Boy on the side of the road, Jess almost getting too drunk to make it to the ceremony and more! PT. 1 !!!