241 episodes

Join host, Jessica Kidwell, as she attempts to unpack the uncomfortable topics that nobody is talking about, but definitely should. With intention to hold real, authentic, conversation about EVERYTHING, Jessica brings her humor and a healthy dose of self-deprecation to the table as she invites a weekly guest to unpack issues relating to parenthood, grief, imposter syndrome, body image, middle age, the plight of the working mom and more.   

We Should Talk About That Jessica Kidwell

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 192 Ratings

Join host, Jessica Kidwell, as she attempts to unpack the uncomfortable topics that nobody is talking about, but definitely should. With intention to hold real, authentic, conversation about EVERYTHING, Jessica brings her humor and a healthy dose of self-deprecation to the table as she invites a weekly guest to unpack issues relating to parenthood, grief, imposter syndrome, body image, middle age, the plight of the working mom and more.   

    We Should Talk About Women's Voices

    We Should Talk About Women's Voices

    Did you know that the  six most common complaints about the sound of a women's voice are:
    Their voice is too highThey sound like childrenThey don't sound authoritative enoughThey have vocal fryThey use too much upspeakTheir voice is too lowFor a woman who wants to speak up publicly, it can start to feel like we are damned if we do, and damned if we don't. 

    This week I had the opportunity to talk to Christine Adam, an international voice, accent and communication skills coach, about why women's voices are more critically received when they speak up in public.  It was a fascinating AND frustrating conversation.

    I hope you'll listen!

    Guest Bio:
    Christine Adam is an international voice, accent and communication skills coach. She works with clients on vocal presence, power, range and expressivity, body language in communication, compassionate listening and managing performance anxiety. Her clients range from actors to business professionals, activists, teachers and anyone who is curious about becoming a more effective and empowered communicator. Through her company, Voice what Matters, Christine offers private coaching programs, bespoke workshops and digital courses, as well as a podcast and a YouTube channel.  Christine has an MFA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Drama in London. She is a certified Fitzmaurice Voicework(r) teacher and Organic Intelligence(r) coach. She is also a States-based Communication coach for RADA Business, based in London.

    Resources Cited:
    Mary Beard Article  "The Long Tradition of Women Being Told to Shut Up"
    Selena Simmons-Duffin "Talking While Female"
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    • 48 min
    We Should Talk About Free and Fair Elections With Tate Fall, Director of Elections for Cobb County Georgia

    We Should Talk About Free and Fair Elections With Tate Fall, Director of Elections for Cobb County Georgia

    I am a proud voting American.  From local, national, primary, or general, I never miss my opportunity to participate in my civic duty and cherished right to vote.  I love the process of going to my polling precinct and casting my ballot.  I slap that sticker on my chest and walk around all day with pride, knowing that instead of choosing to do nothing, I chose to vote.  And I believe, that my vote is counted.  It may not win, but it is always counted.

    But I am aware that I may be in the minority who believes that my vote is counted.
    In January 2024, Data for Progress found that 43% of likely voters are either not confident at all or only a little confident in the security of elections.  That percentage rises to 50% if you only look at registered Independents and rises to 69% if you only look at registered Republicans.

    That is a lot of Americans who do not trust the security of our elections!  

    I wanted to learn more about the election process.  To see if there is a reason to not trust the system, or to see if this growing mistrust is fueled by misinformation.  

    My guest this week is Tate Fall, Director of Elections for Cobb County Georgia.  She guides me through the history and process of administering elections, shares how much elections have changed through the years, and dispels some of the most common myths about voter fraud.  This is a conversation you are not going to want to miss.

    Tate Fall currently serves as the Director of Elections for Cobb County. She has previously served as the Deputy Director of Elections for Arlington County, VA, a Communications Specialist for the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and as a Voting Rights Advocate for Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. Tate has her B.S. in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Election Administration all from Auburn University. 




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    • 47 min
    We Should Talk About Tik Tok with Pamela Wurst Vetrini

    We Should Talk About Tik Tok with Pamela Wurst Vetrini

    We should talk about Tik Tok. 
    As a Gen X-er, I cling to my Facebook and I feel fancy that I consistently use Instagram.  But if I'm being honest, I know that this makes me basically an elderly user of social media apps.  YouTube and Tik Tok are the social media apps where Gen Z and Gen Alpha are spending the majority of their time.  So, what's an "Insta-Grandma" to do to try and stay au courant on the trends?
    Enter my guest, Pamela Wurst Vetrini.
    Pamela is a content creator, content curator, and social media consultant. Vetrini gained a following of over 150,000 followers by translating tik tok trends for an elder millennial audience. After working in marketing and PR in publishing in NYC, she decided to focus on learning how to use social media during her time as a stay at home mom. Vetrini's greatest viral success came in the summer of 2023 when she curated a reality tv "season" of private chefs in the Hamptons from existing tik tok content.
    https://www.instagram.com/pamelawurstvetrini/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@pamelawurstvetrini

    Join us for a discussion on why Tik Tok isn't evil, and what has been trending on the app for March 2024.
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    • 54 min
    WeSTAT Pop Culture

    WeSTAT Pop Culture

    Join Jessica and her pop culture guest of the week, Joey Klei, as they discuss the pop culture topics that are front of mind for them. 
    Where is Princess Catherine? ***Big correction!! Jessica says MULTIPLE times that the timeline starts 12/23/23, but it really was 12/28/23.  In her excitement, she got the date wrong, a lot.  This is why she is not running for President.Joey reviews the Apple Vision Pro glassesWe should talk about the OscarsDo YOU want to be a part of the next pop culture segment?  Send me a message at info@westatpod.com and let me know what you think we should talk about!  You might just be my next pop culture aficionado called upon!
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    • 57 min
    We Should Talk About Gender Diversity and God with Jamie Bruesehoff

    We Should Talk About Gender Diversity and God with Jamie Bruesehoff

    "If we understand there is a biblical basis, there is a theological basis for understanding that transgender people and gender expansive people are created in the image of God -  just like all people- then it makes it easier to .... understand we don't have to choose between our faith and the people we love."

    Jamie Bruesehoff is an award-winning LGBTQ+ advocate, nationally known speaker, and mother of three, including a transgender child.  She also has a master's degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary-Gettysburg and is the wife of a Lutheran pastor.  She has twenty years of experience working with youth and adults in and outside of the church, she strives to create a world where LGBTQ+ young people thrive.  Her book, "Raising Kids Beyond the Binary: Celebrating God's Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children" came out in September 2023. 
    Join us for a wide ranging conversation about faith, parenting, gender diversity, supporting the experience of a transgender person, and expanding our understanding about what gender means to each of us.
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    • 1 hr 5 min
    Chelsey Goodan On How We Consistently Underestimate Teenage Girls

    Chelsey Goodan On How We Consistently Underestimate Teenage Girls

    “I’ve personally witnessed how Chelsey changes the lives of teenage girls for the better. This book is exactly what we all need right now, for our families and for our future voices in the world."
    —Laura Dern, Academy Award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling author of Honey, Baby, Mine

    Teenage girls have a lot of assumptions made about them, and they’re not very positive.  Things like, they’re dramatic, they’re mean, they’re overly emotional, and they don’t know really know what they want or who they want to be.
    Chelsey Goodan, the author of "UNDERESTIMATED: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls", is on a mission to dispel these assumptions and show us why we actually have a lot to learn from teenage girls.  
    About my guest:
    Chelsey Goodan has spent 16 years working as an academic tutor and also volunteering her time to mentor teenage girls. Chelsey now speaks regularly to audiences and conducts workshops on gender justice, and revealing how teenage girls can teach us all how to create more heartfelt connections and impactful change.

    Buy the book here!

    Resources cited:
    A Call to Men- The Next Generation of Manhood

    Peggy Orenstein's "Girls and Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape"
    https://www.peggyorenstein.com/main-st

    Dr. Emily Morse's "Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure"
    https://www.harpercollins.com/products/smart-sex-emily-morse?variant=40992969556002
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    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
192 Ratings

192 Ratings

Jewel Hohman ,

Wow just Wow!

I love that Jessica attacks the tough topics head-on. She is entertaining and relatable too!

kelly_88 ,

Highly Recommend!

Jessica’s podcast is a MUST LISTEN. Jessica is honest, authentic and incredibly engaging… she isn’t afraid to dig deep with her guests by asking thought-provoking questions.
Soul-seekers… this one is for you! Jessica will inspire tapping into your core & personal growth with each episode.

ConfettiCreative.Co | PR ,

Relevant, captivating topics!

This podcast does the seemingly impossible — talking about serious societal issues while still being human and entertaining. Jess and Jess are both incredibly vulnerable with their guests. The interviews feel like a conversation, rather than just a stream of questions. If you like learning and human connection, this podcast is for you!

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