John and Jess Discuss the Mess

John and Jess discuss the urban/rural/suburban divide. Where did it come from? Why does it exist? Is there anything we can do about it? Join us as we dig into the last episode of season 3 of John and Jess Discuss the Mess... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess are joined by Nicole Niewald - Principal of the KIPP St. Louis High School - to talk about education. What's the purpose? How has the purpose changed post-pandemic? What can we do to better help kids? Join us to listen in to the second to last episode of this season. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join John and Jess as they launch the final three-episode arc of the season discussing the role of class in America. From dividing urban and rural residents to creating intentional rifts to the stimulus money and the role of Congress in the class divide, we dig in and talk about our own experiences as well as a few interesting things we've read recently! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss the Supreme Court and the true meaning of justice. From the history of the Court and its intended purpose to the reality of the Court today to the future of the Court under Biden...we dig into everything from decisions to Justices to the question: WWBD? What Will Biden Do with the court during his term in office? Join us! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess are joined by a special guest to discuss women's rights pre and post pandemic. From equal pay to passing the ERA, we dig into the idea that the ERA might be close to passing and ask: What Will Biden Do (for women)? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss health care across the country - both before, during and post-pandemic with the hope that Biden will help create more equitable access to care for all of our country. WWBD? Expand and improve Obamacare, hopefully. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss environmental justice...from global warming and fracking to the impact of environment in cities - lacks of parks, lack of access to green space, and causes of disproportionate health problems. We ask: WWBD about the environment? The answer: he's got a plan! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss one of the largest impacts that poverty can have on people: hunger. What does it mean to be hungry? How does hunger impact people? How many hungry people are in the United States? And...what will Biden do about it? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss poverty - with a look back at broken systems and a look forward with hope for a new administration. We ask the question WWBD to fix what the previous administration(s) broke. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess step back to talk about some of the things that made 2020 joyful - from movies to music to food to books, we review the best of 2020 and look forward to what 2021 has to hold! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss the COVID-19 pandemic -- both a look back at 2020 and a look forward into 2021. This past week was a milestone of one year since the first case of COVID-19 and the 400,000th death at the hands of the virus. We discuss Trump's bungling and look with hope towards a better plan from the Biden Administration.

John and Jess discuss governing...from the fascist regime of the last 4 years to hope for the future of America. What is the government's role in our democracy? What should leaders do? Join us to hear a reflection of 2020 and hope for a better 2021. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join John and Jess for season 3 of John and Jess discuss the mess as we review all things 2020 (from the pandemic to entertainment to the environment) and ask ourselves the question for 2021: WWBD? What will Biden do? There's a lot to be hopeful for! Listen in to our intro episode - we can't wait to discuss the mess with you! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss having the Christmas spirit, remembering traditions, creating new ones, and spending time with loved ones as you reflect on the true meaning of the holiday season. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss Kwanzaa...from the traditions and principles to the fact that the tenets of Kwanzaa should be a part of our everyday lives. Join us to hear a little bit about this fascinating celebration and be challenged to change your focus this holiday season. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join John and Jess for the second holiday interlude as we discuss the spirit of giving. No matter what holiday you celebrate at this time of year....the spirit of the holiday is in giving to others and doing for others. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join John and Jess as they kick off a 4-episode Holiday Interlude...this episode focused on thanks and giving...how do you give thanks during the holiday season? How do you show your attitude of gratitude?

To close out season 2, all about Midtown, John and Jess welcome Papa and Jackie Wright....musicians, teachers, and storytellers who spent 22 years making a home and a family at Midtown. Join us to hear about love, about drumming, and about LOVE.

John and Jess bring on Joyce to discuss the programming in the second half of Midtown's lifetime. From Voices of Women to City Greens market, they discuss innovation, growth and a sense of community. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess meet Midtown's longest running volunteer and one of the sweetest, kindest ladies around. Join us to hear about all she gave and got from Midtown! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess take a step back and discuss the challenges Midtown faced: from the Catholic Church to racism to politics and more... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess are joined by Sam Giese - former Midtown employee and current Social Work Masters student in Maine. Sam discusses his experiences at Midtown, his love for his neighbors and his experiences as a MSW student. Lots of laughter, conversation and critical conversation. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess welcome Quincy Jones to tell his Midtown story. Quincy is a current St. Louis resident and speaks on the sense of hope and brotherhood he found at Midtown. Listen for lots of laughs and joy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess welcome listeners to Season 2 with an intro to a place of hope, of community, of peace...Midtown! This season will tell the story of one, incredible community in mid-city St. Louis, its impact on John, Joyce and Jess and its impact on the idea of community overall. Welcome to our community, new listeners, we're excited to share our story. Episode one welcomes back a VERY special guest. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join John and Jess for the last episode of Season 1! John and Jess discuss prejudice and racism in America....starting in the foundations of inequity in America leading into the idea that prejudice can often lead to racism and ending with hope for the future! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess pick back up on a discussion of the police...What do police actually do? Are police killings an American problem? Can we trust the police? The answer...not at all. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss poverty - its deeply embedded history, its disproportionate impact on women and people of color, and how to educate yourself to be a part of the solution. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss the importance of leadership, the purpose of schools, and the power of establishing a strong tone within an organization. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess bring on a special guest to discuss why Black Lives Matter, living in fear, maintaining hope in difficult times and taking action. Welcome to Ricky Jackson...a longtime friend and colleague hailing from St. Louis! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this episode, John and Jess welcome a special guest to discuss Midtown Community Services in St. Louis, Missouri where John and Joyce (his wife) spend 30 years serving neighbors and Jess grew up with many friends! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week John and Jess discuss the police: the history, the need for reform (and if it's even possible), their role in the communities we serve, and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week John and Jess discuss John Lewis' legacy and a potential future National Service Corps. Hear about our personal experiences with service corps and the positive history of service corps in our country. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John and Jess discuss the various options for Back to School this fall, including opinions about the safest options. Don't miss the Fascism Minute updates too! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

John has a waking nightmare, there are secret police in Portland, and join the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League and many American businesses in their Stop Hate for Profit campaign. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

A father/daughter duo hailing from St. Louis and Colorado discuss the MESS in the world...from school to fascism to building a positive community. Listen each week as we tackle a new, tough issue. For our intro episode, get to know us! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app