Meet Jessica Spawn

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Spawn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jessica, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Relentless optimism, as I like to call it, comes from a deep-seated belief that good will come out of any situation. I am very intentional about seeking out and accepting that, in the hard times in life —losses and disappointments —there will come a time of redemption and joy. As a Christian, it’s baked into our DNA, but we also have a choice every single time: to let life consume us or to course-correct our path when we notice a derailment.

I absolutely get discouraged, cry, and feel overwhelmed at times. Then, I get up off the floor and forge ahead, believing in the good that will transcend the situation, however unlikely it seems in the moment. That is why it’s relentless, I, with everything in me, refuse to believe that the sad or bad things will win. I choose to believe that good will come, and I look for redemption in everything I create and in the interactions I will have. I choose Optimism. It is a choice. Every. Single. Day.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I launched a podcast in the spring of 2025, Gal on the Prowl, a female empowerment show focused on inspiration and hope. I bring guests who have overcome challenging situations, and even those in the middle, trying to navigate their way out of the chaos.

Additionally, I released a book, The Vacation Kitten, which I co-authored, summer of 2025. For both of these projects, I considered them side projects as I had a full-time marketing role with a city. To summarize my experience there, I literally broke my back trying to move an event tent because I couldn’t get my boss to assign an assistant for events, after months of asking for help…In short, I ruptured the L5-S1 disc and went into surgery after my left foot stopped working and nerves in my leg were going berserk.

Knowing this would be a tough recovery and honestly, it’s the sort of event where depression is literally waiting for the right time to pounce, I said yes to a gal who wanted to do a book collab, and began creating my podcast while out healing. The process was painful and scary (the recovery, not the book, well, not the book really…), and the projects were a long-awaited course correction for me.

When I went back to work (toxic environment), I tried to find a way to keep going, even took my boss to HR to discuss ‘communication issues’ (his lying, my having emails that proved he was lying). When HR said ‘Sounds like he needs to work on communicating more clearly,’ with emails that were literally the opposite of what he claims he had been telling me, I knew in my core. This was the end. It broke my heart because I loved my role and the impact I had on the Keller community.

I put in my 2 weeks, mostly avoiding my boss, who would take down my scheduled posts when I wasn’t there…And, voila, back to 100 % freelance. I pulled my $10,000 retirement and said goodbye with no real plan. I didn’t know then that these projects would take center stage and thrust me into the life I’ve always wanted. Again… It’s not my first time being independent, but I hope it’s my last. I thrive on bringing hope to others.

Along with my podcast, I also have a monthly newsletter of encouragement, and I created a shop for clothing that empowers women.

The future is unknown, but bright, and without the weight of abusive superiors, the sky’s the limit!

P.S. I want to encourage others to LEAVE when a situation is toxic. There was a moment I looked at my boss and thought, ‘My God, I’m back in my marriage again!’ I left that in 2016, and it gave me the courage to step away from a toxic work environment in 2025. I’m still healing emotionally, but I’m passionate about mental and physical health, and I want my story to give others the courage to WALK AWAY when needed. You have permission, and you will be ok. Work on healing, forgiving, and creating something the world can enjoy. You’re worth it!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Resilience is a skill set vital to long-term success. Unfortunately, to develop that, you need to be knocked down quite a lot so you can develop this skill. On the bright side, there are tons of opportunities to fall on your face, so you could get this one quite quickly if you’re open to feeling stupid.

Care. Care deeply. Wow, does this one GUT you, but there’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s perspective shift or them believe in themselves because you refused to stop caring. I’d like to add a disclaimer to this skill: be sure the people you care about aren’t energy vampires or narcissists. I’m not advocating for care to the point of losing yourself, because you’re giving into a void that can not be filled in that way.

Have fun. Kids get recess, and I believe adults should too! Be sure to find time to walk in nature, grab a coffee, sit on a bench, goof around, dance, be silly, and have fun. In my opinion, this produces a roundedness to a life that brings fulfillment on a higher level. Don’t take things too seriously. Definitely don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh, play, dance, sing, have FUN!

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The 7 habits of highly successful people, Start with why, & Atomic habits are the 3 most impactful books I have read in recent years. I am an advocate for reading and learning. I read often as well as listen to podcasts. Lewis Howes has a great podcast, The School of Greatness, and Simon Sinek, A bit of Optimism, are 2 excellent ones to listen to when you’re out in your car or on-the-go!

As far as impactful nuggest, there are so many and every day I glean soemthing extra. I love the way Atomic Habits breaks things down into bite-size pieces so you can achieve success, feel good having achieved it, then tackle another item/habit from a place of confidence. Simon Sinek is just an all around student of people. He lives his live with curiosity.

The most impactful nugget I’ll share here is to find a few authors or podcasters who resonate with your core and listen/read. They’re like your outtermost circle of friends, they don’t know you but they will be on the journey with you. I love that and I think every entrepreneur, every person really, needs that.

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