Ep. 64: Jessica Meuse - Songbird Rising, Unplugged, and Unfiltered

Background: 
The incredibly talented singer-songwriter Jessica Meuse. Hailing from Slapout, Alabama, Jessica's path to stardom hasn't been straightforward. She opens up about her struggles with bullying, her early start in music, and the riveting moment her career took a pivotal turn during a nerve-wracking talent show at just 10 years old.

After spending several years as an unsigned musician, Jessica Meuse finished in fourth place on the thirteenth season of American Idol.

Her debut album, What's So Hard About Bein' a Man, was self-released in 2011, three years before she gained national exposure on reality television.

While competing on American Idol, she became the first person in the history of the series to perform an original song during the finals.

Jessica's second album, Halfhearted, was released on August 3, 2018, through Warrior Records.

Episode Summary: 
Jessica takes us on a journey through her time on "American Idol," where she captivated audiences with her unique sound, a blend of Stevie Nicks and Janis Joplin, and made history as the first contestant to perform an original song during the finals. She reminisces about her demanding yet enlightening experiences on reality TV shows, including "The Voice," and her aspirations beyond music, which now include a meaningful career in the Coast Guard.

In this candid conversation, Jessica emphasizes the power of perseverance, finding one's community, and using music as a universal language to inspire and enact positive change. Her anecdotes are filled with humor and resilience, whether she's recounting amusing tour mishaps or the intense bond she shares with her fanbase, the "Muse Mafia." Join us for an insightful episode filled with wisdom, emotional reflections, and inspiring stories from a truly unique artist.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro and Memento Mori, Memento Vivere
• 2:34 Her Big Purpose and Picture
• 2:52 Questions to ask INFJ-A Personality Type
• 4:18 What she has gotten better at saying no to
• 5:15 Significance of the year 2023
• 6:20 Shadow Work
• 7:30 How she wants to live in 2025
• 8:31 What makes her want to join the military
• 9:28 Funny ROTC Stories
• 10:06 Slapout, Alabama
• 11:37 Childhood Curiosity
• 13:25 Being bullied as a kid and her breakthrough moment
• 18:18 Advice to younger self or anyone struggling with the same issues
• 19:13 How music has helped Jessica find her tribe and the beauty of music bridging gaps
• 20:39 If Jack London wrote a story about her, what would the plot be
• 22:10 Personal life moment she would like to hear narrated by Morgan Freeman
• 27:50 What she wants from her time in the military
• 29:35 Name Game
• 33:11 Cool American Idol Stories
• 35:54 Movie image that depicts leadership
• 36:09 If Jessica were to write a crush letter to one Netflix character, who would it be?
• 36:38 GIANT Billboard message for the world to see