Jess Ask

Hosted by Jessica S Smith

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Episodes

167

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Jess Ask the Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Hosted by Jessica S. Smith, this podcast creates room for the honest conversations believers are thinking about but don’t always know where to process out loud. From faith and identity to obedience, relationships, and purpose, each episode explores what it really looks like to become who God can trust. Through real conversations with influencers, leaders, and everyday believers, Jess Ask offers encouragement, perspective, and practical wisdom for those navigating growth in real time. If you’re building, healing, or becoming, this podcast is here to remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone. New episodes drop every Thursday 7A CST. And remember: life really could be more simple… if you just ask.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 1, 202643 min

What If God Answers Your Prayer? | EP173

What happens when God actually says yes? Desiree and I are talking about Matthew 7, the meaning behind Jess Ask, fear of rejection, the weight of receiving what you've prayed for and the responsibility to act when God opens the door. I also share what happened when I asked God to make my career transition plain—and hours later, after nearly 10 years with my company, I was fired. Sometimes we're waiting for God to answer when He's waiting for us to respond to the answer He's already given. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

September 24, 202645 min

I Think I'm Afraid of Being Famous | EP172

Desiree called me famous—and I immediately rejected it. But the more we talked, the more I realized my discomfort with fame may have less to do with popularity and more to do with being seen. We're talking childhood rejection, fear of our past resurfacing, visibility, influence and what it means to steward being known when God increases your reach. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

September 17, 20261 hr 6 min

Why You Keep Starting What You Can't Finish | FT Joy Pittman | EP171

What if you're struggling to finish because you've been building from somebody else's blueprint? Joy Pittman joins us for a powerful conversation about Half-Built Houses , comparison, calling, spiritual gifts and the responsibility to steward what God has actually given YOU. And sometimes the half-built house isn't what you never started—it's what you completed but never carried to its intended purpose. Don't die a dreamer. Finish what God gave you to build. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

September 10, 202656 min

Can We Trust Phillip Ensler? | EP170

Can we trust the people asking for our vote? We sat down with Alabama Lieutenant Governor candidate Phillip Ensler to get beyond campaign talking points and meet the person behind the candidacy. From moving from New York to Alabama and teaching in Montgomery to grief, therapy, education, youth violence, public service and why he chose to run, this conversation asks a simple question: Who is Phillip Ensler—and can we trust him? Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

September 3, 202639 min

Is Your Idea Worth Spreading? | My TEDx Experience | EP169

Is your idea worth spreading? After completing my first TEDx talk, Desiree and I sat down to talk about what the experience REALLY required from me—and surprisingly, this conversation became about much more than standing on a TEDx stage. I battled fear. I procrastinated. Imposter syndrome had me wondering if they had chosen the wrong person. And somewhere in the process, I had to stop focusing on delivering the talk “right” and actually build a relationship with the idea I had been given. That's when everything shifted. My original idea was simple: Life could be much more simple if you just ask. But through the TEDx process, I discovered the deeper idea underneath it: safe spaces don't start with answers, they start with questions. In this episode, we're talking about what it takes to discover the idea inside of you, trust that what you're carrying has value, prepare in a way that works for YOU, and move forward even when fear is telling you that you're not ready. Because maybe your TEDx stage isn't actually TEDx. Maybe it's a podcast. A book. A business. A song. A ministry. A conversation. An idea you've been sitting on because you haven't convinced yourself that it's important enough yet. What if it is? Your idea was given to you for a reason. It's time to stop sleeping on it and start spreading it. Life could be much more simple if you just ask. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

August 13, 202647 min

Should Christians Use AI? | FT Cynthia Respert | EP168

Should Christians use artificial intelligence? In this episode of Jess Ask the Podcast, Jessica S. Smith and Desiree welcome AI strategist and entrepreneur Cynthia Respert for a thoughtful conversation about faith, technology, entrepreneurship, and stewardship. Together they discuss how believers can approach AI with wisdom, use it as a tool without replacing dependence on God, and navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with emerging technology. Cynthia also shares her inspiring journey as an entrepreneur and cancer survivor, reminding listeners that purpose and perseverance often grow through life's greatest challenges. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

August 6, 202647 min

What Does a Relationship with the Holy Spirit Actually Look Like? | EP167

What if you've accepted Jesus... …but never fully embraced the Helper He promised? In this week's episode of Jess Ask the Podcast, Jessica S. Smith and Desiree have one of their most honest conversations yet about what it truly means to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. From a candid story about navigating faith in relationships to unpacking the gift of praying in a heavenly language, this episode isn't about religious performance—it's about intimacy with God. Whether you've walked with God for years or you're simply curious about the Holy Spirit, this conversation is an invitation to go deeper—not into religion, but into relationship. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

July 30, 202654 min

The Legacy You're Forgetting to Build | Ft. Garrick C. Francis | EP166

What if legacy has nothing to do with what you leave behind... …and everything to do with who you've prepared to carry it? This week on Jess Ask the Podcast, Jessica S. Smith and Desiree sit down with legacy strategist, coach, and host of the Inheritance to Income Podcast, Garrick C. Francis, for a conversation that will completely reshape how you think about family, purpose, and generational impact. Together they explore why legacy is far more than money or property—it's the values, conversations, relationships, and intentional preparation that equip future generations to thrive. Whether you're a parent, entrepreneur, ministry leader, or simply someone who wants to leave a meaningful impact, this conversation will challenge the way you define success. Because what you build isn't truly a legacy until someone is prepared to carry it. Connect With Gerrick: LinkedIn: @garrickfrancis YouTube / Podcast: www.youtube.com/@garrickcfrancis Website: www.francislbp.com IG: @garrickfrancis, @inheritance_to_income Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

July 23, 20261 hr 0 min

The Hidden Cost of Dimming Your Light | Wykeria Clark | EP165

How many dreams have been delayed because you kept shrinking yourself? This week on Jess Ask the Podcast, Jessica S. Smith and Desiree sit down with entrepreneur, educator, worship leader, and founder of Wykeria Dance & Performing Arts, Wykeria Clark, for one of the most transparent conversations yet. Wykeria shares the moment she almost closed her dance studio after years of pouring into others while carrying the weight alone. What followed wasn't just a business breakthrough—it was a lesson in trusting God's vision, receiving help, and embracing the visibility He had been preparing her for all along. If you've ever questioned your calling, hidden your gifts, or felt uncomfortable being seen, this conversation will remind you that what God called, He intends to reveal. Because sometimes the greatest act of faith... is allowing yourself to be visible. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com

July 16, 202655 min

How to Build Confidence in Your God-Given Calling | FT Danita A. Scott | EP164

What if the gift you've been second-guessing is exactly what God told you to monetize? In this episode of Jess Ask The Podcast, Jessica S. Smith sits down with Danita A. Scott — kingdom entrepreneur and course creation strategist — for a conversation about confidence, assignment, and what it really looks like to trust God with your gifts. Danita opens up about quitting her corporate job on her birthday, watching God grow her first email list of 200 people into a five-figure day, and the moment she asked God to stop the funnel because she was too afraid to handle what He was sending her. She also breaks down the difference between people who are loud and people who are sincere — and why the quiet, assigned ones are the ones that last. Whether you're sitting on an idea you've been too afraid to launch, navigating the tension between being a number 2 and stepping into number one, or just trying to understand what your gift is actually worth — this conversation will meet you right where you are. Jess Ask The Podcast is the safe space where transparency meets transformation. Host Jessica S. Smith creates space for honest conversations about faith, purpose, personal growth, and the real journey behind success. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. JOIN THE SAFE SPACE — PATREON COMMUNITY The Safe Space is a Patreon-only community for creators who feel unseen, misunderstood, or ready to give up. Biblical wisdom. Real accountability. People who get it. ➡️ Join here: patreon.com/JessAsk SUPPORT THE PODCAST ✔ Sow a love seed via Cash App: $jessaskthepodcast ✔ Share this episode with someone who needs it ✔ Subscribe, like & comment — it helps us reach more people PODCAST CREDITS Host: Jessica S. Smith | jessicassmith.com | @thejessicassmith Producer: Desiree Danielle | desireedanielle.com | @desireedanie11e Music: King Chosen | @kingchosen46 Network: BGTV Studios | bgtvstudios.com