No One’s Healed: The Truth About Purpose from Jess Hilarious

[00:00] Life is always lifing. As long as you live life, there will be things thrown at you. There will be trials. There will be tribulations. There will be obstacles that you have to overcome. Some you will, some you won't. It's all about your level of resilience and endurance. Everybody goes through something when they are being challenged as a parent, just as a caregiver, just a guardian. You don't even have to be a parent. You can be somebody who watches over someone's kid. [00:30] I thank God for my parents, my husband, my son's father, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law. Like it's a village. It really takes a village. None of this is easy. We make so much of so little. It can be such a minuscule issue and we overthink and we amplify it in our mind just overthinking, creating scenarios and just going down these rabbit holes and it's like yo just breathe, stop and breathe. [00:56] There's no manual to it. [00:58] And every journey is different, like I always express. Like, it's different, but we all do what we got to do. There's an instinct that kicks in, and we got it. [01:07] You're listening to Mick Unplugged, hosted by the one and only Mick Hunt. This is where purpose meets power, and stories spark transformation. Mick takes you beyond the motivation and into meaning, helping you discover your because and becoming unstoppable. I'm Rudy Rush, and trust me, you're in the right place. Let's get unplugged. [01:28] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Make Unplugged. And today I'm truly honored.

[01:36] to be with someone you've known for a long time from skits, [01:40] to the Breakfast Club, [01:42] But I know her. [01:43] as a best-selling author and we're going all in today [01:48] on Baltimore's finance. Miss Jess Hilarious. Jess, how are you doing today, dear? I'm good, Mick. Thank you for that introduction. That was nice. I like that. You heard me say Baltimore, right? Baltimore all day without the T. Don't put the T in. I got it down. Yes. I got it down. [02:03] So Jess, I was just telling you how proud I am of you for this book. And we're going to go places with that book, but. [02:09] You know, I always like to ask my guests about their because, that thing that's deeper than their why. [02:16] I call it like your true purpose, your true mission. So if I were to say, [02:19] Jess, today in 2026, [02:22] What's your because? Why do you keep doing the things that you do? [02:27] Oh man, for one, you know, the obvious reason, my children. [02:30] You know, and then legacy is very important. It's very important. Um, [02:36] I saw a clip of... [02:39] Mike Tyson one day he was talking to a young reporter and they asked him about his legacy and he just like [02:45] His whole aura changed and he was like, what is legacy? Legacy is stupid. That's just like, you know, and I just, I was like, no, no, legacy is very important. Obviously there, there were things there, you know, that. [02:58] heard him. I don't know what that was about, but that was the first time I ever heard of Legacy Spoken. [03:03] of in a way that was against everything that I had ever knew known it to be and I was like oh my god no so my heart shattered for him like legacy is one of the most important things to ever leave behind that's why it's important to have children in my opinion it's like

[03:18] What are you doing all this for? It has to be for a reason. [03:21] You know, and that's why I wanted to share a piece of literature. [03:25] you know, such as my co-parenting memoirs or "Left to We Parent" because [03:28] Parenting is so linear, like it's different to everybody, but it's an ongoing thing. It's something that will never end. [03:35] relationships and friendships contracts [03:39] Um, [03:40] you know, [03:41] Everything has an ending except... [03:44] Parenting. [03:45] You know? [03:46] And that's very important, very important. And every journey looks different, but I believe that we can all get the same outcome. [03:53] you know, just with communication. And that's really showing up for your kid, no matter what the other parent has put you through. That's the main reason why I wanted to, that's my main reason why. There we go. There we go. I love it. And we're going to get, [04:07] into a lot of the book [04:09] And I have a bunch of notes because I made my kids... [04:13] Read this book. [04:16] From the viewpoint of this, because I call them my kids, but, you know, they're in their 20s now, right? Adults, yeah. [04:23] And they're going to be parents and are parents. And so understanding that. [04:29] Something they'd [04:31] that I thought was really dynamic in the book was, [04:34] you know, you talk about you in Rome and Rome's in the book as well too. And it's just like, [04:39] At some point you had to realize, [04:41] We... [04:42] aren't going to make it. That's right. And I think a lot of times people, you talk about relationships, you talk about friendships, like,

[04:48] I've had to kick people out of my circle once I realized we ain't going to make it. But there's a greater purpose that we need to unite for. And that's where I wanted to give you kudos because I think a lot of times, [05:00] People miss that. And then there becomes hatred for the other person. Right. Because it's like, well, we're not going to make it. Well, let's just not do anything. And then the kid goes and sees all that. You talk about the energy that kids read and that they see. [05:16] I mean, talk about that. [05:17] for the audience, for the viewers and listeners. [05:19] It's very true. It's very, very true. That's why it's very important to have [05:24] you know, [05:26] Okay, so you don't want to conflate the two because happiness, I always have to... [05:32] People always get mad at me when I say, it's not about being happy, it's about having joy, right? Because there's a huge difference, you know? [05:39] Happiness. [05:40] you know, [05:41] That's... [05:42] And emotion and that can change in 10 seconds. You know what I mean? Joy is something that you wear, something that you feel when you find joy that takes healing to find joy that takes self awareness to find joy, self love. [05:56] And, um, [05:58] It takes a lot of growing up to do that, even, you know, to... [06:01] To have that once, you know, once you've lived through so much trauma and that speaks to. [06:08] forming a healthy bond between parent and child because your child only absorbs what you put out. You are your child's first teacher. You know, so it's very important to be happy and joyous. Happy is amazing. But you...

[06:24] When you have emotions, right, and you're operating from a bitter place, [06:28] If you and the other parent are not doing good or, you know, y'all are facing adversities in your relationship or whatever, and it has nothing to do with the child. And you start to notice different patterns. [06:39] and your children because you are [06:42] walking around. [06:43] bitter, upset with these emotions, emotions and holding on to, you know, [06:48] um just all this bitterness bitterness and energy and then you're projecting that onto your child subconsciously because you don't you're not doing it on purpose most of us don't do it on purpose [06:58] But then you start to see a change in the behavior. [07:01] And you're like, where is this coming from? Why is he starting to act up? Lord Simi is in school now becoming a problem. He's being oppositional. He's being defiant because he is absorbing your energy. And now he's regurgitating it back to you or back wherever, wherever they are. That's why it's very important to have. [07:22] Thank you. [07:22] Have a grip on your mental health as a parent. Parenting is one of the hardest things. It's the most challenging thing you could ever do. [07:29] But it's, it's, [07:32] It's... [07:33] complex and it's complicated, but it's [07:36] beautiful, you know, cause it's life. Like you, you're having your own people, you know, you're able to train your people up, you know, train a little, it's a village that you're creating and [07:47] Your offspring is... [07:49] always supposed to be better than you are. So that's why your mental space, you just have to be in a great mental space.

[07:56] To raise your children. I truly believe that. And you know. You talked about legacy. And there's some moments in the book. [08:03] that [08:05] to me, we're like... [08:08] Holy shit. Like Jess was vulnerable and said that. And I'd be remiss, by the way, I've held up the book, but till death do we parent. Definitely go get it. Wherever you buy books from, go get it literally right now. [08:22] You talk about the breakdown moment. [08:24] Right. Like you talk about being miserable and being broke. Right. And you, you feel like Rome's out there living his best life and you're just like, yeah, [08:34] why am I doing this? Like, why? [08:37] Take us to that moment. Like, [08:39] What is that really like? Because a lot of people... [08:42] while they may feel it, [08:44] They don't talk about it and accept that it's a real feeling. And I give you kudos for accepting that it's a real feeling. Yeah, it's definitely a real feeling. And a lot of women go through it. A lot of young moms go through it. Even fathers, I'm sure, go through it. But being the mom, being the person that has to be the primary person, [09:02] caretaker and and [09:04] you know, the nurturer and the babies, they come from us. They feed on us for nine months and then [09:11] they're forever connected to us. That was a very hard thing to write about because I did not, [09:16] Have. [09:17] an emotional connection to my son until he was six months. I just did not [09:23] I didn't even know if I wanted to put that in the book because I was most nervous that my son...

[09:29] would feel a certain way. That's why I had to have the conversation before the final script was... [09:35] Published. [09:37] Because I'm like, no, I don't want him to... Kids are cruel. He is on his way to high school. He has a group of friends. God, I hear them talk. I'd be like, oh, gosh, I wasn't saying those. That's not how I talked to my friends when I was 14. You know what I'm saying? And the last thing I want... [09:55] or wanted was him to hear that part. [09:58] from someone else. [10:00] And my son is an avid reader, loves reading. He read the book already, but I wanted to, before he sat down and read that, [10:07] and could say my mom didn't even have the decency to tell me [10:11] How she felt. Um, um... [10:13] I'm old enough to understand somewhat. And that's what, that's also what I was, [10:18] afraid of as well whether or not he was old enough for me to even have that conversation but i still wanted to provide that [10:25] that scene and paint that picture [10:27] Which was a beautiful moment. [10:30] as it relates to a connection. [10:32] That was birthed six months after his physical birth, you know, after me giving birth to him, I connected. [10:38] with him. [10:39] on such a level that I don't regret. [10:44] my feelings. I don't wish I could have done it different. I don't because [10:49] What I felt in that moment was like, [10:52] a telepathic message. It was like, it was like, [10:56] No. [10:57] I am your mother. And from him, it was like, I'm your son. You're going to get this together. You're going to listen. You laid down and made me.

[11:04] And now you in here having a little spiral moment. And because my father's out there living his life, you chose to have me you you're gonna have to take care of me, whether he is here with you or not. [11:17] I swear it was those words and he was just smiling at me while I'm crying and breaking down like, why did you choose me as your mother? And I swear he looked at me like, [11:27] Girl, I didn't choose you. [11:29] - Right. - I didn't even choose this life. Like I didn't choose to be born. [11:33] You know, so at that moment I picked him up and that's when I connected with him emotionally and mentally. And it was just like from there, oh, my God, he went from being. [11:43] the baby to my son Ashton, my baby, my pride and joy, my responsibility. [11:49] And it's been that way ever since. [11:52] I love it because that was the moment that I was reading the book. [11:57] that [11:58] I picked up the phone. I called my youngest and I said, hey, I'm sending you a book right now. I'm ordering on Amazon. It'll be there tomorrow. He's like, what's the book? And so I started telling him the title. [12:09] And he's like, [12:09] Dad, I don't have kids. Right, right. There's a moment in this book that I need you to understand, because you talk about Ashton looking at you and, like, pretty much saying, get your life together, because we got to move on, right? Right, I'm hungry. He pampers well. Right. [12:24] My youngest son, we had a moment like that where... [12:28] He was just like, hey, dad. [12:31] I know you say that all this is going on.

[12:34] But can we go get some cereal though? Like, you know, I don't... That was you. My problems ain't your problems, bro. Like, you know what I mean? But as a parent, that makes you understand the beauty of... [12:48] We put so much pressure on ourselves. God. Sometimes... [12:53] Talk about it. They're just trying to eat some cereal. You know what I'm saying? Right, right. It's like we make so much... [12:59] of so little. Like, you know what I mean? Like it can be such a minuscule issue and we overthink and we amplify it in our mind, just overthinking, creating scenarios and just going down these rabbit holes. And it's like, yo, just breathe. [13:15] Stop and breathe. [13:16] You know, there's no manual to it. [13:19] Um, [13:20] And every journey is different, like I always express. Like, it's different. But we all do what we got to do. There's an instinct that kicks in, and we got it. [13:29] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [13:31] Another thing I love that... [13:32] You wrote in the book and then you also talk about it. [13:35] On social media, you talk about it in a lot of interviews, and I like to segue to... [13:40] my segment I call The Unplugged Truth. [13:45] And you have the most real truth [13:47] Ever. [13:48] You say... [13:49] I don't care what it looks like. I still don't get it right every day. And I think people need to understand that because I believe exactly what you believe. [14:00] I tell people someone that appears to be perfect [14:02] Just run away. [14:03] Because whatever they're about to tell you, whatever advice they're about to give you, it ain't real. Because the people I listen to,

[14:10] Don't get something right every day. And that's what I appreciate. Yeah. And... [14:16] exactly what you said. Like that leaves me so speechless because yeah, the people that you thank [14:23] Like that you looking at, like, I know that person got it all together. I know every day is just sunshine and rainbows for them. I know that their kids don't have problems. I know that [14:32] Nah, you don't know. You don't know. [14:35] Everybody goes through. [14:37] Something. [14:38] when they are being challenged as a parent [14:42] just as a caregiver, as, you know, just a guardian. You don't even have to be a parent. [14:48] You know what I mean? You could be a guardian. You can be somebody who watches over someone's kid. You know what I mean? [14:53] I don't get it right every day. [14:55] That's why I do have a village. I thank God for my parents, my husband, my son's father, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law. Like it's a village. It really takes a village. None of this is easy. [15:07] Not, not at all. Not at all. And another truth that you have that's also in the book, and I think, [15:14] This one stopped me in my tracks too, because... [15:17] Again, you're very vulnerable, which I appreciate in the book. Yeah. You talk about you not wanting to tell Rome. [15:23] Right? Like, when you first found out you were pregnant and you were... [15:27] Not that you didn't want to tell them. You were just scared. I was scared. And I think a lot of times... [15:31] a truth that we need to understand is, [15:34] It's okay to have the emotion of fear. It's just not okay to let it run you. [15:40] Right.

[15:41] And again, I applaud you for that vulnerability and that conversation. Walk us through that moment. [15:46] Man, I'm... Listen... [15:50] Mick, I can sit and talk to you all day because that is literally the epitome of what the feeling was. It's like... [15:55] Yo, y'all do not understand the amount of fear I was like. [16:02] So I... [16:05] I'm in the house. [16:06] by myself. Now I'm in Rome's house and he went to go play basketball and I [16:11] I'm 19 and I'm like looking at this test. [16:15] And I'm like, oh my God, it says positive. And you know how you already know something, but [16:20] It's nothing like that confirmation, that moment of clarity where it's like, boom, oh, no, this shit is real. [16:26] Like, oh, yeah. [16:29] It was positive and... [16:31] I knew, but I really knew in that moment. And I was like, damn, not only [16:37] Do I have to tell? [16:39] who I think I'm going to scare away from. [16:42] I have to tell my parents who don't even know I'm dating. They don't even know where I am right now. They think I'm somewhere else. [16:50] Rob Markman: Wow. Rob Markman: The amount, oh my God. [16:54] the amount of [16:55] paranoia and just anxiety. [17:00] It was like... [17:01] I could have really, really had a heart attack in that moment. And then he walks through the door, [17:07] And [17:08] I walk down the steps and we're making eye contact and he's like, "What's wrong?" Because I look worried. I'm trying to look good. I'm trying to be cool and get my nerves all together.

[17:18] And he's like, what's in your hand? And I just drop it. He picks it up. He's like... [17:23] You're pregnant. I'm like, yeah. He's like, oh my God, we're going to be a family. And I'm like, oh. [17:29] Okay, not what I expected. Okay, so I did, I'm not gonna lie, I felt... [17:34] better, but that was very short lived because [17:39] I still knew. [17:41] We're not ready for this. [17:43] We're not ready. You know, I'm over the first hump of... [17:47] Jerome not running for the hills, not saying, "Oh, well, look, you want to take care of that. You on your own." You know what I mean? Because that's what I expected. And I think, [17:55] I think I was so scared. [17:57] in that moment that [18:00] I wanted him to see that. [18:02] Now, as an adult, just looking back, I think I was so afraid to have [18:10] this baby and you know [18:12] And... [18:15] Just... [18:16] Thinking about my life and how much it would slow down and almost stop. You know, I'm not even out of my parents' house yet. [18:23] You know, I haven't even been knowing Rome this long. I think I'm in love, you know, but I think I was so afraid that, you know, [18:31] I wanted him to react that way just to have a reason to [18:35] get rid of my child. [18:37] And when he reacted the other way around, [18:40] I felt... [18:41] a relief, but then I was even more afraid. [18:44] Because I'm like, damn, now if I do get rid of the baby, if I do schedule this appointment to get an abortion, I'm going to get an abortion.

[18:50] Now I'm going to hurt his heart. I'm going to hurt him. Well, thank God you did it. Yeah. Thank God. Every day. I think the other part though. So you tell Rome, that's cool. [19:02] You got to go home and tell mama now. God. [19:07] Crazy. Born and raised in a church. Two strict parents. Well, my dad was more lenient, but my mom was the one. That's like, ooh, she was stern. And she, oh my God, very nurturing, affectionate, and loving. Love her. My angel. But still, coming up. [19:20] Mm-mm. [19:22] And lady. [19:23] We ain't played with her. We ain't played with my daddy, the former Marine and just all the structure. And we had rules, oh my God, from A to Z back to A. It was crazy. [19:34] I'm over there and I asked Roman to go with me. I was like, I don't want to tell them by myself. Can you go with me? [19:39] And he goes, yeah, let's tell him today. I was like, damn, you're trying to get me killed. Like, I just told you, let me get a second. Give me 24 hours, something, you know? And he's like, no, I think we should get it out the way. Cause I want to like, start telling my friends and family. He was so excited. He was on such a high. I was like, okay, all right, let's do it. The sooner, the better anyway. [19:59] We go. [20:01] Okay. [20:01] over to my mom's house, you know, to my house. My dad answers the door. That's not who I want to see right away. I'm like, "Ooh, why could my mother answer the door?" And so he's not even like, come in. He's just like, "Who is this?" And Rome is behind me. He's trying to look, [20:14] behind me like, "Who you bringing to my house 8:30 at night?" I'm like, "Oh, because we had to catch the bus. I'm sorry."

[20:21] We go in the kitchen. [20:23] You know how that saying, a mother knows, honey, she knew something was up. [20:28] She knew before I even said it out of my mouth. [20:31] Like just a look that she gave me is like, I know something is up. First of all, you didn't, you're not bringing a little knucklehead to our house this late at night for nothing. The problem no more. No. Yeah. You, you, you, you pass that. What's going on. You can graduate. What's up. So, so, [20:50] I tell her, um, [20:53] This is my boyfriend and I'm pregnant. Her and my father, they're puzzled for a minute. [20:58] My father needs to go out in the backyard to get some air. He was so like... [21:03] Sinking aback, but just disappointed and just frustrated. Like, damn, we didn't even know you were dating. [21:09] Not that we'd say that you couldn't, but we didn't even know. And you just, are you pregnant too? Like, when did you have time for, they're questioning themselves. Like, what the hell? Like, how do we not see or know or even... [21:22] think about this with her right now. And [21:26] My mother. [21:28] I remember her just walking around because she was finishing like dishes or something like that. I remember her walking around and as she put... [21:36] her right hand on my back and put her left hand on Jerome's back and she began to pray. [21:40] And I just burst out in tears. Like, I just, I could not control myself because... [21:47] A part of me was just like, I know I can't do this. I know I can't. I know I can't. But this boy is so happy and he lost his mother. And I know he looks...

[21:57] at this as a sign from his mother, like giving him a child. And it's just... [22:02] I just, I could not break his heart. And then my mother told me before I went to bed that night, [22:08] She was like, listen, [22:10] Okay. [22:11] This is ultimately your decision. You need to think long and hard about the decision that you are about to have to make and you can't wait too long to make it. This will change your life. No, your life won't stop, but it will be. [22:21] much more complicated than you thought it would be at 19. [22:25] So... [22:27] You better figure out what it is that you want to do. [22:30] to be successful, [22:31] Because you don't plan on going to college. [22:33] You don't have a job right now. You don't even know what you want to do, what industry you want to catapult yourself into for work. You know, I haven't even... [22:40] You don't know. You're still a baby yourself. [22:45] So thank you. [22:47] and think wise and think hard. [22:50] And [22:52] I knew what she was trying to tell me. Like, and it wasn't, [22:55] you need to get an abortion. It was [22:58] Think about yourself, your life, because she knew. [23:02] that I was thinking about Rome more than myself. [23:06] you know so yeah that was that was that was hard too [23:10] That motherly wisdom right there. Yes. And now I guess you got it now too, right? [23:16] I do. [23:17] I do. I know in the book, and you talked before about [23:21] how your mom was preparing you all your life to be a mom and how that was very special. And I love hearing you say that too.

[23:29] I'm going to go to... [23:31] my next segment, I call it Hot Takes. And you get to live hot takes every day. [23:38] Yeah, that's what you do for a living. That's true. [23:42] That's what you do for a living. [23:44] So I'm going to give you a Jessica Moore, not even a Jess Hilarious. I'm going to give you a Jessica Moore hot take. [23:50] Okay. Now look, I done got married, so Jessica Moore Tulliver... [23:55] I'm up. [23:56] That one. Yes. That one. That one. Yes. Jessica Moore, it's Oliver. Now the more, it's still more now, but you know, I just, I added my husband's last name. Moore, more Toliver. Yes. Let's go. Yes. [24:06] I'm going to give you this one. [24:07] Mm-hmm. [24:08] You've said it before. [24:10] But no one is fully healed. [24:13] There's a lot of us carrying scars, and sometimes we got to accept and see that. [24:18] Yeah. Right. Like we got to accept and see the scars that other people have. You know, we talked earlier about no one's perfect. No one's got it together. [24:26] But no one's also fully healed. Talk to us about that a little bit. [24:30] Well, I think, [24:32] Life is always lifing. [24:34] No matter what. So if you're walking around and you're telling somebody or if you hear someone say, oh, no, I'm fully healed. I'm good. Ain't nothing, you know, not that I'm trying to force problems on people. Not that I think there's something wrong with everybody, but. [24:46] Life is always lifing. As long as you live life, there will be things thrown at you. There will be trials. There will be tribulations. There will be obstacles that you have to overcome. Some you will, some you won't. [24:59] You know, it's all about your level of resilience and endurance, right?

[25:03] But... [25:05] Healing is doing the work, recognizing. [25:09] trauma, recognizing baggage, recognizing that you aren't perfect. And there are some things that you may have to work on. [25:17] You know... [25:18] When you recognize those things, you work. [25:20] You work to... [25:23] assess them properly. You work on how to navigate the [25:26] through conversations. You'd be so surprised how many people [25:31] can't have a conversation. [25:34] Because it's... [25:35] complicated or because it brings a level of discomfort that one is not yet to sit through. You know, people are not yet ready to face it. [25:46] conflict or have a mirror turned on themselves. [25:49] Healing. [25:50] is [25:51] Like I said, very linear. It can go one way. It can go a million ways and it can take forever to heal. [25:58] But you can heal from something, but then something else happens. You're still living as you're healing. So you're never going to be fully healed from everything. But a work in progress is what you are. A fully healed person. [26:11] is a perfect person and there are no perfect people. [26:15] They don't exist. No, they don't exist. Richer, poor, whatever. Right. You're going to go through. Yeah. Listen, healing is needed for everybody. [26:25] Absolutely. [26:26] Absolutely. [26:27] Here's my other hot take, and you can't come through the screen on me. So we can't do it. It's virtual.

[26:33] So I've been in a couple of, I'm going to say, [26:35] fights, altercations, [26:37] In my life. I've been in two almost altercations. And both of those were in Baltimore. [26:42] Up, Nick. Because somebody called me a dummy. And I said, what in the world? [26:48] I did not know at the time that that was a term of endearment in your city. Where did that come from? Like, like when did just dummy just become cool? Like I was, you know, it was crazy. I started hearing it when I was about 11 years old. I was 11. That's when it was started to being, it would, they started using it real heavy as a term of endearment. Cause let my, my father and my mother said, they ain't never said that shit to none of them. They listen, the older people, I wish the hell one of y'all would. [27:18] I was in elementary school on my way to middle school when I started hearing that. [27:22] We're real heavy. [27:23] And my peers, and we all used it in a few generations thereafter, but they don't say it no more like they used to. My generation is still walking around. We in our 30s. We still, dummy, what's up? You know, even our mayor, Baltimore. Baltimore mayor, Brandon Scott. Dummy, what's up? [27:40] I'm so sorry that you had to get into a fight, but that really means you're smart. [27:47] I almost did. Luckily, the crab cakes were good. That's all I'm going to say. Listen, that's another that's another that's our endearment dish. There you go. Right. [27:59] Yeah, they had to serve it to be a big dummy. That's right. That's about how it went down. And I was like, I'm not from around here. That's right. I don't know where you thought I was from, but it is not here. I got one more dummy left. I used to think of that all the time. I used to be like, why do we say it to people who are not from here? It's so offensive to other people who aren't a part of this Baltimore culture. It should be from Baltimorean to Baltimorean. It should not be from Baltimorean to Taurus. It should not be. No, not at all. Not at all.

[28:29] I just, my last segment or second to last segment. Yeah. Call it The Room. [28:35] You've had... [28:36] And will continue to have an illustrious career. [28:39] Right. You've done things that most people. [28:42] and I'm just going to say it, that look like you don't get to have, that look like us that don't get to have. Like you have earned every room you have ever been in. So I'm giving you your flowers for that. Thank you. [28:54] Talk about the one room, whether it was a meeting, a dinner, a lunch, whatever it was. [29:01] What was the one room that truly changed your life when you knew this is it? This is what I'm doing. [29:06] Hmm. [29:09] Okay. [29:10] The wine room, wow. [29:12] The one room that started it all was Wells Fargo Arena. And that's what it was. Wells Fargo Arena in Baltimore City. [29:23] 2000. [29:26] Sixteen. [29:28] on the stage performing in front of 13,000 people opening for Martin Lawrence. [29:34] I knew this is where I belong. This is what I'm going to do. This is what I want. [29:40] to do. [29:42] is be a standup comedian in my own city. Got a standing ovation after a 10 minute set. My third, fourth time on stage, maybe. [29:49] was opening up in front of Martin Lawrence. [29:53] you know, for Martin Lawrence in front of 13,000 Baltimoreans. [29:58] Yeah. And I say it.

[30:00] I don't even think people realize if you're watching this, if you're listening to this, [30:04] They're like [30:06] your first open mic, like people had to tell you to go do it, right? Like you were like, nah. I was scared as hell. I was like, nah, I'm used to making my videos behind the phone and nothing, you know, if people in your face, they can't, you can't delete, go back, edit, delete, then do something to repost. No, you got to make them people laugh. They're in your face. Ain't no edit, come back, cut, none of that. [30:28] Yeah. And I did it. [30:30] And [30:31] From then on, I've been doing it. [30:34] Yes. [30:35] Yes, you have. And that's another thing I want to give you flowers for. Thank you. Because... [30:41] You know, starting in that era of the social media comic, right? And a lot of people to this day get labeled that and they can't adjust because it's different. It is. And I'm not talking about it in a bad way. It's just it's different. [30:54] to be live and to feel the energy. Because to your point, [30:58] Like when it's you and a phone or you and a skit, [31:00] Like you can perfect it as much as you want to. Yeah. [31:03] Right. Yeah. Somebody sitting in front of you. And I'd never understand this. Go to a comedy show and you got people that are just sitting there like this is like you paid money to be. Why did you even come like, yeah, you know, why did you even come in here? But so, yeah, doing comedy is one of the hardest. I hear people say it's one of the hardest things to do. It's just in me. I've always been funny. I've always been able to make a stiff room laugh. [31:27] I make shoulders go down. You know what I'm saying? Like I don't, and then I make them bounce because the people be laughing, honey. I'm telling you. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. Everybody, again, giving Jess this shameless bug,

[31:40] JessHilarious.com. Like you can go see where she's going to be. She has her tour up there. You can get her book there again, wherever you can get the book. [31:50] This book is the greatest wherever you can get it. [31:53] Go get it. I don't care if it's Amazon, Books A Million, Barnes & Noble, your local bookstore. [31:58] Go get it. [32:00] Um, [32:01] My job. [32:02] is to make this a New York Times bestseller. Oh. [32:06] Week after week after week after week after week. I love your job. That's what I'm here for, Jess. I love your job. [32:11] That's my only job. Thank you. That's all I got. [32:13] That's all I got. [32:15] Jess, you've been gracious. I'm going to get you out of here with this rapid fire top five quick five. [32:22] Okay. Ready? Mm-hmm. [32:25] What's been your favorite stage? [32:27] Baltimore, Maryland. [32:31] The Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland. [32:35] Okay. Okay. [32:37] No, I'm sorry. Long day. No, no. The Hippodrome in Baltimore, Maryland. The Hippodrome in Baltimore, Maryland. [32:43] Oh, can I do another one? It's your show. Okay. The Hippodrome in Baltimore, Maryland, and also MGM. [32:52] casino in... [32:56] DC. [32:57] Oxon Hill. Yes. My two favorite. That's DMV right there. That's Baltimore and DC. They my people. There you go. Yes. Combining the world together. I love it. I love it. [33:07] You've had a long day. [33:09] You're on set with knuckleheads all day. You're giving us truth all day. When you've had a long day and it's time to have that meal,

[33:16] What's just eating? [33:17] Oh. [33:21] Berea tacos. Okay. Yes, berea tacos. Yes. Whether I make them, my husband make them, or we ordering them, everybody can cook in this house. So yes. [33:31] Okay. All right, Baltimore. She didn't say crab cakes. Y'all heard that. No, I didn't. She's been giving y'all love. She said barrette tacos. Barrette tacos. I live in New York. Ain't no damn crabs up here. Shoot. [33:44] All right. So Breakfast Club. [33:48] A lot of love. [33:49] Been rocking with y'all all my life. [33:52] Who's the most boring person on the show? [33:55] laughs [33:59] *laughs* [34:01] Hmm. [34:05] Everybody who does front page news. [34:07] Anybody with this first name? Just because politics is boring to me. [34:10] Yeah, no shot to the person, but front page news, honey, I'd be like sleep and it'd be six o'clock in the morning. I'd be like, what? Oh, gosh. That's it. [34:20] But they know they born. Shoot. There it is. All right. [34:24] Charlamagne, obviously from South Carolina, from the Lowcountry. I'm from South Carolina, from the upstate. [34:30] Who's your favorite person from South Carolina, Jess? [34:34] I... [34:38] Charlamagne Tha God, I'm sorry. I'm sorry! [34:42] Listen. [34:43] It's all right. He's mine too. Yeah, that's my guy. I wouldn't have liked it if you said me. You know, that's my big brother, man. Like, that's just mentorship. That's...

[34:55] Oh my God, that's the person who will give it to me straight. That's the person that's, sit your ass down in the corner. You know what you did and I don't feel sorry for you. Go sit your ass down. Like that is a real big brother. [35:07] Exactly. But I always got your back. Always got my back. Always got my back. He'd kick it in, then he put a band-aid on it. [35:14] There it is. There it is. [35:16] Last one. Boo. [35:18] As the story of your legacy unfolds, [35:21] What's one word? [35:23] that you want to make sure defines your legacy. [35:33] resilience. [35:35] resilience. I can get through anything. I have gotten through [35:41] Everything. And still more to come. I'm still, listen, I invite the obstacles. I love a challenge, but like even unwanted. [35:50] challenges and, you know, unforeseen controversies or just anything I have [35:57] gotten through it. [35:59] You know, my level of endurance and resilience is, [36:04] is immaculate to me. [36:07] Yeah, and that's because I'm a good person. [36:12] And I have a heart of gold. I am a person and I'm real. And you're only going to always get what you see. Jessica Robin Moore, Tulliver. [36:22] Oliver. [36:23] you got it absolutely absolutely hey everybody do me a favor

[36:30] A couple of favors. One, go follow Jess everywhere. [36:34] Google her. You'll get all her social handles, but I'll make sure that they're in all the show notes in the descriptions here. Do me a huge favor. [36:41] Go get this book. [36:44] Um, [36:44] I can't tell you enough how if you're a parent, [36:48] You need this. If you want to be able to hear an amazing story through parenting, [36:53] You need this book. [36:55] I love this book so much. Jess, I'm going to do this on Instagram. The first 20 people that messaged me parent, I, [37:02] I am going to send you a copy of the book. Oh, wow. And then do Jess and I a favor. When you get the copy, take a picture tag, Jess, and tell her something amazing about [37:14] that you found out in the book. [37:16] Right? Like, we need this book. [37:18] It's already going viral, but we need to take it to the stratosphere. [37:22] This will be a New York Times bestseller in 2026 because of this community and Jess. Thank you, Nick. [37:30] Go get it. Go get it. [37:32] Thank you, Mick. [37:34] Love you from my core. I love you too. Appreciate who you are. [37:38] Just all the amazing things that you were doing and the blueprint that you are. I can't thank you enough. [37:44] Thank you, Mick. I appreciate you, love. [37:47] You got it. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember you're because... [37:51] is your superpower. [37:52] Go on, Lisa. [37:54] That's another powerful conversation on Mick Unplugged. If this episode moved you, and I'm sure it did, follow the show wherever you listen. Share it with someone who needs that spark and leave a review so more people can find their because. I'm Rudy Rush. And until next time, stay driven, stay focused and stay unplugged.

[38:18] you