Digital Social Hour with Tess Mon Pere: "LA Bullied Me for Wanting Kids"

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Tess Mon Pere
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Episode #: DSH #1672

Main Theme

This episode of Digital Social Hour features musician and influencer Tess Mon Pere in her first-ever podcast appearance. The conversation dives deep into Tess's experience transitioning from LA’s influencer scene to Nashville’s more grounded culture, her passion for music, family values, and candid takes on mental health, social media, and nightlife. Throughout, Tess offers raw reflections on how LA’s culture shaped and at times disillusioned her, especially around her desire to have children and values shaped by her Christian faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tess’s First Podcast and Background

• Tess expresses nerves and excitement about her first podcast but quickly gets comfortable in the conversation with Sean.
• They joke about gym routines, “sad girl music,” and how true crime podcasts made Tess run faster at the gym.
  Notable Quote:
  • Tess: “I used to listen [to true crime podcasts] at the gym, and it would make me run a lot faster.” (01:14)

Music Career & Shifting from Influencer to Artist

• Tess recently recorded new music, excited about performing on a cruise for "Music City Set Sail."
• Describes moving from influencer-focused content in LA to now prioritizing her music career and being “110% music,” reflecting on the economic pressures that led her initial influencer focus.
• Both Sean and Tess agree that music content is much “tamer” than influencer culture, which thrives on pushing boundaries. Notable Quotes:
  • Tess: “You just kind of like post what you can to get the views, get the money, whatever...but now, I want to be 110% music.” (07:45)
  • Tess: “As an influencer, people are constantly trying to, like, push the envelope and out-crazy the last crazy thing they did.” (07:02)

LA vs. Nashville: Culture, Nightlife, & Values

• Tess moved from LA to Nashville five or six months ago, highlighting how the city’s values and "brain chemistry" have changed her.
• Contrasts the validation of "crazy" influencer antics in LA with the more genuine, family- and faith-oriented culture in Nashville.
• Discusses how she was mocked in LA for wanting kids and being Christian, called “cookie-cutter,” but now feels embraced and comfortable with those values.
• The conversation includes observations about nightlife: LA parties are about performances for social media, while Nashville’s are about real interactions. Notable Quotes:
  • Tess: “Anytime I would do something...against my moral compass, people would be like, ‘Oh my God, you’re so silly, you’re so fun...’ Now that I’m out of that environment, I’m like, yeah, that wasn’t good.” (08:20)
  • Sean: “Yes, you got bullied for wanting to have kids. Wow, that is crazy.” (09:14)
  • Tess: “My biggest dream is to be a mom. Or, like, I’m also really Christian, and [my LA friends] would...call me cookie-cutter.” (09:00)

Dogs, “Dog Custody,” and Pet Stories

• Tess shares a unique story about splitting custody of her dog with an ex-roommate, describing their system and how the dog benefits from being spoiled by both.
• They bond over their attachment to their pets and experiences adopting dogs, including commentary on Amish breeders and warnings about puppy mills.
• Sean reveals some wild (and darkly comic) hamster stories from his own life, leading to mutual shock and laughter. Memorable Moments:
  • Tess: “This dog is the most spoiled dog in the whole world...every single time, we’re like, so excited to have him that we’re going on shopping sprees for him.” (15:17)
  • Sean: [About his hamster] “My roommate’s dog ate it.” (18:38)
  • Tess: “You’re so full of shit right now...That’s not funny.” (18:40)

Anxiety, Mental Health, and Medication

• Both discuss their struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and the impact of acne medication (including Accutane) on their mental health.
• Tess left her medication after learning it caused her panic attacks; Sean shares lasting side effects from Accutane. Notable Quotes:
  • Tess: “I went to the doctor...having panic attacks all the time...they attributed it to my acne medication.” (22:11)
  • Sean: “I was a zombie on Accutane. It destroys your emotions.” (23:20)

Social Media: Bans, Platforms, and Critiques

• They talk about the challenges and expenses of independent creative work—releasing music, running a podcast, editing.
• Sean discusses getting banned from TikTok for controversial content; Instagram is now his favorite platform.
• Tess admits getting briefly convinced by a flat earth theory, highlighting the persuasive nature of online content. Memorable Quotes:
  • Sean: “Someone said the earth was flat. I got banned for that.” (28:18)
  • Tess: “I used to think that theory was so crazy...but [my friend] was making a lot of really good points.” (28:48)

Cancel Culture & Haters

• They discuss the changing nature of cancel culture (less severe now than during the pandemic) and the inevitability of getting haters as a public figure.
• Tess reflects on passive-aggressive feedback from high school acquaintances and the difference between healthy confidence and ego. Notable Quotes:
  • Sean: “There’s a line with confidence and ego.” (31:33)
  • Tess: “Confidence is like, I think I’m cool and I don’t care whether or not other people agree. Ego is more based on what other people think.” (31:37)

LA’s Obsession with Clout & Social Filters

• Tess reveals how LA social life revolves around clout, recounting parties where people check your following or use apps like PartyFull to screen guests—something she’s never encountered in Nashville. Notable Quote:
  • Tess: “I would go to house parties and people would check your following...that has never once happened out here.” (32:01)

Celebrity, Scandal, and Cancellations

• They discuss the Diddy scandal, Ellen's move to the UK due to being "canceled," and the sometimes arbitrary nature of celebrity cancellations.
• The conversation stays lighthearted but underscores the turbulence of fame and public opinion. Notable Quote:
  • Sean: “That’s like the dumbest reason to get canceled. If you’re going to get canceled for being mean, like, that’s crazy to me.” (33:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:26 | Tess talks about her first podcast appearance | | 01:54 | Music career updates; plans for Music City Set Sail | | 07:24 | Shift from influencer to music focus | | 08:20 | LA’s validation culture and “rewiring” in Nashville | | 09:00 | Tess reveals being mocked in LA for wanting kids and being Christian| | 15:17 | Spoiling dogs & “split custody” story | | 18:38 | Sean’s hamster stories—peak pet chaos | | 22:11 | Panic attacks linked to acne medication | | 28:18 | Sean’s TikTok bans and social platform rankings | | 31:33 | Confidence vs. ego: how LA warps identity and social value | | 32:01 | LA social life’s obsession with IG following and access | | 33:34 | Discussion of celebrity scandals: Diddy, Ellen, and cancellation| | 34:25 | Closing: Where to find Tess Mon Pere online |

Notable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• Tess Mon Pere:

  • “My biggest dream is to be a mom...I’m also really Christian, and [my LA friends] would make fun of me and call me cookie-cutter.” (09:00)
  • “As an influencer, people are constantly trying to, like, push the envelope and out-crazy the last crazy thing they did.” (07:02)
  • “I would go to house parties and people would check your following...that has never once happened out here.” (32:01)
  • “Confidence is like, I think I’m cool and I don’t care whether or not other people agree. Ego is more based on what other people think.” (31:37)

• Sean Kelly:

  • “Yes, you got bullied for wanting to have kids. Wow, that is crazy.” (09:14)
  • “There’s a line with confidence and ego.” (31:33)
  • “That’s like the dumbest reason to get canceled. If you’re going to get canceled for being mean, like, that’s crazy to me.” (33:50)

• Memorable Banter:

  • Tess: “This dog is the most spoiled dog in the whole world.” (15:17)
  • Sean: “My roommate’s dog ate it.” (18:38)
  • Tess: “You’re so full of shit right now...That’s not funny.” (18:40)
  • Tess on Nightlife: “In LA, everyone just stares at each other. If you start dancing, you’re looked at as weird...Here, everybody’s so excited to talk to anybody.” (25:00)

Episode Vibe & Tone

The episode is intimate and spontaneous, brimming with candid, sometimes self-deprecating humor. Tess is approachable and honest, oscillating between laughter and moments of real vulnerability about her values and struggles. Sean is playful and direct—never shying away from tough topics, yet keeping the mood light.

Where to Find Tess Mon Pere

• Instagram/TikTok: @tesmonpere
  “I’m tes mon pair on everything.” (34:38)

A lively, unfiltered look into the realities of digital influence, personal growth, and the culture clash between LA and Nashville, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about life behind the scenes—and what it takes to stick to your dreams in the face of trendy, sometimes toxic, environments.