← Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
Ep 1208 | House Inhabit on God, Karen Read & Why Vanity Fair Fears Her | Jessica Reed Kraus
00:52:31
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- [00:01]
A
Journalist Jessica Krause, also known as House Inhabit, is searching for God in reading her Bible. We'll be talking about her spiritual journey today as well as what is really going on between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. What is the truth behind the factions in Maha? We will also be getting into her past conflict with Candace Owens. We'll be discussing the Karen Reed trial and so much more on today's episode of Relatable. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Olive. Olive is showing you the real ingredients in your food. They are making grocery shopping easier and more transparent. I love using the Olive app. Download the Olive app today at the App Store. Jessica, thanks so much for taking the time to join me in person. Thank you. I'm so excited.
- [00:56]
B
Of course, I'm happy to be here.
- [00:58]
A
Okay. House Inhabit. Tell us how you came up with that name.
- [01:02]
B
It just goes back to the early days of blogging. I had a family blog. I used to write about life, raising, you know, four young boys and I was a stay at home mom. So it made sense in the, in the, in the sense that I was locked in routine and habit of like, you know, suburban domestic chores and regular life routine.
- [01:24]
A
And now it still just works somehow.
- [01:26]
B
Well, I also feel like it's bad luck to change names. So I just, I'm like, it's worked through all these different phases and so now it actually does. I think the interpretation is like, it still works in different forms, Right?
- [01:40]
A
I think so too. And you just can't change it because everyone knows you by house and habit.
- [01:44]
B
Yeah. It felt wrong. It took me a long time to decide on it. And then once I had it, I was just like, you know, there was no calculation behind it. Me going from like a mom blogger to media.
- [01:58]
A
What was the breakthrough for you? From mom blogger to media?
- [02:02]
B
Oh, gosh, I think probably the most obvious would be the Britney Spears story. I kind of jumped from lifestyle, you know, daily lifestyle updates to tracking really sort of obsessively. The Britney Spears trial or not. It was before the trial. It was her, you know, when we were trying to figure out what was going on with the conservatorship.
- [02:21]
A
Yeah.
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B
And the Free Britney movement.
- [02:24]
A
What do you think is going on with her?
- [02:27]
B
Well, I think now it's a lot more complicated. And I think it's the reason I kind of pulled away from the story was because it was so dark and sad. You know, it's like, I think in the beginning we all thought we were fighting for her freedom and it was as simple as that. And I think now it is a very uncomfortable situation because nobody really knows how to deal or talk about it. And so she's just kind of perpetually spinning and dancing in these videos, and it just seems like she's sort of a shell of, you know, the pop star that we knew. So I just feel like it's such a sad story.
- [03:03]
A
Do you think that she needed that conservatorship?
- [03:05]
B
In hindsight, I mean, I don't want to make the call because, again, I don't feel like I've learned. One thing I've learned is we don't always know the full story behind some of these really big cases. And I did spend time with Lynn Spears, and so I got to know a little bit about, you know, where she was coming from and her side of the story. And it made me look at things differently based on that, too. So I don't. I can't say for, you know, what should or shouldn't be. I just think there's a lot that's been misinterpreted and communicated.
- [03:39]
A
Yeah, and you also talked about me, too, and you had a different perspective on MeToo. And what made you interested in writing about that movement?
- [03:48]
B
Well, I think the most obvious is that I have four boys, and so I am someone who always seeks all sides of the truth, whether, you know, it's regarding a topic or an individual. So with me, too, I just. I really had an issue with, like, the Believe woman slogan. And I thought there was a lot of hypocrisy in the entire movement, you know, with Hollywood kind of rushing behind it when they were really a part of this whole environment. I just thought there was a lot to examine. And I was just asking people, is this smart? Do we want to believe any gender in a court case? Don't we go with the facts and what is presented in that setting?
- [04:35]
A
Is there anything you found out when you were writing about that that surprised you? You mean like, just about some of the people behind me, too, and time's up and I don't know who they worked with. It seems to me like there was probably a lot of hypocrisy. Like, people who worked with Weinstein were all of a sudden saying, oh, yes, I've always stood up against this. And it's like, have you?
- [04:58]
B
No, that was. I think that was the part of that was the biggest issue is it really forced me to challenge my own beliefs about what I believed as far as the industry and the accusations. It's like, you know, I covered Weinstein's first trial. And to me, it was. There was no one you were rooting for. Like, usually in a trial, there's someone you feel has been, you know, wronged and you want justice in this. It was like he was doing these things, but also the industry was enabling him. And a lot of these actresses just understood that that was the way it worked. And so it was hard because there was a lot of continued communication, you know, after these assaults. And in the case of, like, Jennifer Newsom, she was still emailing him asking for campaign donations for her husband. So it was, you know, it's very. It gets really sort of layered and, you know, it requires people to have smart discussions about it. And it's hard to do online, as you probably know. It's sometimes hard to get everyone to agree to be respectful and just discuss these things in a uncomfortable.
- [06:07]
A
What gave you the gumption to start talking about things like that? Because you could have stayed as the mom blogger, which is less controversial, probably field less criticism, but you decided to wade into subjects that you knew would probably get you some heat and some blowback. And a lot of people make that calculation and say, it's not worth it, but you decided that it was worth it. So why was that?
- [06:32]
B
You know, I think I made a decision that if I was going to be on the Internet, I always posted what I. What inspired me and what I believed in. And for a long time, it was, you know, family. That's what I knew. That's the only thing that I was focused on. And as my kids got older, I was able to have, you know, devote more time to my own interests, which is really pop culture and. And these. These trials and stuff. So to me, it's like, I don't. I would rather not be online if I'm not going to write about and express what I see. You know, to me, I was. I'm just interpreting the world through my lens. We're all doing it individually, and you don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it. But this is just me saying, like, this is how I see this. What do you guys.
- [07:23]
A
Quick pause to remind you to sign up for Share the arrows, go to sharethe arrows.com. it's brought to you by our friends at Good ranchers this year. October 11th, Dallas, Texas. It's going to be amazing. Apologist Elisa Childers. We've got Abby Halberstadt. We've got Mama Bear Apologetics, Hillary Morgan Ferrer. We've got Ginger Duggar Volo. We've Got Katie Faust, we've got Shauna Holman, we've got Taylor Dukes from Taylor Dukes Wellness, y' all. It is a step stacked lineup, the most stacked lineup for Christian women's conferences. I'm so excited. Francesca Battistelli back for a second time leading us in worship. And of course, yours truly. You will leave feeling educated, edified and so solidified in your faith and filled with so much courage as you make friends with like minded women from across the country. Sign up now. Go to share the arrows dot com. Okay, so you're a California girl, born and raised Southern California. Would you say that you were raised progressive?
- [08:29]
B
Definitely.
- [08:30]
A
Definitely. And do you still consider yourself progressive?
- [08:34]
B
No, because I think the, the definition of the word has changed. I mean, what is progressive now? Like, you know, I, I don't know. I really don't know.
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A
Yeah, I think different. I think, you know, yeah, there probably are different definitions. There are a lot of people more progressive than me because I'm like as conservative as it gets. But I mean, most Democrats, I would say, are conservative when it comes to pro, you know, LGBTQ and kids libraries, Drag Queen Story hour, pro Black Lives Matter, the belief that, you know, cops are systemically racist, all of that kind of thing. I would lump under progressive and progressive social and economic policies, believing in the nanny state and all of that kind of thing.
- [09:20]
B
I mean, I, in my head, I have an idea of what progressive is and I guess you're talking like political definition and. No, I don't align with most everything you just mentioned. I don't really align with anymore. I'm still, you know, know, I still support pro choice even though I'm personally anti abortion. And I did grow up under that. You know, my mom talked to us about that growing up and we were always. I knew that it was not something I would do, but I don't hold any judgment against my friends who have made that choice. And so in certain ways I still, I guess there's a couple things that I kind of, you know, cling to, but overall, I mean, I'm categorized as, you know, right wing now.
- [10:07]
A
Now you are?
- [10:08]
B
Yeah, sure. I think every headline.
- [10:11]
A
Yes. Okay, so you're personally, like personally anti abortion, but politically pro choice. Can you kind of parse that out?
- [10:19]
B
Wait, what was that?
- [10:20]
A
So you said that you're personally anti abortion.
- [10:22]
B
Yeah.
- [10:23]
A
But you're politically pro choice. So what does that mean?
- [10:25]
B
Well, I just, I, I've always. So it's, you know, there's certain things that I'm happy to argue with people about. And abortion has never been one of them. Like when I've been on the left and I've been on the right and I've never wanted to fight women over it. I feel like we all can decide what it, you know, how we feel about it. For me, I knew that I would never be able to have an abortion. And I guess I grew up. It just wasn't an option. And so with each pregnancy, you know, I didn't do the test that you're supposed to do. It just wasn't something I could ever see myself doing. But I, but I mean, so many of my friends have had an abortion and I just. Nothing in me makes me want to judge them or hate them over it. I feel like it's an individual choice. And I think if you believe in a higher power, it's ultimately up to, you know, that in the end to judge.
- [11:25]
A
Yeah. My perspective is that, you know, if they're human beings, which I think that we can all scientifically agree that they are, then they deserve human rights. And it's not a right if it's not legally protected. And so why shouldn't they have the same legal right to be protected against murder that I have? And in the same way that I wouldn't say, well, it's between you and God whether you want to murder your two week old, I also wouldn't say it's between you and God, you know, whether you can murder the baby inside your womb. Because the difference between the two week old and the 40 week old in the womb is just time and location. And those don't seem like too, you know, big enough justifications for legal murder. So that's kind of how I see it. Um, but you're right, it is a tough and. Well, I don't think it's tough like to understand, but it is a hot topic for sure, both on the left and the right.
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B
I mean, that's why I like, I do watch you because I like the way you explain and defend yourself. And it's just for me, it's not an issue that I, I don't feel. It doesn't make me hate women either way. I don't think, I wouldn't listen to you and think like, that's crazy and I wouldn't, you know, I'd be open to listening to another side that, you know. Yeah, it's just religion and abortion. I don't want to fight about.
- [12:44]
A
Yeah, you. Okay. You didn't mention a higher power. And you have talked a little bit about like wanting to read Your Bible and kind of thinking about that kind of stuff. So where are you on that journey?
- [12:56]
B
Well, that's been sort of one thing I kept kind of private. I don't feel like everything needs to be up for Internet, you know, analysis and discussion. But I've just always been curious and open to different ideas of religion and I didn't grow up in any, you know, organized religion. But you know, we were taught to believe in God and, and so I think being on the campaign trail and being around a lot of like conservatives, Christian conservatives and things, I, I didn't like not knowing the references to some of these things even from a liter literary standpoint. Like everybody I think should read the Bible so that we understand how it's woven into like art and everything, right?
- [13:42]
A
Yeah. Our politics, history.
- [13:44]
B
So much so I think it's just, you know, there's a lot of, there's a lot of parts to it where I do feel like I'm on a spiritual journey and it's not really something I have to defend because I can, I know that it's, I can feel it and I know that the more I lean into it, the more rewarding it is and the more fulfilling I am, I feel. So that's, that's really kind of what inspired it is. I feel like I have to trust that there is like some sort of divine path that I'm.
- [14:15]
A
Yeah. You know, I hear from a lot of people who previously, they didn't believe or maybe they were just agnostic, they didn't know that it was actually seen evil in whatever context. For some people it's Hollywood. For some people it's politics. For some people it's in their own life that kind of turns the light on. And they're like, oh, if there's objective evil and darkness, then there must be objective goodness and light too. Like, would you say, especially seen in the world of politics, that that's been true for you?
- [14:44]
B
Oh, absolutely. I think that's, you know, sort of an underlying theme now. Is every like good and light, you know, good and evil and darkness and light and what you're giving your energy to. And so I did, you know, I came from a liberal background. I was around a liberal liberals my whole life and it was really even just mentioning God. It was a shunned topic. They just, you know, it was very, you just kind of instinctively know not to bring up God in religion. So when I was on the campaign trail with the Trump team and the Kennedy team, every event, God was a, you know, center sort of topic, and there was prayer, and people talked very openly and comfortably about their faith. And I. You know, from someone who's not subscribed to any one religion, I did like it. I felt like it was a really cool thing to witness.
- [15:42]
A
Tell me a little bit more about the RFK campaign specifically. I thought it was so interesting just following you on Instagram and. And watching your very fair coverage, like, not being afraid to talk about his scandals or how the media was portraying him, but also, like, you were so deeply embedded, and it seemed like friends with a lot of people on the campaign. And I always wondered, like, how does she deal with the fact that she's reporting honestly, even sometimes critically about their campaign? But also you have these, like, alliances and friendships with the people in the campaign. So just tell us what that was like.
- [16:22]
B
I mean, it was amazing. It's one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I. I was able to just sort of chase this vision I had of what campaign coverage could look like, but I could only do that because of someone like Robert Kennedy trusting me to do that. So being able to have this transparency and kind of go on the road for a year, you do get close with, you know, campaign became sort of like family. And I could see all the working parts behind how a campaign operates. Like, there's so many people who care about these issues and the messaging, and they all have different roles. And so I just loved learning about the internal workings. And I. I think he. Because Bobby is such an open person and he doesn't shy away from any, you know, controversy. I mean, he's very used to that. So I think I just, you know, fed off of that. Like, I. I thought, we'll just go through it. We'll go through whatever scandal or whatever, you know, whatever is thrown at him, because every day it was something, you know, it was like a dead bear that they found in the park or, you know, the brain worm. It was like some of them were absurd, and some of them were a little more serious and complex. But I just loved showing that we could work through them and be open about, you know, these candidates. And I think it resonated a lot because people were able to see them from a more intimate angle.
- [17:55]
A
And you were covering the affair that happened right during time, which is very. That was something that was shocking to me, and I'm sure that it was like, that was a difficult position for you to be in at the time.
- [18:10]
B
Yeah, I didn't see that one coming, so that was hard.
- [18:13]
A
That was the journalist I forgot her name?
- [18:14]
B
Olivia Newsy.
- [18:16]
A
Okay.
- [18:16]
B
Yeah, yeah, that was a. That, yeah, that was a tough one because I was friends with her and, you know, I'm covering him and. But the only way I could think that it made sense was just to be honest about it. As we worked through it, like, I felt, you know, betrayed by her. I felt like maybe she was a liar and, you know, and I was angry at him. I was disappointed. Not angry, but I was disappointed in him, I guess, just disappointed in the whole situation because it's like we have this chance to prove so many of the things that I believe in. And I want to see come in to, you know, power. And he had the opportunity. So it was like a rough, you know, it was a rough patch and it was tricky, but I mean, everyone got through it. And I still, you know, connected to all parties. I respect everyone involved. And I just, again, I think I'm able to compartmentalize sort of my friendship or my not friendships, but I guess relationships. And so there is an element of trust there where I'm not really out to get anyone. It's just I have to report on things as honestly as possible. And I did my best with that.
- [19:36]
A
And what are you thinking about when you are weighing your relationships and like, reporting the truth? Like, are you thinking about. Okay, my allegiance is to the truth. Are you thinking about. I'm indebted to my audience. Like, how are you kind of filled. What values are you using to filter through what stories you're going to report on, even when it might have a personal element to you?
- [19:58]
B
Like I said, my commitment is always to the truth and what feels right and honest at the time. And so I didn't think, you know, I don't like to overthink things. I like to go with intuition. And so just day by day, I just posted like I would any story as it progressed and sort of, you know, I tried to figure out what's real and what's important. And at the end of the day, my audience did not care about, you know, a scandal like this. They. They didn't care. They wanted to go back to the issues that they stand behind that he was amplifying. And so that was sort of reassuring, you know, like people didn't really get. Want to get caught up and they really believed in him. And so that's, yeah, what I focused on.
- [20:50]
A
Another break to tell you about Seven Weeks Coffee. Seven Weeks Coffee is America's pro life coffee company. They've got amazing tasting coffee. We drink it every morning in the stucky home. They are dedicated to ensuring that their coffee is pesticide free, is mold free, is clean, is great tasting, super high quality. My favorite part about seven weeks, though, is that they donate 10% of every sale of their coffee to pregnancy centers across the country. This has amounted to $900,000. More than $900,000 donated to pregnancy centers across the country, which has translated into saving thousands of baby lives. With so many moms and dads served who have been loved and who have also heard the freeing gospel of Jesus Christ. It's just amazing. The reason they're called Seven Weeks Coffee is because at seven weeks, the baby inside the womb is the size of a coffee bean. And that baby is made in the image of God and his or her life matters. So go ahead, buy Seven Weeks Coffee. Allow your coffee to serve a higher purpose. When you subscribe to their heartbeat club, you get 15 off your order. And when you use my code ALI, you get an extra 10 off. So go to 7weekscoffee.com use code ALI for that discount. 7weekscoffee.com code ALI what is the truth, if you know it, about the feud, it seems, or disagreement, I would say, between Casey Means and Nicole Shanahan, two people I've interacted with super respect both of their work a lot. But there seems to be something going on there where Nicole is saying Casey doesn't seem to be who she says she is. Cali obviously defending his sister, but it just seems like there was kind of a fracture of Maha and no one really knows exactly what is true. I didn't realize that there were those disagreements within Maha. Did you already know that before that came to light?
- [22:55]
B
You know, I found that out later. I kept hearing, you know, I always hear things like, I have a lot of sources, so I hear whispers and rumors and things, but I hadn't really given it much energy. I just didn't really understand it. And again, I like both, both of them. I like the mean siblings so much. And I love Nicole Shanahan. I think she has really great ideas and I've liked watching her evolution from, again, like, you know, it's relatable. She was super left and she's sort of in front of us, like, has pivoted. But I. I think what I'm learning is politics. There's a lot of egos and personal issues that can taint the over, you know, the common goal. And I think with this, I learned there was a lot of, you know, I think. I think everyone maybe has an idea about where the health movement should go. From here and who should be in charge of how it happens. And so, you know, it's always going to get a little messy with, like, these different perspectives and sort of grievances that maybe we don't know about. I think. I think. And I. You know, like, it was sort of rough in the campaign. There was some tensions between Bobby Kennedy and Nicole Shanahan that I. I don't know the details on, but I just think it's hard to know what the real story is, you know, So I think. I always think it's unfortunate when everybody's. When there's infighting.
- [24:37]
A
Yeah.
- [24:37]
B
It's like all of these people pretty much agree on the same fundamental issues, and so it works better when collectively we're all supporting each other towards it.
- [24:48]
A
You know, I love Nicole. I think, like, her story and her vulnerability is just really compelling. And I think she's, like, a very genuine person that would only speak up if she sincerely felt concerned about something. And I don't know Casey personally, but when I had her on my show, this was before she blew up.
- [25:10]
B
Before she was.
- [25:11]
A
I was like. Saw a tweet thread by her, and I was like, that's an interesting tweet thread. It had like, 15 likes or something when I saw it. And we had her on, and after she got off the couch, like, my producer, Bri and I looked each other and we were like, I think that is the best interview that we've really ever done. And I have, like, 1500 episodes that I've done it for. Relatable, really. There was something about. About her, like, just how she explained things. And I have talked to hundreds and hundreds of people that I was like, I. I don't know. I just knew that from then on, it was going to be different for her. Not because of my show, but just because of her. She's got a very captivating vision in way that she articulates it. So, like, I'm rooting for her success big time as surgeon General. I mean, I don't know who else I would want in that position.
- [25:58]
B
Well, that's the thing, too. I'm like, when have we ever really gone, like. I mean, gone this hard on anyone who's run. Like, do you even know who was the last surgeon general? Do we know?
- [26:07]
A
I don't know about Biden.
- [26:09]
B
I don't. I don't. But so I. I like both women. And it. To me, I always look at these things as, like, a family issue. Like, I feel like we're. I mean, even all the way up to the top, the president, Elon, all these like, feuds and stuff. To me, I just look at it like one big family where you have, you know, you're gonna have rough times and you just have to work through them the best and smartest way. And, and a lot of that is just being, you know, openly honest and communicating.
- [26:40]
A
Okay, we were talking about Elon. What do you think about Elon in general? Very complicated figure.
- [26:46]
B
Well, I love Elon because I can never decide what I think about him. And I talk about it all the time. I change my mind on him. Like, even last night we walked out front. I've been traveling for the past 10 days and there was the SpaceX launch, you know, and it was like, I saw that. So beautiful, right? And our whole family was out watching it. And I'm like, oh, gosh, now I love Elon. Again, like, it's such a space romantic. I think for me, some of these people, it doesn't even matter what I think about him. I think he's a great character in this timeline and I'm excited to see. I even like when I'm mad at him and I like when he's crazy. And, you know, he's, he has unique opinions and I think he's obviously, he's like one of the most brilliant minds of our generation. And I think we should sort of appreciate that even when we're annoyed and confused by it.
- [27:38]
A
I was very confused when he had conflict and beef with President Trump online. You know, he went from saying that he loves Trump as much as any heterosexual man can love another man. It's like a few months ago, Trump or whatever. And then he said, you know, after he exited Doge, he was like, you know, Trump is. Went to Epstein island by. Because they were mad about the big beautiful bill. Elon didn't want the big beautiful Bill. And of course Trump did. And then Elon got back to, you know, praising him and apparently they reconciled. I don't know, but I'm like, okay, so did you reconcile with like, with an actual pedophile or did you lie about him being an actual pedophile? Because both are really bad. Or maybe I'm just not thinking about it how Elon is thinking about it. I don't know.
- [28:29]
B
I mean, it's hard to say. I think that was a crazy, crazy 48 hour cycle. But then I think too, like, Elon's the same as any of us that he gets worked up, he gets fired up and angry about whatever, you know, who knows what was going on with them. Privately, he might have been really upset about whether how it was affecting his businesses or he just does not think this is a good move. But like back in the day, we didn't have, not everyone had millions of people on a live, you know what I mean? Like people, we respond in real time and we make mistakes. I think he definitely made a mistake because I don't believe that he thinks Donald Trump is a pedophile. I think he regrets doing that. And I think, I think it was a really bad look. But I also feel like we should give people grace. I've been in situations where I react in real time based on anger or, you know, whatever the emotion is. But I just, I mean, I can't, I can't really hate him. I think it was a bad move and I think he regrets it. And like I said, he's a great character for someone tracking culture. There is never a dull moment in this administration that we're all aging by the day.
- [29:50]
A
That is very true. Next sponsor is Good Ranchers. We've got fourth of July coming up. I love the fourth of July. One of my favorite things to do is to grill out. I love hamburgers, I love steak. I love grilled chicken on the grill. It is so good. Get all of your meat from Good Ranchers to celebrate America's birthday. You need American meat to celebrate America. It just makes sense. So if you haven't subscribed, go ahead and subscribe. Get Good Ranchers delivered to your front door every month. You don't have to worry about going to the grocery store trying to figure out is it high quality. Where does this meat even come from? 85% of grass fed beef in grocery stores is imported from abroad. So get your meat from Good Ranchers and America loving, God loving family owned company that is dedicating to helping American farms and ranches. When you use my code Ali at checkout, you get $40 off your order. That's goodranchers.com ally code alley. Speaking of conflict, can you tell me where it stands between you and Candace Owens?
- [31:08]
B
I think, well, we obviously had a very public feud that I wasn't anticipating and I think it got spun a certain way based on missing facts. And it involves, you know, personal, a friendship with my best friend and another former employee who I just think, you know, I wasn't able, I realized at a certain point I was not able to share the details of it. And so you learn the hard way that the truth isn't always an option. And so I just really kind of got steamrolled by a version of it that was not the full truth. But, I mean, as far as how I feel about Candace, I think she's brilliant. I've always thought that. I don't always agree with her. A lot of times I do agree with her. I feel like she is an ally in so many of these major issues. But again, I just see a pattern of, like, conflict that is just not what I'm interested in. I think I find. I find humor and sort of humility in conversation and discussion, and I just don't want anything to deal with sort of that combative cycle, you know?
- [32:24]
A
What would you say if she. Because I don't even remember. I remember trying to follow the back and forth.
- [32:28]
B
It was really hard.
- [32:29]
A
There were a lot of different things, like listening to her and looking at your stories, and if she said, okay, but you. You came at me first, Jessica. I liked you, and you came at me first. You criticized. I don't even remember exactly what it was, so. Because I just. I got a lot of messages saying, please ask her about this.
- [32:48]
B
Well, yeah, So I think everyone's confused, and I get it, but I just have to sort of accept it because it's one of those things I can't share all the details on because my personal issues got spun into it when it really shouldn't have been. It was really sort of unfair, I think. But, yeah, I think I'm allowed to create. I think it all stemmed from a very mild article where I was talking about who we trust in media, which is just. I think about it all the time, even with myself, like, who do I trust now? And I. I'm at a weird place where I don't actually know what's real, you know? So I wrote this article, and I just feel like I'm allowed, like, anyone to criticize media personalities. You know, I was saying I don't even remember what I wrote. It was very mild, but I just sort of went through these different personalities. And, like, I guess I was thinking out loud, which is what I do a lot in my newsletters. I go through things I'm contemplating or struggling with in real time. And so it just started. It kind of became this, like, back and forth. And I had so much going on that I wasn't fully paying attention to how it was being portrayed and perceived and sort of spun from her angle. And she, you know, I offered to go on her show. I offered. I called her. I wanted to talk to her, and she didn't take my calls. So at A certain point I realized she really wasn't interested in hearing me out. And so it just, you know, I have to trust at the end of the day that my intentions will, like, speak for themselves. I really believe in what I do and I try my best every single day to put out what I feel is beneficial to the Internet, like the strangers on the Internet. I want everyone to feel more informed and entertained by whatever I'm doing. So I have no, again, no grudge. I think she's very good at what she does and it's very different mediums. She has a studio and a team where they sort of help her address people and it's a big audience. I sit in a room by myself and write and not everybody wants to read 20 minute articles about some of these things. So we reach people in different ways and I just think it's hard.
- [35:02]
A
Well, here's the question. Do you think Emmanuel Macron is married to his brother, a man? Because I don't know. Like, that series is fascinating.
- [35:13]
B
It really was.
- [35:14]
A
And like, so well researched and just like, do you, do you think that Bridget McCrone is a man?
- [35:22]
B
I thought the series was amazing. I, I promoted that series like crazy because I, I thought it was done so well and it was like. It makes you think about it all differently. Right. But I.
- [35:33]
A
Politics is gross. That's what I mean. I think at the end of the day, there's so much that we don't know about a lot of people. I walked away thinking, I think it's possible. Like, I think it's like, I'm with.
- [35:47]
B
You, I think it's possible. But I'm still like, more grossed out by Hunter Biden's laptop, by what I saw on that, you know, like, yeah, that's really. These politicians. It's a, it's a. Yeah, it's a. Yeah.
- [35:58]
A
I think that there's a lot of ugliness when it comes to royalty, when it comes to politics. A lot of political dynasties that we don't know that probably would shock us. You follow the British royalty I love very closely. Right, okay. Do you think that the hatred of Meghan Markle is totally justified or do you think any of it is blown out of proportion?
- [36:24]
B
No, I think it's justified, yeah. Because I, because I do watch them so closely. I watched how it happened and I saw mistake after mistake being made on their end. And I just think, I mean, it's still, it's still continuing right now. There is lack of self awareness there. I don't think the timing in Each of their decisions and just, I think to publicly drag the family into that whole drama of, like, you know, the racism claims and stuff, it was just really. It was really messy. And I don't. I don't think. I think that sort of set a really bad tone where it's like they were trying to break free, but they looked miserable while they were doing it, and they were doing, like, you want privacy, but then you actually want documentaries and podcasts and all these things. So I think nothing about them seems genuine. And when you don't seem genuine at all, people don't take you seriously. And so I think. Yeah, I don't think it is exaggerated. I think that's just not. You know, it's like you want the title of the royals, but you don't want any of the responsibility or duty that comes with that. And so it's just. It's like you're a fraud, Right? Like, you want to capitalize and profit off of a title, but then you're going to drag the family title through the mud. Like, it's just.
- [37:47]
A
Yeah.
- [37:47]
B
And for a royalist like myself, it was. I thought it was messy and tacky.
- [37:54]
A
Okay. I saw some video going around on acts of her in the hospital room, like, dancing while pregnant. And I thought a lot of people saying, like, she was faking the pregnancy. It doesn't look like a real pregnant belly. I kind of thought that was silly. I'm like, I think it looks like a real pregnant belly. I mean, I don't mind the criticism of her, but sometimes I'm like, okay, people are just, like, looking for things.
- [38:16]
B
To come up with, so not all these conspiracies. I like. I don't like the fake pregnancy stuff. That was definitely her pregnant in the hospital. To me, I thought it was sort of cringy because, again, they made such a big deal about privacy. But now you're releasing your most private home videos for the Internet to see because you want to sell your show or your jam or honey, whatever she's making. I just. They're sort of silly, right? Like, I think when you look at the contrast between what William and Kate are doing, which is really, you know, owning those roles, and they have managed to really secure this image that that role demands. And then I think you see these other, you know, the brother. And I think people don't like seeing Diana's boys fighting.
- [39:06]
A
Yeah.
- [39:06]
B
Okay. We all. But we, like, feel some sort of connection to them and.
- [39:10]
A
And protective.
- [39:11]
B
We don't want the. Like, as a mother, you don't Want to see? You don't want your kids to grow up and not like each other, so I just think the whole thing's sad. I liked when they were all getting along for those two weeks or whatever it was.
- [39:23]
A
Do you wish you would have married someone else?
- [39:25]
B
Yeah, I think.
- [39:27]
A
Do you have someone in mind that.
- [39:29]
B
I think Harry should have married?
- [39:30]
A
Yeah.
- [39:31]
B
Well, I liked. Was her name Chelsea? Who was the blonde? I liked them together.
- [39:36]
A
I don't. See. I don't really know anything about it.
- [39:39]
B
I mean, you have to Google when we get on.
- [39:40]
A
There's a part of me that does. I don't know why. Maybe I'm just, like, subject to the propaganda or, you know, a victim of the propaganda. There's. Sometimes I do feel bad for her because I just feel like she's trying so hard to be relatable and likable, and it just doesn't come naturally for her. I just think she comes across like she doesn't like people, and she's trying to pretend like she likes people. And I'm like, then just go be an introvert. Just go do that. I actually think people could respect that more if they were like, we want privacy, and they went off by themselves and didn't talk to people. Oh, yeah, but we want privacy. But also, I'm so warm, and I welcome people into my home every day. But I obviously am, like, super annoyed by these people who are right by me. I don't know. There's part of me that, like, feels.
- [40:24]
B
I think you're very nice, and you're giving her the benefit of the doubt, which is so sweet, but. No, I could spend an hour on. We should have just had me on just for Meghan Markle. No. Just, like, even naming the baby after his grandmother who never met the baby, and those last months of her life was fraught with family conflict. Because I could go on and on. I just don't think, like, I always say, like, you know, one of my kids is going to end up with a Meghan Markle. Like, I'm so scared. Like, I just don't think these are the type of women I love.
- [41:00]
A
See, that's why you got to believe in praying. You got to pray.
- [41:03]
B
I have to pray for a Kate.
- [41:04]
A
You have to pray for the right spouse for your kids.
- [41:07]
B
I mean, it makes a difference with, you know, boys are, like. Whoever they marry is very influential as to how you. Your relationship as adults.
- [41:14]
A
So totally.
- [41:15]
B
I mean.
- [41:16]
A
Yeah.
- [41:17]
B
Gotta hope these boys are smart.
- [41:18]
A
Yes.
- [41:19]
B
Okay.
- [41:19]
A
How old are your kids now?
- [41:21]
B
Arlo is 19. Leon is 16, Rex is 15 and Hayes just turned 11.
- [41:28]
A
Okay. Oh my goodness. A house of like teenage and pre teens.
- [41:31]
B
So fun. I love it. Yeah, I love this age.
- [41:39]
A
Every Life is America's only pro life diaper company. Which is just a crazy statement what you think when you think about it. I mean every diaper company should be pro life. Unfortunately they're not. A lot of the major diaper companies donate your dollars to pro abortion politicians and organizations. You don't have to worry about that with Every Life they are donating dollars to pregnancy centers, they are supporting their pregnant and adopting employees and they make amazing products. We use Every Life diapers in our home. They work really well. Totally clean materials. And they also now have shampoo, baby wash and lotion. It's all tear free. It is all dermatologist tested. It smells really good and it works really well on your baby sensitive skin. Go to everylife.com use code ALI10. You'll get 10 off your first order. That's everylife.com code ALI10. Okay, Karen, read trial. I know right now we're waiting for the verdict. We don't have a verdict yet. So by the time this comes out I'm sure that we will. But tell us what drew you to this case?
- [42:55]
B
Well, actually I ignored the case. I overlooked it because I had so many. I was still finishing up politics and I was just getting into figuring out what White House access looks like, you know. So I opted out of that trial. But then the last week I was in New York, I spent a full day watching all the documentaries and catching up and then I joined. You know how great it is when you have an online community. I joined or started a chat in substack and I had all my readers catch me up. So then I was obsessed because I didn't realize it involved sort of like this whole small town conflict. Like people are really divided over it. Families, towns, people. So it had all these layers and so I got in very late. But now I'm fully. I get it now. Like I get why everybody is so invested and she absolutely, based on all evidence I've seen is innocent. And this is all part of a really corrupt small town cover up. So we are waiting right now to see if the jury feels the same way.
- [44:00]
A
Okay, tell us, can you fill in some details for those who have no idea what this is?
- [44:05]
B
Oh, they don't know who Karen Reed is. Yeah, basically she's accused of killing her husband. He, he. They. The accusation is that she ran into backed into him in the Snow, and he died from that. But there is. Most of the evidence points to a different way of death, and so many things don't add up. So I've. I mean, it's like there's so much. But there's no point of impact on his body and, you know, issues with his phone temperature. And when he was found. And then it was at. It was a room. A house party full of drunken cops.
- [44:43]
A
So do you think that. Do you think that the verdict will agree with you? Do you think the jury will agree with you?
- [44:50]
B
Well, that's the thing. As soon as we reach this point, it's so intense because now when you're emotionally invested in a trial, you. You know, you're on edge. Right now, everyone's on edge over this verdict. And I pulled my audience, and they were 90. I think it was between 80 and 90% they believe she's not guilty. So as of right now, the jury's asking some questions that are kind of tossing our. We don't know what they. Where. Where they stand right now. But it is crazy how it's mirroring this, the her last trial, because this is. This is a retrial. So if. If they go the same way and it's a hung jury, it's like, does that go a third time to try? Like, do we put. Do we pay for a third trial for this woman? Wow.
- [45:33]
A
I'm so interested now.
- [45:35]
B
No, you. Oh, my gosh. I should have put you in the chat.
- [45:37]
A
Well, now I need to go back.
- [45:39]
B
Yeah.
- [45:39]
A
And I need to look at all the details because I really haven't been following closely. Sometimes I feel like there's just, like, too much in the world to follow.
- [45:45]
B
Well, if you follow that HBO documentary, A Body in the Snow is really, really good. And it shows both sides and it talks to all parties. I know. I don't.
- [45:53]
A
Sometimes documentaries are like, they. So they have an agenda.
- [45:56]
B
I would. I don't recommend many of them because I feel like they have an agenda and it's done something to watch. Yeah, no, you'll love it. It's a. It's a series. I think there's five of them. It's really, really well done.
- [46:07]
A
So Vanity Fair recently did a profile on you. And I. I mean, I thought that it was kind of rude and belittling. They, you know, said journalists and report. They put it in scare quotes. But obviously you're reporting on stories that a lot of people in the mainstream media aren't. And so, like, what is your reaction or response when Vanity Fair or Other journalists try to kind of like, diminish.
- [46:32]
B
You with Vanity Fair, It's. It's more comical because it was so snarky, right? It was very petty. I felt like it was like high school mean girl. And the fact that they write so frequently about me is sort of weirdly flattering. Like they care that much about who I'm fighting with. But I think it doesn't hurt me at all. My readers are not the people who are tuning in or waiting for Vanity Fair to tell them what they think really about anything. So, I mean, that was. The last one was really rude. You know, they brought in some of the gross remarks Laura Loomer wrote about me. I just. To me, that wasn't a story.
- [47:13]
A
But why do you think you scare them so much? Like, why do they care?
- [47:17]
B
Well, I think because we're in a period of shifting media. There's a war among media where the trust is shifted to independent, you know, channels and personalities. And so a lot of people, I hear, they associate me with, like what Vanity Fair used to be where it is, you know, society scenes and gossip. But it's also hardcore reporting. And I am getting stories that, you know, maybe they would have gotten in the past. I think there's a competitive. Obviously, I can't figure out what else it could be. There's a competitive aspect to it. And I think they are resentful over, you know, like, the shifting of the guards. Like, it's. People don't. Sadly, people don't read magazines anymore. I miss them personally. But I think, you know, I think that their, Their. Their goal is to constantly dismiss me and sort of ridicule me so that in the hopes that everybody sees what a, you know, fraud of a mommy. What do they call it? Like a mommy? Blogging alt right, conspiracy theorist, RFK fangirl, all the labels. Oh, and I. Yeah.
- [48:34]
A
How do you deal with, like, the emotional toll of not just taking criticism but also diving into these super dark stories?
- [48:43]
B
Well, that's a good question. They do affect me differently. That's why, you know, I mentioned pulling out of Britney Spears the coverage there, because it, when it starts to get too. When it weighs me in a negative and sort of a dark way, I will usually kind of back away. And so that's why I am hesitant about. I am going to go into this murder case in August, the Bryan Kohberger murder of these young college kids. And I do know in the past, when I've covered murder, it's. It is very taxing. You know, it's different than, you know, I love like, covering parties and going to like, going sailing on campaign. I like all the lightness. But I think, yeah, you, you. It puts you in a different space mentally.
- [49:32]
A
Yeah. Well, I'm so glad to hear that you are on your journey of like, reading the Bible, even if that's not something that you share in detail with everyone I know that you, like, had. You were talking about, like a house and habit Bible study on Instagram. Okay, I'm going to send you. You probably already have a Bible, but I send a lot of people my favorite study Bible. I don't know if you already have like a study Bible.
- [49:56]
B
I could use all the help.
- [49:57]
A
Okay, I'm going to send it to you. And I do this for a lot of guests because for me, like, when I started really digging into the Bible 15 years ago or so, I needed help understanding, like, okay, what does this first mean? This sounds super weird. And obviously the commentary is just written by people. And so it's somewhat of an opinion, but it's careful. It's really careful, the commentary. So I'm gonna send you my. One of my favorite books and then I'll send you an ESP study Bible. And yeah, not that I, I don't know, nearly close to everything about Christianity, but of course, if you ever have any questions or just wanna talk about things, I'm here. And you've got a lot of people in this audience who are praying for you.
- [50:41]
B
Oh, thank you, truly.
- [50:42]
A
And that was the other question that I got. Can you ask her, like, where she is and her spiritual journey? Because, like, people just love you and they're rooting for you and they know that you cover dark things. And so it's like, for us who are Christians, we're like, gosh, I couldn't do this if it weren't for the hope of Jesus and knowing that good will triumph in the end because of him. And so, yeah, just a lot of people are thinking of you.
- [51:07]
B
Well, that means so much and I do feel it. I have the best, the best people behind me, and I do feel it. So I'm always appreciative of prayers and support.
- [51:20]
A
Yes. Well, thank you so much, Jessica. I know you don't do like a ton of interviews, so I feel honored. So thank you so much.
- [51:26]
B
Well, thank you.