The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast

Episode: Jackson Duggar at 21 – The Youngest Duggar Son Opens Up
Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Jinger Vuolo & Jeremy Vuolo
Guest: Jackson Duggar

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo welcome Jackson Duggar, Jinger’s youngest brother and the 15th Duggar child, for his first in-depth interview since age 17. Through open conversation, Jackson offers listeners a rare glimpse into his life after reality TV, adjusting to independence at Bible college, spiritual growth, career ambitions, family dynamics, and the unique experience of having literally been born on television. The episode is filled with candid reflections, humor, and the tightly-knit warmth characteristic of the Duggar family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life After Reality TV & Adjusting to Independence

• Early TV Life & Memories (04:00–07:00)

  • Jackson reflects on being born on air in "14 Children and Pregnant Again," joking about not remembering the moment but feeling as if his entire life was captured.
  • He discusses the odd sensation of "remembering" family moments mostly through old video footage:

    “I have actually have such a bad memory...but I'll watch it and I'll be like, oh, yeah, I remember that. Or someone will start talking about it and I'll be like, yeah, I remember that. And I was like, literally 2 years old.” (06:18, Jackson)

• Family Projects & Los Angeles Visits (02:00–03:00)

  • Jackson visits his sister in LA, helping around the house—demonstrating the “Duggar boys” skill at fixing things.
  • The hosts share playful family anecdotes, like wildlife encounters in their yard, subtly reinforcing the down-to-earth nature behind the fame.

2. Personal Growth, College Life & Career Direction

• Transition to College (09:10–16:30)

  • Jackson updates listeners: at 21, he’s moved on from working in construction and tree service to attending Bible college in California.
  • He shares his new experiences—making friends, participating in choir (“freshman 15”), starring in campus plays, and even being elected class president:

    “I just got voted in for class president of the freshman class.” (14:11, Jackson)

• First Time Living Away from Home (15:43–16:44)

  • Only the second Duggar sibling to attend college out of state, Jackson describes the initial challenges and growth from stepping outside the family ecosystem.
  • “Figured out pretty quick,” he says, about adapting to college and meeting new people.

• The College Food Experience (16:45–17:44)

  • In classic college-student fashion, Jackson humorously rates the cafeteria food, highlighting “ice cream Fridays” as a weekly highlight and joking about skipping Sunday lunch.

• Navigating Future Ambitions (17:51–19:02)

  • Jackson describes initial ambitions in construction, then shifting direction following what he sees as divine timing:

    “I was trying to build a business...It was a perfect timing for me, the Lord, to kind of bring this college into my path...” (18:20, Jackson)

  • He’s considering a potential future in ministry, possibly pursuing a four-year degree or a role as a pastor.

3. Spiritual Journey & Making Faith His Own

• Season of Self-Discovery (19:16–27:01)
  • Jackson shares a transformative recent period, prompted by a friend’s probing question about self-deception in faith and a deep dive into scripture:

    “Could it be that you are deceived? ...That’s the whole purpose of the whole thing of deceit – you don't know it.” (19:16, recounting a friend's challenge)

  • He discusses 1 John 2:15–17 and Jesus’ parable of the sower, relating these to his personal tendency to let “the love of the world” crowd spiritual growth (23:17–24:33).
  • He recalls being saved at five but only truly “making faith his own” after 16:

    “From five till I was about sixteen I really didn’t make it my own...I was living the mediocre...just kind of coasting in my Christian walk.” (25:07, Jackson)

  • Jinger and Jeremy echo these themes with their own scriptural reflections, fostering a warm, spiritual discussion.

4. The Unique Dynamics of Being a Duggar

• Finding His Identity Among Many Siblings (31:29–33:27)

  • As the youngest of ten Duggar boys, Jackson describes years spent imitating older brothers’ traits before seeking his own path:

    “I feel like I did a lot of imitation...I've kind of come back to the point of like, all right, where am I? Like, who am I going to be?” (32:15, Jackson)

  • The hosts note how critical this self-discovery period is, especially when emerging from a large, tight-knit family.

• Homesickness and Family Connections (34:39–35:15)

  • Jackson admits to occasional homesickness, mostly missing his parents and the four youngest siblings still at home, but says busy campus life keeps his mind occupied.

5. Lightning Round: Sibling Dynamics & Memories

• Wildest Brother: James (“quiet but mischievous”), with Jackson admitting to being “the loud one.” (35:29–36:08)
• Funniest Sibling: Jason and Josiah both earn the title for their humor. (36:09–36:28)
• Closest Sibling: Johanna (“I was definitely closest with Johanna”) and frequent playful sibling banter. (37:56–38:02)
• Reflecting on Growing Up on TV: Jackson likens his experience to “The Truman Show”—“Is this like, me? Did they just make this show about me?” (38:41, Jackson)

6. On the Uniqueness & Challenges of Televised Childhood

• Born on TV:

  • Jinger points out Jackson is among the very few people in the world whose life, from birth onward, was documented on camera:

    “You’re in a very select group of people, of unique people in this world...like, your first breath, you're looking at the cameraman.” (39:11–39:19, Jinger & Jeremy)

• Transition Away from the Spotlight:

  • The family reflects on how the world still pictures Jackson as “little Jackson,” highlighting the surreal nature of growing up in the public eye (40:18–40:39).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Memory and TV Life:

  “I have such a bad memory...I’ll watch [old episodes] and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, yeah, I remember that’…but I was like, literally, two years old.” (06:18, Jackson)

• On Spiritual Growth:

  “That's something the Lord really started working on my heart about. So there were certain things that I had to really start carving out of my life.” (24:33, Jackson)

• On Being Born on TV:

  “I was born at a very young age, you know, as they say.” (05:57, Jackson, joking)

• On Identity Among Siblings:

  “I did a lot of imitation…of my older brothers…I feel like I kind of got a mix of all the boys in me…” (32:15, Jackson)

• Jinger’s Reflection on Growing Up in the Spotlight:

  “You really don’t remember until the last few years a time when you weren’t being filmed…It’s like the Truman Show.” (38:22-38:34, Jinger)

Timestamped Highlights

• Being Born on TV: 04:00–07:00
• College Life, Class President & Choir: 13:08–15:07
• Reflecting on Spiritual Deception & Growth: 19:16–24:33
• Sibling Rapid-Fire Questions: 35:29–37:56
• Discussion of “The Truman Show” & Unique TV Life: 38:22–39:19

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The tone is candid, warm, faith-centered, and humorous, with a strong undercurrent of genuine family support and encouragement. Listeners gain new insight into Jackson’s personality, aspirations, and the unique challenges (and privileges) of growing up in America’s most famous mega-family. Jackson’s humility, sense of humor, and emerging independent faith make this episode an engaging listen for family fans and newcomers alike.