Founding Besties

A public thank you...

As many of you know, before I became an independent journalist, I worked as a reporter for Fall River Reporter. But before that, I was the host of the Jess Machado Show on WBSM in New Bedford. I loved radio and the three hours of each show flew by each time I got behind the microphone. It’s where the “Besties” term started and I learned how to connect with my listeners.

As my platform on X and Substack grew, many people suggested (often demanded!) that I start a YouTube channel and get the show going. During this last Karen Read trial, I was lucky to be a guest on shows and be able to talk once again but I really began to miss that format and how I made it my own.

I put the feelers out on a space where I could truly produce a product my besties would love. Despite working for WBSM and Fall River Reporter, nothing looked and sounded exactly as I wanted it to, something I had to deal with simply to get along. Some of you may remember that while at Fall River Reporter, we did a test run on a show. I was so disappointed in how it looked, I cried the whole way home. I was told I was being too picky and to just “go with it” but it was so far from what I envisioned, I could not move forward.

Finally, through a dear friend, I was offered a truly perfect space. When I went to see it, I was overwhelmed and began to cry, but this time, happy tears. When I said to my friend that I wasn’t ready, I needed some time to try and earn some money to pay for equipment, she suggested asking for donations. She insisted that now was the time, that I could not wait. So much pressure! The downside to being independent is well, you really are alone sometimes. But I put up a video, asked for people to invest in this project and so many of you came through. More tears.

Over the past few days, I have designed my studio and ordered all the things. As equipment and things started to arrive, I started to lose the anxiety and began to get excited. Right now, I just see this as a checklist I need to finish so I can start talking to all of you.

Almost ten years ago, I started a small business. It was a 250 square foot children’s consignment store near my house and within six months, I closed the doors. I made so many mistakes and the failure haunted me for a long time. Local haters of mine would bring it up all the often, a reminder of my inexperience and empty storefront.

Admittedly, some of those feelings of failure creep in when I go to bed at night, and it can be suffocating at times. I’ve learned a lot from that experience, and I think it will help me this time around, but I think it’s natural to fear failure. Furthermore, I may be a little delusional, but how can me talking about things ever fail?? I love to chit chat.

I want to thank every person who contributed to this project. I promise to give you a product you deserve. I hope you love it.

I will give you an update on our first show as soon as I can but it should be in two weeks!

Jessica

Thank you to my Founding Besties:

Barbara M.

Marcy D.

Jessica G.

Michelle K.

Sara M.

Karen S.

Sydney C.

Joan D.

Becki S.

Lori M.

Mike O.

Christina A.

Colleen E.

Jennifer D.

Christine W.

Doreen O.

Josephine A.

Michael D.

Lynn M.

Christopher S.

Sonya M.

Lisa S.

Jill E.

Jay P.

Annie P.

Amy R.

Paula M.

Elyse L.

Carla W.

Louise M.

William C.

Caroline F.

Kim G.

Kathy S.

Michelle B.

Donald B.

Christine V.

Michelle P.

Ruth T.

Gail G.

Alexis D.

Don S.

Deborah W.

Laurie M.

Richard C.

Victoria M.

Melissa N.

Judi K.

Cathy K.

Melissa J.

Ginger T.

Katie V.

Tammy E.

Liz R.

Brian W.

Jordan G.

Stephanie P.

Gina B.

Dominique P.

Amy L.

Melissa R.

Paula M.

Debbie M.

Elizabeth S.

Cari J.

LTL Media

Kathleen B.

Dana B.

Mark C.

Special thanks to Nan Gallagher and Cynthia Welsh for their exceptionally generous investment.

Thank you to Amy and the team at Silva Funeral Home for being a continued sponsor of this Substack.

A personal thank you to my friend Anthony Amore, who never fails to remind me how talented he thinks I am.