shack chats with Jess Kent @nurture2thrive

welcome back to shack chats, real talk, real impact, shaping a circular future. i’m jessie, your host, and today i’m joined by jess kent from nurture to thrive.

as soon as jess stepped into the shack, she described it as a space where she could curl up with a book, escape the noise, and find a moment to breathe. that’s exactly what shack chats is about, stepping outside the rush of daily life to reflect, reset, and reconnect.

on finding refuge in nature
when i asked jess her first impression, she laughed and said she wanted to hide away from her kids in the shack, safe behind the trees and wild terrain. that raw honesty set the tone for our chat.

for jess, the natural environment isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a resource for recovery, creativity, and growth. being surrounded by greenery brings calm, perspective, and a reminder that cycles of nurture are mirrored in how we care for ourselves.

matrescence: a new life shift
one of the most profound moments in our conversation was when jess introduced the term matrescence. it’s the word used to describe the transition into motherhood, similar to adolescence, but a completely different kind of life shift.

she explained how this stage of life is often overlooked, even though it’s just as transformative as the teenage years. there are new identities to form, priorities to recalibrate, and an ongoing process of adjusting to a role that changes everything.

for jess, acknowledging matrescence isn’t just about naming an experience, it’s about honouring the depth of change and creating space for women to find support, community, and self-understanding as they step into motherhood.

from nurture to thrive
jess’s work with nurture to thrive is about creating that same kind of refuge for others. just like the shack offers a pause, her practice supports people in navigating transitions, whether it’s matrescence, burnout, or the daily grind.

she spoke about the importance of slowing down, noticing what your body and mind need, and giving yourself permission to rest, even if it’s just for a few minutes with a book in a quiet corner.

a circular future begins with care
one theme that kept coming up was care, for the self, for each other, and for the planet. when we give ourselves the tools to thrive, we’re better equipped to create positive change in our communities.

that’s what the circular future looks like, small, intentional acts that ripple outward. whether it’s taking time to restore our energy, designing products with longevity in mind, or sharing stories of change, each step matters.

stay tuned for more stories in shack chats, where every conversation creates ripples that can grow into waves of change.