Welcome to Living Well — our bi-weekly spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

I first met Midwife and doula, Jessica Diggs when we were on a “It Takes a Village” panel together at Hatch. I really learned a lot from her that day and loved how knowledgeable she was alongside her easy and comfortable way of being. I was pregnant with my twins at the time and signed up for the (awesome) baby prep classes she taught. I needed her help and she helped me by becoming my doula, and ohmygod I’m thankful for the support she gave me.

I so appreciate what Jessica adds to L.A.’s community of women and always wish I got to chat with her longer so I’m thrilled to know her better through her answers here. Thank you for being an informed, funny, comforting, strong, and slightly-rebellious champion of women Jessica!

Enjoy!

If you've done the Values Deck exercise, what are your top five values? Tell us how one of them manifests in your life. What is a decision you’ve made using it to guide you?

Independence, Justice, Peace, Self-Acceptance, & Curiosity

Independence: I love me! I love how I move through the world and quite frankly I prefer me over others. A recent decision using this to guide me was choosing to spend my 30th traveling alone instead of throwing a big bash! (also COVID)

What does a life well-lived look like?

A life well-lived is one where a tangible sense of fulfillment is experienced on most days even through the mundane. One where I can pause at any point in my life and feel that this is where I am meant to be in this moment. This is not without hardship, sadness, or conflict. There is just a looming sense of progress, curiosity, and purpose in every season of life.

My version of success is…

Not becoming complacent in personal growth and the betterment of my sphere.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now?

Right now, I am working on leaning into being a thought leader and expanding the education role of my business. I love this work! I love teaching and providing people with all their options. I've been an educator for a long time. I have taught and built within many companies and I want to continue to contribute valuable reproductive health to various platforms. Brandi Jordan is a business owner and thought leader who models this.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

There is a running joke among my friends that I have been this way since I was 5. Ha! I would say that my work has improved my tactfulness and mindfulness in conversations. With vulnerability and anxiety heightened in pregnancy, I am very strategic with how I say things. That is now true in my deepest friendships and definitely was not ten years ago.

Jessica weighs in on this article, featured on The Cut.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

I am a really good friend! Once I am invested in you, I am your biggest hype-woman, a genuine uplifter, and growth challenger. Although the truth can be a bit sharp at times, it adds deep value to my words of encouragement, testaments of their capabilities, and moments of vulnerability. I don't believe in binaries, so that helps me remain really non-judgmental. And I can love well beyond my current season of life; through seasons of motherhood, partnerships, divorce, etc. I am here. I am loyal.

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

Rachel Cargle! I am loving the conversations and community she has created over at Rich Auntie Supreme, a space celebrating those who indulge in the lifestyle of being childfree by choice. It has encouraged me to practice saying, "I don't fucking want children" without an explanation.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

Carpe Diem.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

WSJ Secrets of Wealthy Woman, specifically with Moj Mahdara. They are a serial entrepreneur and really creates space for women, femmes and the queer community to take money and want money and make money.

What are you grateful for today?

Today, I am grateful for the peace my home brings me. It's my safe haven.

Jessica Diggs is a licensed midwife and reproductive health educator specializing in well-person care and homebirth. Connect with her on Instagram.