From Homelessness to Harvard and Beyond: Jess Bousa’s Inspiring Story Featured on Ian Bick’s “Locked In” Podcast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jess Bousa
CEO & Founder
Bousa Properties / Exponential Media
jess@orderrmychaos.com
(443) 987-0874

From Homelessness to Harvard and Beyond: Jess Bousa’s Inspiring Story Featured on Ian Bick’s “Locked In” Podcast

Baltimore, MD — September 18, 2025 — In a deeply powerful episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Jess Bousa, CEO of Exponential Media and Bousa Properties, opens up about a life marked by extreme challenges — and ultimate transformation. The episode, which drops today, reaches Ian Bick’s 425,000+ YouTube subscribers and a far wider audience across his podcast platforms.

Ian Bick, himself a former federal inmate who has built a platform sharing stories of redemption and resilience, recently gained mainstream visibility after being featured on MrBeast’s YouTube channel. With that momentum, this latest episode becomes even more potent.

A Journey Through Struggle

Jess reflects candidly on early life turmoil: his father’s incarceration, his mother’s absence, dropping out of high school, and spiraling into homelessness, addiction, stealing, and drug dealing. Through those years, Jess was arrested 18 times. It was one arrest in particular that served as a major tipping point — four months in jail, followed by rehab. That experience rerouted his life.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Jess turned his life around, pursued education, rebuilt his life, and eventually not only survived — but also went on to accomplish what many might think impossible given where he started. Though the exact details of his Harvard affiliation or experience are not fully documented in all sources, Jess’s narrative of using education as a launchpad is clear, and the Harvard milestone is part of the “from-homeless-to-Harvard” arc that inspires so many.

Impact & Message

Speaking to Ian Bick’s audience — many of whom resonate with stories of adversity and second chances — Jess shares lessons on accountability, perseverance, and finding purpose. He emphasizes:

  • The necessity of hitting “rock bottom” as a catalyst for change

  • How rehab and structured support opened doors for education and stability

  • The power in telling one’s full story — no sugarcoating — as a means not only of healing but of motivating others

Ian Bick, on his end, brings Jess’s story into focus as emblematic of the core of Locked In’s mission: voices from pain who have reclaimed power. The episode offers raw authenticity often missing in mainstream narratives.

Why This Matters

  • Broader Reach: With Ian Bick’s recent exposure via MrBeast, the net of potential listeners is expanding. Jess’s message has the chance to touch many who are seeking hope.

  • Representation: Stories like Jess’s show that homelessness, addiction, or multiple arrests do not have to define someone’s destiny.

  • Education and Redemption: The “Harvard” part of the story underscores that education can be transformative — even for those who’ve fallen farthest.

About Jess Bousa

Jess Bousa is the current CEO of Exponential Media and Bousa Properties. Having lived through homelessness, addiction, and multiple legal setbacks — he was arrested 18 times — Jess turned his life around. After serving four months in jail and completing a rehab program, he went on to rebuild his life, regain his footing, pursue higher education, and lead multiple businesses. His journey is one of resilience, tough love, and purpose.

About Ian Bick & Locked In

Ian Bick is a former federal inmate turned podcaster. He hosts Locked In with Ian Bick, a show dedicated to raw, unfiltered stories of struggle, transformation, and second chances. The show attracts a diverse audience gravitating toward truth-telling, including people who’ve experienced trauma, addiction, incarceration, and those working to rebuild.

Quotes

“They said I was done. I believed I was done. Until I got clean, got help, and learned that failure isn’t final.” — Jess Bousa

“Jess’s story is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite the narrative.” — Ian Bick

Availability & Where to Listen

The full episode, “Arrested 18 Times Before I Finally Got Clean | Jess Bousa”, is now available on YouTube via Ian Bick’s channel, as well as on all major podcast platforms.

For interviews, media inquiries, or speaking engagements, please contact:

Jess Bousa

jess@ordermychaos.com

(443) 987-0874

Jess Bousa