Jen Hatmaker

[Anonymous]

Whatever Brandon did, there had to be a financial component. Whether it was gambling or he just had hidden debt, she is working hard to pay it off. She sold the lake house, her car, and started hustling to make $$$. I always thought she seemed like a narcissist, but she’s definitely trying to make money because she needs it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever Brandon did, there had to be a financial component. Whether it was gambling or he just had hidden debt, she is working hard to pay it off. She sold the lake house, her car, and started hustling to make $$$. I always thought she seemed like a narcissist, but she’s definitely trying to make money because she needs it.

I agree but would only add that perhaps it wasn’t just him. I get the feeling that he was “managing” the finances in this deal, but she was not exactly a frugal person. I mean did you ever see all the shoes, purses and luggage she had? Not to mention all the hideous tacky earrings that were her signature for so long. They went on trips to Italy, Cuba, and other places. I think she drove a Range Rover as well. Good for them - I’m not hating on them for spending their money and enjoying their life, but she certainly never seemed concerned with money at all. She even has (maybe still has) a personal assistant that kept up all her stuff. So, she probably did pretty well, but I imagine she spent her fair share. All I’m saying is that I don’t think 100% of the blame goes to Brandon. Of course, we don’t know the complete story. He could have spent most of it on gambling, coke, and strippers for all I know. If he did, I could almost understand why; living with her had to have gotten tough over the past few years as her ego swelled to gigantic proportions. Can you imagine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever Brandon did, there had to be a financial component. Whether it was gambling or he just had hidden debt, she is working hard to pay it off. She sold the lake house, her car, and started hustling to make $$$. I always thought she seemed like a narcissist, but she’s definitely trying to make money because she needs it.

I agree she is working to pay off something. But what is he doing? Would he not share in this debt, if that is in fact the case? Texas is a community state and they should split everything 50/50- assets and liabilities. He is now a “Senior VP” of community something or other for a development out in the hill country. What kind of made up title is this? How does one just become “Sr VP” overnight? Who’s he fooling? He was first going to do high end remodels with some of his bros - I don’t think he is some fancy trim carpenter. Remember when they tried to be the next Chip and Joanna with their farmhouse restoration? All they did was demo sh*t. He didn’t actually do much of the work putting it back together. Now he’s moved on with some other bro who has hooked him up with this title…. It’s kind of insulting actually. In the real world with real companies, earning a VP or Sr VP title is not an easy feat. It means you have to actually have experience and know what the eff you’re actually doing. He’s just showing properties to prospective clients in a new development…good for him but it ain’t no VP title worthy gig. I swear it’s all about show with them both— “all hat and no cattle” is a phrase that comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. Do you think the Hatmakers ever get tired of posing all the time? It must be so exhausting always trying to present a false front to the world. Everything is a calculation. Everything is about trying, desperately, to make themselves feel like they are truly good people, the best partners, the best parents, super successful in all that they do, with all best besties, the most fantastic friend and family networks, the deepest and most real and true faiths.

All this constant striving and grasping when deep down they know they’re frauds who’s basic business model is exploitation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like identifying yourself as “codependent” is really just an excuse to be a selfish a-hole?

The term is based in reality and has tons of merit. I grew up in a home with great parents…and my dad was an alcoholic who depended on my mother to keep our life together despite his addiction. She was 100% co-dependent and it really set a bad example for my siblings and I. So, I’m 100% supportive of the book/concept and have lived it all myself. But JH makes it all “extra” and is throwing her daughter under the bus along the way.

I 100% agree with this concept as well since I lived it with my parents. My mom enabled both my dad and brother for different reasosn. Unhealthy but how she survived.

But what I'm hearing is that Jen has lived a fake life for a long time, covering up and enabling. I think she was trying to keep an image together too. That's sad. But that doesn't mean she needs to thow her kids under the bus.

I think she can share this concept and self growth because she has a platform to share this info, but not bring in her kids. Personally I'm fine with her sharing about Brandon, he's an adult and can own the consequences.

And I'm pretty sure that I would be shocked or disappointed by all the authors , influencers, etc that I follow online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like identifying yourself as “codependent” is really just an excuse to be a selfish a-hole?

The term is based in reality and has tons of merit. I grew up in a home with great parents…and my dad was an alcoholic who depended on my mother to keep our life together despite his addiction. She was 100% co-dependent and it really set a bad example for my siblings and I. So, I’m 100% supportive of the book/concept and have lived it all myself. But JH makes it all “extra” and is throwing her daughter under the bus along the way.

I 100% agree with this concept as well since I lived it with my parents. My mom enabled both my dad and brother for different reasosn. Unhealthy but how she survived.

But what I'm hearing is that Jen has lived a fake life for a long time, covering up and enabling. I think she was trying to keep an image together too. That's sad. But that doesn't mean she needs to thow her kids under the bus.

I think she can share this concept and self growth because she has a platform to share this info, but not bring in her kids. Personally I'm fine with her sharing about Brandon, he's an adult and can own the consequences.

My opinion: In general, we give way too much credit to these influencers, athletes, celebrities, politicians, the very wealthy. They are fallible like anyone else. Plus they usually aren’t all that smart— they have charisma, the gift of gab, a special skill that has nothing with being a good person or role model (don’t get me wrong- some are very good people and are authentic). Jen was likely very popular, her father put her (and all her siblings) on an unrealistic pedestal and she is very pretty with a great inviting smile. She learned from an early age she could charm the pants off of anyone and used her gift of storytelling to make a great life for herself and her family. But, she isn’t immune to any of life’s pitfalls that we all are trying to avoid. When the trauma hit her, her entire life was and was already out there for all of us to scrutinize. And, we love to see a train wreck happen to celebs. But we gave her this power. She’s no different and no more special than any of us. But, we helped inflate her already overinflated ego that she’s always likely had. She’s smart, but she’s no genius. Why don’t we hold the truly genius of our population in such regard? There are nerds and thought leaders who are brilliant- and we don’t pay them any mind. Why? Because they’re normally introverted, socially awkward, perhaps don’t care for the latest fashion or ascribe to pop culture. Those are the people we should elevate- not a mega athlete, or super model, or a “Christian-y” woman from the Midwest/Texas who spins a good yarn.



And I'm pretty sure that I would be shocked or disappointed by all the authors , influencers, etc that I follow online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever Brandon did, there had to be a financial component. Whether it was gambling or he just had hidden debt, she is working hard to pay it off. She sold the lake house, her car, and started hustling to make $$$. I always thought she seemed like a narcissist, but she’s definitely trying to make money because she needs it.

Addictions can be very costly. Pills - needed in higher and higher amounts, purchased off market - can drain resources very quickly, for example.
In Jens interview with Glennon she mentioned brushing-off weird/silly behavior in her marriage at the end - it made me think of someone on medication or in the midst of addiction.

[Anonymous]

I watched her quick video today where she is in the backyard and I just can't get past (1) her "preening" and mannerisms - such as always playing with her hair, and standing in weird poses; and (2) that she is outdoors working in the yard with FULL make-up and hair done. To me, the makeup was completely over the top.

[Anonymous]

Brandon’s latest IG post about his girlfriend seems like a direct shot at Jen. They are definitely playing this out in social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brandon’s latest IG post about his girlfriend seems like a direct shot at Jen. They are definitely playing this out in social media.

Well she's taken a lot of potshots at him so I don't blame him for a dig. She needs to stop with the jabs and move on.

[Anonymous]

Lol. A Me Course about parenting? That’s rich.

[Anonymous]

Can we also acknowledge how Jen’s appearance seemed to change post Brandon’s new girlfriend? Hair super blonde, lost a bunch of weight etc. I feel zero chemistry between she and Tyler, and I’m always suspicious of someone who constantly tells the world how perfect their relationship is. She still pining for Brandon, I don’t care what she posts. I also wish we could hear Brandon’s version, because I’m 99% sure it would paint her in a negative light.

[Anonymous]

Can we also acknowledge how Jen’s appearance seemed to change post Brandon’s new girlfriend? Hair super blonde, lost a bunch of weight etc. I feel zero chemistry between she and Tyler, and I’m always suspicious of someone who constantly tells the world how perfect their relationship is. She still pining for Brandon, I don’t care what she posts. I also wish we could hear Brandon’s version, because I’m 99% sure it would paint her in a negative light.


So true! +1

[Anonymous]

Definitely not buying the Tyler relationship. He seems super genuine. He needs to run!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we also acknowledge how Jen’s appearance seemed to change post Brandon’s new girlfriend? Hair super blonde, lost a bunch of weight etc. I feel zero chemistry between she and Tyler, and I’m always suspicious of someone who constantly tells the world how perfect their relationship is. She still pining for Brandon, I don’t care what she posts. I also wish we could hear Brandon’s version, because I’m 99% sure it would paint her in a negative light.

Take everything she says about Tyler and substitute Brandon’s name and that’s what we’ve heard the last 20 years. Same circus, different clown.