Do you often find yourself struggling to maintain focus or feeling mentally drained?

If your answer is yes, then buckle your seatbelt. This episode will take you on a ride your brain and body have been waiting for! Join us as Dr. Janine Stichter, an expert on human behavior, joins us to navigate the mental mazes that lead us toward or away from our peak cognitive potential.

Learn how to harness the benefits of sleep, hydration, and nutrition, and incorporate them into even the most hectic schedules. Hope, humor, and humanity intersect as we reveal our personal struggles with mindfulness and the adaptations we've made to keep our bodies moving in harmony with our mental needs.

This episode isn't just about the internal journey; it's about the external connections that shape us. Discover how the 'why' behind our actions can be the compass towards meaningful lifestyle changes and how habits can build or break our most valuable relationships. 

Whether you're seeking solidarity in shared experiences or just a good read with our Problem with Perfect Book Club, we invite you to find solace, support, and maybe a little laughter in our community. Remember, the journey towards a balanced life doesn't have to be perfect.

Special Guest
Dr. Janine Stichter has been in the field of behavior change for over 20 years as a researcher, author, educator, and executive coach.  She specializes in understanding behavior and developing practical, sustainable change strategies for organizational health. Connect with her on Facebook (janine.stichter.1) and Instagram (drjaninestichter) or her website JSAdvantages.com

Show Notes:

To view the video teaching this episode is based on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GsCYEPNLh0

The app that Dr. Stichter refers to as an aid to help her relax: New Calm

If you've ever felt like your words were lost in translation, you're not alone.

Join us as we unpack the complexities of communication in our latest episode of The Problem with Perfect. From the silent messages we send with our eyes to the unintended signals we give with a sigh, we're diving into the nonverbal cues that make or break our daily interactions. Discover how your communication style holds the key to stronger relationships and how even the smallest gestures can speak volumes. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it, and we're here to guide you through mastering this delicate dance.

We're sharing our own experiences, the highs and lows, and even our scores from a communication quiz that might just inspire a moment of self-reflection for you too. So grab a notepad, tune in, and join our virtual community as we embark on a collective quest to fine-tune the instrument that is our ability to communicate. It's an episode that promises to resonate with anyone who's ever searched for the right words at the right time.

Show Notes:

Are you a good communicator? Take this quiz and find out!
https://www.mindtools.com/a3y5cte/how-good-are-your-communication-skills

Lack of Communication is one of the Leading Causes of Divorce:
https://marciamediation.co.uk/lack-of-communication-is-one-of-the-lead-causes-of-divorce

Think You're a Good Communicator? Better Think Again:
https://www.inc.com/ilya-pozin/think-youre-a-good-communicator-better-think-again.html

Statistics on Workplace Communication:
https://www.apollotechnical.com/workplace-communication-statistics

To watch Brene Brown's video on empathy vs. sympathy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ

Navigating the financial landscape at any stage of life can be daunting. While situations may change, the pressures remain the same, as well as the cultural messages that tell us we need to have more to be more. 

In this episode, we discover the hidden connection between money and self-worth as we're joined by financial therapist Khara Croswaite Brindle. 

We tackle the emotional weight of managing money through evolving life chapters, from the youthful skepticism about the value of traditional milestones to the introspective middle age when retirement isn't just a distant concept but a looming reality. Khara introduces us to the empowering practice of conscious spending and challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to success, encouraging a life measured in quality, not just quantifiable assets.

Khara also introduces us to the concept of "loud budgeting", which may be the key to unlocking a harmonious financial relationship that allows us to find stability in the ebb and flow of personal finance. 

Special Guest
Khara Croswaite Brindle, MA, LPC, ACS, CFT-I is passionate about turning pain points into possibilities for mental health and financial therapist professionals. She is a TEDx Speaker, Licensed Mental Health Therapist, and Financial Therapist in Colorado. Khara enjoys various roles as a serial entrepreneur, author, professional speaker, professor, and consultant. She is originally from the Pacific Northwest and gets her best ideas walking outside and being around water. When Khara’s not writing her next book or supporting fellow professional helpers on their own self-discovery journeys, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, and indulging in gluttonous, gluten-free desserts with her family.

To contact Khara or learn more about her services, go to:
https://croswaitecounselingpllc.com/

Every victory, on the field or in life, carries its own story—ours is no exception. As the confetti settles from the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win, Robin, Denise, and Rachel gather to share the intersection of triumph and trial that marks such monumental moments.

But this episode isn't just a toast to sports and celebrities; it's a holistic look at wellness, from the empowering clang of weightlifting plates to the quiet introspection of journaling. We're assessing our fitness journeys and the evolving narrative of self-care, as we wade through the waters of body positivity and personal acceptance, shaped by our past experiences.

Join us as we navigate the many avenues of self-care and are reminded that the mind and spirit need as much nurturing as the body. This is an invitation to a community that celebrates life's wins, supports through its losses, and finds strength in every challenge.

Guest Contributor:
Rachel Keller: Rachel is an original co-founder of this podcast and is currently the marketing director for a company based in Kansas City. She's also a thought leader in AI and is passionate about empowering women.

Check out the free online course on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction that Denise recommends here:
https://palousemindfulness.com/

We spend more time at work than we do anywhere else so it's no surprise that our work greatly influences our self-worth. 

In this episode, we bring three generations together to discuss how to embrace self-love and align our work with our personal goals. With a rich tapestry of experiences in journalism, pharmaceutical sales, clinical therapy, and marketing, we've seen firsthand the importance of pursuing a job that encourages growth and resonates with one's values.

Whether you're eyeing a career change or simply seeking to enhance your current role, this episode is packed with wisdom for walking your professional path with intention and integrity as we search for more authentic self-love. 

Special Guest: Rachel Keller

This month we are focusing on self-love and acceptance at every age, sharing the perspectives of three generations as we explore societal issues that affect each of us in similar and dissimilar ways. For this series, we welcome back Rachel Keller, who offers a millennial viewpoint, while Robin represents the Gen X perspective, and Denise with Boomer’s insight.

Our first episode focuses on issues every woman experiences throughout her lifetime -beauty and body image. It turns out that embracing the skin you're in and the person staring back from the mirror is no small feat - no matter what your age. 

Strap in for an honest examination of how we respond to a world that calls for cosmetic enhancements, and the burden it places on our shoulders. It's a raw look at the choices we make for our bodies, drawing the line between indulging in self-care and maintaining essential health, and how we uplift our confidence when faced with ageism and the push to conform.

Join us for a conversation that promises to leave you reflecting on your own perceptions of beauty, self-care, and the journey to loving the person you become at every age.

Special Guest: Rachel Keller

Have you ever found yourself smiling at the simplest of pleasures, like the sun breaking through the clouds or the smell of rain on the pavement? 

This episode celebrates those moments, called "glimmers" by scientists, that brighten our days and bolster our spirits. In our discussion, we learn about tuning into the subtle yet impactful ways our nervous system responds to glimmers and uncover how they can help lead to a more peaceful and satisfying life.




Show Notes:

Discovering Your Glimmers: Finding Moments of Joy, by Joyce Marter:

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/glimmers/#:~:text=Glimmers%20refer%20to%20the%20moments,that%20can%20give%20us%20hope

Know Your Glimmers:
https://www.neurodiversityeducationacademy.org/post/know-your-glimmers

Ever felt like the quest for perfection is more of a curse than a blessing, especially when it comes to your career and emotional well-being? Join us as we navigate these treacherous waters, with Nancy Yeager, the entrepreneurial spirit behind two Fleet Feet stores, guiding us through her inspiring transition from a stable job to a fulfilling career aligned with her passions. 

Also in this episode, we tackle the cold realities of staying active in winter and discuss the vital importance of finding purpose in our work, all while celebrating Nancy's success and dedication to helping others reach their goals. 

So, lace up your favorite running shoes, grab a pair of earbuds, and let’s explore this episode together.

As we embark on a new year, we often find ourselves asking what it would take for us to fulfill our deep spiritual longings. This episode is your invitation to walk with us and the remarkable Beth Bramstedt as we unwrap the complexities of identity, legacy, and purpose. With Beth's wisdom in spiritual formation and church ministry, we're ushering in an empowering discussion to rekindle the joy and vitality in these essential facets of our lives.

In this episode, we recognize that spiritual practice isn't confined to quiet rooms and closed eyes, but is often found in the everyday hustle. From the transformation of scripture to setting intentions that turn mundane moments into divine encounters, we're redefining what it means to connect with the higher power in our daily lives. Listen as we highlight the personal nature of spirituality, where intentionality and openness pave the way to experiencing the divine in all things.

This heartfelt episode promises laughter, tears, and a renewed sense of what it truly means to live a spiritually enriched life.

Special Guest
Beth Bramstedt is the Church Life Pastor and a member of the executive team at Christian Fellowship Church in Columbia, MO. Beth grew up in Kansas City, moved to Ozark for high school, and moved to Columbia to study journalism at the University of Missouri. Beth has more than 25 years of experience in ministry and joined the staff of Christian Fellowship in March of 2020, overseeing the area of spiritual formation. Beth and her husband Chris and I have two grown sons, and two grandchildren and are currently enjoying life as empty nesters!

Beth believes that all people matter to God and were created with a unique purpose. She is passionate about helping people discover that purpose and develop it for the sake of others. Beth enjoys writing, traveling the world, listening to country music, studying theology, trying local restaurants, devouring Christian fiction, and hanging out with friends and family. She is a storyteller at heart and loves hearing, sharing, and experiencing what makes each of us unique. 

What is it about the New Year that inspires us to focus on every little thing we don’t like about ourselves? Why do we start each year ‘doggedly determined’ to fix every flaw? (In case you didn’t know…doggedly determined is a synonym for the word resolution…as in New Year’s resolution.) Who wants to start another trip around the sun doggedly determined to do anything? Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Join us on this episode as we encourage each other to ditch resolutions and make a case for why aspirations and intentions serve us better. Aspirations focus on hope, self-compassion, and kindness. We set our intentions on what we want more of in our life, not those things that tell us we are not enough.

As always, we promise to be transparent and real. To that end, we will be reviewing our Words for 2023 and discussing how they impacted our lives. We will also share our Words for 2024.

We would love for you to email us at TheProblemWithPerfect@gmail.com to share your word for the New Year. (And if you are having difficulty choosing a word, email us at TheProblemWithPerfect@gmail.com and we will send you a wonderful guide Robin created to help you choose the perfect word for 2024.)

This episode is an invitation to pause, breathe, and embrace God’s gift of another year. May we cherish each moment anchored in faith and a desire to live life to the fullest. Happy New Word!


Show Notes:
To read the article about New Year's resolution we discuss, go to:
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/