When was the last time you wrote a love letter to your family, telling them about the life lessons you've learned that you'd like to pass on? When was the last time you shared your values? Your memories? The things that you don't want your family to forget, even after you're gone? Welcome to the second episode of our four-part series that we're calling What to Know Before You Go. In this episode, we shift gears from leaving the gift of advance directives for your families to the gift of ethical ...
Apr 11, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 182
Death. It's the one thing we can count on and the one thing we'd like to avoid. So we try not to think about it, talk about it or plan for it. As a result, difficult conversations go unspoken and last wishes go unknown - further complicating the emotional, stressful, and heartbreaking process of death. In this inaugural series of the podcast, we're focusing on the critical issues we all face at some point in our lives, either personally or on behalf of a loved one. We're calling the series "What...
Apr 04, 2023•49 min•Season 5Ep. 181
So often we look at our lives as ordinary and uneventful. We don’t see ourselves as artistic, or talented, and we question if anyone would be interested in what we have to say. Our guest, BJ Jewett, is a gifted author and photographer who put these doubts aside and shared her talents with the world. In 2017, BJ published Letter Trees , a beautifully photographed book encouraging readers to discover all the letter trees of the alphabet while on walks in nature. In 2022, BJ wrote another book, thi...
Mar 28, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 180
This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter for The Problem With Perfect. With Denise Bickel now a permanent co-host, we are excited to bring you Season 5 of the podcast and all that comes with the rebirth of something we love. But the podcast isn't the only thing being renewed right now. It's officially Spring and everything is coming alive: the trees bud, flowers bloom, and green grass appears under our feet. We anxiously await longer days, warmer weather, and beautiful sunsets – gifts t...
Mar 21, 2023•50 min•Season 5Ep. 179
This week’s podcast is both a look back and a look ahead. As many of you know, Rachel has been on sabbatical for the past few months taking some time to prioritize her time and talents. How did someone so young get so wise? We could all use that kind of wisdom and forethought. Join us as we catch up with Rachel to take a walk down memory lane and learn more about her plans for the future. In addition, drum roll please, we are announcing our vision and direction for The Problem With Perfect going...
Mar 14, 2023•49 min•Season 4Ep. 178
Do you find yourself putting things off until the last minute? Me too. I am not proud to admit it, but I am a chronic procrastinator. But what's the harm, anyway? How bad can procrastination be? It turns out that procrastination is connected to anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. So, if you're putting off doing your taxes, starting that project, or having a tough conversation, this episode will resonate with you. In it, Denise and I discuss the things people procrastinate the most and dig ...
Mar 07, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 177
Fred Parry enjoys being a man-about-town. As such, a lot of people think they know him. I often beg to differ. Fred was one of my first bosses. In a city filled with journalists, he gave me my “big break” and believed in me when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself. His faith in me changed my life and faith in God changed his. Join us for this episode as I pull back the curtain and get personal about Fred’s faith, battling his demons and how everyone can benefit from men having deeper, more accoun...
Feb 28, 2023•52 min•Season 4Ep. 176
If you had told me 29 years ago when Tom and I got married that we would get to attend the Super Bowl AND cheer our beloved Kansas City Chiefs to a victory, I would have thought that was the craziest thing I'd ever heard. But guess what? That's precisely what we did last week and it was an absolute dream come true! Join us for this episode as Denise asks me all the questions about this once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will cherish forever. And be sure to listen to the end and find out what h...
Feb 21, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 175
Songs tell us that love will keep us together. First Corinthians tells us love is patient, love is kind. Hallmark tells us Valentine’s Day is a holiday replete with beautiful flowers and romantic verses. But what do we really believe to be true about love? Not on the one day a year dedicated to love, but on the other 364? When there are financial struggles, illness, competing careers, and babies and children demanding our time and attention? Where’s the love then? This week's episode is a Valent...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Season 4Ep. 174
Leslie Knope, a fictional character played by Amy Poehler, brought the idea of Galentine's Day to life in a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation. In it, she described what February 13 is truly all about: “Ladies celebrating ladies." In true Leslie Knope fashion, welcome to the Galentine's episode of The Problem With Perfect. In this episode, Kate Lunn and Jill Sartain, friends and co-owners of the online boutique Jillian Kate, inspire us with the secret to their long-lasting, life-changing frien...
Feb 07, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 173
The world tells us that we need to DO it all and HAVE it all to be enough. As a result, many of us struggle to chase success and the almighty dollar that comes with it. We marvel at our stuff and want others to do the same. Or we compare ourselves to others and wonder why we can't afford what everyone else has. Financial stress can cause insomnia, prompt us to battle anxiety and feelings of shame and hopelessness, and cost us our most important relationships. Yet, we still find it difficult to d...
Jan 31, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 172
Have you heard? Public health experts now define loneliness as an epidemic in our country. But just what is an epidemic? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says epidemics can refer to a disease or other specific health-related behavior (smoking, for example) with rates clearly above the expected occurrence in a community or region. This is why in a country where the internet and cell phones connect nearly everyone, it's shocking to learn that 1 in 3 Americans is lonely. What's ...
Jan 24, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 171
In Genesis 2 God said it is not good for man to be alone, but let's face it; relationships are hard. They require constant nurturing and consistent effort. But how do we nurture them? And how do we begin to right our wrongs and begin again with a clean slate? In this episode, Dr. Denise Bickel is back as Robin's guest co-host and they discuss this and much more. Whether we want to strengthen our relationship with our spouse or improve one with a child, parent, sibling, co-worker, or friend, this...
Jan 17, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 170
And just like that it's nearly the middle of January. Do you know what that means? It means that the majority of New Year's resolutions are starting to unravel, leaving us once again feeling defeated and discouraged. But don't despair, there's still time to rethink your resolution and transform it into an aspiration that provides productive direction to 2023. Not sure the difference between a resolution and an aspiration or why you should care? Join Robin with guest co-host Dr. Denise Bickel as ...
Jan 10, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 169
Happy New Year from The Problem With Perfect! Another year is upon us and with it, we are hopefully gifted with 365 days to make this world a better place. So, how will you do it? How will you be intentional with your days? What will help you stay focused and determined to reach your goals? For us, we have found choosing a word for the year helps us do just this. A word that gives life to our hopes and dreams for the year; a word that helps us process all that God has in store for us as each day...
Jan 03, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 168
Choosing a word for the year has become an annual ritual for many of us who want an alternative to the traditional New Year’s resolution. So we pick a word as a way to help set our intentions for the year: our North Star to keep us on track. But before we embark on the process for the year ahead, it’s helpful to reflect on the year behind. How did we do keeping our word at the forefront? Letting it help guide our yes’s and no’s? Join Robin and her guest co-host Dr. Denise Bickel as they share th...
Dec 27, 2022•35 min•Season 4Ep. 167
Have you found yourself experiencing a dull ache this holiday season? Or maybe you're frequently on the verge of tears? Or ready to scream at someone at the drop of a hat? Or maybe you're just so tired that you can barely force yourself to get out of bed, let alone do Christmas shopping. If so, then you may be experiencing what psychologists call Anticipatory Grief. In this episode, Dr. Denise Bickel is back with Robin to share her lifetime of experiences around this subject. In it, they discuss...
Dec 20, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 166
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, or is it? For many of us, Christmas reminds us of people lost, broken relationships, and dreams unfulfilled. It's a time when all is supposed to be hopeful and bright, yet the pain of living in this broken world threatens to overshadow any holiday cheer. So how do people find hope, even in the hopeless? In this episode, we interview Dr. Mark Vellek, an oncologist and friend who daily has to deliver devastating news. How does he remain positive du...
Dec 13, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 165
Don't know what ikigai is? Neither did I until I was put on the hot seat in this week's episode. Interviewed by Dr. Denise Bickel, I share the details of a significant career change I've recently made in an effort to fully embrace my ikigai (pronounced icky guy). Simply put, ikigai is a Japanese term for your purpose; what gives your life meaning. For me, as another birthday is celebrated, I realize I have a greater sense of urgency to achieve ikigai in all areas of my life, including my career....
Dec 06, 2022•41 min•Season 4Ep. 164
I had a trainer years ago whose mantra was, "May things be happening just the way you planned them." His words still haunt me as my days turn into years and years into decades. The older I get, the more I realize that if I don't plan it, it doesn't happen. And if doesn't happen now, when will it? If you're ready to take charge and stop letting time pass without making the most of it, then this episode is exactly what you need. Krista Kippenger, a mom, wife, seasoned business owner and visionary ...
Nov 29, 2022•55 min•Season 4Ep. 163
Happy Thanksgiving! This week marks the official start of the 2022 Holiday season and the beginning of a six-week eating fest. And as delicious as that sounds, for many of us, the holiday eating season brings more than just extra calories. The guilt, shame, and anxiety around what we are eating and drinking and how it might derail any progress we've made around controlling our eating habits can suck the joy right out of the holiday season. Here to help us in this episode is Registered Dietician ...
Nov 22, 2022•40 min•Season 4Ep. 162
Tonya and Jason Goodin's lives are divided distinctly into befor e and after and the divider is something unimaginable. Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) is an ultra-rare disease that attacks children and leads to premature and horrific death. The chances of it striking your children are about one in a million and a half. Despite these odds, not one, but both of the Goodins' children were diagnosed with this beast of disease in 2019 at the tender ages of 8 and 6. Since then, the Goodins have b...
Nov 15, 2022•48 min•Season 4Ep. 161
Nov 08, 2022•33 min
Nov 01, 2022•15 min
In her recent blog post, Dr. Denise Bickel contemplates a quote she heard on a podcast: "You’ll have a happier life if you are an optimist. Choose that.” Not an optimist by nature, Denise explores what it means to be an optimist, a pessimist, and a realist. This week, Denise joins Robin on the podcast to further the conversation. If you've ever wondered where you're at on the optimist/pessimist scale and how it impacts your life - then this episode is one you won't want to miss. Special Guest: D...
Oct 25, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 158
Sources cited: Atlantic Article: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/07/why-success-wont-make-you-happy/614731/ The Drive Podcast : https://peterattiamd.com/arthurbrooks/ If you achieve success, you'll finally be happy, right? Wrong. In this episode, Rachel breaks down the meaning of success addiction. You'll discover what it is, how to tell if you have it, and what to do about it in order to realign your priorities. Thanks to Dr. Arthur Brooks for the content of this episode! Please...
Oct 19, 2022•17 min•Season 3Ep. 157
Pride issues threaten nearly every main character in the Bible, so why wouldn't we think they would us as well? If you're wondering how pride shows up in your life, then this episode is for you. Join us for a conversation about the ways pride is threatening our spiritual and emotional health, even when we don't realize it - and how we can overcome it.
Oct 10, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 156
We're all getting older. Some of us are having "BIG" birthdays, and others are becoming wives and mothers. As we mature, are there things we shouldn't wear based on our stage in life? Or should fashion always be defined by what makes you feel good? Join us for this cross-generational conversation as we ponder all of this and why Tik Tok might be the best place to help answer all your fashion questions.
Oct 04, 2022•45 min•Season 3Ep. 155
Psychologists tell us that perfectionism is often rooted in trauma and is connected to our need for survival and safety. Designed to help us fly under the radar to avoid negative attention, perfectionism may protect us from others but eventually can hurt how we relate to ourselves. The habitual need for things to be perfect can leave us unraveling and feeling like we're not enough. Join us for this episode as we discuss our own trauma experiences that have impacted our tendency for perfectionism...
Sep 27, 2022•46 min•Season 3Ep. 154
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has caused many of us to pause and reflect inward on our own lives and our impact on the world around us. It’s been said that we can’t all live extraordinary lives (like she did), but we can all do small things that are extraordinary. Join us for this episode as we consider three simple ways we can be an inspiration to others and in doing so- make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
Sep 20, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 153
