Never Perfect

In his mid 40s, Jeff Barry, an “oops” baby, became passionate about his life story, the heroes and the villains he’d encountered, and the life lessons along the way. His book “Go to Hell Ole Miss” is clearly a passion project, and one that he couldn’t sit down until he got it almost perfect. An editor told him it was ready to publish about a year into the process, but he spent another seven years developing the characters in a “pitch perfect “ way, according to a fellow author. Somehow, Jeff manages to tackle big picture issues such as racism, misogyny, southern culture, religion, and family dysfunction in an entertaining way. Jeff poured himself into this project, even talking to the characters out loud while he was writing the story. He even shares his struggle with depression when the project was over. Check out his website HERE Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Beth asks dietitian Ellie, Paulauskaite for her top 10 pieces of nutrition advice. Ellie provides some amazing and simple guidelines to help with a big picture approach to giving our bodies what they need. Her advice includes: 1) eating whole grains instead of refined grains 2) making sure that half of your plate includes veggies and fruits, especially veggies 3) having small amounts of protein at every meal 4) mindful, eating, slowing down and being aware of and grateful for what you’re eating 5) having fermented foods daily in order to improve gut health 6) The three pillars of a healthy lifestyle include nutrition (eg, a Mediterranean diet), movement, and community/connection 7) limiting overprocessed food (and explaining what that means) 8) meal prepping and having quick/realistic “go to” recipes 9) eat the colors of the rainbow for more variety and diversity 10) keep an eye on your bowel movements because they can tell you a lot about your health and nutrition. (number 10 gave Beth an opportunity to show her immature side with a little giggle, partly because Ellie added this 10th one unexpectedly.) If you would like to set up a consultation with Ellie, you can check out her website sceniccitynutrition.com or email her at [email protected] or call/text her at 423-708-2322 Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chad talks about his journey as an Enneagram Four and coming into his own as an adult, recognizing his tendencies and passions, and how they affected his relationships. As a teenager and young adult, he was reluctant to pursue some of his passions, like poetry, that didn’t seem very welcomed in masculine culture. He also talks about his Enneagram subtype as a Sexual (One to One) type, and the way it shapes his Four-ness. After a "wake up call” with a near death experience while paddle boarding the Ocoee River last summer, Chad has a renewed sense of self, including integrating his shadow, and other challenging soul work. He recites two poems for memory during the interview, and talks about how the ego rather than the soul wants to do everything at once. Beth talks about how she “can’t “seem to make herself do what she knows she is supposed to do or what is good for her consistently, but she should have said “I don’t “instead of “I can’t “or that it’s difficult…" Check out Big Self School and Dr. Chad Prevost's website Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Matt Monahan returns for another interview with Dr. Beth, following a great conversation on the Never Perfect Faith podcast on 6/20/24 entitled “Allowing hard questions and honest answers.” So many men find it difficult to face their pain and be vulnerable, and Matt is willing to share his story of growing up with childhood abandonment and emotional neglect. He barely knew his father, and has spent most of his life, wondering if he is good enough. He realized that his feelings about his father translated into his assumptions about God, which unconsciously happens for many. He felt that “if God existed, he would be a capricious and attentive military “type of person. Matt discusses how his insecurity and self loathing translated into his 25 year marriage. He discusses various triggers, including his wife, rejecting, sexual intimacy, and the despair that followed. He talked about the relationship challenges that presented during Covid, and the unexpected healing that came as a result of having more time for introspection. Tune in to hear how Matt pursued healing through self help and faith. And if you want to check out his artwork, go to his website at themightybluegill.com Follow Matt on instagram @themightybluegill Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Beth, interviews 2 brave and insightful teenagers (clients who are friends with eachother) who are willing to share their battles with mental health issues, body positivity struggles, etc. Charlie and Emie share their process of learning to value their package deal of strengths and weaknesses, managing social stressors and FOMO, discussing the impact of social media with these issues, and a few other topics. Also, both Charlie and Emie highly recommend the Finch app as a way to improve healthy habits and mental health. On this app is a daily quote, and Emie shared a recent one by Socrates which related to today’s discussion, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” Check out FINCH Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scottie Bowman is an entrepreneur and restaurant owner today, but 22 years ago, after beginning her recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, she developed a passion for starting a rehabilitation center of some kind so that she could help women like herself. In 2019, her dream finally came true when she and her dream team of friends and colleagues, developed a 12-step based sober living home for women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. In today’s episode, Scottie shares her addiction story and the ongoing mission of the Launch pad. “The Launch Pad is a non-profit organization dedicated to launching women out of addiction and into the healing power of a 12-step sober living program. We provide housing, mentorship, and workforce development that is nurtured with love, support, and structure. Success in our program fosters a strong belief in oneself, allowing our residents to become more productive members of the community while igniting a sense of purpose, sustainability, and empowerment.” Learn more about the Launch Pad at www.lpchatt.org Also if you live in Chattanooga or you want to make a road trip, please join us at their annual charity auction and concert on August 10 called “The Teal”! Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sydney Guerette, founder of the Be The Change Youth Initiative, shares the reasons her family began a quest when she and her brother were teenagers of traveling the country, writing music and speaking to other teenagers about mental health issues and how they can make a difference in their everyday lives. Sydney believes that “all youth should be seen, heard, and loved,” as well as empowered “to become advocates for their communities.“ The Executive Director of Hands and Feet Project (Mark Stuart) said that Sydney‘s work is “proving that youth truly have the power to impact the lives of people all around the world.” Find more information and how you can volunteer or donate at bethechangeyi.com Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today the hosts of Enneagram + Yoga, Christy Bonner and Kat Smith, return to the show to discuss the unique challenges of different Enneagram types to tune into their bodies. They describe each type briefly and how they can find ways to get centered and listen to their body. They also have a fun discussion about sex and intimacy related to embodiment and the enneagram types. Beth talks about the value of practicing the opposite of your normal tendencies as a way to grow. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this short episode, Beth attempts to explain the impact of the nervous system on anxiety levels. She describes the speeding up (the sympathetic process) and the slowing down, a compensatory mode (parasympathetic) and how it relates to the fight flight and freeze responses that we have. Sometimes our nervous systems speed up because we encounter real danger or situations we fear and sometimes we have anxious thoughts or fears that cause us to go into fight or flight. Beth talks about how we can unknowingly put ourselves into panic mode or fear mode because of our thoughts and associations. She explains how our nervous systems try to prepare for danger by being hypervigilant, and how this relates to social anxiety. Some techniques can help us put our nervous systems in a calmer state. Other people may also try to read our facial expressions and nonverbal cues to try to figure out whether we are safe or not. A few client examples that relate to these concepts, including the emotional labels that we put on our heightened nervous system states. Remember trauma nervous system. Non-verbal communication Training How does your body respond to dangers? Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is more of an informational discussion on inpatient treatment and intensive outpatient treatment, for those who need more than just standard counseling and therapy . Beth interviews staff from local facility Erlanger Behavioral Health CEO Robin Weagley and Business Development Director Roberto Garcia, and they discuss the differences between inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment. They provide suggestions on how to determine whether someone needs varying levels of care. Erlanger Behavioral Health VISIT HERE Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, dr. Beth interviews Brittanee Estes, a marriage and family therapist, who deals with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. Brittanie describes the autism spectrum and the criteria/categories used to diagnose it. The first category relates to difficulty understanding and maintaining relationships, and trouble understanding, nonverbal cues. The second category relates to repetitive motor movements, flexibility, with routines, fixated, interests, and sensory issues. And of course, Dr. Beth shares, professional and personal stories to illustrate. Brittanie talks about how she uses family systems work to help the families understand the disorder and how to work with it. She also works with clients to help regulate their nervous system and to help their family members go regulate with them. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very short episode, Beth was so inspired immediately following a counseling session with a man in his late 60s that she wanted to record this podcast. Her client Joe is blind and has had two organ transplants and faced much adversity due to health problems. And yet he, a retired chemist and chef, continues to develop proactive ideas to help inner city and aging people get access to better nutrition. During their counseling session, he shared a YouTube video, by Admiral William McRaven, called “One Person Can Change the World: The Power of Hope” with tears streaming down his face. It was very powerful for Beth to see a man who struggles to walk and to see, and how he’s still trying to change the world, one step at a time. These are the types of conversations that Beth feels are so sacred they must be shared with others. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Joe Timberlake returns to Never Perfect for a conversation about addiction recovery and recovery (previous podcast, was called “The Journey to Good Enough”). Joe has been in recovery for about 35 years, and he talks about his journey as a sponsor and a sponsee, and what that looks like. Beth and Joe talk about a little bit of everything related to Recovery. Including conversation about the attempt to fill our voids, imposter syndrome, Dumping your pain, connection and isolation, dropoing the rock, asking God to.remove our defects of character, a problem shared is a problem halved, isolation, shame and self hatred, assuming sponsors are too busy or they aren’t important enough , looking for something to fill your void or satisfy the existential ache inside you, engaging with others, the rules of engagement, the power of sharing things out loud, the importance of accepting powerlessness, that’s when it’s unmanageable, positive rules of engagement, etc. Joe has a wealth of wisdom and experience to share. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Physical therapist and former NFL player Nic Colbert shares his life story and mental health of battling depression from early childhood through the present. Nic vulnerably shares his experience of shame, low self-worth, and self harm over the years and how he has grown and use therapy over the last seven years to get to his healthiest place. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tiffany Dorizas, wife and mother of 5 adolescents, has a refreshing perspective on hospitality, and takes a casual approach to having people over and gives herself permission to never make it perfect. That’s why she posts videos on social media about how to make it easy. Very few people have the gift of hospitality, but maybe that would change if we shifted our view of it and the implications of it. Perfectionism is one of the biggest obstacles. Letting others into your home and into your space creates connection and a sense of belonging, like being part of your family. We all want to feel like part of others lives and so many people are lonely. It still means a lot to be invited, even if the house is messy, and the food gets burnt! Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second episode with Jason, a middle aged carpenter, he shares his story about being on the brink of divorce, and how he and his wife turned things around in just a few short months. This was accomplished by starting to dialogue with his wife about the false assumptions and narratives, and gradually building a new connection Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 1 with Jason, a middle aged carpenter: In this episode, he describes how he benefited from therapy as an adolescent, and again in adulthood. Growing up, he developed a lot of false assumptions and unhealthy narratives; he often felt like a disappointment to his parents, and assumed they were more proud of his sisters, and of him. He realized, “I never developed healthy ways of communicating so all I had left was to assume. Assumptions have really dug me into holes my entire life.” He talked about feeling like a failure in school and then again, professionally as a line cook, but eventually , he says “a lot of things changed for me when I gave up on trying to please my parents. “He now realizes that it’s important to do things for himself, and not based on false (or true) narratives about what others want. Feel free to pick your favorite title or create a better one! Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a comical discussion about “dry January” and the health benefits of not drinking, Beth and Kat (certified Enneagram teacher and co-host of the Enneagram + Yoga podcast) launch into a discussion about how the Enneagram helps us “ understand the motivations, the fears, and behaviors of people that you’re in relationship with, and have kindness and compassion for that because they are different from you and they see things different and they are motivated and fearful about different things”. Many of us naturally gravitate toward a person who has strengths and qualities that we don’t possess, but these differences often result in a disconnect down the road if communication skills are lacking (as they generally are, in most relationships!). The very differences that attract us to people can eventually drive us apart or drive us crazy! The Gottmans’ state that couples can work through “ perpetual issues and unsolvable problems” by dialoguing about them to get unstuck and change your perception about them. Kat works with couples as an Enneagram coach to help them “be their best self and their most authentic self “by helping them understand questions like “what makes you tick? Why do you do things you do? Why do you react a certain way, or see things a certain way? Why do you resolve conflict in a certain way? “ Kat believes that without addressing these questions, “you can’t grow.” Kat Smith Yoga Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bethany Whitted, an expert in the psychology of organizations, team dynamics, leadership discusses authenticity and why it matters in individuals lives. She explains what authenticity is, and how it starts and what gets in the way of it.. essentially it is the degree to which one is true to their real self, including personality, spirit, and character. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Beth interviews nurse coach Therese Parks to find out the numerous benefits of meeting with a nurse coach, which seems to be a mix of having a medical cheerleader and a personal organizer for your medical information. Nurse coaches might come for a home visit or attend doctors appointments with you and even go to the grocery store with you to help guide you in your food choices. Therese is a big fan of making a medical notebook for patients with all of their medical information, including medicines, specialist, medical conditions, records of various health information, such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood sugar levels, etc. Therese also shares some very helpful information from the functional medicine course she is currently taking. Using Food As Medicine 6 Reasons For Food Diversity Personal Wellness Coaching Integrative Nurse Coaches Annual Checkups Help Seniors Thrive What is Nurse Coaching Glucose Goddess Hacks Seed Oils Bad For You Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Beth’s long overdue podcast on the Cluster B Personality disorders, honing in specifically on a subtype of covert narcissism called “vulnerable narcissism” (see attached article for more details.) This insecurity or vulnerability is often surprising since most people associate narcissism with arrogance or feelings of superiority (which can be more of a defensive posture/facade). Beth reviews many of the basic traits of narcissistic personality disorder, and shares a little bit about the other cluster B personality disorders, (Borderline and Narcissistic) and shares a couple of Client examples. 12 Signs of a Vulnerable Narcissist Understanding Cluster B Personality Disorders Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this short episode, after Dr. Beth throws herself under the bus for some of her own unhealthy drinking habits, she shares some of the biggest reasons for cutting back or stopping drinking. Her reasons includes the impact on relationships, mental health, physical health, disease, aging, and the increased likelihood of being a victim (or perpetrator) of assaults, accidents, etc. Alcohol and Aggression Drinking Alcohol and the Risk of Violence Drinking Too Much Alcohol Can Harm Your Health How Drinking Ages You Traumatic Effects of Alcoholism on Families Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelsi Ray became a believer in the effectiveness of neurofeedback through the benefits she received personally — brain mapping and training led to such significant decreases in anxiety and depression that Kelsi got off of medication completely and has maintained these results for the past 5 years. After mapping Dr. Beth’s brain, Kelsi Ray of Tennessee Neurofeedback explains the basics of Neurofeedback to Beth and her friend Amanda Tarr (friend and previous podcast guest.) Kelsi shares a bit about different types of brain waves, how they are mapped and retrained, and how Neurofeedback Treatment works. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Dr. Beth is going to be talking about the advantages and disadvantages of knowing your diagnosis, that is, if you have one… She has been involved of some lively discussions in our about whether it’s beneficial to get evaluated (or diagnosed) for a condition that you might have. Beth recalls conversation with someone last fall, who said “ all of my children probably have ADHD, but I never wanted to get them tested because I didn’t want them to have a label or to feel like something was wrong with them.” Although many people might agree with this sentiment, others would disagree, the bottom line is figuring out what seems healthiest and best for yourself and your loved ones long-term. Beth talks about the pros and cons of understanding your brain and your nervous system. This is part of developing your personal users manual, which is one of her favorite concepts to discuss with clients. None of us knows what it feels like to be in another person‘s body, so sometimes it’s difficult to know if we are suffering with a mental health condition, or if we are neurodivergent in some way… many people ask, “Is this normal? Do other people feel this angry, depressed, moody? Why am I struggling to make friends? Why do I procrastinate all the time?” It’s hard for us to know how our own experience compares with others, so a diagnostic questionnaire can help us figure out whether we meet criteria for a certain mental health condition or learning disorder, etc. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We need to help the next generation and see their gifts, and to believe in them, often before they even see the best in themselves and have a positive narrative about themselves. Unfortunately teens are often miss portrayed and seen in a negative light. Research has shown that most adults hold negative biases about teenagers. And yet teens long to be understood and viewed in a favorable light, and they want advice from adults who view them this way, but frequently this seems unavailable. After 20 years of working with teenagers, Young Life Director Jason Cha shares some insights about how teens want adults in their lives treat them and view them. Jason shares research showing that the vast majority of teenagers want advice from adults, but most of them never seek it out because they don’t trust that they will be understood. Jason and Beth discuss generational and cultural differences between teens and adults, as well as timeless issues that transcend them. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ella Green is a high school senior, who shares her story of anxiety, trauma, and loss as a “tween” and how multiple losses in her life crippled her and brought her to her knees, literally. She’s written a book about her experience with debilitating anxiety and how her faith carried her through. Read Ella's Book Here: "Dear Anxious Mind" Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Timberlake is a businessman and yoga instructor, who grew up with alcoholic father. He never felt good enough: his father was always critical and disappointed in him. As a young adult, Joe himself discovered that alcohol, lowered his social anxiety and made him the life of the party, so he became an addict himself. At age 35, Joe became sober and benefited greatly from 12 step, meetings, and sponsors. He healed from his childhood trauma and rose above the abusive relationship with his father, and was able to reconcile with him after many years of spending time with him, and continuing to endure criticism. Joe explains how he achieved peace through his own work, and eventually reconcile with his father. He wrote a book about his story called “The Attorney” The Attorney by Joe Timberlake Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Dr. Beth is thrilled to have relationship expert. Dr. Carol Stoney return to discuss the ongoing conflicts and struggles that all couples deal with. They discuss Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman’s research, specifically their work on perpetual problems and unsolvable issues. No matter who you end up with, you will have a distinctive set of issues pop up, and more than 2/3 of these issues will never resolve, but need to be discussed to get out of gridlock. Dr. Stoney reminds us that at least 2/3 of our differences will never be agreed upon. Some of her advice: we need to take responsibility for our own part and admit that often “we don’t manage ourselves very well “when we have an issue with our partners. we need to look at our “action tendencies “and to understand ourselves, rather than pointing the finger at others (which is the natural tendency.) we often treat our partner like the enemy, partly because our nervous system‘s are wired to be constantly “checking for safety. “ Dr. Stoney says that couples “quickly lose the feeling that we’re on the same team. “ she often Reminds couples to “connect and then correct.” we all need to feel that we are “in a safe pair of hands” with our partner. Our partners actually want to please us, whether we realize it or not. She also recommends the imago profile as a tool for understanding our triggers and patterns and relationships. And Baby Makes Three: The Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance After Baby Arrives Loving On Purpose Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you define success ? Is it based on the money you make? Or status? or does it relate to finding a job that matches your gifts and passions? You have the right to define success in your own way, and not in the way that society, or even your family might measure it. Many people feel like failures, because they never give themselves permission to discover their gifts or pursue a Calling, that might not be perceived as successful to everyone . In this episode, Beth talks to Artist AJ Azike about his experience of going from real estate flipper to artist. AJ describes his passion for living in the moment, and sucking the marrow out of life through art, people, and exploration. He shares his perspective on what constitutes a meaningful and fulfilling. What makes a person feel content intrinsically rather than extrinsically? Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Beth provides a basic description of OCD, using clinical examples and sharing her favorite ways to explain and understand OCD. Almost everyone has intrusive or unwanted thoughts at times, which is the nature of obsession, but this does not mean they have OCD, unless they meet diagnostic criteria for the Disorder. The compulsion is the repetitive behavior or mental act that is used to lower anxiety/distress about the obsession. Beth some of her own personal intrusive thoughts as well as clinical stories. She likes to remind clients that obsessions are unwanted, so they should not feel guilty about having them; they are common thoughts, impulses, or images that pop into our heads. Most people with OCD need a lot of reassurance and second-guess themselves, and they sort of let their mind play tricks on them. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this short episode, Dr. Beth talks about social anxiety, and how taking the spotlight off of yourself can reduce self consciousness and performance, anxiety, instead leading to focusing on showing interest and others, and asking them questions. We all you’re in for social connection and want to feel that others like us and are interested in us.. Beth calls it “giving people the welcome sign “. She shares some tips for using questions to build self-confidence and reduce social anxiety. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this short episode, Beth’s client “Allie”, a 30 year old, talks about the her different style of showing love than her partner. He is more expressive, emotional, and affirming than she is, which makes her question herself and wonder whether she’s giving him enough. Coming from a family of mid western farmers, Allie is more matter of fact and shows her love through acts of service and more nonverbal ways. How do you show your friends, partners, family, that you love them? Do you speak the same language? What happens when one of you shows love in a way that doesn’t “speak” to you? a actions rather than words? Take the Love Language Quiz HERE Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living in the moment, and seizing the day can be pretty amazing, but split second decisions can have uncomfortable or painful consequences. Spontaneity has upsides and downsides. I am night of “fun “with no boundaries can ruin the next day, and sometimes have long-term effects on your life, ranging from hangovers to legal problems to unplanned, pregnancies or STDs.) how can we protect ourselves and keep ourselves healthy, while not being overly rigid and no fun? In the short episode, Beth shares, personal examples and client examples of the price tag that comes with impulsivity and a lack of planning/Boundaries, all of which are common struggles for a person with ADHD. Beth shares three strategies to reduce impulsivity and poor judgment. 1) Have a plan or some basic boundaries ahead of time, 2) if you’re on the fence about a decision, delay it, so you have time to think about it, even if that involves setting a timer for five minutes. And 3) Prepare to say no, if that’s the healthiest choice, and an excuse (if you want to give one ) , especially if you’re a people pleaser and you dislike disappointing people, or you go with the flow too easily. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Beth‘s client, Dana, shares her experience of growing up with very little emotional support from parents. Dana, now is a middle aged mother of 3 children, shares her story of having “nothing to draw from “ due to childhood deficits, and the gradual process of 20 years of being tapped out, exhausted, and having “the joy sucked out.” Dana recently began doing therapy to help her self recover from compassion, fatigue, and burn out, and now realizes she has ADHD, which is an important piece in understanding herself and her experiences with more insight. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Beth interviews Mara, a recent high school graduate from China, and her mother about their experience of navigating Mara’s mental health journey on opposite sides of the world, as Mara moved to the USA a boarding student for high school. They discuss cultural factors that impacted their feelings about therapy and medication, and how the family came together to support Mara and her treatment from afar. Listen to how Mara and her family navigate cultural perceptions of mental health as well as unite as a family to care for Mara. There is a lot to learn from this brave and strong family, and how they worked as a team to fight for Mara’s well being. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood and goes undiagnosed. It can be very tricky l because it manifests in unexpected ways in many cases. In this episode, Beth shares an overview of the types of bipolar disorder, which of her on a spectrum, like many other disorders. It seems especially tricky for most people to understand the differences between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder and to distinguish mild highs (hypomania) from more severe or noticeable highs (mania), especially since some of the highs are “bad highs”, referred to as dysphoric mania. Beth uses her favorite visual illustrations to explain, bipolar as surges of energy that are more severe than your average mood swings. Mood Disorder Questionnaire CLICK HERE Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people with Attention Deficit Disorder become overwhelmed and paralyzed because they overestimate tasks and underestimate themselves. Common struggles include unrealistic expectations (like perfectionistic, thinking, or all or nothing thinking,) and trouble prioritizing and breaking tasks down into steps. Beth Capecchi shares clinical examples as well as her own personal examples and some tips for how to change your thinking and your approach. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beth was inspired to record this episode after a 45 year old woman with ADHD described her shame and guilt for being too angry and reactive with her 15 year old son. It’s important for all of us to recognize our strengths as well as our weaknesses. All of us will make mistakes, and we need to be honest about those as well as our positive qualities. Beth outlines observations from Dr. William Dodson about individuals with ADHD, have a distinctive nervous system, characterized by emotional responsiveness, sensitivity to rejection, and a tendency to activate based on interest (not importance). She also describes some of the common struggles in ADHD relationships, including impulsive behavior, inattentiveness, poor communication skills, trouble empathizing, and mood swings. Common Pitfalls of ADHD and Marriage How ADHD Shapes your Perceptions Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jojo is a recent high school graduate who courageously shares her story of recovery from a life-threatening eating disorder, including several hospitalizations. Jojo shares factors that contributed to her eating issues, including avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID, see attached article) as well as her journey, back to health. Jojo also outlines some of the dangers and long term damage that can result from severe eating disorders. To learn more about Jojo’s recovery, check out her Instagram page @jojoshaffer For more information, visit her website at yourhealthystructure.com Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorders read more HERE Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vicki Steine is a licensed social worker, educator and nutritionist who believes that mental health and your ability to handle life’s stressors are affected by many factors, especially exercise, sleep, nutrition, and community. In this episode, she vulnerably shares how her own eating habits impacted her mental health. Dr. Steine shares some of her favorite advice for sleep, exercise, and nutrition. For more information, visit her website at yourhealthystructure.com Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if sharing stories about your life, on a regular basis, could build self-esteem and compassion, and reduce isolation and loneliness? What if children and adolescents practiced communicating about themselves and listening to their peers in order to improve the social skills that have been inhibited by technology and social media?What if social connection could decrease anxiety and depression and help us live longer, happier, more fulfilling lives? It DOES...or that's what the research tells us. In this episode, Beth interviews humanitarian Kate Rudder (MA/EMPA) about her experiences with international aid and story exchanges, especially surrounding her current job with the global nonprofit Narrative 4, working right here in Chattanooga. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Susannah Bozzone is passionate about empowering patients to choose a lifestyle that optimizes their health and their genetic potential. She reminds us that 80% of our health and outcome results from lifestyle choices. In this episode, she offers some of her favorite advice for getting healthy, including the monumental role that a sense of purpose plays in health and longevity. Genes vs. Lifestyle About Suzannah Bozzone Youtube about Dr. Suzannah Bozzone Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel as if your teenagers are pushing you away? Are they becoming more independent, private, pushing back, and leaving you out of more things? Do they question your authority and talk to you less and listen less? These are common experiences for parents of adolescents, including Beth Capecchi. This stage of parenting can be very painful and sometimes it feels personal, but research says that this is developmentally normal. Beth shares some personal and professional stories, along with some insightful pointers from Dr. Carl Pickhardt’s article in Psychology Today called “A Detachment Theory of Parenting.” (Pickhardt is also the author of the book “Surviving Your Child’s Adolescence.” A Detachment Theory of Parenting Adolescents Surviving Your child's Adolescence Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This short episode addresses the following: Are you an open book or extremely private? Where are you on the spectrum of self disclosure and what are the implications of this? Is this healthy? Is it helping your relationships and connections or interfering with them? How does self disclosure impact your mental health? Beth encourages listeners to think about where they want to be on the sharing continuum. Do you want to be an open book who shares everything indiscriminately with anyone who will listen? Or do you want to be a closed book who shares nothing with anyone and avoids being vulnerable at all costs? Where are you on the spectrum and why are you there and where do you want to be? Another aspect of self disclosure relates to what percentage of your story do you want to share? Beth often urges her clients to avoid being all or nothing with self disclosure (and many other areas). For instance you could share 5% or 100% of your story or about what is going on. You don’t have to tell them every detail or even be extremely specific. Sometimes sharing even a fraction of your story is extremely healing and therapeutic. It helps us and it helps others. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beth Capecchi believes that everyone is gifted and the types of intelligence are impossible to number. The good news is everyone is gifted, but the bad news is it’s often difficult to figure it out. In this episode, she interviews Ben Van Winkle, a musician with an engineering degree. It’s heartbreaking that so many people go through life not realizing how gifted and intelligent they are. no matter who you are or how well you do in school, you are gifted. Beth explains why it’s important to know how you are gifted and ways to figure it out. Interestingly, Beth also believes that everyone has cognitive weaknesses. Driving Buddy (Official Music Video) Ben Van Winkle - Composer, Performer, Human Being Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Beth Capecchi talks about communication skills and how essential assertiveness is for healthy relationships and a healthy life. The majority of people have poor communication skills. Beth explains her assertiveness scale, including the full range from passive to aggressive as well as passive aggressive communication. Beth shares some of her favorite advice on healthy communication, including the sandwich technique and the daily check-in. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s exciting to welcome back Dr. Allen Coffman, a pediatrician full of great perspective and advice for parents navigating healthy boundaries and limits on Technology for their kids. He shares some of the recent research on the impact of technology and healthy ways for parents to approach this nearly impossible task of monitoring children when they know more than most of us parents do about modern technology. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Beth interviews Phil, a 65-year-old who describes himself as a “hopeless mess “ from age 20 to 60 as a result of childhood trauma, low self-esteem, social anxiety/phobia, alcoholism, and a lack of coping skills. Phil began counseling around age 40, and stuck with it for 20 years and he became sober around age 60. He was determined to make changes, not only to change his own path, but also to influence the path of his three children. He is now incredibly passionate about sharing his story and his journey with his kids and grandkids. He embodies the concept of the transitional generation and to say that he has made amends would be an understatement. Phil was diagnosed with stage three cancer about a year ago, and he doesn’t know how much time he has left, but one thing he does know is that he wants to help others learn from his pain and regrets. His life and his story is a gift, so perfect for publishing on Christmas Day. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the holidays a time of celebration, togetherness, magic and hope, or are they times that bring a sense of dread and sadness? Loneliness and grief can bubble to the surface at a time when it’s “supposed “ to be the most wonderful time of the year. There is pressure on the holidays to be the best time of our lives: we want them to fill the voids we all have in our hearts at times. Although this is understandable, holidays are often fraught with pain and loss. The voids become more obvious and apparent during these times. Most of us hope for the best and set our hopes higher every year and we manage to place the bar higher, as if this holiday needs to equal or surpass the last one. We all hope for a personal best, much like swimmers and runners do. Holidays bring issues to the surface such as the loss of dreams that we all have; they highlight our pain and loss. What could have been? What used to be? What is missing? What have I lost? What is the reality I wish for? in this episode Beth has a conversation with her amazing office manager Shelley about some of the reasons that holidays can be so painful and what you can do to cope. Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To be honest, I hope that you’re not tiptoeing around people OR walking all over them. But unfortunately, many of us have an unhealthy dynamic with at least some of the people in our lives. This episode is about relationships and how people feel around you (and vice versa!) We need to take a look at our relationships and how healthy they are. How emotionally safe do we feel with others? And how did they feel with us? Who is high maintenance and who is low maintenance? Are you in a relationship with someone who makes you feel like you’re walking on eggshells? Or feels entitled and constantly makes everything about themselves? Or someone who never speaks up and asks for what they need? Do you find yourselves walking on people or taking them for granted? Ignoring them? Beth shares some advice for how to approach these issues, including journaling, assertiveness training, learning about emotional safety and emotional abuse, researching personality disorders such as narcissism or borderline, realizing that you can’t take responsibility for others emotions, etc. She also shares different strategies to use when you’re in a toxic relationship. Stop Walking on Eggshells Human Magnet Syndrome Stop Caretaking the Narcissist Disarming the Narcissist Listen to this episode and more: neverperfect.org Follow us on instagram @neverperfectpodcast Please rate and review this podcast. Send us an email with any feedback or requests: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices