The Problem With Perfect

Robin May and Denise Bickel
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If perfection is an illusion, why are so many of us chasing it? We live in a world that is constantly telling us we need to be it all and have it all to be worthy. It leads us to hide our imperfections and overcompensate our strengths - and leaves us exhausted. Join hosts Robin May and Denise Bickel for meaningful, cross-generational conversations that will leave you uplifted and encouraged about a future freed from the problem with perfect.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    How to Ruthlessly Eliminate the Holiday Hurry to Rediscover God’s Rhythm

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and the most exhausting. Between the decorating, the baking, the shopping, and the pressure to make everything magical, our souls can feel more hurried than holy. In this episode, we slow down to talk about what it really means to rest during the holidays, not just physically, but spiritually. Drawing from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas, and the practice of Slow Living, join us as we explore how doing less will actually help us experience more: more peace, more joy, and more presence with the people (and the God) who matter most. If you feel like you’re carrying the weight of making the holidays “perfect,” this conversation will remind you that perfection isn’t the point - presence is. You’ll walk away with practical ideas to simplify the season, breathe deeply, and rediscover the sacred rhythm of rest, even in the holiday hurry. Show Notes: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas Slow Living Articles: Already Stressed About the Holidays?https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-11-06/tips-holiday-overwhelm-stress-niro-feliciano How to Slow Down During the Holidays              https://caitlinhoustonblog.com/how-to-slow-down-during-the-holidays/ Why Doing Nothing Intentionally is Good for Us: The Rise of the Slow Living Movement.                                           https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240724-why-doing-nothing-intentionally-is-good-for-us-the-rise-of-the-slow-living-movement

    55 min

  2. 4 NOV

    The Freedom of Enough: Practicing Non-Excess in a World of More

    November is often a time for giving thanks, and the 4th Yama, Brahmacharya, encourages us to be grateful for having “just enough,” and to practice “nonexcess.” We live in a world that can rob us of our time, money, and energy while we pursue better and newer and more. Brahmacharya asks us to examine our priorities and to focus on what really matters. Are we living in communion with God? Are we sacrificing our precious time and energy in pursuit of worldly excess? Do we recognize when we have “just enough” and refrain from overindulgence? Brahmacharya seems like the perfect Yama to practice in November. Let’s practice nonexcess in our daily lives. Let’s practice gratitude for all that we have rather than focusing on our have-nots. Let’s strive to see the divine in all people and moments. Let’s do more with less. Show Notes: Denise's meditation at the end of the episode: May you rest in the space of ‘good enough.’ You are good. You are enough. You are sufficient in this moment, just as you are. You deserve goodness and kindness and hope and help.”  ‘Head to the floor, I breathe in and out, thankful for my breath and my body and gravity. Earth herself. Through this, I reveal the blessings. There are always some, sometimes many! Each day a new world to make what is possible real and fully embodied. I awaken awareness of my own influence to create kindness, depth, and love in every moment.”   “Grant me daily the grace of gratitude. To be thankful for all my many gifts, and so be freed from artificial needs, that I might lead a joyful, simple life.” Edward Hays, OSB The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

    42 min

  3. 28 OCT

    When Love Hurts: The Psychology of Abuse and Recovery With June Berlinger

    October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Statistics indicate that approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Every minute in the U.S., about 20 to 24 people are physically abused by an intimate partner, amounting to more than 12 million individuals each year. Domestic violence also impacts millions of children, and the economic toll is substantial, resulting in nearly 8 million lost workdays annually in the U.S.   Our guest today, June Sheehan Berlinger, RN, has authored a powerful account of her personal experience with domestic violence in her book, "Rising Above the Trauma of Abuse." June is a nationally recognized expert on this issue, and her dual perspective makes her book both deeply personal and practical.  Given the prevalence of this social issue, along with the secrecy and stigma that often surround those affected, many victims suffer in silence. June urges us to speak out and take a stand against all forms of domestic violence. By doing so, you could help save a life. Special Guest: June Berlinger, Author and Domestic Abuse Advocate  June Sheehan Berlinger, BSN, is a survivor, mother, nurse, writer, and public speaker. She dedicated her career to helping women. June served on Florida’s Governor’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force from 1994–1997 and directed The Women’s Center at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare for 14 years. Her pioneering work includes developing Florida’s first hospital protocol for domestic violence and FIRST STEP, a victim handbook that was distributed statewide. A four-time published author, June has trained health and mental healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and legal teams across the U.S. She lives with her husband, Tom in Denver, CO. To learn more about June, go to risingabovetrauma.net. Resources: The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free, 24/7 confidential help at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-domestic-violence-awareness-monthRising Above The Trauma of Abuse by June Sheehan Berlinger, BSNrisingabovetrauma.net

    55 min

  4. 21 OCT

    Are These Quiet Sins Stealing Your Joy?

    Ever catch yourself brushing off certain behaviors the Bible would call sins because they don't seem "that bad"? In this episode, we get real about the “acceptable sins” so many of us excuse — things like anger, gossip, worry, pride, and discontentment. Drawing inspiration from Tim Keller’s book, Respectable Sins, we unpack why these habits feel so normal, how they quietly erode our peace, and what it looks like to bring them into the light with honesty and grace. This honest, hope-filled conversation will challenge us to rethink the "little" sins that slip under the radar, and remind us that freedom isn’t found in perfection, but in surrender. Show Notes: Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Tim Keller To resource the workbook Robin refers to, go to https://thecrossingchurch.com/Resources/Read/Free%20Downloads

    56 min

  5. 14 OCT

    Listen Up: What You Need to Know About Hearing, Aging, and Brain Health

    If you’ve ever said, “What?” more times than you’d like to admit… or if someone you love turns the TV up louder and louder, this episode is for you. This week, we’re diving into a topic that affects millions, but is rarely discussed: hearing loss. Our guest, Dr. Julie Prutsman, has helped thousands of people find relief from tinnitus and hearing challenges. In this episode, Dr. Julie shares why she’s passionate about helping us understand how hearing health impacts every part of our lives, including our memory and emotional well-being, as well as our relationships and even our balance. Join us as we ask the hard questions. What's the truth between hearing loss and cognitive decline? Does it cause us to be more likely to develop dementia? How common is hearing loss? When should we start getting tested?  This conversation will open your ears to why hearing health matters more than you think. Special guest: Dr. Julie Prutsman The owner and founder of Sound Relief Hearing Center, Dr. Julie Prutsman has dedicated her practice to treating tinnitus, decreased sound tolerance, and related hearing health issues. She is a third-generation audiology professional, with her grandfather entering the hearing healthcare field in the 1950s. After working in her family’s practice in Colorado and Las Vegas, NV, she decided to open one of her own, focused on tinnitus. Since beginning Sound Relief Hearing Center in December 2011, her practice has helped thousands of patients and has grown to nine offices in Colorado and Arizona. Dr. Julie Prutsman grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and attended the University of Colorado – Boulder for graduate school. Her husband, Patrick, is the General Manager and co-owner of Sound Relief. They have two wonderful teenagers and in her free time, Dr. Julie loves reading, traveling, skiing, and spending time with family.

    1h 2m

  6. 7 OCT

    Stop Stealing Your Own Peace: Asteya

    Have you ever been accused of stealing? Probably not. Yet, most of us engage in various forms of stealing every day, often without realizing it. There are many ways in which we take from others, the Earth, future generations, and even ourselves. The third Yama, Asteya, encourages us to become aware of how our words and actions may rob others of their time, joy, or sense of self-worth. It reminds us that the Earth deserves our attention and appreciation now so that future generations can also experience its wonders. Lastly, we are prompted to consider how we steal from ourselves. We often forget that “comparison is the thief of joy,” yet we regularly diminish our own happiness by comparing or criticizing ourselves. As Oprah wisely said, “When we know better, we do better.” This embodies the essence of Asteya. Show notes: The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

    53 min

  7. 30 SEPT

    From Diet Culture to Self-Compassion: A Kinder Way Forward

    Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? You try harder, you push yourself, you chase perfection—but all it leaves you with is exhaustion and self-criticism. What if the answer isn’t doing more, but actually being kinder to yourself? This week, we sit down with licensed therapist and course creator Erica Thomas to talk about the radical (and practical) power of self-compassion. Erica shares her personal story of body image struggles, unpacks how diet culture keeps us stuck, and explains why self-compassion might be the missing piece in our own journeys toward peace with ourselves. From silencing the inner critic to modeling self-kindness for our kids, this conversation is full of wisdom and practical tools we can use today. If you’re tired of the hamster wheel of “never enough,” you don’t want to miss this episode. Special Guest: Erica Thomas Erica is a licensed marriage and family therapist, psychotherapist, and the creator of an online course all about self-compassion as a practical alternative to diet culture. She works with families and teens, helping people navigate body image challenges and that ever-present inner critic, with a focus on healing and acceptance. She lives in Lafayette, California and sees patients virtually. To learn more about Erica and her course, go to: https://ericathomaslmft.com eatingwithselflove.com  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/erica-fawn-thomas-lafayette-ca/239622 ONLINE COURSE: Heal Emotional Eating with Self-Compassion https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heal-emotional-eating-with-self-compassion-tickets-1097694837809?aff=oddtdtcreator

    56 min

  8. 23 SEPT

    How Embracing The Suck Changes our Brains and our Lives

    There’s a saying: “Change of any sort requires courage.” Courage and bravery are essential for making lasting and effective change. While we may have goals for success, greater happiness, or fulfilling relationships, we often feel overwhelmed by the time and effort that change demands. There is no magic formula for change; simply wishing and hoping are not enough. However, there are clear and concise steps that can increase our chances of success. With clarity, conviction, and commitment, change is indeed possible. When we shift our mindset from doubt to determination and surround ourselves with supportive people, we begin to believe in our ability to improve and succeed. As a result, we are more likely to challenge ourselves, persevere through setbacks, and ultimately achieve our goals. Sounds like success to us! Show Notes: Embrace the Suck article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-science-of-bravery/202505/embrace-the-suck-why-discomfort-builds-a-better-you The Gift of Starting Small  “Every great thing starts small - a tree begins as a seed, a journey begins with a single step. Don’t feel discouraged if your dream feels tiny right now. Each small effort you make is building something bigger than you can see. Trust the process and keep moving forward. Celebrate progress, even if it feels slow. One day, you will look back and realize how far you’ve come. Every step matters. Keep going, you’re building something beautiful, one piece at a time.”

    42 min
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About

If perfection is an illusion, why are so many of us chasing it? We live in a world that is constantly telling us we need to be it all and have it all to be worthy. It leads us to hide our imperfections and overcompensate our strengths - and leaves us exhausted. Join hosts Robin May and Denise Bickel for meaningful, cross-generational conversations that will leave you uplifted and encouraged about a future freed from the problem with perfect.

Information

  • Creator
    Robin May and Denise Bickel
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    336
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Problem With Perfect
  • Show Website
    The Problem With Perfect

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