The Redeemed Perfectionist | Christian Perfectionism, Identity in Christ, People Pleasing

Lenee' M. Pezzano | Recovered Perfectionist
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

I help Christian women break up with perfectionism and discover the life-changing power of God’s grace. Let’s face it:  You’ve tried to meet every expectation 😞 — yours, others', even God's.  But you're exhausted, overthinking everything, and wondering if you’ll ever be “enough." 😩 Every perfectionist knows the weight of these struggles. But what if God’s heart for you is different than you think? 🥰  Welcome to The Redeemed Perfectionist—the podcast that helps you: 🦋 Stop striving and start living in joy!🤗 Live as a daughter who is fully accepted  in your perfectly imperfect condition. 😵‍💫 Experience God's love like never before. Whether you’ve been a Christian for years or are just beginning your faith journey, this podcast offers practical insights and wisdom to help you break free from the prison of perfectionism.In each episode, I’ll help you:✨Let go of the pressure to be perfect.✨Draw near to God and learn to trust His love for you.✨End the exhaustion of striving for God’s acceptance.Hi, I’m Lenee’—a mentor, author, and fellow perfectionist redeemed by grace. I am passionate about helping you on your journey toward mental, emotional, and spiritual freedom.Let me let you in on a little secret about YOU!  Did you know that there are likely quadrillions or more unique potential combinations of genetic material that could have resulted in someone other than you?!  You are fearfully and wonderfully made—a one-of-a-kind creation.  God chose YOU for a unique purpose that only you can fulfill.  It’s time to let go of the pressure to be perfect and embrace the joy of being loved by a perfect God as you step into His plans for you.Join me on this journey to becoming a Redeemed Perfectionist.🌟The world needs you, just as you are!﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌⬇️VALUABLE RESOURCES + SUPPORT⬇️ ✝️Looking for a community of women who can get in the trenches with you and encourage you along the way?  Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook community and get connected!  📗Grab my book:  You Will Make Mistakes: Discovering God's Grace in the Midst of Perfectionism.  *Fun fact:  you can grab a COMPLIMENTARY  PDF of Chapter 1 when you visit my website!🌐 Explore a treasure trove of resources to help you break up with perfectionism at my website: www.leneepezzano.com. 📞Have a specific question in general or about an episode? Click Ask Lenee' Anything and let's chat! Feel called to financially support podcasts such as The Redeemed Perfectionist?  Click 👉 patreon.com/TheRedeemedPerfectionist

  1. Christian Perfectionism: When "Should" Isn't God's Voice | 028

    APR 28

    Christian Perfectionism: When "Should" Isn't God's Voice | 028

    Christian Perfectionism: When “Should” Isn’t God’s Voice (with Mary Gallagher) Have you ever felt like you’re never doing enough for God… no matter how hard you try? In this powerful episode of The Redeemed Perfectionist, Lenee' Pezzano sits down with Mary Gallagher to uncover the hidden burden of Christian perfectionism, and how the word “should” may be quietly fueling your exhaustion, shame, and spiritual burnout. If you’ve ever thought: “I should be a better Christian…”“I should be doing more for God…”“I shouldn’t feel this way…”…this conversation will help you discern whether that voice is truly God—or religious pressure disguised as obedience Together, we explore:  The difference between Holy Spirit conviction vs. shame and condemnation Why God does not motivate through “shoulds” How perfectionism leads to spiritual burnout and anxiety The root of perfectionism: shame, fear, and identity distortion How to recognize God’s voice—one that invites, not pressures Practical steps to break free from performance-based faith This episode is for the woman who loves God deeply…  but feels exhausted trying to live up to expectations she was never meant to carry. ✨ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:  Why “should” language reveals hidden perfectionism  How religious environments can distort God’s voice  The truth about identity in Christ vs performance-based Christianity How to stop striving and start walking in grace and freedom A simple exercise to identify and release “should” thinking ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Is every “should” really God’s voice?  03:00 Mary’s story of religious pressure  11:00 “Gold stars for Jesus” & burnout  17:00 The moment God spoke truth  28:00 Hearing God vs religious pressure  32:00 Is perfectionism rooted in shame?  45:00 First step to break free from striving  54:00 Closing prayer FREE RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Are You Living from Grace or Performance? Take the Faith-Based Perfectionism Quiz.  Download Mary Gallagher’s Free Identity Guide.  Get it here. 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    1 hr
  2. Hearing God’s Voice: Why Perfectionism Leaves You Confused | 027

    APR 14

    Hearing God’s Voice: Why Perfectionism Leaves You Confused | 027

    Hearing God’s Voice: Why Perfectionism Leaves You Confused | 027 Anxiety, fear, rejection and confusion may still feel louder than God's voice.   The truth? The enemy isn’t after your peace—he’s after your ability to hear God clearly for yourself. If this resonates, you may benefit from Heather's Prophetic Healing Workshop every 3rd Monday of the month.  Reserve your spot here. Scripture References John 16:13 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 1 John 4:18 - there is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  Ephesians 3:18-19 - ...may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ...to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Have you ever wondered if you’re really hearing God’s voice — or just reacting to fear, pressure, and the need to get everything right? In this episode of The Redeemed Perfectionist, we explore how perfectionism can create spiritual confusion and distort the way you relate to God. When your faith has been shaped by performance, fear of punishment, people pleasing, or the pressure to avoid disappointing God, it can become difficult to recognize his voice as gentle, present, and full of grace. Lenee' is joined by prophetic healing coach Heather O’Brien for a conversation about Christian perfectionism, fear of man, inner striving, control, and the healing process of learning to hear God from a place of connection instead of pressure. Together, they talk about fear of punishment, spiritual confusion, renewing the mind, and what i 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    37 min
  3. Christian Perfectionism: When Success Steals Your Identity (Part 2 of The Hidden Identity Crisis Behind Perfectionism) | 026

    MAR 31

    Christian Perfectionism: When Success Steals Your Identity (Part 2 of The Hidden Identity Crisis Behind Perfectionism) | 026

    * This is Part 2 of our series: The Hidden Identity Crisis Behind Perfectionism → Listen to Part 1 here. April Farlow Resources: Instagram Facebook Website Book:  Pieces of You  Yorkshire Publishing Lydia's Place Additional Resource mentioned by Lenee':  No More Dry Ground Community (Free and Paid options) Have you ever achieved something meaningful… only to feel more pressure, more confusion, or more fear of losing it? In this episode of The Redeemed Perfectionist, we continue the conversation on the hidden identity crisis behind perfectionism—and why success can actually make it worse. If you struggle with Christian perfectionism, people pleasing, or fear of disappointing God, this conversation will help you understand why your identity may feel unstable even when your life looks successful on the outside. We talk about:  Why success can reinforce performance-based identity  The difference between output vs. obedience How God uses seasons of slowing down to rebuild identity  The “pace of grace” and the test of delay Why striving disconnects you from relationship with God  How to rediscover who you are beneath achievement This episode is for the woman who:  Feels pressure to maintain success  Struggles with comparison and inner criticism  Wonders if she’s falling behind spiritually or professionally  Feels disconnected from God despite doing “all the right things” You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding that your identity in Christ is not something you earn—it’s something you receive. And maybe, for the first time, you’ll feel permission to slow down… and actually be with God. 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    35 min
  4. The Hidden Identity Crisis Behind Perfectionism (Pt 1/2) | 025

    MAR 17

    The Hidden Identity Crisis Behind Perfectionism (Pt 1/2) | 025

    April Farlow Resources: Instagram Facebook Website Book:  Pieces of You  Yorkshire Publishing Lydia's Place My guest, leadership trainer, speaker, and author April Farlow, joins me for a powerful conversation about how the beliefs we carry about ourselves shape the way we show up in our faith, our relationships, and our calling. Together we unpack why so many successful women quietly wrestle with questions like: • Who did God really create me to be? • Why do I feel like I'm constantly measuring myself against everyone else? • Why is my inner voice so much harsher than the way I speak to others? Through stories, personal experiences, and practical insights, we explore how comparison, expectations, and internal narratives can distort our understanding of who we are in Christ. April also shares a revealing exercise she once did with a group of accomplished women that exposed the powerful gap between how we see ourselves and how we see others—and what that reveals about the lies many of us have unknowingly believed for years. If you've ever felt caught between who you think you should be and who God actually created you to be, this conversation will help you begin untangling those voices and rediscovering the freedom that comes from living out of your true identity. In this episode, we discuss: • Why perfectionism often masks a deeper identity struggle  • The internal narratives that shape how we see ourselves  • How comparison fuels insecurity and self-criticism  • The difference between performing for worth and living from identity  • Practical ways to begin rediscovering who God created you to be This is Part 1 of my conversation with April. In the next episode, we’ll go deeper into the beliefs, fears, and identity fractures that often drive perfectionism—and how God begins to heal them. 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    52 min

  5. MAR 3

    Why Perfectionism Traps You Between Pride and Shame (And How Grace Sets You Free) | 024

    My website:  https://leneepezzano.com Book: You Will Make Mistakes Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 139:14, Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:10, Romans 5:8, Psalm 118:5-9, Ephesians 2:1, Matthew 10:31 Have you ever noticed how quickly “I failed” turns into “I am a failure”? In this powerful episode of The Redeemed Perfectionist, Leneé Pezzano unpacks the subtle but dangerous shift perfectionists make—from behavior to identity—and why that shift sends your nervous system into fight-or-flight. If you’re a high-achieving Christian woman who swings between pride when you succeed and shame when you don’t… this episode is for you. You’ll learn: Why perfectionism is really about identity, not behaviorHow pride and shame are two sides of the same performance-based mindsetWhat Scripture says about boasting, humility, and graceHow to calm your body using a simple vagus nerve breathing practiceWhy grace isn’t just forgiveness—it’s the power to stop strivingLeneé walks you through biblical truth from Galatians, Romans, Psalms, and more to show how your worth was settled by Christ—not your performance. If you’re exhausted from living on the pendulum of achievement and self-criticism, this conversation will help you step off entirely. Because your value is not on trial.  God is not grading you—He is growing you. ✨ Subscribe and come back anytime you need to breathe, reset, and let grace speak louder than your inner critic. #ChristianPerfectionism #FaithAndMentalHealth #GraceOverPerformance #IdentityInChrist #ChristianWomen 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    22 min
  6. Abundant Life Without Hustle: Breaking Free from Performance-Based Christianity | 023

    FEB 24

    Abundant Life Without Hustle: Breaking Free from Performance-Based Christianity | 023

    Stepping into Abundance Webinar here. Run Down to Renewed Website From Run Down to Renewed Podcast John 10:10 (KJV):  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus promised “life…more abundantly” (John 10:10)—so why are so many believers exhausted? In this bonus episode, we confront the hidden pressure many Christian women carry: turning abundance into a spiritual scoreboard, defining “blessing” by output, and mistaking hustle for holiness. You’ll hear a powerful conversation with Denise Stiffler and Mackenzi Blasko, hosts of From Rundown to Renewed, as we unpack how perfectionism, fear, false humility, and performance-based Christianity distort God’s heart. We talk about learning to recognize God’s voice, breaking agreement with lies rooted in shame, and why obedience flows best from relationship—not fear of punishment. You’ll also learn practical ways to shift from white-knuckling your faith to abiding, resting, and trusting God with the timeline. If you’ve ever achieved what you prayed for and still felt empty…if you’ve wondered whether abundant living is for “other people”…or if you’re tired of trying to prove yourself to God—this episode is your invitation back to presence. Denise and Mackenzie are also hosting a webinar this week called Stepping into Abundant Living. Grab the link in the show notes and join us as you move from striving to steadiness, from performance to presence, and from hustle to rest. Abundance was never meant to exhaust you. 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    59 min
  7. Punishment or Protection? How Perfectionists Misread God's Delays (Part 2/2) | 022

    FEB 17

    Punishment or Protection? How Perfectionists Misread God's Delays (Part 2/2) | 022

    Take the free Grace Scale Quiz to see how much perfectionism might be impacting your life:  leneepezzano.com/grace-scale When nothing seems to be moving, it’s easy for a Christian perfectionist to assume something is wrong. In Part 2 of this series, we explore why slow seasons feel threatening—and how they can actually reveal the fatherly heart of God. Through two simple parables—“it’s like paste” and “let me carry the groceries”—this episode reframes God’s delays as protection, not punishment. You’ll discover why waiting is not failure, why delay is not disqualification, and how God leads the weary with safety before pressure. If you’ve been questioning whether you’re behind or disappointing God, this episode offers a grace-filled reset. ✨ You’re not behind. You’re being held. 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    18 min
  8. Punishment or Protection? How Perfectionists Misread God's Delays (Part 1/2) | 021

    FEB 3

    Punishment or Protection? How Perfectionists Misread God's Delays (Part 1/2) | 021

    Scriptures referenced:   Judges 14:14 - Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32Matthew 11:28-30Take the free Grace Scale Quiz to see how much perfectionism might be impacting your life:  leneepezzano.com/grace-scale  Have you ever prayed for clarity—only to hear what feels like a parable? In this episode of The Redeemed Perfectionist, host Leneé Pezzano shares a vulnerable moment when God didn’t answer her anxiety with instructions, timelines, or correction—but with reassurance. For Christian perfectionists, seasons of waiting and silence rarely feel neutral. They feel threatening. They trigger comparison, self-doubt, and the fear that we’re “behind” or have somehow missed God. In this episode, Leneé explores the biblical difference between riddles and parables—and why God often speaks in ways that invite relationship rather than performance. She also unpacks how perfectionism partners with pressure, why exhaustion can feel like faithfulness, and how to recognize the difference between the voice of a taskmaster and the voice of a loving Father. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on reframing God’s delays and learning to trust Him without striving. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: The biblical difference between a riddle and a parable—and why it mattersWhy God often reassures before He explainsHow perfectionism mistakes pressure for faithfulnessHow to discern the source of a voice by how it motivatesWhy God’s silence and slowness are not signs of disappointmentWhy delay is not evaluation—and waiting is not disqualification🕊 Key takeaway: God does not withhold blessings to test your worthiness.  He prepares you because He intends to bless you. Sometimes His greatest act of care is staying close—before telling you what’s next. 🔜 Coming next week: In Part 2, Lenee unpacks the two parables God gave her—“paste” and “let me carry the groceries”—and what they reveal about moving forward with God without striving. 🌐 Connect with Lenee' Pezzano and The Redeemed Perfectionist         👥 Find Your People -- Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook          Community: The Redeemed Perfectionist | Facebook         📖 Embrace Grace: Discover You Will Make Mistakes                 https://amzn.to/4hKwhpW         🔗 Start Your Journey – Explore Resources & More           https://www.leneepezzano.com/         📱 Let's Connect - Follow along on Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/leneepezzano/         📞Ask Lenee' Anything!: https://www.speakpipe.com/LeneePezzano         💰Show support:  The Redeemed Perfectionist | Where Grace Meets Grit: Healing the Perfectionist Heart | Patreon

    13 min
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About

I help Christian women break up with perfectionism and discover the life-changing power of God’s grace. Let’s face it:  You’ve tried to meet every expectation 😞 — yours, others', even God's.  But you're exhausted, overthinking everything, and wondering if you’ll ever be “enough." 😩 Every perfectionist knows the weight of these struggles. But what if God’s heart for you is different than you think? 🥰  Welcome to The Redeemed Perfectionist—the podcast that helps you: 🦋 Stop striving and start living in joy!🤗 Live as a daughter who is fully accepted  in your perfectly imperfect condition. 😵‍💫 Experience God's love like never before. Whether you’ve been a Christian for years or are just beginning your faith journey, this podcast offers practical insights and wisdom to help you break free from the prison of perfectionism.In each episode, I’ll help you:✨Let go of the pressure to be perfect.✨Draw near to God and learn to trust His love for you.✨End the exhaustion of striving for God’s acceptance.Hi, I’m Lenee’—a mentor, author, and fellow perfectionist redeemed by grace. I am passionate about helping you on your journey toward mental, emotional, and spiritual freedom.Let me let you in on a little secret about YOU!  Did you know that there are likely quadrillions or more unique potential combinations of genetic material that could have resulted in someone other than you?!  You are fearfully and wonderfully made—a one-of-a-kind creation.  God chose YOU for a unique purpose that only you can fulfill.  It’s time to let go of the pressure to be perfect and embrace the joy of being loved by a perfect God as you step into His plans for you.Join me on this journey to becoming a Redeemed Perfectionist.🌟The world needs you, just as you are!﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌⬇️VALUABLE RESOURCES + SUPPORT⬇️ ✝️Looking for a community of women who can get in the trenches with you and encourage you along the way?  Join The Redeemed Perfectionist Facebook community and get connected!  📗Grab my book:  You Will Make Mistakes: Discovering God's Grace in the Midst of Perfectionism.  *Fun fact:  you can grab a COMPLIMENTARY  PDF of Chapter 1 when you visit my website!🌐 Explore a treasure trove of resources to help you break up with perfectionism at my website: www.leneepezzano.com. 📞Have a specific question in general or about an episode? Click Ask Lenee' Anything and let's chat! Feel called to financially support podcasts such as The Redeemed Perfectionist?  Click 👉 patreon.com/TheRedeemedPerfectionist

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