Integrated Being

Dr. Elizabeth Cook

Integrated Being podcast is brought to you by my efforts as a certified life coach. I provide this seeking support with the tools and mindset to make positive and lasting changes in their lives. Come join us on our weekly podcast where I throw in a dash of realness, a pinch of humor, a smidgeon of health advice, and a touch of essential oil tips to brighten your day.

  1. 6d ago

    The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism (And How to Break Free)

    Perfectionism often looks like ambition, discipline, or high standards but what if it's actually keeping you from living fully? In this episode of Integrated Being, I sit down with habits and identity coach Monica Packer, author of Sticky Habits, to explore the hidden ways perfectionism shapes our thoughts, relationships, and sense of self. Monica shares her deeply personal journey from eating disorders and burnout to discovering that perfectionism wasn't helping her grow it was holding her back. Together, we unpack why perfectionism isn't just about striving for excellence, but about where we place our identity and self-worth. We also discuss how awareness, self-compassion, and small, sustainable habits can help us reconnect with ourselves and show up more authentically in our lives. In this episode, you'll discover:• Why perfectionism is a coping mechanism not a personality trait.• The hidden signs of perfectionism, including procrastination and fear.• How perfectionism disconnects us from ourselves and those we love.• The role of identity in creating lasting change.• Why progress, not perfection, leads to meaningful growth.• Practical ways to build habits that support your life instead of controlling it. Whether you're striving to be the perfect parent, partner, professional, or simply trying to do it all, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder: you don't have to be perfect to live an integrated, meaningful life. If you enjoyed this episode, follow Integrated Being and share it with someone who needs the reminder that growth begins with embracing our humanity not perfection.

  2. Jun 30

    Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Protein (And What You're Missing)

    Protein is everywhere but do we actually need more of it? In this episode of Illuminating Being, we explore the growing obsession with protein and the questions many of us are asking. Is the protein craze driven by our nutritional needs, or by powerful marketing messages? Together, we discuss how nutrition trends shape the way we think about food, why whole foods and gut health deserve more attention, and how to move beyond food anxiety toward a more balanced and mindful approach to eating. We also explore the importance of understanding our individual needs instead of chasing one-size-fits-all nutrition advice. In this episode, we discuss: Why protein has become today's biggest nutrition trendWhether most people actually need more proteinThe influence of food marketing on our eating habitsThe role of whole foods and plant-based nutritionWhy gut health and the microbiome matterMoving beyond food fear and nutrition confusionMichael Pollan's simple philosophy for healthy eatingFinding balance instead of perfectionWhether you're feeling overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice or simply curious about the science behind the headlines, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on what it truly means to nourish your body. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Illuminating Being and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation. Connect with Elizabeth Cook:🌐 Website: https://www.integratedbeingllc.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-cook-phd📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrated_being/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1887YBQfea/ Thank you for listening to Illuminating Being, where we explore the connections between body, mind, leadership, and living with greater intention.

    Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Protein (And What You're Missing)
  3. Jun 11

    Food Guidelines, Nutrition Advice, and the Limits of Certainty: Learning to Eat in a Complex World

    Food Guidelines, MyPlate, and the Search for Certainty | Illuminating Being Podcast In this episode, we explore a question that sits underneath much of modern nutrition discourse: how do we actually know what to trust when it comes to food? From the food pyramid to MyPlate and evolving dietary guidelines, public nutrition messaging has shifted over time. Yet the deeper tension remains unchanged. In a world shaped by competing nutrition advice, food marketing, and rapidly expanding research, clarity is not always the outcome of more information. This conversation does not attempt to resolve food into a single framework. Instead, it examines the limits of certainty in nutrition science and the reality that healthy eating is shaped by biology, lived experience, family systems, and culture. Topics include dietary guidelines and public health nutrition, intuitive eating, plant-rich whole foods, selective eating in children, and the practical realities of feeding families. The discussion also touches on how food frameworks like MyPlate function at a population level, and why they may not always translate neatly into individual experience. At its core, this episode is about attention. Noticing how food affects the body. Recognizing the influence of information systems. And understanding that guidance and experience must remain in dialogue, not competition. This is a reflective conversation for anyone thinking seriously about nutrition science, food awareness, and the everyday decisions behind how we eat. Listen to explore the space between guidance and lived experience, and what it means to navigate food in a complex world.

    Food Guidelines, Nutrition Advice, and the Limits of Certainty: Learning to Eat in a Complex World

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Integrated Being podcast is brought to you by my efforts as a certified life coach. I provide this seeking support with the tools and mindset to make positive and lasting changes in their lives. Come join us on our weekly podcast where I throw in a dash of realness, a pinch of humor, a smidgeon of health advice, and a touch of essential oil tips to brighten your day.