The Dark Side of Perfect

Maggie Wellman
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Dark Side of Perfect is a podcast hosted by Maggie, where we take an honest look at perfection and the parts of ourselves we tend to hide. Through simple conversations and creative reflection, we explore identity, hobbies, self-expression, and what it means to find yourself in adulthood. This podcast is for anyone trying to understand who they are without the pressure to perform or become someone else. If you want a show that mixes honesty with a little whimsy, reflection with real-life stories, and self-growth with a darker edge, you’ll feel right at home. New episodes every Thursday!

  1. 5d ago

    DOP #25 | Designing a Personal Curriculum For Your Summer

    The start of summer is the ultimate clean slate, but instead of falling into a scroll-hole of seasonal malaise, it’s time to build your own syllabus. Today, Maggie shares her lifelong family tradition of Independent Studies and how she uses deep, challenging learning to rewire her brain, build self-trust, and combat burnout. From decoding the cultural impact of Shakespeare’s Hamlet (thanks to a little inspiration from Taylor Swift) to deciding between the epic grit of Beowulf and the social classes of The Canterbury Tales, this episode is a step-by-step guide on how to become your own mentor. EPISODE OUTLINE00:00 Introduction to Personal Curriculums 01:50 The Importance of Summer for Learning 04:18 Family Learning Traditions 06:56 Choosing a Summer Independent Study 09:23 The Science Behind Independent Studies 17:49 Types of Independent Studies 20:56 Exploring Seasonal Learning Themes 24:59 The Importance of Self-Exploration in Learning 27:32 Structuring Your Independent Study 37:57 The Rule of Exploration Over Completion Go to the poll on Spotify or head over to my Instagram Story (@darksidedperfect.pod) right now to cast your vote: Should I tackle Beowulf or The Canterbury Tales for my Summer Independent Study? Connect with the Pod: Instagram: ⁠@darksidedperfect.pod⁠ Subscribe on YouTube Follow for more unfiltered conversations on unlearning perfectionism. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    41 min

  2. May 28

    DOP #24 | Should You Go To Grad School?

    Have you ever felt like you were stalling in your life and trying to figure out a way to move forward? This week, Maggie dives into the messy reality of choosing grad school. While the applications ask for the professional goals we think higher ed wants to hear, the real reasons are often much more human—like needing to throw a dramatic wrench into a path that no longer fits.Maggie breaks down her experience navigating a MBA program, from the high-stakes social bubble of Grad School Prom to the mental load that can send even the most organized Perfect Girl back to crying over a pen in the early morning hours.EPISODE OUTLINE 01:20 Researching programs and personal motivations 05:18 Reasons people choose to attend grad school 07:47 Fake vs. Real reasons for going to grad school 10:17 The importance of social connections in grad school 13:23 Different structures of grad programs 15:52 Involvement and extracurricular activities in grad school 18:24 The social and emotional benefits of grad school 21:16 Practical and mental challenges of grad school 25:40 Impact of grad school on relationships and social lifeThe Homework:Comment on this ep and let me know: Are you in grad school (or thinking about it) for the "Fake Reason" on your application, or the "Real Reason" in your heart?Connect with The Dark Side of Perfect:Instagram: @darksidedperfect.pod Follow on YouTube: Subscribe!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    32 min

  3. May 21

    DOP #23 | Burnout, Resumes, & The Dark Side of Job Hunting

    Look, we’ve all been there: scanning a job description and thinking, "I could do that," while your gut is screaming "Please don't." Maggie is joined by her friend Katie to talk about what happens where being a Perfect Girl meets the corporate world. We’re skipping the stuffy career coach advice and getting into the real stuff: the physical toll of wearing too many hats, why we both basically ignored our professors' advice to post on LinkedIn, and how to actually organize a job search without losing your mind. We’re getting into: Job application preparation, Networking strategies, Interview tips and STAR stories, Handling rejection and acceptance, Using design thinking for career clarityEpisode Outline: 00:00 Introduction and Context of Career Transition 01:36 Meet Katie: A Journey Through Multiple Careers 02:50 Knowing When It's Time to Move On 06:31 Where to Start Your Job Search 08:44 Using Design Your Life for Career Clarity 11:18 Setting Up for Success: Resume, LinkedIn, and Organization 15:30 Tracking Applications and Networking Effectively 17:13 LinkedIn Profile Tips and Engagement 19:51 Networking: How to Reach Out and Build Connections 27:37 Applying for Jobs: Finding Descriptions and Tailoring Applications 32:39 Interview Preparation and Tips 39:21 Follow-Up, Rejection, and Acceptance Strategies Resources mentioned: Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans  Connect with the show: Follow @darksideofperfect.pod on Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentation⁠License code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    46 min

  4. May 14

    DOP #22 | Productivity Addict ✦ Finding Productivity within your Humanity

    Whatever makes you feel human is productive In this episode, Maggie officially kicks off Part 3 of Season 2: Navigating Life. We’re moving away from the should trap and into the gritty reality of redefining success. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to how many emails you sent or how clean your kitchen is, this conversation is your permission slip to stop. Maggie gets vulnerable about the malaise of burnout and why the traditional, linear view of productivity is actually a detour from our true selves. She breaks down her 7 personal productivity hardships—from the Dopamine Trap to the "I’m Lazy" mindset—and shares the tangible, non-corporate tricks she uses to pull herself out of the procrastination hole. P.S. This was my first video pod and is a bit of a learning curve! Thank you for your patience In this episode, we cover: The Rot Night Philosophy: Why watching Vampire Diaries with friends is a productive act of recovery. The Malaise Hole: How to use micro-steps like putting on real jeans to combat the morning burnout. The Identity Trap: Why we feel like failures when we drift between hobbies (and why nothing in life is actually linear). 7 Hardships of Productivity: A deep dive into the triggers that keep us stuck, including Set it and Forget it and No External Pressure. Tangible Resets: The Glass, Steel, Rubber priority system and the magic of a 10-minute transition period. Episode Outline 00:00 Introduction to Navigating Life 01:22 Redefining Success and Productivity 05:54 Understanding Burnout and Productivity Challenges 14:26 Identifying Barriers to Productivity 18:34 Practical Tips for Overcoming Productivity Challenges 26:49 Managing Digital Distractions 29:12 Challenging the 'Lazy' Mindset 31:54 Dealing with Time Constraints 34:42 Building Self-Trust and Accountability 37:44 Creating a Productive Environment Connect with the show Follow The Dark Side of Perfect on Instagram @darksideofperfect.pod Subscribe on YouTube @darksideofperfect Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    42 min

  5. May 7

    DOP #21 | The Dark Side of Sustainable Living ft. Megan

    If you’ve ever felt like an eco-hypocrite because you forgot your water bottle or realized your sustainable haul was still full of plastic or honestly even if you are getting started on your crunchy girl journey and need some encouragement, this episode is for you. Today, Maggie sits down with her friend Megan who brings both professional experience in environmental conservation and a healthy dose of real-life perspective. Together they talk about the overwhelming world of sustainability. We’re moving past the all-or-nothing guilt trip and talking about how to be a conscious guest on this planet without losing your mind (or your bank account). In this episode, we discuss: The Curse of Knowing: How to manage the overwhelming flood of information once you start caring about your impact. The Convenience Conflict: Why sustainability often clashes with our busy, modern lives—and why it’s okay to acknowledge that struggle. Low-Tox vs. Low-Impact: Do we have to choose between our health (organic cotton/glass) and the planet (using what we already own)? Thrifting as a Habit: Why the most sustainable item is often the one that already exists, and how to make thrifting work even when you live in a small town or an apartment. The 80/20 Rule: Why we need a million people doing sustainability imperfectly rather than a handful doing it perfectly. Resources Mentioned: The Yuka App: A tool for checking those pesky endocrine disruptors in your products. Boulder Thrift Stores: Boulder Sports Recycler, Greenwood Wildlife, True Thrift, Pig & Pearl Connect with the Community: Follow @DarkSideOfPerfect on Instagram If this episode helped you feel inspired to leave the planet better than you found it, leave a review or share it with a cutie who needs to hear it. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    46 min

  6. Apr 30

    DOP #20 | Cycle Syncing & The End of Linear Productivity

    In our last episode, we talked about intentionality. Today, we’re applying that concept to the most complex system we own: our physical bodies. If you’ve ever felt like a superhero on Monday and a ghost of yourself by Friday, this episode is for you. For too long, the Perfect Girl mindset has taught us to be linear, to perform at 100% every single day. But as people with cycles, we aren't built to be linear. We are built to be seasonal. In this deep-dive solo episode, Maggie breaks down the science and the holistic idea behind cycle syncing, sharing her personal journey of coming off birth control and learning to work with her body's natural rhythm instead of society's systems. In this episode, we discuss: The Power of the Pivot: Why cycle syncing is for everyone (even if you don't have a cycle). The Pregnenolone Steal: How stress and cortisol literally steal the building blocks of your happy hormones and lead to inflammation. The 4 Seasons of the Body: A breakdown of the Follicular, Ovulatory, Luteal, and Menstrual phases—what’s happening, what to eat, and how to move. The Low-Tox Trap: Why the stress of being a "perfect" eco-consumer is often more inflammatory than the products themselves. Phase-at-a-Glance: Follicular (Spring): New ideas, light foods, and neuroplasticity. Ovulatory (Summer): Peak power, high intensity, and magnetic energy. Luteal (Autumn): The "Inner Critic" phase, complex carbs, and finishing details. Menstrual (Winter): Rest, reflection, and cozy on the couch. Resources Mentioned: The Yuka App: For checking endocrine disruptors in products Maggie’s DOP Tea: Raspberry leaf (I use loose leaf tea that I steep in a kettle), ginger fresh, and turmeric (The prostaglandin blocker!) Connect with the Community: Follow @DarkSideOfPerfect on Instagram If this episode helped you feel a little more grace for your body, leave a review or share it with a cutie who needs to hear it. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    38 min

  7. Apr 23

    DOP #19 | The Measured Move: Cultivating Intentionality ft. Jolene

    What happens when the dream job you accidentally created starts to feel like a shiny bubble you never wanted? In this episode, Maggie sits down with Jolene Collins—the former founder of JoJo’s Sriracha and current Community Engagement Manager at Palmer Land Conservancy. Jolene is someone who radiates a calm, grounded intentionality, but as she reveals in this episode, her inner landscape is often just as swirling as ours. Together, they discuss how to navigate the massive tectonic shifts of life, how to move from risk-taking to security-seeking without shame, and why curiosity is the ultimate antidote to the Perfect Girl pressure. In this episode, Maggie and Jolene talk about: The Accidental Entrepreneur: How Jolene's 15-year Sriracha journey started with a simple yoga teacher training and a change in diet. Tectonic Shifts: Jolene shares the raw reality of her 2022 and how it forced her to reassess her relationship with risk. The Should Trap: Breaking the quasi-celebrity identity of being The Sriracha Girl to find a role that actually fits her current values. Intention as Energy: Why Jolene views intention as a non-verbal pointing forward into the unknown. Up Days & Down Days: A practical look at tracking your energy as data points Media Literacy: How to protect your inner universe from the comparison trap of social media. Connect with Jolene: Learn more about her work with the Palmer Land Conservancy Connect with the show: Instagram: @darksideofperfect.pod Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    44 min

  8. Apr 9

    DOP #18 | Building Authentic Confidence ft. Cory

    In this episode, host Maggie sits down with her former professor, Cory Cunningham from the Leeds School of Business. With over 20 years of experience studying the human side of business, Cory helps us navigate the terrifying transition from the classroom to the real world where the rubrics don’t exist and the measuring sticks are always changing. Together, they dive into why Perfect Girls struggle to find their voices once they leave the safety of academic evaluation and how to build a confidence that isn't tied to performance, but to identity. Episode Topics The Shift: Why the self-pressure of a high achiever becomes worrisome once there are no more grades to validate your worth. The Success Angle: How your life can look impressive or lacking depending entirely on which angle you choose to view it from. The Spotlight Illusion: Cory’s favorite insider secret: nobody is watching you as closely as you think they are (and why that is actually the ultimate freedom). Agency in Perception: How to stop performing and start intentionally highlighting the parts of yourself you actually value, like your heart or your humor. The Power of How: Why "Why" questions keep you stuck in the past, while "How might I" questions build your future. Empathy vs. People Pleasing: Why true empathy is a leadership superpower, but self-sacrificing for the sake of being nice is actually just ick. Self-Reflection Tools from Cory: The Story to Completion Strategy: When you're stuck in a Should Trap, play the scenario out to the very end. What actually happens if you don't meet that expectation? The 25-30 Growth Spurt: Why your late twenties are the most transformative years for your identity, and how to start asking "What do I think?" instead of "What do my parents think?" Connect with the show: Podcast Instagram: @darksideofperfect.pod Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/torus/fragmentationLicense code: SHGS6N0MJVDB8LXL

    44 min
See All (26)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Dark Side of Perfect is a podcast hosted by Maggie, where we take an honest look at perfection and the parts of ourselves we tend to hide. Through simple conversations and creative reflection, we explore identity, hobbies, self-expression, and what it means to find yourself in adulthood. This podcast is for anyone trying to understand who they are without the pressure to perform or become someone else. If you want a show that mixes honesty with a little whimsy, reflection with real-life stories, and self-growth with a darker edge, you’ll feel right at home. New episodes every Thursday!

Information

  • Creator
    Maggie Wellman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Maggie Wellman
  • Show Website
    The Dark Side of Perfect