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Back by popular demand. This episode is our most downloaded one ever! The content is so relevant and important, we're re-releasing it. Today we’re diving into a topic that touches nearly everyone’s lives: the time we spend on social media and our smartphones. In this episode, we explore how the hours we spend scrolling, liking, and tweeting are not just fleeting moments but can be significant in shaping our daily lives and overall well-being. We’ll start by breaking down the problem—why social media and smartphone usage have become such dominant forces in our lives and the subtle ways they might be undermining our productivity, mental health, and personal relationships.  But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! We also discuss practical strategies and actionable steps to reclaim your time and find a healthier balance. Whether you’re looking to cut down on screen time or just curious about how to better manage your digital habits, this episode is packed with tips and insights that you can start using today. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s get started on taking back control from our screens. Show notes:  How Much Time Does The Average Person Spend on Social Media? www.medium.com. Time Spent on Social Media Graphics: https://twicsy.com/blog/time-spent-on-social-media. Helpful tips: To limit screen time on an iPhone, you can use the Screen Time feature to set limits and restrictions for your device or for a child's device: Open SettingsTap Screen TimeSelect a category to set limits and restrictions  Here are some of the categories you can use: App Limits: Set time limits for appsDowntime: Schedule time away from the screenCommunication Limits: Set limits based on your contactsAlways Allowed: Choose apps you want at all timesContent & Privacy Restrictions: Block inappropriate content You can also limit your time on individual websites by: Swiping down to the bottom of the categories list and tapping WebsitesChoosing Add WebsiteEntering the URL for any websites you want to limitSetting the amount of time you are allowed to use the selected websites You can also set a screen timeout by: Opening the Settings appScrolling down and selecting the Display & Brightness optionScrolling down again and choosing Auto Lock 

What if the things that frustrate us most are actually pointing us back to ourself? In this episode, we continue the journey through the Niyamas by exploring Svadhyaya: the practice of self-study, reflection, and honest introspection. After a month of sitting in the refining fire of Tapas, this conversation invites a softer, yet equally courageous step inward. Together, we unpack what it really means to observe rather than judge ourselves—learning to examine our thoughts, reactions, and patterns with curiosity instead of criticism. Because the truth is, so much of what we see in others is often a mirror of what already lives within us. This episode is an invitation to slow down, look inward, and gently ask: What is this moment trying to show me about myself? If you’ve ever struggled with judgment, comparison, or feeling stuck in the same patterns, this conversation will meet you with both truth and grace.

What happens when a strong, healthy woman is still labeled “overweight”? In this powerful and honest conversation, Robin sits down with her longtime friend Bridget Lolli, a wellness professional, strength athlete, and advocate for redefining health, to unpack the moment that sparked a deeper conversation about body image, BMI, and the messages women receive about their bodies. After being labeled “overweight” in a medical chart based solely on BMI, Bridget began asking a bigger question: Are we actually measuring health, or just weight? Together, they explore:  Why BMI is an outdated and often misleading measure of health  The cultural pressure for women to be “strong", but still small  How strength training can improve metabolism, longevity, and injury prevention  The impact of body image messaging on girls and young athletes  Why female athletes often underfuel and fear building muscle  How to advocate for yourself in medical settings  And how to redefine health in a way that honors both body and purpose This episode is especially meaningful for:  ✔️ Women navigating midlife body changes  ✔️ Anyone frustrated with the scale or BMI labels  ✔️ Moms and granddaughters raising daughters in today’s body image culture  ✔️ Women of faith seeking freedom from body perfection  Health is not a number. Strength is not a problem. And your body is not something to shrink. If you’ve ever felt like your body didn’t “fit” the standard and need to be reminded that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, this conversation is for you. Special Guest: Bridget Lolli is a public health professional, Certified Health Education Specialist, and School Wellness Coordinator for Columbia Public Schools with academic training in Nutritional Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health. She also holds a CrossFit Level I and Precision Nutrition coaching certificates, with over a decade of strength training experience. Bridget is passionate about redefining how we measure health by challenging outdated metrics like BMI and advocating for more accurate indicators such as muscle mass, physical performance, and metabolic health. Her perspective is shaped not only by her professional background but also by her lived experience as a strength athlete navigating injury, recovery, and weight bias within healthcare. Through her work in school wellness, youth athletics, and fitness, she focuses on helping adults and young athletes understand that health is not defined by thinness, but by strength, function, and resilience. Her recent social media post on muscle bias has sparked conversations about weight stigma, particularly its impact on women and youth athletes. Bridget is also the co-host of the podcast The Crooked Compass.  https://www.youtube.com/@crookedcompasspod

What if the very things we try to avoid in life- the discomfort, the struggle, the seasons that feel too heavy- are actually the moments shaping who we are becoming? In this episode, we explore Tapas, the third Niyama in yogic philosophy. Often translated as “heat” or self-discipline, Tapas invites us to stay present in life’s refining fires rather than running from them. It’s the courage to sit with discomfort long enough to discover the transformation waiting on the other side   Together we discuss: Why discipline isn’t about punishment, but about strength of characterHow crises can either break us down or break us openThe role discomfort plays in spiritual and personal growthHow faith, perseverance, and even ordinary challenges can shape us in powerful waysJoin us as we consider that the greatest growth might happen when we choose not to escape the fire, but trust it  instead. 

Some conversations don’t start with answers. They start with a shift you didn’t see coming. In this episode, Robin sits down with Ashley Gross Minor for a deeply personal and honest conversation about what happens when something that once felt foundational and sacred begins to feel messy and complicated. Ashley spent more than a decade immersed in what many call the “K-World” of Kanakuk Ministries. She was a camper, leader, mentor, and believer whose faith was shaped in that space. But recently, something changed. After engaging with a widely circulated conversation featuring Elizabeth Carlock Phillips on The Shawn Ryan Show, Ashley found herself wrestling with questions she could no longer ignore. This episode isn’t about proving facts or revisiting headlines. It’s about what happens internally when new information collides with long-held trust. It’s about the tension of holding both gratitude and grief. Of reconciling meaningful spiritual experiences with difficult realities. Of deciding what responsibility looks like when silence no longer feels right. This conversation may challenge you. It may resonate with you. It may simply invite you to reflect more deeply. (Listener discretion is advised as we discuss sensitive issues related to child sexual abuse.) Special Guest: Ashley Gross Minor Ashley Gross Minor is a wife, mom, and business owner whose life has been deeply impacted by her experiences with Kanakuk Ministries. In fact, she spent more than fourteen years deeply embedded in what many refer to as the Kanakuk “K-World.”  She was a camper. A staff member. A recruiter. A graduate of the Institute. A KLIFE director. A leader. A mentor. She sent children she loves to camp. She gave her life to Christ there at twelve years old. For most of her life, this wasn’t just a camp. It was a spiritual home. But recently, Ashley listened to a three-plus- hour conversation between Elizabeth Carlock Phillips and Shawn Ryan on The Shawn Ryan Show. This conversation deeply impacted her understanding of what has unfolded over decades within the organization. She joins Robin on this episode to discuss her personal experiences at Kanakuk and why she can no longer remain silent. Show Notes: The Shawn Ryan Show: Elizabeth Phllips- Camp Kanakuk: Exposing One of hte World's Largest Summer Camps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQriYkW8KQ Website Ashely mentions: https://factsaboutkanakuk.com/ Sexual Abuse Resources for the Columbia, MO area: True North of Columbia (formerly Rape & Abuse Crisis Service / RACS) 24/7 crisis line: 573-875-1370 or 800-548-2480Services: confidential counseling, advocacy, support groups, legal/hospital accompanimentServes Boone County and surrounding areasServices are free or low-cost for survivors. SNAP – Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Hotline: 1-877-SNAP-HEALS (1-877-762-7432)Peer support, advocacy, and referrals to therapists familiar with clergy abuse. The Hope of Survivors National organization focused specifically on clergy sexual abuse and spiritual abuse recovery. These organizations are especially helpful when you want a clinician who understands spiritual betrayal, faith injury, or church dynamics. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 24/7 hotline: 800-656-HOPEOnline chat and local provider referrals nationwide. Missouri Coalition / State Sexual Violence Network Helps connect you to community rape crisis centers and trauma therapists across Missouri. 

What if contentment isn’t something we chase, but something we practice? In this episode, Robin and Denise continue their journey through the Yamas and Niyamas, arriving at the second Niyama: Santosha, which is the practice of deep, inner contentment. Together, they explore what it means to find peace in the present moment, regardless of external circumstances, and why our constant striving for “what’s next” may be keeping us from fully living now. Through personal stories, practical reflections, breathwork, gratitude, and both biblical and scientific insight, this conversation invites you to pause, let joy linger, and consider the paradox of non-seeking. If you’re tired of waiting for life to finally feel good, or realizing you might be wishing it away, this episode offers a gentle, grounding reminder: contentment begins within. Show Notes: The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

What happens when long-held faith begins to raise deeper questions? In today’s episode, I’m joined by my longtime friend Kathy Hahn. Over nearly twenty years of friendship, I’ve watched Kathy live out her faith sincerely while also wrestling honestly with complex theological questions. A little more than two years ago, Kathy made the decision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she and her husband have since been baptized and are now actively serving. In this thoughtful conversation, we explore what led her to the LDS Church, how she has reconciled theological differences with her former beliefs, and what it means to follow conviction when faith evolves. This episode is about curiosity and understanding in a world that too often doesn’t appreciate either.  Special Guest: Kathy Hahn

Six months into our journey through the Yamas and Niyamas, we pause to reflect on what it really means to let go. Not just of our stuff, but of expectations, busyness, self-judgment, and the heaviness we carry inside. In this episode, we finish our exploration of Aparigraha (nonpossessiveness) and begin our inward turn into the Niyamas, starting with Saucha, the practice of purity. But purity here isn’t about perfection, appearances, or having it all together. It’s about lightening our load, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, so we can meet each moment with clarity, compassion, and presence. Join us as we talk about what it might look like to stop “planning ourselves” and instead love ourselves as we are. This is an invitation to slow down, to be present, and to become a safer place for ourselves and for others. If you’re feeling weighed down, scattered, or quietly exhausted by trying to do it all right, this conversation offers a gentler way forward - one rooted in presence, peace, and learning to let joy linger. Show Notes: The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

What if the end of the year isn’t about fixing what went wrong, but noticing what mattered most? In this special end-of-year episode of The Problem With Perfect, we’re looking back on 2025 through a “Best Of” lens. What shaped us, surprised us, stretched us, and stayed with us. From books and boundaries to money well spent and lessons learned, this conversation is honest, grounding, and deeply reflective. We’re also sharing our words for 2026- the intentions we’re carrying forward to help guide how we live, lead, and let go in the year ahead. And finally… we’re making a big announcement about the future of The Problem With Perfect- what’s changing, what’s staying, and what this next chapter means for you. If you’re craving clarity, perspective, and a little hope as one year closes and another begins, this episode is for you. 🎧 Press play! You won’t want to miss this one. Show Notes: January isn't about reinventing yourself. It's about returning to yourself. It is a change to slow down and listen to what your inner world has been trying to say beneath all the noise. Set intentions that feel like nourishment instead of punishment. Choose habits that support the person you are becoming, not the person you think you are supposed to be. Let this be the month you honor your boundaries, protect your energy, and move toward what feels aligned rather than what feels expected. January is a doorway, not a deadline. Step through it with clarity, softness ,and a willingness to grow at your own pace. From HigherPerspective.com

In this heartfelt episode, we explore why grandparent-grandchild relationships matter, not just emotionally, but based on decades of research. Join us for this episode and learn how grandparents support children’s development, ease the parenting journey, and build lifelong bonds through simple, intentional acts of love, presence, and consistency.  This episode might prepare you for grandparenting in your future or take you on a walk down memory lane with your own grandparents. Either way, we hope you’ll be blessed and encouraged by it. Show Notes: 1. Harvard Graduate School of Education – “The Supporting Role of Grandparents” https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/21st-century-learning-lab/supporting-role-grandparents 2. American Academy of Pediatrics – Grandparents and Child Development https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/Grandparents-and-Childrens-Development.aspx 3. AARP – The Value of Grandparent-Grandchild Relationships https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/value-of-grandparent-relationships.html 4. Pew Research Center – Grandparenting in the 21st Century https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2015/05/21/raising-kids-and-helping-grandkids/ 5. Journal of Family Issues – Emotional Closeness Between Grandparents and Grandchildren https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X16676857 6. The Gerontologist – Benefits of Intergenerational Bonds for Children & Older Adults https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/58/3/472/2632080

Caregiving is a sacred gift. Caring for someone who is chronically or terminally ill requires patience, understanding, and selflessness. Most caregivers are not professional healthcare workers; rather, they are loving family members who dedicate their lives to improving the well-being of their loved ones. Caregiving often presents significant challenges and in this episode, Robin's husband, Tom, is here to talk about them.  His mother, like many individuals who are ill, required round-the-clock care. For Tom and other caregivers who work outside the home, this situation leads to difficult decisions: choose between paying for private care or providing the care themselves. There are no easy solutions to this dilemma, as Tom explains.  When we care for one of God’s children, we are truly doing the Lord’s work. Most who have been in the caregiving role, including Tom after three months at his mother's bedside, deem the experience a blessing beyond measure.  If you aren’t a caregiver but know someone who is, consider offering support, respite, or, at the very least, prayers and encouragement. Also, send them this episode so they know they are not alone. Special Guest: Tom May Tom and his sister committed to keeping their mother at home as she battled Parkinson's Disease and cancer. This commitment didn't come easy or without challenges. He joins us today to discuss them.  Tom is the husband of Robin, and together they have two children and one granddaughter.  Show Notes The Caregiving Crisis No One is Talking About https://www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/the-caregiving-crisis-ai-jen-poo/?utm_source=SailThru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fall%20Issue%20No.%207%20November%209%2C%202025&utm_term=Sunday%20Paper Caregiver Bill of Rights https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregivers-bill-rights/ Celebrating National Family Caregivers Month with BLS Data https://www.bls.gov/blog/2023/celebrating-national-family-caregivers-month-with-bls-data.htm The Overwhelming Financial Toll of Family Caregiving https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/financial-impact-caregiving/ Family and Medical Leave Act https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla ‘Tis the Season https://denisebickel.com//tis-the-season

Our fifth and final Yama jewel, Aparigraha, encourages us to embrace non-possessiveness. What do you covet? What do you cling to? Consider what in your life reflects your values and priorities. This month’s Yama invites us to examine the physical possessions we surround ourselves with. Do these items make you feel free and light, or do they weigh you down and create a sense of heaviness? Aparigraha serves as a reminder that breathwork is a perfect example of non-possessiveness. The simple act of inhaling and exhaling teaches us about embracing the fullness of life without the need to cling to it. Instead of holding onto our breath, we allow it to flow, experiencing release and relaxation. This time of year often brings many obligations and expectations. Aparigraha urges us to be gentle with ourselves and with others. When we extend unconditional love, we model non-possessiveness and promote acceptance and forgiveness. What a beautiful way to end the year! Show Notes: The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring The Ethical Practice of Yoga by Deborah Adele

Join us as we dive into a struggle so many women face but rarely talk about: the stress, guilt, and pressure around food during the holiday season. Why is it so hard to feel in control around holiday food? Why do we swing between restriction and overindulgence? Judge our eating as “good” and “bad?” And why does January leave so many of us feeling ashamed and desperate for a “fresh start”? With a blend of intuitive eating insights and faith-filled encouragement, this episode unpacks the real reasons holiday eating feels overwhelming, and offers practical, life-giving tools to help us approach this season with peace instead of pressure. If you’ve ever felt anxious at holiday dinners, guilty after parties, or frustrated with yourself for not having “more discipline,” this conversation will leave you feeling seen, understood, and encouraged. Show Notes: Intuitive Eating for the Holidays: https://extension.sdstate.edu/intuitive-eating-practices-and-strategies-holiday-season Center for Discovery: Intuitive Eating Practices During the Holidays: https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/intuitive-eating-practices-during-the-holidays/ Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch How to Build a Balanced Guilt-free Thanksgiving https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/how-to-build-a-balanced-guilt-free-thanksgiving-plate?utm_source=Health360&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Health360

As the holidays approach, it’s a great time to evaluate how you want to spend your time and energy. Do you want to be relaxed and peace-filled, or would you rather be frazzled and frantic? The choice is yours.  People pleasing is a trait that may sound generous and kind, but often leads to resentment and frustration. Knowing how and why we tend to over-commit and people-please are important factors in reducing our stress and exhaustion, especially during the next few weeks. People-pleasing is a habit, and it takes time and determination to conquer. Once you master people-pleasing over the holidays, we hope you will continue the practice in your everyday life. The Bible says, "God loves a cheerful giver." This season, let’s focus on what truly matters to us instead of getting caught up in our to-do lists or the expectations of others. Simplify your life, take a deep breath, and give with a cheerful heart. As much as we might not want to admit, the choice really is ours. Let’s choose wisely.  Show notes: 8 Ways to Stop People - Pleasing https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-stop-being-a-people-pleaser-5184412 People Pleasing: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/people-pleasing#the-traits-of-a-people-pleaser To do your own values assessment, go to https://thewellnesssociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Values-Worksheets.pdf

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