Today for our last episode of this season on Well, Not Perfect, I have a timely and important episode for you.    In response to many recent events involving gun violence, today’s guest Kitty Brandtner went to social media with one thing to say: “You messed with the wrong mom.”    The events following are nothing but heroic and nearly impossible. Kitty, who is a working mom of three kids under 5, became the lead activist for March Fourth in the span of just a few days. She and an amazing group of volunteers started March Fourth two days after the tragic Highland Park shooting on the Fourth of July. The mission behind this organization is simple: to federally ban assault weapons and to do it right now.   In today’s episode you will learn: Who the woman is behind March Fourth How you too can have the tenacity to do the seemingly impossibleWhat to do, if or when, you get called to join a social movement that lives close to your heart.    And before we get into the episode, I just want to remind everyone that these conversations can be uncomfortable and triggering. I recommend you take your time to listen and understand your reaction to this conversation and seek out local resources if you want to get involved. Also, if you feel overwhelmed after listening to this episode, take a break, do some self-care and be gentle on yourself.    With that being said, welcome to the final episode of Season 3 of Well, Not Perfect.    To connect with Kitty and March Fourth, and other resources mentioned in this episode, you can find them at: Website: www.wemarchfourth.org/Instagram: @march_fourth_Ways to act now: www.wemarchfourth.org/actnow

Welcome back to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   Today I got to sit down with Kelly Oberle, and I was immediately struck by all the things we have in common.   Kelly is a leadership development coach and founder of Access Human Potential, an emotional intelligence and performance enhancement organization working with corporations, schools, and athletic teams.    Kelly and I both come from a background playing a collegiate sport that inspired us to help athletes with the mental side of their game. The work she is doing to develop the whole athlete and make system-level changes is so valuable for coaches, parents and players alike.    Listen in to hear about all the ways she is helping people build upon their strengths and stay connected to joy.   In this episode, you will learn:  How positive psychology can benefit athletes, coaches, and parents;The importance of knowing your “why’; andHow to prevent burnout and breed confidence in athletes   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   To connect with Kelly & Access Human Potential, you can find her at: Website: www.accesshumanpotential.com/Instagram: @access_human_potentialFacebook/Twitter: @ahpnowLinkedIn: Access Human Potential

Hello again and welcome back to Well, Not Perfect.    I had an absolute blast putting on my clinical hat with our guest today.    Dr. McGrath currently serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for NOCD, an app-based platform for the treatment of OCD. He leads their teletherapy services across the world. He is also a Lead Psychologist at Ascension Illinois Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where he opened Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospital, and Residential Treatment Programs for Anxiety Disorders, School Refusal, and OCD.    I’ve known Dr. McGrath for years and it was a privilege to get to pick his brain on this episode. He shares with us some of the exciting developments in the treatment of OCD and other anxiety disorders as well as some of the most interesting cases he’s dealt with in his career.    There was an empowering golden thread throughout our conversation that I think is important for every listener to hear: that we as humans really are more capable of overcoming our fears than we may think.   In today’s episode you will learn:  The evolution of therapeutic treatments, including Exposure Response Prevention;Strategies for supporting a loved one who struggles with an anxiety disorder; andWhy it's crucial for us to be okay with short term emotional discomfort in order to benefit in the long term   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   To connect with Dr. McGrath & NOCD, you can find him at:  Website: www.nocd.comBooks: “Don’t Try Harder, Try Different” & “The OCD Answer Book”LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-mcgrath-37b981/Study on the Effectiveness of Virtual ERP: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/could-virtual-erp-be-the-new-standard-of-treatment-for-ocd

Welcome back to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   Today I have Vanessa Bohns on the show and let me tell you, this was one of the most thought provoking conversations I’ve had on this podcast to date.    Vanessa is a social psychologist and a professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. She holds a PhD in Psychology from Columbia University and an AB from Brown University. Professor Bohns is an expert on social influence, compliance, and consent; and investigates why it’s so hard to say no. Her research has been published in top academic journals in psychology, management, and law. And her first book You Have More Influence Than You Think was published in September.    I found my conversation with Professor Bohns to be absolutely fascinating on both a personal and professional level. Her insights helped me understand a lot about myself and the people around me.   In this episode you will learn: Why so many of us struggle to say no;Biases that influence the way we see the world and how the world sees us; andWhy we tend to be harder on ourselves than others are on us.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   To connect with Professor Bohns, you can find her at:  Twitter & Instagram: @profbohnsWebsite: https://www.vanessabohns.com/ Her book ‘You Have More Influence Than You Think’: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1324005718/

Hello & welcome back to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    Today’s guest is someone who knows first hand what it’s like to overcome a seemingly impossible challenge.    Nick Lavery is an active-duty member of The United States Army Special Forces. In 2013, on Nick's second combat rotation to Afghanistan, he and his Detachment fell victim to an insider attack ultimately resulting in the loss of his leg. Following a year of surgeries and recovery, he returned to his Detachment and was deployed once again. Nick is considered the first Special Forces operator to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee and I was honored to hear his story.   This episode gives listeners an in depth look into the mindset Nick relies on to continuously achieve his goals. His story and outlook on life are testament to the power of committing to your purpose and developing a strong sense of self.    Nick’s perseverance, humility, and intelligence were evident to me throughout our conversation. I know that you will walk away feeling inspired by his attitude and motivated to prioritize your own growth, too.    In this episode, you will learn:   How to compare yourself to others with gratitude instead of self-pity;How to become more systematic about achieving your goals; andHow to let go of distractions and focus on what truly matters most to you.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   To connect with Nick, you can find him at: Website: http://www.machinenick.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNVniNJKTYRZpTmfyJJjtAInstagram: @nick.machine.laveryBook: Objective Secure

Welcome back to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    This week I got to sit down with fellow Simply Bee clinician Eric Stevenson. Eric is a licensed professional counselor and certified mental performance coach. He specializes in working with adolescents, young adults, and athletes, helping them with issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, perfectionism and life transitions.   I wanted to have Eric on the show today to talk specifically about the issue of men’s mental health. This is an issue that deserves a lot of attentionbecause suicide rates among men are on the rise and there is still a strong stigma around seeking treatment.   Since joining my practice 2 years ago, Eric has seen a lot of our male clients and has great insight on common trends that we’re seeing today.    Listen in to hear what he has to say about these issues and what parents and clinicians can do to provide support.   Common issues that we see amongst male clients in our officeHow parents can help their kids make effective behavioral changes; and Coping strategies to help teens combat negative thoughts and emotions.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect!   To learn more about Eric, you can find his bio on our website: https://www.simplybeecounseling.net/meettheteam

TW: Eating Disorders   Hi everyone and welcome back to Well, Not Perfect.    This week we’re doing something a little different. I want to share with you again one of my favorite episodes from last season. Dionne Miller was my first guest on Season 2 and someone who I feel really embodies what this show is all about.   So whether you’ve listened to this episode before or not, I encourage you to tune in and get inspired by Dionne’s resilience, bravery and honesty.   _______   Today on Well, Not Perfect, I am so proud to have Dionne Miller. She is an incredibly talented female Sports Anchor and Reporter at ABC7 Chicago.    Prepare to get a glimpse inside of her incredibly resilient mind and see the personal side of her life that often doesn’t get seen on TV.    As I was talking with Dionne, I couldn’t get over the fact that her story is just like so many other people I talk to who struggle with body image, perfectionism, and their relationship with food.    What most may not know is that she has climbed the ranks in the broadcasting world all while battling an eating disorder and still fights for her recovery to this day. Dionne’s inspiring story shows us how faith, family, and perseverance work together to create joy. She is proof that success co-exists with mental and physical challenges to make up a beautiful life full of ups and downs.    In today’s episode you will learn about:  How to fight the inner critic that lives in our mindsWays to keep a balanced mindsetWhy you can find hope and purpose too    Dionne is a full-time, working mom of two and a hustler in an extremely cut-throat industry. She has a true passion for Chicago sports and Chicago sports fans and is the first full-time female in the ABC 7 Sports department. You can find her here:         Facebook: DionneMiller        Instagram: @DmillerABC7        Twitter: @dmillerABC7

We’re back for another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   This week’s guest is someone who is literally overcoming mountains every day.    Dr. Jon Kedrowski earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Geography, Weather, and Climate and he is also the owner and founder of Dr. Jon’s Adventures, which leads expeditions to all corners of the globe.    He has climbed 6 of the 7 continental summits, including 5 expeditions to Mount Everest. His most recent summit of Everest came while guiding and coaching singer/songwriter Mike Posner in June of 2021.   Throughout our conversation I was struck by his laid back attitude and humility. These qualities have undoubtedly played a huge role in his ability to lead himself and others through great and often dangerous adventures.   This episode is full of intriguing insights from someone who frequently encounters unpredictability and setbacks. Listen for an inside look into the mindset that allows Jon to per-sa-vere and push others to do the same.   In this episode, you will learn:  The attitude and mindset required to overcome adversity and uncertainty;Why athletes need focus on fun as the center to their spor; andThe importance of spending your time looking forward instead of living in the past.    Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.     To connect with Dr. Jon Kedrowski, you can find him at: Instagram: @drjonkedski  @drjonsadventures Website: https://jonkedrowski.com/home Books: https://jonkedrowski.com/books

Welcome back to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    Today I sit down with Michael Gazzo, a music producer with an absolutely fascinating story. Michael has been in the music industry for 10 years as an artist, songwriter, producer and artist developer. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry from Jordin Sparks to the Backstreet Boys to Snoop Dogg.    Through my conversation with Michael it was clear to me that his perspective is unique. He showed me the power of infusing spirituality into his personal and professional work and boy does he get some amazing results in the studio.   In an industry that is known for its high stakes and intense pressure, Michael’s perspective and energy is benefitting the mental health of those he works closest with.    In this episode, you will learn:  About the intersection between music and mental health; The importance of infusing healing practices into your everyday routines; andHow to let go of outcomes and focus on presence.   Be sure to check out this gratitude meditation that Michael recorded for us: https://www.simplybeecounseling.net/gratitude-meditation   And to connect with Michael, you can find him on instagram @gazzomusic!

Today on Well, Not Perfect, I have a timely and important episode for you.    In response to many recent events involving gun violence, we at Simply Bee stepped back and asked ourselves, “How can we help?”   To answer this question, I turned to our community and sought out a person who is initiating positive and powerful discussion.   Today I interviewed April Oboikowitch. She is an attorney working as a clerk for an Illinois Appellate Court judge. She also volunteers for Be SMART, a program designed to prevent minors’ access to guns, promote secure gun storage and reduce the risk of suicide. She lives with her husband and three daughters in the north suburbs of Chicago and is a friend and neighbor of mine who I genuinely trust and respect immensely.    In today’s episode you will learn about Be SMART, a non profit social movement aimed to change the narrative surrounding safe gun storage—because if we are open and talk about safe storage practices with our friends and family, the stigma will fade and our children and communities will be safer.   In today’s episode you will learn: How to avoid politics and stay focused on goal to reduce incidences of gun violenceWhy it's important to ask friends and family how their guns are stored; andWhy gun violence and suicide might be more common than you think   And before we get into the episode, I just want to remind everyone that these conversations can be uncomfortable and triggering. I recommend you take your time to listen and understand your reaction to this conversation and seek out Be SMART if you want to get involved. Also, if you feel overwhelmed after listening to this episode, take a break, do some self-care and be gentle on yourself.    With that being said, welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    To connect with April, Be SMART, and other resources mentioned in this episode, you can find them at: Be Smart Website: https://besmartforkids.org/April’s Instagram: @aoboikowitchText-For-Help: https://linkingefforts.com/textforhelp-app/

Hi everyone, we’re back with another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   Today’s guest is someone who is passionate about helping women live their most healthful and happy lives. Brooke Boskovich, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a functional & integrative practitioner. She focuses on nutrition and lifestyle to help women with issues from infertility to irregular cycles.   It was fascinating to hear about all the ways that nutrition interacts with mental, physical and reproductive health and how seemingly small adjustments can make a huge impact on someone’s life.    Brooke’s work is so essential in helping women broaden their awareness and more deeply care for their bodies.  I walked away from this conversation feeling inspired to further educate myself and my daughter on all the things I learned from today’s episode.   In today’s episode you will learn: Strategies for working with your body instead of against it;Tips on nutrients improve your  mental and physical health; and The importance of educating yourself and having open conversations with your daughters.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   Here’s where you can connect with Brooke: The Fertility Dietitian: https://www.thefertilitydietitian.health/Instagram: @the.fertility.dieticianFacebook: @BrookeTheFertilityDietitian

Hello and welcome back!   I had so much fun with my guest this week. She’s down to earth, funny and so relatable and I know what she shares with us today will be impactful for every listener.   Elizabeth Earnshaw is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author and has one of my favorite Instagram accounts in the game. Make sure you follow her on @lizlistens.   She is one of the founders of Ours, where she works to make couple's counseling mainstream and accessible. She also owns A Better Life Therapy in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, supporting clinicians who are helping couples every day. Released November 30, 2021, Elizabeth's debut book, I WANT THIS TO WORK, is a trustworthy, inclusive guide to navigating the most challenging relationship issues we face.   In this episode, I got to pick her brain about all things relationships, from how to find balance in the roles and responsibilities to how to better communicate your needs.    I walked away from our conversation with so many tangible takeaways that I’ve applied in my roles as a wife and mom. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to hear some insightful advice on creating a successful and fulfilling partnership.   In this episode, you’ll learn: How to collaboratively manage the mental load of parenting4 things to avoid when communicating with your partner; andHow to set healthy boundaries to ensure a positive and productive relationship   Ways you can connect with Liz: Instagram: @lizlistensBook: I Want This To WorkWebsite: http://www.elizabethearnshaw.comA Better Life Therapy: https://abetterlifetherapy.com/elizabeth-earnshaw-lmft-cgt Ours Wellness: https://www.withours.com/about

Welcome back to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    Today’s guest is someone who uses her expertise to change the lives of people around the world.    I’m thrilled to introduce you all to Ariana Gibson, a documentary filmmaker, mental health activist, and the founder and CEO of STIGMA. Stigma is a new mental health app that uses storytelling to fight loneliness and improve mental health. In addition to the app she has an amazing TicTok account that I can’t get enough of.   Through her work, Ariana has given people a safe space to publicly share their stories, ask for help and see that they are not alone.     As a mental health professional, I know firsthand how essential it is for people to have access to spaces like this.    I’m so grateful to Ariana for the hope she is instilling in communities far and wide and can’t wait for you to get an inside look into her work.    Listen now to hear the powerful ways that the STIGMA App is crowdsourcing hope.   In today’s episode you will learn: The power of storytelling and its effect on breaking the mental health stigma;The role of social media can have in helping people feel connected; and How The STIGMA app helps people find purpose and can have a place to heal and find hope.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    To connect with Ariana and The Stigma App, you can find it at: Website: https://www.thestigma.app/Instagram: @thestigma.appTik Tok: @thestigma.appLinkedIn: @ariana-gibson

We’re back for another episode of Well, Not Perfect. I’ve been looking forward to sharing this one with you all!    I had the honor to sit down with Dr. Donna Baptiste, I had the opportunity to get to know Dr Baptiste in 2020 during Simply Bee’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel Discussion. Dr. Baptiste is the Department Chair of the Master of Arts Degree in Counseling at the Family Institute at Northwestern University as well as a licensed psychologist. She is an incredible human with a passion for mentoring other professional clinicians, treating families and promoting equity.    In this episode you will hear me discuss both my personal and professional takeaways that have since then changed the way I parent and lead.    Like me, I am confident you will walk away feeling inspired!    Listen in as we dive deep into the hot topic of diversity and inclusion and the importance of raising informed children who appreciate diversity and value inclusion.  We talk about tangible ways that parents can raise a generation who embody these values in their everyday actions.   Donna’s insights provide us all with a powerful reminder that one of the most essential roles in a parent’s life is to bring up children who will create a world more equitable than the one we have now.    In today’s episode you will learn: How to raise children to be inclusive members of society;The relationship between race, identity, and mental health; and finallyStrategies and advice for how to have uncomfortable conversations with your loved ones.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    To connect with Donna, you can find her at: The Family Institute at Northwestern: https://www.family-institute.org/therapists-locations/staff/donna-baptisteLinkedIn: Donna Baptiste

Hello and welcome back! I’m so excited to be here for season 3 of Well, Not Perfect. We have so many amazing guests lined up this season and I can’t wait for you to meet them all.    In this first episode, I want to introduce you to the amazing Allison Herman. Allison is the Director of Education at Hope For The Day. Hope For The Day is an incredible Chicago-based non-profit who’s mission is to empower the conversation on proactive suicide prevention and mental health education.    This episode comes at the perfect time because May is Mental Health Awareness month & May 19th is the second annual Mental Health Action Day. This is a time to educate, provide support and empower the world to move from awareness to action for mental health.   Through our conversation, I was deeply inspired to learn about all the ways that Allison & Hope For The Day are taking action each and every day. Their work is making a huge impact and helping people truly know that “It’s Ok Not To Be Ok” — a message they’ve trademarked and spread across the globe.   In today’s episode you will learn: The ins and outs of the essential work Hope For The Day is doingAnd how you can be a part of the efforts to break the stigma and take action for mental health.   Be sure to stay tuned at the end of the episode for more on the worldwide Mental Health Action Day happening on May 19th!    Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    To learn more about Hope For The Day and how you can get involved, you can find them at: Website: www.hftd.orgInstagram, Facebook & Twitter: @hopeforthedayLinkedIn: Hope For The DayHops For The DayHFTD E-Learning

Hi, everyone and welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.    This episode is going to be the last episode of season 2 and it’s going to look a little different. Instead of having a guest with me this week, I’m going to share some of my own advice on a topic I talk to clients about all the time. I’m going to use this format for some of the episodes in season 3 and I’m excited for you to get a feel for them as we wrap up this season. I’m so grateful to all of you for being here and can’t wait to come back for season 3 with more amazing guests and more episodes just like this one.   So today I want to talk to you about the art of letting go and moving forward and growing. This is a notoriously hard thing for people to do because change is hard and it’s difficult to say goodbye.    I’m going to talk about the barriers to letting go, five steps to healing in this process of saying goodbye, and reflection questions that can help you stay in a growth mindset.   For more information on this topic, check out: Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big MagicThe Bee You Planner Series (use code ‘wellnotperfect’ for 10% off!)

On today’s show, I sit down with writer, actor, director, and TedX Global Speaker Cara Greene Epstein. She is the award-winning writer and co-directed of Dragonfly, streaming on Amazon Prime.    Today I talk to her about all things being a creative. We dive into the ways in which creatives think, feel and act. We discuss the benefits of being a free spirit and also the disadvantages that come with it.    In today’s episode, you will learn: How to stop self sabotagingWhy accountability is essential to reach your goalsWhat to do when you fear failure   To connect with Cara and keep up with all the amazing work she is doing, you can find her at: Facebook: Cara EpsteinInstagram: @caragreene37 TedTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/cara_greene_epstein_how_theater_weathers_wars_outlasts_empires_and_survives_pandemics;Twitter: @caragreene37; Website: https://www.caragreeneepstein.com/

We’re back for another episode of Well, Not Perfect. This week I’m here again with David Gray, who shared his knowledge of psychedelic medicine with us in the last episode. In Part 2, we flipped the script and this time David asked me the questions. Our conversation dives into the reality of talking about controversial topics in the age of the Internet and social media. We discuss the risks we all take when we share our opinions and how to deal with naysayers.   David’s questions encouraged me to get vulnerable with my own fears and limitations in a way that I hope many of you can relate to.   In today’s episode, you will learn:   How to balance the fear of scrutiny with the desire to be authenticWhat to rely on in the face of criticism or backlashAnd the role that privilege plays in our ability to talk about controversial topics.   Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect!

Hello there and welcome back to Well, Not Perfect! I’m so excited to introduce this week’s guest, David Gray. He is a fellow therapist and good friend of mine. He is a licensed psychotherapist and owner of Gray Matter Therapy, a private practice in the Chicagoland area.    He is a trained therapist who assists clients who use psychedelic medicine for therapeutic purposes and contributes to the growing evidence that psychedelic medicine is a promising option in the field of mental health treatment.    This treatment modality is up and coming in the therapy world, with groundbreaking research being done for its uses in treating major depressive disorder, PTSD, addiction, and so much more. Listen in to hear what David has to say about his professional and personal experiences with this type of treatment.   In today’s episode, you will learn:   How psychedelic medicine improves people’s biological and psychological well being Where and why the stigma of psychedelic medicines came to be And the importance of educating and empowering yourself to find the treatment method that work best for you   So without further ado, please listen and learn from my good friend David Gray. Welcome to another episode of Well, Not Perfect.   To connect with David and his practice, you can find him at: https://graymattertherapy.net/.   Resources: California Institute of Integral Studies: https://www.ciis.edu/ Multidisciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies: https://maps.org/ Books: The Fellowship of the River by Joseph TafurSacred Knowledge by William A. RichardsConsciousness Medicine by Françoise Bourzat and Kristina HunterHow to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

Today on Well, Not Perfect, I sit down with Kati Wax. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Lincoln Park Psychology. Her passion is to affect others to make meaningful change. She is an extraordinary therapist and leader in the field of psychology in the Chicagoland area.   Listen in as she explains the power of boundary setting during the holiday season and how we can approach this time of year more skillfully.    In todays episode you will learn: How to set boundaries with others and within yourselfWhy it's important to stay non-judgmental during the holiday seasonHow to go from a negative thought pattern to a productive and healthy reframing of those thoughts  To connect with Kati and her practice you can find them at www.lincolnparkpsychology.com and on Instagram @lincoln_park_psychology.