Imperfectly Honest

What if some of the things we think are simply “who we are” are actually habits we’ve built to keep ourselves comfortable?

In this episode, Elizabeth and Kayla sit down to discuss Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan – a book about what happens when a self-described introvert with social anxiety decides to spend a year intentionally stepping outside her comfort zone.

But this conversation isn’t really about becoming more extroverted. It’s about questioning the stories we tell ourselves about who we are – and whether those stories are actually serving us.

Elizabeth and Kayla explore the difference between saying no because you genuinely need to honor your energy versus saying no because you’re afraid, uncomfortable, worried about disappointing someone, or simply stuck in a routine. They talk about people-pleasing, social anxiety, talking to strangers, and how routines and to-do lists can sometimes leave surprisingly little room for connection.

They also share some personal stories – from Kayla pushing herself to participate in a live storytelling event to Elizabeth striking up a conversation with a stranger on a chairlift that ultimately led to a meaningful mentorship.

At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: How much of what we think is our personality is actually habit, fear, or avoidance?

In this episode, Elizabeth and Kayla explore:

The goal isn’t necessarily to become more social, more outgoing, or more extroverted. It’s simply to pause and get curious about why we’re saying yes – and why we’re saying no. Because sometimes the most interesting parts of life are waiting just beyond the edge of our usual routine.

Show Notes:

Pick up a copy of Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan.

Follow Kayla’s “outgoing introvert” journey on YouTube (@DishAndTellWithKayla) and Substack (@kaylagorski).

In addition to Jessica Pan’s book, consider reading The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier Stronger Relationship, by Nate and Kaley Klemp.

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Episode Timestamps:

What would you tell your 13-year-old self about your body? What do you tell young girls in your life today about body image?

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Blair Haseman, 501(c)(3) founder of Girls Thrive, for a deeply personal conversation about body image, self-esteem, confidence, and the messages girls begin absorbing about their bodies at a surprisingly young age.

For many of us, the answer might be less about how we looked and more about everything we wish we’d known: that our bodies don’t define us, that comparison isn’t a measure of our worth, and that we could have spent a lot less time worrying about how we looked – and a lot more time simply being kids.

Blair shares her own experience struggling with body acceptance beginning in elementary school, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the work she now does to help girls develop a healthier relationship with their bodies.

Together, Elizabeth and Blair explore the pressures girls face as they grow up, the impact of teasing and comparison, and why our focus on what women’s bodies look like can overshadow what they are actually capable of doing.

The conversation also turns inward as Elizabeth reflects on what she would tell her own 13-year-old self – including lessons about food, fitness, failure, comparison, aging, and learning to accept that our bodies aren’t supposed to look the same. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: your body is an instrument, not an ornament.

In this episode, Elizabeth and Blair explore:

Maybe the real question isn’t just what we would tell our younger selves, but what we’re teaching the girls growing up around us. And perhaps it’s never too late to start giving ourselves some of the same grace, perspective, and encouragement.

About Blair Haseman:

Blair Haseman is the 501(c)(3) founder of Girls Thrive, a nonprofit organization based in Helena, Montana, focused on empowering girls through physical activity and education, with an emphasis on positive body image, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Her own experiences with body image struggles inspired her to make this work part of her life’s mission.

Episode Timestamps

Show Notes:

Learn more about Girls Thrive and how to get involved.

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

What if finding the right relationship isn’t about finding someone who checks every box, but about being open enough to recognize the right person when they show up?

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with friend Al Musser for a candid conversation about finding love after divorce, dating later in life, and building a healthy, fulfilling relationship.

After divorce, it can be tempting to approach dating with a checklist of qualities, expectations, and deal-breakers. But what happens when the person who turns out to be right for you doesn’t look anything like the person you imagined?

Elizabeth and Al explore the unexpected ways relationships develop, why some of the best connections can’t be planned, and how learning to let go of control can create space for love to find you. They talk about recognizing when a relationship feels different, paying attention to compatibility beyond a checklist, and becoming open to possibilities that might not make sense on paper.

In this episode, they explore:

Whether you’re dating after divorce, looking for love later in life, navigating a new relationship, or simply curious about what makes a partnership work, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder: sometimes the person we’re looking for doesn’t come in the box we expected.

And maybe that’s exactly the point.

Show Notes:

As Elizabeth mentioned in this episode, she’s come up with 57 qualities she’d like to find in a partner, but has realized that she only needs seven.

Elizabeth also committed to living in discomfort after her divorce in order to realize the true value of moving out of her comfort zone.

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

What if one of the hardest seasons of your life became one of your greatest teachers?

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with longtime friend, mentor, and entrepreneur Jimmy Calano for an honest conversation about navigating cancer, recovering from serious health challenges, and the unexpected perspective that can emerge when we’re forced to confront our own mortality. But this isn’t a conversation about death—it’s about how these experiences inspired them to live well.

After facing acute leukemia and other health crises, Jimmy shares the mindset shifts that helped him navigate fear, uncertainty, and recovery. Elizabeth reflects on her own experience recovering from chronic pain and a tumor that curved her spine—and how those challenges transformed her relationships, priorities, and understanding of what it means to truly live.

Together, they explore:

Whether you’re navigating a health challenge, supporting someone you love through illness, or simply looking for a reminder to slow down and appreciate what matters most, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and the comforting reminder that even our hardest seasons can shape us for the better.

Show Notes:

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

How do you know when to keep pushing... and when it’s time to let go?

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with friend and fellow truth-seeker Kayla Gorski to explore what it really means to trust yourself.

Together, they reflect on perfectionism, burnout, intuition, synchronicity, and the courage to loosen our grip on life’s carefully crafted plans. Through stories of career transitions, unexpected opportunities, solo adventures in nature, and the quiet signs that often appear when we finally slow down, Elizabeth and Kayla examine how self-trust isn’t about having certainty – it’s about trusting you’ve already done the work and believing you’ll be okay no matter what unfolds.

This episode is an invitation to trade control for curiosity and discover the freedom that comes from trusting your own inner wisdom.

Together, they explore:

Whether you’re navigating a career transition, recovering from burnout, searching for clarity, or simply wondering if you’re on the right path, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that sometimes the greatest act of courage is trusting that you already have everything you need. As Elizabeth points out, “We are animals... and oftentimes we know what to do. We just need to trust that we know.”

Show Notes:

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Fifty episodes. Hundreds of questions. Countless opportunities to rethink what we thought we knew.

In this milestone episode, Elizabeth reunites with co-founder Sheila Lamont to reflect on the conversations that have shaped the podcast – and the personal growth that came from having them.

Together, they revisit some of their most memorable episodes, exploring how their perspectives have evolved on everything from living alone and setting boundaries to communication, relationships, and everyday disagreements. Along the way, they discover that changing your mind isn't a sign of inconsistency – it's often a sign of growth.

They explore:

Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or you're discovering Imperfectly Honest for the first time, this conversation is an invitation to embrace curiosity, welcome personal growth, and remember that we don't have to stay the same person we were yesterday.

Show Notes:

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

What is a wedding really for?

In this deeply personal episode, Elizabeth sits down with newlywed Morgan Klaas to explore a question that goes far beyond centerpieces, guest lists, and wedding traditions: What – and who – are we actually celebrating when we get married?

Both Elizabeth and Morgan reflect on their weddings, but beneath the details of the celebration lies a larger conversation about love, commitment, family expectations, and the realities of modern marriage.

This episode is an honest exploration of what happens when we stop asking whether a marriage will last forever and start asking whether it is helping us become who we're meant to be. Together, they explore: 

Whether you're planning a wedding, healing from a divorce, questioning traditional relationship milestones, or simply reflecting on what commitment means in today's world, this conversation offers a refreshing and deeply human perspective on love, partnership, and personal growth.

Show Notes:

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Stay tuned for a follow-up episode on Cuban food and the joy of unconventional living on our Imperfectly Honest producer, Kayla Gorski’s podcast, Dish + Tell. Subscribe to her Substack here. 

What makes someone attractive?

Is it confidence? Physical chemistry? Shared values? Emotional intelligence?

In this episode of Imperfectly Honest, Elizabeth is joined by her friend and Imperfectly Honest partner in crime, Kayla Gorski, to explore the psychology of attraction, modern dating, relationship compatibility, and the surprising qualities that create lasting connection. From confidence and curiosity to self-awareness and emotional intelligence, they unpack what women really find attractive—and how those preferences evolve over time.

Drawing from their own dating experiences, conversations about dating after divorce, and reflections on healthy relationships, Elizabeth and Kayla discuss why attraction is often about far more than physical appearance. 

Together, they discuss:

Whether you're actively dating, navigating a breakup, re-entering the dating world after divorce, or simply curious about human behavior, this conversation offers an honest look at attraction, relationships, confidence, and what truly creates connection.

Show Notes:

Deepen your connection with food and yourself by visiting Kayla’s Substack at substack.com/@kaylagorski. 

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

For many people, the pandemic changed more than just daily routines – it changed the way we think about safety, health, and germs.

What starts as “being careful” can slowly become something heavier: contamination anxiety, obsessive cleaning, fear of getting sick, and stress that quietly impacts everyday life.

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with microbiologist and department head at Montana State University, Jovanka Voyich, for an honest and nuanced conversation about germs, hygiene, immune health, and the balance between protecting ourselves and still fully living.

Together, they discuss:

This episode is not about dismissing health concerns — it’s about finding balance, reducing shame, and learning how to stay informed without letting fear take over your life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your “healthy habits” may have crossed into anxiety, this conversation is for you.

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

For some, Mother’s Day is a pure celebration. For others, it's grief, or just a day that's not quite easy peasy. Sometimes it's all of those things at once. If Mother's Day has ever felt more complex than the greeting cards suggest, this one is for you.

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with friend and fellow climate advocate, Max Scheder-Bieschin, who recently lost his mother. Max shares the lessons his mother left him, the things he wishes he'd said, and how she shaped the man he's become. Elizabeth brings her own truth about her loving relationship with her mother, and her own set of questions as well.

Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.